Local - The Times Kuwait

Transcription

THE DIPLOMAT
I
n his farewell message to the Kuwaiti people on the end of his
distinguished tenure in the country, Viet Nam’s ambassador to Kuwait,
H.E. Bui Quoc Trung says that bilateral relationship between the two
countries is built on the foundation of friendship, mutual respect and
understanding and strong solidarity of the two Governments and
Peoples. He expresses his hope that the two countries will work together
with the aim of boosting Viet Nam - Kuwait relationship in commensurate
with the potentials of the two countries.
250 Fils
Issue No 705
Established 1996
24 - 30 August, 2014
See Page 3
www.timeskuwait.com
Political activism leading to humanitarian disasters
K
Crude oil exports to China set
to increase to 500,000 bpd
K
uwait plans to increase the volume of crude oil exports
to China to 500,000 barrels a day (bpd), and eventually
to 800,000 bpd, said an executive at the state-run Kuwait
Petroleum Corporation (KPC).
“With new and mutual cooperation between the two
parties, there is a good sign of increasing the volume of our
crude oil exports to China up to 500,000 bpd in the next three
years, which is subject to availability,” Nasser Al-Mudhaf,
KPC’s Managing Director of International Marketing, said in
Hong Kong. On his visit to Hong Kong, Al-Mudhaf
Continued on Page 8
uwait’s First Deputy Prime
Minister
and
Foreign
Minister Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
said that political activism
in the Arab region resulted
in
serious
repercussions
including
humanitarian
disasters.
“The Arab League does its
utmost to contain the unrest in
Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya and
Gaza Strip in collaboration with
the concerned UN agencies,”
said Sheikh Sabah, while
leading an Arab delegation on
a visit to Switzerland.
The delegation led by
Sheikh Sabah, in the presence
of Secretary-General of the
Arab League Dr. Nabil AlAraby, discussed in Geneva
separately with the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees
Antonio Guterres, and the
Director of the UN’s Office
for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
Rashid Khalikov, on the
humanitarian situations in
EXCLUSIVE to
THE TIMES KUWAIT
The Ethical Cost of
High-Price Art
By Peter Singer
Arab hotspots. “The meeting
with Guterres reviewed the
outcomes of the two sessions of
the International Humanitarian
Pledging Conference for Syria,
hosted by Kuwait in 2013 and
2014, and the extent of the
international donors to their
pledges, as well as the aid
programs of the UN agencies
for the victims of the Syrian
conflict inside the country and
in neighboring countries.
“Guterres has apprised
the Arab delegation of the
status of the Syrian internallydisplaced and Syrian refugees
Continued on Page 5
Peter Singer is Professor of Bioethics at Princeton
University and Laureate Professor at the University
of Melbourne. His books include Animal Liberation,
Practical Ethics, The Life You Can Save, and, most
recently, The Point of View of the Universe (coauthored with Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek).
I
n New York last month, Christie’s sold $745 million worth of
postwar and contemporary art, the highest total that it has
ever reached in a single auction. Among the higher-priced
works sold were paintings by Barnett Newman, Francis
Bacon, Mark Rothko, and Andy Warhol, each of which sold
for more than $60 million. According to the New York Times,
Asian collectors played a significant part in boosting prices.
No doubt some buyers regard their purchases as an
investment, like stocks or real estate or gold bars. In that
case, whether the price they paid was excessive or modest
will depend on how much the market will be willing to pay for
the work at some future date.
Continued on Page12
2
Local
The Times 24 - 30 August, 2014 timeskuwait.com
Al Mulla Exchange stages
full-house concert by Philippines band MYMP
A
l Mulla International Exchange, Kuwait’s
premier money remittance company,
held a lively and engaging musical
concert by the renowned acoustic band,
MYMP (Make Your Momma Proud), from the
Philippines. The two-day concert, which was
held on 15 and 16 August, at the American
International School in Maidan Hawally, was
a fully-packed event with nearly two thousand
people attending the performance on both
days.
Since releasing their first album in 2003,
MYMP has had a scintillating record of album
releases and stage performances in Philippines
and abroad. The band once again displayed
their skills during the two-day electrifying
performance in Kuwait, mesmerizing audiences
with their amazing musical talents.
Special invitees to the free event, who were
picked randomly from the large number of
Filipino customers of Al Mulla Exchange, were
entertained to a melodious evening of music.
Many among the audience expressed their
delight with Al Mulla Exchange for hosting the
exciting event, and only hoped more of their
compatriots had had the opportunity to witness
the band’s performance.
Al Mulla Exchange has so far held nearly
80 cultural programs, for different expatriate
communities, by bringing popular artists and
bands from around the world to stage in Kuwait.
As the fastest growing Exchange Company
with a 54-branch network spread across
Kuwait, Al Mulla Exchange has rapidly become
the money-remittance company of choice
among wide strata of people in the country.
Diplomat
3
FAREWELL MESSAGE OF
H.E.BUI QUOC TRUNG
AMBASSADOR OF VIETNAM TO KUWAIT
Dear friendly Kuwaiti people,
I
would like to inform you that, I will
be departing Kuwait for Viet Nam
on 25/8/2014, upon completion
of my assignment as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to
the State of Kuwait. I avail myself of
this opportunity to express my sincere
thanks for your good sentiments for
Vietnam country, our Vietnamese
Embassy and for me in the past more
than 3 years.
During my tenure in Kuwait, I am
pleased with the fine achievements
reached by the two countries,
reflecting the interests and support
of the two governments and peoples,
for a further consolidated and
developed bilateral relationship.
In the political – diplomatic field,
the two sides continue to intensify
the exchange visits at all levels to
build mechanisms and framework for
effective cooperation. Fine political
relations have been increasingly
strengthened,
contributing
significantly to the promotion of
bilateral relations in various fields.
The
economic,
trade
and
investment relations of the two
countries have also had positive
development. The Kuwait Fund
for Arab Economic Development
(KFAED) has been providing
preferential loans for infrastructure
development projects in the remote
areas in Viet Nam (Bac Kan, Dien
Bien, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh…), thus
enhancing and improving the living
standards of the local people…And
as we are informed, a delegation
of KFAED will come to Ha Noi this
September to sign a new agreement
to loan Viet Nam 4 million KWD for
the project of “Rural infrastructure
development of Hai Hau, Nam Dinh
Province”.
The most prominent spot in
investment cooperation between
Viet Nam and Kuwait is the formation
of Nghi Son Oil Refinery and
Petrochemical Project in Thanh Hoa
Province, Central Viet Nam - one of
the largest investment projects in Viet
Nam, with a capital of 9 billion US
dollars which was signed between
PetroVietNam, Kuwait Petroleum
International Company (KPI) and two
Japanese partners (Idemitsu Kosan
Corp (IKC) and Mitsui Chemicals
Inc (MCI)), in which KPI hold stakes
of 35,1% and has committed to
supply 100% crude oil for the plant
in the long term. The groundbreaking
ceremony of this project was held in
October 2013 with the participation
of H.E.Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime
Minister of Viet Nam and H.E. Mr.
Mustafa Jassem Al-Shamali, Deputy
Prime Minister, Minister of Oil of
Kuwait and many other high ranking
officials of Viet Nam, Kuwait and
Japan. Construction is expected to
be completed in the fourth quarter of
2016, and commercial operations are
expected to commence in mid-2017
with a refining capacity of 200,000
barrels per day, equivalent to 10
million tons per year.
On trade relations, two-way volume
has steadily increased, in 2013
reached U.S. $ 741.7 million of which
Viet Nam exported 35.3 million USD
and imports 706.3 million USD. More
and more Vietnamese products now
appear in supermarkets and trade
centers of Kuwait, such as seafood,
agricultural products, wood and wood
products, textiles, footwear, mobile
phones and accessories, etc…
Along with the success of
economic, trade and investment
cooperation, a number of other
positive developments have been
noted in bilateral relations: in April
2013, the Agreement on visa
exemption for Diplomatic and Official
passport holders officially took effect;
the Government of Kuwait continues
to grant scholarships for Vietnamese
students to study in Language Centre
at Kuwait University. Especially,
the Government and People of
Viet Nam are very grateful that, the
Government of Kuwait, in December
2013, donated 3 million USD for the
people in central Viet Nam who were
affected by a huge typhoon.
We are proud that this bilateral
relationship is built on the foundation
of friendship, mutual respect and
understanding and strong solidarity
of the two Governments and Peoples.
I do hope that you all continue to join
us in activities aimed at boosting the
Viet Nam – Kuwait relationship faster
and stronger and commensurate with
the potentials of the two countries.
Once again, I would like to express
my sincerest thanks to His Highness
the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,
His Highness the Crown Prince of
Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness
the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh
Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah,
and the people of Kuwait for their
kind sentiment and support given to
Viet Nam and for the valuable and
continued assistance rendered to the
Embassy of Viet Nam in Kuwait.
I know this is not the occasion
for me to go long on our bilateral
relationship. I am leaving Kuwait with
wonderful memories and will forever
remember the friendly government
and the lovely people. Though I am
going to retire, I will still in one way
or another continue to work for the
relations between Viet Nam and
the Middle East region, in particular
between Viet Nam and Kuwait.
Wishing you all good health,
happiness and success!
Goodbye!
Bui Quoc Trung
Local
4
First Apollo Zone
inaugurated in Kuwait
VIVA announces two winners in
its #VIVAVespa Draw Campaign
A
V
IVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most
developed telecom operator named Naser
Safag Abud Althafiri and Ibrahim Jalal Hamdi as
the two lucky customers to win Vespa scooters
with World Cup designs.
Ayman Salem Al Mutairi, Senior Manager
Corporate Communications said: “On behalf
of VIVA, I would like to congratulate the lucky
winners Naser Safag Abud Althafiri and
Ibrahim Jalal Hamdi and thank each and every
customer who made the effort to enter the draw.
We are pleased with the outcome of this draw
campaign which proved very successful and
look forward to enticing customers with more
exciting campaigns in the future.”
VIVA will continue to demonstrate its
commitment towards its customers by
delivering unique products and services and
designing exciting offers that will allow VIVA to
further engage with them.
pollo Tyres, a leading tyre
major, made further inroads
into the Kuwait market with the
opening up of it first branded retail
outlet in the country. Christened as
Apollo Zone, this outlet is designed
to provide customers with an
enhanced retail experience and
a better feel for the brand and
products on display, including
passenger car, 4x4 and light truck
tyres. This Apollo Zone is located
in the up-market Canada Dry
Street of Kuwait, and is operated
by Federal General Trading &
Contracting Co.
The
Apollo
Zone
was
inaugurated by His Excellency Shri
Shubashis Goldar, Deputy Chief of
Mission & Chief Public Information
Officer and Dr Sushil Kumar,
Second
Secretary
(Political,
Economic
&
Commercial),
Embassy of India, Kuwait. Also
present on the occasion was
Satish Sharma, President, Asia
Pacific, Middle East & North Africa
(APMENA) region, Apollo Tyres
Ltd. The Apollo Zones, follow a
modern up-market retail format
for selling tyres − ensuring ample visual appeal, comfort and
convenience to customers, and providing an opportunity to
learn about the product’s applications and performance before
making the final purchase. After Dubai, this is the second
branded retail outlet by Apollo Tyres in the Middle East region.
Indian Embassy
participating
in Summer
Cultural Festival
T
he Embassy is taking part in the
9th Summer Cultural Festival
from 24 August to 4 September
2014 at the Kuwait National Museum
(opposite Kuwait National Library on
Arabian Gulf Street), which is being
organized under the auspices of
Kuwait National Museum and the
National Council for Culture, Arts
and Letters (NCCAL) of the State
of Kuwait. The participation of the
Embassy in the festival signifies
cultural cooperation between the
two countries.
The Embassy will exhibit
photographs showcasing the
art and cultural heritage of India
at the Kuwait National Museum.
The opening ceremony of the
exhibition is on 24 August 2014
at 10.00 am. There will be a live
dance performance by Thrissur
Association of Kuwait on the
inaugural day as well as daily noncommercial screenings of famous
Bollywood films such as ‘Chennai
Express’, ‘Agent Vinod’, ‘Talash’,
‘Ek Tha Tiger’ and ‘Three idiots’
from 25 August 2014 onwards.
The timings for screening of the
above-mentioned films would be
from 5 pm to 8 pm in the evening
on all days mentioned above
at the auditorium of the Kuwait
National Musuem.
The timings of the cultural
exhibition are from 8.30 am to
12.30 pm, and again from 4.30 pm
to 8.30 pm during the specified
timings. The entry to the exhibition
and films is free.
Publisher & Editor-In-Chief
Tareq Yousuf Al-Shumaimry
[email protected]
Managing Editor
Reaven D’Souza
[email protected]
P O Box 5141, Safat 13052, Kuwait
Tel : 24814404, 24810109
Fax : 24834815
Email : [email protected]
Printed in: Arwa Universal Printing Press
Local
T
5
Special performance of La Colmenita
thrills at NCCAL cultural festival
he
Cuban
Company
“La
Colmenita”, Ambassadors of
Good Will of UNESCO, was part
of a special musical show held at the Al
Dasma theatre on Monday, 11 August.
