Weekend 483

vol 3 Issue 48 | FRIDAY, March 25, 2016

Dhaka Tribune

5

Tackling poverty

6

Preserving history

20

The Bong Momma

CONTENTS

1

Volume 3 | Issue 48 | March 25, 2016 News

2 News 3 Meanwhile

Editor Zafar Sobhan

Features

Features Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

4 Tailored Cleaning 5 Focus Tackling poverty 6 Focus Preserving history 8 Rant Learning history 14 Youth Self-reliance 15 Youth Self-reliance 17 Craft Clay art

Asst Magazine Editor Farina Noireet Weekend Tribune Team Saudia Afrin Moumita Ahmed N Anita Amreen Sakib Mridha Saqib Sarker Syeda Samira Sadeque Mahmood Sadi Shuprova Tasneem

9

Photo Story

Independence Day

Contributors Minu Ahmed Dina Sobhan

Regulars

16 Drama Mama 18 Stay In 19 Go Out 20 The Bong Momma

Cartoons Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy Graphics Md Mahbub Alam Alamgir Hossain Tahsin Momin

12

Colour Specialist Shekhar Mondal

Editor’s note

Advertisement Shahin Ahsan Production Masum Billah Circulation Masud Kabir Pavel Website dhakatribune.com/weekend facebook.com/WeekendTrib Email your letters to: weekend@dhakatribune.com

Lifestyle

Bachelor woes

Dear Readers, Tomorrow we celebrate 45 years of independence, a milestone that leaves us at an interesting juncture, demographically speaking.

We are young enough as a nation to have a segment of the population that were born during or before the major events that to the birth of Bangladesh. This means that the violence and bloodshed carried out on the evening of this day 45 years ago is something they witnessed firsthand. On the other hand, almost half a century after that night, a significant majority of the population were born into a free and independent Bangladesh, and this bears thinking about.

How do we then, straddle the past and the present, doing right by the legacy and sacrifices behind our independence, as we stride into the future?

In this issue we take a trip to the Muktijuddho museum, as it prepares to move to its new premises, and learn about the challenges of preserving history. We take stock of an education system that has failed to uphold the same.

We ask ourselves what it means to be “independent” in independent Bangladesh, where moving out and finding a place to live is an odyssey, and yet, having achieved that, how many young people actually have what it takes to strike out and live on their own.

We take to the streets to see how those without a roof over their heads managed to get by and become selfsufficient.

Here’s wishing our readers a very happy Independence Day.

About the cover

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

- Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

2 News | This week Brussels attacks kill at least 34 Jihadist group Dae’sh claimed

Obama goes to Cuba on a historic visit

The report said the brothers were

responsibility for suicide bomb

known to police for past crimes, but

attacks on Brussels airport and a

nothing relating to terrorism. RTBF

rush-hour metro train in the Belgian

said Khalid El Bakraoui had rented

capital on Tuesday, last week which

an apartment which was raided by

killed at least 34 people, with police

police last week in an operation that

hunting a suspect who fled the air

led authorities to top Paris attacks

terminal.

suspect Salah Abdeslam.

The coordinated assault triggered

Last week, Belgian police said

security alerts across Europe and drew

they were hunting for a suspected

global expressions of support, four

Abdeslam accomplice, Najim

days after Brussels police had captured

Laachraoui. He is believed to have

the prime surviving suspect in Dae’sh’s

made the suicide vests used in the

attacks on Paris last November.

November attacks in Paris, in which

US President Barak Obama went

130 people were killed, according

to Cuba on Sunday afternoon, last

took place Monday morning when

broadcaster RTBF has identified two

to a French police official who said

week, a journey of only 90 miles

Obama met with Cuban President

of the attackers as brothers Khalid

Laachraoui’s DNA was found on all

from U.S. shores that took more

Raúl Castro at the presidential

and Brahim Bakraoui. They are

of them and in a Brussels apartment

than half a century to complete.

palace.

believed to have blown themselves

where they were made.

up in the attacks.

Photo: AFP

Later on Wednesday, Belgian state

The Obamas, including the

“I have come here to bury the

president’s two daughters and his

last remnant of the cold war in the

mother-in-law, were welcomed by

Americas,” Obama later told Cuban

Bruno Rodríguez, Cuba’s foreign

leaders and citizens in a nationally

minister, and Josefina Vidal, the

televised address. “I know the

head of the U.S. section of Cuba’s

history, but I refuse to be trapped

Foreign Ministry, as well as Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the

The world at a glance Trump, Clinton keep edge with Arizona wins, slip elsewhere

The official welcoming session

senior U.S. diplomat in

Weekend Tribune Desk

Cuba upon arrival

by it,” he said. “It is time for us to look forward together. Un futuro de esperanza.”

Photo: AP

Taskin suspension upheld by judicial commissioner This independent assessment found that some of Taskin’s standard deliveries exceeded the permissible level of elbow extension and, as such, his bowling action was found to be illegal and he was suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

Taskin exercised his right to

The International Cricket Council on

request an expeditious review of his

Wednesday, last week announced

case by a Judicial Commissioner. The

that Taskin Ahmed’s suspension

hearing was conducted yesterday

Republican Donald Trump and

Sanders, whose grass-roots campaign

from bowling in International Cricket

by Michael Beloff QC over a tele-

Democrat Hillary Clinton won their

has refused to yield to the former

has been upheld, following a review

conference call that lasted several

parties’ primaries in Arizona and

secretary of state, snatched much-

hearing conducted by a Judicial

hours and in which numerous legal

maintained steep advantages in the

needed victories in Utah and Idaho,

Commissioner.

challenges were made on behalf of

presidential nominations race, despite

blunting Clinton’s momentum just as

victories by rivals in other states.

she began to project an image as the

suspected illegal bowling action by

inevitable Democratic nominee.

the match officials in Bangladesh’s

arguments and the responses of the

Trump on Tuesday extended his lead over nearest rival Ted Cruz

the player.

Having carefully considered those

opening match of the ICC World

ICC, Mr Beloff has now notified all

in the all-important delegate race,

another opportunity to pile up

Twenty20 2016 against the

parties concerned of his decision that

although the arch-conservative

delegates on the way to the party

Netherlands in Dharamsala on March

Taskin’s suspension from bowling in

senator from Texas made a night of

nominating conventions, but it did not

9. He undertook an independent

international cricket shall be upheld

it by resoundingly winning the Utah

dramatically alter the basic outlines of

assessment at the ICC-accredited

and indicated that a written reasoned

caucuses.

the race.

testing centre in Chennai on March

decision will be provided in due course.

Photo: Reuters

15.

Source: ICC

Clinton’s challenger Bernie

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

The voting gave the candidates

Taskin was reported as having a

. . . Meanwhile

3

Photo of the week

Protesting for the rights to freedom.

Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu

say what?

This guy is pretty sure he found fossils from Noah’s Flood A Texas man says he found fossils

Wayne Propst was helping his aunt

worldwide flood described in the biblical book of Genesis.

He sent photos to Joe Taylor,

from “Noah’s flood,” and the director

out, laying dirt near her home in the

director and curator of the Mt.

of an anti-science museum that claims

town of Tyler when he found snail

“From Noah’s flood to my front

Blanco Fossil Museum in Crosbyton,

evolution is “an old-fashioned theory”

fossils. He and his aunt believe the

yard, how much better can it get?”

