SALAAM BAHRAIN RETIREMENT ISSUE JULY 2019

BD 1.500

July 2019 - VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3

we speak your language

Retirement a new journey

Learning from the Dhananjayans

SNACKING WISELY IN SUMMER

SUSTAINABLE FASHION TIPS

HEART HEALTH

Note from the Chairman

MAY 2019

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

Chairman Mahmood Al Mahmood Chief Editor Ahdeya Ahmed Managing Director P.K. Ravi Editor Meera Ravi Contributing Agency • Maharaja Features Pvt. Ltd. Designer • Sumesh. C. Unni Photography • Jomon • Sajid Butt Marketing P.R.M. Marketing Consultancy w.l.l Advertising Sales Contact: +973 3668 4011/ 1772 0797 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 Copyright Reserved.

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Here we are in the hot, hot weeks of July and parents are busy signing up their children into a routine of summer camp and extra skills classes that will hopefully use up their energy and teach them new stuff.

But – call me old-fashioned – did you stop to think that teaching children what experts are now calling ‘solitary play’ is also important? True, as more and more households have double-income families with both parents at work, its impractical to expect children to be left alone at home for the whole day. That’s why summer camps are doing roaring business – they practically babysit the kids.

However, a day packed end-to-end with classes can be very stressful for the children who have to assimilate new lessons and skills all the time and, in the long term, become dependent on having their entertainment, their learning and their time managed for them. Many parents believe that they should constantly engage with their children, but that mentality leaves no time for relaxation — and creates stress that your kids pick up on When parents come back after work, they feel obliged to drive their children to the next class or to a movie or entertain them in some way. Well, how about finding them a new friend – themselves? For a couple of hours in the evening, when parents are at home, give your child a choice of doing anything s/he wants so long as it does not include watching TV or playing computer games. S/he can read, write, paint, play either alone or have a friend over – the idea is to nurture the all-important skill of amusing oneself and being content with one’s own company. It will lead to a dynamic shift in your child’s personality, no matter the age and nurture the three Cs necessary to forge ahead in life – creativity, critical thinking and confidence.

Mind you, parents too have to lead by example. During this time, you too have to switch off your devices and learn to occupy your time effectively and without the crutch of the internet or television. Hey nobody said parenting was easy, I know – bet you didn’t think it was this tough either!

Capt. Mahmood Al Mahmood

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Highlights July 2019

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• COVER FOCUS

Starting the Retirement Conversation

Expert advise on the questions we all need to tackle when planning our retirement.

Spoiler Alert: Its not just about the financial nest-egg - lifestyle and health too matter as does partner compatibility.

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Special Feature: How to

retire in Bahrain - the advantages • CUISINE and why your Bahrain property Summer snack surge can be your investment.

With holidays on, kids are always demanding snacks while adults who opt for lighter main meals feel hungry sooner. Snacks can bridge the • HEALTH appetite gap but need to be planned so that they Restoring quality of life are appealing and healthy at the same time!

Women spend one-third of their life after menopause and good health advise and procedures can help reduce intimate problems such as uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence.

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True facts on heart and BP stats

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• HISTORY

India’s motoring history

Since heart rate and BP are usually measured together, we think they are always linked. But each measurement can mean quite different things for your health.

• FASHION

Sustainable fashion notes

The first ‘horseless cart’ drove down a Patiala road in 1892 and actually broke motoring speed limits at 19 miles an hour. Today, the country is poised to manufacture 5 million automobiles by 2021. Read the quirky facts and saga of cars in India.

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Call it upcycled, repurposed, eco-friendly - the sustainable fashion scene is buzzing with quality and imagination. If you are shopping in India these holidays, watch for our recommended designers.

Parita’s style funda

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Young and meticulously particular about her stylish creations, Parita Kewalram combines Bahraini flow with exquisite Indian workmanship and an international touch.

30 ..PLUS BOLLYWOOD GUPSHUP, PARTY SCENE PIX YOUNGISTAN

COLUMNS

• 54 Shobhaa De • 24 Ayaz Memon • 67 Celeb Chakker

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ACCOLADE

Ahdeya speaks up for women in media

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Journalism is facing many challenges but the print media is far from dead, says Bahrain’s first woman journalist on the board of the IFJ

alaam Bahrain Managing Editor Ahdeya Ahmed always knew she was destined to be a newsmaker.

The young veteran journalist who began her career in media as a teenager, has, since that early start, donned many hats in media, from senior reporter and editor in print media to TV news anchor and producer, government spokesperson during sensitive elections, advisor to the Cabinet on media affairs and more recently, the first woman Chairperson of the Bahrain Journalists Association.

“Yes, put in a list like that, it does look like I have served many different roles in media – but the fact is that the current running through it all is the same: the effective dissemination of information,” Ahdeya says, “I do believe strongly that media is changing at the speed of light and we all need to reinvent our roles in order to be part of the process.”

More recently, Ahdeya made history – or should we say, HERstory – by winning Bahrain its first representation in the Gender Council seat for the Middle East in elections of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) which were held on the sidelines of IFJ’s 30th Congress in Tunis. This is the world’s largest press forum.

“Our representation in the Forum will help to position Bahrain in the world journalism map and promote Bahrain's standing in international press forums.”

Ahdeya said.

The newly-elected IFJ leadership will represent approximately 600,000 members from 120 countries. The Forum is expected to serve as a platform to track the fate of newspapers in the digital age and status of newspapers in the Middle East. Despite the massive shift in revenue

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streams and readership, Ahdeya believes that print media will not be disappearing anytime soon, but says changes need to be administered. In today’s digital age, as the once-thriving industry is struggling to secure an income.

“Most modern-day advertisement agencies prefer employing digital platforms and so print media should have a digital presence. However, the old values of journalism such as strong writing, informed analysis and research are what will keep journalists relevant,” she said.

As the first woman Chairperson of the BJA, Ahdeya has shown in many ways, her intention to make the association relevant.

She has organised many professional workshops, interactions with international journalists’ groups and directly tackled sensitive topics such as loss of jobs facing newspaper industry professionals.

“Bahraini women journalists were able to enrich various media fields and serve as a catalyst for significant development in media,” Ahdeya said on the role played by women in Bahrain media, “Women attaining leadership positions in media 2019

bodies is iconic in its own right, especially now that international reports on sustainable development involving women is given great importance.”

Ahedya holds an MA degree in media from the University of Leicester. She worked as a political analyst and advisor at the Cabinet Affairs Ministry. Earlier, she was correspondent for CNN as well as Arab News and Saudi Gazette. Ahdeya was honoured by former UN SecretaryGeneral Kofi Anan.

SAYANORA

A gem of a lady!

Well-known social worker Marietta Dias returned to India after a long stint in Bahrain, where she was the voice of thousands of vulnerable people. MEERA RAVI gets a farewell word in.

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Marietta & Crown Prince

ometime back, I had invited Marietta Dias as Chief Guest to a ladies’ event in one of the club-villas dotting the Gudaibiya road near Indian Club. Ever the raconteur, she peeked out of a window and excitedly said, “Do you know, when I was a newlywed, I lived in this house. I well remember my mother-inlaw shouting at unruly passers-by who would leave the Bahrain Sports Club (as the Indian Club was then called) in the wee hours of a week-end morning and create a ruckus on the road.”

Having lived in Bahrain for almost six decades, every nook of the Kingdom holds memories for Marietta to cherish. Her departure in June this year marked the end of a century of community service and the presence of the Dias family in Bahrain – Marietta’s husband Bernard’s family were residents here since 1919. Indeed, HRH the Crown Prince and First Deputy Premier, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa invited her for a special meeting to express his regard for her good work and many

Marietta

ministers and ministries too bade special farewell to her. The Sacred Heart Church, of which the Dias family was a founding member and Marietta an active member, honoured her with a special tribute plaque as did the Indian Ladies Association.

A large-hearted lady whose inexhaustible energy and compassion made her the goto guide for thousands of less privileged people, Marietta had been a resident of Bahrain since 1964, when she came here as a 19-year old bride to husband Bernard.

Not many people know that Marietta, besides being a caring social worker, is always the life and soul of a party with her ready ability to rule the dance floor and her swag. The outpouring of affection for Marietta was apparent from the way friends and strangers reacted to news of her departure, with a mix of regret and genuine good wishes that this stalwart of the community would be enjoying the fruits of her hard work and good karma now.

Path-breaking

Marietta was a founding member of the Migrant Workers Protection Society and

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later, a long-serving Chairperson. In this role, she carried out eye-opening and path-breaking work as a champion for human rights, a crusader against modernday slavery and human trafficking. Her hands-on approach saw her become a regular face at Bahrain’s police stations and immigration offices, where she spent hours

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SAYANORA providing help and support to foreign men and women in distress.

“I guess the drop in cases of ugly abuse, the sensitization of law-makers, police officials and sponsors and the overall dismantling of the earlier rules of sponsorship and job change – all these point to Bahrain’s intrinsic humanity,” she said, “The MWPS played a huge role in pointing up the flaws and offering solutions but in the end, I think none of the changes would have been possible without the active endorsement of the leadership of Bahrain, their directives to the authorities and the efficient translation of ideas of good human rights safety nets into reality by the government.”

Born in the ancient gold-mining town of Kolar in Karnataka, Marietta was the only child of a Parsi father and Malayalee mother and spoke fondly of how the lack of wealth was made up for by sturdy moral values and a community support system. In Bahrain, she joined the fledgling Gulf Aviation Co., predecessor of Gulf Air as a clerk/typist on a princely salary of Rs. 300/(BD.30 in today’s currency). She was later seconded to the Bahrain Royal Flight from where she retired in 2004 as the Deputy Director – Administration.

“I was instrumental in the purchase of aircraft and had gone to Mumbai to set up the first international flight of Gulf Air – not bad for a lady who had just a high

SALAAM SOCIETY

What’s the Good Word?

A Bible Fiesta that tested contestants on their knowledge of the Holy Book, was organised by the Full Gospel Church of Philadelphia. It proved to be a huge hit with eighteen teams from 10 churches registering and 72 contestants taking part.

The grand awards ceremony was graced by three distinguished personalities: Bahrain Shura Council Member, Nancy Khedouri, Kemal Demirciler, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey and Dr. Amal Al Jowder, Vice President of Bahrain Association of Religious Coexistence & Tolerance (Al Ta'Ayoush).

The quiz masters, Dr. Moses J. Kantipudi, Tiji Matthew and Sabu George, with their outstanding efforts, made the varied quiz rounds very interesting and enjoyable. The moderators of the competition, Rev Dr. Koshy P Mathew, Senior Pastor and President of The Full Gospel Church of Philadelphia, Rev. K. L. Bhaskaran, Senior Pastor of Good Shepherd Four Square Church and Rev. Issac Inayat, Pastor of the Urdu Congregation in NEC Church, did an excellent job in keeping things fair.

The English congregation of Nation-

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al Evangelical Church bagged the first position, Good Shepherd Four Square Church won the second position and the Malayalam congregation of The Full Gospel Church of Philadelphia won the third position. The winners were awarded with trophies, medals and certificates by the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour.

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school certificate!” she twinkled, “I always believed that if one works hard and sincerely, the reward will follow.”

Always active in church affairs, she recalls even helping as undertaker to prepare bodies for burial at a time when there was no morgue to keep them.

She is now moving to be closer to her daughter Sabrina, 53, while her son James, 54, lives in the US. Francis, her youngest son, died in Bahrain aged just 38 after losing a battle against a rare bone disease.

“I shall be in India, but Bahrain will always be a golden place for me and undoubtedly, I shall keep returning to meet friends and keep my ties to this wonderful country alive,” she said.

SALAAM SOCIETY

Odia community’s dedicated Rath Yatra

Bahrain’s Odia community celebrated the annual Rath Yatra of the Puri Jagannath Temple in splendid spiritual style in the Kingdom. The festival is world-famous for its spectacular display of religious fervour and the community marked the occasion with classical dances and religious discourses.

Yoga Day @ ISB More than 350 students at the Indian School Bahrain (ISB) celebrated the 5th International Yoga Day, at both, its Riffa and Isa Town campuses, in association with the Indian Embassy. Principal V R Palaniswamy, Senior Section Vice Principal Anand Nair, Physical Education HoD and Riffa School Principal Pamela Xavier and PE teachers were present. The Yoga instructor of the school R Chinnasamy trained the students.

“Yoga is a way of living that aims towards a healthy mind in a healthy body. Practising yoga might seem like just stretching, but it can do much more for your body from the way you feel, look and move. It brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind; it helps manage stress and anxiety and keeps you stress-free. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and body tone. It improves respiration, energy and vitality.”

Rudresh Kumar Singh Indian Embassy Culture Teacher

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FITNESS

Embassy leads IYD practice International Yoga Day is an affirmation of the growing healing that the ancient practice brings to millions around the world. It is a gateway to starting yoga practice even if you have never stretched before and taking it forward from there. This year, the Indian Embassy supported many unique gatherings to promote yoga, from a picturesque setting on a beach to an all-la-

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dies yoga gathering in the embassy, a meet for professionals under the umbrella of the Chartered Accountants (BCICAI) and a public event that was very well attended, at the Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.

In addition, Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha made it an occasion to also promote the health benefits of vegetarianism, with the Isa Town meet serving as a platform for

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attendees to explore tasty vegetarian options through the food stalls set up outside.

Now that IYD is behind us, we need to stay focused on the practice and let the calm and well being of yoga permeate our lives. Take your yoga off the mat and into your life for more balance and clarity in everything. Stay attuned, don’t stress and breathe deep.

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COVER STORY

Starting the R conversation

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Preparing and planning for retirement is the key to happy, successful and productive post-work years, say experts all over the world. MEERA RAVI outlines some conversation starters.

he first thought that comes to mind when thinking of retirement, is usually financial preparedness. However, a happy retired life depends as much on lifestyle preparedness as on financial wellness. What use a steady and good retirement income if you have just not planned what to do with your days? The feeling of unproductiveness can be a serious deterrent to your happiness as well as to that of your family and friends, since you will end up getting underfoot in their activities!

The first thing to do is decide where you fit in the retirement scene. Are you a Baby

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Boomer born between 1945 and 1964?

Then chances are you have either retired already or are on the verge of retiring.

Are you a Gen X-er? Born between 1965 and 1979, the upper limit here is 54 years of age and Gen X-ers will probably work till age 67 or 70. Next up, there are Millenials born between 1980 and 1994 whose oldest gen is 39 years old. Finally, say hello to Gen Z, the newest generation to be named, who were born between 1995 and 2015. They are currently between 4-24 years old.

Baggage burden

When talking about retirement, let’s focus on mainly the Baby Boomers ( hereafter referred to as BBs) and Gen 2019

X-ers. While BBs are beginning retirement, Gen X is staring down the barrel at it.