The show opened to a large audience
comprised of Kuwaiti citizens and
other nationalities.
The “La Colmenita” performance
was a highlight of the 16th edition
of the Cultural Festival for Children
and Youth organized by the National
Council for Culture, Arts and Letter
(NCCAL). This was the first visit of the
‘La Colmenita’ Cuban children group
to Kuwait and the Middle East. At
the cultural festival, they presented
an hour-long show ‘Little Cockroach
Martina’, which is an American story
turned into a musical comedy.
Children between 7 to 15 years
old train at Colmenita, and they then
share its history with others. “Our goal
is to establish a bridge among people
from childhood. The state provides all
tools, so the children train there for
free,” Carlos Alberto Cremata, Director
General of La Colmenita, said in an
interview with a local daily.
Alfredo Ruiz Roche, Head of
International Relations at the Ministry
of Culture in Cuba hopes to repeat
this visit. “This visit is part of the
cultural agreement between Kuwait
and Cuba. The National Council for
Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL)
invited us to participate in the 16th
edition of the Cultural Festival for
Children and Youth. Since we arrived
here, all people have been very kind
and generous with us. We are glad to
Political activism leading...
Continued from Page 1
in neighboring countries those numbers topped seven million and three
million respectively,” Sheikh Sabah disclosed.
He reaffirmed the keenness of Kuwait and the League on working with the
UN agencies for alleviating the suffering of the displaced Syrians and Iraqis and
addressing the humanitarian disaster in Gaza as a result of the Israeli aggression
over the last 45 days.
Sheikh Sabah stressed that “The UN refugee agency UNHCR plays a great
role in addressing the humanitarian situations in cooperation with the League
and Kuwait,” Sheikh Sabah stressed. He added that Dr. Al-Araby, accompanied
by Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyadh Al-Maliki also visited the HQ of the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss Foreign Ministry.
The current visit to Switzerland is part of the League’s lobbying for an
international conference to discuss how to enforce the Fourth Geneva Convention
(GC-IV) relating to the protection of civilians in time of war. “The next step for
the Arab delegation will be a visit to the UN HQ in New York where we will be
holding separate meetings with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President
of the Security Council pursuant to the decision of the Emergency Arab Foreign
Ministers’ Meeting held in Cairo on July 14,” he revealed.
The League will send specialized teams to Gaza Strip, Yemen, Iraq and Libya
to assess the needs of vulnerable people there besides the regular revision of
the humanitarian situation of the displaced Syrians, he added.
The meetings were attended by Kuwait’s permanent delegate to the UN
Office in Geneva Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghoneim, Ambassador to Switzerland
Bader Al-Tanib and deputy chief of staff of the office of the first Deputy Prime
Minister Ambassador Salah Alloghani
Ambassador Al-Ghoneim said that the visit to Geneva by First Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah was
important as it has addressed some vital issues pertaining to the Middle East
region. He added that Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s visit, alongside other Arab
officials from the Arab League, showcased Kuwait’s stance on issues pertinent
to the Arab world and humanitarian efforts, including the Arab stance on the
Palestinian cause and its importance within the domain of human rights.
The ambassador noted that the Arab delegation, headed by the Kuwaiti
FM, discussed with officials from the Swiss government and the Red Cross
the importance of holding an international conference on the fourth Geneva
Convention on human rights, with the aim of focusing on addressing the
human rights violations committed by the occupying Israeli forces against the
Palestinians. The human rights situation in Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Libya was
also touched upon during Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s visit, said Al-Ghunaim.
The Kuwaiti diplomat affirmed that the results of the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister’s
visit will provide some valuable input for the Arab League presidency currently
presided by Kuwait, adding that it will also help in addressing the challenges
facing the Palestinian cause.
visit Kuwait and perform here, and we
won’t mind launching a La Colmenita
class here,” he pointed out.
Ambassador of Cuba to Kuwait
Andres Gonzalez Garrido praised
bilateral relations between Kuwait and
Cuba and hoped that more Kuwaiti
tourists visit Cuba. “We have about
three million tourists from around
the world visiting Cuba annually,
and these include Kuwaiti tourists.
Relations are great and we hope to
improve them even more,” he noted.
The Secretariat-general of NCCAL
is keen on discovering talented and
creative children with the aim to
sponsor them, and help to develop
their abilities. NCCAL spares no
effort in organizing entertainment, and
recreational cultural programs for all
age groups, particularly in summer,
which is considered the appropriate
season for such entertainment
activities.
6
I
Local
‘I Love my India’ concert featuring
Suganda Mishra steals the show
ndian Youth Society (IYS) presented ‘I Love
my India’ on India’s glorious Independence
day, on Friday, 15 August at Indian Embassy
Auditorium from 7:00 pm onwards. Standup
comedian, mimicry artist and talented singer
Sugandha Mishra performed live for the first
time ever in Kuwait during the event.
The program started with a video
presentation about IYS followed by a formal
welcome by the Compere of the evening
Shakier Shaikh. After a rendition of the Indian
national anthem, Heart beat dance group and
Friends Bangra Punjabi group entertained the
audience with foot-tapping dances. Indian
Ambassador to Kuwait, Sunil Jain delivered
an Independent day message.
After a
short message from IYS President Shabbir
Qamar, Kuwaiti National Khalil Ali Ibrahim Al
Khalil wished the Indians on the occasion
of Independence Day and expressed his
gratitude towards the Indian community.
Sponsors
of
the
event,
Sharif
Mohammed Rangrej of Eternity International
Travels & Tourism and IYS member Mustafa
Hussein were honored with mementos.
Musicians Satish (keyboard), Akash (guitar),
Roshan (dolak) and Brijesh (octapad) were
introduced to the audience.
With loud
applause, Sugandha Mishra made a grand
entry with a patriotic song “I love my India”
from the movie “Pardes”. She proved herself
a great entertainer as she sang many hit
songs and imitated the singers’ voices, acted
onstage and did standup comedy. Her
interactions with the audience with the song”
jiski Biwi....” from Laawaris was simply superb
and the audience had a hearty laugh with her.
Local artists Subhasish Bhattacharya and
Julia Anil also entertained the audience with
Hindi songs.
Indian Youth Society of Kuwait or IYS is a
non-profit organization registered with the
Indian Embassy of Kuwait by the initiative of
a like-minded young Indians with the vision
of honoring, encouraging, supporting and
celebrating the Indian social and cultural
values amongst the people of Kuwait. The
show was an entertainment feast with humor
and music singlehandedly managed by
talented Sugandha Mishra, who was the
finalist in the reality show ‘Hero Honda - Sa
Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar’ and also was
a contestant on ‘The Great Indian Laughter
Challenge’.
Al Mulla Exchange to
stage ‘One on One’
A
l Mulla Exchange, the
premier money-remittance
company in Kuwait, will
be presenting, ‘One on One’,
a side-splitting stage-show by
renowned Indian theatrical group,
Rage Theatres, at the American
International School auditorium on
the evening of 29 August, 2014.
The by-invitation-only event,
featuring some of India’s finest
stage and screen artists, is a
lively mix of six hilarious and
thought-provoking
monologues
on contemporary Indian life. The
expressive soliloquies, all of less
than 15 minutes duration, written,
directed and performed by talented
and experienced artists are bound
to provide audiences with a riveting
and exciting evening.
Short synopses of the six
plays are as follows:
Load Shedding: A Worli lamppost dramatizes from his lofty
perch, the discussions of various
political parties in the name of city
betterment.
Hello Check: A flighty glamorous
Oshiwara house-wife, gushes to
the media about her many social
and socialite achievements.
Dear
Richard:
An
angry,
exhausted airline traveler writes an
open letter to the owner of Virgin
Atlantic on the state of inedible
airline food
Kachre Ki Hifazat: The tragic
humorous woes of the bodyguard
of a chief minister, who dies
“mysteriously”.
Job Interview: A Parsi gentleman
with failing eyesight goes for an
interview to be an airline pilot. The
stakes are high. His nerves are
shot.
Aabodana: Two people struggle
to keep the balance between
finding love and losing themselves
in the chaos that is life in a big city.
Featuring the likes of Anu
Menon, Rajit Kapur, Sohrab
Ardeshir, Dilshad Khurana and
Anand Tiwari, and written and
directed by Rahul da Cunha, Nadir
Khan and Akarsh Khurana among
others, ‘One on One’ will prove a
hard act to follow.
I
Local
7
Indians celebrate Independence Day
reflecting India’s rich ethnic, linguistic, religious
and cultural diversity in Kuwait.
The Ambassador emphasized that IndiaKuwait relations have been historically close,
warm and friendly. He commended the
contribution of the Indian community in Kuwait’s
socio-economic development and in nurturing
India-Kuwait ties. He extended his warmest
greetings to all members of the Indian community
in Kuwait. The Ambassador highlighted several
measures taken by the Embassy for the welfare
of the Indian community, e.g., opening of an
outsource centre at Abbassiya, “Open House”
in the Embassy on all working days and
availability of Embassy auditorium to various
Indian Associations for social and cultural
activities.
Refreshments such as tea, juice and mineral
water was served to all present.
n an unprecedented presence of thousands
of Indian nationals on the Embassy premises,
the 68th Independence Day was celebrated
with the unfurling of the tri-colour National Flag
by Ambassador Sunil Jain, the singing of the
National Anthem and the reading out of the
Hon’ble President’s Address to the Nation. The
Bohra Community band played a variety of
marching tunes to the delight of the assembled
gathering. This was followed by Indian
Associations singing patriotic songs.
Kuwait being home to 7.62 lakh Indian
nationals, a large section of Indian
community from all walks of life representing
businesspersons, doctors, engineers, chartered
accountants, technicians in oil & gas sector,
construction workers, nurses and domestic
workers, etc., participated in the Independence
Day celebrations with great joy and enthusiasm,
Ambassador
of Vietnam
Vietnam Ambassador
hosts farewell
farewell dinner
hosts
dinner
A
mbassador of the
Socialist Republic
of Vietnam to Kuwait
H.E. Bui Quoc Trung
and Madam Do Thi
Phung hosted a farewell
dinner last week at
their residence in
Jabriya to bid farewell
to diplomats and friends
on completion of a
very successful and
distinguished tenure.
8
Local
Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait
observes National Mourning Day
B
angladesh Embassy in Kuwait observed
the National Mourning Day and the 39th
Death Anniversary of the Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
with due solemnity at the Chancery on 15 August
2015. To commemorate the day, the Mission drew
up elaborate programs. The program began with
the hoisting of National Flag at half mast at the
Chancery Building and Bangladesh House in the
morning by His Excellency the Ambassador Maj
Gen Ashab Uddin.
Embassy
officials, officials from the
Bangladesh
Military
Contingent
(BMC),
Bangladesh Biman, and member of Bangladesh
community in Kuwait and the media
representatives were present during the flag
hosting.
The main program started with the recitation
from the Holy Quran. Special dua and munajat
was also offered for the eternal peace of the
departed soul of the Father of the Nation and all
other martyrs of the day and during the liberation
war. One minute silence was observed to pay
deep homage in memory of the Father of the
Nation and other martyrs of 15 August 1975.
The senior officials of the Embassy read out
the messages of Hon’ble President, Hon’ble
Prime Minister, and Hon’ble Foreign Minister
Crude oil exports to China...
signed a 10-year landmark deal with Unipec, the trading arm of China’s top
refiner Sinopec, to supply 300,000 bpd of crude oil; the biggest ever contract
in KPC’s history. “This agreement is one of the most important crude contracts
for KPC, and is considered the biggest sales deal by volume and revenues in
all regions,” said Al-Mudhaf. According to the official, the contract is not related
to an ongoing joint project between KPC and Sinopec for the construction
of a 300,000 bpd refinery, of which feedstock will be also supplied by KPC
when the plant goes on-stream. “If the joint venture materializes, China-bound
shipments may hit 800,000 bpd.” he noted.
Al-Mudhaf and Unipec President Chen Bo also agreed to enhance energy
cooperation between the two state-owned companies. The two put great
emphasis on bilateral future cooperation and decided that their executives will
meet annually. They also agreed to hold monthly meetings between KPC’s Beijing
Representative Office and Unipec headquarters from next month, with the aim of
the smooth execution of their long-term crude supply contract and support for
business operations of KPC in the world’s second biggest energy market.
on the occasion. A documentary Film on the
Father of the Nation was shown at the program,
which depicted various golden moments of life,
struggle, and milestone achievements.
A discussion meeting was also organized
to discuss various aspects of the life and
achievements of the Father of the Nation with
participation of many Bangladeshi expatriates in
Kuwait.
In his speech, His Excellency paid his
profound homage to the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well
as to the memory of his family members who also
embraced martyrdom on that day. He prayed to
Almighty Allah for the salvation of those departed
souls. He urged the Bangladesh community
people in Kuwait to do their best to build a
positive image of Bangladesh in Kuwait to pay
our deep homage to Father of the Nation.
The Ambassador continued saying that it is
very vital to be inspired with the noble sprit of
patriotism so that we can lead the nation towards
prosperity and able to materialize the dreams of
the Father of the Nation to transform Bangladesh
into “Sonar Bangla [Golden Bengal]”. He urged
the Bangladesh community members to devote
themselves to contribute to the country through
their patriotism and hard works.
