Arts Culture Clubs Sports Interviews Lifestyle Dining Nightlife TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - DINING www.bahrainthismonth.com Digital Edition Since 1997 January 2022 | Vol. 26 | Issue 1 | BD2 / SR20 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE PEOPLE MOTORING WTM Digital Artist Layan Raed Al Samahiji’s Spectacular Art Winter Beauty Essentials Embracing Fashion in 2022 Bedroom Decor Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta – A Champion of Change Italian Ambassador, HE Paola Amadei on diplomatic relations Our Predictions for 2022 Motoring News Rsquare Technologies’ Shanthini Raja on Propelling Bahrain’s FinTech Ecosystem. Unique Fitness Classes in Bahrain to Kickstart Your Year! NEW YEAR SPECIAL
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4 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander National Day of Thailand On the auspicious occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Kingdom of Thailand hosted a reception at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain.
January 2022 5 January 2022 Bahrain This Month George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman COVER Cover Picture: Fitness www.bahrainthismonth.com Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine. Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: [email protected] www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. • Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editor Farah Baig Contributors Kristian Harrison, Behnaz Sanjana Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas [email protected] DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Director Farah Baig Social Media Managers Simran Tiwari, Rohit Reghunath Happy New Year to all our readers, followers, and the people of Bahrain! A new year brings with it the exciting prospects of new opportunities, a fresh start and a chance to make a difference. While we’re in the habit of hanging on to every bit of optimism, let’s hope and pray that the presence of the new variant doesn’t diminish the opportunities for progress. One of the most common New Year resolutions is to get fit, eat healthily and become the best physical and emotional version of ourselves. That being said, the thought of running on a treadmill can be boring to some; so, we decided to bring you some of the most unusual and exciting fitness classes on the island in our special feature. In December, I had the pleasure of meeting the Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta, for an insightful chat about the organisation’s key achievements, his priorities as president and more. Bahrain and Italy have had a long-standing diplomatic partnership, with the Embassy of Italy opening in Manama in 2002 and frequent bilateral political collaboration on aspects such as commerce, trade and investment. This month, we spoke to the Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Paola Amadei, about her diplomatic career and her plans to bolster ties between the two nations. With all the changes we have gone through in the last two years, it’s undeniable that digital innovations and progress are essential for the new reality in which we find ourselves. With this in mind, we spoke to the Founder and CEO of Rsquare Technologies, Shanthini Raja, whose pioneering steps to bring about automated change in the country, propelled her to the forefront of Bahrain’s IT and FinTech ecosystem. The Kingdom has no dearth of exciting dining venues, but a new addition (especially if they offer something special) is always welcome! Given our unrelenting sweet tooth, we had the pleasure of sampling some of the delightful pastries at La Reine Patisserie this month. We also reviewed the brunch experience at the stunning new resort property, Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain. As usual, you will also find some of the best dining options at Bahrain’s leading hospitality venues in our dining-out listings. This month’s Motoring section features Kristian Harrison’s predictions for 2022 and some of the industry’s latest news. Meanwhile, business expert, Pria Masson Tanwar, explores the positive impact that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s investment in tourism is sure to have on the island. In our Woman This Month segment, we explore the best of festive fashion, beauty and lifestyle while keeping the cooler months in mind. With art taking on a life of its own in the digital realm, we spoke to one of Bahrain’s most talented digital artists, Layan Raed Al Samahiji. The 21-year-old has garnered quite the following on social media due to her highly imaginative art that blends the celestial with more familiar surroundings. It’s an issue with plenty for you to look forward to, so needless to say, Bahrain This Month will always be your guide to a great way of life!
6 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com 18 21 48 42 40 36 24 16 Made in Italy’ in Bahrain This month, we spoke to the Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Paola Amadei, about her diplomatic career and her plans to bolster ties between the two nations. Champion of Change Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta, tells us about the organisation’s key achievements, his priorities as president and more. Taking Bahrain Forward, Digitally Founder and CEO of Rsquare Technologies, Shanthini Raja, talks about how her first step to bring about automated change in the country ultimately became one of the wind streams that propelled Bahrain’s FinTech ecosystem. 2022: A Year for Fitness Improving fitness and health is one of the most common resolutions, but staying fit doesn’t have to be boring and monotonous. Here are some of the most exciting classes we found across the island. Queen of Cake Behnaz Sanjana indulged in the sinfully sweet treats at Bahrain’s latest patisserie La Reine located in the heart of Riffa. Living it Up at Vida There’s a brand-new Friday brunch in town at Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain, and it’s one that will make you want to loosen the belt and hang around after hours. Motoring Predictions for the Year 2022 Our resident motorhead, Kristian Harrison, tells us his predictions for the world of motoring this year. Motoring Bites Business Bites Tourism – it’s more than just travel The Kingdom of Bahrain has a foresighted investment plan in place. Pria Masson Tanwar explores the positive impact of tourism on the economy as part of such plans. JANUARY INTERVIEW DINING NEW YEAR FEATURE MOTORING COMMERCE ISSUE 293 CONTENTS www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth bhthismonth 29 16 18 21 24 29 36 40 42 48 50
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January 2022 www.womanthismonth.com 8 JANUARY ISSUE 225 CONTENTS Fashionably Yours in 2022 Don’t be shy to sway from your usual fashion path in 2022; this year is all about breaking the mould and embracing the previously unfamiliar. Art in Another Dimension Layan Raed Al Samahiji, one of Bahrain’s finest upcoming digital artists, spoke to Woman This Month about her inspirations, ideas and multidimensional art. Winter Beauty Essentials Look your very best this winter with our carefully curated selection of beauty essentials! Refreshing & Rejuvenating Skincare Give your skin some TLC with these 5 restorative skincare products Why Your Child Needs Extracurricular Activities Ouiam El Hassani tells you why extracurricular activities are a necessity for your child in the new year. We take a peek into the life of Syamily James - Marketing Executive at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa. 60 62 66 68 69 75 FASHION BEAUTY LIFESTYLE In Her Shoes – Syamily James PEOPLE www.womanthismonth.com womanthismonth rhmbahrain 60 75 68 69 62 66
January 2022 9 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Ramee Grand Christmas Tree Lighting Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa held a tree lighting ceremony to bring in the festive season. Italian Christmas Party Italian Ambassador, HE Paola Amadei, hosted an Italian Christmas cocktail party at the Gulf Hotel Convention Centre.
