Dhaka Tribune
WINTER IS COMING
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 30
Status of the week
If no one comes from the future to stop you from doing it, then how bad of a decision can it really be?
A weekly production of
DhakaTribune Editor Zafar Sobhan Magazine Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad TMAG Team Sabiha Mahmud Sumi Rubab Nayeem Khan Munira Fidai Natasha Rahman Saudia Afrin Tahsin Momin Baizid Haque Joarder Fuad M Hossain Contributors Abak Hussain Q Zulyadain Islam Imtiaz Salim Shishir Hoque Wasef Mustafa N Anita Amreen Graphics Sabiha Mahmud Sumi Mohammed Mahbub Alam Production Masum Billah Advertising Shahidan Khurshed Circulation Wahid Murad Email: tmag@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com
Dear Readers,
Quote of the week Someone’s opinion of you doesnt have to become your reality
Lingo of the week Bangla-wash Meaning Being white washed by Bangladesh. Usage Boy 1 Dude, have you seen well Bangladesh is playing recently! Boy 2 I know! They totally bangla-washed New Zealand.
More inside GOSSIP 12 Choose/Lose your other half 12 Blush Much?
11 TV Keeping up with the Kardashians 11 Movie The Grey 11 Game Living legend: Frozen Beauty
PICKS OF THE WEEK 2 Room of the week Rowshan Mahmood 3 Doodle of the week Tahsin Momin 10 Guitar tabs of the week “Atlas hands”
FASHION 4 Beauty check Dry skin chronicles 4 Wardrobe check Wearing winter
by Benjamin Francis Leftwich
YOUR WORLD 5 Car Prepping your car up for winter 5 Tribute Sachin retires 5 FFPB Game week 11 9 Fiction Winter is coming 9 Non-fiction Year-end musings 9 Comic book Shabash by Mighty Punch Studios 9 Book “Fat Vampire” by Johnny B Truant 10 Music Waves 10 Spotlight Cryptic Fate’s “Akromon” 11 Gadget Microlab MB212
Editor’s note
Real Life 3 Events 12 He says, She says TMAG SAYS 2 Funk up your room Warming up your room 2 FYI Avoiding the winter flu 3 School Survival Hartal lockdown 10 Playlist Top ten winter tunes 10 Instrument Saxophone
It’s been an eventful week for all of us at the TMAG desk. First there was the JCC Unmad Comicon, where our brilliant cartoonist Tanmoy did caricatures of the attendees. Then we turned up at the Hay Festival for a meet and greet with our readers, and most recently, we also participated in Bengal Art Lounge’s “Very Graphic” storytelling event. It was lovely to catch up with some of our readers there. Some photos from the events are already up on our Facebook page, so check us out at https://www.facebook.com/ dhakatribunetmag. Like, post and comment, and be part of the conversation! This week, we’re in Ned Stark mode, with our pinkies in the air, checking the winds for the approach of winter. Flip through our pages for tips, tricks, musings and more. If you want to see more of you in TMAG, send us your doodles, room pics and flash fiction to tmag@dhakatribune. com Love from the TMAG desk
HOROSCOPES 5 Your forecast Dhaka Tribune
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Volume 1, Issue 30
About the cover Winter is coming. Are you ready? Model Raisa Rafsana Photographer Syed Latif Hossain
4 Look of the Week Beauty and the beads
6 HOT TOPIC Chill factor
8 Written in the Stars Zahid Hossain Khan Aashaa: Campus Ambassador of Wikipedia
TM AG TU E SDAY, N OVE MB E R 1 9, 20 1 3
2
tmag
Your Life
Funk up your room
FYI
Because it’s freezing Before winter arrives at your doorstep, you should revamp the present look of your room and give it a warmer tone. Moreover, this season requires you to take a few precautions and stay away from an attack of allergies. Stay tuned, because this week, TMAG gives you a bag full of ideas to have an easy breezy winter bigstock
Adornment
Practically speaking, it’s not possible to colour the walls of your room every few weeks. If the wall colour is in one basic tone, it’s that fortunate moment when you don’t need to put a lot of thinking to give it a new look. Diverse handicrafts or wall murals can be used on walls. To give a more inter thematic look, any old woollen sweaters can be hung on the wall with cotton balls made to look like snow, to compliment the season. Also paint or stick a picture of a huge branch of tree which will provide a perfect snowy yet enchanted forest look. Amateur photographers can hang their best nature photographs on the walls or place it in frames on their desks or study tables. Pick from black and white or colourful photos depending on the theme of your room.
TMAG’s Room of the week!
Name
Rowshan mahmood Area
Gulshan Soft lights, warm colours and an elaborate corner can always make you feel elegant.
TM AG TU ESDAY, NOVE M B E R 1 9, 2013
Accesorise
To inject some life into your room, use accessories such as pillows or candles in bright colours; oranges or yellows are good choices. You can also accentuate the room with classy lanterns. Winter is the right time to hang up a lantern on any corner of your room.
Making it warmer
Do keep your feet from freezing by placing rugs on the floor. To make your room more stylish, you can place faux fur matching your room’s colour on the floor.
Precautions
All winter belongings such as winter clothes, blankets or duvets need to be cleaned before they warm you at night. It will keep the germs at bay and give you the cosy snuggle you need this winter. Saudia Afrin
Winter and havoc in your heart Chilly winter mornings, the comfort of your blanket, and hot coffee beside your bed sounds pretty perfect, right? Think again! Winter will give you the chills in the wrong places if you don’t keep a tab on your health. Want to avoid being sick and cold during these precious few days of winter? TMAG walks you through a few steps in order to both look and feel healthy
bigstock
Say goodbye to dry flaky winter skin
There’s no way you will be able to avoid the brutal slap of the extremely dry and rough skin. Bundling yourself up in sweaters and shawls won’t help your skin so give it the love it needs. The thought of turning the shower knob only to be scathed with the cold spiky water is a rather CHILLY thought, but your skin needs that cleansing. Fret not, use lukewarm water instead but not hot because hot water during cold weather will only exacerbate the dryness. Lather yourself up with a good moisturiser, preferably one that has alpha hydroxyl acid, which will help your skin hold the moisture in longer. If your feet can’t deal with the chill, rub a bit of glycerine or baby oil and put on some socks, the heat will transfer throughout and keep your skin warm and fuzzy.