Pinoy Zumba Lovers donate to
Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC)
Ricky Laxa
inoy Zumba Lovers (PZL), an
exercise group that convenes
every Friday to work out and raise
funds via attendance fee worth
KD 1, donated pampers, milk and
electric fans in particular to aid
initially only half of the money was
collected as the venue was donated
without fee by the Radisson Blu
Hotel’s Viking Club, but since the
group’s number has grown from
twelve to a hundred to date, the
group had to move to a bigger
venue to accommodate attendees
every Friday, thus the amount was
undocumented Filipino children
currently housed with their mothers
at FWRC. The Wife of Philippine
Labor Attaché Gwen Chavez in
cooperation with coordinators of the
PZL spearheads the group’s charity
project.
Chavez told The Times that
raised to KD 1 to help pay for the
rent of the venue and still manage to
keep funds for its charity projects.
The donations were handed over
to the Welfare Officer Norlita Lugtu
and in the presence of the Assistant
Labor Attaché Ching Ardivilla,
coordinators of PZL and members
Staff writer
P
of the recruitment agencies in
Kuwait. Currently, there are seven
children in the Philippine Embassy’s
shelter in Hateen, and PZL makes
every effort to extend support to
the children in the coming days.
A feeding program is also in the
pipeline and is scheduled for the
end of the month for distressed
workers at FWRC, and members of
PZL have been encouraged to take
active participation in the project.
Certain individuals who have heard
of the group’s initiatives have come
forward to volunteer and offered to
donate pampers and milk for the
children of both shelters.
“This is all about giving and
sharing to those who have none,
big or small is not what matters,”
commented Editha Hael, one of the
coordinators of PZL. “Being a part
of the Friday group of PZL gave
me the opportunity to be a part of
creating that awareness among
expatriates the value of being well
and healthy and be able to share
to those who are less fortunate”,
added Bill Valenzuela, one of the
coordinators of PZL. Recently
several groups and organizations
including the Filipino Community
(Filcom) as well as investment teams
such as Republika ng Filinvestors
have joined the workout and offered
assistance to PZl’s projects.
Due to a growing number of
attendees, PZL has moved to the
Judo Hall, second floor of Qadsiya
Club beside The Sultan Center in
Hawally and welcomes everyone
to join the workout every Friday. To
get more information on updates,
everyone is advised to check its
account on Facebook: Zumba
Group Inc. or contact any of its
coordinators. PZL thank everyone
who continuously supports their
projects and urges everyone to be
part of them. “It’s not just about
Zumba, it’s about giving a piece of
your heart,” stated PR Coordinator
Darla Emberso.
Local
Sugandha Mishra
9
An entertainer extraordinaire
Indian-music lovers in Kuwait were thrilled to attend the ‘I Love
My India’ concert organized on the occasion of the country’s
Independence Day at the Indian Embassy. Sugandha Mishra, the star
of the show, making her entry ignited the flames of patriotism in the
hearts of many with her poignant rendition of the song, ‘I Love My
India, from the movie ‘Pardes’.
T
alented, beautiful, ambitious and
inspirational, Sugandha Mishra
represents the modern Indian
woman. Her brilliant performance
before a lively audience resulted in
an evening filled with melodic songs,
sweet banter and lasting memories.
Indian Youth Society of Kuwait
(IYS), organizers of the show, is a nonprofit organization formed through the
initiative of like-minded young Indians
with the vision of honoring, encouraging,
supporting and celebrating the Indian
social and cultural values among the
people of Kuwait.
Sugandha is a multi-talented
entertainer who has graced many
reality shows with an enchanting
smile and rich vocals. She is also
famous as a comedian, a mimicry
artist and a stage host. We, at The
Times Kuwait, take this opportunity
to thank Sugandha Mishra for taking
time off to provide us with an exclusive
interview.
What was it like performing in
Kuwait?
I really enjoyed it. The people were
lovely, and they were so positive.
The closeness we shared was
similar to a family, and I felt like I
was performing with my family. It
was a great experience.
When did your interest in
performing first start?
Fortunately, I am blessed with a
musical background. I was born
in a musician family, and my
grandfather is my Guruji. Since I
was 4 years old, I was exposed to
music and was trained in classical
music. I feel I am blessed because
I found my Guru at home. My
grandfather is my inspiration.
Did you meet a lot of fans from the
Indian community in Kuwait?
Yes, I got in touch with a lot of my
fans. Before I arrived they had sent
me messages on social media
sites like Twitter and Facebook,
saying things like “you are coming
to Kuwait and we want to meet
you” and “We want to see you”.
Someone clicked a picture of one of
my fans standing on the Embassy
road, and the caption read, “We
are waiting for you.” I received a
lot of positive messages from my
fans, which was very touching.
What was the significance of
performing at the ‘I love my India’
event on Independence Day?
It was very important to perform on
the occasion of our Independence
Day. As an artist it was my privilege
to contribute to the celebrations,
and I was eager to perform for
India.
What was the best part of the
event?
The audience was the best part of
the event for me. Everyone was
full of enthusiasm, and they joined
in the fun. They were singing,
dancing and cracking jokes, and
participated whole-heartedly in
the event.
How did you prepare for the event,
did you have anything special
planned for the “I love India”
concert?
Prepared specially for this event, and
I sang many musical medleys
because I was told that the
audience was made up of a mixed
crowd of old and young people,
and there would be families.
I performed different musical
medleys for the audience that
included many latest songs as well
as well-known older numbers.
What did you think of the IYS’s
concept
of
showcasing
a
modern,
multi-talented
entertainer such as yourself on
Independence Day?
I think the event was a good platform
to showcase the modern multitalented woman on Independence
Day. There are many talented
woman and such opportunities
should be made available to them
to show their skill. I feel this also
promotes Indian culture and arts to
a larger audience. If you ask me,
then yes, I think my performance
could be considered inspirational
to many young girls.
Where would you most like to
perform for Independence Day
next year?
For next year, I would like to perform
in India, either Mumbai or Delhi.
Maybe it would be nice to perform
in the United States.
How exciting was it when Indian
Youth Society invited you to
perform?
I would like to thank Shabbir Qamar
for making the event possible.
I would also like to thank the IYS
for giving me this platform for
promoting Indian culture and for
encouraging upcoming talent. All
credit goes to the IYS for making
this event possible.
Did you see any amazing sights in
Kuwait?
I saw a lot of sights in Kuwait. I
especially enjoyed shopping as
I am a shopaholic and visiting
stores to buy clothes is one of my
favorite pastimes. Whenever I feel
low, I decide to go shopping and
it helps to lift my mood. I feel more
relaxed and upbeat, shopping is a
kind of mood elevator for me.
What
was
your
experience
acting in a Bollywood movie,
Heropanthi?
Acting in a Bollywood movie was
a very different experience.
Totally different from television.
There is a lot more work required
in television, as we are always
pressured due to time constraints.
We often have to shoot for 14 hours
a day at a stretch. Shooting for a
movie is comparatively very easy
going. We have time to rehearse
and practice, and we can make
use of the takes to improve our
performance.
Performing in a Bollywood movie
is more relaxing compared to
the reality TV shows I have been
involved with. Once you have
performed on television it is easy
to perform on the big screen.
There aren’t any plans in the works
to star in more Bollywood films,
but I definitely want the option.
What is it like being a female
comedian?
It is challenge for a female comedian,
and it is more difficult for an
average looking female comedian.
If your appearance is funny or if
you have odd features, you can
make fun of yourself and include
that kind of body humour in your
act. You can’t do it if you look
average and normal, you can’t
crack jokes about yourself.And
being a woman comedian, there
is a very thin line that you have
be to wary of to maintain your
dignity. You can’t cross it by doing
anything antisocial like making
below the belt jokes. It is very
difficult being a female comedian.
What advice do you have for young
girls thinking about entering
the entertainment industry as a
comedian or mimicry artist?
Just be yourself! If you have a
passion for any creative or
performing arts, you should try to
do what you like and enjoy it to the
fullest. The first thing in life is to
enjoy what you do.
10
Local
Kuwait mulls
compulsory medical
examinations for tourists
K
Kuwait eyes alternative energy to meet
growing power demands
K
uwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) recently launched three
projects for producing power from renewable energy sources: A
thermal station with a capacity of 50 MW, photovoltaic solar station with
capacity of 10 MW and the wind power station with a capacity of 10 MW.
Director of the renewable energy program at KISR, Dr. Salem Hajraf said
the stations will feed the national electricity grid directly and help ease the
pressure on the conventional power plants in the summer season. The
Ministry of Electricity and Water has also agreed with KISR have agreed
on the establishment of a solar power station in Al-Shaqaya area with a
total capacity of 70 MW per hour, to start operation by 2016. Meanwhile,
the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science disclosed a project
to use PV systems to generate electricity for 150 houses to be selected
according to specific criteria in order to reduce loads on the electricity
grid, preserve oil resources and reduce environmental impacts due to
emissions of greenhouse gases. The Foundation noted that the project,
expected to be complete in three years, will save approximately 7027
barrels of oil per year worth up to KD 221,000.
uwait’s
Ministry
of
Health
is
considering
seeking compulsory medical
examinations for all foreigners
who arrive in the country
on a visit visa. The idea
follows revelations that 2,000
laborers with AIDS or phthisis
were working in the country,
having entered as a tourist
and transferring to a working
visa, avoiding medical exams.
The health ministry also was
concerned by the recent
outbreaks of the Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),
which started in neighboring
Saudi Arabia, and Ebola.
Meanwhile, a Nigerian athlete
had been reportedly quarantined
in Kuwait on suspicion of having
Ebola, a fatal disease that has
killed more than 1,000 people in
West Africa in recent months.
Kuwait signs biggest crude supply deal with China
S
tate-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and China’s UNIPEC
signed a landmark deal on Friday that will almost double crude oil
deliveries over a decade, the biggest-ever contract in KPC’s history. Under
the agreement, KPC will provide Unipec crude oil, starting from 2014, with
the volume exepeted to reach 300,000 barrels per day.
Youth the majority of 250 HIV-Positive Kuwaitis
A
total of 250 Kuwaitis are infected with AIDS according to health ministry
statistics, most of whom youth who were infected by illicit sexual contacts
and taking drugs with needles. Dr. Ghanim Al-Hujailan, internal medicine and
infectious diseases specialist, and head of the rapid intervention team for the
MERS virus said the Infectious Diseases Hospital receives one to two AIDS
cases a month. Expatriates who have AIDS will be deported immediately
according to the law, in coordination with the interior minister, Hujailan said.
He added Kuwaiti patients will not be detained or restricted, but their spouses
will be informed and offered tests, which they can accept or refuse. He said
we cannot inform families of young people who are 21 years and over about
their infection. Hujailan said AIDS patient can live normally if they follow
doctors’ instructions, besides having reduced chances of transferring the
disease to others due to the treatment regimen.
Kuwait donates US$5 million to combat Ebola in Africa
K
uwait is to donate a US$ 5 million to World Health Organization (WHO)
and to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (O CHA) to combat the spread of Ebola virus in West Africa, on the
orders of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah. The donation is especially significant in that Kuwait is the current
president of the African-Arab summit and is concerned with supporting
sustainable development programs in the African continent.
Healthcare insurance reforms for expatriates
K
uwait plans to reform the public healthcare insurance by
establishing a public-private health care company that will issue all
health insurance for expatriates. Currently, all expatriates are required
as part of their residency to pay for state health insurance. Kuwait has
also taken measures to begin separating public health care services
provided for locals and expatriates, with evening hours now assigned
for expats and morning hours for locals in the Jahra governorate health
sector. There is also a growing private health sector, with more than
20 private hospitals and clinics providing a range of services for both
locals and expatriates in Kuwait.
Deadline for railway tender
A
ssistant Undersecretary for Transport Sector at the Ministry of
Communications Mansour Al-Bader the Ministry has set August 31 as
a deadline for qualifying at least 12 companies for a railway project tender.
The national railway network will be over 500 km-long and will be built in two
phases to be completed by 2018 and is expected to be linked with and part
of the GCC railway network. The Ministry will qualify the companies applying
to partake in the Kuwait’s 200km-long national metro network project. The
metro network will run across the country through 90 stations, nine of them
will be underground and the remaining 81 stations will be above the ground.
Kuwait Airways to buy 10 Boeing 777 jets
T
he KAC Board of Directors has issued a directive and is in the initial
stages of discussions with Boeing on its plans to buy 10 Boeing 777
jetliners. In a highly controversial move, KAC inked a $4.4 billion deal
without any middlemen and managed to get a 10 percent discount to buy
25 aircraft from Airbus in February. This triggered outcries from various
segments of Kuwait’s business elite, a parliamentary investigation into the
contract process and criticism from some lawmakers. The Airbus planes
are to be delivered in 2019 and 2020. The purchases are part of KAC’s
fleet renewal program – the first since 1990. The troubled national carrier
is also undergoing an organizational restructuring and expenditure cuts –
a program prepared in conjunction with IATA, the world’s largest aviation
watchdog – in advance of preparation for privatization. The Boeing 777
is the world’s largest twinjet, for long haul flights with a typical seating
capacity of 314 to 451 passengers.