10 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Skal Dinner SKAL International Bahrain hosted a dinner function at Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Ritz Christmas Tree Lighting The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain started the festive season with some Christmas magic for the little ones and grown-ups alike as it lit its grand Christmas Tree.
January 2022 11 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Opening of Kolmaz The grand opening of Kolmaz was held at Oasis Mall, Juffair. Christmas Dinner at WU Restaurant The Art Hotel & Resort held a Christmas Dinner at WU Restaurant to mark the festive season.
happenings 12 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com JANUARY 2022 HAPPENINGS NEED FOR SPEED TILL JANUARY 28 BIC 2,000 CC CHALLENGE BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT A BRIGHT START TO THE YEAR! TILL FEBRUARY 15 LIGHTS AT THE BAHRAIN HARBOUR HARBOUR WALK, BAHRAIN FINANCIAL HARBOUR The BIC 2000 CC Challenge is the region’s longest-running circuit race series. It gives gentleman racers the opportunity to compete in a professionally run championship, turning dreams into reality for those who live by the high-octane life. Immerse yourself into the world of circuit racing and experience the thrill of racing on a world-class race track. Spectators can purchase tickets for just BHD2 for the Batelco Grandstand. . Call 17 450-000. The magnificent Harbour Walk was unveiled to coincide with the Kingdom’s 50th National Day celebrations. It’s stunning with immersive light installations, a variety of food and beverage selections, and plenty of entertainment. During these pleasant winter nights, enjoy the incredibly picturesque and exciting new urban community located on the Manama waterfront.. NEW PLACES TO VISIT SOUQ AL BARAHA, DIYAR AL MUHARRAQ Souq Al Baraha, located in the heart of Diyar Al Muharraq is a mustvisit destination designed as a traditional Bahraini Souq. A shopping concept which incorporates a harmonious blend of Bahrain’s tradition and modern innovations in an authentic Bahraini style with contemporary amenities and facilities. It incorporates more than 480 stores, a family entertainment center, grocery stores, various food and beverages outlets, a central market and a plethora of specialised businesses such as jewellery, handicrafts, tailors, textiles, dates, spices, traditional sweets, antiques, and carpets. Heritage Village, Arad Arad features a ‘Heritage Village’ which is a historic neighbourhood where visitors can Immerse themselves in traditional culture and learn about the various aspects of Bahrain’s heritage. It is a traditional oasis offering a glimpse into Bahrain’s past. This village also conducts public workshops where craftsmen and artists demonstrate traditional skills such as pottery making, weaving and spinning yarn. Visitors are at times given the opportunity to experience their trade first hand and learn these skills from the experts whilst being able to create their own craft pieces. Visitors can purchase a variety of specially curated and unique handcrafted items. Apart from the remarkable journey through Bahrain’s history, there are several dining options which feature traditional Bahraini cuisine.
January 2022 13 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Diva Tree Lighting Diva Hotel held a tree lighting ceremony to bring in the season for bells and cheers with carol singing for families to enjoy.
14 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Knight and Flag Exhibition Under the patronage of Chairman of the National Council for Arts “Knight and Flag” Photography Exhibition was inaugurated as part of the national celebrations. Asdal Gulf Inn Christmas Tree Lighting Asdal Gulf Inn held a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to bring in the festive season.
January 2022 15 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander AlAfandi 4th Anniversary & Thanksgiving Dinner Party Al Afandi Properties celebrated its 4th anniversary and Thanksgiving with a dinner held at Mövenpick Bahrain. NHSC Year End Party 2021 NHSC Bahrain hosted an end of year gathering at Iris, Adliya.