Texas, for analysis. Taylor holds the

is supporting him.

fossils happened during the fabled

Propst said.

positions that evolution is not real, that a worldwide flood occurred a few thousand years ago, and that Noah — the man that the Bible describes as building an ark large enough to save two of every animal species from the floodwaters — brought dinosaurs on his ark with him.

However, James Sagebiel, the collections manager at the Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections said that the rocks there are about 35-40 million years old, and these little turret snails are commonly found in marine rocks of that age.

Millions of years ago, the place where Tyler, Texas, now stands would have been coastline, he added. n Source: Huffington Post

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

4 Tailored | Cleaning

White out If you want something done right, do it yourself Mahmood Hossain

W

e get it, you have a

clothes and rinse away. How do

busy life. Some of us

you perform this act? Simple, put

are juggling two jobs

the clothes in a tub of cold water

and a wife. Some of

and just slosh them around. That’s pretty much it. Yup. That’s it.

us are running around after children.

But when you leave the responsibility

5. After rinsing your whites, it’s time

of washing your favourite clothes and cherishable white t-shirts to someone

to squeeze out all the excess water.

else, you’ve got no one else to blame

Again, be gentle. Simple twisting

but yourself when something goes

your clothes won’t do, you’ll want

wrong. The latter is of high importance,

to avoid heavy wrinkling. Look at it

especially in a difficult city like Dhaka.

this way, it’s like twisting off a bottle

Our whites lose their pristine shade the

of water and not a greasy jar of

moment we step out of our homes. This

achar. Keep doing it as much as you

is exactly why gentlemen must wash

can to get the most of it all out and

their own whites, and do it correctly.

drained.

If you actually believe that doing your 6. Here’s a step majority of folks have

own laundry is not manly thing to do, consider yourself a fool. Once you’ve

no clue about. The thing about air

got the concept down, follow the

drying your clothes is that it can

proper steps on how to take care of

take a lot of time. Not unless you’re

your own whites.

comfortable with hanging them off your balcony or on the roof, you really can’t spend too much time

1. First thing is first, get yourself a solid detergent. Nothing cheap or

waiting for your clothes to dry. To

doused with floral scents, but a

avoid all that nonsense, lay out a

detergent that will be above the

dry, clean towel on the floor and

average cost of other brands. You

place your white t-shirts on them,

want your white t-shirts or other

and wrap your whites up. Once

white items to smell great don’t you?

wrapped, press down with your

Take that bottle of detergent and

hands and drain whatever water

pour a dash of it into a sink filled

might be left in the tees.

with cold water.

7. Now, it’s time to simply hang out.

Take your whites out of those rolled

2. After you’ve twirled the detergent around a bit in the sink full of cold

towels and hang them properly on

water, dunk your whites into the

a drying rack or a rope outside on

sink. Here’s the part most men (or

a balcony. If you have neither, you

people in general) get appallingly

can always carefully place them over

wrong. Do not, and we repeat, do

a chair. There’s no need to stretch

not wash your clothes like you’re

your t-shirts out either. Remember

trying to scrub the blood stained

Photo: Bigstock

hands of Lady Macbeth. The best

you want to keep the shape of your whites and keep away from creases

grime and dirt on them, spill the

and heavy wrinkles. Well, there you

and in order to obtain the integrity

time gently applying shiatsu to your

same amount of the bleach as you

have it, you’re done. Treat yourself

of the clothes, it’s best to handle

whites, reach for the bleach. That’s

did with the detergent. Let it sit for a

to something nice, you deserve it.

with care. Massage your whites

of course if you actually need to

bit, then move onto the next step.

And yes, that was a very masculine

into the soapy water as if you were

bleach your clothes. Just because

caressing a hand full of dough on a

they happen to be white, doesn’t

kitchen top.

necessarily mean you must always

attending various other chores

use bleach. However, if there is

around your crib, come back to the

white t-shirts are of genuine quality,

3. Once you’ve spent some quality

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

thing to do. n 4. While you’ve spent some time

Tackling poverty | Focus

5

From the streets, a way home How an international NGO is addressing a community no one else wants to touch – the street dwellers Syeda Samira Sadeque

T

started availing services of the Amrao

household maids, construction workers,

Manush project, and eventually was

cooks in different officers and other

awarded a Block Grant. With this, she

similar professionals.

started a small business – which started

While not all the PDCs have night

off as a cigarette caddy and has today

shelters, the ones that do have their

evolved to a small tea stall in Ananda

members registered. It offers women and

Bazar. Today, Bithi earns Tk 3-4,000 per

children to stay the night with a cost of only Tk 5 per month. The night shelters

wenty five year old Ruma

host about 40-45 people every month,

sits behind a table in her tiny

although this number varies.

room, as she speeds up the

The facility also provides for health

sewing machine in front of

services for the participants, including

her. There is a captivating precision

intervention through satellite clinics

with which she holds each piece of cloth

that address severe acute malnutrition

under the machine, and makes goods out

of children, and does growth monitoring

of them.

for lactating and pregnant mothers of the

“I make bedsheets, kamizes and other

community.

kinds of goods to sell to my neighbours

This is also helping establish

and friends,” she tells me.

behavioral changes in the community

Ruma, who lives in the heart of a

as the organisation moves to preventive

Gabtoli slum, has been in the business

care over curative methods to address

for four years. Although she now has

malnutrition.

a rented apartment, with two sewing

“We can’t just let our children

machines, and has her own business, it

die,” says Asfia Azim, another Project

was all intangible dream for her just a few

Rupa sits at her sewing machine

years ago.

and perhaps most neglected, rung is

Photo: Courtesy

Coordinator who looks after this aspect.

She adds that parents often don’t know

the street dwellers – those who belong

day, and has settled in a home with her

the signs of malnutrition but bring in

densely populated cities in the world, in

neither to the rural communities nor the

husband and child.

their children with the symptoms.

part due to the large migration from rural

urban slums, both of which have been

areas, the class disparity is ever growing.

addressed by various NGOs over the

For humanity

services and provide free packages that

However, even then, many of those –

years.

Bithi has started off using services at one

cure and prevent malnutrition,” she adds.

With Dhaka being one of the most

especially those living in rural areas of

This has left a huge gap in addressing

of the PDCs by Concern Worldwide which

“So we’ve decided to open up clinic

There are also basic health services

Bangladesh as well as the urban poor

issues of pavement dwellers – and that

offer various facilities for the homeless

offered at every PDC, where the

living in slums – are often addressed as a

is the exact gap that Concern Worldwide

people of Dhaka and Chittagong. Their

participants can go for a health check-up.

population.

has been addressing, since 2008, through

centres include showering facilities,

Ruma comes from an even lower class

their Amrao Manush project.

cooking area, daycare services for

To come home

children, and some have night shelters.

With health, hygiene and a sense of

– the homeless people of Bangladesh.

“Why aren’t so many NGOs working

Or, as they are formally referred to: the

on this issue? Because the operation

While the showering and cooking

community, the Amrao Manush project

pavement dwellers.

cost is very high,” says Mahjabeen Z

facilities are free of cost, there is a

aims – and succeeds – in reaching the

Khan, project coordinator at Concern

minimal cost for daycare and night

most necessary elements needed to

scattered,” says Ruma, who came to

Worldwide in Dhaka. “Pavement

shelter services.

survive in cities in Bangladesh.