Most BBs have taken a lot of baggage with them into this beautiful journey. They belong to a generation where taking holidays were frowned upon and staying in office till 10 pm was applauded. As a result, they had no time to develop hobbies or think about filling the 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. gap that would exist in their days after their retirement. Retirement planning means that you have to be aware of the huge transition in your lifestyle. Many of your old networks, routines and responsibilities need to be replaced. You have to set new goals and priorities so you can make a smooth transition from what you did to the meaningful and engaging things you are

going to start doing now.

Rule #1 – Retirement is a wonderful way to harvest your life-skills, indulge your interests and contribute to society. So don’t get overwhelmed. Draw up a list of things you would like to do when you retire.

Would you like to still stay in touch with your profession? Hang out a shingle as a consultant and selectively take up assignments that are exhilarating but which will not consume all your time. You have to remember your energy levels need to be carefully assigned to different pursuits.

Explore new ideas. You need not be perfect in a hobby from the start. Just having an interest is enough. You’ll be surprised the adventures you can have when you engage in a hobby. Crosswords?

From solving them to attending out-of-city meet-ups with fellow-aficianados and learning how to set them yourself, you will find a lot to do with a bunch of words. Sign up for music classes, pottery classes even if you have never done it before but only if interested. Don’t do it merely to kill time.

Maybe you are a fund of knowledge on local history. Have you thought of documenting it with photographs or doing walking tours for others when the weather is good?

The huge benefit is you can do stuff for LOVE and not for money – provided you have got your financial planning right.

Rule #2 is to discuss all ideas and

plans with your spouse who may have very different ideas on how to spend the golden years. Without a plan to fill seven days a week, retirement can be something of a challenge, especially for ambitious people who have spent their adult lives working or even busy home-makers who managed family demands. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a fulfilling retirement away from work, whether through extra time with the family, volunteering, pursuing a hobby, or travel. But do plan together so that both you and your spouse are rowing in the same direction!

Experts suggest people consider what their ideal day in retirement will look like.

List your top three priorities and ask your

partner to do the same. If your top priority is travelling the world, but your partner’s is golfing with friends, you may have some issues to thrash out.

Rule #3 is to get practical about your lifestyle. Your must-have needs in retirement are all the day-to-day living expenses: Housing, food, clothing, transportation, medical fees and so on. All the fun stuff falls into the wants category: Travel, social activities, hobbies, and shopping. What about those things seemingly in between? Well, if it’s got the word ‘designer’ in front of it (designer clothing, designer cars, designer vacations), it’s a want.

Think about your personality. If you're the type of person who loves alone time, perhaps good books, newspapers, and TV will bring you long-term happiness. But with the same financial resources, a retired social butterfly might be miserable to spend consecutive days alone and instead crave activity and interaction. No matter your personality, studies have shown that retirees who keep a busy schedule with three to four regular activities and who maintain their relationships and social interaction tend to lead happier retirements.

Keeping engaged can boost your physical and mental health, and recent studies have even shown how certain activities in retirement can reduce your risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer's. In addition to having a plan for your time (even if it's just a general idea), thinking about how you want to spend your time in retirement now can help you prepare.

While a retirement without money doesn't sound like much of a retirement, focusing exclusively on the monetary aspects of the planning is missing the big picture.

A happy retirement is about so much more than having enough money to pay your bills. So once you have a retirement plan in place to help secure your financial future, be sure that you also consider the non-financial aspects of a successful retirement. If you're like retirees who have taken the time to make the conversation 13

about more than just money, you might define a successful retirement as a happy one. So let's take a lesson from the life stories of the happiest retirees. Some of the happiest and most content retirees have a few things beyond financial security in common.

They Go Back to Work

Work in retirement? But don't we work our entire adult lives for the privilege of not working in retirement? It sounds counter-intuitive but studies have shown that people who voluntarily continue to work, even just part-time, past the age of 65 are happier than their full retired peers.

The key word here is voluntary. The effect on the level of happiness is the opposite when retirees are forced to work for financial reasons. While picking up a parttime job in retirement can benefit you financially, its advantages far outweigh the extra pocket money.

The physical activity, social interactions, and even a sense of purpose gained from work all do wonders for retirees' physical and mental health, which as we know are important factors in overall happiness and contentment.

They Maintain Relationship

Relationships both romantic and platonic are an incredibly important part of an enjoyable retirement. Married retirees who report their relationship with their spouse as good or great are reportedly happier than their single counterparts.

When people retire, many lose their built-in social network of colleagues and acquaintances. To have a happy retirement, find ways to have social interactions. These interactions can be with your children and grandchildren, neighbors, members of a social club or church, or even the guy at the coffee place. Retire with the intention to maintain your most important relationships. Not only will the effort make for a happier retirement, but recent studies have suggested that loneliness can result in higher risk of developing Alzheimer's and other dementia-related diseases.

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RETIREMENT They Stay Productive & Busy

Many people forget to ask themselves how they are going to spend their time in retirement. Good financial planners will ask their clients this question as a way to help gauge what kind of discretionary income to save for (greens fees and plane tickets come at a cost!), but people planning for their retirement need to think beyond the financial considerations.

For decades, you've spent the lion's share of your waking hours at work and maybe even raising children. In retirement, that enormous time commitment will evaporate. How will you fill your days? Will it be on the golf course? Playing tennis?

Doing volunteer work? Taking care of your grandchildren? Travelling? Learning to cook?

Joining a book club?

The key issue for most couples is their state of mental and physical health in later life, closely followed by their financial resources. If you don’t have enough money to retire, but have good health, you can still work part-time to enjoy life before it’s too late.

A SURVEY FROM SUN LIFE FOUND THAT FIVE OUT OF SIX PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 50 SAY THEY STILL HAVE THINGS TO TICK OFF THEIR “BUCKET LIST”. ALMOST HALF OF THOSE QUESTIONED AGREE THERE IS STILL MUCH FOR THEM TO ACCOMPLISH IN THEIR LIVES.

Busy retirees tend to be happier retirees.

One study showed that the happiest retirees engage in three to four regular activities and the retirees with the busiest schedules tended to be the happiest. So while retirement can certainly be a time to relax, it should also be a time do the things you enjoy.

They are Active and Healthy

The importance of your health when it comes to your happiness can't be overstated. In fact, in a recent study, having good health outranked financial security as the most important ingredient for a happy retirement, but the two are more intertwined than you might think.

Health is both a financial and non-

financial issue since significant medical expenses can put major stress on an otherwise solid financial plan. Not to mention, constant hospital and doctor visits aren't the same as relaxing on the beach or hitting the golf course. While you can't predict health concerns, the best step is preventative. Be sure to take care of yourself both now and in retirement. Eat well, exercise, and don't neglect your physical or mental health.

The Bottom Line

While financial security is a key ingredient for a successful retirement, be sure not to neglect the other non-financial considerations that make for a happy retirement.

“IT’S NOT OLD AGE THAT’S GETTING LONGER, IT’S MIDDLE AGE. WE NEED TO STOP LUMPING EVERYONE FROM 60 TO 100 TOGETHER, AND ACCEPT ITS NORMAL TO BE VIBRANT AND CAPABLE IN YOUR 70S.” CAMILLA CAVENDISH

Author of Extra Time: 10 Lessons For An Ageing World

BUSINESS

Batelco and Tata Communications Strengthen Partnership Collaboration supports Global Network Connectivity, IP Transit and Cloud Batelco, Bahrain’s leading digital communications solutions provider is announcing an extension of its partnership with Tata Communications, a leading global digital infrastructure provider, to offer flexible and reliable data connectivity with expanded global reach; to service providers, mobile network operators (MNO) and Internet service providers (ISPs) in the Middle East.

This new collaboration brings together Tata Communications’ global Tier-1 IP network and its new partnership IP node with Batelco in Global Zone – the Carrier Neutral Tier-3 certified data centre in Bahrain, and the recently launched

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protected terrestrial cable system of the Batelco Gulf Network (BGN). The combination of these networks and infrastructures will offer service providers highly resilient network connectivity with increased reach in the Middle East and globally.

Adel Al-Daylami, Batelco Chief Global Business Officer said, “By harnessing each other’s assets, we look to bring Middle East service providers, MNOs and ISPs the best of both worlds – the global reach of Tata Communications’ Tier 1 IP network and our regional reach over our protected BGN. As businesses’ use of data and cloudbased applications continues to grow, this 2019

highly resilient offering will help service providers and their customers ensure the reliability of their operations.”

Vaneet Mehta, Tata Communications Region Head – Middle East, Central Asia & Africa, said, “Through our partnership todate, we’ve extended the reach of our respective data centre, cloud and connectivity capabilities. Our new collaboration with Batelco strengthens this relationship further. It helps service providers, MNOs and ISPs in the Gulf future-proof their capabilities and address their customers’ growing data connectivity including Tier 1 IP network requirements.”

SALAAM SOCIETY

A&H answers home needs niche

Already a big name in the retail sector with their hypermarket Ansar Gallery in Tubli, the owners have ventured into the home décor and building materials sector with their new store A&H, located opposite Applied Sciences University in Ma’meer.

From stylish ceramic tiles to different kinds of flooring to bathroom fittings and furniture, the store boasts of every home need.

The inauguration was presided over by BCCI Second Vice-Chairman and leading businessman Mohamed Abduljabbar Mahmood Alkooheji.

Indian Club’s May Queen without borders

With the crowning of Filipina Chloe Keith David as the 2019 May Queen of the Indian Club, it was clear that this annual celebration of beauty and grace had gone truly international.

Chloe also won the Best Hairdo and Best Smile awards and scored top points amongst the 18 contestants.

The First Runner-up was Dhanusha Koshi and the Second Runner-Up was Livya Liffy There was also an Audience Choice Award for Abhirami Aji. The event sponsors were Behbehani Brothers-Jeep with a spectacular stage by Kshetra. Power sponsors were Bahrain Jewelry Company and Bahrain Financing Company.

Other co-sponsors were Allied Middle East, Magnum Imprints, KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre, Value Line & Orange Bakery and Crown Electro Mechanics. President Stalin Joseph said, “More than 1500 guests attended the event which was a huge success considering that the committee had just a month to prepare for it. We are truly encouraged by this triumph.”

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RETIREMENT

Putting the sunshine into retirement

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Rod Allderidge, General Manager of Nexus Financial Services wll, calls for early planning, defined goals and professional support to build a great retirement plan 019 seems to be the Year of the Retiree in Bahrain. In my circle alone so many dear friends are returning like swallows at sunset to their home-towns. Many have spent more than 35 years in Bahrain, brought up their families here and contributed richly to the Kingdom and community’s growth. Now it is time to put their feet up and enjoy the fruits of a productive life.

Most people seem to have sorted their plans for retirement well enough but in some cases life has thrown a spanner into the works. We’ve seen families relocating earlier than expected due to a health crisis or being given the golden handshake a year or two earlier than they expected. That kind of plan change can be difficult to cope with and may need rigorous pre-planning for all eventualities.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have people who have spent very little time contemplating what they might do when they retire and are taken by (unpleasant) surprise at the time unspooling before them and the amount of money that they are spending without the perks of a job. If you are in your mid-forties, it is the ideal time to consider your retirement from all angles. That is not to say you cannot plan a future if you are in your mid-fifties – its just that the goals are different and methods are paced to reach your objectives within a tighter time-frame when you still have a regular income to invest.

Tech impact

However, planning for retirement which will come ten or twenty years later is a complex matter today. I’m not talking about financial planning and health matters alone although that too counts. We need to be aware of the enormous changes wrought by the technology takeover of our lives.

Smart homes, AI, new medical advances, the ability to travel farther with more ease and new sources of entertainment has changed the texture of our lives already, so we cannot even imagine life in 2050 and how to prepare for it.

A lot of your retirement comfort does stem from financial safety even though that is not the only thing. Good health, a structured set of life goals and relationships also play a hugely significant role in a happy retirement. But to set the

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ball rolling, take financial health first – to have a comfortable retirement nest-egg, multiply the income you want by your life expectancy when you retire. If you want an annual income of BD 20,000 from age 65, at which point the average life expectancy is about 20 years, you’ll need to have saved around BD 400,000 by the time you retire.

Next step, you will have to plan a health emergency cushion, so get a good, comprehensive health insurance policy. In addition, tweak your lifestyle to focus on your health. Drop or cut back on smoking, adopt a healthy diet, an exercise schedule that emphasizes cardio fitness and flexibility should set you up for a good post-retirement life – and don’t kid yourself, the schedule begins NOW! On that note, let’s listen to Rod Allderidge, General Manager of Nexus Financial Services in Bahrain, the largest award-winning financial advisors in the GCC, who offers a composite suite of insurance, savings and investment products to both corporate and individual clients.

Allderidge himself is an investment professional with 30 years of expertise and has helped hundreds of clients to put together a comfortable retirement plan.

can lead to misguided financial judgement and tension.

FINANCIAL PLANNING We make your Dreams come true

SB : Why should one use a financial

advisor’s services? How does it change the process of retirement planning?

SB : We all know that the earlier you start on your retirement plan, the more comfortable you will be. How many people do you find following this gameplan?

RA : Often people think that they are

RA : The reality is that very few people

start to even think about retirement when they should and leave it till too late.

Obviously the advantages of planning early mean that you can get better value for your savings. In your thirties, for example, I do understand that you have other priorities such as your property mortgage, children’s education etc. But your thirties and forties are also the time when you are in your prime career-wise and health-wise.

So setting aside a small sum – even just $100 a month for every month over 30 years - towards retirement is easier in these years.

But most people leave it till their fifties and find that they have to put down a larger amount to make the fund earn a better interest in time for their retirement.

SB : How do you plan for your

retirement? The financial nest-egg depends surely on so many factors, your health, your lifestyle and where you will retire? And to imagine that in your thirties is a bit difficult.

RA : A rule of thumb that I advise people

is to plan for a retirement based on your present lifestyle – and then add layers such as your interests, your leisure preferences, your health etc. All these factors change and develop over the years but they are useful in setting future goals.

Understandably, retirement is down on the list of priorities for young families but I must emphasise that starting to draw up preliminary retirement goals at least in your early forties will give you a winning lead. If you push it to later, your per-month savings goal will have to be larger to meet your retirement financial plan – and that

“ Your portfolio looks fine. It's your dreams we need to talk about.” comes at a time when your income growth is winding down.

SB : Are there great variations in the

retirement goals of Asians and Western communities?

RA : Fundamentally, everybody wants

comfortable financial security, safeguards against health emergencies and enough to indulge in one’s new lifestyle. More than a major difference in the Asian versus Western perspective, I would say, women and men approach retirement planning differently. Yes, in the Gulf, I do believe that NRIs and Asians are more willing to sit with a consultant and explore their planning options for retirement while the client from Europe or America would look more at financial planning for a property mortgage and planning a property-based income stream.