Kuwaiti tourists to Thailand urged
to mind host country’s laws
T
he Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Thailand Abdullah, Al-Sharhan
stressed, it is vital that tourists to Thailand mind the laws and norms
of the host country to avoid any run-ins with the law during their stay. The
diplomat said, “most important among regulations to mind is the one which
states the visa Kuwaiti tourists get at Thai ports allows them to stay in the
country for 30 days and no more, without possibility of extension.” “Those
wishing to stay longer must issue the appropriate visa at the Thai Embassy
in Kuwait before they head here.” Another thing to remember according to
the ambassador is that Thailand’s Customs only allow entry of a maximum
10 packs of cigarettes per adult, and “high sums are imposed in penalty if
a traveler is found to be in possession of more than this set limit.”
Europe
11
Unemployment and disparities threaten European stability
T
The latest Cohesion Report published by the European Commission detailing economic and social cohesion in the
28-nation bloc finds that, while cohesion policy has had a proven effect in helping the European Union’s regions to
develop, it will face some new challenges in the years ahead.
he sixth report on economic, social and
territorial cohesion shows that EU regional
policy has made a big difference in reducing
the impact of the crisis, but development gaps are
on the rise again and the unemployment tragedy
has still not been adequately tackled”, said the
President of the European Committee of the
Regions (CoR), Michel Lebrun. He added, “Over
the coming years, delivering job opportunities,
quality training and education, as well as active
policies to counter social exclusion, will be the
most demanding challenges for regional and
national governments.”
“We need to join forces to proactively prevent
any delay in implementing measures that are of
the greatest relevance for our communities and
for restoring confidence in EU policies after the
wake-up call of the European elections” said
Lebrun, in an apparent reference to the strong
showing by Far-left, Eurosceptic and nationalist
parties in the elections.
Nonetheless, the accent the Commission
has placed on worsening problems such as
unemployment, poverty and competitiveness
gaps among regions is in open contrast to its
reiteration of the idea of freezing funds in countries
whose national governments have failed to
respect fiscal consolidation targets. Such a rule
risks introducing an element of uncertainty in the
regional multi-annual investment plans aimed
at tackling those problems, which will have a
destabilizing effect”.
Meanwhile, Italy’s finance minister said he is
convinced that, European Central Bank governor
Mario Draghi, will begin taking steps to combat
the risk of deflation — a risky prospect all across
the euro-zone but an especially dangerous one
Turkey votes
in a new President
T
urkey’s first direct election for president, a post previously chosen by
parliament, saw Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emerge the winner. The result was
unsurprising given that in the last 11 years as prime minister, he has become
arguably Turkey’s most powerful democratic leader.
This victory opens the door for his avowed aim of reshaping Turkey and
making it less secular, though analysts say he still faces many obstacles
in that. “This is the first step of this long-term presidential agenda,” Sinan
Ulgen, head of the Istanbul-based Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy
Studies said. “It is going to be a hugely difficult and uphill battle, even for an
immensely successful and astute politician like Erdoğan,” he added. Although
Erdoğan was still 13 points ahead of his closest rival – the main opposition
candidate Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, his victory was by a narrower margin than
polls had suggested. Despite getting 52 percent of the vote, Erdoğan remains
a highly polarizing figure and the
past year has been particularly
difficult. Street protests, initially
against the planned development
of Istanbul’s Gezi Park, grew into
nationwide demonstrations. At the
same time the prime minister and
his inner circle were also accused
of corruption while moves to
give the government power over
top court appointments led to
parliamentary protests.
There was further criticism of
the round-up and sacking of police officers who were looking into alleged
corruption in high places and of heavy-handed attempts to block the internet
and social media. Now his critics fear the president-elect could become
even more powerful through changes to the constitution. As Erdoğan moves
into the presidential palace, there are three paradoxical issues facing the
AK Party. Firstly there is the need for a prime minister and party leader, who
should be compatible with Erdoğan. But the second requirement is that that
person should be able to preserve the 45 to 50 percent vote that the AK
Party has achieved. That way they can force changes to the constitution, after
June 2015, which is what Erdoğan has long wanted. By these requirements,
it seems likely that the current Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu would be
Erdogan’s and the AK Party’s choice for the next prime minister.
in heavily indebted countries like Italy.
As usual, Draghi’s office was mum on the
European Central Bank’s plans. But the prospect
of falling prices in the euro-zone would have
seemed an extreme long shot as recently as two
years ago, when economists warned that prices
were rising too quickly.
Since early 2012, however, inflation in Italy
and for the European Union as a whole has fallen
steadily, from an annualized rate of a little over 4
percent to annualized rates of 0.7, 0.5, 0.5, 0.4,
and 0.1 percent, respectively, in the five months
through the end of July.
Economists define deflation as a phenomenon
in which prices fall over time rather than rise.
But while it can have short-term benefits for
consumers, who would pay less for some
purchases, its negative consequences are more
severe because it makes employers less likely to
take on new workers for fear of being obligated
to pay a salary that could become unsustainable
over time, and because it increases real value of
debt. Those risks are especially poignant in Italy,
where the biggest economic problems stem
from an already high unemployment rate and
the second highest level of government debt, in
gross domestic product terms, in the European
Union.
Deflation makes it more difficult for a country
to spark growth, another challenge Italy’s
government is facing. Some of Italy’s largest
cities including Rome, Turin, and Florence in July
have already started to experience deflation,
according to Italy’s National Statistics Institute.
Prices in Italy as a whole were just 0.1 percent
higher than in July 2013, and were actually lower
in big cities.
French chocolate-makers
see red over health warnings
F
rance’s famed chocolate and pastry makers are
bitterly opposing a government proposal to place
health warnings on their products in an attempt to stem
rising obesity.
The country’s 4,500 traditional chocolatiers and
pâtissiers are lobbying the health ministry to discard
a plan to introduce color-coded labels for all food
products to promote healthy eating.
The labels would come in five colors ranging
from green, for products considered good for your
health, to red, for those best avoided or eaten in small
quantities. Chocolate would be coded red.
The Confederation of French Chocolate and
Pastry Makers counters the notion that chocolate
is unhealthy. “Chocolate doesn’t make you fat,” the
confederation wrote in an open letter to the health
minister, Marisol Touraine. The letter argues that “this
kind of labeling will do nothing to decrease obesity or
diabetes” and claims that “attempts to introduce this
same system in the United States during the last 40
years have been a resounding failure.”
The color-coding proposal originates from
the recommendations of a prominent nutritionist,
Professor Serge Hercberg. He said the aim was to
allow consumers “to assess at a glance the overall
nutritional quality of food when they buy it” and to
encourage manufacturers to improve their products.
Manufacturers point to research which indicates
that eating a few pieces of dark chocolate each week
can lower cholesterol labels and blood pressure.
“How can all the studies and virtues of chocolate be
ignored in favor of the opinion of one single report?”
the petition by artisanal chocolate and pastry makers
asks. It claims that polyphenols in cocoa and
chocolate inhibit the formation of fat cells.
However, the health ministry says consumers
should beware of eating too much chocolate because
of its high fat content. France has long been seen as a
nutritional role model by other western countries, with
one of Europe’s lowest obesity rates and a reputation
for fine cuisine and longevity. However, the number of
overweight or obese French people is increasing fast
as the nation that was once a bastion of ‘slow food’
has developed an unhealthy appetite for fast food.
The artisanal chocolatiers say the jobs of their
15,000 workers would be placed at risk if the health
ministry has its way. Campaigning on social media
under the slogan, “Your chocolatier sees red”, the
chocolatiers have tried to sweeten up consumers and
promote their cause.
12
Issues
Rise of the Mediterranean tide
The Mediterranean Sea covering an approximate area of 2.5million sq.km derives its name from the Latin mediterraneus,
meaning ‘the middle of land’. The name is appropriate considering that the Mediterranean is enclosed on nearly all sides
by land; the European continent to its north, Africa to its south and the Levant to its east. In the west, the Mediterranean
opens into the Atlantic Ocean through its only outlet, the 14km wide Straits of Gibraltar.
T
he narrowness of the Straits, which
serves as the closest crossing
point between Europe and Africa,
belies the wide social, economic and
political chasm that exists between
people on the two continents. Each
year, in an attempt to bridge this
deep difference in lifestyles, tens of
thousands of people from Africa, the
Middle-East and Asia, attempt to reach
the shores of Europe, many of them by
crossing the Mediterranean.
But, although the ancient Romans,
with their vast empire spread along
the entire length of the Mediterranean
shores, referred to the Sea as Mare
Nostrum, meaning ‘Our Sea’, in recent
times, the waters of the Mediterranean
have not been very welcoming to
‘outsiders’ coming in from its southern
and eastern flanks.
At least 1,300 would-be immigrants
from Africa and the Levant are known
to have died attempting to cross the
Mediterranean in just the last two
years. This includes around 300 people
who perished when a ship carrying
over 500, mainly Somali and Eritrean
migrants, capsized off the Italian island
of Lampedusa.
Since the early 2000s, Lampedusa
has remained a major transit point for
immigrants from Africa, the Middle
East and Asia attempting
to
enter
Europe. This is no coincidence
given that Lampedusa, which is the
southernmost point of Italy — lying a
little over 700km from Rome by air, or
entailing a nine-hour choppy ferry ride
from Sicily, is less than 125km from the
Tunisian coastline in Africa.
In 2004 the Italian governments
reached a clandestine agreement with
the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi that
obliged Libya to suppress migrants
from using its shores as staging
point to enter Europe, and to accept
African immigrants deported from
Italian territories. This resulted in the
mass repatriation of many people from
Lampedusa to Libya.
However,
in
an
unexpected
consequence
to
the
Western
intervention and toppling of the regime
of Muammar Gaddafi, a wave of
immigrants have arrived on Lampedusa
since 2011. It is estimated that at the
height of the rebellion in Libya, each
day around 20 boats packed with
migrants left its shores heading for Italy.
Frontex, the European Union border
agency, said in its recent report that
the number of migrants crossing the
Mediterranean to Europe has risen
sharply this year. In the first four months
of 2014, an estimated 42,000 migrants
were detected, with 25,650 coming in
just from Libya. Frontex warned that if
the current trend continues, the number
of migrants this year would exceed the
record set in 2011, when, in the wake
Nigerians (3,386), Malians (2,887),
Gambians (2,817) and Senegalese
(1,643) all quadrupled last year.
Following the Lampedusa incident,
and rising criticism for its handling of
the incident, the Italian government
launched a dedicated military mission
to rescue illegal immigrants from the
sea and bring them safely to shore.
Critics of the operation, codenamed
Operation Mare Nostrum, say that
reducing the threat of death involved
in the crossing, only encourages more
migrants to make the attempt. They
where the EU meets non-EU nations,
are 13,600km long, while its coastline is
over 66,420km long. Nearly half of this
coastline is along the Mediterranean
and Aegean shores, and includes over
3,000 outlying islands.
In 2012 the EU effectively sealed
Greece’s land border with Turkey,
placing a 4 meter high and 11km long
barbed wire fence along the Evros
River. The fence helped to stop most
of the land crossings from Turkey into
Greece, with the numbers dropping
from around 7,000 each month to
of the Arab Spring that brought about
political upheavals across North Africa,
over 140,000 refugees sought asylum
in Europe.
The report by the border agency
also revealed that in 2013, there was a
48 percent increase in illegal migration,
from 72,437 in the previous year to
107,365. Syrians accounted for almost
a quarter (25,546) of last year’s total
migrants to Europe. Eritreans (11,298),
Afghans (9,021) and Albanians (9,500)
made up the other main nationalities.
Frontex added that detections of
point out that in the last 12 months to
July 31, more than half of the almost
117,000 migrants who arrived by sea,
came aboard Italian naval vessels.
Calls for better patrolling of Europe’s
borders have risen from ordinary
citizens and European lawmakers.
But effectively patrolling Europe’s
extensive borders, even aided my
modern technology, is no easy task.
Despite the Schengen Agreement,
which scrapped borders among most
EU countries, Europe still has a lot of
borders to patrol. Its external frontiers,
almost negligible numbers. But the
number of illegal crossings from the sea
then began to rise, from a few hundred
to around 5,000 a month. Frontex
claims that most unlawful entrants from
Afghanistan – who account for about
20 percent of all illegals – enter the EU
via Greece.
Once on European shores, more
people are now attempting to make a
further crossing, over the Channel and
into the UK. According to the British
Home Office, border officials detected
over 60 percent increase in the number
of clandestine illegal entry attempts
into Britain from ports in Belgium and
France. The numbers went up from the
11,000 in 2012 to over 18,000 in 2013.
In the most recent incident, 35
Afghans arrived at Tilbury Docks in
the UK from Zeebrugge in Belgium,
making the Channel crossing stowed in
a shipping container. Luckily, except for
one who was found dead on arrival, 34
of the remaining Afghans were rescued
when dockyard workers heard screams
coming from inside the container.
The media, with their notoriously
short attention-span, covered the
harrowing details of Afghan refugees
suffocating in the packed container
for a few days. Then they moved on
to cover more current items, leaving
unanswered the larger question of what
was to be done when migrants from
war-torn countries and elsewhere arrive
on the shores of Europe.
