200 kids attend FEC campaign Cultural extravaganza at India’s Ikebana Art of a craft

Republic Day event

Dateline Doha 18 Metro Musings 19 QT Spotlight 24

WEATHER TODAY
Sunrise 6:18 am
PRAYER TIMING
Sunset 5:24 pm Fajr: 4:53 am Dhuhr: 11:49 am
High 25ºC Asr: 3:00 pm Maghrib: 5:24 pm
Low 14ºC Isha: 6:54 pm
Wind 8 mph
Visibility very poor
Pressure 1018 mb
Rel. humidity 48% Sunday, February 8, 2009

Kahramaa, Japanese Be ready for overcast sky, light rain

firm renew MoU RAKESH PANDEY

DOHA Residents of Doha, especially school-

MUHANAD AL NIDAWI
DOHA Kahramaa Company and
the Japanese Chubu Electric
Power Company have renewed
the contract between the two
sides, which had expired on
December 31, 2008.
The contract was signed at
QP headquarters by Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of
Energy and Industry and
Chairman of Kahramaa HE
Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah
and Chubu President &
Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry HE Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah (second right)
presents Chubu President & Director Toshio Mita a memento in Doha on Saturday. (HANSON K JOSEPH)
Director Toshio Mita. In the
presence of Kahramaa officials
and the Chubu company dele-
gation, HE al Attiyah expressed
delight at having one of the
largest electric power compa-
nies like Chubu as a partner to
Qatar in its power supply proj-
ects.
As per the MoU, Chubu will
advise Kahramaa on power sys-
tem technology with regard to
stability, ancillary services
(including voltage and reactive
power), in addition to the oper-
ation protocol of the connected
power system, including the
information exchange of inter-
national codes and standards.
Parties can exchange their
experts if necessary. Besides,
Kahramaa staff will be provided
the required training courses by
the Japanese company.
“The partnership would be
on different levels. It would be
on training, exchange of infor-
mation and experts. They have
also sent their experts who have
Continued on page 18
children and commuters, are likely to face a
rough weather on the first working day of
the week on Sunday, as major parts of
Qatar are in for another day of overcast
skies, intermittent rain and murky weather.
While the kids will be forced to pull out
their umbrellas and raincoats to escape
possible morning showers, the drivers will
have to tread cautiously as visibility is likely
to get reduced significantly.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, a weather
office official said that the weather, which
changed from midnight on Friday, would
continue till noon on Sunday. “Though the
showers, which will be sporadic through
the night and early part of the next day, will
have little impact on maximum and mini-
mum temperatures. The country may
experience mist and haze in the morning.
While the maximum temperature will be
24 degrees Celsius, the minimum will be 15
degrees. Areas like Al Wakrah, Dukhan, Al
Khor and Messaieed will also experience
similar conditions,” he added.
Giving reasons for the inclement weath-
er, the Met official said that the clouds,
which had formed over central Saudi
Arabia, have moved towards Qatar and
other Gulf areas bringing light and scat-
tered rain. “The wind will blow from south-
easterly to southwesterly direction at a
speed of 10 knots inshore and 12 knots out-
shore. Visibility will range from 5 km to10
km. However, it is likely to go down signifi-
cantly in the morning posing problems for
drivers, especially on highways,” he added. Dark clouds over the Aspire Tower in Doha on Saturday. (MANEESH BAKSHI)
18 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Dateline Doha

No compromise on quality Traffic dept waives

off fine, 5 Indians to
standards, says ministry leave Qatar soon
MUHANAD AL NIDAWI
DOHA The Ministry of Municipal
Affairs and Urban Planning will not
compromise on quality to meet
deadlines but will ensure that the
end product meets with internation-
al quality standards, the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Urban
CONTACT US Planning HE Sheikh Abdurrahman
EDITORIAL: editor@qatar-tribune.com
bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al Thani
Qatar Tribune — pressreleases@qatar-tribune.com said.
Editorial: Phone: 4422077
Fax: 4416790
COMMERCIAL PRESS RELEASE:
qtpressreleases@qatar-tribune.com
Speaking to mediapersons at the
Administration & Marketing ADMINISTRATION: admin@qatar-tribune.com ministry here on Thursday, HE the
Phone: 4666810
ADVERTISEMENT: advertising@qatar-tribune.com
CIRCULATION: circulation@qatar-tribune.com
minister said that following the
Fax: 4654975 CLASSIFIED: classifieds@qatar-tribune.com
express wishes of the Emir His
Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa
P. O. Box: 23493, Doha
al Thani all authorities responsible
DIAL DOHA for infrastructure projects have been
instructed to concentrate on deliver-
ing quality and meet international
which are below the desired levels of
perfection. His Highness the Emir
has also stressed on the quality of the
end product, be it a road or a grand
project,” Sheikh Abdurrahman said.
Ethexplaining the delay in
Doha Causeway
project, HE the minister
said that an underground
cavity was discovered
during digging at the
Jaidah intersection, which
delayed the project.
Commenting on the rumours con-
cerning merging Ashghal again with
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
projects. He will have a full agenda
which includes completion of proj-
ects, producing end products of the
highest calibre, contracting compa-
nies capable of delivering quality fin-
ished projects and other such,” he
said.
Explaining the delay in the Doha
Causeway project, HE the minister
said that a large underground cavity
was discovered during digging at the
Jaidah intersection, which delayed
the completion of the intersection
and the causeway.
Speaking about the ministry plans
for 2009, Sheikh Abdurrahman said,
“supporting the electronic govern-
ment is high priority on my agenda,
and as I personally use the Internet
on a large scale to pay for example
my telephone bills, I think it’s time to
SANTHOSH CHANDRAN
DOHA The Traffic department
has waived off the fine against
the five Indian drivers, who ran
away from their Qatari sponsors
after notching up fines in traffic
offences amounting to
QR10,000. Now free to go, they
will leave for India within a week,
Indian Community Benevolent
Fund (ICBF) President Dr
Mohan Thomas said.
Put up at the deportation
centre since October 2008, the
drivers had approached the ICBF President Dr Mohan
ICBF to help them. Thomas met Thomas
with Traffic Department
Director Brigadier Mohammed leave Qatar for India within a
al Kharji and requested that the week,” Thomas said.