But what we are seeing is that as women increasingly take their place in the workplace and utilize their education in professional decision-making, they are coming into the narrative as more independent planners. As the partner who manages the home budget usually, they are more attuned to financial planning and better at translating their retirement goals into reality. That is why we always encourage clients to share the planning with their spouses and approach retirement as a couple. The biggest mistake that people make is a lack of communication. If couples aren’t aware what each other wants from retirement, it

perfectly capable of managing their financial planning for retirement by themselves because the time-scale is long and they believe that it is not very different from a savings plan. Well the answer is yes and no.

If you start early, the time scale is indeed comfortable but a retirement plan is financially more complex that just saving for the future. For one thing, you will be planning for a part of your life where you will not have a fixed salary. You have to plan so that it does not impact your lifestyle.

For another, it will be a phase of your life when you will have more leisure and should have the income to enjoy it and also, as you grow older, adequate health cover to manage any emergencies.

A financial adviser helps you to get clarity on your retirement goals and build a picture of your retired life. We sit with clients and understand their commitments, their goals, their risk appetite and advise them on how to structure their retirement financial planning depending on many factors such as their age, their ability to save money, do they want more liquidity or a fixed income - these points add depth to

The biggest mistake that people make is a lack of communication. If couples aren’t aware what each other wants from retirement, it can lead to misguided financial judgement.

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SALAAM SOCIETY a retirement plan.

Finally, a strong reason why anybody needs professional advice is because a trained eye will help you to grow your wealth better. With all the best intentions in the world, if you are not a trained investor, you will not find the time to track trends, follow share prices and make thoroughly informed decisions.

To maximize the benefits of having a financial consultant working for you, take

his/her advise seriously, define goals and timelines together. Then you will see best results.

SB :Tell us about Nexus and how its

services help clients to plan their financial future.

RA : Nexus is an award-winning financial solutions provider. We offer insurance, savings and investment solutions, chosen from a range of reputed providers to fit

individual client demands. We work with LIC International, Zurich International, MetLife, Orient Insurance – all companies with fine reputations. What we do is that we match their products to client needs, whether individual or group/corporate.

From health insurance to travel insurance, individual savings plans, Takaful plans to retirement and pension, life insurance to children’s education and weddings, we handle them all.

Top tips on retirement planning 9 essential points to help you put your retirement plan in place, as detailed by Ramesh Kinger, Senior Sales Manager, Nexus Bahrainv country? Your home town? In a retirement community in a different land? This will help you get a near-accurate measure of what your postretirement monthly expenditure should be. Do not put off this planning because you want to be near your children. They may have other plans when they grow up and it may not mesh with yours. Besides, change can be managed if you plan and review – but a lack of thought and planning can lead to physical, financial and emotional chaos.

When is a very important question – the proposed age of your retirement determines the time you have to prepare for it. The oftrepeated advise is to start early. These days, many people are going one step further and choosing to retire early so that they can dedicate themselves to volunteer work, philanthrophy or leisure. But your age of retirement requires psychological preparedness and a clear game-plan.

Which leads us to the next important question...

How will your retirement look? Are you ready with a plan to fill your daily life meaningfully without the structure of office and career? When you sit to plan your finances and your health safety net, pay attention to your lifestyle. Nurture your hobbies and passions so that you can take them up and use them to shape the trajectory of retirement life. Plan with your partner/spouse so that both of you have common goals – not the same ones but the same direction – for your retirement journey.

3. Keep tax structures in mind - Many NRIs are looking at ‘here and there’ options – partly in Bahrain and partly in India to save taxes.

1. Saving money is a valuable lesson – lead by example. Make sure your children understand the power of a secure financial future which saving money regularly can bring. My favourite maxim is “Save money today and money will save you tomorrow”.

2. The three key retirement questions – Where will you settle down to enjoy your retirement? In Bahrain? In your home

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Don't retire with regrets of what you couldn't do.

Retire with ambitions of what you will do now....

OUR COVER STARS

Doing it like the Dhananjayans

Look seriously at Bahrain’s excellent Self Sponsorship Visa, invest in property in the Kingdom and use this as your retirement base.

4. Watch your health - As one grows older, lifestyle takes a toll and age is merciless. It means you need proper health insurance cover to manage any health emergencies that may be financially draining. Besides, most countries that give retirement visas, require the applicant to show proof of health insurance. Nexus offers excellent health insurance plans, especially critical illness cover for life along with our partners AXA, BNI, Orient and MetLife.

5. Aim for a similar level of lifestyle – Take your present cost of living, add 5% each year as inflation adjustment and do a detailed adjustment every 5 years. You can add new goals, change your financial plan and leverage any gains.

6. Flexi, fixed or both? – Whether flexible or fixed or a combination of both, structure your plan with your comfort levels in view.

7. Keep your paperwork up-to-date – This is easier in today’s world of computers and smart phones. Have an Excel sheet with your locker combination and email passwords and keep it secure and tell your closest family members where you have kept it.

Designate nominees for your shares, property and bank account.

Make a will and register it and then upload it online to your immediate family and beneficiaries.

8. Don’t be emotional – Asians are often too emotional and we see that they will dig into their retirement fund even at the doorstep of their retirement or after it to fund their children’s entrepreneurial desires or studies. My advise is to not do this. After 25, your children are adults and they should be responsible for their own dreams. This part of your life is your own. So don’t risk your retirement nest-egg.

9. Finally – always work with a consultant – because even the most dedicated stock-watcher does not always have the time or expertise to maximize their own savings.

Ramesh Kinger has nearly three decades of investment consulting expertise and is a Qualifying and Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a global organization of finance professionals who demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service.

In an advertising world obsessed with glamour and youth, one much-respected and adventurous septuagenarian couple have inspired their generation as well as youngsters. We’re talking about the famed Padma Bhushan awardees V.P. Dhananjayan and C.P. Shantha who are our Cover Stars this month. This month, Vodafone Idea has launched its 2019 Vodafone campaign in which the duo once again show smart phone users how Vodafone helps everybody to “Make The Most of Now”.

While the earlier ads showed them in Goa on their ‘second honeymoon’ and using their phon and the Vodafone network for everything from GPS tracking to searching out restaurants, the 2019 series shows them using data in the running of their restaurant ‘Asha’s Kitchen’ and the hashtag is #LiveMore.

The Dhananjayans epitomise the valuable lessons that we speak of in this issue which is dedicated to retirement. They are still strong influencers in the world of classical dance but a look at their busy schedules shows that they have trimmed back on ‘work’ and are increasingly focusing on mentoring and passing on their knowledge at their own pace, travelling the world to conduct workshops and for leisure. They have a wide circle of admirers and friends whose relationship they value and nurture and most importantly, they keep themselves open to enjoying new experiences – like the Vodafone ad-venture.

Pacing oneself, nurturing one’s passion for knowledge and new things, forging and maintaining relationships – that’s the Dhananjayans’ secret to a fulfilled retired life!

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Homeward for your golden years retiring in Bahrain “Bahrain is your retirement spot in the sun - property investment here is affordable and top-notch” Aziz Mithaiwala Managing Director Pegasus Real Estate

Pegasus, Managing Director, Aziz Mithaiwala has steeredthe company to the top awards, with unfailing attention to detail and creative execution of projects. He is seen here receiving the Award from International Property Awards president Stuart Shield and head of global entries Michael Saggers during a Gala Ceremony in Dubai(2017)

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onsider this: an island archipelago with friendly multinational communities, 93% sunshine days as annual average, cosmopolitan lifestyle, excellent connectivity to the rest of the world and world-class healthcare. Sounds like an ideal retirement destination, right?

And Bahrain is that for sure. More and more expats, having spent over 15 years here or in other GCC countries are looking to spend their golden retirement years in Bahrain. Returning to an admittedly ‘taxing’ lifestyle (pun intended) of high expenses and a crowded metropolis where friends and relatives have moved on to other interests and lifestyles, can be emotionally and physically challenging.

As one happy retiree put it, “Bahrain is where we have friends-turned-family, relationships built over the past 25 years.

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The children are both in Europe which is a mere six hours from here but a good 14 hours from home. We figured we would retire here since it is more cost-efficient for the whole family and less of a psychological strain.”

Ticking boxes

As an expat retiree, there are a number of aspects that you should carefully look into before making the decision to live in this kingdom. These include residency permits, healthcare, cost of living, and safety, to name a few. As a first step, you should secure your visa to stay as a retiree. This is called the Self Sponsorship Residence Permit and is governed by rules and regulations under national law. Eligible expats should have lived and worked in any of the GCC countries for more than 15 years and they should have a minimum sufficient amount in their bank accounts.

Anyone who meets these two 2019

requirements can apply for a renewable 5-year residency permit. Recently, this has been extended to a 10-year residency permit, provided other criteria are met.

The retiree expat must also fulfill the following criteria and possess: • A good reputation • Private health insurance • A certificate of good health • A residence in their name (not living in someone else’s property) if they have invested in property for their retiree visa.

• Complete lack of a criminal record (internationally) and no trouble with the law across the GCC • Proof that they can support themselves financially, like evidence of a pension • The applicant must present a Bank Certificate confirming that he has a constant bank deposit for not less than BD. 5,000/- (five thousand dinars) In addition, the applicant must present to GDNPR [Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs] documentary proof of the continuation of this Bank Deposit every six months.

While Self Sponsorship allows you to make an investment or even buy and sell shares with the purpose of earning revenue, it does not give you the liberty to take up any kind of job. Do note that you can only sponsor your children until they are 18. After that, they need to get their own visas through work or studies or other means.

Pegasus has a record of on-time delivery and uncompromising quality checks on all its property projects. Seen here are the Abraal Al Lulu and Juffair Heights properties

Property investment

One of the most important criteria for expat retirees is that they should show an investment of BD 50,000 in fixed deposits, property or a local/commercial business.

Since real estate investment is considered a key local/commercial business, investing in this sector is a first option for many retirees. Investing in property worth BD 50,000 or more, gives the investor a lifetime visa as long as they continue to hold the property but must be renewed 6 months before expiry at 2, 5 or 10 year periods.

Says Aziz Mithaiwala, Managing Director of the award-winning Pegasus Real Estate, “Firstly, Bahrain’s property market is diverse and offers excellent choices. With freehold estates available in most desirable spots as Juffair, parts of Seef, Amwaj, Diyaar Al Muharraq and now in Hidd and the new Dilmunia project, there are a wide range of properties to suit every investor appetite, from a simple studio/one BHK with all luxury mod-cons to maybe a middle-of-the-road 2 BHK property with more basic amenities for around BD 50,000-plus. This is a very reasonable entry level investment for most and while it

serves as an investment for a Self Sponsorship Visa, it is also a great way to ensure housing for oneself or as a rental income source.”

Indeed, many retirees buy property in Bahrain and lease it out since they are often away travelling. When they come back, they either have a smaller apartment as home base or use a service apartment facility for themselves.

Aziz avers that despite a slide a few years ago, Bahrain’s property market is more stable than others in the region. In addition, prices in Bahrain are more reasonable, he says.

“If you compare a prominently located Bahrain property and a Dubai property, I would say the price per square metre is at least 25-30% less here,” he points out, “A luxury property works out to roughly BD 900-950 per square metre in Bahrain and the same level of luxury and space in Dubai will be about BD 1,400-1,500 per square metre. In Bahrain, we are seeing very high quality in luxury residences – our Seef Terrace, for example, comes packed with luxury detail that is designed for family-centric lifestyle and has proved very popular. We have see brisk sales and have

As one happy retiree put it, “Bahrain is where we have friends-turned-family, relationships built over the past 25 years. The children are both in Europe which is a mere six hours from here but a good 14 hours from home. We figured we would retire here since it is more cost-efficient for the whole family and less of a psychological strain.” just a few units left. Quite a few of our clients are either retirees or expats who worked in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province but wished to stay in Bahrain where lifestyle is more cosmopolitan.”

The Kingdom’s appetite is for mid-range projects, he adds, where buyers can be assured of solid, if not spectacular results, in terms of rental income.

Pegasus has successfully launched several mid-high range projects that offer all the hallmarks of a good property investment: good-quality construction, good infrastructure, good location and a price

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If you are an expat buyer looking for a retirement property investment, you will get best bang for your buck in the city, he adds. Juffair, with its malls, its F&B outlet concentration and easy access to hospitals has proved desirable. Recently, the Seef district has been seeing a rise in popularity for almost the same reasons. It is also more upscale, with its proximity to high-end malls, luxury & boutique hotels, banks and the rise of green spaces such as Water Garden City.

“Because of Bahrain’s compact size, you are assured of ease of commuting wherever you are. Having said that, I think you must keep an eye on returns and cityside properties always hold their own better than those in less urban areas. Look out also for sea-facing or corniche views.”

. . .. . . . .. . . .. .

www.juffairheights.com Award winning freehold 376 one, two, three and four bedroom apartments 58,000sqft of indoor and outdoor recreation and facilities area Upto 75% bank finance available Last few apartments available for sale www.seefterraces.com 29 Storey Freehold Highrise Tower featuring Studio, 1, 2 & 3 BDR Residences Located in new Al Seef District next to Bahrain City Centre 2 Dedicated Leisure and Recreational levels Last few apartments available for sale AR Virtual Tour link available on Android & IOS www.abrajallulu.com Largest condominium apartment complex in Manama Choice of 1-4 bedroom and duplex penthouse apartments available for sale and rent Very many facilities for all ages Located in Manama opposite the City Centre mall Available apartments are of semi and fully furnished nature

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PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IN BAHRAIN IS TRANSPARENT AND THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE. AS AN EXPAT,YOU MUST BUY PROPERTY VALUED AT 50,000 BD OR MORE. MANY RETIREMENT CONSULTANTS ADVISE THAT YOU SHOULD GO FOR A BUILDING OF 10 STORIES OR MORE AS THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPERTY OF THIS TYPE FOR A SELF SPONSORED VISA. YOU MUST INVEST IN A PROPERTY THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL TITLE DEEDS AFTER BEING SPLIT FROM THE DEVELOPER'S MOTHER TITLE DEED. THE PURCHASE STEPS ARE SIMPLE FOR BOTH READY AND OFF-PLAN DEVELOPMENTS. OFF-PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROPERTY SALES ARE GOVERNED BY RERA BAHRAIN AND OFFER COMPLETE ASSURANCE AND SAFETY TO THE BUYER WHEN BUYING THEIR DESIRED PROPERTY.

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Steps for buying into a ready to occupy property:

Shortlist a desired property

and approve a quotation generally prepared by the developer/seller . This is followed with the signing of a pre-sale agreement usually accompanied with token/reservation amount of around 10% of the value of the property/unit.

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Post this, the developer would apply for a security clearance for the purchaser (non-gcc nationals) which usually is received within four weeks from the concerned authority. This is required towards the notarization and registration of the title-deed in favor of the purchaser.

