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Great expectations 

Bank Sohar commences operations officially in the sultanate

Dr Ali bin Mohammed bin Moosa, Minister of Health and deputy chairman, Central Bank of Oman, officially inaugurated the operations of Bank Sohar on May 9, 2007. The ceremony was attended by H E Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council; H E Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Hilal al Ma’amari, chairman, Bank Sohar, and several dignitaries. Says Ma’amari, "The investor friendly policies of the government encourage domestic and foreign investments. Bank Sohar shoulders the responsibility of implementing best banking policies in Oman." Says CEO Nani Javeri, "The presence of Bank Sohar will be felt by all as we will have a presence in all major Omani cities and towns.”

An evening to remember

Theatre enthusiasts treated to an evening of soulful music

The life and works of renowned Urdu poet and film lyricist Kaifi Azmi were celebrated through Kaifi Aur Main, a dinner theatre presentation by NPA Events at Shangri La's Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa. The event was an ultimate celebration of Kaifi Azmi's life and works as seen through the eyes of his wife, noted theatre and film actress Shaukat Azmi. The memories were brought to life by his daughter Shabana Azmi and son-in-law Javed Akhtar with the mesmerising voice of Jasvinder Singh.

It was a theatrical collage of some of the most memorable moments from Kaifi and Shaukat's lives, right from the early years of growing up in his village of Mijwan. In their inimitable style, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar took the audience through a very personal journey. The sensitive and touching narrative written by Javed Akhtar is based on Shaukat Kaifi's book of memoirs Yaad Ki Rehguzar as well as on Kaifi Azmi's interviews and writings.

The narrative was interspersed with renditions of Kaifi's poems and songs such as Main Ye Sochkar Uske Dar Se Uttha Tha, Hokay Majboor Mujhay Usne Bhulaya Hoga and Waqt Nay Kiya Kia Haseen Sitam by Singh.