999
Fire standards. Urban Planning Sheikh utilise the web in digitising our serv- fines of the drivers be pardoned The ICBF has thanked the
Ambulance “His Highness the Emir was very Abdurrahman said that a decision to ice on a wide scale for more efficient as they had no means to pay the Ministry of Interior, Director
Police clear in his directive to all authorities that affect was still to be taken. operations. The second area of focus dues. and staff of the Traffic
concerned to study current projects “Ashghal’s director has been would be recycling. As we are in a “The formalities will end Department for their kindness
Electricity 991 in a serious manner, reschedule changed, and his replacement has to very critical juncture in time, we within a couple of days and the and the continuous support the
Water 991 them according to the right priori- have enough time to update himself should seriously start recycling ICBF has arranged air tickets Indian community receives
Hamad Hospital 4394444 ties, and not to deliver projects with the affairs of Ashghal and its waste.” for all the drivers and they can from them.
Childs Emergency Centre (Al Saad) 4393333
Rumila Hospital 4396666
Women’s Hospital
Airport Services- Enquiry
Airport Services-Operator
Qatar Airways
4396666
4622999
4656666
4496666/4496000
200 kids attend FEC campaign
Qatar Airways (Airport) 4496688 NICKYTA DAS day of the programme. a local medicine is made.” He also
Gulf Air 4455444 Speaking about the pro- said that Al Harm is usually found
Gulf Air (Airport) 4656318 DOHA As part of FEC’s annual gramme, Friends of Environment in salty sands.
Immigration & Passport Department 4890333 ongoing programme called ‘A Centre (FEC) Chairman Dr Saif In addition, experts also
Traffic Department 4890666 Flower Each Spring’, the first trip Ali al Hajari said, “On the first day enlightened the students on the
Water Emergency 4325959 for school children was organised of the annual programme, short endangered bird species and the
Electricity Emergency 4677601 to Al Khor desert on Saturday. discussions on Qatar’s flora and importance to conserve birds to
Weather Forecasting (Admn) 4656590 More than 200 school students conservation of birds of Qatar preserve the ecology of the coun-
Drain Centre 4687894 were given a first hand knowl- would help students gain an try.
Municipality (Doha) 4336336 edge of Al Harm, or Zygophyllum insight into environmental issues Shakil Ahmed Kakui, co-ordi-
Ministry of Education 4941111 qatarense which has been chosen and raise awareness about the nator scientific and environmen-
Qatar Television (QTV) 4894444 this year for ‘A Flower Each nation’s ecology,” said al Hajari. tal affairs, MES Indian School
Qatar Broadcasting Service (QBS) 4894444 Spring’ programme. Explaining the significance of told Qatar Tribune, “This pro-
Qatar University 4852222 Students from Kainat Al Harm to students, SM Shah, gramme offers practical knowl-
Postal Department 4464000 Foundation, MES, Pakistan environmental co-ordinator, PEC, edge to students on environmen- FEC Chairman Dr Saif Ali al Hajari with students as part of ‘A Flower
SriLankan Airlines 4322628/4369910 Education Centre (PEC), told Qatar Tribune, “The roots of tal issues. This will help them Each Spring’ programme at Al Khor on Saturday.
Oman Air 4320509/4321373 Palestinian school, Tunisian the flower holds the sand, pre- realise the importance of preserv-
Oman Air (Airport) 4626835 school and Culture Centre for venting sand storms. Al Harm ing nature”. involved in various group activi- and group discussions to high-
Disabled participated on the first also forms the source from which Later, the students were ties such as drawing, painting light the features of Al Harm.

Doha Players set to stage ‘Grease’

AILYN AGONIA
DOHA Get ready for the return of
the retro look and the Rock and
Roll era as the Doha players
stage the all-time Broadway
favourite ‘Grease’ from
February 12 to 21. The perform-
ance is the theatre group’s first
musical of the year and their
tribute to the hit musical writ-
ten by Jim Jacobs and Warren
Cassey. The much-talked about
A dress rehearsal of Doha Players’ Grease being performed in Doha on Saturday. (MANEESH BAKSHI) show will bring together on cen-
tre stage their finest actors to
relive the glory of Rydell High
School’s popular groups T-birds
and Pink Ladies.
Talking to Qatar Tribune dur-
ing their first dress rehearsal on
Saturday, Doha Players
Producer Elaine Potter said
‘Grease’ is one of their biggest
productions so far, which has
brought together the most tal-
ented teachers in Qatar. “The
actors in this production are
teachers from different schools
here like American School
Doha, Doha College, Park
House, Qatar Academy and
Texas A&M University. These
actors will be acting like teens
as the characters in the musical
suggest, so it will be great to
watch them act that way on
stage,” she said.
The show features Science
elementary teacher Nick
Mitchell as Danny and musical
veteran Isabella Kondili-
Sturesson as Sandy, the lead
characters. The interesting line
up of actors in this production
also included the lead singer of
local rock band ‘G-Force’ Andy
Baldwin as Doody, Peter Gibson
a member of the Qube battle of
the bands 2008 runner up, The
GAP, will portray the role of
Kenicke, Business instructor at
College of North Atlantic Doug
McDonald will act as Sonny,
Liberal Arts lecturer at Texas
A&M University at Qatar Curtis
Elliot Farmer as Buck Turbeaux
and other theatre veterans like
Ruthan Glover, Geoff Heney,
Pauline Markey, Yvette Haring
and Enrique Aligato. They are
just some of the great actors in
the production who will make
use of their singing and acting
prowess to recreate the exciting
production numbers like
‘Summer Nights’, ‘You’re the
One that I Want’ and the all-
time favourite ‘Greased
Lightning’.
With barely a week together
before starting their eight con-
secutive performance nights,
Elaine said that the show is
already a hit judging from their
ticket sales. “So far we have sold
over 3000 tickets and with few
days to go we know we will still
do better,” she said.
Grease Director Angela
Walton also proudly announced
that this is the first time ‘Grease’
will be performed in Qatar.
According to her, it is also one of
the biggest productions of Doha
Players since it features over 50
actors and production people,
and took six months for them to
put together.