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In the interim or post receipt of the security clearance, the purchaser can visit the property to be assured of the property condition and request to rectify any snags if visible. On satisfaction of the property condition the purchaser can pay 2019

the entire amount and take possession of the property and register under his/her name or multiple names in the case of joint buyers and head to the notarization and registration office/survey & land registration bureau (SLRB) to register the same in their name (on receipt of the security clearance). Alternatively the purchaser can pay the balance amount via a bank managers cheque at the slrb at the time of registration.

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At the SLRB the purchaser is first required to notarize the sale agreement and is provided with a standard sales & purchase agreement (SPA) issued by the NRO and is next required to register the apartment. The current registration fees applicable in Bahrain is 2% of the value of the purchase price of property payable by the purchaser. If the registration is completed within 60 days of the notarization process, the registration fee is reduced to 1.7% of the price of the property. Also be mindful that the sale purchase agreement validity is only 1 year which is why you must transfer before this time.

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On successful registration of the property the title deed is submitted by the developer/seller to the registration office for transfer under the name of the purchaser. The transfer of the title-deed under the name of the purchaser takes typically 3-8weeks and can be collected directly by the purchaser once ready.

There is an option to fast track by paying BD 51, which reduces this time to 2 weeks usually.

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On registration of the property the purchaser would need to take a copy of the SPA issued at the SLRB and follow the process for getting the EWA bill transferred in your name. Practically speaking, for the visa, you just need the title deed and EWA bill / bond.

Other faqs:

Q Can you rent out the property?

A Yes, you can but try to keep the EWA bill under your name

Stunning leisure features have made Seef Terraces one of the most impressive luxury property investments which also offer excellent rental income

Q

What happens if i sell the property? -

A The visa will be cancelled. You may at most get an extension of your stay in Bahrain by 3 months when that happens

Q Does buying a property lead to citizenship?

A No it doesn't. You must fulfill all the

other requirements i.e. Length of stay etc.

However, be aware that they recently changed the rules and now for all citizenship applications, you must have property under your name. So this will obviously help if you are otherwise eligible to get the passport.

Q What happens if I die?

A This is a big topic but generally

speaking, if you are a non-Muslim and have a will, the provisions of your will are applied by the Bahrain courts for succession certificate. This certificate will allow the beneficiary to transfer the property under their name and apply for a visa in turn. If you are Muslim, then Shariah

law will be applied - even if you have a will, while they will consider it, it cannot be in contravention to Shariah law

Q What about power of attorney, can it help?

A A POA given by you to someone

allowing them to sell or dispose off the property is only valid while you are alive.

On your death, the POA is invalid. Don't attempt to use in that case, as you could be subject to legal proceedings for fraud.

Process of buying into an off-plan or under construction development: 1) The process of buying into an off-plan development is safeguarded by RERA Bahrain and all guidelines and steps towards the purchase process can be found on their web-site. (www.rera.gov.bh/ en) under the buyers section.

Investor status

If you are investing in projects in industry, trading, tourism, medicine, education or training or any other recognized project,

your share must be worth not less than BD. 100,000/- (One hundred thousand dinars). You also need to have a bank deposit certificate to show self-sufficiency in your name in one of the banks or financial institutions that has a working licence in the kingdom.

Healthcare

Bahrain has a world-class public healthcare system and a fine network of private healthcare hospitals and medical centres. The kingdom has more doctors and nurses per person than any other country in the Middle East. Moreover, most of the medical professionals have received all or part of their training in the US or the UK and are therefore fluent in English.

As an expat, you are not entitled to free medical attention at state-run facilities. It is mandatory for all expats to have health insurance, especially those who are applying for the self sponsorship programme. It is therefore essential that you get a comprehensive cover from a local service provider. Do bear in mind that a private health plan issued in your home country will probably not be valid in Bahrain. Most of the local hospitals and clinics in this country do not accept universal plans.

Emergency healthcare is available to everyone, even those who are not residents or citizens of the country. To access these services dial 998 or 999 from any phone.

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RETIREMENT DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO PROCESS YOUR RETIREE STATUS: • A COMPLETED SERVICE REQUEST FORM • A CLEAR COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT AND IDENTIFICATION • A CERTIFICATE OF GOOD CONDUCT • AN ATTESTED COPY CLEARLY STATING THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IN YOUR NAME (SHOULDN’T BE LESS THAN BD 50,000) • A VALID HEALTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE KINGDOM • A COPY OF YOUR LEGAL CARD OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE • EVIDENCE OF SUFFICIENT INCOME TO SUPPORT YOURSELF AND YOUR DEPENDANTS IN THE COUNTRY - A MINIMUM OF BD 500 PER PERSON, PER MONTH. • THE WEBSITE OF NATIONALITY, PASSPORTS AND RESIDENCE AFFAIRS INDICATES THAT THE APPLICANT “MUST ATTEND IN PERSON OR THROUGH HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE” TO OBTAIN THE PERMIT AND THE FEE TO BE PAID IS 202 BAHRAIN DINARS. • IN THE CASE OF CANCELLATION OF THE SELF SPONSORSHIP RESIDENCE PERMIT, THE APPLICANT WILL BE GIVEN AN EXTENSION PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING THREE MONTHS.

SALAAM SOCIETY

AWA honours volunteers

The American Women's Association honoured prominent volunteers at its June monthly meeting in the Movenpick Hotel. The awards of appreciation were presented by American Ambassador Justin Siberell who was present with his wife Arnavaz.

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Rath Yatra at Manama Temple draws thousands The Bahrain Odia Samaj celebrated Rath Yatra, the traditional procession of the idols of Lord Jagannath (Lord of the Universe), his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra that takes place annually in the famed Odia seaside temple in Puri. Every year, thousands congregate at the temple to offer their shoulders to pull the sacred chariot with the idols – it was the sight of the unstoppable chariot that gave the English language the word ‘juggernaut’ meaning ‘a huge, powerful and overwhelming force’.

This year, the festival in Bahrain attracted nearly 4,000 visitors and was conducted in co-ordination with ISKCON Bahrain in the courtyard of the Shrinathji Temple in Manama. The celebration was graced by the Ambassador of Nepal to Bahrain, Padam Sundas and his wife who were guests of honour. Said BOS founder Arunkumar Praharaj, “The Rath Yatra symbolizes love, peace, harmony and togetherness as devotees come together to pull the chariot without distinction of high or low, rich or poor. We are grateful to Bahrain’s leadership that allows us to celebrate such spiritual and cultural events with unrestricted freedom.”

This year, Odissi team Tridhara from Odisha, under renowned Guru Dr. Gajendra Panda performed Odissi dance during the Rath Yatra.

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32 lipsmacking pickles take achaarlovers by storm Ladies of the BAPS Bahrain Mahila wing are known for their amazing culinary talent. They recently organized a one-of-a-kind Achaar Festival at which 32 varieties of pickles were sold.

Chief Guest at the function was Nancy Khedouri, Shura Council Member and Bahrain’s Jewish community historian, who commended the BAPS efforts to share Indian culinary heritage with Bahrainis.

“Our festival was a huge success and an effort to inform the public of the many healthy pickles that can be made,” said Mahila Wing President, Manjula Sagar, “Our BAPS achaar are low-sodium, without preservatives and made with fresh ingredients and custom-made masala.”

Top of the charts were the many mango achaar which came in sweet, spicy and salted flavours and different chilli pickles as well as more exotic ingredients such as Chinese gooseberry or amla and gunda, a variety of borage berries.

In addition, the festival also saw an achaar competition with 32 entries that were judged by Poonam Kishore Kewalram, Mrinal Joshi and Asha Polra.

Winners were Sheena Abhadev,Alpa Sagar, Payal Kashyap and Bichitra.

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HAPPENINGS

Famous Broadway Musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in Bahrain The posters all over town have already got hearts beating faster – for kids and their parents! Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced that the upcoming Eid Al-Adha holidays will mark the debut of the Broadway musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’. The event will be hosted in Bahrain and kick off on the 13th August 2019. It will be held at

the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The Wizard of Oz musical is an enchanting revival of the all-time classic story developed from the ever-popular 1939 film, featuring all the favorite characters from the movie’s cast, starting with Dorothy, her dog Toto and their heartening friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin

Man and Scarecrow.

“We are truly delighted to host this Broadway musical in the Kingdom for the very first time. Hosting this landmark production comes in line with our strategy to increase the number of visitors in Bahrain with spectacular family activities, especially during holidays such as Eid.

YOUNGISTAN

NGPS KG grad rock the scene New Generation Private School celebrated the graduation of its KG 2 and Grade 6 students’ success.

“A graduation ceremony is always such a special occasion that acknowledges of the success achieved and actualized the goals attained.

NGPS feels so proud to graduate 36 students, 6 of them are Grade 6 students and 30 are KG 2 students who are all kind, intelligent and hardworking. New Generation Private School wishes them all the best.” said a spokesperson for the school

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HEALTH

Summer screentime alert

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Kids having too much screen time during the holidays can suffer eye strain, headache and posture problems. ith an increase in use of digital technology, Digital Eye Strain (DES) has become more common amongst children who are spending more time in front of a screen today than ever before and at earlier and earlier ages. Up to 20 per cent of children suffer from DES globally. The symptoms include eye irritation, a burning sensation in the eyes, headaches and sensitivity to light.

A recent European study reported that by three years of age, 68 per cent of children regularly use a digital device and 54 per cent undertake online activities. Since 1971, the incidence of short sightedness in the USA has nearly doubled to 42 per cent, while in Asia, up to 90 per cent of teenagers and adults are now short sighted.

Irritation, burning sensation, eye strain, headaches, tired eyes and sensitivity to light are just some of the symptoms that children are suffering from, and most of the time it is due to spending too much time in front of a digital screen.

Dr. Namir Kafil-Hussain, a Dubai-based Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmologist, says: “As children spend more time glued to digital screens, there is an increasing concern from their parents and health workers about the long-term potential harm to their eye growth. DES is a well-recongised condition that has become increasingly prevalent in the last twenty years with up to 20 per cent of children estimated to suffer from it. There are two groups of symptoms; those associated with reduced blinking and dry eyes such as irritation, a burning sensation in the eyes, eye strain, headaches, tired eyes, sensitivity to light, and those associated with focusing such as blurred vision at near, blurred vision at dis-

tance after digital device use and difficulty in re-focusing.�

Dr. Hussain advises parents to restrict screen time for children and adolescents to a maximum of two hours a day. Parents, however have pointed out that this is impractical since children watch films, play games and do their homework, all on computer screens.

Solution

The best solution would be to teach children not to work in front of screens for more than 45 minutes at a time and give a gap of at least 30 minutes before the next session. In addition, simple eye exercises would help to relieve the strain, such as rolling the eyeballs in clockwise and anticlockwise directions in sets of five times, looking into the distance and warming the palms of the hands by rubbing them together and placing them over the eyes.

Too much screen time leads to increased light exposure, especially blue light, which can lead to deprivation of sleep and reduction of alertness the next morning.

Thereforev children as well as adults would do well to taper off the use of screens, whether TV or computer or phone by 9 p.m. or one hour before bed-

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time.

Here, Dr. Hussain provides 10 tips to aid parents in protecting their children's sight: Set up a daily screen time limit. It is advisable to use a kitchen timer or a phone timer as a reminder.

After completing a level of video game, advise the child to look through a window for 20 seconds (20 seconds break for every 20 minutes play).

Alternate between a real hard copy book and e-books.

Encourage outdoor activities such as playing sports and swimming. Sunlight has been shown to slow the progression of short-sightedness.

Adjust the brightness and contrast of your child's device.

Avoid using devices outside in bright light as the glare on screen can create strain.

Activate the night mode to eliminate blue light emission for a normal sleep pattern and ideally stop screen time for one hour before bed.

Remind them to blink when watching on a digital screen.

Encourage the child to hold the device farther away, 18-24 inches.

Encourage the child to use good posture to reduce neck and shoulder pain.

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HISTORY

‘Horseless’ vehicles and vintage traffic rules 2019 marks 128 years since the first automobiles whizzed through an Indian

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street. K.R.N. SWAMY muses over some vintage motoring tales. t was in 1892, 128 years ago that amazed subjects of Maharaja Rajinder Singh of Patiala lined the streets of the Punjab kingdom to watch their ruler zip down the street in a steam-powered French automobile, a De Dion Bouton two cylinder tricar, a ‘dangerous’ speed of 19 miles an hour. They were left wondering how this ‘cart’, without the help of camels or horses or even oxen, was able to move about in this facile manner.

They did not realize that the Maharaja could not have driven in the streets of London with the same ease that he did in Patiala. At that time, the famous Red Flag Act was was still valid in London, stipulating that no automobile can exceed the speed of four miles and as a measure to safeguard the lives of pedestrians, a man with the a red flag must always walk in front of the automobile.

The actual wording of the Red Flag Act of 1865 stipulated, that all mechanically powered road vehicles must have three drivers, must not exceed 4 mph (6.4 kph) on the open road and 2 mph (3.2 kph) in towns. The most important condition was that, it must be preceded by a man on foot, waving a red flag to warn the public that such a vehicle was coming. Only in 1896, four years after the De Dion Bouton sped thought the streets of Patiala, was this strange act was repealed. But of course, in his own domain of Patiala the Maharaja did not have to worry about this rule.

French connection

Unlike popular belief that American care dominated the world from the beginning, it was French and British-made cars that came to India first. The De Dion automobile factory was a French

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The Maharaja of Patiala’s De Dion has vanished into the mists of history, although one museum in Delhi has the outer portions of a De Dion-like vehicle.The Maharaja had fondly given it the number plate as Patiala O. Happily we have a photograph of the De Dion owned by the Maharaja, with two princesses of Bikaner riding it as his guests. automobile manufacturer and railcar manufacturer operating from 1883 to 1932. In 1900, De Dion-Bouton was the largest automobile manufacturer in the 2019

world, producing 400 cars and 3,200 engines.

Already by 1889, de Dion was becoming convinced the future lay in the internal

combustion engine, and began making petrol driven automobiles. From then on till 1906, when Rolls Royce cars entered India, quite a number of De Dions were bought by Indian buyers.

In fact the oldest De Dion in India is a 1903 model one owned by erstwhile industrialist Vijay Mallya as part of his proud collection of over 100 vintage cars. The oldest automobile in the world, a De Dion automobile model dating to 1884 was sold in 2007 in USA for Rs. 46 crores (that’s 460 million).

In 1893 the American Ransom Eli Olds obtained his first export order, a 4-wheeled Olds steam car which was despatched by ship to India – but it didn’t arrive. The ship sank on the way to India. It was the first car ever exported to India from the United States. In about 1901 three ‘Curved Dash’ Oldsmobile models were brought into India and sold to Jamshedji Tata, founder of the Tata Group of Industries, Rustom Cama, an attorney and Kavasji Wadia of Bombay Garage. In a decade, the city flaunted 1,025 cars. Cars become more widely available only by the 1920s, after Ford and General Motors began to sell cheaper vehicles. But even as India has changed immensely since then, a hundred years has not been enough to make these images entirely unfamiliar. A cart on the roads of 1890 might still just as well be seen today.