PEOPLE | interview 16 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com MADE IN ITALY, TREASURED IN BAHRAIN Bahrain and Italy have had a longstanding diplomatic partnership, with the Embassy of Italy opening in Manama in 2002 and frequent bilateral political collaboration on aspects such as commerce, trade and investment. This month, we spoke to the Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Paola Amadei, about her diplomatic career and her plans to bolster ties between the two nations. Your Excellency, you have an extensive political career spanning well over two decades. Could you give our readers some insight into your experiences and how you are implementing your prior experience in Bahrain? I began my diplomatic career in 1992, starting as the Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy in Singapore. After that, I served at the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union in Brussels, in charge of the external relations and trade policy as coordinator for the Italian side. I was assigned with my first mission as Ambassador to Oman in 2012 until early 2016, before returning to Rome as Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs. I was then Diplomatic Counsellor to the Minister of Interior, Dr Marco Minniti in 2018-19 and the Head Secretariat of the Undersecretary Foreign Affairs Manlio Di Stefano. Since January 2020, I have served my country in Bahrain. The roles I have covered were all very challenging and truly interesting. My previous experience has enormously helped build my work during my mission in the Kingdom. Trade policy is an interest that I have nurtured since my university and I continue to show a deep interest in it. I must say that other than my personal interest in this topic, the idea of contributing to the promotion of our extraordinary excellence of the ‘Made in Italy’ brand is for me a true honour and responsibility. As Ambassador, what do you consider to be your primary focus during your assignment in Bahrain? The development of the bilateral relations in every sector, such as political, economic, commercial, cultural and academic. My primary concern is also to promote the role of Italy as a founding member of the European Union and one the largest industrial powers in the world, a member of G7, G20, NATO and more. What do you consider to have been the most significant achievements at the Embassy during your time in Bahrain? The achievements obtained in the economic field, particularly in such a difficult time considering the pandemic, have been very important. The establishment of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), which works in close coordination with the Embassy of Italy to support Italian firms in their internationalisation processes and promote the marketing and distribution of Italian goods and services, is a particular point of pride. During the pandemic we organised a series of webinars to present opportunities of trade and investment to business owners in both countries. However, the most important achievement was the establishment of the Italian Bahraini Business Council, which was launched on November 17, 2021. It is a private initiative but it was built under the auspices of the two countries with the support of the respective embassies in Italy and in Bahrain. Members of the highest standing are part of its board. It will give a substantial contribution to facilitate contacts and discover opportunities between entrepreneurs and therefore to further strengthen our already excellent economic and commercial ties. What can you tell us about the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in recent years? Could you highlight any of the most significant high-level delegations and VIP visits in the last two years? The most important occasion was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, visiting Italy in February 2020 to sign various Memoranda of Understanding in crucial sectors
PEOPLE | interview January 2022 17 www.bahrainthismonth.com including culture, space and health. More recently, in November 2021, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Marina Sereni, visited the Kingdom for talks and regional interest. Please tell us about the current status of trade between Bahrain and Italy? Statistics show that in 2021, Italy stands out as the top European supplier to Bahrain, while holding the ninth position globally. USD308 million of trade between the two countries was recorded in the first eight months of 2021. The sectors that contributed the most to this are the machinery sector and industrial equipment (40.2 percent), iron and steel products (9 percent), cars and motorbikes (5.2 percent), furniture (5 percent), pharmaceuticals (4.1 percent) and chemical products (3.1 percent). What are the most popular Italian products that are imported by Bahrain? Italy is famous for the world-renowned ‘Made in Italy’ designation and it is a delight to see how Bahrain deeply appreciates our high-quality products in a variety of sectors including fashion, design, furniture, food, technology and machines. As a vastly important logistic hub in the Gulf region, Bahrain provides our supply chain with outstanding opportunities. The Italian embassy recently held an Italian opera event in the Kingdom. Could you tell us about the role of cultural exchange between the two countries? Do you have any similar events planned in the near future? The cultural exchange plays a pivotal role. Bahrain has a very ancient history, with UNESCO sites and cultural institutions of great prestige and distinction. With regards to the Opera concert, it was an absolute pleasure to see how much the public appreciated this form of art. Soprano Laura Baldassari and pianist Sabrina Avantario performed some of the most beautiful arias in opera. I have had a strong passion for opera since I was young and I can assure you that I will do my very best to organise more. How many Italian citizens are currently residing in the Kingdom and with new strains of COVID-19 coming into play, do you see the number of Italian citizens in Bahrain increasing or decreasing over time? There are currently about 550 Italians in Bahrain. The number has not diminished due to COVID, and allow me to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire Italian community in Bahrain to thank the Bahraini leadership for the swift response during the pandemic through the vaccination campaign, which was made easily accessible. Which sectors of the economy are Italian nationals living in Bahrain engaged in? The Italian community is a truly hard-working, active and well-integrated, appreciated group of professionals. There is a pretty wide range of sectors they work in, including law, academics, business consultancy, engineering, architecture, healthcare and of course our famous hospitality industry! On a more personal note, we understand that you have a keen interest in Indian culture including Yoga and traditional dance. Could you tell our readers about this? Yes, this is true! I have travelled extensively around India. I practice Yoga, and I studied the classical dance Bharatanatyam, which is simply beautiful. I wish I could have more time to practice it. You are multi-lingual – can you share with us how many languages you speak and how you developed an interest in them? I love learning languages. I speak English, French and Spanish. I would love to speak Arabic as fluent as the other languages; I studied it for three years at the Egyptian Cultural Institute in Rome. Again, I wish I could have time to study and especially practice it.