Kahramaa,
Japanese firm
renew MoU
Continued from page 17
visited different facilities of
Kahramaa for evaluation, as we
prepare to go ahead from the
point they have reached. The
current agreement proves that
our partnership is not only
meant for supplying Qatari gas
to Chubu but also to explore
different areas of cooperation
between the two sides”, he said.
HE the Deputy Prime
Minister reflected on the long-
standing relationship between
Chubu and Qatar by referring to
the fact that Chubu was among
the first who imported natural
gas from Qatar and still repre-
sents the largest importer of
Qatar Natural Gas in Japan.
“When everyone was sceptical
about Qatar’s ability to provide a
sustainable supply of natural gas,
Chubu company came and
signed a contract with us to pro-
vide them with our products of
natural gas, which gave us a huge
moral boost at that time, and
helped drive the relation into a
stronger position,” he said.
 Metro Musings Sunday, February 8, 2009 19

Cultural extravaganza at India’s Republic Day event

ICBF launches protection scheme
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA Indian residents in
Qatar got a Republic Day gift
on Friday when the Indian
Community Benevolent
Protection Scheme (ICBPS).
was launched. It is for the
benefit of lowly paid Indian
workers in Qatar. The
announcement was made by
Mohan Thomas, president of
Indian Community Bene-
volent Fund (ICBF) on the
occasion of Indian Republic
Day celebration here.
According to the scheme,
while an Indian citizens join
the scheme by paying QR20,
their nominees back home
will get Rs150,000 as financial
aid in case of their death. The
scheme will cover both natu-
ral and accidental death.
Only those who can prove
Indian citizenship can enroll
in the scheme, limited only to
low paid Indian workers.
While talking to Qatar
Tribune, Thomas said ICBF
would conduct an Indian
music programme and festi-
val to raise funds for the
scheme.
Udit Narayan, the Indian
play back singer will perform
at the musical programme
slated for March 26. An
Indian Festival has also been
planned this year to meet the
future requirement of ICBPS.
“ICBF is planning to collect
one million Qatari Riyal from
these programmes.” Thomas
said. (SC)

A student with the Indian flag. JALAL PATHIYOOR.

SANTHOSH CHANDRAN expressed happiness that India made the event a real Indian

DOHA
Qatar
The Indian community in
celebrated Indian
Republic Day on Friday at Doha
Cinema. More than a thousand
people were in attendance.
The function organised by
Indian Cultural Centre (ICC)
was inaugurated by Hamed al
Marwani, Industrial Relations
Manager of QAFCO. Ahmed
Abd al Aziz al Ansari, marketing
manager of Mowasalat was
chief guest on the occasion.
Al Marwani in his speech
Artistes performing a dance drama.
was growing to become a global
power.
While speaking on the occa-
sion, Minister of Indian
Embassy Sanjiv Kohli urged the
community to preserve the
nation’s hundreds of years of
great tradition. Referring to
India’s bilateral relations with
Qatar, Kohli said, “India’s rela-
tion with Qatar will be stronger
in the nearest future.”
Following the inauguration
ceremony, there was a three
hour long cultural programme
T he group dance
performed by Middle
East School, Birala
Public School,
Shantiniketan and
Ideal Indian School
showcased their
talents.
which began with a welcome
dance by ICC students.
Altogether five Indian schools
and 13 cultural organisations
festival by staging varieties of
cultural items from different
parts of India.
While Gujarati Samaj
enthralled the audience with
Dandiya, Essensmrithi, a cultur-
al forum from southern part of
India stole the hearts of the
audience with Oppana, the
common group dance related
to the wedding celebration of
Muslims in Kerala.
The group dance performed
by Middle East School, Birala
Public School, Shantiniketan The physically-challenged were also there.
and Ideal Indian School show-
cased their talents in contem-
porary Indian dance.
The special skit staged on
occasion by HOPE Qatar, an
institution in Qatar established
for caring mentally challenged
children also got its way into
the hearts of the audience.
Through the 15-minute long
skit, the students portrayed
some sequences form the
Indian freedom movement
with the support of black and
white video clips. The fusion
dance choreographed by
Rajesh from Kerala Malayali
Samajam also earned wide
applause.
While Habibun Nabi, the sec-
retary of ICC welcomed the
gathering, KM Vargheese, the
president of ICC presided over
the function. The national anthem being rendered on the occasion.

French furniture now at your door-steps

RAJESH MISHRA
DOHA Ligne Roset, the famous
French brand of multinational
contemporary furnishings
opened its first showroom on
Salwa Road in partnership with
the Jaidah Group amid a glitter-
ing function on Wednesday.
The double-storied, fashion-
able European style showroom
spread over an area of 570
square metres showcases furni-
ture such as beds, sofas, dining
tables, study tables, wardrobes
as well as a wide selection of
lighting, textiles, rugs and
accessories from the 2008/09
Ligne Roset Collection.
Highlights of the 2008-2009
Ligne Roset collection in Doha
include, the ‘pumpkin’ seating
originally designed only for pri-
vate apartments of former
French President Georges
Pompidou, now available to
sophisticated buyers for the
first time. The Ligne Roset col-
lections are known for classic
glamour, sophistication and
femininity.
Speaking at the function the
Director of Business
Development and Marketing at
Jaidah Group Mohammed
Jaidah said that the motive
behind opening a full-fledged
showroom for Ligne Roset fur-
niture was to offer Qataris the
most sophisticated range of fur-
niture available in the world
market.
He said, “There is an increas-
ing demand for sophisticated
furniture in Qatar and here we
are offering them a whole range
of luxurious contemporary fur-
niture.” Jaidah added, “Jaidah
family shares a special bond
with Lignet Roset because of
their long traditions and dis-
tinction as business families.”
Later talking to Qatar
Tribune Lignet Roset Director
(Export) Bernard Vinson said
that their target customers
were Qatari nationals, who had
a taste for contemporary
designs and who could also
afford them.
Vinson remarked, “I think
this is the right time to launch
the full range of contemporary
Lignet Roset’s products in
Qatar. Despite our long associa-
tion with the Jaidah Group, it
took us 20 years to decide on
launching a showroom in Doha
because we felt that Dohaites
looked for classical rather than
contemporary designs.
However, now I think the
demand for contemporary
designs has increased with
more Qataris visiting France for
academic and business purpos-
es.”
Though admitting that the
furniture market in Dubai and
Kuwait had been affected by
global recession, he said that it
was a temporary phenomenon,
which would pass by with the
passage of time. Ligne Rosets
already has showrooms in
Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain,
Riyadh, Jeddah and Lebanon,
Vinson informed.
Speaking about the company
he said, “It has around 250
showrooms in 60 different
countries and not without a
reason. It combines simple and
the exotic in appearance, is
flexible in terms of occupying
space and easy to use.”

