Latest news with #FortyThieves
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Eatala too responsible for Telangana's financial crisis: TPCC chief
'Rajender was KCR's finance minister. He was one of the thieves in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves story,' he said. Alleging that the people don't see Rajender as a BC leader, the TPCC chief sought to know whether the former belongs to Mudiraj community or the dominant Reddy community. It may be mentioned here that Rajender's wife is belongs to the Reddy community. Stating that Rajender was speaking the language of BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, he wondered if the former was planning a 'ghar wapsi.' 'Rajender is talking about HYDRAA, forgetting that he faced allegations of encroaching upon the temple lands and assigned lands,' he added.
Asahi Shimbun
26-04-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
A little magic and Japan might be able to grow enough sesame
YOKKAICHI, Mie Prefecture--With the rallying cry of 'Open sesame,' Japan could do with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves right now. The fact is that Japan relies almost entirely on imports to meet demand for sesame, an essential ingredient in the nation's culinary life. Yokkaichi-based Kuki Sangyo Co., which specializes in the production of sesame oil and sesame by-products, has been working to promote sesame culture in Mie Prefecture in the hope of turning the situation around. The endeavor, now in its 10th year, has both achieved results and highlighted challenges. Sesame is an indispensable commodity for Kuki Sangyo, founded in 1886 and known for its signature 'Kuki's pure sesame oil' products. Around 170,000 tons of sesame were consumed in Japan in 2023, but only about 80 tons were produced domestically for a self-sufficiency rate of just 0.05 percent. In short, imports account for more than 99.9 percent of domestic sesame consumption. Sesame is mostly imported from Africa, but the supply remains unstable due to world tensions. 'A big factor is that China, previously an exporter of sesame, became an importer due to growing consumption,' said Kazuo Kondo, a technical adviser to Kuki Sangyo. 'In addition, major production centers, such as Nigeria, are growing sesame as a cash crop, so they can convert to other, more profitable crops.' The only way for Japan to ensure a stable supply into the future is for it to improve its sesame self-sufficiency rate But unlike in the case of rice and other crop staples, no established techniques of mechanized sesame culture exist, even though it takes a huge amount of manual labor to grow sesame until the harvesting stage. Moreover, there are no registered agrochemicals for use in sesame culture and no sesame varieties suited to the warm and humid climate conditions of Japan and its mechanized farming culture. 'There is not much public interest in sesame, which is a minor crop,' said Eiji Fujisawa, head of development with Kuki Sangyo. 'We thought a company like ours, which is in most need of sesame, had to take the lead in addressing the question.' In 2016, the company tied up with 21 farmers and welfare centers based in Mie Prefecture to begin growing sesame on 7 hectares of farmland. Even before that, Kuki Sangyo had experimented with making fertilizer from the pressing residue from the sesame oil manufacturing process and related waste. It began growing sesame at its subsidiary Kuki Farm KK, an agricultural production corporation based in Taiki in the prefecture, to test the effectiveness of similar fertilizer. Kuki Sangyo drew on that experience to set up an in-house team, with three employees appointed to work full time on the project. The company has since enlisted the help of the Mie prefectural government and other entities to promote sesame farming, organize workshops on culture methods and compile a manual on sesame culture. Kuki Sangyo also set up a sesame culture mechanization project and introduced a harvesting technique that uses a combine for soybeans, along with a dryer. In addition, more agrochemicals have been registered for use in sesame culture, including as pesticide against shield bugs. It has taken nine years, but the improved culture techniques are finally attracting growing interest from farmers. By 2024, the number of sesame growers increased nearly threefold to 61, the culture area expanded to 21.7 hectares and the shipment volume rose 1.8-fold to 3,525 kilograms. The project made Mie Prefecture one of the biggest production centers in Japan after Kagoshima Prefecture, company officials said. ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH The project also highlighted several problems. Some farmers that got involved in the sesame culture program gave up due to crop harm caused by humidity and weeds, the officials said. 'We are continuing with efforts to improve our culture techniques by breeding varieties that are better adapted to a warm and humid environment, among other things,' Kondo said. 'Even combine harvesting is not without its own problems, including how to prevent sesame seeds from falling out, which they easily do.' The company officials said their efforts to increase domestic sesame culture are only at the halfway point, but that sesame culture is spreading not only in Mie Prefecture but also in neighboring Gifu and Shiga prefectures. Moreover, demand for domestically grown sesame is so high that supply is falling short of the needs of consumers, the officials added. 'The project has strengthened our relationships of trust with farmers and officials of relevant institutions, including the prefectural government, with whom we have shared the hardships,' Kondo said. 'It has also improved the technical skills of our employees. Our aim is to continue helping to improve Japan's sesame self-sufficiency rate.'