interview 18 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com CHAMPION OF CHANGE Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta, tells Bahrain This Month about the organisation’s key achievements, his priorities as president and more. It was almost exactly 20 years ago when the last Rotary International President, Richard King, graced Bahrain with his presence. On that occasion, it was a short stopover for Mr. King who was whisked in from the airport for a couple of hours to meet the great and the good in the Kingdom of Bahrain. At the end of November 2021, the current Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta made a long-anticipated visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain together with his wife, Rashi. BTM publisher George Middleton met up with him during their stay and reports below: When and how did you first get involved with Rotary International? Well, a friend of mine, Chandan Chowdhury, asked me to join Rotary and I said yes. So, I started attending the meetings and it was really a question of it being a baptism by fire. As soon as I joined, they asked me to do a fundraiser and of course I had no clue what to do. But I tried, and everybody contributed and the project was a great success. Was it a desire to commit yourself to charitable works that encouraged you to take part? Absolutely not; my prime purpose in joining Rotary was to make friends and network to be perfectly honest. I did not know that I would get so deeply involved in service. Since then, however, you have been involved with many charities. As I joined Rotary, I started getting involved with the club projects, participating hands-on and understanding existing problems and it struck me that it was meaningful to help them. The more you help, the more you get involved, the more you want to help and the more you want to do. Which of the charity projects that you have been involved with are you most proud of and why? The literacy programme that we started from scratch holds a special place in my heart. It became one of the leading literacy programmes in India by any NGO, and in the Rotary world it is certainly the biggest educational programme bar none. In particular, I am very proud of the fact that over 3,500 out of a total of 4,000 clubs in India have participated and now the initiative is being
interview January 2022 19 www.bahrainthismonth.com implemented in Africa. Since we have not had to make any major changes, it proves that we were on the right track. Do you have any other initiatives that you are particularly proud of? Actually, the heart surgery programme is particularly close to my heart. We have enabled over 2,500 operations so far where I have personally been involved and throughout India, we have affected almost 20,000 in total. The majority of these people are destitute and would have no means of funding such operations. What are your top priorities as Rotary International President? Actually, it’s twofold; one internal and the other external; basically, grow more and do more. Grow more is the internal goal and do more is the external goal. Grow more because we want our numbers to grow from 1.2 million to 1.3 million. We have 200,000 rotaractors and I want them to become 300,000; so, Rotaract and Rotary combined should become over 1.5 million. We don’t micromanage our clubs as far as decisions on which initiatives to support and implement. We assume that they would have local knowledge on what the most pressing priorities are in this regard. We have defined certain areas of focus; such as sanitation and hygiene, basic education literacy, developing local economies, working for health and peace etc. Of course one of our most popular programmes is the polio eradication programme which of course is an amazing success story. When we started it 40 years back, 350,000 children were being afflicted by it in 125 countries. This year, those 125 countries have been reduced to two countries only; Afghanistan and Pakistan and those 350,000 children have now come down to only four this year. Our greatest ambition is to eliminate this disease completely and we believe that we are almost there thanks to Rotary International and its partners! This year is all about the empowerment of women. Rotary is generally perceived as a man’s club. In these times of supposed greater equality, what are your thoughts on the appointment of Jennifer Jones as your successor? Woman make up half of humanity and it is only reasonable that they should have half the opportunities; the world should become a better place for all people. Of course, I am delighted! We have been paving the way this year since out of the 19 board members, nine of them are women. And one of the most able of them is with us today Katerina KostaliPapadimitrou, an outstanding Rotarian who heads a very important committee at the board level. Can you share with us an outline of Rotary’s strategic plan for the future? We have an action plan whereby we want the organisation to be able to extend its reach, we want that there should be an ability to adapt, we should be able to reach out to more and more people. In addition, we should be able to measure and enhance our impact. After 36 years in Rotary, and reaching the ultimate position as international president, do you have any further ambitions left to fulfill? Personally, I have no further ambitions. In the journey of service there are only milestones to achieve, no goals, because there is no end to the problems we are facing. We keep serving because these issue continue today and tomorrow. So, as far as the organisation is concerned, we do hope that it will be acknowledged as one of the most powerful instruments of service internationally. We have recently been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; frankly that would be a well-deserved accolade in my opinion. We hope the organisation itself will reach 1.5 million Rotarians and 300,000 as far as Rotaract is concerned. How do Bahrain’s Rotary clubs compare to elsewhere in the region as well as internationally? I would never compare any Rotary club with another Rotary organisation. One club can be an inspiration for another because each of them run under different circumstances. A club in Bangladesh would have far more to do from a charity perspective for instance, than a club in Bahrain when taking into account the needs for water, sanitation, education, developing local economies etc. In Germany, Japan, South America and India, the ethos is completely different amongst Rotary members as are societies challenges and requirements. I would just like to mention that Bahrain Rotarians are extremely committed; their profile is very good. My visit may give a bit of direction as far as programme implementation is concerned and I’m also encouraging them to work in other countries. We are hoping to expand very soon in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Who is the world’s greatest Rotarian? Paul Harris; the guy who started it all with his incredible vision. If you read his books, you’ll be amazed. For instance he says, “Tolerance is the cornerstone of Rotary”. This concept is so important even today, a century later. Accompanying President Mehta, we also spoke to Katerina Kotsali-Papadimitriou, Rotary International director who was also very keen to stress the fact that half the board of Rotary International under the current president are women. “It means things have truly changed at Rotary,” she says although qualifying statement saying that gender doesn’t determine whether you are a leader or not. “Women have to prove their leadership credentials at Rotary International. Our leaders are chosen for their roles based on their skills and their talents whether or not they are male or female,” she stipulates. Rotary International runs a clearly defined election process resulting in the confirmation of a senior leader, district leaders or regional leaders, according to Katerina. “We have quite a number of women as regional leaders although the majority are still men. Currently 24 percent of Rotary members are women. Men have been in Rotary 60 years while women have only been able to join in the last 34 years. It is expected that in the next 10 years, the male-female ratio in Rotary will be more balanced”.