Dim day’s deficiencies
Your body suffers from Vitamin D deficiencies during winter as the atmospheric pressure is on the low. This results in your lungs’ oxygen intake to dip, causing your heart rate to rise. This is easily fixed with one spoon of cod liver oil, which helps keep your heart rate normal and also keeps your immune
system strong. Also during winter, it’s natural to be caught in buses and CNGs where you are exposed to a lot of germs. A flu shot takes about a week or so to kick in thus it would be wise to visit the doctor and be vaccinated rather than suffer a severe case of flu this winter. Consuming eggs, cheese, and fish, which are naturally rich in Vitamin D, is also strongly recommended.
Work up a sweat the easy way
Winter days tend to be lazy and people eat a lot of fatty foods and drink less water. We all know that rich foods make our bodies poorer. For lazy mornings, take a cup of green tea with pieces of ginger, lemon, and honey, in it to curb your appetite (to a certain extent, at least). Also the ginger will loosen up the phlegm so that the cold doesn’t strain your lungs. Don’t use winter as an excuse to do excess cardio that your body isn’t accustomed to. Instead, pace down the cardio and do more interval training and toning. Better yet, think of yourself in that gorgeous blouse you need to wear for your best friend’s wedding or that new fitted pullover you are wearing to your guy’s night out and just avoid all those carbs. Don’t strain your heart! Natasha Rahman Tahsin Momin
tmag
Schoologistics
3
School Survival
EVENT Tweets
Lockdown The week long hartals have literally turned Dhaka city into a war zone. Owing to such conditions, examination boards have pushed back exams, for the sake of student safety and wellbeing. However, this tends to be a real nightmare for those who are appearing for exams this month. Most have been studying day and night in order to get done with these exams, and now that the month of exams is here, the hartals have managed to put a dent in your routine. Well, there is hope yet, put an end to this the TMAG way. Here’s how it’s done
Seminar on “Studying in the USA” November 19, 1:30pm Venue ULAB House 56, Road 4A, Dhanmondi
Musical workshop plus concert by Los Amigos, Latin jazz band from Kolkata November 20, 2pm Venue EMK Center
3D Animated Film – “Tokai”
November 20, 5pm Venue Narayanganj, Shahid Minar
BRAC Masters Invitational November 21 Venue BRAC UniversityBuilding
Building Your Resume for U.S. University Applications November 21, 4pm Venue EMK Center
Soccer Mania – Season 2 November 22, 8am Venue Army Museum Field bigstock
Brush up
Even if your exam dates are pushed back to next year, there’s no need to do a victory dance till you are actually over with them. O and A level exams need full concentration, so don’t put off studying till the last minute. Take the extra time to revise and practice solving as many question papers as possible. You can also give mocks at your coaching centres to figure out exactly how prepared you are.
Examination board
Remember to communicate with your examination board as much as possible. They will keep you in the loop concerning revised examination dates. Whatever decision they take, will be according to their policies, therefore, if your examinations are rescheduled, or worse comes to worst cancelled, they cannot be blamed.
Retake
O and A levels are time consuming and appearing for them again will certainly be frustrating for most of you. But if you miss out on appearing for the exam because of unfortunate circumstances, fret not; take a deep breath, register for the next session, and prepare for it accordingly. Rubab Nayeem Khan
UCD 2013 : Carnival
November 22, 9am Venue Banani Society Field
“Tarunne Ranga Robidranath” festival 2013 November 22, 3pm Venue EMK Center
Grand Opening Ceremony of GUCC November 23, 10am Venue GUCC-Green University Computer Club
TMAG’s Doodle of the week!
@ the JCC comicon
Tahsin Momin doodled this while studying for his midterm exams
If you are a classroom doodler, email your doodle to tmag@dhakatribune.com and see it in our weekly!
@ the Hay Festival
TM AG TU E SDAY, N OVE MB E R 1 9, 20 1 3
4 tmag
FASHION FACE-OFF
Wardrobe Check
Wearing Winter Dip in mercury signals the start of a fashionista’s favourite season: winter. All those layering options make for endless creativity and opportunities for razzle-dazzle. Read on for the hottest trends of this season
Winter white
Traditionally, the winter months in this subcontinent are the best time for bold jewel tones. The trending colour this season, though, is stark white. Whether you’re splurging on a sexy white blazer, or sporting a white jamdani with a bright, contrasting blouse at one of the inevitable wedding dawats you’ll be attending, this is the colour you want to wear if you want to turn heads. A word of caution, though. The white blazer, though ridonculously chic on girls is a tad too formal on guys; try changing it up with a chunky ivory cable-knit sweater instead, or even a white leather
motorcycle jacket, and you’re ready to rawr.
Traditional patterns
As we’re counting down to the release of Season 3 of Sherlock (airing early next year), classic patterns are making a strong comeback this year. Be it pinstripe, plaid or ascot, the Old London motifs are going stronger than ever before. Our personal favourite? Houndstooth. It is amazingly classy.
Green-eyed
Green has been the colour of the year 2013, and it’s still pretty fresh. Spring’s
pastels and summer’s fluorescents have merely darkened to more winterappropriate shades. Opt for darker hues like forest pine, green marble and deep teal.. Strike a pose in vivid emerald. For guys, mint green pants are pretty darn awesome right now.