Officials at the opening of Ligne Roset showroom in Doha, on Wednesday. (HANSON K JOSEPH)
20 Sunday, February 8, 2009
CLASSIFIEDS
SITUATION WANTED
INDIAN MALE, 20 years of experience in FMCG market is
looking for a suitable post in a reputed company. Please contact
3139512.
BAHRAINI NATIONAL residing in Qatar with wide experience in
handling company transactions with governmental agencies and
all related affairs (mandoob), possessing car and valid driving
license, looking for a job in the same field outlined above (man-
doob). Contact Salman: 5877234
FILIPINO, All around diesel mechanic , 43 yrs. old, College
graduate with 15 years work experience (trucks, cars, generators
etc.) Looking for a suitable employment. Contact: 5732587.
Filipino Male, looking for job. Age 27 BS Hotel, Restaurant
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Filipino, 35 years old looking for suitable job, with
experience in Product Project Auditing, Warehousing / Visual
Inspection have knowledge in computer such as MS office,
(Word, Excel, Power point). Under business visa. Please contact:
+974 3040667 or email: altamayo02@yahoo.com
REQUIRED
WANTED FOR A RESTAURANTS CHAIN IN DOHA:
delivery drivers within Doha, transfer of sponsorship is
a must – 5825300
WANTED ASIAN LABORERS: carpenters, blacksmiths,
drivers for maintenance works – 5529145, 5359455
TWO SALES LADIES for the new opening shop in
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Brand new1 bedroom apartments American Style
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Classifieds
ACCOMODATION
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• Size approximately 4 x 5 m. with
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Bed Space for Filipina
• 3 ladies in one room, fully fur-
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Location
Al Saad in front of Mosque
at the back of Qtel and
Barwa Office. Near Giant,
Family Food (Frij Nasser)
and Center point mall.
Contact number: 5832740
AVAILABLE 1ST OF FEBRUARY 2009
JOB WANTED
Indian male 20 years of experience in
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suitable placement in a reputed company.
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Please call: 3139512
furnished with balcony 8,000QR. For more inquiries
please call: Amanda 6610055 or Netham 6583300
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Brand new 4 bedrooms villas in a compound locat-
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Brand new Executive Villa located beside Landmark,
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Brand new building for 1 company consists of 10
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5 B/r stand alone villa, 4 bathroom and 1 guest toi-
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FOR SALE IN RAWDAT AL-MATAR (Airport Area): 2
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EMAIL : classifieds@qatartribune.com
Deadline to submit is before 1:00, for the next day
villas on two different streets registered on one
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JOB WANTED
Indian male, 24years, BCOM,
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SERVICES
BABY SIT AVAILABLE FILIPINA/DROP & PICK ONLY
Morning & evening, 7:30 am up to 5:30pm.
For filipino family only, Prefared 3 years old above
Kabayan tawag na malaki ang ang playground with
gate. Located at backside home center behind food
palace. After jaidah flyover. Contact number:
5023045
Al-Noor Center: we buy new and used air condition-
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Al-Tawasol Furniture: buy and sell new and used fur-
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nasr, sadd, bin mahmoud – yearly contract direct from
the owner – 4554185
Wanted commercial villa in Aziziyya -call: 3016933
 Classifieds Sunday, February 8, 2009 21

Your Business is Our Business

AROUND Souq Waqif

RESTAURANTS & PASTRY SHOPS SAAIKO ZAMAN AWWAL AL-WISHAH AL-MALAKI EXCURSION APPARELS
Oud, incenses, oriental perfumes, French gifts and antique shop, (ROYAL SCARF)
LONDON BAKERY perfumes Tel: 5742072, 6591167 for finest men fabrics QATAR SUB
All kinds of pastries and roasted kernels Tel: 4423719, 5846796 Tel: 4445080 for spear-fishing and free diving apparels
Tel: 4421411 AL-KHARAYEG GIFTS AND Behind birds shop, shop No.24
AL-OSAJ PERFUMERY Tel: 5705465, 5558425
ANTIQUE SHOP AL-NAKAWA FOR GARMENT www.qatarsub.com
ROYAL TANDOOR Oud, amber, incenses Gift Items
Handmade carpets, broidery, furniture, Perfumery from Sudan Tel: 4436660
Contemporary Indian Restaurant Tel: 5533570, 5069252
processed paper and paperboar
For Take Away Delivery BU ZULUF
Tel: 4323244, 4323255 Tel: 5671612 NAQI STORES for all excursion apparels – Tel: 6985396
KHANIN for men and women fabrics ,
Cambodian oud, Bahraini incenses, Opposite Al-Nakawa Perfumery,
AL-AAZAMIYA gift items, Tel: 5874587 AL-SAHIRA ANTIQUES
Tasbih prayer beads, precious stones, Tel: 4417055
IRAQI RESTAURANT
Tel: 4324326 – Mob: 6695813 HONEY silverware & accessories, Tel: 4312050
AL-KHAN FABRIC STORE
MA’RAB CENTER Tel: 4324010, 5511164
AL-MUSHRABIYA for finest Yemeni honey and special mix- DATES & ROASTERIES
EGYPTIAN RESTAURANT tures, Tel: 4357232, 5836667
Tel: 4312288 AL-MAAMIL
for Coffee and Dates
ASRAR RESTAURANT ANTIQUES & GIFTS Tel: 5729608

Oriental & Western Syrian food varieties AL-BIDAA

for Arabian swords AL-RAHHAL
(barbecue, mezze, pastries, sandwiches,
Tel: 4354555 Roasteries and Mills Tel: 5012181
juices, cocktails) Open from 8 am to 12
am, Open buffet for 60 QR per person,
Special occasion catering available TABARAK
AL-SADAF GIFTS AND for Coffee, Dates and Related Accessories
Tel: 4422779, 5118255, 6640277
ANTIQUE SHOP Tel: 4415037, 5055702
PERFUMES Tel: 4442590, 5812670
AL-ZABARA
AL-NAKAWA AL-NAYEF for Finest Dates and Foodstuffs
perfumes and garments from Sudan antiques and antiquities shop, Tel: 5305496
Opposite Naki stores, Tel: 4436660 Tel: 6735886, 5266163
FABRICS
SHAMS PERFUMERY KANZ AL-KHALIJ
Oud, amber, saffron and a complete collec- RAMIN
gifts and antique shop
tion of French perfumes, Tel: 4354943, for men fabrics, Tel: 4438535
Tel: 4315089, 6761034
5430005