Dhaka with her mother at a very early

dwellers often migrate and are difficult to

“When we started working with

age. Like numerous people moving to the

trace – that’s why it’s difficult to work on

pavement dwellers, at first we started

so they have the right to these services

capital with dreams of finding jobs and

this issue. And that is the challenge we

with rented premises – and the challenge

and we to give them that service,” says

stability, Ruma and her mother ended up

are taking, because these people are in

was that the rent was high and whenever

Mahjabeen. And so far, Concern has

having to live on the streets.

dire need of this support.”

we said we were working with pavement

helped many touch their dreams, and

dweller, no one wanted to rent it to

many more to come home from the streets.

“We used to sleep here and there,

Things began to look up when Ruma

The journey of those who have

came across a shelter home in Gabtoli

received support from Concern

us,” says Zahida Fizza Kabir, executive

that caters specifically to pavement

Worldwide is testament to how much

director at Sajida Foundation, one of

dwellers.

the support is needed. Through its

Concern’s partners in the project.

The Pavement Dweller Centre (PDC)

“Amrao Manush” (We, too, are human)

“That’s when we started this

by Concern Worldwide, an international

project of the Urban Integrated Program,

advocacy work with DCC so that they

NGO that’s been in Dhaka since 1972,

established in 2008, Concern Worldwide

would give us abandoned places so we

caters to the homeless population of

has so far reached more than 20,000

could establish PDCs there,” she says.

Dhaka and Chittagong, with 12 centres

people through its various facilities.

across both cities.

Bithi, 22, from Khulna, says her life

Today, the centres offer a range of services. Daycare services at the PDCs

“They’re equal citizens of Bangladesh,

Today, the participants aren’t merely surviving, as on the streets, they are living. And more importantly, they are dreaming.

“I have dreams to make business bigger, then we go higher. This all started with just Tk 5,000, and we’ve come a long way,” says Bithi.

Ruma, sitting behind her sewing

changed around with the Block Grant

cost Tk 50 per month, and include

received from the Amrao Manush

breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks

machine, says: “I haven’t studied, but

Poverty in Bangladesh is not a black and

project. The Block Grant is a stipend of

for the children. The children are bathed,

hope to raise her as an educated child.”

white picture. There are varying degrees

Tk5,000 provided to a participant who

taught, and fed while their mothers –

of it – especially in the lower echelon

uses that money to kick-start a business.

mostly day labourers – are out working

Bithi, who used to live on the streets,

in the city. These are mostly children of

A place called home

of the society. Those in the lowest,

And in her eyes, in this rented room in the middle of a slum, hope flickers. n

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

6 Focus | Preserving history

The Liberation War Museum: Our pride and joy Saqib Sarker

A

pproximately 598,421

forgotten what is written in history.”

people have visited The

“We (people who live in Dhaka) have

the exhibits to different places around

adoption of Bengali as a state language

the country. Member of the Board of

and for a secular democracy, and the

Liberation War Museum

no clue how much people remember

Trustees take part in these tours and

personal belongings of Father of the

(LWM) over the last 13 years

about the war. People know the stories

reach out to the general public in rural

Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

since its inception on March 22, 1996.

from their elders and the elders have

areas. “We set up at school or college

The third gallery displays some of

Make of the number what you may but

vivid memories of the time,” said Aly

premises and in the evening we screen

the most famous posters used by the

the importance or significance of this

Zaker.

documentaries in a room at those

Bangladesh Government in exile. There

institutions,” said Aly Zaker.

is also a touch-screen, which gives

museum cannot be reduced to hard

“But these are deeply personal

statistics. What we know for certain is

memories. They are separate from the

that our consciousness of who we are

larger political narrative,” he added.

is indispensable and consciousness cannot come from ignorance.

“We wanted to build a place where

Currently divided into six galleries

the visitor an overview of the history

The LWM has two active and ongoing program to disseminate knowledge, besides the museum

people can come to get the essential

exhibitions. In the “outreach” program

knowledge about our Liberation War.

the museum invites schools and

And one of the most important matters

colleges to visit its premises. The

for us was to make the new generation

museum arrange bus(es) for their

interested and motivated to seek this

travel to the museum. As a part of the

knowledge,” said Aly Zaker, one of the

program the students are given a quiz

founding members of the museum and

after their visit. They are also asked to

a member of the board of trustees. The

write on what they have learned after

other founding members of the board

the visit or they are encouraged to

are Dr Sarwar Ali, Asaduzzman Noor,

speak to someone who can share with

Rabiul Hussain, Sara Zaker, Ziauddin

the students, their experiences in 1971.

Tarek Ali, Mofidul Hoque, and Akku

Students can then send their stories/

the museum exhibits, among other

of the struggle. Galleries IV, V, and VI

Chowdhury.

writings to the museum.

things, archaeological materials from

displays include Personal belongings

as far back as 500 BC in gallery I.

of the martyrs and the memorabilia of

A symbolic torch of “eternal flame”

“We have collected an enormous

One of the most important matters for us was to make the new generation interested and motivated to seek this knowledge

sits at the entrance to the museum. The

number of writings and we plan to

Gallery II exhibits include two bricks

the Sector and Brigade Commanders,

torch is always kept ablaze. The flame

publish these in a book. But this will go

from the Cellular Jail in the Andaman

documents relating to the international

symbolises what is engraved on a stone

through proper screening of course,”

Islands and the names of those

efforts, documents and artefacts used

at the entrance: “the bloodied soil of

Zaker informed.

freedom fighters who were hanged

by the Naval Commandos, the Free

there by the British, a history of the

Bangladesh Radio and the Bangladesh

Bengal testifies/ the sun and the moon

The other program, called the

bear witness/ we have not forgotten the

“reach out” program is a countrywide

Pakistan period (1947 – 1971) and

Air Force, arms used by the Muktibahini

memories of our martyrs/ nor have we

tour where the museum takes some of

united struggle of the people for the

(the Bengali name for the freedom

Photo: LWM

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

Photo: LWM

7

Photo: LWM

Photo: Dhaka Tribune

fighters), excavated human remains

freedom fighters, broken remnants of

from two killing fields in Dhaka,

a bridge blown up by the Muktibahini,

artifacts and documents showing the

among many other exhibits which are

atrocities on women and children.

not currently displayed at the present

In 2009, the Museum acquired just under an acre of land in Agargaon,

Like every year, the LWM is

Dhaka, to construct a full-fledged

commemorating the March 25 and 26

museum. The superstructure is nearly

by arranging different program from

complete and it is expected that the

22 March to 28 March. At 6:30pm on

museum will be moved to the new

March 25, there will be a candlelight

premise very soon.

vigil in front of the museum, the

“The challenge now is the

Rafikul Islam informed Weekend

receive a certain amount in grant from

Tribune. The members of the board of

the government. We also get individual

trustees are expected to be present,

and corporate contributions that help

Islam said.

“You know, we say freedom…

that. The government has helped us

we don’t really want to say

all the way through, particularly with

‘independence’,” Aly Zaker said

getting the land for the new premise,”

commenting on what it means to him

Zaker added.

after so many years to commemorate

But the vastly larger new premise

Photo: LWM

events of the liberation war. “Because

will require 500 percent more cost

independence is a necessity but

to run. That, Aly Zaker says, is a big

‘freedom’ or ‘liberation’ encapsulates

problem. “What we get from ticket

our struggles much more accurately.

sales is nothing, it’s peanuts. But that is

Freedom of thoughts, freedom from

our challenge now,” he said.

being shackled….that is why we call

The new museum will have many

Photo: Dhaka Tribune

program coordinator of the LWM,

sustainability,” Aly Zaker said. “We

us a lot. We are immensely grateful for

Photo: LWM

location because of lack of space.

the war “Muktijuddho” (fight for

new and exciting exhibits. The Indian

liberation),” he added. When asked

government has donated a fighter jet

where he wants to see this museum in

that was actually used in the Liberation

10 years, Aly Zaker says he hopes that

War. The new premise also has on

this museum “will become a national

display, rocket launchers used by

glory for this country.” n

Photo: LWM

Photo: LWM

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

8 Rant | learning History

Lest we forget Syeda Samira Sadeque

E

arlier this year, as people piled up in front of Shaheed Minar to pay respect to our language martyrs, a

TV station somewhere in Dhaka got its best byte of the day: a girl saying, on record, that she was here to pay tribute to our Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters).