Observer
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
ROHM announces programmes for Feb
Muscat - February is set to feature an eclectic array of performances at the Royal Opera House Muscat that blend classic artistry and education. The lineup will feature A Thousand and One Nights , a beautiful classical ballet by Fikret Amirov, from the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok. Adding to the standard of excellence which is the stamp of the season, ROHM presents the annual concert featuring ROHM's very own regal pipe organ, with renowned organist Claudio Astronio, and, a series of events and two concerts paying homage to the prominent Arab composer and singer Mohammed Abdul Wahab. As a cultural beacon in the Middle East, ROHM's commitment to a packed and engaging program of outreach events is also prominent over the next month. Upcoming Performances Beginning with A Thousand and One Nights on February 6 and 7, ROHM showcases a ballet to enchant a global audience, set to evocative Middle Eastern-inspired music, the ballet explores iconic tales such as Sinbad the Sailor and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Experience the grand explosion of sound at the Pipe Organ Concert on February 13. ROHM's unique pipe organ stars in the annual concert with organist Claudio Astronio, the Piccoli Cantori di Torino (children's choir), and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gianluca Marciano. Two children's choirs from Muscat schools will join the children's choir on stage in an exciting connection between cultures and a young generation of voices, enabling lasting memories for participants and audiences. This concert celebrates the legacy and grandeur of Oman's pipe organ, in sweet contrast to the exquisite sounds of a celebrated children's choir. Homage to Mohammed Abdul Wahab on February 15 & 20 will honor Arab music legend Mohammed Abdul Wahab with two concerts featuring prominent singers Ali El Haggar, Mohammed Mohsen, Reham Abdul Hakim, and Jahida Wehbe. The event is part of a week-long tribute celebration for music lovers, including an exhibition, several discussion sessions, and a rare screening of his much-loved musical film 'A Bullet in the Heart'. ROHM's Exceptional Educational and Outreach Initiatives The rich educational and outreach program at ROHM aims to inspire and cultivate a passion for arts and music in Oman. In February, a special array of activities delve into the inner workings of the opera house. ROHM's Open House aims to nurture the next generation of musical technicians and artists. ROHM is offering children of different ages an invaluable exploration of each department of the opera house, a chance to meet the experts who 'keep the show on the road'. Workshops will be presented on make-up, costumes, lighting, props, sound, photography, storytelling, and design on February 1, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. As part of the opera house's Emerging Talents initiative, join us on 9th February for a special night with Thomas Hampson, a Grammy Award-winning international baritone. He will star in a concert joined by Muscat Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Omani Opera Choir Group, conducted by Lubnan Balbaaki. 7 pm at ROHMA. Yet another Emerging Talents initiative on February 24 brings together a concert by Simon Zhu, winner of the 2023 Paganini Prize. Zhu recently performed on Paganini's legendary Cannone violin in London before His Majesty King Charles III. His performance is accompanied by pianist Gile Bae, under the artistic direction of Nicola Bruzzo. Registration is free and open to everyone. The initiative extends to educational sessions consisting of a masterclass by Simon Zhu in collaboration with pianist Gile Bae, open to violin students in addition to a talk by the Paganini Prize President on the history of the prize. Both initiatives are on February 23rd. Inspired by a season full of fairy tales, Let's Read is a monthly event throughout the season welcomes to all ages experience and explore the stories with expression and imagination, reading aloud from the pages of Robin Hood. The readings will be in the Music Library at the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts on February 22. As part of the program to honor the late Mohammed Abdul Wahab, Royal Opera House Muscat will be holding educational and outreach activities daily from February 12-18. February 12: A discussion by Dr. Shereen Badr on Abdul Wahab's collaboration with Umm Kulthum, examining their impact on Arab music. February 14 & 19: A casual session, Coffee and Dates, with leading singers of the concert at 5 PM. February 17: Spirit of the Orient, a quintet concert of instrumental pieces from Abdul Wahab's repertoire at 7 pm. February 18: Screening of 'A Bullet in the Heart' (1944) with a pre-screening discussion led by Ameer Ramsis, Nahla Mattar, and Mohammed Nabil. With diverse performances and hands-on educational experiences, ROHM offers something for everyone this February.