Angelino Alfano, the Italian
interior minister, has described his
country as the “world champion” of
welcoming illegal immigrants. The
minister recently said that Operation
Mare Nostrum was costing the
country in excess of US$400,000
per day, and could not continue
beyond 2014 without assistance from
other countries in the EU. Cecilia
Malmström, the EU commissioner for
home affairs, reiterated this when she
told other EU commission members
bluntly that if they want Europe’s
southern coast to be managed, they
will have to pay. “Frontex can do a
lot, but we do not have the means to
totally substitute Mare Nostrum unless
all other member countries also
contribute with vessels or helicopters
or staff or money,” she said.
But even if all EU countries did agree
to cooperate and pay for more stringent
patrolling, no one has a realistic plan for
what to do with the poor and disheveled
hordes, once they are on dry land.
And so, the tide of illegal migration of
war refugees, political asylum seekers
and economic migrants to Europe will
continue unabated; they will arrive
onboard dingy, jerry-rigged boats, and
stowed in dark shipping containers,
seeking a brighter future on the shores
of Europe.
The Ethical Cost of High-Price Art
But if profit is not the motive, why would anyone want to pay
tens of millions of dollars for works like these? They are not
beautiful, nor do they display great artistic skill. They are not
even unusual within the artists’ oeuvres. Do an image search for
“Barnett Newman” and you will see many paintings with vertical
color bars, usually divided by a thin line. Once Newman had
an idea, it seems, he liked to work out all of the variations. Last
month, someone bought one of those variations for $84 million. A
small image of Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol – there are many
of those, too – sold for $41 million.
Ten years ago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
paid $45 million for a small Madonna and Child by Duccio.
Subsequently, in The Life You Can Save, I wrote that there were
better things that the donors who financed the purchase could
have done with their money.
I haven’t changed my mind about that, but the Met’s Madonna
is beautifully executed and 700 years old. Duccio is a major
figure who worked during a key transitional moment in the history
of Western art, and few of his paintings have survived. None of
that applies to Newman or Warhol.
Perhaps, though, the importance of postwar art lies in its ability
to challenge our ideas. That view was firmly expressed by Jeff
Koons, one of the artists whose work was on sale at Christie’s. In
a 1987 interview with a group of art critics, Koons referred to the
work that was sold last month, calling it “the ‘Jim Beam’ work.”
Koons had exhibited this piece – an oversize, stainless steel toy
train filled with bourbon – in an exhibition called “Luxury and
Degradation,” that, according to the New York Times, examined
“shallowness, excess and the dangers of luxury in the highflying 1980s.” In the interview, Koons said that the Jim Beam
work “used the metaphors of luxury to define class structure.”
The critic Helena Kontova then asked him how his “socio-political
intention” related to the politics of then-President Ronald Reagan.
Koons answered: “With Reaganism, social mobility is collapsing,
and instead of a structure composed of low, middle, and high
income levels, we’re down to low and high only... My work stands
in opposition to this trend.”
Art as a critique of luxury and excess! Art as opposition to the
widening gap between the rich and the poor! How noble and
courageous that sounds. But the art market’s greatest strength is
its ability to co-opt any radical demands that a work of art makes,
and turn it into another consumer good for the super-rich. When
Christie’s put Koons’s work up for auction, the toy train filled with
bourbon sold for $33 million.
If artists, art critics, and art buyers really had any interest in
reducing the widening gap between the rich and the poor, they
would be spending their time in developing countries and with
indigenous artists, where spending a few thousand dollars on the
purchase of works could make a real difference to the wellbeing
of whole villages. Nothing I have said here counts against the
importance of creating art. Drawing, painting, and sculpting, like
singing or playing a musical instrument, are significant forms of
self-expression, and our lives would be poorer without them. In all
cultures, and in all kinds of situations, people produce art, even
when they cannot satisfy their basic physical needs.
But we don’t need art buyers to pay millions of dollars to
encourage people to do that. In fact, it would not be hard to
argue that sky-high prices have a corrupting influence on artistic
expression.
As for why buyers pay these outlandish sums, my guess is
that they think that owning original works by well-known artists
will enhance their own status. If so, that may provide a means to
bring about change: a redefinition of status along more ethically
grounded lines.
In a more ethical world, to spend tens of millions of dollars
on works of art would be status-lowering, not status-enhancing.
Such behavior would lead people to ask: “In a world in which
more than six million children die each year because they lack
safe drinking water or mosquito nets, or because they have not
been immunized against measles, couldn’t you find something
better to do with your money?”
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2014
Destination
WEST AFRICA
13
IF THERE IS ONE PLACE WHERE THE PEOPLE PUSH THE USUAL AFRICAN ATTRACTIONS INTO A BLURRY BACKGROUND, IT IS WEST
AFRICA. MUSIC SETS LIFE’S RHYTHM HERE; WEST AFRICANS BREATHE IN THE SULTRY AIR AND EXHALE THEIR SOUL’S SONG.
Gambia home; the Senoufo live in Cate d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and
Mali; the Lobi inhabit Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana; the
Ewe people are found in Togo and Ghana; the Songhai straddle
Niger and Mali; the Hausa people reside in Nigeria and Niger;
and the Yoruba live in Nigeria and Benin. Although each group
has its own strong cultural identity, most cohabitate in peace;
this is a phenomenon that is less common in other regions of the
continent.
Creativity is king and expression is everywhere Amid the dust of
the frenetic markets are striking masks, basketwork, jewelry and
leatherwork, all examples of the region’s rich artistic heritage.
Nearby are artisans honing their skills, perfecting age-old patterns
or adapting traditional materials to make something truly unique
and their own. Rising from areas of rough and featureless terrain
are houses that look more like pottery. Although nature’s artwork is
brilliant in its own right - the fiery soils’ rich reds, the wavering trees’
glowing greens and the orange waters of the Niger River at sunset
- it’s the creations of West Africa’s people that shine brightest.
Religion also plays an enormous role in West Africa. About
half the population is Muslim, with Islam dominating much of the
desert and sahel regions. Christianity is limited to the southern
coastal countries. Hundreds of traditional religions (most of which
are animist) remain strong in sections of West Africa, and voodoo,
while born in Benin, also lives on.
Most West African borders were drawn up hastily by greedy
French, British, German and Portuguese colonialists, so they
hardly reflect the distribution of West Africa’s diverse peoples.
Yes, West Africans are now incredibly nationalistic - you only
need to watch the African Cup of Nations to see that - but cultural
identities go further back than the borders, back to West Africa’s
great empires: the Mali and
Songhai empires that stretched across the Sahel from presentday Niger to the Atlantic; the Kanem-Bornu empire of Nigeria,
Niger, Cameroon and Chad; Burkina Faso’s Mossi kingdom; and
Ghana’s Ashanti empire, to name a few.
In fact, of West Africa’s 18 most populous, well-known and
colorful peoples, nine are spread over international boundaries.
The Fulani people stretch from Senegal to Cameroon; the Tuareg
blanket sections of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and North Africa;
the Malinke call Mali, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and the
MAURITANIA
A magnetic playground for wannabe
explorers, Mauritania has vast dune fields,
giddying canyons, eye-popping plateaus, a
wild stretch of coast and enough oases to
calm the most stressed minds.
MARKETPLACE
M
auritania has a GDP per capita of US$2200.
Mauritania’s main resource has traditionally been iron
ore, which currently accounts for nearly 40 percent of total
exports, but the discovery of oil reserves in 2001 could bring
a new impetus to the country’s economy; commercial oil
production in offshore fields off Nouakchott began in 2006.
The nation’s coastal waters are among the richest fishing
areas in the world, but over exploitation by foreigners is a
major concern.
Capital City: Nouakchott, Population: 3.2 Million, Area: 1 million
Sq.km, Official Languages: Hassaniya (Arabic), French
LANDSCAPE
I
n Mauritania, wild coast meets Saharan dunes. Desert, rocky
plateaus and sand dunes are Mauritania’s signature landscapes,
but the country also boasts 700 kilometers of shoreline, including
the Banc d’Arguin National Park, one of the world’s greatest birdviewing venues and a World Heritage natural site.
HISTORY
F
rom the 3rd century AD the Berbers established trading
routes all over the Western Sahara, including Mauritania.
In the 11th century the Marrakesh-based Islamic Almoravids
pushed south and, with the assistance of Mauritanian Berber
leaders, managed to destroy the Empire of Ghana, which
covered much of present-day Mauritania. The descendants
of the Almoravids were finally subjugated by Arabs in 1674.
In 1904 the French made Mauritania a colonial territory.
Independence was fairly easily achieved in 1960, but the first
40 years of the country’s autonomy were not particularly rosy,
marked by repressive regimes, coups, guerilla wars and ethnic
tensions. The year 2005 marked a turning point for Mauritania,
when it gained a government led by Ely Ould Mohamed Vall.
He won popular support during a transition period leading
up to presidential elections in 2007 that were considered to
be a step towards the establishment of a proper democracy.
The elections’ victor was Sidi Ould Cheik Abdallahi, a former
cabinet minister. However in 2008, the head of the Presidential
Guard, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, overthrew
Abdallahi. Following a general election held in 2009, which
was found acceptable to many in the international community,
Abdel Aziz has been the president of the country.
PEOPLE
O
f Mauritania’s estimated 3.2 million inhabitants, about 60 percent
are Moors of Arab and Berber descent. The other major ethnic
group consists of black Africans, who are ethnically split into two
groups. The Haratin, or black Moors, are the descendants of people
enslaved by the Moors. They have assimilated the Moorish culture
and speak Hassaniya, an Arabic dialect. The other groups are the
Soudaniens, black Mauritanians who live in the south of the country
along the Senegal River. They are mostly Fulani people (also known
as Peul) or the closely related Tukulor, and speak Pulaar (Fula).
There are also Soninke and Wolof minorities.
Sitting beneath the religions, the artwork, the song, the hundreds
of ethnicities, the countless languages and the openness and
smiles a people, is a massive landscape that has one foot baking
in the Sahara’s sands and the other cooling its toes in the Atlantic.
Caught between the Sahara and the coast’s beaches and forests
is a southern belt of savannah, with rolling plains freckled with
trees, and a northern belt of Sahel or semi-desert. Flowing through
it all and bringing life to the land, and soothing refreshment to all
that singing, is the mighty 4030-kilometer-long Niger River.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES
•
•
•
•
•
You can travel for free in the open-topped wagons of the
iron-ore train - if you can survive the dust. Nouakchott’s fish
market is the most colorful in West Africa.
Although slavery was declared illegal in 1980, it still exists
in pockets of Mauritania, according to human rights groups.
The coastal waters of Mauritania have one of the world’s
highest densities of fish.
Natural Beauty
In the north of the country, the Adrar is the jewel in
Mauritania’s crown. For desert lovers, this area is a must,
with mighty sand dunes that looks as if they have been
sculpted by an artist, ancient Saharan towns, mellow oases
and grandiose basaltic plateaus. To the south, the Tagant
region is even more spectacular. Compared with the Adrar,
it is much less touristy and virtually untouched.
URBAN SCENE
N
ouakchott, the capital, is a discombobulating city
that reflects the geographical duality of the country.
Though it is only five kilometers inland from the Atlantic, it is
more a city of the interior than of the coast - yet it boasts the
most active fish market in West Africa; every day between
4pm and 6pm hundreds of colorful fishing boats return and
innumerable teams of men drag heavy fishing nets onto
the beach. Nouakchott has modem amenities, a couple
of hip restaurants serving French cuisine, the odd bar and
comfortable hotels – bliss after the austerity of the desert.
WILD THINGS
B
etween Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, the Banc
d’Arguin National Park is a paradise for bird-watchers
and one of the best bird-watching venues in the world -an
important stopover and breeding ground for multitudes of
birds migrating between Europe and Southern Africa. Most
birds nest on sand islands in the shallow ocean.
.ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES
•
•
TOP FESTIVAL
•
The whole country goes gaga during the much-awaited
Guetna (date-harvesting) season from June to August. The
heat is stifling, with temperatures reaching 45°C, but it is
a very festive time, and many Mauritanians from the cities
return to their tribes and take part in the harvest. There is a
mellow atmosphere and a great deal of socializing, drinking
of tea and zrig (unsweetened curdled goat’s or camel’s milk),
playing games and dancing.
•
•
Getting up at the crack of dawn to catch a glorious
sunrise from the labyrinthine lanes of the old city of Chinguetti
Experiencing the magic of the Sahara, via either a fourwheel-drive tour or a camel trip: sleeping beneath the
star-studded skies at the saffron dune fields in the Adrar
region, then cooling down in Tedist, a palm-filled oasis
Looking through your binoculars at vast flocks of birds
from a traditional pirogue at Banc d’Arguin National Park
Admiring the elaborate decorative paintings that adorn
the traditional houses in Oualata, one of Mauritania’s
best-kept secrets
Hopping on the iron-ore train, the world’s longest train,
for an epic journey through the Sahara
BEST TIME TO VISIT: October -March
14
Women
Women’s
Equality Day
Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on 26 August to commemorate granting all women in the
country the right to vote. The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which passed into law on 26 August,
1920 and granted women suffrage, was the culmination of over seven decades of protests and campaigning by women’s
rights organizations in the United States.