ACCOUNTING SOFTWARES BICYLES & EXTREME SPORTS AL DOSARI AUDITING & ACCOUNTING OUSRA PHARMACY
Tel: 431 9112/3 Mob: 583 8171 Fax: 431 9114, Tel : 4320567
ARTECH SKATE SHACK www.aldosariauditing.com
GROUP 1 MEDICAL
Peachtree, Quick book, simply accounting. Accpac Al Ain #3, Salwa Road, Doha (near large Qatari flags)
Tel : 4361211
Products, Services & Training Tel. 437 5654 Mob: 530 Tel. 469 2532 www.skate-shack.com E.A ACCOUNTING & AUDITING
5906 (Member of CPA Associates International) Tel: 442
BUYING AND SELLING 0707 Ext: 205 Mob: 585 3119 Fax: 442 0606,
OFFICE SUPPLIES STATIONARIES
FOCUS SOFTNET QATAR W.L.L.
Accounting Inventory Order Management, Payroll & Email: amits@eisa.com.qa LEMON STATIONARIES
We buy all kinds of House hold Furniture, Electronic,
Production Tel. 435 3659 Electrical appliances at very good price. All kinds of stationary supplies, any where in Qatar. All
Email: qatar@fcussoftnet.com for more information contact : 587 8123 AL HEDFA AUDITING & ACCOUNTING leading brands available. Office delivery
Auditing and Accounting, Tax Consultations, Contact : 3021562
VISION CARGO Management Consultations, Feasibility Studies,
(TALLY, PEACHTREE, SAGE ACCPAC BUSINESS Company Formation and Liquidation. Tel 436 6333, PEST CONTROL & CLEANING SERVICES
PARTNERS GOODWILL CARGO Fax: 436 6444 P.O Box 16141,
Email: info@visiondoha.com Mob: 556 9856 Our services worldwide cargo services worldwide door Website: www.alhedfa.com DOHA PEST CONTROL
to door packing & moving. Relocating clearing from & CLEANING CO. W.L.L
ADVERTISING air/sea ports. Airport Road Near Suzuki Showroom FINE ARTS We help people o lead healthier lives. Call for free
Tel. 462 6549 Fax: 462 6549, Mob: 610 0318 / 552 8399 survey and advice. Contact; 436 0901/02
GEM ADVERTISING & PUBLICATION SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE fax: 436 0838 Email: info@dohapest.com,
Tel. 444 2001 GSM: 578 3303 CATERING Center for Fine Arts & Performing arts P.O. Box 2701 Web: www.dohapest.com
Doha. Tel 465 5433 Fax: 465 9481
ALUMINIUM & GLASS SERVICES ASIAN TRADITIONAL RESTAURANT
Tel: 4884866, email: atr_doha@yahoo.com FLORIST AL NADA TRADING CO.
AL - EINKAZ TRADING & INDUSTRY Tel : 4437474
Supply, Fabrication & Installation Tel. 450 1234 / 460 QATAR INTERNATIONAL NURSERY
1234 Fax. 460 1235
GLOBAL VENTURE GROUP WLL QATAR PEST CONTROL
Undertakes contract catering services for different cate- Fresh cut flower, garden plants, garden tools, fertilizer, Tel : 4368737
gories, nationalities & ethnic groups). manure, potting soil, peat moss P. O Box 6160 Tel. 442
AL HIJAZ ALUMINIUM Tel. 4660511, Fax : 4660522 0553 Fax; 432 7330 Mob: 550 1709 NATIONAL PEST CONTROL
Aluminium doors, sliding, open type windows, Tel : 4427176
email : ifsqatar@qatar.net.qa
kitchen, dress and cabord Najma (Souq Haraj) Tel. FLORENZA INTERNATIONAL NURSERY W.L.L.
431 4178 / 460 5138 Fax 431 7158 / 460 5163 CERPROTEC
Landscaping and Irrigation, indoor and outdoor plants, Central projects Engineering Services & Trading
Mob: 585 1269 / 533 9606 / 553 1622 LEMON CATERING fresh flowers, garden tools, potting soil, fertilizer and
undertakes catering services for companies in yearly Company, Tel : 4357448
chemicals, seeds, stainless steel, GRP pots, ceramic,
ARTS AND CRAFTS contract basis, professional team planters, brass ware, and maintenance. Tel: 469 9982
Please contact : 3021562 PORTA CABINS
Fax: 458 0501 Email: floranzaqatar@gmail.com
ORIENTAL ARTS & CRAFTS
C Ring Road, Behind Al Fardan Mini Car Showroom Tel RESTAURANTS AL MASAOOD BERGUM
447 9794 / 413 1850 Fax. 487 5467
FURNITURE P.O Box 22219 Tel. 465 9028
CERTO ROYALE RESTAURANT Fax: 465 9703 Mob: 586 5103
OFFICE 1
BABY CARE - NURSERY daily eat all you can salad!
Office Furniture, office equipment & supplies. Salwa
At Certo Salad Bar, Salwa Road Tel. 4677748
Road Tel. 465 9244 / 465 9442 RENT A CAR
CRESENT BABY CARE & NURSERY
Al Mansoura Near Muntazah Co-op Tel 431 8532 Fax ROYAL RESTAURANT JEWELLERY ABDULLAH ABDUL GHANI & BROS CO. W.L.L
431 3565 Ibn Dirham St. Mansoura, For Deliveries call tel. 4429880 RENT A CAR
CANARA JEWELLERY TEL : 4437000, 4605980,
GULF CENTRE FOR BABY CARE CAR WASH AND PAINTING Shara Kharaba Tel. 442 2071 / 435 7283 Email : rentacar@aabqatar.com
Al Mansoura, Opp Muntaza Park Timing 6 am to 10
pm Tel. 435 5575 Mob: 527 7910 EXPRESS CAR SERVICES. MASSAGE AND BEAUTY SALON
Denting/Painting/Polishing, Mob. 506 3737. New AL FURSAN RENT A CAR
BAKERY Rayyan Tel: 480 0965 Mob. 583 4747. Ind Area Tel. THAI LADY MASSAGE AND BEAUTY SALON Salwa road behind Bukkanan Furnishing Retaj Complex
460 4747 Thai (dry),oil, foot, body scrub & facial therapy mas- Office No. B - 52. Tel. 458 3259 / 458 3257
LONDON BAKERY (AL MUFTAH) sage. Villa # 4. Al Kinana St Al Sadd Tel. 435 0143 Fax: 458 3256 Mob: 663 3816 / 551 0643
Al Nassar Street, Markhiya Tel. 432 0555 / 487 2385 COMPUTER & ACCESSORIES
OPTICIANS AVIS RENT A CAR
BALLOON DECORATION FAMILY LAN Main office-C Ring Road Al Taleb Tading Co. Complex,
Tel: 436 8770 Fax: 436 8360 AL JABER OPTICIANS Opp. Subway Restaurant, Tel: 466 7744, Fax: 465 7626
PARTY MANIA Email: familylan@qatar.net.qa Contact Lens Centre. Electricity St. Tel. 442 4037 /
Near Al Muntaza Co-op 444 1949 BUDGET CAR & VAN RENTAL
Email: partymania_q@hotmail.com CARPET YATEEM OPTICIANS Tel : 4310411, 4622678
Fax: 441 8426 Mob: 555 6306 email : info@budgetqatar.com
ORIENTAL CARPET CO. Tel : 4323009
BEAUTY CENTRE C Ring Road, Behind Al Fardan Mini Car Showroom
Tel. 447 9794 / 413 1850 Fax: 487 5467 PHARMACY / MEDICINE NATIONAL CAR RENTAL
DOHA BEAUTY CENTRE Tel : 4601905, 4878068, Fax : 4881695
Beauty Health & Fitness Centre. Recognized from COMPUTER SERVICES FAMILY MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT Email : info@national-qatar.com
Shahnaz Hussain>s Herbal & Skin Care Centre Lulu Retail and wholesale dealers of medicine & medical
Hyper Market, 1 st Floor AL ULAIYA COMPUTER CENTRE equipment. Tel. 436 5489 Fax: 431 4100
BITMAX RENT A CAR
Tel 431 3773 / 436 5772 Tel: 444 1202 Fax: 444 7242 Renting out of brand new zero mileage brand new cars
KAZEM PHARMACY
and vans for long and short term, Tel: 436 3696
BLASTING & PAINTING CONSULTANCY SERVICES Tel : 4435900
Fax: 436 3697, Email: bitmax@qatar.net.qa
DOHA DRUG STORE
M. PALLONJI - QATAR MORISON MENON CHARTERED Tel : 4506245
Industrial painting, coating, scaffolding, mat coat fire ACCOUNTS LCC DEALERS RENT A CAR W.L.L.
protection and concrete repair P.O. Box 23933 Tel. 460 Feasibility, Business set up, Accounting & Tax. Tel 467 QADSIYA PHARMACY Daily, Weekly & Monthly rentals. Airport Drop & Pickup
6822 / 451 4758 Fax: 460 6977 Mob: 587 9234 0299 Fax: 467 3660 Mob: 589 4647 Tel : 4412522 Tel: 4502841, Fax:4502837
22 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Coast to Coast