20 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Anil and Karina Nair Pre-Christmas Party Anil and Karina Nair held a pre-Christmas party with friends and family to celebrate the season at their residence in Tubli. Italian Dinner On the occasion of the VI Edition of World Week of Italian Cuisine, Italian Ambassador, HE Paola Amadei, hosted an authentic Italian flavours dinner at La Pergola Restaurant, Gulf Hotel Bahrain.
interview January 2022 21 www.bahrainthismonth.com TAKING BAHRAIN FORWARD, DIGITALLY Founder and CEO of Rsquare Technologies, Shanthini Raja, talks to Behnaz Sanjana about how her first step to bring about automated change in the country ultimately became one of the wind streams that propelled Bahrain’s FinTech ecosystem. When Shanthini Raja had to manually write over a hundred post-dated cheques on purchasing a house in her native India, it exasperated her. The master in computer applications wished there were a better way to breeze through this tedious, repetitive work. “I knew that the answer to this was automation, which allows accuracy, efficiency and less wastefulness,” says Shanthini.“I believe humans have high potential to do great things; why waste time at boring, repetitive tasks? So, when I returned to Bahrain, I took it upon myself to implement my idea.” Thus was born Rsquare Technologies, a research and development company, in 2010 that started out with its flagship product - cheque printing software.“We saw great success within two years, and this enabled us to offer clients more innovative solutions that cover every department across a range of industries, developed from scratch in Bahrain.” says the former professor in in her field.“Today we have over 300 customers in Bahrain, spanning big family businesses, multinational corporates and renowned public sector entities.” Rsquare stands for ‘Robust and Reliable’, and in keeping with the name, boasts cutting-edge automation technology and unmatched aftersales support. “Selling is only the beginning. More important is the post-operation service; how quickly and efficiently we support the client when they need us. This has earned us a name in the market,” she points out. It has been 11 years since Shanthini dipped her toe in entrepreneurial waters, and she has been grateful for the support that Bahrain has given her all the while.“I thank God every day for being a woman doing business in Bahrain, for the tremendous support I have received,” says Shanthini.“The Supreme Council of Women has opened doors for us, and I am so grateful to Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka for it. We have always been made to feel a vital part of Bahrain’s economic Vision 2030, for which we are indebted to the great leaders of the country, His Majesty the King, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. We now aim to become the biggest R&D center in line with Vision 2030, to serve globally from the Kingdom of Bahrain.” Shanthini is most proud of the fact that Rquare has played a big part in getting the FinTech ball rolling in Bahrain. “We were the first resident at Bahrain FinTech Bay, and our FinTech products have received great appreciation and acclaim in Bahrain. Our award-winning E-Interface Card Reader, and reconciliation software have proved a boon to several organisations.” Listening to customer pain points, giving them user-friendly, tailor-made software that requires little or no training, and holding their hand in terms of support service are keys to the success that Rsquare Technologies has enjoyed. And Shanthini attributes this to her team who have helped implement her vision.“The team is my first client,” she says. “The right team will garner goodwill for the company. They are valued as family to me and the company is family to them.” Shanthini acknowledges the support of her husband and children, without whose encouragement and support, she would not be able to reach the pinnacle of success. “I’d like to tell women in Bahrain that here we have the luxury of convenience and time. Make use of it by identifying and employing your potential that God has gifted you. It’s more than feeding your children and ensuring that they study,” says the businesswoman who has not only taught her kids, but also her team to never give up and that nothing is really impossible if you put your mind to it. She continues,“A mother can be the greatest role model for her children; they do as they see. If you work hard, excel at your passion, imprint your identity onto your work, show them the world outside of home and all that you do, they will also be inspired, successful individuals in the future.”
22 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander BSB’s Festive Night Market The British School of Bahrain held its Festive Night Market with live entertainment, market stalls, games and food to delight. The market was held in aid of the Bahrain Royal Humanitarian Foundation. Four Seasons Media Masterclass Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay hosted a media masterclass with Executive Pastry Chef Florent Margaillan flying in from the South of France to teach guests how to make his famous frozen lemon mint dish and other specialties.