Rebel, rebel
While summer is for flip flops and easy breezy style, fall and winter allow for looks that are a little edgier. Spikes, studs, zippers and leather as accents and accessories will help you bring a touch of the rebel in your wardrobe. Sabrina Fatma Ahmad bigstock
Look of the Week
Beauty Check
Dry Skin Chronicles Everyone suffers from dry and flaky skin during winter. This is because the chill in the air strips our skin of its natural oils. However, if seasons were girls, winter would have been the fashionista. Hence, it is even more important to keep your skin looking dewy and hydrated throughout this tricky yet stylish season
The skin
Keep your skin hydrated internally by drinking a lot of fluids in the form of water or juice. The mistake we make when we go for winter creams is that we completely disregard sun block. Opt for cold creams that have some SPF protection but hydrate without looking sticky. If you absolutely must have a recommendation, Nivea is the best to go by.
The lips
The skin on our lips is almost ten times softer than the skin on our face and that makes it infinitely more important to care for our cupid’s bows well. Use ghee as a natural lip balm, it’s great for keeping your lips supple and stopping them from cracking or peeling. Tinted lip balms are also a great way to make sure you have both the colour and the texture right.
The complexion
Our skin tends to lose colour as winter approaches. Pale skin is not attractive and thus, just dealing with flakes and dryness is not enough. The best way to retain your natural colour is to of course make sun block your best friend but also to use a foundation or tinted moisturiser that matches your skin colour. Never, ever use something lighter than your natural colouring. You may get away with it in summer where sweat usually tones it down but it will look ten times whiter and dryer on winter skin. No matter what you do in terms of makeup, your skin will invariably portray what you eat. Maintain a good diet, made up of winter veggies, fruits and include a good amount of soups and fluids too. As a result you depend less on makeup/aesthetics and more on the natural beauty that is so abundant in you. munira fidai
Beauty and the beads Beads are always chic. Throw on a few ropes of colourful beads, and for most occasions, that’s all you’ll need.
Model Audry Costa Photographer Homayra Adiba
TM AG TU ESDAY, NOVE M B E R 1 9, 2013
bigstock
tmag 5
Street FFPB Fantasy Football Players of Bangladesh (FFPB)
Fantasy League Top 10 after Gameweek 11 Rank Team Manager GW TOT 1 Sesc17 Shadman Haque 46 723 2 Rakesh Challengers Rakesh Sinha 68 696 3 Noob FC Fathin Shadman 72 694 4 Pink Fury Syeda Mehnaj Tarannum Shifa 65 690 5 FC Sharp Shooters Maruf CR7 71 90 6 Team Masti mirza mostafa 66 689 7 Red Devil Fc Abrar Shahriar 56 689 8 ENFORCERS FC SHAKIL MAHMUD 32 688 9 Breakthrow Rezwan Shovon 75 684 10 FC Wenger 49 Z Mission 62 683
The code to join FFPB fantasy league is 975-707
Car Talk
Winterise you car We live in a part of the world where there is only a minimal difference in winter and summer weathers. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare your car for winter driving, because winter puts unusual demands on its parts and equipment. Failure to do so can result in havoc
Check your anti-freeze
Coolant systems that are not in the right proportion will lead to overheating due to freezing. Have the car’s coolant system flushed right before winter hits. You also need to check the system for leaks and install fresh coolant.
Check for fatigue
Inspect the windshield wipers and replace them if they are worn out or
If you want to tell someone how you feel about them, just go for it. Don’t question the changes around you. Taurus (Apr 20-May 20)
Detach yourself from your significant other for a change and spend some time with your family. Gemini (May 21-Jun 20)
This is a good week to relax, if you’ve been swamped with paperwork for the last couple of weeks. Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)
If you’ve been detached from friends and family members, get in touch with them. Don’t think, just dial those numbers. Someone’s habit is beginning to tick you off, try to have an open discussion with them. If it doesn’t work out, consult an authority figure. Virgo (Aug 23- Sep 22)
Drifting off to some fantasy is okay for a while, but stay any longer than that, and you’ll just be inviting trouble. Libra (Sep 23- Oct 22)
have become hardened. Change the windshield wiper fluid with one that has anti-freeze added to it. Also examine the car’s electrical system, particularly the battery and charging arrangement. The cold weather puts a lot of pressure on the charging system.
Check the tires
Expect to have “square tires” after you
Tribute
have had the car sitting for a while. The warm air in your tires rise up. As it cools, the bottom of the tire goes “flat.” This will resolve itself once you begin to drive and the air starts to circulate again. But start off slowly. Check your vehicle’s tire treads. Replace any tires that do not have sufficient tread. Tahsin Momin
The week will kick start with confidence. If you’re attending events and social gatherings all eyes will be on you. Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)
If you’ve got some ideas running wild in that noggin, better jot them down. When the time is right, make a pitch; the rest will fall into place. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)
Sachiiiiin....Sachin! Mathew Hayden, one of the most prominent Australian in cricketing history on Sachin Tendulkar, said: “I have seen God, he bats at number four for India.” To most, the man may seem like any other modest hardworking man but to cricket enthusiasts, especially Indians, he is a demi-God. Sachin Tendulkar, or as he is recognised by names like Master Blaster or Little Master is retiring after devoting almost 25 years of his life to international cricket and breaking most cricketing records. Making his debut for India in 1989 against Pakistan, the 5ft 5in man became one of the most prolific cricketers in the history of the game along with names such as Sir Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, Alan Border, and so on.
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19)
Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)
Shelter your car
If you have a garage, use it for sheltering your car. Protect your paint job, guard against dew on the windshield and guard against the fluids/ water in your radiator from freezing. And, yes, there is such a thing as “gas line freeze.” Condensation builds up in the gas line, gas tank, and freezes. If you do not have a shelter for your car, invest in a car cover. It will not save you from freezing fluids, but it will certainly keep that sticky dew off the windshield and your paint. Moreover, it will help protect your car from corrosion.