The clip went viral online.

People shared it on Facebook with commentary that bashed the seemingly university-going girl, her ignorance, and the ignorance of an entire generation. When my friends showed it to me, I chuckled – an obligatory response to merely acknowledge the “joke”. But I didn’t share how, earlier that same day, a close friend (much younger) had said something similar, very confidently: “I am going to Shaheed Minar to pay respect to our freedom fighters.”

When the video went viral online, people laughed, joked, bashed her, and showed it to their friends. No one, even by mistake, asked the obvious question: how does an entire generation remain confused about the different stages of history? How does an entire generation mix up Language Movement Day with Independence (or is it Victory?) Day? How does an entire generation remain this much in confusion – without even knowing that they know the wrong thing?

The problem is not our youth, or our generation. If you grew up in the

Cartoon: Syed Rashad Imama Tanmoy/Dhaka Tribune

Somehow, an entire generation remains clueless and confused, unable to differentiate February 21 from December 16

and confused, unable to differentiate

nor cared for as teenagers. It was

February 21 from December 16, the

about Europe, and had nothing to do

freedom of language from freedom of

with Shaheed Minar or Smritishoudho

state.

or the Liberation War Museum here in

Some could (and I would) argue that

Dhaka.

there shouldn’t be any difference – the

While this may be changing, given

sacrifice is similar and so they should

many schools are beginning to teach

be celebrated and remembered the

a more objective and detailed account

same. But that’s a different argument.

of the war, as well as the language

country in the 90’s, and went to a

the struggles and successes of our war,

The question still remains the same:

movement in 1952 and so on, it is

regular school, you were taught about

the price of our brothers’ blood, the

why is the youth so confused about

important to keep in mind that the girl

the kaloraatri, or about shadhinota,

power of our mothers’ tears.

our different historical landmarks?

whose byte went video online, isn’t at

Our education system wasn’t

fault alone – it’s an entire generation

and was made to rage through our

anecdotes and details of how each

helpful. Most of our history was

that was taught to glorify blood, the

blood with an undeniable tenacity. We

mother’s heart broke with the death of

taught through anecdotes in Amar

struggle, and all of that without being

all grew up with a sense of untainted

each martyr, somehow, the real history

Boi, while our history books told –

taught to differentiate one movement

patriotism because that is what was

slipped through the cracks. Somehow,

painfully irrelevant – stories of time

from the other. And the onus falls on

glorified in the pages of Amar Bois –

an entire generation remains clueless

periods that we neither understood

all of us equally. n

words which seeped into our brain

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

And yet, despite the very moving

Independence Day | Photo Story

9

Celebrating freedom

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

As we approach the 45th year of independence, we march together as a proud nation of free-thinking people. From climbing mountains, building robots, to hosting world class arts and literature festivals, and of course, etching its name in cricket history, Bangladeshis are making their mark in many different arenas across the globe.

This week’s photo story features celebration of 45 glorious years of freedom.

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

10 Photo Story | Independence Day

Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu

Photo: Mehedi Hasan

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

11

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

12 Lifestyle | Bachelor woes

Single in the city The unbreakable commandments of apartment renting N Anita Amreen

“A

pu, don’t worry, as

hunger was left well fed, all with more

some credibility when introducing

income and can prove to be long-term

long as I’m here and

than obvious underlying meanings

myself to my Bashundhara landlord,”

investments. Bachelors are more prone

taken care of, you

of how any dealings were duly

she explains, adding that she was lucky

to bringing unwanted attention to an

can come in anytime.

“understood.”

enough to be allowed by her parents to

apartment, as you expect them to make

move out of their home. “I was working

more noise, have more guests over and

I’ll not tell the landlord. You can even

“Most landlords don’t even want to

bring your friends,” said security guard

give out an apartment to a single girl –

alongside studying at AIUB and I

lead a much more free-independent life

Abdur Rob, with a suggestive smile.

they think single girls are just disasters

wanted to live independently.”

that may not be to everyone’s liking,”

“Just if you would be kind enough to

waiting to happen,” she says, adding

he adds.

give me some bakshish,” he added, as a

that they put strict rules on single

Bumped up – and down

future thought after.

women, if they allow them to take the

Mushtabin belongs to a small group of

stigma of being single and living by

house for rent at all.

women who just want to live separately

yourself is less in affluent areas such as

from their parents, while most singles

Banani, Gulshan and Baridhara. With

Shamima Akhtar was dumbfounded.

This was the fourth house in Adabor

This includes: not coming in after

However, Grover argues that the

that she had been to in search of an

a certain time (usually after dark), not

who look for housing are usually those

rent in these areas running extremely

apartment. As a single, 26-year-old

having any friends or even family over,

who come to the capital from out of

high, only someone who can afford it

woman, finding a place to stay in Dhaka

and never allowing male presence in

town in search of work or to pursue

will rent a place here, which validates

turned out to be a perpetual ordeal

the house.

an education. For them, the landlords

claims of financial stability of the

aren’t as welcoming.

tenants.

while travelling back all the way home to Savar a tedious reality.

“They think a women living by herself is a sign of promiscuity and of

“They usually don’t prefer to

course, potential trouble,” says Sarrat

rent out their houses to bachelors,”

from listings available at AnyTolet.

flatly refused upon seeing her, some

Mushtabin, a 25 year old woman who

says Rajesh Grover, Co-Founder and

com, a property portal website,

even refusing to let her into the house

was apartment hunting in the capital’s

Regional Managing Director, lamudi.

inquiring about housing for bachelors.

on the grounds that she’s a single

Bashundhara area late last year.

com.bd, a Rocket Internet venture

Interestingly, six out of eight landlords

that helps people in the property

refused to house singles, while one said

“hostels” or student housing options,

market to find their ideal home, land

he would consider it, given the tenants

Abdur Rob, the guard from the

Bashundara landlords are usually more

or commercial property. According

background and situation while one

fourth house, however, was more

welcoming to female tenants – but only

to Grover, the stigma and obstacles

agreed more easily. The landlord for a

forthcoming in his approach. Instantly

if they live with other flatmates and

bachelors face is predominantly

three bedroom house at Hathirjheel’s

assuming a single woman is looking

follow the house-rules that are strict

because of two aspects – financial and

Badda area, priced at Tk5,500 per

for privacy and the ability to have the

and iron-bound.

cultural.

month on the website instantly

The first four houses she visited

woman, making their distaste more than clear.

Known for having ample

home to herself, he offered her the freedom of “full privacy” as long as his

“My father was in the defense sector and that’s how I was able to give myself

“Families are more reliable as tenants – they have a good, stable

This reporter called eight landlords

bumped up the rent to Tk11,00 upon hearing that a single woman was

Photos: Bigstock

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

13

It was seen that bachelors, especially those looking for modestly priced housing, were subject to stricter rules and higher rent than families

in the capital. When looked at from the

shop, Warehouse, factory and “others”.

other end of the spectrum, landlords

“Others” includes five listings. One for

admit that they are least comfortable

a Tk1,20,000 rent house in Baridhara

with renting out their houses to

DOHS, a commercial building in

bachelors.