I
t is noteworthy that it took over 40 years for
the Amendment, which was first introduced
in 1878, to be passed into law, and that it took
another half-a-century before the US Congress
decided in 1971 to designate 26 August of each
year as Women’s Equality Day
In a telling reminder of social attitudes
and prejudices against women in the United
States throughout much of its history, one of
the first acts in 1777 by the original 13 states
that formed the nation, was to deny women the
right to vote. Nearly fifty years later, in 1826,
when the first high schools for girls opened in
New York and Boston, the American Journal
of Education wrote: The schools should give
“women such an education as shall make
them fit wives for well educated men, and
enable them to exert a salutary influence upon
the rising generation.” In 1873, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that
Women in the
the state of Illinois has the right to exclude a
woman, Myra Colby Bradwell, from practicing
law. The justices alluded to the Creator in
their opinion that, “the paramount destiny and
mission of woman are to fulfill the noble and
benign offices of wife and mother. This is the
law of the Creator.” A little over 100 years later,
in 1981, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously
to confirm Sandra Day O’Connor as the first
woman Supreme Court Justice.
Today, women’s equality has grown to
mean much more than just sharing the right to
the vote. Governments and NGOs worldwide
are continuing to work to provide women
with equal opportunities to education and
employment, pushing against suppression
and violence towards women and against
the discrimination and stereotyping that still
occur in every society. Nevertheless, in many
parts of the world where men are considered
Gender gap narrows narrowly in 2013
News… Media T
T
he International Women’s Media
Foundation (IWMF) has for the first
time published complete data on gender
positions in news organizations around
the world. In its ‘Global Report on the
Status of Women in the News Media’, the
IWMF found that 73 percent of the top
management jobs in News Media are
occupied by men compared to 27 percent
occupied by women.
The report was compiled by the
IWMF from the findings collected
by more than 150 researchers who
interviewed executives at more than
500 companies in 59 nations using
a 12-page questionnaire. The report
revealed that among the ranks of
reporters, men hold nearly two-thirds of
the jobs, compared to 36 percent held
by women.
However, among senior
professionals, women are nearing parity
with 41 percent of the news gathering
and editing. The IWMF Global report
identified glass ceilings for women in 20
of 59 nations studied. Most commonly,
these invisible barriers were found in
middle and senior management levels.
Amazingly, when the different
occupation levels in the news industry,
from governance and top management
down to sales and administration were
tallied by gender, Russia and former
‘Eastern bloc’ states topped the list.
Of the 59 nations surveyed Russia
topped the list with 57 percent women
to 43 percent men employed in the
news media, followed by Bulgaria and
Romania with 55:45 and 53:47 ratios in
favor of women.
South Africa with 52:48 and,
Puerto Rico and Lithuania with 51:49
were the only other countries where
women outnumbered men in news
organizations. By contrast, India with
a ratio of 81:19, Japan with 85:15 and
Pakistan with 89:11 skewed very much
in favor of men, were at the bottom of
countries surveyed.
the traditional bread-winners and women the
bread makers, gender inequality persists
and women continue to face discrimination
in access to education, work and economic
assets, and participation in government.
In his stinging comment on gender
inequality, Timothy Leary, the late American
psychologist and writer once stated that,
“Women who seek to be equal with men lack
ambition.” This might appear at first to be
derogatory comment on the gender equality
movement, but when explored in detail, the
quote is actually a compliment on women.
Women do many things far better than men,
and attempting to find equality with men in
those areas, where no equality can possibly
exist, is a clear sign of a lack of drive.
A man is not equal to a woman and neither
is a woman equal to a man. They remain equal
as both are a half of the whole. Humanity is
comprised of males and females. The two
together are complete, neither separately; the
two united perpetuate the race or the species.
Both have uniquely different attractions and
insights, abilities and detractions. Both may
profit from one another.
he World Economic Forum (WEF) in its report on the 2013 Global
Gender Gap noted that while the equality gap between men and
women had narrowed in most countries, several countries had done very
little to alleviate the role of women. Since 2006, when the WEF began
compiling its index, 80 percent of countries had made progress, but what
was worrying to policy planners was that 20 percent of countries have
made no progress or were falling behind.
Iceland, Finland and Norway topped the list of 136 nations, based on
political participation, economic equality and rights like education and
health. The Middle East and North Africa were the only regions not to
improve in the past year, with Yemen at the bottom.
Surprisingly, many of the countries that speak loudly and eloquently
about women’s rights and gender equality did not make it into the top
10, the United States, United Kingdom, Western Europe, countries in
the Middle East and Africa as well as those in the BRICS block did
not make it into the top-ten rankings, while Philippines from Asia and
Nicaragua from Central America did make it to the top ten list.
Report founder and co-author Saadia Zahidi of WEF singled out
the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as countries that had
invested in education and health, but had not integrated women into the
economy. She added that by contrast many sub-Saharan countries had
not invested in women, but through necessity they played a major role
in the economy. Nordic countries continued to lead the way because
they had a long history of investing in people, she said. “They are small
economies with small populations; they recognize that talent matters,
and that talent has to be men and women.
Meanwhile, Nadia al-Sakkaf, editor of the English-language Yemen
Times, said that she had stopped counting the years her country had
languished at the bottom of the equality list. “It comes down to everyday
life. We had three women running for president in 2006. We have lots
of women in senior positions,” she said. “But our levels of maternal
mortality are very high, and 35 percent of girls aged 6-14 years old are
not in school.” Iceland, Finland (second), Norway (third) and Sweden
(fourth) had all closed over 80 percent of the gender gap, where 100
percent would represent full equality.
The highest-ranked Asian nation was the Philippines (fifth), praised
for its success in health, education and economic participation.
Asia’s major economies performed poorly, with China in 69th place,
India in 101st and Japan in 105th position.
Nicaragua in 10th place was the highest positioned country in
North and South America, and was praised for a “strong performance”
in terms of political empowerment. Among major world economies
Germany ranked 14th, the UK held its position at 18, with Canada at 20
Top ten countries with lowest gender gap in 2013
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Iceland
Finland
Norway
Sweden
Philippines
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Ireland
New Zealand
Denmark
Switzerland
Nicaragua
and the United States 23rd. On matters of health and survival, the report
finds that 96 percent of the gap has now closed.
In terms of education, the global gender gap is 93 percent closed,
with 25 countries now judged to deliver equal treatment to boys and girls
at school. It is a different picture on the core issue of economic equality,
where the gender gap has closed by 60 percent. In developing and
developed countries alike, women’s presence in economic leadership
positions is limited. And while women have made small gains in political
representation – 2 percent this year - only 21 percent of that global
gender gap has closed Ms. Zahidi said the idea of the report was not
to remind poor countries that they had fewer opportunities than rich
countries, but to give them a tool to improve the situation.
“Women make up one half of the human capital available to any
economy and any company; if this talent is not integrated, that is going
to be a loss for both women and men,” she said.
Travel
15
Georgia
Surprising
An architect’s dream, amazing food and festivals, peculiar language and the unique culture of one of the
friendliest people, including one Joseph Stalin, make Georgia wonderfully alluring. Sublimely perched old
churches, watchtowers and castles dotting its fantastic mountain scenery, Georgia (or ‘Sakartvelo’ as
Georgians like to call their beloved country) is a cocktail of influences from Turkey, Russia, Persia, Central
Asia and beyond, with a wonderful heritage of architecture and art.
T
he country’s greatest treasure is the Georgians themselves:
warm, proud, high-spirited, cultured, obsessively hospitable
and experts at enjoying life. This is a country where guests
are considered a blessing. The abundant local wine flows freely,
tables are laden with fine food and you will never cease to be
delighted by the warmth this country offers.
ARCHITECTURE
The country is an architect’s dream with ancient and spaceage architecture vying for prominence around the capital and in
the countryside.
The new parliament in Tbilisi, a huge glass and concrete
bubble that resemble a frog’s eye, the slew of see-through police
stations and other radical architecture are symbolic of a young
modern Georgia trying to express its new-found aspirations for
democratic transparency. Tbilisi itself is in a river valley and is
completely surrounded by hills and mountains with a variety of
centuries-old palaces, churches and fortresses that intermingle
with completely new modern design architecture in Old Tbilisi.
A ride up the aerial tramway from Tibilisi is the ancient
Narikhala Fortress and the Church of St. Nikoloz nested within.
Just encourage yourself to climb to its highest point - where
the Cross stays. The view of the capital from up there is truly
unforgettable.
Any time of year is good for a traditional bath and massage
experience at Old Tbilisi’s famed sulfur baths. According to
the legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali discovered these sulfur
baths while hunting. So the name Tbilisi derives from Georgian
word Tbili, meaning warm.
Adjara has taken on the mantle of Georgia’s holiday
coast. Batumi, the Adjaran capital, is the destination of choice
for most in search of summer fun, with a real party atmosphere,
especially in August. The capital is also a visible proof of Georgia’s
ambition to westernize and shake off its Soviet past. Subtle,
Batumi is not; it is the Las Vegas of the Black Sea. A golden
Ferris wheel built into the side of one modernist skyscraper,
promenades dotted with fountains spurting in time to French pop
music and the whole city lit up purple, blue and red, like an outof-control Christmas tree, mark Batumi.
In Gori lies the Joseph Stalin Museum, a large palazzo in
Stalinist Gothic style, that exhibits many items owned by Stalin,
including a moth-eaten towel, some of his office furniture, the bed
he slept on, his personal effects and gifts made to him over the
years. The display concludes with one of twelve copies of the
death mask of Stalin taken shortly after his death.
Davit Gareja, on the border with Azerbaijan, is perhaps the
most remarkable of all Georgia’s ancient sites. Comprising
about 15 old monasteries spread over a large, remote area, its
uniqueness is heightened by a lunar, semi-desert landscape
which turns green and blooms with flowers in early summer.
Other natural attractions include the Tusheti National Park, an
amazingly beautiful, isolated and culturally rich area, magnificent
with an aura of timelessness. The road to this Park is basically
non-existent but once you arrive in Tusheti, a day’s ride from
Tbilisi, you just would not care. some of Georgia’s most beloved poems and even the life of St
George.
ADVENTURE
FOOD AND FESTIVALS
“A toast!” is the phrase dreaded by any visitor with a busy work
day ahead. Out comes a bottle of Chacha, the lethal Georgian
schnapps, or a large plastic bottle of homemade wine. Both
must be downed in large shots. Excuses that you have to drive
back six hours along twisting mountain roads won’t be accepted.
Instead, you’ll be offered a bed for the night, and be propelled
into a full-scale traditional feast.
The culture of toasts exist in many countries, however, the
phenomenon of Tamada (Toastmaster) is the strongest in
Georgia and has no analogue in the world. The Tamada, the
most honorable member of a traditional feast, leads Supra
(Feast). Tamadas are well aware of Georgian history and culture,
eloquent, sociable with sense of humor and musical skills to
introduce diverse toasts and at the same time entertain guests
with poems, songs and interesting stories.
This centuries-old tradition, a clear expression of Georgian
identity, is still preserved in modern Georgia in approximately
300 different toasts, some of which are obligatory for each Supra,
regardless its duration.
Relish Georgian Pizza at cellar restaurants with live Georgian
folk music that is not overwhelmingly loud. Some even feature
nightly Georgian and Arabic dance performances with
candelabra-balancing belly dancers.
Or enjoy the ambience and food of fashionable cafés, one with
a pre-1917 theme and sailor suited waiters, which are good for
ice-cream, cakes, salads, sandwiches, teas and coffees.
Georgia has a long and illustrious theatrical tradition; the
Rustaveli Theatre, internationally famed for its Shakespeare
productions, has impeccable shows with simultaneous English
translation.
The BIAFF Film Festival in September draws cinema lovers,
film makers, producers and film critics, who pour in for this
international festival of art house and non-commercial films
from Georgia and abroad. The Pantomime Theatre, famed for
staging some of the most technically accomplished and beautiful
interpretative dance shows found anywhere, dramatically reworks
A host of adventurous activities from Betania’s Horse Riding
excursions to Bakuriani’s Quadrocycle Rides will make an
adventure junkie remember his Georgian times. Not to forget
bungee jumping, hot air balloon rides and bird watching would
give one a dear diary moment for sure.
Glide on tandem flights in the Tbilisi Sea and Rustavi areas
close to Tbilisi, from March through October. Exciting challenges
wait to be taken up to for experienced rafters near Rioni River in
western Georgia from June through November.
CULTURE AND PEOPLE
Religion is big in Georgia. While many European nations have
seen religious adherence fall in recent decades, the Orthodox
Church in Georgia is booming. Dating back to the 4th Century,
the Church helped the country keep its ancient musical traditions
during the Soviet era and has been central to Georgians’ sense
of themselves since independence.
Attitudes in Georgia towards its most famous son are
complicated. After independence, many Stalin statues were
torn down but now some are returning to town squares. Yet if
you go to any flea market you are most definitely going to find a
mustachioed face looking out at you amid the bric-a-brac. Sixty
years after his death there is still a market for portraits of Joseph
Stalin, the Georgian-born ruler of the former Soviet Union.