HOROSCOPE
Records such as the first person to score 15,000 runs in test cricket, most number of runs in ODI – 18,426 runs, century of centuries in ODI and test cricket combined, most fours scored, are just some of the many records he holds. The cricketing legend is now 40 years old and as he retires completely from international cricket after scoring 74 runs in the jump-packed stadium in the Mumbai test against West Indies. The little master shed a few tears as he was leaving the stadium for the last time ever. The entire cricketing body of India planned the best ever farewell for him, naming a few stadiums after him is just one among them. Adieu the great little master blaster, the cricketing world shall miss you greatly. Baizid Haque Joarder
You’ve got way too many excuses up your sleeves. Quit playing the blame game; it’s time to shoulder some responsibilities. Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan19)
You certainly have a lot of charm, but when it comes to bearing tasks, your charm might not be enough to back it up. Better watch your back. Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)
It’s a good time to get involved with work that involves computers and other high tech equipment. The window to earning might be nearer than you think. Pisces (Feb 19-Mar20)
Give yourself some credit for the things you have achieved, instead of the ones you haven’t. You ain’t all that bad, all you need to do is focus.
TM AG TU E SDAY, N OVE MB E R 1 9, 20 1 3
6
tmag
HOT TOPIC
Chill fa As the days shrink and the nights grow, and the air gets crisper and the mornings mistier, you can feel it in your bones. Winter is coming. TMAG weighs the pros and cons of the chilly season Photos: syed latif hossain
We <3 Winter! Wheels of Winter If you can wake up early on a winter morning, that is, “if” you are stubborn enough to leave the comfort of your warm blanket, you can do loads of stuff. Utilise this perfect, chilly winter morning. If you have a bicycle, you can take it out: get ready to enjoy Dhaka in a way that most people cannot even imagine. Clean, empty streets, no cars honking around, rickshaws parked on the sides; really, the perfect environment for an avid cyclist. What’s even better is if you can convince some of your cycling buddies to come along with you. Winter is probably the only time in this country when you can actually enjoy the sun, minus the humidity. Ride up to places
like the newly built Hatirjheel or the less developed spaces inside the Bashundhara and Baridhara Residential Areas. Stop at a tea stall and enjoy a warm cup of tea and some “adda” with your friends. If you are a foodie, another brilliant idea may well be riding to Old Dhaka where you can have warm nehari, parathas, and other delicacies as your breakfast. If you aren’t stubborn enough to wake up in the morning, head out for a late night adventure with your cycling companions, obviously only if you’re willing to give up late night badminton, that is. This is clearly a very good cardio workout for you to lose the biriyani fat the wedding season invariably puts on you. Ride safe! Baizid Haque Joarder
Skimpy out, classic in Its freezing outside, your goose bumps are cursing you, but who cares? You may chill yourself to death but you wouldn’t do a thing to keep from rubbing your long arms in the sleeveless excuse of a blouse or that flimsy kameez. It’s a myth that you can’t look oh-so-gorgeous if you pair up your outfit with a scarf or a poncho. TMAG shows you how you can get it just right. If you hate covering up during a winter wedding, then opt for those closeted silk saris that will make you look divine and also keep you warm. Opting for light shades of purples, greens and blues you can experiment with elbow-length printed blouses. It
TM AG TU ESDAY, NOVE M B E R 1 9, 2013
will instantly glam up your sari and will also keep your goose bumps in control. Wrap a poncho on your shoulders and leave the buttons open to display the artsy borders of your kameez or sari. Also, you can pick out a few long kaftan embroidered kameez and drape one shoulder with a contrasting scarf. Sopura Silk in Gulshan, Jatra and Pride in Banani and Anam Rangs Plaza in Dhanmondi will give you a lot of cool scarf options for the upcoming winter wedding sessions. Even with that extra article of clothing, you can have the world envy you as you bring out your inner fashionista. Natasha Rahman
HOT TOPIC
actor Praises for pitha Come winter, and you’re in the mood for pitha. Although these are absolutely delicious, making a pitha is time consuming and often requires many processes. Teens with their hectic schedules will find it almost impossible to actually attempt making this delicious winter delicacy. Which is why it’s a good thing that this season sees low-cost pop-up pitha shops by the footpath, offering these treats at very low costs.
Getting the court to play these games is the hardest part. Clubs, parks and backyards are desirable, but not always viable, so you can always use your rooftop. Chalk out your play area, according to how much space you have. You can even use paint if you plan matches for an entire season. Post sunset is the best time to play, so you’ll need lights. Get help from an electrician to rig it up. You’ll also need to take wind resistance into account, so setting up a tarp/cloth shield around the play area is a good idea. You can split costs with
winter woes 10 things we hate about WINTER • Getting up for school while it’s still gloomy and dark outside • Exiting the warm “shwarma” of blankets when the weather outside is so cold
Season’s sports
Setting up court
7
Sabrina Fatma Ahmad
Saudia Afrin
Winter, being cool and mild, brings out the sports bug in even the laziest among us. From badminton to tennis, to volleyball, there are plenty of team and spectator sports that enjoy a spike in popularity this season. Here’s how to maximise the experience.
tmag
friends, neighbours, or whoever will be taking advantage of your court.
Choosing gear
Badminton Choosing the right racquet is crucial; the lighter, the better. Then comes the shuttlecock; even though there are cheaper plastic alternatives, it is still wise to go for the more expensive feather ones if you’re really into the game. Volleyball It is often difficult to choose the right ball since they are all very light. You should keep in mind that the ball comes with enough cushion so that you don’t hurt yourself. Tennis Do some research before you go into buy your racquet. Canny sporting goods vendors will try to con you into getting the wrong one, especially if it’s a more expensive option. Try out a few swings at the store before you make your purchase. Tahsin Momin
• Cold floors, bare feet. Ditto for cold toilet seats, bare bums • Performing ablutions for Fazr, while the water in the taps is still warming up • Hitting yourself in the elbow or shins. The pain lasts longer in winter • Change-of-season flu • Rise of the mosquito menace • Smoke from leafburning can cause a lot of eye-irritation • To freeze, or to be the first “uncool” person to wear the school sweater? • Final exams. ‘Nuff said
TM AG TU E SDAY, N OVE MB E R 1 9, 20 1 3
8 tmag
written in the Stars
For the sake of accuracy
Wikipedia is one of the most popular websites on the internet, as an information hub for everyone. Zahid Hossain Khan Aashaa, an avid user of the free encyclopedia, was bestowed the title of Campus Ambassador of Wikipedia on October 23. Saudia Afrin had a joyful tete-a-tete with him Back in 2007, Zahid Hossain Khan Aashaa was using Wikipedia on a regular basis for his assignments. While searching for the history of Bangladesh, he came across many factual errors. As a result, Aashaa decided to do a research on Wikipedia and to his suprise he found a solution to the problem. He was intrigued by the option that allowed readers to make corrections through a Wikipedia ID. He says: “That was the starting point of my journey with Wikipedia,” although, he officially started contributing for Wikipedia in 2009.