Karwan Bazar for Tk2,10,000, a 600 sq

“Bachelors are a liability. In a

ft pharmacy for rent, a fully furmished

country that’s as unstable and unsafe

apartment in Banani for Tk80,000

as ours, it’s only natural we don’t

and finally, a 2550sq ft “godown” for

want to allow bachelors to stay in

Tk30,600. Clearly, there are no listings for singles alone.

interested. He also mentioned that no

out of the apartment six months ago,

our house,” says Afzulur Abedin,

men are to be allowed in the apartment,

unable to deal with the continuous

56-year-old landlord of a Tk14,000/

with gates closing at 11pm every night.

and unfair harassment and accusations

month apartment in Adabor. His

bachelors be it a woman or a man,”

It was seen that bachelors, especially

“As an owner, I have no issues with

that came her way. Currently living in

family’s wellbeing and safety would be

says Kazi Arif Hossain, the landlord

those looking for modestly priced

Niketan with a three other housemates,

threatened if there’s a single man living

of a 1182sp ft apartment priced at

housing, were subject to stricter rules

Fareen pays higher rent but is able to

alone, he says.

Tk16,500 in Kallanpur. “As long as

and higher rent than families. However,

move more freely since her housemates

“I live with my daughters, how

Grover argues that it isn’t always the

have a good rapport with their landlord.

can I allow a single man to live in my

holders make no complains and

building?” he adds.

have no issues, I more than welcome

money that is the issue. While some

the surrounding society or apartment

landlords bump up the rent or security

The other side

deposit for bachelors because they

Kazi Farhan Zaman* moved from

that struggle more, what’s interesting

don’t find them as reliable, others,

Chittagong to Dhaka three years ago to

is the stigma and harassment single

to his past experiences. As a bachelor

often reduce the rent.

find work in the capital. The 29-year-

women face when trying to look for

himself, he often struggled to find

old wanted to tap into the niche, but

housing. “There were times when I’d

housing, being treated unfairly by

find a really good family that wants

thriving need for “poker houses” in

see the to-let sign, and when we’d try

landlords and neighbours, finding

to take a house on rent, landlords cut

Dhaka. As a bachelor in the city, it was

to step in to see the apartment, the

it difficult to adjust with the 11pm

down on rent because they know those

hard if not impossible to explain to

guards themselves would refuse to let

deadlines imposed on him by his

families will be stable tenants that will

landlords what exactly he did.

us in,” claims Saudia Afrin.

landlord. “If I got out late from work

“We’ve seen cases where, when we

take good care of the house,” he adds.

“My landlord would always charge

“Telling a landlord you want to

While it does seem like it’s the men

Afrin, along with two of her female

bachelors.”

Arif credits this open-mindedness

and didn’t make it by 11pm, I was

manage a ‘poker house’ is like digging

friends, faced this when they were

us unfairly for water and electricity

yourself a grave, they’ll slam you

looking for housing since their work

bills, just because it was four female

down before you even get a chance to

was too far away from home.

housemates in one house and he

speak,” he says. Looking for affordable

thought that immediately meant we

yet quality housing in Dhaka’s

similar problems when it comes to

he’s finally able to live independent

used more water,” says 26-year-old

Bashundhara turned into a headache,

finding housing, the rudest shock came

of restrictions. “I know the struggle

model and medical student Fareen*.

with most landlords refusing to let their

to 28-year-old Khandkar Tahmidur*

bachelors face and that’s why I make

Living in Dhandmondi’s Shankar

houses to a single man. When Zaman

when his landlord asked him not to get

it a point to be more welcoming to

area with flatmates who study at State

finally found housing, he hid his true

out of the house wearing shorts.

them. It’s my first hand experience that

University, Fareen never got a chance

identity and lied to his landlord, saying

to look at the monthly bills because

he worked as a “business analyst.”

their landlord would refuse to show it

Finding housing itself was “a relief”

While both men and women face

“He said it went against ‘our culture’ and Islam,” he says. Now, Tahmidur makes sure he wears full pants every

stranded on the streets,” he adds.

Three years ago he moved out twice, finally finding housing in Mirpur DOHS where timings are more flexible, and

has made me more understand these struggles, he says.

“I just hope the stigma and the

to them. Instead, he’d claim an amount

but the rules that came with it were

time he steps out of his house, so as not

stubborn mindset surrounding singles

and they had to pay because they

“suffocating and frustrating.” The

to get on the bad books of his landlord.

are slowly changed so that we are

weren’t sure how to go against his claim

rules were simple but iron bound – no

or oppose his authority.

women can be brought home, no loud

Some room for hope

music and absolutely no entering the

Today, AnyTolet.com has 189 listings

house after 11pm.

in Dhaka, with 10 sub categories, but

“The reason we don’t live in hostels is so that we are able to host our parents when they come to Dhaka

There are scores of other singles

allowed to really be able to move and live as freely as we should be,” he concludes. *These names have been changed in

none for a bachelor. The categories

order to maintain confidentiality of the sources n

from out of town – but even that I was

– both men and women who grapple

include bachelor mess, family houses,

deprived of,” she adds. Fareen moved

with the challenges of finding housing

female mess, sublet, garage, office,

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

14 Youth | Self-reliance

Young and independent How independent are the youth of the Bangladeshi middle-class?

Raisa Rahim, Tahsin Momin and Moumita Ahmed

I

f we are to analyse our nation’s political history very carefully,

meaning of liberation.

guardians.

Recently, Dhaka Tribune

Most of them seemed to know

As a consequence, most of them

how to drive and even have their own

we can clearly see that we

conducted a survey on the young,

fail to do their own chores, visit the

vehicle, but if there was a situation

have progressed very far as a

“independent” generation of private

doctor on their own, help with the

where their car or bike broke down on

country. It has been 45 years since the

university students of Bangladesh

bills, etc. Ashraf, a student at North

a deserted road, would they be able

declaration of independence, and it

in order to investigate how self-

South University, had to pay his

to fix it themselves? It was seen from

is safe to say that Bangladeshis have

supported we really are as individuals.

tuition fees for the first time in his two

the survey that they don’t know how

been successful in keeping that spirit

The survey consisted of a set of

years of university. As he is used to his

to change a tyre, or would not know

alive till date.

questions which helped us determine

father paying the fees every semester,

whom to call in that situation (other

the competency and self-sufficiency

when it was time for him to pay his

than their parents).

especially for the young generation,

of the youth. A group of males

fees for the first time, he ended up

it has been observed that they do not

and females, aged between 21-25,

paying a fine due to a miscalculation.

that a large portion of the youth

know the significance of the notion

participated in the survey.

It was also seen that most of the

always have to turn to their parents or

students barely had any idea about

guardians to deal with problems, that

However, on a personal level,

that took place 45 years ago. It may be

From the responses, it appears

Overall, it appears from the survey,

difficult to admit that today’s college

that most young people seem to

banking, let alone having a savings

can otherwise easily be solved on their

students still do not know the true

be dependent on their parents or

account in the bank.

own. n

MALE

FEMALE 92% of the respondents live with parents 60% said that they hate cooking.