Spoken Georgian is like no other language you are likely to
hear. Rare sounds pronounced from the back of the throat with
a sudden guttural puff of air that many visitors may never have
heard before, makes Georgian language unique in its own way.
What is even more bizarre, but very fitting to a country of dramatic
personalities, is Georgian 33-letter alphabets forming these rare
sounds.
16
Food
What is it about
Coffee?
Vietnamese
Egg Coffee
E
gg coffee from Hanoi, it sounds fairly
strange, but there have been reports
of putting eggs in coffee before, mostly
from Scandinavian countries where it was used to
clarify the brew and generate an amber-colored
cup of coffee with a milder taste. The addition of
proteins while preparing the coffee serves two
purposes: It helps the coffee grounds to flocculate,
allowing them to sink faster to the bottom of the
pot and the proteins bind irreversibly to astringent
Legend has it that Ethiopian shepherds first
noticed the effects of caffeine when they saw
their goats appearing to “dance” after eating
coffee cherries.
Everyone recognizes a roasted coffee
bean but unless you have lived or traveled
in a coffee growing country, you might not
recognize an actual coffee tree. Coffee
cherries grow along the tree’s branches. It takes nearly a year for a cherry to
mature after the flowering of the fragrant,
white blossoms. Because it grows in
a continuous cycle, it is not unusual to
see flowers, green fruit and ripe fruit
simultaneously on a single tree.
Butter in your coffee:
H
aven’t you heard? Butter in your coffee.
It is the latest health fad spruiked by
fans of the paleo diet, and those looking for
a mental edge. Butter-coffee may sound a
little wacky, gross even, but fans say it tastes
better than a creamy latte.
Advocates use one-to-two tablespoons
of butter (or ghee) blended into their coffee
in place of milk - and perhaps a spoon
of coconut oil for good measure. It is the
ultimate heart-starter - or heart-stopper depending on where you fall in the good fat,
bad fat debate.
You may stumble upon the concept of a
fatty, caffeinated morning beverage while
trekking in Tibet - where tea made with yak
butter is a staple. When made well it is
actually quite a delicious coffee and also
provides you with a lot of calories early in
the day from the saturated fat. Not certainly
a dietitian recommendation ... but it keeps
you fuller for longer. But health experts warn
History and treaties have been made
over cups of coffee. ‘A cup of coffee’ has
been an excuse for love smitten to meet
each other. The head gears seem to start
running suddenly with sips of this drink.
Newspapers seem absurd without a cup
of coffee. A smell so akin to senses and
so many variants of using this mini bean
of a coffee have been made that the love
for coffee doesn’t not need any reason
anymore to be enjoyed anytime.
The caffeine gives you a jolt, but the
drink’s vaunted health benefits may be in
spite of the stimulant rather than because of
it.It is interesting that a lot of people who like
coffee, maybe most, don’t like the taste of
coffee. They cover it with creamer and sugar
and sometimes the coffee is just a flavoring
in a drink that is mostly hot milk.
So what? Hail coffee lovers with creamers
and sugar because you will find some wacky
ways of coffee making irresistible to deny.
The next cafe trend?
not to be taken in by all the benefits of coffee
with butter. They warn that although butter is
added to tea in places like Nepal and Tibet,
these people have every opportunity to use
fat - simply tastes good. When fresh and hot
and just whisked [butter coffee] just tastes
like a latte made with high-fat milk. It has a
nutty, chocolaty taste. There’s so much fat
in it, it blocks a lot of your taste receptors so
the coffee is less bitter.
Ingredients
1 heaping tbsp of Butter
2 cups of coffee
Optional: 1 tbsp of agave
and/or 1 tbsp of coconut oil
up the kilojoules. Most sedentary Westerners
don’t. But local grass-fed butter and ghee
makers are already tapping into the fatty
coffee craze. Health debates aside, butter
coffee - like most things made with oodles of
Directions: Heat the container you are
going to froth your coffee and butter in with
hot boiling water. Dump the water. Put the
coffee and the butter into a hot mug or hot
blender. Wait 10-15 seconds for the butter
to melt. If adding sweetener, add it before
blending the beverage. Froth the coffee
either with a hand held frother or a blender.
Serve immediately.
and bitter tasting polyphenols in coffee to form
insoluble complexes that will precipitate. The end
result is a clearer coffee with a pleasant and mild
taste. The bitterness is only barely noticeable, but
the coffee still has enough “body” so it doesn’t
feel too thin. In contrast, Vietnamese egg coffee
is anything but a clearer coffee with a mild taste.
It is essentially a Cadbury Creme Egg with a hint
of mocha. So the recipe below may not be the
healthiest, but it is most definitely a satisfying
snack on a cold day.
Ingredients
1 egg
3 tsp of Vietnamese coffee powder
2 tsp of sweetened condensed milk
Boiling water
Directions: Brew a small cup of Vietnamese
coffee. Crack an egg and discard the whites.
Put the yolk and the sweetened condensed
milk in a small, deep bowl and whisk vigorously
until you end up with a frothy, fluffy mixture. Add a
tablespoon of the brewed coffee and whisk it in.In
a clear coffee cup, pour in your brewed coffee,
then add the fluffy egg mixture on top.
Another option is to add the yolk to the coffee
with the sweet milk and whisk all together. The
foam will then rise to the top.
Weird Coffee Rituals of History Makers
I
f you were, just for one day, living the life of some
of the world’s most creative individuals it would
look something like this:
You would wake up at the crack of dawn in a
room to begin your day a cup of strong coffee in
hand and then keep refilling the cup all day. Not
that bad right? These habits were actually rituals
of some of the world’s most creative minds.
Getting up early was a habit and a ‘must’ of
Ernest Hemingway and Marcel Proust; Beethoven
was drinking dozens of cups of coffee a day.
Certainly artists throughout history couldn’t
have maintained the extreme lifestyle without their
cuppa, for bursts of frenzied writing, eventually
ending up suffering from stomach cramps, facial
twitches, headaches, and high blood pressure
and eventually dying of a heart failure at a young
age.
Perhaps a better model is The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, who would
get up at about 8 am and eat a hearty breakfast,
accompanied by four or five cups of strong coffee
with cream and sugar. Or the mathematician
Paul Erdös, who fueled his long work hours with
espresso shots. “A mathematician,” Erdös liked to
say, “is a machine for turning coffee into theorems.”
Other artists drank moderate amounts of coffee
but had elaborate preparation rituals. Beethoven’s
breakfast was coffee, which he made himself with
great care—he determined that there should be
60 beans per cup, and he often counted them out
one by one for a precise dose.
The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard
“had his own quite peculiar way of having coffee,”
according to one of his biographers. “Delightedly
he seized hold of the bag containing the sugar
and poured sugar into the coffee cup until it was
piled up above the rim. Next came the incredibly
strong, black coffee, which slowly dissolved the
white pyramid.” Then he gulped the whole thing
down in one go.
Just be careful not to let the coffee be the only
thing fueling your creative work. It should be a
means of getting the ideas flowing, not a substitute
for having the ideas in the first place. As Balzac
noted, “Many people claim coffee inspires them,
but, as everybody knows, coffee only makes
boring people even more boring.”
Food up front in
‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’
A
new confection of East meets West
arrives on the big screen with The
Hundred-Foot Journey, the story of a
culture clash in the south of France
between an imperious French restaurateur
(Helen Mirren) and the owner of an Indian
eatery (Om Puri) who has set up shop
nearby.
Mirren is in the South of France
as Madame Mallory, a proper French
restaurateur appalled when a family man,
Papa Kadem (Om Puri), moves from
Mumbai to open an Indian restaurant right
across the road from her establishment.
Animosity turns to respect and genuine
friendship when Papa’s son Hassan
(Manish Dayal) impresses Madame
Mallory with his abilities as a chef.
It is a relatively small film but it has
some big industry backers – the movie’s
producers include Stephen Spielberg and
Oprah Winfrey. From Slumdog Millionaire
to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – which
has a sequel in the pipeline – and now
The Hundred-Foot Walk, there appears
to be a market for stories that feature
Indian culture. But it is not always easy
to get audiences in both the East and
West to embrace the same film with equal
passion.
Education
17
Choosing
a graduate school abroad
More and more students opt to attend grad school abroad. Some do so
for the duration of their programs and complete their master’s programs
in one to three years; others do so for a portion of their programs and
complete their master’s programs between a college abroad and a college
or university in their home country. Either way, attending graduate school
abroad can be a wonderful and empowering experience.
A
sk yourself the following questions
to determine if a graduate school
abroad is right for you:
home country?” If the answer is yes,
consider spending a semester or more
earning your graduate degree abroad.
Experience that you can gain in
another country that you cannot
gain in your home country?
Depending on your program, there
might be valuable experience to be
gained abroad that simply cannot be
gained (or easily accessed) in your
home country. If you are studying
European history, for example, it will be
easier to access certain documents
and visit certain sights if you spend
time studying in Europe. Consider
your major, your emphasis, and your
research and ask yourself, “is there
valuable experience that I can gain in
another country that I cannot gain in my
Will having international experience
make you more competitive in your
field?
Some fields, such as international
affairs, international business, political
science, public health, sociology, and
journalism, seek employees who have
had meaningful experiences abroad.
This makes sense since many of these
fields examine theories, processes,
events, and circumstances that cross
international borders. Other fields,
ones less obviously affected by
international conditions, also benefit
from professionals with international
experience. In our increasingly
globalized world, more localized
fields, such as speech pathology,
psychology and marketing, benefit
from the experiences professionals
glean from international exposure.
Many professionals within these fields
work with people who have emigrated
from other countries and serve
diverse populations. Having gained
cultural exposure through international
experience could therefore make
you more competitive in your field.
Also, many employers may look for
employees who demonstrate tolerance,
mental and emotional strength, and
a capacity to honor and appreciate
diversity; adding a semester or more of
graduate school abroad to your resume
could help illustrate to your employer
that you have this unique skillset.
Do you need to know another
language to be competitive in your
field?
If you plan on working with people
who speak different languages
or one language in particular, it
makes sense to attend grad school
abroad. Immersing yourself in
a language, and giving yourself
multiple months or years to do so,
can be an excellent way to learn a
language. Also, spending time in
another country allows you to learn
the cultural nuances of a language
in a way that language programs
don’t. And, if an employer sees that
you have spent time in the home
country of the population you serve,
you may likely be more competitive
for the job.
Can you balance the mental,
emotional, and sometimes physical
challenges of living abroad and
going to graduate school?
Living in another country, no matter
how wonderful, can be stressful.
Attending grad school, no matter how
exciting, can be stressful. Pair the
two together and you have on your
hands a situation that can be mentally,
emotionally, and physically trying and
draining. Prior to making the decision
to attend graduate school abroad,
consider whether or not you’re ready
to work with the many challenges that
are sure to arise. Make sure you have
a support system, ideas for dealing
with breakdowns, and the necessary
capacities to work with challenges as
they occur.
Future of higher education in India
Higher education in India is undergoing considerable change. With over 600 million people in India under 25 years old, the
system is under tremendous pressure to expand. India’s young population has a huge appetite for education and, as the growth
in the size of the middle classes escalates, millions are increasingly able to pay for it.
B
y 2020, India will have the
largest tertiary-age population
in the world and will have
the second largest graduate talent
pipeline globally, following China and
ahead of the USA.
Government plans are in place
to transform the sector over the next
five years. Every aspect of higher
education is being reorganised and
remodelled: funding, leadership and
management, quality assurance,
accountability, relationships with
industry, international collaboration,
and the way research and teaching
are conducted. If these reforms
succeed, the breadth and depth of
the change will be transformational.
The Indian government is
planning huge expansion at all
levels of education. While there is no
doubt that this will be the decade of
change at a transformational scale
and pace, India’s rise faces daunting
challenges. The education system
as a whole is beset with issues of
quality, access and equity, and
change is happening much faster in
some states than others.
The general standard of education
in India is low. There are not
enough places in schools, colleges
or universities to cope with the
enormous and increasing demand.
Traditional approaches to meet this
demand will not be sufficient in the
time-scale needed. With the rise of
the middle classes, an increasing
number of people need not rely on
the state to provide an education
service. As a consequence, India
has seen a dramatic shift towards
private provision across the entire
education
spectrum,
including
higher education. The private sector
is already playing a significant role
in the development of education in
India, and its influence and presence
will increase substantially.
Education is vital for India’s
competiveness
and
economic
growth, but also for social stability.
The disparity between rich and
poor is growing, and expectations
on the part of young people and
their parents are high. Geographical
differences are vast, compounded
by social divisions and inequalities in
education provision.
percent and 36 percent respectively.
The government plans to increase
GER in higher education to 30
percent by 2020. This will require a
transformational change at a pace
and scale never seen before. As
India currently has 26 million students
enrolled in tertiary education, by
illustration, it would need another
800 universities and over 40,000
colleges in the next eight years to
provide the planned additional 14
include improvements in teaching
and learning, and a focus on learning
outcomes; faculty development
to improve teaching; increased
integration
between
research
and teaching; more international
partnerships in teaching as well
as research; better links between
industry and research to stimulate
innovation;
and
connecting
institutions
through
networks,
alliances and consortia.