He dreams of doing a PhD on International Relations and Diplomacy His work with Wikipedia began unexpectedly, even though he never thought of being a writer. On the other hand, his friends believed otherwise and he was rather popular among his childhood friends as “The box of tales.” Aashaa says: “I had a real knack at creating stories out of the top of
my head. Although they were not entirely true, everything, was done for amusement.” According to Aashaa, Wikipedia is in search for information. Thanks to that it allows both teachers and students to share their work with the world. He says: “As a Campus Ambassador my job is to reduce the gap between Wikipedia and the readers who want to contribute. Since Wikipedia has certain rules on uploading articles, I teach them the basics of doing that. The entire process falls under Wikipedia Education Programme.” Aashaa also takes photos for them. he says: “While going through the pages related to Bangladesh, I noticed something. Besides a lack of information, it also lacked images of things that represent our country.” Aashaa, who didn’t have a professional camera, took pictures for Wikipedia using his mobile phone. He proudly speaks of Wikipedia’s British Council Bangladesh building’s photo, which was taken by him. He says: “There is also a corner
for uploading pictures. Anyone and everyone can upload their pictures onto Wiki sites.” Aasha volunteered for Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee, Bangladesh Open Source Network, and Science Popularisation Society for Bangladesh. Alongside he has written 207 Wikipedia articles in English/Bangla and has edited over 5000 Wikipedia articles. Apart from this, he also contributes at Wikines, Wikiquote, and for newspapers in the past. He shared his concern about the
He has learned French and Japanese from International Modern Language Institute, Dhaka University communication barriers while working with Wikipedia and he feels this is quite a challenge. The reason behind this condition is our very fragile education system and he believes it requires improvement. Photos: Courtesy
“Just enjoy life, use you time for the welfare of you and your environment. Don’t be upset over anything. We are all part of the world” - Zahid Hossain Khan Aashaa
Aashaa’s philosophy: “Volunteering for Bangla language, Bangladesh, and for the world..”
TM AG TU ESDAY, NOVE M B E R 1 9, 2013
tmag 9
comic book
Fiction
nonFiction
YOU WRITE IT
book
Year end musings Chilly nights, mosquito bites, hot coffee and the warmth of your comforter. Yes, winter is here. The arrival of the season bids adieu to the warm sun and welcomes longer days and shorter nights. Along with its changes, it also prepares you for the end of yet another year. As the months go by, you go back in time thinking about how the year began, or most importantly what it began with, and the first thing that comes to mind would be studies. Beginning a school session, or university semester? Of course; as winter draws near, exams come charging your way. Despite the plans you make for your academic year, there always seems to be a twist at the finish line. Right when you
thought “vacations are just a few exams away” your exams were rescheduled because of hartals and the next thing you know, you’re doing makeup classes at the crack of dawn. As painful as it is, though once you finally get done with your exams, not only do you do the happy dance, but you also get to look at yourself, your performances, and your expectations from a third eye, and this applies to other aspects in your life as well. Regardless of the good, bad, funny, and strange things that you have encountered, you get to take something away from it, that you can always use for the coming year. TMAG finds out how this year ended for some of our readers: “For a change I got time for myself. I was also able to turn around habits like being too outspoken and I’ve also learnt to
evaluate things better than before.” - Shejuti “The fact that I’m closing in on graduation is the highlight of this year for me. However, I wish I could’ve paid more attention to other things in my life like attending social gatherings and not being able to go to The Hay Festival this year was one of them.” – Nabeela “This year I was able to bring about major changes to my routine. I used to slack off a lot before, but I’ve become more aware about the things around me. But I wish I worked hard enough to get better grades. I hope to do things differently next year.” - Aquib Rubab Nayeem Khan
WINTER IS COMING As I drift aimlessly with the wind, I notice something about it. It might be indifferent to most people, but we wait throughout the year for it, and when it comes, there’s nothing like it. Our life spans are not meant to outlive nature, some of us wither and die through the initial spell, and I pity them, as they miss out on great beauty in the aftermath. Those who have made it to the end can see – it is an absolute design, revoking brilliant human feelings like melancholia, nostalgia, and euphoria. It is almost that time again, when some of us who have passed will burn to comfort the good people who tend to us with the utmost care. Now, as I sense all the changes in atmosphere, temperature, and of course, fashion, I think it safe to say – winter is coming.
At daybreak, our skins are coated in frost, which melts as the sun comes up. The mornings are multihued with the sunlight reflecting from our emerald scenery, while a crisp stimulating breeze is the perfect compliment. However, the mornings are not long, and I do not complain, because the nights are enchanting. They are long, dark, and gloomy, with a sense of anxiety and animosity, as if it were rivalling the light of day. The moisture in the air during the darkest hours sprays and cleanses us, inviting us to bear witness to its radiance. The temperature drops lowest during the night; it feels cold to the touch, even on our skin. The silence is golden at that moment, people are idling away or in slumber, and we sway in rhythm, hanging on our keepers. The fog rolls in slowly, the night keeps on going.