January 2022 23 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander SKAL International Bahrain Dinner SKAL International Bahrain held its first monthly gathering since the pandemic at Wyndham Garden Juffair. Westin’s Global Customer Appreciation Week The Westin City Centre Bahrain and Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain held an evening of networking to celebrate customer appreciation week where guests enjoyed food, drinks and lots of artistic entertainment.
FEATURE | fitness 24 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com 2022 A YEAR FOR FITNESS With the advent of 2022, it’s that time of year where we make resolutions for the year ahead. Improving fitness and health is one of the most common targets, and Bahrain This Month is here to tell you why it’s good for your physical and mental well-being and give you some ideas of classes in the Kingdom where you can have fun to ensure you stick to your goals.
FEATURE | fitness January 2022 25 www.bahrainthismonth.com 1. Exercise daily Perhaps the most obvious one! Exercise daily for at least an hour. You do not have to kill yourself from running, jogging, cycling and more, but you should have some sort of moderate physical activity in your everyday life. If you're looking to shed a few pounds fast, do a higher-level intensity workout. For example, go on a walk at a brisk pace for an hour. Or, you can jog and set certain intervals to sprint during that hour. Be sure to stay hydrated, stretch and eat foods with a decent amount of protein after each workout. The protein will help keep your muscles, not fat, rebuilding. 2. Eat the right foods and portion each meal No matter how bad your stomach is telling you to go for sugary snacks over healthy food, try to stay away from sweets. Sugar will not help you get in shape. Even if it's just a single chocolate bar, one will eventually lead to another. Fruits and vegetables are the best thing to eat when getting into shape. Apples, for example, do a good job at making the stomach feel full for up to three to four hours. Green vegetables such as green beans and broccoli keep the digestive system clean and running. Also, stick to lean meats like turkey and chicken. These foods are full of protein and healthy nutrients to help keep muscles fit and ready for workouts. In addition, be sure to portion what you eat. Having a good metabolism comes from portioning meals. Try to plan out eating six times a day and setting smaller portions, rather than having three large meals throughout the day. 3. Keep track of calories and food intake per day Keeping track of how many calories you eat in a day will be helpful in planning out your physical exercising. Ever wonder why body builders' body masses are so big? That's because they plan out their meals and take in more (healthy) calories than the average person. On the other hand, losing weight and striving for a skinnier physique will involve more physical exercise than calories you ingest. 4. Be Sure to Get Sleep Even though most of us have eight-hour jobs during the day or night, it is crucial to get enough sleep to recharge the body's batteries. Six to eight hours of sleep will keep the body going throughout the day, but if you happen to feel tired at any point after coming home from work, by all means take a small nap before exercising. You should only nap for about a half hour. This will prevent you from staying up later in the night. 5. Stay Motivated An important key to being in shape is to set goals and keep a positive mindset. If you stay positive, you will be able to push yourself to get that fit body you've always wanted. is a phrase often uttered by people looking to make a change as the first of January rolls around. For some people that means resolutions to shift certain habits for the better, but those changes can be hard to stick to. People often put too much pressure on themselves to begin these changes in January and come up with big plans for resolutions. Instead, it’s simpler and healthier to think of more long-term goals so that new habits stick longer. Here are our top five tips to help you get there: NEW YEAR, NEW ME “ “
FEATURE | fitness 26 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com If you’re still unsure of how or where to start your own personal fitness journey, we’ve got you covered! Here are some examples of Bahrain’s finest and trendiest gyms and health clubs, which offer some of the most exciting classes, so you can be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle. Elements Jiu Jitsu For something different, why not give Jiu Jitsu a try? Elements is a martial arts community based in Bahrain that is passionate, determined and supportive. Whether you’re trying out BJJ for the first time or are an advanced practitioner, there is something for all. Under IBJJF World Champion Coach Ali Monfaradi, recently featured in Bahrain This Month, Elements brings a fun, inclusive, safe and systematic approach to your Jiu Jitsu journey. Call 36 757-573 or follow them on Instagram @elementsjj.bh. CrossFit Delmon CrossFit Delmon is the first CrossFit affiliate in the Kingdom. CrossFit is a strength and conditioning programme based on constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity. The beauty of CrossFit is that all workouts and movements are universally scalable which means that anyone can work out regardless of current ability. It is particularly strong in developing the areas of cardio-respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, power, coordination, accuracy, agility and balance. Call 36 755-611 or follow them on Instagram @crossfit_delmon. Impulse Fitness Studio Impulse Fitness Studio promises a ‘Fitness Revolution’ with its EMS (Electro Muscle Stimulation) training. EMS utilises low and mid frequency electric currents to significantly increase the body’s natural muscle contractions. As a result more muscle fibres are activated when compared to conventional training methods. It promotes weight loss, increases physical strength, stimulates muscle growth and relieves tensions and muscular imbalances. Impulse offers this alongside professional, expert-led consultative care in life changing transformations, through the most advanced and effective muscle strengthening, body shaping, cellulite reducing and weight-loss programmes available. Services include EMS, one-on-one personal training, two-on-one partner personal training, specialised nutritional and detox meal plans, plus body analysis. Call 33 983-876 or follow them on Instagram @impulsefitstudios.