Over the last decade, higher
education has been on a steep
growth trajectory. India now has the
largest higher education system in
the world in terms of the number of
institutions, and the second largest in
terms of the number of students.
However, despite impressive
growth, India’s higher education
gross enrolment ratio (GER) at 18
percent is currently well below the
global average of 27 percent. This
difference is even starker when
compared to China and Brazil at 26
million places to reach the target
of40 million places by 2020/21.
At current growth rates, India
will fall very far short of this figure,
therefore the Indian government has
put an ambitious five-year plan into
place to boost the rate of expansion
significantly.
The twelfth five-year plan (201317) for higher education addresses
three
overarching
challenges:
excellence, equity and expansion.
Excellence:
Priority
issues
Equity: Further initiatives targeted
at underprivileged and underserved
populations
in
society
and
geography, addressing urban/rural,
gender, people with disabilities and
community divisions and inequities.
Expansion: Scaling up capacity
in existing institutions, rather than
creating many new governmentfunded
institutions;
enabling
discipline diversity, counteracting the
skewed growth towards engineering
and other technical subjects;
enabling flexible and skills-based
learning; ensuring a more even
spread across the country; alignment
to the needs of the economy; and
encouraging private investment.
There is a sense of urgency in
policy makers, institution leaders
and faculty to expand the system at
a fast enough pace to meet the surge
in demand, while increasing quality
and ensuring equitable access.
There is a great deal of caution about
the way reforms will unfold; progress
is likely to follow an unpredictable
course. The federal government is
enabling states and institutions more
autonomy to drive through reforms,
which is creating greater potential
for
international
engagement.
Indian institutions are seeking more
international collaboration on their
terms and which will address their
challenges.
These reforms and the needs of
the higher education sector have
implications for future collaboration
with Indian higher education.
This
section
provides
some
considerations and opportunities for
UK institutions as they plan for future
strategic engagement with India.
18
Fashion
ROCK A SHIRT-DRESS
The shirtdress—celebs and models do it, and friends, you can, too. Here are six
things you need to know about how to wear this casual yet classically chic hybrid look.
Keep it light: Chambray or cotton are great
for a casual look while silks and chiffon are
a little more dressed up. You can even play
with some bold patterned shirtdresses.
Have fun with the shirtdress you have
chosen as it is a lot like a pair of jeans. It’s
simple enough that your accessories can
The right height: Anywhere from mid-thigh
to just above the knee is the ideal length
for a shirtdress. Too short and it looks like
you forgot your pants—any longer and
it’s a nightgown from another century.
If you decide to pair the shirtdress over
leggings, it should reach to your midthigh. And above all, keep the fabric crisp
and casual so it looks flattering.
Fit depends entirely on your figure: If you
are curvy, it’s generally most flattering to
wear a nicely tailored shirtdress, possibly
even belted. If you have a long and lean
physique, then a straighter, boxier cut is a
fun and fresh take on the style. Yes, petite
women can rock the shirtdress too. Just
keep the fabric light to maintain movement
and have fun with your accessories.
If you’re trying to lengthen your body,
make sure you opt for a monochromatic
shirtdress—it’s more favorable.
really create the look. If you want to go
for an ‘I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-lookthis-cute’ vibe, then slip on flat boots or
booties with your casual shirtdress. If you
want something more stylized then wear
a spectacular statement heel. The shoe
of the summer season is a pointed pump.
If you’re going to invest, go for an ultrasharp stiletto in or how about metallic sling
backs, they’re so very pretty and modern.
The new ladylike look: Many shirtdresses
have a delicate, feminine vibe that keeps
up with the ladylike trend. To channel the
lady look, choose shirtdresses that have
volume and structure, which you can then
modernize with fab jewelry. Or preferably,
it may be best for newcomers to this trend
to wear a simple shirtdress with clean
lines and light colors which are easier to
style. However, your fear shouldn’t stop
you from experimenting with brighter hues
like bright green or turquoise.
Streamlined shirtdresses would also
work for you if you have the body that is
suited for the high-waisted style. Thin
belts in complementary or contrasting
colors would balance the shirtdress’s
feminine flair nicely. The classic route is
a good way to go with a printed shirtdress
in your wardrobe that you may beautify
easily with heels and pretty jewelry.
Accessories: You can do so much with
the shirtdress. Anything from a ball cap,
fedora and sneakers to pointed heels
and a great big bag and sunglasses. Just
don’t overdo it. A large part of why the
shirtdress is so fantastic is its effortless
simplicity.
If you are going for a simple look, grab a
scarf that compliments your shirtdress.
A scarf in a bright color is more versatile
than you would think! It pairs nicely with
conservative hues and pieces, and looks
chic with grey. A bright scarf can also
make a fashionable statement when worn
with a bright floral print.
Tips for a denim on
denim outfit
Something about the double-denim trend—often referred to as a
Canadian tuxedo—goes against everything you’ve been taught on
fashion about putting together outfit.
S
o while yes, you know denim on denim is having a
moment right now in all fashion magazines, putting
the look together can seem a bit intimidating. Here are
some tips to put together a denim on denim outfit.
Play with colors if you’re a total beginner: Before
delving into shades of double blue, start out by
pairing different shades of denim together, like
white jeans and a blue denim jacket, or black jeans
and a chambray shirt. It’s almost impossible to go
wrong this way.
Another option is to make sure that the denim
washes are different shades of blue. If you choose
to wear a light blue denim shirt, opt for a darker
shade of blue in your denim skirt, shorts or jeans
and vice versa. Don’t wear a denim outfit that’s all
the same weight or wash as you don’t want to look
too matchy matchy.
Quality matters: Anything tacky must go out the
door! Keep your pieces tasteful and classy. It’s
especially hard when it comes to such a casuallike cotton textile, hence why purchasing the right
products is so important. If a piece has a heavy
concentration of style lines, then the pairing piece
shouldn’t be one that is equally structured. Or if a
piece has studs placed on it, then you probably
Pleat trend
shouldn’t match it with a piece that’s covered in
buttons. Simplicity does the job.
Use denim shades to flatter or hide body parts:
As a general rule, lighter shades of denim draw
attention to the body parts they cover, while darker
washes create a slimming effect. For many women
this means that dark denim jeans, and a lighter
denim top or jacket is the most flattering way to go.
Dress up your double denim: Following up with the
prohibited head-to-toe approach, it’s evident that
a non-denim piece in your outfit is needed. This
could be anything from your undershirt, to your
shoes, to your jacket, or to your accessories. It
adds versatility, contrast, and interest to your overall
appearance. Don’t be afraid to elevate your outfit
with luxe-looking items including statement heels,
a tuxedo blazer, or a fabulous red lip. Even neutralcolored accessories can contribute to a chic,
sophisticated look. A brown leather belt and tan
wedge sandals are great items to pair with a denim
on denim look. Don’t make the mistake of looking to
movies for inspiration. When some people think of
denim on denim, images of cowboys likely come to
mind, and that’s not a good thing—you don’t want
to end up looking like a caricature.
T
he last time both sides might have worn pleats
was forcibly through school uniforms, but
fashionistas think the utilitarian, stiff-but-flowy
shape lends itself perfectly for both tomboyish and
feminine styles.
The Tomboy Way: A pleated skirt is your version
of frill, so keep the rest of your look boxy and boyish.
An oxford and overcoat are your typical workday
fare, and spectator-shoe inspired booties keep it
sleek, but still you.
The feminine Way: Pleats are basically just
a different sort of ruffle, so double up on this
like you would a peplum dress. A pleated
top over a pleated skirt is subtle
genius.
Technology
19
Computer chips that emulate human brain
D
Scientists at an IBM-led collaboration have produced a new computer chip dubbed ‘TrueNorth’ that mimics the
organization of the brain, and squeezes in one million computational units called “neurons”. The journal Science, which
first published this feat, described it as a supercomputer the size of a postage stamp.
escribing the chip as “a new machine
for a new era,” Dr. Dharmendra Modha,
the senior author of the publication, said
that this was the “cumulative total of over 200
person-years of work.”
The building blocks for the TrueNorth chip
are ‘neurosynaptic cores’ of 256 neurons each,
which IBM launched in 2011. What Dr. Modha
and his team have managed to do is engineer
an interconnected 64-by-64 grid of these
cores on to a single chip, delivering over one
million neurons in total. Because each neuron
is connected to 256 others, there are more than
256 million connections or “synapses”.
Unlike traditional chips that power nearly
all modern computers and have been around
since the early 1940s, TrueNorth will take
some time to be commercially useful, because
programs have to be written from scratch to run
on this type of chip.
Current chips, which use binary ones and
zeros as units of computation and have a
design where the processors and memory are
separate, are a natural match for sequential,
mathematical operations. The new ‘neuron’
chips use ‘spikes’ as computational units
The new ‘Normal’
battery diagnosis app
and have a highly interconnected design that
makes them much more efficient at handling
lot of data at the same time.
The ‘spikes’, generated on neurons when
its inputs are active enough, are sent across
the chip to other ‘neurons’ taking them closer
to their own threshold. Software has to be
written completely differently for these spikingnetwork systems.
The complexity of ‘TrueNorth’ is impressive
for a man-made device just 3cm across, but
still pales in comparison with the human brain
it attempts to emulate.
Biological neurons, packed inside the brain,
send and receive something in the order of
10,000 connections each.
But Dr. Modha is quick to point out that the
new chip is “endlessly scalable”. Multiple units
can be plugged together to form another, still
more powerful assembly. “This isn’t a 10-15
percent improvement,” he said. “You’re talking
about orders and orders of magnitude.” Dr.
Modha envisages myriad next-generation
applications, from glasses that help visually
impaired people navigate, to robots for
scouring the scene of a disaster.
Smarter than a smart light bulb
T
here’s a new app called ‘Normal’ out from a pair of Stanford University PhDs
in computer science named Adam Oliner and Jacob Leverich, who are
turning some postdoctoral research into a company called Kuro Labs.
Their first project, Normal, is a battery diagnosis service that tracks and
compares your app usage to other device owners to see if there are any
specific actions you can take to save battery life. The app, which is currently
available for iPhones compares your phone’s battery usage over time with
other people who have similar combinations of apps.
Hence, the name ‘Normal’ — is your phone’s battery life normal compared
to other devices that are the exact same
model?
“Battery is a pain point and there
are not many good solutions around,”
says Oliner. “The device doesn’t tell you
everything you need to know. Why is it
using so much energy? Is that normal or
not? That’s what we’re trying to adjust.”
When you go inside Normal, you’ll see
active apps, inactive battery hogs and
other apps. For each app, there is a ring
chart that will show you how much battery
life you’ll save if you close a specific app.
So for instance, if I shut Facebook’s mobile
app off, Normal estimates that I’ll save 26 minutes and 47 seconds of battery
life. Or if I close inactive apps running in the background like Instagram, I’ll
save an hour and seven minutes. Certain apps can be re-configured to use
up less battery. Oliner says Pinterest, for example, is not normally a battery
hog but there are a few configurations that make it more energy intensive.
There’s a screen inside the app that will tell you if a specific app is behaving
normally compared to other identical apps on other smartphones. Oliner
decision to start the new bootstrapped company with Leverich called Kuro
Labs, may spin out more similar concepts, including for laptops or tablets.
W
hat could be smarter than a smart light bulb that
is energy-efficient and controlled by an app from
your mobile? Nanoleaf Bloom believes they have the
answer; a light bulb that does not require you to fiddle
with your phone app to make it smart and control lighting
brightness or to turn up or down your lights.
The current choices for dimming and turning
the light off and on, are either to fix a standard wall
dimmer switch that does the trick, or to replace your
bulbs with the app connected smart bulbs.
Both of which are not ideal alternatives if you just
want something minimal and as easily controlled as
your existing dumb bulbs.
Nanoleaf Bloom, a Kickstarter project, has built
a smarter LED light bulb that can be set to a brightness
of your choosing and yet does not require an app to
do that, or new wall switches to be installed. It has
even got a stylish geometric bulb design to boot.
The Nanoleaf Bloom contains 33 omni-directional
LED lights which uses a sequence of on/off switches
at the wall to set its brightness; which means, no
additional hardware and no app required.
The Bloom contains a microprocessor which
enables it to translate on-off switching at the wall into
variable brightness at the bulb. To set brightness, the
bulb is switched on at the wall which begins a fading
up process. Switching the switch off/on a second time
sets it at the desired brightness. And that’s it.
The bulb also includes a night mode, at 5 percent
brightness (consuming 0.5W) — which is set by
turning the switch on/off/on. And if you just want to use
the Bloom like a regular energy-efficient light bulb,
switching it on and leaving the switch on will mean the
bulb fades up to full brightness. And switching it off
turns it off; as simple as that.
So how much is Nanoleaf Bloom going to cost?
Early Kickstarter backers can bag one bulb for $40, so
it is certainly not cheap. But prices could drop on mass
production and moreover, ingenious engineering and
smart, minimalist design are both worth supporting.

Local - The Times Kuwait

Transcription

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