We grow older through this time, and like people, look back at the year which had just passed; a momentary lapse in concentration and it was over. Through time the winds become colder, harder, and the storms follow. After the storm, those who survive remain limp on our branches. We regenerate slowly and wait for the arrival of the approaching season which restores the balance of our being. That is a momentous time and people pledge to better themselves with the coming of the New Year. I can say this now because I had it all happen to me before. I could also say that I wish to survive and see this wonderful spell again, but unfortunately I cannot, as I am separated from the branch I grew out of. So as I drift away with the wind, I bid adieu and say, winter is coming. Wasef Mustafa
Go Mango Mighty Punch Studios surprises you with a concept that you’ve never read before! The story is set in Dhaka city (yeah you heard that right). Shabab Sharif is a mango lover and a procrastinating employee working in an ad firm. When he’s not dwelling on Facebook, he’s a superhero that goes by the name “Shabash”. All hell breaks loose when a swarm of cockroaches start terrorising people in the city led by their king. A gignormous mutant cockroach, named Blatt wants to overthrow mankind for good. “Shabash” tries to fight off Blatt and his minions (with a few hiccups along the way, considering the fact that cockroaches give him the heebeejeebies). Samir Asran Rahman and Mehedi Haque (founder of Dhaka Comics) along with the rest of the Mighty Punch crew have
put together a colourful and humorous series that will light up not only comic fans, but also those of you who have a phobia of insects. “Shabash” made a debut at Dhaka Comicon at Jamuna Future Park, and was also available at the Unmad-JCC Comicon Dhaka 2013 at National Shooting Federation Hall, and they were an instant hit among comic book collectors. If you want to find out more about the battle between man and pest, grab your very first issue of Shabash from Meena Bazar and Omni Books. You can also find more, on Mighty Punch Studios’ page on Facebook, to follow up on the adventures of this mango-powered superhero. To follow them on Facebook, visit: www.facebook.com/mightypunch Rubab Nayeem Khan
The unsexy undead Whether or not you like the genre, stack vampires against werewolves, ghosts or other beasties, and they come out on top in terms of sex appeal, every time. As apex predators, they’re strong and fast and deadly, but their very vampiric nature is seductive, making good looks a given. So, aside from a few inconveniences such as a vulnerability to sunlight, stakes and garlic, and a limited menu, being turned into one doesn’t seem like a bad deal, does it? Reginald Baskin certainly thought so, when he was turned. As a human being, he was a shy, overweight bully-magnet at a deadbeat job. Anything else sounded like a step up. Until he was told that as a vampire you get stuck with the form you had while you were alive, with a few skill enhancements. Which meant he was doomed to be a fat vampire for all eternity. And that is where the story really starts. Johnny B Truant takes a lighthearted approach to this somewhat overdone genre and brings a breath of fresh air into the scene. This is the first in a trilogy that deals with body image and self esteem issues through the eyes of a protagonist that, despite being undead, is very human, and fairly relatable, even if you do have a health-conscious lifestyle. The comedy is decent, and the plot has just the right number of twists to be interesting. If there’s a peeve, it’s just that there are a few jumps in narrative time which take some getting used to, but even this improves with a second reading. If you’re looking for something different to read, this is it. Sabrina Fatma Ahmad
TM AG TU E SDAY, N OVE MB E R 1 9, 20 1 3
10 tmag
stereo
Guitar Tabs
This week’s best Instrument
“Atlas Hands” Benjamin Francis Leftwich Bm
D
G
Bm
D
G
Bm
D
G
Bm
D
G
It is by far the most sensual instrument made by man. It is so jazzy, bluesy, and funky, all at the same time. It is the Saxophone. A jazz band would almost feel naked without a saxophone. The saxophone invented by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian, in the 1840s was built to fill up the empty middle ground between two sections of a tune. It first gained popularity in the niche as it was designed for military bands. Though it has been recently introduced into the orchestra in more ways than one, the instrument has been found to be useful to genres as wide-ranging as opera, choral music, chamber pieces, funk, blues, rock, and of course, jazz.The saxophone is a brass instrument now used in a variety of music genres. The greatest musicians
Take me to the docks, there’s a ship without a name that It is sailing to the middle of the sea The water there is deeper than anything you’ve ever seen Jump right in and swim until you freeze
[Chorus] Em G
D
A
Em
G
D
A
Em
G
D
A
I will remember your face ‘Cause I am still in love with that place But when the stars are the only things we share
Em
G
D
A
Will you be there?