See - Sada Elbalad
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Be Inspired This February at Royal Opera House Muscat with Music Classics
Basant Ahmed February is set to feature an eclectic array of performances at Royal Opera House Muscat that blend classic artistry and education. The exciting lineup will feature A Thousand and One Nights, a beautiful classical ballet by Fikret Amirov, from the prestigious Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre in Vladivostok. Adding to the standard of excellence which is the stamp of the season, ROHM presents the annual concert featuring ROHM's very own regal pipe organ, with renowned organist Claudio Astronio, and, a series of events and two concerts paying homage to the prominent Arab composer and singer Mohammed Abdul Wahab. As a cultural beacon in the Middle East, ROHM's commitment to a packed and engaging programme of outreach events is also prominent over the next month. Upcoming Performances Beginning with A Thousand and One Nights on February 6 and 7, ROHM showcases a ballet to enchant a global audience, set to evocative Middle Eastern-inspired music, the ballet explores iconic tales such as Sinbad the Sailor and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Experience the grand explosion of sound at the Pipe Organ Concert on February 13. ROHM's unique pipe organ stars in the annual concert with organist Claudio Astronio, the Piccoli Cantori di Torino (children's choir), and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gianluca Marciano. Two children's choirs from Muscat schools will join the children's choir on stage in an exciting connection between cultures and a young generation of voices, enabling lasting memories for participants and audiences. This concert celebrates the legacy and grandeur of Oman's pipe organ, in sweet contrast to the exquisite sounds of a celebrated children's choir. Homage to Mohammed Abdul Wahab on February 15 & 20 will honour Arab music legend Mohammed Abdul Wahab with two concerts featuring prominent singers Ali El Haggar, Mohammed Mohsen, Reham Abdul Hakim, and Jahida Wehbe. The event is part of a week-long tribute celebration for music lovers, including an exhibition, several discussion sessions and a rare screening of his much loved musical film 'A Bullet in the Heart'. ROHM's Exceptional Educational and Outreach Initiatives The rich educational and outreach programme at ROHM aims to inspire and cultivate a passion for arts and music in Oman. In February, a special array of activities delve into the inner workings of the opera house. ROHM's Open House aims to nurture the next generation of musical technicians and artists. ROHM is offering children of different ages an invaluable exploration of each department of the opera house, a chance to meet the experts who 'keep the show on the road'. Workshops will be presented on make-up, costumes, lighting, props, sound, photography, storytelling, and design on February 1, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. As part of the opera house's Emerging Talents initiative, join us on 9th February for a special night with Thomas Hampson, a Grammy Award winning international baritone. He will star in a concert joined by Muscat Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Omani Opera Choir Group, conducted by Lubnan Balbaaki. 7pm at ROHMA. Yet another Emerging Talents initiative on February 24 brings together a concert by Simon Zhu, winner of the 2023 Paganini Prize. Zhu recently performed on Paganini's legendary Cannone violin in London before His Majesty King Charles III. His performance is accompanied by pianist Gile Bae, under the artistic direction of Nicola Bruzzo. Registration is free and open to everyone. The initiative extends to educational sessions consisting of a masterclass by Simon Zhu in collaboration with pianist Gile Bae, open to violin students in addition to a talk by Paganini Prize President on the history of the prize. Both initiatives on February 23rd. Inspired by a season full of fairy tales, Let's Read is a monthly event throughout the season welcome to all ages experience and explore the stories with expression and imagination, reading aloud from the pages of Robin Hood. The readings will be in the Music Library at Royal Opera House of Musical Arts on February 22. As part of the programme to honour the late Mohammed Abdul Wahab, Royal Opera House Muscat will be holding educational and outreach activities daily from 12th – 18th February. February 12: A discussion by Dr. Shereen Badr on Abdul Wahab's collaboration with Umm Kulthum, examining their impact on Arab music. February 14 & 19: A casual session, Coffee and Dates, with leading singers of the concert at 5:00 PM. February 17: Spirit of the Orient, a quintet concert of instrumental pieces from Abdul Wahab's repertoire at 7pm. February 18: Screening of 'A Bullet in the Heart' (1944) with a pre-screening discussion led by Ameer Ramsis, Nahla Mattar, and Mohammed Nabil. With diverse performances and hands-on educational experiences, ROHM offers something for everyone this February. For tickets and further details on the February programme, please visit