Calcutta (modern-day Kolkata) too has a very rich motoring heritage dating back to 1897, when a resident of Calcutta, imported another De Dion Bouton car.

In modern Chennai ( Old Madras) according to Mr. Muthiah, a famous chronicler of the city, “The year was 1894. the city Madras. The road: Mount Road. The driver, an European whose name is lost in the annals of history. The horseless – carriage was driven for some distance on Mount Road for the public’s edification, before being driven away elsewhere. The Englishmen and Scotsmen of Madras’s, British firms, the ‘Brown Sahibs’ and the common folk, all gaped in wonder at the newest achievement of modern science.

The credit for bringing the city’s first

In 1910, as preparations for India’s Delhi Durbar got underway, photographers took what might be India’s first image of a female driver. The Maharaja and Maharani of Bhavnagar had gone for a car ride, but instead of retaining a chauffeur, the Maharani decided to take her husband for a spin. This newspaper cutting is of probably the first Indian woman automobile driver.

This image forms a part of the collection of the Heritage Transport Museum in Gurgaon, a one-man collection spread across 95,000 square feet of vintage cars and installations, a cherished collection of Tarun Thukral. permanent car goes to A.J. Yorke, a director of Parry & Co., who, while on home leave in England bought it and brought it with him.

In 1906, the town of Mangalore in modern Karnataka, got its first automobile again -a De Dion Bouton, purchased by a rich planter by name P.F.X.Saldanha. Today the body of this De Dion, sans its engine is displayed in the St. Aloysius college museum in Mangalore. Two automobile enthusiasts Patrao and Monteiro has detailed the arrival of this De dion in Mangalore and it is as follows: The car was first bought by P F X Saldanha, a noted resident of Mangalore, known for his coffee curing factory at Falnir, now known as Highlands. The yellow and orange (original colour) vehicle had a single cylinder 8/10 HP engine. It had four track-

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like wheels and could manage a maximum speed of only 19.6 mph in ideal conditions.

Since Mangalore had no tarred roads then, this feat was possible only on an open maidan ( play ground). Fuel in those days had to be brought all the way from Madras.

Therefore, the elegant beauty had to be confined to the garage most of the time.

Patrao also informs us that in 1906, Indian automobile chauffeurs, who had learned their job, were paid very well with a monthly salary of 30 silver rupees worth in purchase power as much as half an ounce of gold then -equivalent to Rs. 80,000 in 2019.

Apparently, the eager crowds had to ultimately go home disappointed when Saldanha took off after automobile’s arrival and never returned home, because the mechanic had forgotten to teach him how

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HISTORY

UK’s Red Flag Act of 1865 stipulated, that all mechanically powered road vehicles must have three drivers, must not exceed 4 mph (6.4 kph) on the open road and 2 mph (3.2 kph) in towns. The most important condition was that, it must be preceded by a man on foot, waving a red flag to warn the public that such a vehicle was coming.

early. A brisk walk was often faster than the De Dion. There was another story of a simple villager who saw the car in disbelief. He reported the amazing event to his family back home saying, “ I saw the carriage moving all by itself without any bullocks.”

About a year after the arrival of this car, Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of Madras, visited Mangalore. He had brought along his own magnificent, high-powered Daimler Sedan. But, it was hardly big enough to accommodate his family and entourage. Saldanha readily offered the use of the De Dion for the visiting party. The Governor’s official trip to the historic Jain centres, Moodbidri and Karkala, was the first test of the little automobile’s pulling capacity over long

A Calcutta street in 1890 – a photograph from the Heritage Transport Museum (HTM), Gurgaon.

Standing dusty yet much celebrated in the St. Aloysius College Museum, this De Dion belonging to the coffee processor, P.F.X.Saldanha, was the first car to traverse the muddy tracks of Mangalore in 1906.

to switch off the engine. It is said the car had to be ferried back into town from a neighbourhood hillock in the city’s Gurpur suburbs where it had come to rest when its fuel was exhausted – a return journey atop a bullock cart!

There is an oft-repeated story narrated by the late Rev Fr LP Colaco SJ, a Jesuit priest. When Saldanha offered him a lift in his car, Fr Colaco politely declined saying that he was in a hurry and he had to reach his destination

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A family travels in a magnificent car in 1920 Gujarat ( photo from the HTM collection)

engine was still in good condition, he asked for it and his request was granted and it was said to have been used as a water pump. For 10 years since then the engineless De Dion gathered dust in the shed as a nostalgic reminder of bygone splendour. Then, in 1956, Joseph G X Saldanha, son of the original owner, presented the car to the college museum.

Today, the car is a show piece at the Museum and has been accorded the rightful place. It keeps the memory alive of the first automobile journey on Mangalore roads.

Auto Story

It is just as likely to see this 1901 scene of a tonga and a car in today’s streets as it was in 1901. (photo from the HTM collection)

An awed Indian group watches the procession of a British couple on their car in 1901 Madras – with a bearer walking beside the car!

distances. It was used by the Governor’s daughters for the trip. It bravely chugged up and down the hills and dales on primitive mud roads, keeping pace with the Governor’s highpowered Daimler. When the De Dion safely deposited the Governor’s daughters, on their return, at the Government Circuit House, Saldanha received profuse thanks from the Governor.

Apparently, for a dozen years or more, the car remained a topless open car. Then, in 1920, a canvas hood was fitted over the open front seat. The rear seat was converted into a dickey seat.

After the death of P F X Saldanha in 1935, the car fell into disuse. In 1946, a coffee planter, and a friend of the family, found the car lying unused in the shed. Finding that the

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Today, A recent McKinsey report says India is expected to emerge as the world’s third-largest passenger-vehicle market by 2021. While it took India around seven years to increase annual production to four million vehicles from three million, the next milestone—five million—is expected in less than five years. Rapid urbanization means the country will have over 500 million people living in cities by 2030—1.5 times the current U.S. population. Rising incomes will also play a role, as roughly 60 million households could enter the consuming class (defined as households with incomes greater than $8,000 per annum) by 2025. At the same time, more people will join the workforce.

Participation could reach 67 percent in 2020, as more women and youth enter the job market, raising the demand for mobility.

Some of them would leap straight into four-wheeler segment, and others will graduate from two- to four-wheelers. Mini cars and hatchback cars have been the mainstay for the automobile industry in India, with share around 50 percent and growth of 6 to 7 percent between financial year 2014 and 2017. These segments will continue to maintain a dominant position, but the majority of growth is expected to come from new segments such as compact SUVs, sedans, and luxury vehicles.

What started with a 19 mph top speed will culminate in a dazzling display of style, modern safety and speed on Indian roads

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SALAAM SOCIETY

Akeel & Ameena to make refreshing start ‘Bahrain taught me the meaning of multi-nationalism’ says Coke MD

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ahrain bid a farewell of sorts this summer to the warm and friendly Akeel family – CocaCola CEO Mohammed Akeel is taking charge of a wider canvas as Managing Director of four GCC countries – UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar and relocated with his vivacious wife Ameena to Dubai.

We caught up with Akeel before he left and had an interesting chat about Coca-Cola in a changing world and the impact of his six-year Bahrain stint on him.

“When I first took charge in Bahrain six years ago, I was fresh off the India boat - a larger and multi-ethnic market but unused to the multi-community consumer base,” Akeel said, “My first challenge was to knit together a common brand promise for all consumers while at the same time making every consumer feel that s/he was at the centre of our brand, as they rightly were.”

Coke is a global brand but it resonates strongly at the local level too, Akeel said, and as an optimist, he saw this as an opportunity to connect differently with diverse communities and increase the market share.

“In many ways, Bahrain has taught me a greater inclusiveness as my team and I worked closely with different communities and we shaped our community participation and campaigns to include all perspectives,” Akeel said,

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Friends bid fond Sayanora to Akeel family

Inclusive

“It was about connecting emotionally across communities – there were three tiers – Bahraini, Asian and Western and each one required a different identikit. In addition, our global brand had to be harnessed for local presence by making every marketing footstep count, whether it is a large hypermarket or a small cold store. Working for the world’s No. 1 brand has given me the opportunity to be part of the special moments in people’s lives every day. At Cocal-Cola Bahrain, we also had a great team that brought dedication and zest to their work.”

Akeel says his biggest professional challenge came as he sought to refine the trajectory of business across the company’s many layers and also align his segmented approach with the consumer and marketing channels.

An optimist, a people-person who brought a rare open-ness, humour and a cheerleading spirit to his management style, Akeel is very happy that despite the tough times, the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Bahrain managed to stay a workplace that nurtured its employees.

“We had no retrenchment, we actually grew and I am especially proud that our women workforce grew 150% during these six years,” he said, “I truly enjoyed working with the team to get my vision and management ideas to work and make

it a united vision for us all. Perhaps, we could have aimed for a more diverse workforce but that could happen in the future too.”

Nimble leader

Over the years, much has changed in terms of the awareness and consumer taste that shapes soft drinks consumption and Akeel says the beverage giant has nimbly stayed on top of the game.

“I am happy that despite a marketplace that changed drastically with falling oil prices and the introduction of VAT on our products, we have managed to make short-term activity gains and also show long-term inroads into the market to claim future leadership. In the non-alcoholic beverage landscape, we are in the lead, mainly because of our strong share of the bottled water market.”

The soft drink brand has also worked hard to acknowledge and act upon conserving water resources and to become water neutral in its operations globally. The company has realigned its operations to reduce water use, worked with the community to restore groundwater levels, promote rainwater harvesting and afforestation and reuse water. Moreover, Coca-Cola has also embraced reusable PET plastic bottles for its water and beverages – its recently introduced SMART WATER bottles are

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made from plant-based biodegradable plastic.

As Managing Director for four countries, Akeel is excited about the opportunities to deliver change and support the leaders, the governments and communities across these countries through Coca-Cola.

“The opportunities are plenty to support the government in terms of plastics management, water usage, people growth and manufacturing. While all the GCC countries are very different from each other, they are bound by a ruling leadership that is very emphatic and progressive. In Dubai, we recently inaugurated the Coca-Cola Arena for sporting and entertainment events in Dubai and we believe that there will be many ways to showcase the region and its global connection through the Coke prism.”

The family too has seen many milestones in Bahrain with the two Akeel boys, Armaan and Aahad graduating from Bahrain School and moving on to pursue dreams in the USA. Ameena discovered new strengths as an active Toastmaster and a popular certified yoga teacher, working with charities such as the MWPS. “Bahrain has been very good to us and for us,” Akeel said, “We are so glad that our next phase of life will be in this neighbourhood and that we can still stay in touch with our friends here.”

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YOUNGISTAN

Al Noor's CBSE results joy Al Noor International School held its Graduation Ceremony of the CBSE Section in the presence of Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha.

The function was also graced by the presence of the School Chairman Ali Hasan, School Director Dr. Muhammad Mashood, the Principal Amin Mohamed ahmed Heliwa, members of the quality assurance department, head teachers and parents.

School Chairman Ali Hassan along with the Ambassador, handed out the graduation certificates and congratulated the stu-

dents on the achievements.

School toppers of AISSCE, Laron John Jacob of Science stream, Layla Rasool of Commerce stream received special appreciation. The School topper of AISSE, Yeshas

Krishna was felicitated for his outstanding achievement.

Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha, in his address applauded the efforts of the students in achieving excellent results.

The School Director Dr. Muhammad Mashood praised the outstanding results obtained by the CBSE students and mentioned the school’s achievements during the course of the past academic year.

Al Noor KG grads move up The Kindergarten Section of Al Noor International School celebrated its end of year graduation with three functions at the school campus. More than 800 certificates were presented to the proud Reception children to commemorate the conclusion of their first and the most important years of education. The function included fun filled songs sung by children in both English and Arabic, expressing their happiness and gratitude, while recollecting the sweet memories of their wonderful KG years.

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STYLE FUNDA

Parita Kewalram’s fashion focus makes trendy easy Young and meticulously particular about her stylish creations, Parita Kewalram combines Bahraini flow with exquisite Indian workmanship and an international touch.

Salaam Bahrain spoke to the designer about her fashion goals and vision.

SB: Parita, did you train as a fashion designer or is it an instinctive eye for the stylish and the swag? If you did train, do share details.

Parita: I would say it was my eye for fashion that made me pick a course in fashion design. It started when I was a young girl and would create dresses for my Barbie dolls – a popular pastime for girls. As I grew older, I started designing my own dresses and picking up style statements for myself.

So, one thing led to another and I studied Fashion Design at Raffles Design International. The study helped me to learn the technical details of fashion and it has helped me to convert my vision into reality and be a part of this industry which celebrates beauty. I always believe that I’m lucky to have my hobby and passion as my everyday job.

SB: The cut, the fabric, the embellishment (like embroidery etc.)

- what do you believe is key to a well put-together look?

Parita: I believe that the secret

to a stylish look is harmony. That doesn’t mean your hemline has to always be uniform or that your colours and textures cannot step out of the design palette. A good designer always ticks all the boxes such as the cut, the fabric and chooses the embellishment to bring together a well-curated ensemble.

SB: What is the typical journey of your design? From your inner eye to paper, to tailor and the mannequin, how long will it take?

Parita: Each ensemble takes a minimum of four weeks from the vision to sketching, sampling and then SALAAM BAHRAIN

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STYLE FUNDA pattern-cutting followed by final stitching. When I was working on my maiden collection that I unveiled at The Avenues just before Eid, I travelled frequently to India where my workshops are – as everybody knows, the global fashion industry from Chanel and Versace to boutique designers, use the centuriesold craftsmanship of Indian karigars. I am also extremely lucky that I have a huge fund of textile knowledge to embrace in the Kewalram family that I married into. Some outfits take months to finish and I would say there is immense amount of time and manpower is invested in curating each creation.

SB: Which aspect of fashion design do you need the most training in? Some say it is the cutting of the pattern and others say it is having the vision to anticipate a trend.

Parita: My personal opinion is we can never be %100 perfect and it’s a never-ending journey and I’m glad that it’s always a challenge to understand new trends and the client’s perspective which makes the work lively. The challenge is when I’ve to come up with an idea that fits the current trend and is at the same time unique too.

SB: How has Bahrain influenced your maiden collection?

What style trends from Bahrain inspire you the most?

Parita: Bahraini women are effortlessly dressed in chic and sophisticated outfits looking sharp and stylish.

They reflect the cultural vibe in luxurious Jalabiyas and Abayas which has inspired me to include their styles and hit the perfect balance of tradition and contemporary.

SB: You are the Instagram generation - what are the advantages of selling online besides the obvious ones of not having inventory to worry about and no brick and glass premises to maintain?

Parita: It’s a great platform for our generation.