FEATURE | fitness Énergie Fitness Bahrain Tired of expensive, cookie-cutter gyms with queues for machines, dirty changing rooms and no atmosphere? Énergie Fitness Bahrain is here to offer something different and rewrite the rule book. Énergie not only argues that exercising regularly is important to feel good on the inside and out, but also that working out shouldn’t feel like a chore and that you shouldn’t have to pay enormous prices to be treated well. Therefore, it features a plethora of state-of-the- art equipment designed to make each workout unique and fun, a variety of exercise classes tailored to suit all fitness levels including the Énergie exclusive ‘Thé Yard’ indoor group training, a friendly, welcoming team bursting with energy and no contracts. Call 16 163-023 or follow them on Instagram @energiefitnessbh. Jaff Fit Salsa Dance Studio Jaff Fit Salsa Dance Studio is Bahrain’s first Latin dance school. It’s a place where you will learn to dance Salsa, Bachata or Kizomba from beginner to advanced level, while meeting new people and connect with the dance community of the island. Call 33 110-266 or follow them on Instagram @jaff_fit. Xenon Cycling Xenon Cycling is a fitness studio dedicated solely to electrifying indoor cycling classes. Xenon offers upbeat and thrilling, high intensity indoor cycling classes, that aim to inspire and challenge those looking for a quick yet fulfilling workout. Xenon’s studio is designed specifically to enhance the spin class experience; with top quality surround sound and lighting systems to generate an exhilarating experience. Xenon’s classes are a full body indoor cycling workout that flow to the beat of energising music. It incorporates muscular endurance training and upper body exercises. Over the course of 45 minute, high-intensity, low-impact workouts, riders can burn up to 500-700 calories. The low-lit studio is infused with euphoric lighting that allows the rider to get lost in the rhythm of the class; undoubtedly leaving the riders stress free and glowing after each class. Call 17 686-844 or follow them on Instagram @xenoncycling. Big Up Sports BigUp Sports is the first official gym for calisthenics and free running in the Kingdom. Calisthenics is a word that originates from the Greek language, roughly translated as a combination of beauty and strength which epitomises a sport that combines moves derived from gymnastics, parkour and breakdancing. As such, if treadmills and cycling machines bore you, then negotiating obstacles by running, jumping and climbing might be just the right thing. Call 36 335-502 or follow them on Instagram @bigup_sports. January 2022 27 www.bahrainthismonth.com
28 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Brazil Grill’s Christmas Tree Lighting Brazil Rodizio Grill and Lounge held a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Adliya.
www.bahrainthismonth.com Behnaz Sanjana indulged in the sinfully sweet treats at La Reine; the sugar rush was so worth it. It has been my longstanding dream to indulge in a dessert buffet, where I am surrounded only by the swirling aromas of rich chocolate and light-as-cloud cream, with nothing else to distract my palate. The gateaux gods must have finally heard my fervent appeal (fine, let her have her cake and eat it too, they must have decreed) as the newly opened La Reine de Versailles, a charming little patisserie in Riffa, invited me to live my reverie. True to its name, (which translates to ‘the queen’ in English), this boutique patisserie reigns supreme in the dessert department, with each slice of sweetness more ooh la la than the previous. The display case is a smorgasbord of all things heavenly – truffles, pralines and ganaches, chocolate bonbons, and other individual entremets in a rainbow of pretty colours. While sipping on a heartwarming decaf Café Latte at the outlet on a particularly nippy afternoon, I marvelled at the delicate assembly of the Coconut and Passionfruit Lucille before me. This canary yellow roundel was a welcome contrast to the gloomy skies outside, with a vanilla cake interior laced with coconut, topped with and based on a crumbly biscuit. The tangy passionfruit dices in the cake and piping atop it made it a beautifully balanced bite, replete with a golden white chocolate disc crowning the dessert. Up next came Caramel Choc; a dense, rich chocolate mousse that was sat on a chocolate sponge cake base. Every bite enjoyed was full of crunchy chocolate biscuit and cocoa. The glossy chocolate glaze that enveloped the dessert gave it a decadent appeal. After a heavy hit of chocolate, I was ready to taste something light and fruity, and the Mango/Pistachio was ready to woo me. This bright green sphere held mango and pistachioflavoured cake, covered with the feather-light pistachio cream, finished off with a fine coat of parrot green jelly icing. The delicately detailed chocolate flower and a pat of gold foil gave the look of the dish a skillfully refined touch. The Pistachio Éclair was probably the prettiest pastry of them all. Marvelling at its finesse took me right into the beginning of the warmer months, walking barefoot on the summer grass. The bright green of the pistachio cream piping punctuated with pistachio slivers and coulisfilled, gold-tinged raspberries was a treat to the eyes as it was to the tongue, when eaten with the light choux dough base. Completely lost in sweet heaven by this time, I soaked in the goodness of a variety of chocolate pralines, some of which at La Reine are quirky ones that are sure to pique your interest, like Coriander, Cinnamon ganache, Fennel and Noyee. After sampling a few of the macarons, which were the classical, textbook version of how macarons should be – a sweet filling sandwiched between a smooth, slightly chewy shell. La Reine offers a quite an extensive variety of flavours too, like Passionfruit, Mango, Earl Grey Tea and Violet flower and blackcurrant to name a few. The outlet has a lot more to offer – metallic coloured bonbons, long cakes, cookies, birthday cakes. With such rapturous flavours dancing around my taste buds, I could easily have been at one of the patisseries in downtown Paris. The stunning contrast of La Reine’s 1700s inspired gold filigree embellishments on its midnight blue wall will forever be associated with ultimate ambrosia in the sweet-tooth section of my brain. QUEEN OF CAKE food review January 2022 29
30 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Mike & Heather Mckinley Christmas Party Mike & Heather Mckinley hosted a Christmas Party at their residence. Neville D’Souza Xmas Party Neville D’Souza hosted a gathering for friends and family to celebrate the festive season.