56% of the respondents do their own chores

92% of the respondents live with parents 68% said that they help their mothers with cooking 36% of the respondents do their own chores

48% do not depend on their parents to

76% depend on their parents to take them to the

72% of the repondents are depend on

72% of the repondents are do not depend on

take them to the doctor

doctor

their parents to pay their bills

their parents to pay their bills

56% are well versed about banking

48% are well versed about banking

40% claim that they were never asked

64% claim that they were never asked do

do grocery shopping

grocery shopping

68% repondents claim to help their parents financially

84% repondents claim to help their parents financially

80% know how to change a light bulb

52% know how to change a light bulb

80% of the respondents can drive

64% of the respondents can not drive

60% of the respondents can change the

88% of the respondents can not change the tyres on their own

92% have taken the public bus on their

64% have taken the public bus on their own

64% said they don’t have the emergency

80% said they don’t have the emergency contact information for fire service, ambulance and police

tyres on their own

own

contact information for fire service, ambulance and police

64% of the respondents do not have a source of

income

72% of the respondents do not have a source of income

**There were a total of 100 male respondents and 100 female respondents from both English and Bengali medium backgrounds. All of the respondents were aged between 20-25 years.

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

Self-reliance | hacks

15

Fill in those shoes How can we grow self-sustaining habits?

What’s cookin’

Raisa Rahim

S

How about we get rid of the habit of waking our parents to prepare us

hafaya is a 19-year-old who

The initiative of being autonomous

lost her way back home from

enacted from both parties – teens and

the grocery store. Silly, it may

their parents.

seem, however, to many like

It is, as of date, very crucial

Simple hacks

breakfast or tiffin for school. Here are

Your mother is perhaps

can not only make yourself a healthy,

some simple snack and breakfast ideas for the school goers with which you

her, it is devastating as it is the first

that children as they grow into

exhausted from cooking you that

filling breakfast but also make your

time she is living on her own, doing

teenagers, become autonomous.

delicious savoury of hers. You

parents proud. Let’s take one step at a

her own chores and finding her way

Being autonomous refers to the act of

can spare her from the challenge

time towards being independent.

back home. As her parents’ only child,

teenagers being independent of their

of removing that stubborn stain

Shafaya has always been protected

parents. No, it does not mean you leave

on your clothe by following

Quesadilla

and provided for all her needs. She

home and make your own living. It

these simple hacks, to make her

What you need to do first is take two

never even had to make her own bed

simply corresponds to teens becoming

life simpler. Here’s how you can

flour tortillas (flatbread); you can also

until her parents got divorced and she

independent emotionally, grow the

remove different kinds of stains.

use regular haat roti that you can make

had to move to Dhaka alone for her

ability to make wise decisions on your

studies. “It is frustrating to have to

own, and develop your own principles

Ink stains

live on your own. But I had to learn

and beliefs. It is very important that

Soaking the fabric with milk

apple. That’s basically all you need.

to be independent, the hard way

both parents and their loved ones

over night will do the trick.

Now place an even player of the grated

unfortunately,” she reckons. When

figure out a new relationship which

You’ll need to wash it the next

paneer on of the tortillas, scatter the

left on her own, Shafaya was forced to

helps teenagers become more mature

morning. Also, you can pour a

apple slices on top of the cheese and

live a life free from, the safety net of

and learn to do certain things on their

thick mixture of salt and water

top with the other remaining tortilla.

caretakers.

own, such as taking care of the bills,

and dab with a wet paper towel.

You can have it for breakfast or wrap it

cooking food and for others, doing

Then, remove the towel and

in foil paper to take to school.

groceries, changing the bulb, etc.

brush off the salt. However, you

Are we to blame Shafaya or the likes of her for such dependency issues? It

at home. Grate 1/2 cup of deshi paneer and cut several thin slices of green

may need to repeat the process

Pop-Toast

until the stain if lifted.

Take two pieces of whole wheat bread,

is our societal culture that forces us

These tasks may sound trivial for

to remain in an infantile state. From

one, especially when you know that

making the bed to doing the dirty

your parents have been doing them

laundry, teens depend on either their

for you since your birth. However,

Correction Fluid

dear mothers or the house help. If

encouraging teens to grow the habit

Unfortunately, if you stained

bread, then spread the jam over the

they are to go to the dentist for regular

of participating in such tasks will

your clothe with a petroleum-

butter, put some freshly cut fruits

check up, the parents tag along; even

only end up propagating a sense of

based correction fluid, scratch

like apple, banana, our local tart

outside schools, many women are seen

responsibility in them thus, turning

off as much as possible with a

strawberries etc, and top it with the

sitting under the scorching sun waiting

them into mature beings.

coin or your fingernail. After

remaining piece of bread. Wrap the

the excess has come off, apply a

sandwich in cellophane paper and toss it in your backpack.

for the last period bell to ring. These

Like Shafaya, one day you might

practices have restrained children at a

be left to do things all on your own

citrus-base cleaner to dissolve

growing age from being self-directed in

and take responsibilities. Better be

the stain.

terms of emotions, acts and thoughts.

prepared than pressured. n

Glue

jam. Start by buttering both pieces of

Microwaved scrambled eggs For this simple snack, you will need

If you end up staining your

to beat two eggs in a microwave-safe

clothe with tougher glues,

container and add veggies like cherry

like super glue, rub acetone

tomatoes and spinach leaves, or, if you

with with an old toothbrush to

prefer, steamed veggies and cheese.

remove the hardened layers. To

Combne the ingredients together with

be on the safe side, rub acetone

a fork, and then cook for 30 seconds

on the back side of your stain.

until the egg mixture is solid. You

Rinse well and toss it in the

can put it in a container and take it to

wash.

school or store the raw mixture in the

Spots, spatters and splotches

Photo: Bigstock

one teaspoon of softened butter and

fridge to eat it later.

If you catch your stain soon

Apps to the rescue

enough but it’s a long way home,

Buy Me a Pie! (For making grocery list)

just wet the fabric so it doesn’t

Mint Bills (It stays on top of your bills

set. Once you get access to the

proactively monitoring your bank

aforementioned ingredients,

accounts and credit cards, all in one

follow the steps and beat that

place), chaldaal.com (To help you buy

stubborn stain.

groceries online)

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

16 Drama Mama | Dina Sobhan

Controlled chaos My three-year-old niece has just started to colour on walls. I am of the opinion that this is a time to start teaching her not to vandalise property, but her mother (my sister) accuses me of trying to stifle her child’s creativity. I don’t want to dis-invite them to my house simply to protect my walls. Please tell me there’s a good middle ground we can meet at.

Your niece is old enough to know right from wrong and that other people and their property should be treated with respect. Children are at their most malleable during these early years, and they require boundaries in which to grow and flourish in the right direction. Mothers mistake discipline for punishment, and

daughter gets older if she does not

your role to discipline her per se,

and provide her with a large sheet of

have a hard time understanding the

begin to teach her these important

you can certainly steer her in the

paper and tell her to draw something

difference and teaching their children

lessons now.

right direction. When she attempts

that you can hang on your wall

to deface your walls on her next

instead.

how to channel their instincts in a

Your niece’s creativity should be

productive manner. Your sister will

explored, but not at the expense of

visit, gently tell your niece that you

have a lot more to deal with when her

your interior décor. While it is not

like your walls the colour they are,

I’m three months pregnant with my second child. My firstborn is a needy three-year-old who’s already starting to show her displeasure at the prospect of having to share attention. My relatives suggested that I try to prepare her for the news by telling her she will have a new plaything, but she destroys her toys, so I’m not sure that’s a good idea. How do I arm myself for what I can see could be an epic saga of sibling rivalry?

