Society Magazine - December 2016

In this issue

In most parts of the world, food is associated with hospitality and expression of friendship.
Therefore, sensitivity to food rules and customs is important in building and strengthening
cross-cultural relationships. In sharing a meal with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
and sampling their traditional dishes our identities expand to take in a fresh feast of experiences
capable of fostering improved intercultural understanding and communication. This can only
yield positive benefits and facilitate intercultural adaptation and competence. Carve out time
from your busy schedule and share a meaningful meal with friends and family. Try a “festive feast”
or a holiday-themed recipe.
Yum! It’s the food issue and we take a closer look at some of the key aspects of Indian cuisine. Well,
before you start messing up the kitchen, let’s find out where you stand on the spectrum of Indian
food knowledge. Are you an old pro who can easily sort out your sambars from your samosas
from your sambals? Or are you an uneasy newbie who can barely order tandoori chicken at a
restaurant, let alone make it yourself? Take our quiz on P.26 and find out how much do you really
know about Indian food.
Moving on to this month’s spotlight story, we have got an incredible story of Qatar-based Indian
expat Biju Chandrika Gangadharan (P.12) who is creating wonders by making sculptures from
bath soaps. We love when artists take ordinary things and make them extraordinary. To Biju,
carving fragrant bath soap is a unique and fascinating form of art. He finds it exciting because
of the suspenseful quality it gives his work. Every new sculpture is a challenge and the more
complicated the sculpture, the more interesting he finds it.
Happy reading!

Society Magazine Description:

Society Magazine, a monthly family magazine published by Gulf Times newspaper in Qatar, mirrors the multi-ethnic modern society that is the Qatar of today. For over five years now, month after month, its well laid-out pages with crisply written content, including human interest stories, and sharply focused images have been the joy of families living in Qatar. The magazine offers a broad range of features, primarily based on lifestyle and social issues, relevant to Qatar expatriates and nationals.
We aim to set the benchmark for editorial credibility in the market with regular features and articles showcased in a contemporary, high-quality format. There is something to hold the interest of every member of the family from tiny tots to the adult seeking intellectual stimulation and easy-to-use information from topics as varied as fashion & beauty, health &wellness;, motoring, education, parenting and technology to arts and culinary tips.
Although the magazine’s content are not strictly advertising driven, its seamless and flexible editorial approach allows ample scope for well-written advertorials to be featured in every issue based on the cyclical and seasonal nature of local trends that dictate consumer behaviour. This understanding of the reader pulse powers issues focusing on health, travel, back to school, food, festive season etc.
The magazine can be described as both reader and advertiser friendly. The fact that it is distributed free of cost with every copy of the Gulf Times newspaper speaks a lot for its readership and reach.