Pakistani expats float new socio-cultural forum

LN MALLICK
DOHA A new Pakistani socio-
cultural forum named
Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Welfare Qatar was launched at
the Sheraton Hotel here on
Friday.
Doha-born Pakistani busi-
nessman Rashid Rafique Butt
is the president of the new
organisation while other
office-bearers include Qaiser
Awan Malik (vice-president)
and Shafqat Rana (general sec-
retary). Chaudhry Noor H
Tanvir, UAE-based Pakistani
businessman presided over the
event. Tanvir has earlier
worked in Qatar as administra-
tion manager of El Seif
Engineering and Contracting.
Mohammad Rafique Butt, who
arrived in Qatar in 1968 and is
one of the pioneers of Teyseer
Group, also attended the
event.
Earlier, the function started
with the recitation of some
verses from the Holy Quran by
Qari Abudul Rasheed.
Speaking on the occasion,
Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan’s top
political analyst and colum-
nist, urged his countrymen to
work hand in hand to promote
the image of their homeland.
“We need to make concerted
efforts and overseas Pakistanis
can play a vital role in this
regard,” he said. Siddiqui, who
attended the function as the
chief guest, noted that there
was a dire need to promote a
soft image of Pakistan. He said
that Pakistanis are highly tal-
ented and competent but vari-
ous political incidents in the
country has contributed
towards tarnishing their
image. “Elected governments
of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz
Sharif were overthrown
unconstitutionally thus derail-
ing the political system of the
country,” he said.
Reminding community
members about the challenges
faced by Pakistan, Siddiqui
said that disparity in different
educational systems in
Pakistan is the main cause of
disharmony and conflict
among masses.
“Unfortunately, there are five
different teaching methodolo-
gies in Pakistan, which have
widened the ideological and
political gap between people,”
said Siddiqui. He paid rich
tributes to the lawyers of
Pakistan who are struggling
hard to restore deposed
judges. “These lawyers do not
belong to any political party
and are working for supremacy
of law,” said Siddiqui, while
lauding the services of
deposed chief justice Iftikhar
Chaudhary Muhammad who
has been given Medal of
Freedom award by Harvard
Law School Association, US,
recently
Butt, who is managing part-
ner of Adnan-Sultan Trading
and Contracting, vowed to
work for the betterment of his
countrymen and sought com-
munity cooperation in carry-
ing out the activities of the
forum. “The aim of launching
this forum is not to enter into
race with other organisations
but to serve our countrymen in
true spirit. We will work for the
progress and prosperity of our
motherland and will make
every effort to pull the country
out of crises,” said Butt, who
has studied in Doha and later
in the US.
He said the decision to
launch the new organisation
was taken after his recent
meeting with Pakistan’s former
Prime Minister Mohammad
Nawaz Sharif. “Quaid Nawaz
Sharif is of the view that
younger generation of
Pakistan should come forward
to change the fate of the coun-
try.
His motivation and encour-
agement was the driving force
behind launching this new Irfan Siddiqui addressing community members as Chaudhry Noor H Tanvir, Qaiser Awan Malik,
forum and I accepted the chal- Rashid Rafique Butt and Shafqat Rana look on, in Doha on Friday.
lenge,” said Butt.
Tanvir, Malik Sarfraz Khan, organisation. Tanvir said 87 spheres. “Gwadar Port, Motorway,
chairman of Safeer-e-Watan, percent of Pakistani popula- “Sharif, during his two terms Green channels for overseas
and Shaukat Chandana, HR tion was looking towards in government, carried out Pakistani, end of ghost
expert, in their speeches, Sharif to come back to power, immense developmental proj- schools, scrapping of toll tax
assured of cooperation to during whose tenure Pakistan ects for which the nation is are few of the projects initiated
office-bearers of the new made strides in different indebted towards him. by Sharif,” said Tanvir.