At this point, your daughter

daughter will feel neglected and will

has only a vague notion

desire more time and attention from

of what it means to have

you. It will be challenging but make

a sibling. You must start

sure to incorporate her into activities

introducing the concept to her at every

with the baby, such as fetching toys

opportunity, in order to prepare her

and diapers. And try to spend at least

for the eventuality. Let her watch TV

an hour or two with her every day

shows and read books geared towards

without the baby around so she does

her age group that will help explain the

not feel as though she’s losing you. The

concept in simple terms. Also narrate

only way to arm yourself is with love

the day’s events as they will be when

and patience. n

a new baby is in the house, with an emphasis on the fact that her sibling will become her friend and playmate soon. If you try and make it seem like a wonderful and welcome change, your daughter will be more receptive to the idea. Of course, that does not make it easy when the baby does arrive. Your

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

Dina Sobhan is a freelance writer, a part-time counsellor and a fulltime mom

Clay Art | Craft

17

More than mud Untold tales in terracotta Mahmood Sadi

P

He said that to perfect his

ablo Picasso, as much of a

very lucky and privileged to have

genius and eccentric he was,

printmaking maestros like Somnath

craftsmanship and to bring dexterity

made a frantic decision in

Hore, Shorbori Ray as his mentors

in shaping clay to sculptures he used

1947 to quench his eonian

and Majumdar learned the art of

to visit several ‘pal paras’ (potter’s

printmaking well, as his critics had

village). “I mixed with them, took

opined on numerous occassions.

lessons on how to work with clay and

artistic thirst.

Already world famous for his

paintings, and with his notorious

But during that time, the legendary

potter’s wheel. I saw and learned how

Blue, Rose and Cubism periods behind

artist K G Suramanyan was also

niftily they carved out different shades

him, Picasso, aged almost 65, started

experimenting and perfecting his

and shapes out of that ordinary clay,”

to learn the art of clay sculpting from

mesmerising works on terracotta (a

said the artist.

scratch.

form of clay scuplture) at the Visva

Majumder said that he has been

Bharati premises. Majumder observed

fascinated by the adhesive force and

pottery and ceramics exhibition that

his work and became interested in

viscosity of the clay as an artistic

had him so enchanted by the strength

the medium. He started working on

medium. “Especially, shaping pictures

and possibilities of this media, that he

clay sculpting, especially on creating

in clay or creating terracotta makes

asked to be introduced to the artists to

terracotta.

me feel like that I am carving a little

Why? Simply because he visited a

see their work in action.

The results of his new found

So the great artist

love and devotion are some of best

left Paris, and

terracottas that have been created in modern times.

headed

nature in my whole little niche. I mold my grief, my joys, my sorrow and happiness in clay,” he said.

Working within the realm of

“I, as an artist,

figurative clay, he used abstract and

is nomadic

stylised symbols and motives in

by nature, Majumder, a middle-aged

cooperation to embellish both his sculptural and utility forms. He is intrigued by the sculptural contrast between closed and open forms,

in Bangladesh, which is among the

and firing effects on exposed and

best known Buddhist temples in the

shadowed clay surfaces.

Indian Subcontinent. It was designated

Majumder said that he enjoyed playing with impressions of volume and movement, having the advantage of expressing in

“The Sompur Bihar inspires me as the origin of lives and livings, history and tradition of Bangladeshi people and Bangladesh,” said the artist.

three dimensions

He himself however considers

even though

his Fishermen Community series as

he uses the

the best one. It reflected the artist’s

clay burned

memories in the coastal Indian city

plaque as

Kerala while teaching at the Kerala

his canvas.

University, 20 years ago.

About

to the Madoura

a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Those terracotta works on

some of

fishermen community addressed

take up an apprenticeship in pottery

his best

Majumdar’s fascination and

and clay work, in the small Cote d’Azur

works, he

involvement with the marine life. His

mentioned

works, therefore, becomes narratives

pottery village in southern France to

town of Vallauris. Picasso lived for seven years with Francoise Gilot, the

his terracotta

of the stories of pains and pangs of

41 years old artist and his junior, and

works of three

fishermen and fisherwomen. Even

series - Sompur

experimented with everything that the

Bihar series,

‘textbook’ of clay sculpting had and

Fishermen Community

hadn’t. The rest is history!

So to speak, ‘almost’ the same

series and Study series -

gregarious

which he had created in a potter’s

the titles of the works are revealing, such as, Fisherman of Kovalam, Fisherwoman of Kovalam, Mourning Fisherwoman, Condolence, and Condolence Meeting.

thing happened with Niaz Majumdar,

man who has

a Delhi-based artist born to a migrated

long been famous for

house at Shariatpur district in two

Banladeshi couple. He had completed

his printmaking skills, admitted to

years.

all his academic degrees and studies

this correspondent recently during an

on painting and printmaking in India.

informal meeting over a cup of coffee.

Sompur Bihar series, follows the style

uncertainties, full of expectations met

And my nomadic nature somehow

of the historical artifacts of Shompur

and unmet,” he said. n

blends well with the clay sculpting.”

Bihar in Paharpur in Naogaon district

Dyring his years as a student in Visva Bharati, Santiniketon, he was

Seven terracotta works under the

“I tried to capture the life of the fishermen’s community in my terracotta which is full of

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

18 stay in Clues ACROSS 5 Sounds like sick bird is against the law (7) 6 I am back in the Spanish communication (5) 9 QE2 home new in words (7)

DOWN 1 Hold down centre of backbone (3) 2 Lion may switch payments to spouse (7) 3 Not for win in a street (7) 4 Winged insect and what it does (3) 7 Number contained at work (3) 8 Big boat without light, heading off (3)

Sudoku

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) - You may need to convince yourself that you have what it takes to succeed this week. The reason is that a splendid alignment of energies midweek could see you just getting on

Use the numbers 1-9 to complete each of the 3x3 square grids such that each horizontal and vertical line also contains all of the digits from 1-9

with it.

Taurus (Apr 20-May20 ) - What your friends say may count for a lot this week, which is why you shouldn’t pay too much attention.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) - A positive blend of energies at the top of your chart could see you making a special effort to realise a goal or dream.

Cancer (June 21-Jul22) - There’s so much to explore that you could be occupied for hours on end with all the information and opportunities you uncover.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) - You could be a big spender this week. You may not be satisfied with small luxuries and feel the urge to splurge on something big

Last week’s solutions

Solved it? Email answers to weekend@dhakatribune.com and win one free month of the Dhaka Tribune.

and expensive.

Last week’s sudoku solutions

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) - You may find other people to be quite distracting this week, particularly if you’re very excited about a project.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct22)- A major focus on your zone of work and lifestyle could see you inventing all kinds of reasons not to get on with deadlines or other important activities.

Scorpio (Oct23-Nov21) - Money, or the lack of it, could be the reason that you

ACROSS 1 Hidden, finished in hollow court (6) 6 Greek god, it is in bronze (5) 7 Untruth in an extraterrestrial (5) 8 Witness, witnessed playground ride (6)

DOWN 2 Not in silhouette summary (7) 3 Country moved into sea (7) 4 Let gin cocktail give a thrill (6) 5 Get around near skip (6)

need to cut back on leisure activities or social events.

Sagittarius (Nov22-Dec 21) - It might seem like you’re in the hot spot and that the buck stops with you in the week ahead.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan19) - You’ll need to keep your wits about you this week, as someone could appear charming yet try to pull the wool over your eyes.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) - While it’s great to be generous, you may find that others are starting to take advantage of your kindly nature, which might leave you wondering how to respond.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) - All eyes are on you, as you seem to be the flavour of the week! While others might enjoy your company, you could have mix opinions about it.