As a designer it helps me to reach out to fashionistas and connect with the right audience/clients who would love my design aesthetics and help me understand the segment of a market that connects well with the people.

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SB: What is the biggest challenge you face in your career as fashion designer?

Parita: With the number of amazingly talented designers that are showing up, my biggest challenge is

to be identified as a unique brand that fits right for the clients.

SB: What are your thoughts on “sustainable fashion“?

Parita: I think it’s a great movement and process of

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fostering change to fashion products by using more eco friendly fabrics like linens and organic cotton etc so that it does social justice. I would say all the designers should follow and enforce this practice while curating a new collection.

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TRENDING NOW

Save the earth the stylish way

KIARA KHAN tells us why - and hpw - we can put soul into our fashion

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A model in a LataSita creation by Kolkata-based upcycling designer Megha Nayak

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SALAAM BAHRAIN

e are all getting ready for the summer break and that means a lot of retail therapy at both ends of the vacay. First in Bahrain to get ready with gifts and then in India to stock up on cosmetics, sarees, fashion accessories and dresses since the fashion scene there is so on-trend desi style and so walletfriendly.

But there are many ways to stay fashionable and its not always the length JULY

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FASHION

Transforming heirloom sarees into contemporary clothing - a LataSita specialty

of your skirt or the cut of your saree blouse or even the material used. Actually..scrap that, quite literally! These days, it can be very much about the material used because, increasingly, the cool folks are looking to make sustainable fashion a hot trend and channel their inner eco-warrior into their wardrobes. Thus, you’ll find hip labels using factory waste scrap to turn out stunning designer wear and a huge wave in upcycled, repurposed accessories.

Creations by VERB are noted for meticulous embellishments and embroidery that sustains crafts groups

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Karishma Shahani-Khan uses onion sacking, wool scrap, ribbons and even plastic bags to create stunning clothing with a contemporary cut

Know your s.f.

What is sustainable fashion? It’s a large umbrella term but the good news is that we in the sub-continent have been practicing it easily for many years now. It can refer to clothes that are custom made (aka when our grandmoms and moms went to the tailor to get their outfits stitched); when fabrics are ethically sourced, using a supply chain that promotes fair-trade practices; and when clothes are upcycled and repurposed; when a conscious choice is made to use ecofriendly materials like silk, cotton and linen, instead of polyester (which takes over 200 years to decompose).

Sustainable fashion (s.f.) is a fast-growing yet fledgling business in India, because there are so many boxes to tick. It is powered mainly by young designers fresh out of fashion school although some big and established

names like Anita Dongre and Abraham & Thakore too have lent heft to the movement.

What does one look for in a sustainable fashion brand? Of course, the first thing is chic and style One can’t be expected to wear shabby stuff just because they are eco-friendly. Luckily, as one can see from the illustrations in this article, designers have nailed this concern pretty effectively and we have some really cool styles and accessories that fit the sustainable fashion bill.

From ensuring minimal carbon footprint (more natural fibres and less polyester and less factory processing) to utilizing leftovers, there are many standards to be met. The use of organic materials and fair trade practices also make sustainable fashion garments more expensive than their mass-produced counterparts.

But in the long run, sustainable fashion breaks even by lasting longer-and getting better with wash and wear-and positively impacting artisans as well. Many designers scour readymade garment factories for waste scraps and fabric cuts as a starting point and build on that.

Scrap-tastic Kriti Tula, the founder of the s.f. label, Doodlage has mined the innate Indian tradition of jugaad - repairing and recreating – to build her brand.

The Doodlage team builds their stylish designs based on the scrap textiles and materials found in factory floors and wears its responsibility for ethical design and production boldly. Ninety percent of their fabrics are rejected by manufacturing units, while the remaining ten percent include RCP (recycled cotton polyester), both post- and pre-consumer, as well as bamboo and corn fabric. They focus on zero waste pattern cutting, shredding their unsorted waste to create new textured fabrics for their home and accessory collections.

“Don’t forget your own values”, Kriti says, “The country has a deeply rooted tradition of repairing and altering items when things need to be patched or resewn, but with such a mass wave of fast fashion and consumerism, it’s as if young and old have forgotten to stay true to tradition.”

To drive home the message of ‘repair and reuse’, the Doodlage team creates repair kits as their brand tags to promote the idea of repairing and altering wardrobe items.

Similarly, London College of Fashion graduate and Punebased Karishma Shahani-Khan who founded the KaSha label has found unusual ways of creating wonderful garments and accessories out of scraps and objects usually 43

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Delhi-based Aanchal Sukhija has showcased in New York with her jewellery creations of industrial products like pipes and scrubbers.

regarded waste by many.

For example, she worked on onion sacks and fused them with wool and ribbons to formulate a different fabric, transformed plastic bags into jackets and even retrieved an old chandelier to make jewellery out of it.

The new band of designers have changed every aspect of s.f. from fabrics used to dyes and accountability.

Old traditions such as using vegetable dyes are used extensively and the designers are working with craftspeople clusters to revive old and dying crafts. There is an increasing innovation of textile – banana, hemp, nettle etc are being used as fibre source so that there is less use of water and less chemicals involved in textile processing. Kolkata-based designer Meghna Nayak of the upcycling label LataSita even endorses a campaign #whomademyclothes so that customers can follow the supply chain to its logical end: the karigar.

Plastic bottle waste, retro glass jewellery, cloth beads, coloured newspaper rings and metal ornaments make for exciting upcycled designer jewellery.

Greenwash alert “Now that sustainable fashion is catching on, there is a lot of ‘greenwashing’ wherein brands promote themselves as eco-friendly and ethical while engaging in environmentally damaging business practices,” Megha says, “If consumers want to follow the s.f. route, they

have to invest not just money but also time into their shopping. Check certification and usage labels, research the brands and don’t fall for dubious claims.

The attractions of fast fashion are undeniably strong, but one thing is becoming clear—slow and sustainable wins the race.

Meghna Nayak, thinks that it is important for consumers to know where their clothes come from.

Citing the campaign, she says, “A clear supply chain is the hallmark of ethical fashion.” According to her, an assembly-line approach to manufacturing clothes makes it impossible to track those behind the garment and also helps brands elude questions of responsible productions.

As distressing stories of dwindling craft clusters come into the news, design labels are coming to the aid of their karigars. Take the Puduchery label, Upasana for instance. Designer Uma Prajapati doesn’t simply create sustainable clothing—including the use of organic cotton and handmade practices—but uses design for community development. Some of the projects Upasana has undertaken include Kapas, an organic cotton project in Madurai, a weaving project in Varanasi and the well-known Tsunamika, a doll-making project that has rehabilitated the fisherwoman communities affected by the devastating 2004 tsunami.

Fancy upcycling S.f. is not limited to just clothing. A study by the jewellery company PANDORA showed that the environmental impacts of jewellery production can be reduced by up to %95 if recycled materials are used!

And not only recycled metals could be used, but e-waste and other materials could make fancy embellishments Upasana is a Tamil Nadu NGO that works to bring organis cotton designs to the market and sustain farmers and weavers SALAAM BAHRAIN

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TRENDING NOW for jewellery. There are some great jewellery and accessory brands which add sophistication to your style. You don’t have to settle for amateur bottle top ear-rings, for example.

Former Bahrain resident Paghna Bhatia runs a successful online store called aamori through which customers can buy a wide range of crafts-based fashion and accessories (including a selection of gorgeous bags made with recycled plastic bags that are painstakingly stripped, washed, woven and designed). Ba No Batwa created a stir last year with its seed rakhi for Raksha Bandhan, fashioned out of match boxes, coconut husk, upcycled cotton cloth and ‘chuka‘ (sorrel) leaves. The idea is that the rakhi medallions can be planted after the festival to produce plants.

Delhi style blogger Aanchal Sukhija goes beyond the gentle papier mache and wood shavings route and has created a young

Ba No Batwa’s green rakhi for Raksha Bandhan come with plant seeds embedded in decorated and upcycled matchboxes, ready for planting

and fiercely avante garde jewellery line called Mission Pluto for which her primary material is stuff we usually trash around the house: AC foam, stainless steel scrubs, scouring pads, kajal dibbis, plumbing ad washer pipes and mops. She even showcased her quirky jewellery at the New York Fashion Week. Aanchal deconstructs these mundane objects and tacks them in a variety of chains, necklaces and earrings. Foam and steel scrubbers are crafted into layered necklaces and earrings, while PVC pipes are broken down and remade into industrial-inspired jewellery. Made by hand, these pieces may be inspired by daily objects, but there’s almost nothing dull about the finished products.

But if you want to go the s.f. route, where do you start? The logical answer is online. Just research Indian s.f. labels and most of them have efficient online shopping portals and a presence in malls across India.

Doodlage uses factory waste scrap to create gorgeous garments as seen on this page

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To give you a heads-up, besides the ones mentioned in this article, here is a list of some of the most promising labels that have embraced the sustainable fashion ethic and you can now find their stores online and also in leading malls around India.

• Sayuri (upcycling junk to trendy jewellery) • Madraskkari (upcycled jewellery from junk) • Papermelon (sustainable paper jewellery) • No Nasties (organic cotton clothing) • Ek Dori (fashion accessories) • Nool by Hand (Tamil Nadu-based handloom fashion house) • Mantra (in Lulu Mall, Kochi) • House of Wandering Silk (silk clothes sourced from craftspeople around the world) • Boro • Pallavi Singhee’s label ‘Verb’ • AM.IT • Pero

Hallmarks of the S.F. Trend COUNTERS SPEEDY AND AFFORDABLE FASHION SUPPORTS WORKER’S BENEFITS, REGULATED WORKING CONDITIONS, AND MAINTAINS FEASIBLE LIVING REDUCES NOXIOUS PESTICIDES AND SUBSTANCE USE DIMINISHES WASTAGE OF WATER PROMOTES RECYCLING AND ENERGY SAVING TECHNIQUES PROTECT ANIMAL RIGHTS

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Six yards of poetry!

The Bahrain fans of online saree group Saree Speak held a saree appreciation meeting with saree-inspired quizzes and gupshup

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YOUNGISTAN

Children win accolades at BKS talent jamboree The Devji-BKS Balakalolsavam Festival is an annual celebration of the talents of children in the field of arts, culture and literature. For long the festival has been the biggest event organized by the club and the partnership with Devji, the jewellery brand, has been constant for over two decades.

The 2019 edition saw Anagha Lal crowned the Kalathilakam and Jeon Biju Manakkal as the Kalaprathibha. Hima Ajithkumar won the Balathilakam title and Shauryaa Sreejit won the Balaprathibha honour. That’s a huge win, considering that over 550 children have participated in 150 events. The children not only have to show talent in all kinds of arts from classical dance and music to fancy dress and poetry recitation, painting and group events, they also have to keep their focus and stay the course for nearly two gruelling months of the competitions.

This year, the Chief Guest at the Award Night was Sreekantan Nair and Devji Jewellers’ Prakash Devji was on hand to give away some of the key prizes.

Lensman wins OICC honour Popular photographer and newsman Jomon Joseph was recently awarded the Media Icon 2019 award by the Overseas Indian Cultural Congress (OICC). Jomon represents Pravasi Vision Channel featuring news of overseas Indians in Bahrain and is also part of the Salaam Bahrain team as Photojournalist, The award was presented by visiting OICC leader Chandy Oommen, son of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

“I am particularly proud to receive this award from the OICC since my family has generations-old ties with the Indian National Congress in Kerala,” Jomon said, “As an overseas Indian, I have been working to use my camera to record the story of the diaspora and it feels great to be recognised for this.”

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Business leader Abdulrahman Juma honoured A well-known Bahraini business leader, Abdulrahman Mohammed Juma, the Chairman and Managing Director of UNEECO, was the recipient of this year’s ‘BKS Business Icon Award’. The honour was bestowed at a grand function under the patronage of the Minister of Electricity and Water, Dr Abdul Hussain Ali Mirza at the BKS Diamond Jubilee Hall which was filled to capacity.

The award is part of celebrations of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), one of the largest expatriates Associations in Bahrain. The award was constituted by the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam aiming to recognize outstanding personalities and institutions in the field of Business, Technology and Social Welfare. Hassan Ebrahim Bukamal & Sons’ chairman Jehad Bukamal and Almoayyed group founder and Chairman Farouk Almoayyed were the awardees in the previous years.

“Keralites are one of the most dominant and dynamic expatriate communities on the island. Their role in building up this beautiful nation is widely accepted and admired,” said President Radhakrishnan Pillai, “Juma is well known for his business acumen and he currently serves as the

Chairman & Managing Director of UNEECO, Director of Bahrain National Holdings Co, Chairman & Managing Director of Unique Power Switchgear and Chairman of Bahrain National Life Assurance Company. We have chosen to honour him for his exemplary

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contributions to the trade and commerce activities of this beautiful nation.”

The ceremony was followed by a classical sarod concert by music legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan as part of the Soorya Festival.

Amidst the glorious strains of the sarod, 2019

there was a significant triumph – local percussionist Sajith Shankar shared the stage with the world-renowned musician and his table player Mithilesh Kumar Jha and later called the performance moment a transforming and awe-inspiring experience in his life.

Donation to ILA MoSD interaction needy The “Ame Gujarati� group of Indian families and friends donated 5 kg bags of rice to labourers in need in the GCC Labour Camp, Askar.

The Executive Committee of the Indian Ladies Association, led by President Kalpana Patil paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Labour & Social Development Jamil Humaidan. The ILA is the oldest expat women's association in the GCC and the committee pledged to continue to serve the community.

A memento was presented to the Minister.

Eid party at Shaukat Ali home Shaukat Ali (M.D of Hajeen Group of company ) celebrated an Eid Milan party at his house, Nabih Saleh. Prominent business community members join this Eid Milan party.

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RSquare Majlis success Dynamic Shanthini Raja's RSquare Technologies held a well-attended Ramadan Majlis during the Holy Month.

The occasion was used to launch the company's latest EasyRecon Reconciliation

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accountancy software that automatically takes any Excel/CSV transaction source file from any specific folder and can reconcile it with any counter-party file which can be a bank statement or another VAT file and

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mail the result, marking it Matched, Unmatched or Partially Matched.

The new software package was formally launched in the presence of Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha.

Restoring post-menopause quality of life

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AL-HILAL NEWS

At Al-Hilal, Dr. Urmila Soman brings expertise to treatment of stress urinary incontinence

A very common health condition is affecting the quality of life of thousands of women – especially older women after menopause. Its called pelvic organ prolapse and it can lead to stress urinary incontinence that affects the confidence of women, leading to depression and hesitation to engage in social life. This a pity because it is now understood that a woman’s most socially productive span of life comes after

menopause - women live one third of their life after menopause. Unfortunately, that is the time of her life when she withdraws herself believing that quality life is lost during this phase due to a number of health issues. Therefore, assuring women of a good quality of life means tackling such issues with proper medical care and advise.