RasGas employees donate for Gaza Iran’s national

day tomorrow Indian engineers in
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
Qatar hold meeting
DOHA The Iranian embassy in TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK appealed to all members
Qatar will celebrate their coun- to put in utmost efforts to
try’s national day on Monday at DOHA Qatar Chapter of increase the membership.
the Diplomatic Club. It will also the Institution of He also urged all the
organise cultural activities on Engineers (India), the members to register
Sunday at the Doha Cinema in largest professional body online at www.ieiqatar.org
the presence of Qatari and in the world, held its and update their contact
Iranian artists and intellectuals. annual general body particulars. Graduate
The celebration will mark the meeting at the Ashoka engineers practising in
30th anniversary of the Islamic Hall of Qatar were
revolution in Iran, a press Indian a l s o
release issued by the embassy Cultural requ e st ed

Officials of RasGas and ROTA at a meeting in Doha, recently.
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK making a total donation of
almost one and a quarter mil-
DOHA RasGas Company lion Qatari riyals.
Limited (RasGas) has demon- RasGas Managing Director
strated its support for humani- (CEO) Hamad Rashid al
tarian issues with a company Mohannadi presented a cheque
wide fund raising initiative to for over QR1,250,000 to Reach
help families suffering as a Out To Asia (ROTA), a Qatari
result of the Gaza crisis. non-governmental organisation
Response by the company’s (NGO) supporting the children
employees has enabled RasGas and youth in Gaza Strip.
to donate over QR1,250,000 to Speaking at the presenta-
the people of Gaza. tion, al Mohannadi said, “This
Within one week of RasGas was an initiative driven by all
asking its employees to donate our employees, secondees and
funds, over QR626,000 was contractors. RasGas’ greatest
raised from a combination of assets is its’ employees and we
direct salary deductions and are proud of their commitment
personal donations. As part of to helping people in need
the company’s corporate social through their immediate and
responsibility programme, generous response to this
RasGas matched this amount humanitarian cause. I am sure
that their generous donation
will be of benefit to many fami-
lies suffering in Gaza”.
RasGas employees were
asked to donate money either
through deductions at their dis-
cretion from their salary or via
donation boxes set up in the Ras
Laffan and Doha based RasGas
offices. With a long history of
making its resources available
to those less fortunate, RasGas
staff responded immediately to
helping out those in hardship
during these extremely difficult
times in Gaza.
On a visit to receive the dona-
tion, Omnia Nour, director of
ROTA, Maha al Sulaiti, sponsor-
ship and fundraising coordina-
tor, and Mohamed Saleh, head
of events met with al
Mohannadi and the senior
management team to provide
an overview of the ROTA assis-
tance programme in Gaza.
The presentation outlined all
aspects of the emergency
humanitarian aid being provid-
ed to people in need and ROTA’s
medium and long term plans
for the recovery period .
After the presentation, Nour
said, “On behalf of all ROTA I
would like to take this opportu-
nity to express our deepest
appreciation to RasGas and its
employees. With your generous
donation we shall be able to
reach more underprivileged
children and youth in Gaza by
supporting their educational
infrastructure especially after
the recent hostilities.”
T
said. Centre here to register
Iranian Ambassador to Qatar recently. online to
HE Mohamed Taher Rabbani T h e
his provides an become
said, “Iran has accomplished m e e t i n g opportunity to members of
great progress. Iranian scien- c o m - diploma holders of the Qatar
tists have opened a new chapter m e n c e d any nationality to C h a p t e r.
in Iran’s history after the launch with a wel- become graduate A M I E
of the satellite AMID for aero- c o m e engineers. examina-
space research. They have given address of tion of the
hope to the Iranian people.” the Chai- Institution
He said Teheran has devel- rman Deb- is recog-
oped its relations with the Arab ashis Roy. Honorary nised as equivalent to
and Muslim states. “Ties Secretary Aniruddha Bachelor’s Degree in
between Qatar and Iran are very Kulkarni presented the Engineering. Examina-
strong. Both the countries are activities report for the tions are held in June and
working together to ensure year 2008 and the pro- December every year. This
progress of the Islamic world,” posed plans for 2009. provides an opportunity
he added. Honorary Treasurer Venu to diploma-holders of any
He said the financial and Madhav presented the nationality to become
human resources of Iran will be statement of accounts for graduate engineers. Deta-
always deployed to serve the the year 2008 and budget ils can be obtained from
interests of the Islamic world for the year 2009. Both the website www.iein-
and the neighbouring coun- were unanimously dia.org or by contacting
tries. He hoped that Iran’s ties approved by the general the Qatar chapter office
with the Arab world will body. on 4427673 (6 to 9 pm
strengthen at cultural and eco- Aniruddha Kulkarni except Fridays).
nomic levels.

DPS kids excel in quiz contest

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA DPS-Modern Indian
School participated in inter-
house quiz competition held
recently in the school. A pre-
liminary test was conducted
for the students of classes 4
and 5 to qualify them for the
competition.
Once the selection was done,
all the house wardens and
teachers got busy with prepar-
ing their respective House par-
ticipants. After about a week’s
preparation the competition
was held.
Quiz master Rakesh worked
very hard to bring variety and
colour to the various rounds of
the quiz contest and made it
very interesting.
Mythili, the computer
teacher, presented the visual
rounds which were very excit-
ing for the students and the
audience. The different rounds
BPS shines at debate competition
were audio, visual literature,
sports, science and general
awareness.
The first position was
bagged by Lily House which
was guided by Jessy and
Vidhya. The second position
went to Rose House guided by
Navneeta and Preeti Modi. The
Lotus House got the consola-
tion prize. It was guided by
Shivani Sarin and Sunita.

Students and officials of BPS at a debate competition in Doha, recently.

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA The Birla Public School
debate team put up brilliant
performance in the Talking
Matters Inter School Debate
Competition conducted
recently in association with
Qatar Foundation. The team
represented by Moiz Bohra,
Sailesh Kalayan and Rahul
Sreekumar won the runners up
trophy.
Sailesh Kalyan who was
adjudged as the best speaker
DPS-MIS students participating in a quiz competition in Doha recently. was awarded a special trophy
and a latest mobile phone,
courtesy Gulf Consolidated in
a special function held in the
school premises.
Meena Easy, president, Doha
Talking Matters and Paul, pres-
ident, Doha Talking
Matters–Membership graced
the occasion to do the honours.
Meena appreciated the chil-
dren’s talent and motivated the
students to come forward to
participate and sharpen their
debating skills.
Paul thanked the school for
extending them the invitation
and hoped for a long associa-
tion with the school.
Principal A K Shrivastava
thanked the guests for encour-
aging the students.
In another event, the Kids
Valley of Birla Public School
conducted a fancy dress com-
petition recently. The variety
entertainment included a
colourful and talented display
of children dressed up as
grapes, historical leaders,
witches, fairies, spidermen,
supermen & batmen who out-
numbered the unique few like a
Damas jewellery mannequin,
washing machine, fruit garden
and twinkling star.
The unique ones were the
victims of Gaza who came all
bandaged and wounded.
Parents made a lot of
efforts in training their chil-
dren and dressing them up
with artistic make-up. The
little participants took great
pride in introducing them-
selves in front of all their
classmates.
It was a good day for the
children of BPS Kids Valley.
 Ice Hockey Sunday, February 8, 2009 23