Bm
D
G
Bm
D
G
Bm
D
G
Bm
D
G
Money came like rain to your hands while you were waiting For that cold long promise to appear People in the churches started singing above their hands They say “My God is a good God and he cares”
`
SPOTLIGHT
[Repeat Chorus] [Bridge x 2] Em G
D
A
Em
G
D
A
Em
G
D
A
I’ve got a plan
I’ve got an atlas in my hands I’m gonna turn when I listen to the lessons that I’ve learned
TOP WINTER
10
TUNES
1
Winter Song Ingrid Michaelson and Sarah Bareilles
2
Baby, it’s Cold Outside Glee Cast
3 Winterlude Bob Dylan 4
Early Winter Gwen Stefani
5
The A team Ed Sheeran
6 Winter Rolling Stones 7 Odhbhut Cheleti Aurthohin 8
Frozen World Emilie Simon
9 Shukno Pata Mila 10 Tum Hi Ho (You got it bad) Remix Arjun
TM AG TU ESDAY, NOVE M B E R 1 9, 2013
Let’s talk about ‘Sax’ baby
`
in the likes of Dave Matthews, Stanley Clarke, Dire Straits, Steeley Dan, and Pink Floyd have all incorporated the greatest saxophone players in their music. Saxophone players like Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Grover Washington Jr, Leroy Moore, and Boyd Tinsley, have all popularised the instrument. There are several kinds of saxophones that one needs to know of, if they’re willing to pick up the instrument. There is the Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone. They all provide the player with a variety of ranges in order to find a perfect sound, as they differ in size, shape, and material. If you are willing to learn to play the instrument, you could pick up a saxophone for anywhere between $200-$20,000 (Tk15,500 – Tk1.55m). Q Zulyadain Islam
Cryptic Fate attacks with Akromon Cryptic Fate has released their brand new music video titled “Akromon.” The video has been directed by Wasi Ahmed and produced by Flybot Studios in collaboration with Incursion Music, Occult, Groove, and The Project. Moreover, this is Flybot’s first experimental video which has swiftly gained popularity in a short time. The 8:28 minutes video has a zombie apocalypse as a them and features several prominent models and celebrities. Oni (Warfaze),
Jamshed (Powersurge), Jon (Indalo), Zohad (Nemesis), Fuad and Tawsif (The Manager) have appeared in this conceptual video along with three story characters enacted by Waleed, Ruchita, and Redwan. The track “Akromon” belongs to their “Noy Maash” project. It can be purchased online at www. incursionmusic.com and can also be streamed at www.dugdugi.com.bd. It is also available on iTunes, Amazon, and many other international platforms via www.qineticmusic.com. Imtiaz Salim
back then. Iftekhar said: “We couldn’t find venues to perform at and TV shows were over. Everyone was saying Waves was negatively influencing our followers.” However, they did perform in various mainstream and underground venues. At Guide House, Waves did their solo concert in the mid-80s. Waves released their first album, which is considered a live album titled “Purono Sriti.” Iftekhar adds: “I left for New York before its release. We couldn’t manage ads and supporting shows, hence we were unable to promote the album. Eventually, both the album and the band disappeared from the market.” When
asked about their future plans and Waves’ reunion, Iftekhar shared a painful life event which made him cut ties with music. “My eight month old daughter was killed by her babysitter in March 2000. Since I have reformed the band, I will overcome the obstacles for good. Therefore, we are working on our next album, which is due sometime next year. Two songs from that album are already in the studio. We aren’t in a rush to make it though. I believe music is an art, but I also believe that recording is a science and you need to combine these two to get what you love. It’s a process and it takes time.” Imtiaz Salim
music
Words from the pioneer Iftekhar, the front man of heavy metal band Waves, said: “Being a pioneer of heavy metal music in Bangladesh, I feel I am lucky to have had the opportunity to start that fire.” He and his friends founded the band in the late 80s when they were in Germany. Iftekhar and Mahmud became friends while studying at a music school there. They often jammed with the local bands in Germany, which inspired them to form a band of their own. They convinced their drummer friend Mithu to join them, thus the band was founded and Iftekhar’s elder brother Ekram named it Waves. Waves continued their journey for years with regular gigs and television shows, even performing heavy metal music on BTV. The rich gear, instruments, and latest recording technologies pushed the band to make their mark both inside and outside the country. According to Iftekhar, Waves introduced the best musical instruments and recording equipment to Bangladesh in the early 80s. Of course, they faced many obstacles while performing on stage
tmag 11
playroom
TV
WE RECOMMEND Game Snow. Glass. Apples. With winter just around the corner, there are many games to be enjoyed during your cozy nights in. Among the many titles, the one that caught TMAG’s eye is Living Legend: Frozen Beauty from Big Fish Games. To start off, the game’s storyline is inspired from a mash-up of plots from popular fairytales. As it stands, it is about an evil queen who tries to absorb the beauty of young, fair maidens in order to preserve her own. The story stands out overall purely because of all the references it makes throughout the game, which should be familiar to a wide audience. For example, the poisoned apple, mirror mirror on the wall, is seen in the in-game cinematics. Moving on to the gaming aspect of the title, it is a combination of locating hidden objects and solving
gadget hunt
Of the Krazy Kardashians puzzles in order to progress through the storyline. Every game needs a character and yours is that of, the beautiful girl, sibling to one of girls abducted by the queen. As you progress through the game, finding hidden objects and solving puzzles, your goal is to save your sister before her youth is sucked out of her. Later, you can enlist the
Fuad M Hossain
Music on the go The microlab MD212 portable speaker targets those individuals who are in need of a portable and lightweight Bluetooth solution. This device is the perfect size and shape for portability. It is not going to fit well into pant or shirt pockets, but it is certainly able to fit nicely into a small purse or a carry-on bag. No matter where you go, you will have a Bluetooth device with you that delivers great audio. The microlab MD212 comes in three different colours, white, red, and black. It is one of the devices in this class that have plenty of both. There was clearly plenty of thought that went into the design of the MD212. The result is not only a simple, attractive design, but also a subwoofer tube-like shape that generates high-quality audio. The button on top
MOVIE
help of spirits - spirits of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and many other prominent fairytale characters to help you with your journey. The story is very captivating as you progress and there is ample amount of build up to a climax though it is sad that the climax leaves more to be desired.