Problems like stress urinary incontinence (leakage of urine while coughing sneezing or lifting weight) and pelvic organ prolapse aggravates in this period due to laxity of muscles and fascia, a direct result of decreased estrogen levels after menopause .These conditions are quite natural. It is estimated that roughly one-third of women are affected by one or more forms of

Pelvic organ prolapse over their lifetime.

You should not hang back from a medical examination. Detected at early stages, progression of prolapse can be stopped or delayed with specific exercises and hormone replacement.

Signs & solutions

What are the signs of prolapsed uterus?

The uterus is supported and held in place inside the pelvis by various pelvic floor muscles, ligaments and fascia. When these muscles and ligaments weaken and fail to support the uterus, it drops down and comes out in various degrees.

Pelvic muscles can weaken due to one or more vaginal deliveries.

Supportive tissues may be damaged during pregnancy and childbirth. Uterine prolapse often affects sixty percent of postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes. Loss of estrogen and straining over the years can escalate the condition.

Women of all age groups are at risk. A woman who has not borne an offspring can develop this condition due to genetic/familial predisposition, (Nulliparous prolapse). Also, in women who had their uterus surgically removed (hysterectomy), the allied organs in the pelvis like urinary bladder, vagina, large intestine and rectum lose support and starts drifting away. The condition is referred to as vault prolapse.

Chronic cough associated with bronchitis and asthma, extra strain on pelvic muscles due to obesity, excess weight lifting, excessive weight of child in the womb and any other conditions leading to increased pressure in the abdomen can also lead to pelvic organ prolapse. A prolapsed uterus would show various symptoms including

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Dr. Urmila Soman MBBS, DGO,DNB, MNAMS, FICOG, DMAM Consultant Gynaec Laparoscopic Surgeon vaginal bulge, back pain, bleeding, pelvic pressure, stress urinary incontinence, constipation and the need to manually assist in reducing prolapse, often to defecate or relieve oneself.

The technological advancements in medical world have ensured widespread use of laparoscopic techniques in treatment of gynecological problems. One of the most trustable hospitals AL HILAL HOSPITAL offers laparoscopic gynecology surgeries under the expert care of Dr. Urmila Soman, Consultant Laparoscopic Gynec Surgeon. Dr. Urmila Soman has more than 18 years of experience in the field of Laparoscopic Gynaec Surgery. She has done more than 5000 laparoscopic gynaec surgeries which include total laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy etc. From 2004 she have been doing transvaginal tape procedures for urinary stress incontinence and laparoscopic pelvic reconstructive surgeries using mesh on a regular basis.

At Al Hilal, our expert doctors can heal your loved ones and restore their confidence and smiles. For appointment, call 17-344 700.

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HEALTH

Measuring BP and heart rate for health

decreases and heart rate increases.”

2. Blood pressure and heart rate have “normal” target numbers False: There are guidelines, yes, but what’s normal varies from person to person. Optimal blood pressure typically is defined as 120 mm Hg systolic — which is the pressure as your heart beats — over 80 mm Hg diastolic — which is the pressure as your heart relaxes.

For your resting heart rate, the target is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM).

Keep in mind that heart rate and blood pressure are a customized fit. You need to work with your doctor to establish a baseline that’s normal for you.

3. A low pulse or blood pressure always indicates a problem False: What’s healthy for one person may indicate danger for another. For example, a fit person may have a resting heart rate in the 50s or, in some cases, even the 40s. “It can actually be a sign of being in really good shape,” Dr. Anupam says.

Low blood pressure can be a bit trickier, especially in older patients and those with heart disease. If you’re in danger from low blood pressure, your body will tell you. “It’s really about how you feel,” Dr. Anupam says. “Are you feeling weak? The numbers on their own don’t tell the story; it’s the numbers paired with the symptoms you may have.”

B

lood pressure and a heart rate go hand in hand in most people’s minds. After all, these two vital signs are usually are measured at the same time at the doctor’s office.

But each measures distinctly different factors related to your heart health. Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing against the walls of your arteries, while heart rate — sometimes called pulse — is the number of times your heart beats every minute. So let’s look at key differences and bust some myths about these two measures of cardiac health 1. Blood pressure and heart rate are always linked False: It is true that blood pressure and heart rate often rise and fall together. When you face danger, for example, your blood pressure and pulse may both jump upward at the same time. However, if your heart rate rises, that doesn’t automatically mean your blood pressure will rise — or vice versa.

“When the two are disconnected, you may be looking at a specific problem,” said cardiologist Dr. Swati Anupam, “For example, if you are dehydrated, bleeding or have a severe infection, blood pressure typically

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4. High blood pressure is more dangerous than a high heart rate True: Again, what’s considered normal varies. But cardiologist Dr. Luke Laffin MD of the Cleveland Clinic says there is enough clinical evidence to suggest that when blood pressure is even a little over your typical average over time, the risk for heart disease and stroke go up. The physical effects of high blood pressure take their toll on your blood vessels.

“Essentially, for each increment of 20 mmHg over 115 mmHg

SALAAM SOCIETY systolic, your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure or chronic kidney disease doubles,” Dr. Laffin says.

Elevated heart rate can be a sign of danger, too, but the cause-effect relationship is not so clear. “Studies show that people who have faster baseline heart rates are more likely to have cardiac problems and premature cardiac death,” Dr. Laffin says. “But we’re not sure whether that is the cause of the problem or just a sign of what’s going on. The most common cause of a high resting heart rate is being deconditioned (in other words, out of shape).”

Manama Temple farewell for the Martins

Outgoing British Ambassador Simon martin and his wife Sophie have always celebrated the connection between the British Embassy and the Manama Shreenathji Temple community, which dated back to the early times when the Bhatia community worked closely with the British officers.

The Thattai Hindu Bhatia community led by Chairman Sushil Muljimal hosted a warm farewell reception for the couple at the temple premises. Ambassador Martin spoke movingly about the 'friendship, peace and inspiration' that he had always found in his visits to the temple.

5. When you measure matters True: To measure your resting heart rate and blood pressure, pick a reliable and reproducible time, Dr. Anupam advises. Ideally, check in the morning before medications and occasionally in the evening, around dinner time. Don’t take your readings right after exercising unless you’re trying to establish a baseline for what’s called active blood pressure and heart rate.

During readings, you want to be in a resting position with your legs uncrossed. Many people don’t realize that crossing your legs while taking a reading may cause an eight to 10 point increase in systolic blood pressure.

Which measure is more important? This depends on your health, too.

For patients with atrial fibrillation, heart rate might be more important to watch, but many other heart diseases depend more on blood pressure. To be safe, measure both.

“Almost all automated kits you buy at a store provide blood pressure and pulse on one readout,” Dr. Laffin says. “It’s convenient — and knowing both numbers helps better understand how to make lifestyle and medication adjustments.”

The Hindu community holds a Vat Savitri Puja ritual every year, under a sacred tree in the British Embassy grounds for over 200 years now.

6. The faster the heart rate, the shorter the lifespan True: In a large study of people going for a health checkup in China, those who had a high-normal resting heart rate of 80 bpm to 90 BPM had a 40 percent shorter lifespan than those with a desirable heart rate of 60 BPM to 69 BPM. However, the good news is that 15 minutes to 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, could eliminate the increased mortality and reverse the life-span loss, the researchers say.

The study underlines the important role that physical activity can play in keeping your heart healthy — and giving you a longer life, Dr. Laffin says.

“Even moderate activity has benefits,” he says. “So there is no longer any reason to stay on the couch.”

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CUISINE

Prepping for the

summer snacking surge

T

With kids at home and everybody eating light, summertime snacking needs careful thought to stay within the healthy frame says ADITI NAGAPPA. o snack or not to snack, that is the question.

Now that summer and the long, lazy holidays are here – for the kids, if not for you – the whole family is infected with snack attacks all the time. For adults, the heat often means we opt for lighter meals like soups and simple chapati and vegetables which tend to make us hungrier between meals. In fact, these cravings, particularly for junk food, should be anticipated and prepared for so that you don’t reach for the nearest fry-up and add to your waistline.

Snacking has a bit of a bad reputation thanks to the sweet treats associated with

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the vending machines at work and bad habits snacking can result in. However, if you prepare ahead, you’ll find that you can beat those cravings in a healthy way that fits into your lifestyle.

Many people believe that snacking is a bad thing – eating in between meals will ruin your diet or mess up your metabolism.

In reality, this doesn’t need to be true.

While studies have shown that eating every few hours doesn’t necessarily increase everyone’s metabolism - it may for some people - for others, snacks can keep them satisfied between mealtimes so they can avoid over-eating.

Healthy alternatives

When you hit that 3pm sugar craving,

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rather than reach for something that’s going to make your sugar levels spike then dip, or will only satisfy you in the short term, try one of these ideas for healthy alternatives, all under 200 calories and with more benefits than a packet of crisps or piece of cake: Small bunch of grapes 2 tablespoons of yogurt or labneh with mixed berries and honey Large hard boiled egg Apple slices with a tablespoon of peanut butter Mashed banana on whole meal toast 2 cups of homemade popcorn with spiced seasoning A cup of frozen corn kernels, boiled and tossed in chaat masala

well as finding you better alternatives to take the edge off that craving. You can balance your predispositions towards craving certain foods – do you reach for the salty crisps and nuts or a huge bar of chocolate? – alongside what your body is really looking for.

Keep a food journal – just listing the snacks you eat and timing, along with your energy levels on your phone, should do. At the end of a week, study the list to see if there is a pattern. Did you reach for salted snacks when bored and the sweets when stressed?

The fattening samosa or pizza in the evening and the virtuous cut fruits at 11 a.m.?

Once you understand the pattern, you can anticipate your poor choices and avoid them.

One big problem with snacking is that when the craving hits, you’re most likely to grab whatever’s closest and easiest. If you’ve prepared a range of snacks in advance and have them on hand, you’re more likely to stay away from the vending machine and to stick to the plans you’ve made. After all, if you prepare a selection of snacks under a specific calorie limit or with specific cravings in mind, such as popcorn with spicy seasoning if you tend to go savoury, fruit if you go sweet, or nuts if you’re needing a protein boost, you’ll be able to factor these into a healthy diet.

Half cup of breakfast muesli into which you can add dried fruits and nuts and munch without milk.

Understand your needs

Ask yourself the question, ‘Why am I reaching for a snack right now?' Is it because your body is lacking protein after a big workout or is it simply because you’re bored and someone brought cake into the office?

If you know your personal propensity towards certain snacks and how your body reacts to them, it can completely demystify the reasoning behind your snacking, as

8 Ways to Make Snack Time - Fruit & Veggie Time

1. Wash and eat produce like apples, apricots, berries, cherries, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, edamame, grape tomatoes and mini-pepper. No plates or bowls needed.

2. Peel and eat produce like bananas, carrots, clementines, cucumbers, grapefruit, kiwi, mango, oranges, pineapple and melons, which are great for the lunch box or an after-school snack.

3. Add dried fruits like cranberries, cherries or raisins to cereal or nuts for a simple trail mix.

4. Use lettuce or cabbage instead of bread slices, to roll up cheese and spinach for a wrapped snack 5. Frozen fruit makes a great addition to yogurt and is perfect for making a snack-sized smoothie.

6. Add berries or tomatoes to cottage cheese for a high-protein and nutrient-rich snack.

7. Choose in-the-aisle favorites like applesauce, fruit and veggie pouches, and fruit cups filled with pineapples, mandarins, pears and peaches.

8. Looking for a frozen treat? Try popsicles made with 100% fruit juice.

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CUISINE

Curry Chicken Bread Rolls The Malaysian chicken filling makes this a spicy and satisfying teatime snack

INGREDIENTS

• •

18 to 20 slices of day-old bread – large size 1 tbsp flour mixed with water into a sealing paste

For Curry Paste (mix together the following) • 4 tablespoon water • 1 tablespoon curry powder • 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional) • 1 teaspoon coriander powder • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

For the Curry filling • 2 tablespoon oil • 100 gram onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 50 gram shallot, thinly sliced • 2 sprig curry leaves • 400 gram chicken (breast/thigh), cut into small cubes, about 1/4” to 1/2” • 200 gram potato, cut into small cubes, about 1/4” to 1/2” • 1/2 cup water

For Egg wash (mix together the following) • 1 egg • 1 teaspoon milk/water Preparation 1. Heat oil in a frying pan on medium high heat, sauté onion, garlic, and shallot until fragrant. About 3 minutes.

2. Add curry leaves and curry paste into the pan, mix well, cook until fragrant. About 3 minutes.

3. Add chicken and potato, mix well. Add water, mix well, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cook until chicken and potato are cooked, and until the sauce is really really dry.

4. Turn the heat off, remove to a mixing bowl, and chill in the fridge.

5. Cut off the crusts on the bread and lightly roll out so that it gets thinner and flatter.

6. Place 1 tbsp of chicken curry filling slightly off-centre and roll the breadinto cylinders. Use a paste of flour and water to seal the edges.

7. Brush with the egg wash and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

8. Preheat oven to 180 Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Bake the bread for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

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2019

Ghost Bananas Say ‘Boo’ and yes to this healthy treat that’s visually delightful

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup flavored lowfat yogurt • 1 tbsp honey • ½ cup fresh shredded coconut • 3 large bananas • 6 lollipop sticks • 18 semi-sweet chocolate chips, regular and/or mini chips • Floral Foam or Styrofoam Preparation 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Mix the yogurt and honey and place yogurt in shallow plate.

Place grated coconut on a piece of wax paper.

Cut bananas in half, crosswise. Insert lollipop stick into the cut end of each banana.

Roll bananas in yogurt until coated. Roll in coconut, picking up edges of wax paper to help coat each banana with coconut.

Press chocolate chips at pointed end of bananas to make the face.

Press sticks into Styrofoam to display.

Za’atar chickpeas & goat cheese pita pockets A filling and protein-rich snack for the office bento box or the 6pm bites

INGREDIENTS

• • • • • •

1.5 cup chickpeas* 8 pita pockets 4 heaped tbsp. softened goat cheese 2 plum tomatoes 6 leaves lettuce 1 tbsp – Za’atar spice

• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil • 2 tsp dill weed (suva bhaaji) • 1 lemon • ½ cup cucumber sliced, medium-thin

* If using canned chickpeas, rinse in clear water before use or try low-sodium variety Preparation 1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 2. Drain garbanzo beans and pat dry. In bowl, combine garbanzos, olive oil, and za’atar. Toss to coat well.

3. Spread into sheet tray lined with parchment.

4. Toast in oven 425°F approximately 20 minutes. Turn occasionally, until dark and crispy, but don’t let beans get hard and dried out.

Remove and set aside.