Vipers’ venom singes Scorpions

A
l Ain Vipers lifted the Desert Cup 2009 defeating Abu Dhabi Scorpions
by 5 goals to 1 in the final game of the Ice Hockey Tournament that
concluded in Doha on Saturday. Earlier, Al Ain Vipers defeated the
Bahrain Sharks while Abu Dhabi Scorpions overpowered Dubai Buds to
reach the finals of the three-day tournament.
The Desert Cup has gained popularity as an international event in the
last four years. Ten teams from five GCC countries participated this year.
Qaar Qanucks, a team from Qatar defending Desert Cup champions, failed
to make a mark this year. They could not reach the semi-finals.
During the final game between the first and second periods, six year-old
wonder child Ghanem The Winner gave a spectacular demonstration of his
unusual sledging skills and won the crowd’s applause.
Ghanem The Winner, a physically challenged child, was unstoppable
when it came to sledging on the ice. The showers of praise and gifts from
the audience turned the atmosphere at the Villaggio ice skating arena into
an emotional extravaganza.
The event came to an end with the presentation of the Desert Cup tro-
phy to the winning team.
Photographs and report: Maneesh Bakshi
24 Sunday, February 8, 2009 QT Spotlight on Ikebana
Horiko Yukizume, wife of the Japanese envoy to Qatar and others at the
ikebana workshop hosted by her in Doha on Wednesday.
Ikebana
Art of a craft
T
The centuries old Japanese art wigs and leaves might not look as beautiful
as flowers. But they can definitely add to
of ikebana is about arranging beauty of the flowers in an arrangement.
And arranging flowers is not just the mat-
ter of a few twists and nicks. If you have
flowers, twigs and leaves to doubts, ask the Japanese who have developed the craft
of arranging flowers, mixing and matching whiffs and
highlight their beauty with poise, hues into a form of art and given it the name ikebana.
balance and harmony, Qatar Tribune’s The word literally means ‘flowers kept alive’.
“Flowers, nature in general, are essential elements
in our daily life. We arrange flowers for fun and to
photographer Jalal Pathiyoor and beautify our homes. But, the activity requires knowl-
edge of some important techniques,” Horiko
reporter Ailyn Agonia found Yukizume, wife of the Japanese envoy here told Qatar
Tribune during the ikebana demonstration and work-
at a workshop hosted by shop she hosted on Wednesday.
Ikebana, which dates back to 16th century, is not
Horiko Yukizume, wife of the only a disciplined way of arranging flowers, twigs and
leaves but also of highlighting the beauty of the plant
Japanese ambassador to Qatar itself. It is more than just colour-coordination and
styling of the blossoms. It also takes into account the
overall balance, direction and harmony in an arrange-
ment. The three points in an ikebana are said to repre-
sent heaven, earth and man in some schools while for
others they stand for the sun, moon and earth.
The tradition of artistically arranging flowers is
rooted in the Japanese tea ceremony, said Yukizume.
Originally performed only during tea ceremonies, it
later became a day-to-day activity. “Japanese women
make it a point to learn and master the art of ikebana.
Even working women find time after office hours for
flower arrangement classes. That is how much we
revere this centuries-old tradition,” she said. Some
Japanese men also take interest in the craft but they
are few and far between and getting rarer by the year,
she added.
Yukizume herself spent ten years perfecting the
craft. She gave at least two hours every weekend to
learning Ikebana at the Kozan School, one of Japan’s
premier flower arrangement schools. Finally she
earned the certificate that allows her to teach the
craft.
“Never use anything artificial in your arrangement
is the first rule of ikebana,” she said. “While you may
use any kind of flowers, leaves and branches you can
get from your garden or buy. But the ideal branches
are available only in Japan,” she added. Also among
flowers, the most commonly used blooms are
chrysanthemums, iris and cherry blossoms grown in
Japan. Besides, roses, mums and bougainvellia are
also used. “We also often use twigs from pine trees,
which to us symbolise long life because the plant stays
green all year round,” she said.
The guest Japanese teachers had brought some of
their country’s famous branches to the workshop on
Wednesday. These branches are softer than the typical
ones, easier to bend and give direction to. They look
more interesting also because of their graceful lines
and attractive shades.
Among other must-haves for practitioners of the
craft is kenzan, a holder made metal with spikes to
hold stems. These are also available only in Japan. In
the absence of the holders, the attendees were told to
use an oasis or a green sponge commonly used by
florists and available in local shops. Vases of any shape
and size, even plastic containers and bottles filled with
enough can be used. With these tools you are all set for
the Ikebana experience.
Yukizume said while it takes years to master the art
of ikebana there is no harm in beginners relying on
books or self-study. However, to fully understand the
real ‘art’ behind the craft there is still nothing like
being taught by experts.
Experts assure that flowers arranged in accordance
with ikebana stay fresh for a week provided you
accord the proper TLC (tender love and care). They
also insist that the bottom line of this craft is enjoying
nature and having fun!
IKEBANA BASICS
Choosing the objects: Any type of flower will
do. The number of branches should be odd like
three or five. Also do not over-decorate your
arrangement since one of the important ele-
ments in ikebana art is minimalism.
Groom your plants: Remove unnecessary
stuff on your flower stems such as dry leaves or
extra and unnecessary buds. This is to make sure
you only highlight the beauty of nature. If trim-
ming flowers or branch-ends is necessary, make
sure it is done while the entire thing is immersed
in water. For branches, the ideal cut is diagonal
while the flowers can be trimmed anyhow.
Balance has to be kept in mind while cutting so
the length of the plants should vary.
Position everything according to harmony:
Place the kenzan or oasis properly inside the vase
or container and pour enough water before fix-
ing the plants. Fix the longest branch first to your
holder followed by the others. After the branch-
es, fix the flowers and the leaves. Everything
should appear like branching out from the same
spot and not mushrooming out of nowhere.
Glance at your work once in a while: A quick
check of the positioning of plants is important.
Make sure the directions of plants do not contra-
dict each other. “They should appear like chatting
and not fighting,” was how the instructor put it.
Avoid placing branches ‘appearing sad’ or in
downward position. The overall positioning of
the plants, especially the branches, should resem-
ble a scalene or triangular form which can be
observed by looking at the way their tips are
aligned.