of it allows you to answer an incoming call and utilise the microlab MD212 as a speaker phone. It is also used to place the device back into pairing mode if pairing times out. Another great feature is the pullout tray that allows you to place your smartphone or tablet in an upright position. This really comes in handy when you are streaming videos. The built-in microphone helps individuals on the other end of the conversation to hear you well. The microlab MD212 is a well thought out device. It may not have some of the fancy features that can be found on other Bluetooth devices, but microlab stuck to the essentials in order to keep the MD212 compact, highly portable, and userfriendly. Tahsin Momin
Who’s afraid of the big, bad Wolf? Is there any other species on God’s green earth as badass as the Grey Wolf? These brutally efficient hunters live in some of the most inhospitable climates in the world, and they don’t even complain. If you’re going to have the audacity to pit a human against these wolves there are worse candidates than Liam Neeson. But even the man who nobody ought to mess with, finds himself out of his element in the Arctic wild, as the merciless killing machines gaze at him with unforgiving eyes. Like a slasher movie, there’s a body count here. One by one you see the survivors get swallowed up the wilderness that does not judge and does not care. It is atmospheric. Remember the Coen brothers’ classic Fargo, where the winter backdrop
almost becomes a character and you just feel the cold in each shot? The Grey does that, multiplied. A stark, brutal film with terrific cinematography and not a whole lot by way of plot, this one can be a gloomy experience. The dialogue is mostly filler, as the men sit around waiting for the overwhelming forces of nature to gobble them up. How long can a person stay human in such an unforgiving backdrop? When does that ancient instinct for survival, hardcoded into us from millions of years of survival, overwhelm everything else, until we’re also down there with the wolves, fighting for our share of the land? Though not a cheery film, this is one that’ll stay with you. Think “Heart of Darkness” in the Arctic wilderness. abak hussain
Keeping up with the Kardashians is a show that is so original, so real, and so hilarious, you can’t help but watch all the seasons. The show follows two families - the Jenners and the Kardashians. Kris Jenner was initially married to Robert Kardashian, with whom she had four children, Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Rob. She later married Bruce Jenner, with whom she had two daughters Kendal and Kylie. The show follows their exciting everyday lives, their interactions with each other and most interestingly, Kris’ ardent efforts to forward Kim’s modelling career. Despite their upbringing among the classiest and their exposure to the glitz and glamour of a strictly Hollywood lifestyle, they hold one thing close to their heart, family bonding. While some may be put off by how open-minded Kris is with her children, the show is an amusing, fun watch. Kim Kardashian is seen as a simple-hearted girl who is so shamelessly self-obsessed, yet so innocent and naive, you cannot help but love her. Khloe is undeniably a vital source of comic relief with her witty oneliners and her self-depreciating jabs. Kourtney is seen as the one who maintains the middle ground in the show, being the eldest of the lot. From all the arguments and petty squabbles these girls put themselves into, Bruce, their step father takes a more nonchalant approach to life, taking a backseat as he plays mother to his step daughters and his own daughters. As viewers watch Kris work her way to augment her daughters’ fame, from getting Kim into the Tyra Banks show to encouraging her to model for Girls Gone Wild, behind her stepfathers back, there is an undeniable element of entertainment that is hard to miss. N Anita Amreen
TM AG TU E SDAY, N OVE MB E R 1 9, 20 1 3
12 tmag
TEENARAMA
Five kinds of friends you should avoid The gossipmonger
Be it four in the morning or eight at night, for this young one, it’s always gossip o’clock. She knows about your best friend, your best friend’s mom and whatever happened to your best friend’s sister last summer. Every piece of information, no matter how minute, is discussed, dissected and divulged to whoever is up for some juice.
The squatter
For this specific friend, forever is never long enough. While she endlessly chatters away on the phone, discussing every mundane detail of her life, you cannot help but feel an infringement on your time, privacy and just life in general. Once you have allowed this person a squatting inch into your private space, beware since there is no turning back.
Boyfriend/girlfriend stealer
Insecure, envious, and always ready to fall in love, they are always on the lookout for the forbidden. “True love” is only found in people who
1
I was carrying way too many grocery bags. I lost balance and dropped them all on a puddle of mud in the streets.
are taken. After all, where is the fun of falling in love if you’re not fighting for it? Whether it’s the best friend’s boyfriend or your brother’s girlfriend, love shall conquer all.
Mr/Mrs invisible
This friend is always going on about all that he can and will do but when it comes down to business, he’s limp with uselessness. This one is full of life-sized promises. As long it’s only his words that matter he’ll give you the world and back. The moment you actually need him to keep his empty promises he’ll vanish into thin air with more crafty excuses.
The photocopy
Remember how you wished you always had a twin when you were younger? Always ready to emulate anything and everything you say or do, your twin is a spitting image of you. While it’s fun to match outfits and take “twinsie” selfies, once your twin begins replicating your walk, talk, and adopting your ideas as their own, there’s definitely trouble brewing. N Anita Amreen
Blush Much?
2
I was talking to my teacher out of excitement; suddenly I noticed that she kept wiping her face. Turns out I have a spitting problem every time I talk.
3
I ripped my pants in school and had to wait in the washroom till one of the bua’s sewed it up for me.
4
My bra strap snapped while I was chatting with a friend. Add to my miseries, I was wearing a white kameez. Email your confession today to tmag@dhakatribune.com
TM AG TU ESDAY, NOVE M B E R 1 9, 2013
s y a s He e says Sh There are those who love being cooped up in a couch and watching movies during this chilly time, then there are some couples who have it the hard way during winter. Winters can have quite a depressing effect on love birds. Here are some chilly winter blues couples are forced to face during winter The problem of dealing with the chilly winter blues ... He says
The first few days of the winter is usually a blissful break from the terrible summer heat, but the depressing gloomy skies and the chilly air makes my day really slow. The first few days with my girl feels great but the lack of activity and the corners of our rooms just makes us fight over really silly things. We both know that these squabbles are unnecessary but our lack of energy to go out and do something makes us fight with each other at home unnecessarily. This just adds further to the already depressing winter weather.
She says
Until recently, I realised that a season change plays such a vital role in my relationship. I feel like spending more time with my boyfriend but he is always so down and out and not up for anything. His idea of a winter evening is being curled up at home dressed like an Eskimo and eating chips in front of the TV. Going out is an absolute no no for him. I wish he would step out in this few blissful winter days to enjoy the cool outside.
The problem of dealing with comfort foods ... He says
Comfort foods such as warm khichuri, nehari and katti rolls are absolutely unavoidable during winter. I am a fitness freak, but my girlfriend hates it when I indulge these few precious weeks of the Dhaka winter. She even makes me order insipid salads and healthy pita rolls. I already have a mom at home who fusses over my food habits, so I’d be happier if my girlfriend refrained from doing so.
She says
Due to the lack of inactivity, I end up binging on carbs like crazy. I eat more than I would on a regular day and my weighing scale doesn’t look so happy. My boyfriend thinks it’s so cute that I look like a round bear but he fails to see the pain of not being able to fit into my regular jeans without fighting in it for ten minutes.