5. Combine goat cheese with dill. Mix well. Squeeze lemon and add olive oil to taste.

6. Spread goat cheese onto pita. Layer with lettuce, sliced tomato and cucumber. Lastly add the zaa’tar chickpeas.

Serve with a glass of watermelon juice for ultimate summer cool! ** Optional, you can add a tbsp. of shredded, cooked chicken to the pita pocket when assembling it. Simply season the chicken with some more zaa’tar and a touch of paprika.

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Peanut Butter & Apple Sandwich Here’s a sandwich with no bread! Its quick to whip up – even kids can do it - and hits the sweet spot!

INGREDIENTS • 1 Gala apple, cored and sliced, medium thick • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon • 8 tablespoons creamy peanut butter • 1 tsp plump raisins, chocolate drops and nuts • ¼ cup unsalted butter – if you want to fry up the apple slices

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Preparation 1. Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.

2. If you want to fry the apple slices, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the apples on the butter over the medium heat until browned and remove with a slotted spoon. The apples still need to be crisp and not soggy.

3. Spread one tablespoon of peanut butter onto a slice of apple.

4. Sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar mixture evenly over the peanut butter.

5. Dot the buttered side with two or three raisins or chocolate drops and nuts.

6. Serve either as ‘open’ sandwiches or top with another slice of apple.

CUISINE

Tangy Navadhanya Sundal This combination of 9 legumes or beans is a South Indian specialty, especially served during Navarathri.

But it can easily double as a quick 6 pm snack after office. It’s protein-rich, light and quick to toss together.

INGREDIENTS • 1 Tbsp. each of the following legumes: • Brown cow peas/black eyed peas (called brown karamani) • White black-eyed peas (called white karamani) • Brown channa (used usually for making Malayali channa curry – called brown kondai kadalai) • Whole mung beans • Bengal gram (channa dal) • Dried green peas • Chickpeas • Peanuts • Horse gram - Together, these will make 1 cup

For the seasoning • • • • •

1 tsp oil ¾ tsp mustard seeds ¾ tsp urad dal 1 dried red chilli 4-5 curry leaves roughly torn by hand

• • • • •

¼ cup grated coconut ½ cup finely chopped raw mango 1 tsp minced ginger 1 green chilli Fat pinch of asafetida (hing)

Preparation 1. Soak all the legumes except Bengal gram together in water overnight or for 6 hours.

2. Add Bengal gram to the soaked legumes an hour before cooking.

3. Wash and pressure cook everything together with very little water. Add a little salt and if pressure cooking, keep on heat till you hear 3 whistles. Let it rest about 20 minutes and then drain and keep covered so that the legumes stay moist. This much can be done in advance and the cooked beans can be refrigerated in a closed vessel.

4. Peel the skin and chop mangoes finely. Keep aside 5. Coarsely grind the coconut, ginger and green chilli.

6. Heat the oil and when nearly hot add the asafetida and the ground coconut paste. Fry lightly and then add the drained 9 beans and mix well. Add more salt to taste if needed.

7. Lastly add the minced mango 8. In a clean container, tip out the sundal.

9. Using the same cooking wok, add 1 tsp oil and add the seasoning ingredients in the order given. When the mustard seeds have finished spluttering and the urad dal is golden brown remove from fire and add to the sundal. Give it all a quick stir.

10. Serve warm – not hot.

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Generations meet at ILA catwalk From silver-haired grandmothers, sprightly moms and daughters – teens and todders – everybody came together at the Indian Ladies Associations ‘Mom & Me’ fashion event, a fun affirmation of the fact that when it comes to dressing up and looking, age is no bar!

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CELEB CHAKKER

Two Khans and a Gump In the race to pitch the perfect Forrest Gump (FG) to Indian cine-goers, Salman Khan still takes the lead.

The actor’s 2017 effort was cruelly named Tubelight and crashed at the box office. Undeterred, he came back in 2019 with a modified version called Bharat, which easily crossed the 100-crores especially as there were no other films around as competition.

The fascination with the beautiful classic with Tom Hanks in an Academy Award-winning performance as a kind and slow-witted man who inadvertently changes or witnesses historic events, still holds sway over movie stars who want to measure their acting chops against Hanks.

Now, Aamir Khan, who had purchased the rights for FG, will be making the film for Indian fans. Titled Laal Singh Chaddha, it co-stars Kareena Kapoor. Since the original has a greater role for Gump’s mother than for any romantic interest, guess what everybody is wondering?

The film will release on Christmas 2020.

Hey Vicky!

Get the uniform right

Everyone was amazed at chameleon Vicky Kaushal’s resemblance to India’s first and still most-beloved Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw, when he unveiled the look on social media.

However, Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain wasn't swayed by Vicky's terrific look and quickly pointed the major difference between the real-life Sam Manekshaw's uniform and the reel-life uniform. He tweeted, “Would love it, if consulted. Lt Gen Deepinder Singh, his MA, is there to give everything on him. Vicky Kaushal, for starters is wearing wrong colour badges of rank. Sam was a Gurkha, never wore brass, always black badges. I am proud to wear that too being a Garhwali Bhulla.”

That tweet unleashed many more with Army sources coming forward to offer advice and urging the producers and director to stay true to the legend of their Sam Saab. One possessive army officer tweeted, “@vickykaushal09 You should read this. And inform the producers. Bad research on their part to get basics wrong.

Shudder to think what they will do with his story. ” Well, knowing Meghna Gulzar, she will definitely do her research meticulously.

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CLEB CHAKKER

Sameera celebrates her bump

Beautiful actress Sameera Reddy has set amazing Mommy Goals for moms-to-be with her unique underwater photo shoot in the ninth month of her pregnancy.

The actress, who is expecting her second baby was in Goa for a relaxed babymoon when she sprung a series of amazing underwater photos on social media.

She explained: “I wanted to celebrate the beauty of the bump in my 9th month. At a time when we feel the most vulnerable, tired, scared, excited and at our biggest and most beautiful!

I look forward to sharing it with you guys and I know the positivity will resonate because we all are at different phases of our lives with unique sizes and we need to love and accept ourselves at every level #imperfectlyperfect.”

What’s even more amazing is her level of Olympian fitness that allowed her to do this photoshoot. The actress had earlier spoken openly about the trauma she faced when her weight shot to 102 kilos after her first pregnancy and shattered her confidence. It took her two years of dedicated care to get back into shape and this time, she’s fighting fit!

Warning to mommas-in-the-making: Do not try this without your doctor’s go-ahead and make sure you are 200% fit to go underwater.

Asha’s stunt boomerangs

Remember when Shah Rukh Khan set speculation wild when he publicised graffiti on the wall of his landmark bungalow Mannat and people thought it was a threat to his life …and it all turned out to be a gimmick for his film Fan? Well, that made fans feel a bit foolish. Now Malayalam actress Asha Sharath, the top cop in Drishyam and a very popular star, is facing the brunt of fan anger for similar reason. She apparently posted a video on social media asking for help to locate her husband and it sparked genuine concern – until it was revealed as a publicity stunt for her film Evide (which means Where? and denotes a search). The actress is facing quite a backlash for her insensitive PR act.

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QUOTE OF THE

MONTH

He has been very understanding and supportive of me.That was essential for me. My happiness matters the most to him and his happiness to me. He has been instrumental in shaping my life.

There were really no plans of being in another relationship, but things happened organically.

- Malaika Arora on…no, not Arjun Kapoor but her son Arhaan!

The glam supermodel who’s also a film producer and bit actress opened up about her high-profile divorce from Arbaaz Khan, saying she and her ex-husband are still committed to being good parents to their son Arhaan.

“The two people who decide to part ways are the only ones who will know the real reasons for it. It’s wrong to judge. Arbaaz and I have moved on, amicably. We have to be sensitive to our child (Arhaan) and his needs.

When we parted ways, I felt vulnerable, though I am not a vulnerable person. I didn’t know which direction I wanted to move into. I was just sure that I have to give my child a stable environment, and to date, it has

been my number one priority. Arbaaz and I have parted as a couple, but we make sure nothing affects our son. It’s a lot better this way.”

Arora added, “I don’t listen to what people have to say about me. I just care for what my son, my family, my partner and my friends think. I was working, and taking care of Arhaan then and I am doing that even now. I’m still my son’s concierge service for everything like every mother is. How am I any less of a mother then?”

Speaking about her relationship with Arjun Kapoor, she said, “Now I have a second chance at love and companionship. Second chances are hard to come by and the most amazing opportunities in life. So, why shouldn’t I or millions of other women like me take that chance?”

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CELEB CHAKKER

A giant set for our fantasies - a statue of Lord Krishna, to which Jodhabai prayed, was made of gold. The battle sequence between Akbar and Salim reportedly featured 2,000 camels, 400 horses, and 8,000 troops, mainly from the Indian Army's Jaipur cavalry, 56th Regiment.

Perhaps the only director with an appetite for giant sets and extravagant detail today is Sanjay Leela Bansali. In his 2002 monster hit Devdas, the most painstaking creation of the giant sets was Paro's delicate stained glass house was erected for almost seven months.

1.22 lakh pieces of stained glass were used for it! But heavy rains kept fading the glass paint. As a result, the painters in the team had to keep re-touching for months. Even the use of trolleys over the delicate floors of the sets led to a lot of chipping. And the kotha where Chandramukhi danced cost a mind-boggling 120 million million..yes that set alone!

Those were the days. These days, we get excited over the mastery of Baahubali but much of it is computer graphics – skilled, no doubt, but is it a match for the vision and hard work of a ‘real’ showstopper?

What are the movie scenes we remember for their vast, larger than life, fantasy sets? Our favourite is the drum dance from the 1948 hit classic Chandralekha. The famous scene involved 400 dancers and six months of daily rehearsals. It was designed by chief art director A. K. Sekhar, choreographed

by Jayashankar and filmed with four cameras by Kamal Ghosh.

It cost the producers, Gemini Studio an estimated 500,000 (about US$105,000 in 1948 which was more than the typical budget for a whole Tamil film of that period! The scene included the Kathakali and Bharatanatyam classical dances and the Sri Lankan Kandyan dance.

Then we have the unforgettable Sheesh Mahal or mirror room in Anarkali (1960) in which the heroine dances and declares her love for Prince Salim. Created as an indoor set in Mohan Studios, the replica of the Sheesh Mahal in Lahore Fort cost cost more than 1.5 million (valued at about US$314,000 in 1960). As usual, this was more than the entire budget of most films at that time. A sprawling court, its size was 150 feet (46 m) in length, 80 feet (24 m) in breadth and 35 feet (11 m) in height. A much-discussed aspect was the presence of numerous small mirrors made of Belgian glass, which were crafted and designed by workers from Firozabad.

The set took two years to build.

Another less-known aspect of the film’s production values

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Kangana gets judgementall When Kangana used her promotional platform for upcoming film Judgementall Hai Kya to get into an ugly spat, she obviously overstepped her mark. The eccentric diva called out a PTI journalist on his poor review for her last movie Manikarnika but in terms that made it seem that he had indulged in personal slander.

“Itni gandi soch kahan sey latey hain?” she asked him (Where you do you get such dirty thoughts from?).

The reporter put up a spirited defence but the promotional meet broke up in disarray.

Later, the film’s powerful producer Ekta Kapoor stepped in and apologized to the journalist and the Entertainment Journalists’ Guild of India. However, the Guild said they would boycott Kangana until she too apologises.

“We, as a guild, have collectively decided to boycott Ms Ranaut and not give her any media coverage,” the delegation said in its letter, adding that the boycott will not affect the film or the rest of the cast. The journalists conveyed to the producer that they have decided to “boycott” Ranaut from future events until the actor apologises for incident. And now, the defiant star has made matters worse by taking the Guild to court for threatening to boycott her and called the journalists anti-national!

Letting the tears flow

Rakesh-Hrithik meet life’s curveball In a rare peek into the Roshan family life, Hrithik spoke about how his father Rakesh Roshan is dealing with his fight against early-stage cancer of the throat.

“In my father’s generation, a man was taught that masculinity meant being a rock. That a father is someone who is very strong and never expresses his vulnerability,” Hrithik said, “Tears, we were taught, are feminine. But being a student of life, I have learned that strength does not mean the absence of tears. I realised that my dad had held way too much inside of him and I felt it was unhealthy. Having been through all that he has, one day I pushed him to express what he has been feeling.

Although it was difficult for him to let go of the strength, eventually one day, he broke down completely. I hugged him and we both let the tears flow. Ironically, even at that time he was switching between breaking down on my shoulder and consoling me as a strong father. We all felt so much stronger after that release. We must learn to express ourselves as human beings openly.”

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EDITOR'S VIEW

It’s a curious thing, this NRI life. Especially in the Gulf, where we are geographically close to our homeland and culturally encouraged to enrich our unique identity. Recently, India completed the giant democratic exercise of the general elections and voted into power a government that draws much of its strength from the persona and charisma of its star representative – PM Narendra Modi. In the run-up to the elections, many a household and weekend party in Bahrain was torn by the arguments for and against different political groups that were pitching for the big win. Many Bahrain NRIs who could afford it, flew to their home town and cast their vote under new rules that enabled many to actually exercise their franchise for the first time!

After the big BJP win, there were parties akin to those given for sporting success, with friends gathering to listen to their hero-leaders on large screen TVs amidst celebratory clink of glasses. We all waxed eloquent about what would be done to improve India with this thumping mandate and how we, as NRIs, could play a more active role – after all, look, we had caught a plane and reached home to take part in the world’s biggest election, hadn’t we?

Now summer is here and many families had booked tickets to go home and give the kids their annual dose of desi reality: getting underfoot with cousins who are already facing the first exams of a new school year (school in India opens mid-April), being fussed over by assorted aunts and grandparents and generally wasting the summer being useless. Imagine their horror this year, when they received urgent calls from relatives to postpone their visit or, in the case of grandparents living alone, to change the plans so the older gen could travel to Bahrain for the summer instead.

The reason? In case you haven’t heard, much of India is reeling under a severe water shortage. Life in my hometown, Chennai, is ruled by the siren call of the water tankers which fill up the building tanks. When the distinctive praaampara! praaam! is heard two streets down, the security man has to run out and flag down the tanker when it reaches one’s street. Luckily, my family tells me that they get water without interruption but at three times the price and with the continuous reminder to bathe using just one bucket of water and run the washing machine only on a full load. Remember too, that dried up reservoirs means electricity generation is affected too – ergo, hello to power-cuts!

Many families have actually cut short their break and returned to comfortable Bahrain or gone off where water is more abundant. It’s a way of life that the parents vaguely remember from their teens and gladly forgot and one that is an unpleasant novelty which they would rather their children didn’t get familiar with.

See what I mean about being NRI? Armchair patriots, all of us who will go as ‘democracy tourists’ to cast our vote and hug our family for a week-end but then, at the first hint of some reality hard knocks, we’ll hastily return to our Bahrain home and from this safe distance, lavish love and unwanted advise on our country. With India’s independence day coming up, should we introspect and change how we express our patriotism?

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