January 2022 31 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Nijad & Jameela Dinner Night Nijad & Jameela Al Atassi hosted a Dinner Night on the occasion of RI President Shekhar Mehta and his wife Rashi’s visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain with the presence of RID Katerina Kotsali-Papadimitriou at their villa in Buashirah. Innovative Japanese Cuisine
tablehopping 32 January 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain’s Origins Restaurant stages a Friday Brunch from 1pm – 4pm, that you can enjoy with your usual brunch bunch. This hot new spot in town offers a rich culinary spread prepared by the expert kitchen crew with love, indoors or al fresco. Take in the beautiful sea views and quench your thirst by the beach while you and the gang sway to live music. The afternoon is priced at BD28, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD34, inclusive of selected beverages. Kids aged six – 12 years old dine for BD17. Call 77 488-100. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Rasoi by Vineet at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain invites you to join in at Rainbow @ Rasoi by Vineet, to celebrate its 7th Anniversary, between January 11 – 15. The culinary occasion will offer guests a very special 21-dish set menu, priced at BD17+++ per person. It will include a seven-variety starter platter, and seven types each of main course and dessert. Call 17 713-000. Brunch with family and friends while enjoying Wolfgang Puck’s favourite dishes prepared by Executive Chef Brian Becher and his team, every Friday, from noon – 3.30pm, for BD48, inclusive of beverages, or BD34, exclusive of beverages. This one will be a brunch experience that will stay with you for a long time. Call 17 115-055. CUTTING-EDGE BRUNCH BLAST FROM THE PAST Legendz, the awardwinning steakhouse at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain is renowned for prime meat cuts, fine grape and the art of cooking. The venue welcomes you to embark on a journey to experience the world-famous “Café de Paris”. From the original secret recipe of this culinary icon, savour delicious juicy steaks with a Cafe de Paris sauce, along with French fries and a green salad, starting at BD22, from 6pm – 10.30pm. Call 17 227-777. Let not post New Year blues bring you down, when there’s much happening on the island’s buzzing dining scene all this month of January. The festivities may be over, but the best fare and flavours are still very much in town. LIVING THE GOOD LIFE
tablehopping January 2022 33 www.bahrainthismonth.com Every Tuesday, starting January 25, 6pm onwards, Links at the Royal Golf Club, Bahrain will host Curry Fusion - an array of mouth-watering curry dishes that will leave a mesmerising imprint and your taste buds tingling in delight! Guests can get unlimited Thai, Indian, Mediterranean, and Indonesian curries and live cooking stations while enjoying the stunning view of the Championship course. The offer is priced at BD17 for adults, while kids under 12 dine at BD8, and those under six dine for free. Call 17 750-777. HURRY FOR SOME CURRY Mark your calendars in time for Sushi Mania at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s Sato restaurant. Enjoy a special sushi and maki selection menu, delicately prepared by talented chefs to satisfy your sushi cravings. The All-You-Can-Eat-Sushi-Day will be held on January 16, from noon – 11pm, and guests are required to make reservations for two-hour slots for this indoor dining event. The meal costs BD15, or BD13 for Prestige Club members. Call 17 713-000. THIS IS HOW WE ROLL Stay warm and satisfied with the perfect winter comfort food as you indulge in the Swiss-style Cheese Fondue feast from the à la carte menu at Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silks Restaurant at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Enjoy a gooey, creamy and totally cheesy delight of Gruyère and Vacherin cheese melted in white grape, priced at BD15+++ per portion, available in single and double pots. Do not miss this gastronomic experience from January 25 – 31, from 7pm onwards every evening. Call 17 460-017 or WhatsApp 33 640-032 CHEESY GOOD! Experience Greek culture at its best through authentic cuisine exclusively available at Rigani, the InterContinental Bahrain’s newest dining outlet. On the menu are Greek specialities categorised under soups, appetisers, spreads, salads, sides, barbeque items and main course. explore the full menu at www.icbahrain.com/rigani. Call 17 208-308 and/or WhatsApp 38 808-533 GREEK CHARM
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