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

horoscopes

Mini cryptics

Go out

19

Weekly Planner Mar 25

Food | Lime and Thyme Steak Festival – 2nd Wave!

When 1pm-11pm Where Lime And Thyme, Road-08, House-24, Block-F, Banani, 1213 Dhaka, Bangladesh What Due to overwhelming participation and love by the customers in the first ever Steak Festival, Lime and Thyme is arranging the second edition of their popular festival. This time, their signature Salmon steak will be a new addition to their menu.

On top of that, more than 10 drinks and smoothies are on the table too.

Their service will be on first come first serve basis.

Mar 26

Poetry | Courting Haiku: The

Quamrul Hassan Way When 11:30am Where Red Shift Coffee Lounge,Bays Galleria, 5th floor, 57 Gulshan Avenue, 1212 Dhaka, What Poetry enthusiasts are invited to participate in a session titled’Courting Haiku’, led by Quamrul Hassan. Spend the morning at an interactive event exploring the beauties of the Japanese Haiku form of poetry.

Entry fee is Tk230 redeemable for coffee/beverages.

Mar 25-27

Art | Out of The Box 6 Exhibition When 3pm-8pm Where Dhaka Art Center, House 60, Road 7/A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

What Drik Gallery welcomes you all to the 6th yearly contest and

Mar 25-27

Art | Water Colour Workshop by Liza’s Brushes

When 10am-8:30pm Where Leela, 60E Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani. 3rd Floor, Dhaka 1213.

What Leela is happy to bring you the first of the monthly workshops with Liza.

The schedule: 25th March: 10am-12pm 26th March: 6:30pm-8:30pm 27th March: 6:30pm-8:30pm The workshop will feature artwork done with water colour only. The instructor, Liza, will work on the techniques and also cover a short history of watercolour.

Liza will provide the colours,

brushes, papers, boards, and palettes and other tools needed for the class.

Participants must be aged 16 and above. The charge for the three day workshop is Tk5000. You are requested to pay on the 25th. Please register your name and phone number at leelabangladesh@gmail. com; they will send you a conformation mail.

Seats are limited at only 15 participants for the session For more information, visit http://lizasbrushes.tumblr.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/ lizasbrushes/timeline

exhibition of TTL ‘Out of the Box’.

Like every year they have received thousands of entries for the contest and awards will be declared during the exhibition.

This year the exhibition will feature imagination and creativity in three categories: single photo, portfolio/story and mobile phone photo.

For each category there will be four awards including honourable mentions and one grand award for the best of the show sponsored by Sony Alpha.

You are cordially invited to the exhibition.

Mar 28

Food | Shadhu Shombaar When 6pm-10pm Where Jatra Biroti, 60 Kemal

Ataturk Ave, 1213 Dhaka, Bangladesh What Forget everything you think you know about plant based foods and visit Shadhu Shombaar (formerly known as Mongolmoy Monday) launch at Jatra Biroti, to get a proper introduction! From March 28, every Monday evening, Obhoyaronno and Jatra Biroti will be offering you tasty, innovative, exciting vegan menus to give your tummy and soul a much needed break. Eat to your heart’s content, listen to Shayan’s soulful music and learn all about eating foods that are kind to you, the animals and the planet.

The menu will include: palak alu biryani, veg kofta, jhingey posto, daal, steamed rice, vegan chocolate covered caramel balls.

Mar 25

Film | Red Shift Presents Disney Friday

When 3:30pm Where Red Shift Coffee Lounge.

Location: Radius Centre, 5th Floor, Bay’s Galleria, 57 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka.

What The first movie is Alice in Wonderland at 3:30pm Followed, after a short break by the second movie, Cinderella at 5:30pm.

These two films are of course among the most celebrated of Walt Disney’s animated movies and they retell some favourite children’s stories in the incomparable Disney style.

(The seating area will be arranged on the floor so please bring cushions if you wish)

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M ARC H 25, 20 1 6

20 The Bong Momma | Tales from a first-time mom

Of apples and oranges Minu Ahmed

things stand out like a fog light on a dark night. As I have mentioned many times before, Jellybean looks just like her father. However she did get a few things from me. She doesn’t have curly hair like mine, but it’s thin, straight and dark brown like my side of the family.

Her eyes aren’t big and dark brown like mine, or slightly slanted and honeybrown like her father’s, rather they turned out dark and almond-shaped.

The Husband has a sharp and highbridged nose, and mine is snub and goes wide when I smile. But Jellybean’s nose is neither sharp nor snub, but something in between, with almost triangular nostrils. Her hands and feet turned out just like The Husband, which means we outgrow shoe sizes twice a year!

Then there’s her personality, such a mix! She inherited the short temper from her lineage, and is equally stubborn as her uncle. She has a love for song and dance like her aunt, and a cheeky sense of humour, which I proudly claim is from me. She acts like a grown up in a little body, and yet seeks approval and attention like most children do. At different times I

W

Photo: Bigstock

see different people in her, snippets of different individuals displaying

hile I’m wondering

skinny until Jellybean happened and

other side and gone all squishy and

different emotions. It feels wonderful

about what to write

now I resemble my mum more than

paunchy.

to experience that, and I can’t wait to

this week, my gaze

ever, extra weight and all. My sister was

drifts to the little

always shaped like a twig, and it is only

traits of both my parents, but am in

sleeping person next to me, and there’s

now that she filled out a bit (it’s the

vehement denial of it. My sister took

how Jellybean sometimes eats another

a little foot sticking out of the blanket.

age I say) and doesn’t look like a bony

on the short temper of both parents,

kid’s tiffin at school. The Husband’s

I look from toe to toe and stop at the

teenager anymore.

is very frank and outspoken. I’m a bit

eyes widened and he started chuckling.

more reserved and more the “silent

When I asked what was so funny, he

fourth. It was unnaturally curved to

As for The Husband and his brother,

Personality-wise, I probably carry

see how she develops further.

One day I was telling The Husband

one side (left foot, so it curved right

one can tell that they are brothers,

anger” type. But one thing my sister

informed me that he used to do the

towards the big toe). The other foot was

yet with some stark differences. The

and I have in common is our sense of

same when he was in school.

the same!

Husband might be fairer in complexion,

humour and wackiness – which we

but my brother-in-law is taller. They

didn’t inherit from either parent!

After a few seconds of silent retrospection, I laughed because I

both have the trademark stick-out ears

remembered where I’d seen the ‘origin’

though, which they inherited from my

of his parents when it comes to

of the curvy toe – The Husband. The

father-in-law. My brother-in-law and

personality, he is very protective and

fourth toes of his feet were curved in

mother-in-law have almost matching

responsible like my father-in-law,

exactly the same way!

feet, while The Husband’s hands and

but also very short-tempered like my

feet are totally different and match

mother-in-law. My brother-in-law is

things that our parents have passed

neither parent. But one thing that

quiet and keeps to himself, but is as

onto us, and what we, inadvertently,

runs strongly within all the men in my

stubborn as a mule, something which

passed onto little Jellybean.

father-in-law’s family is that they all

he didn’t get from my parents-in-law.

end up looking the same after a certain

My mother-in-law says that he turned

look nothing alike. I am apparently a

age. They gain weight, become all

out more like her younger brother,

spitting image of my mum, just darker

plump and rounded-off, and lose their

our beloved Ron-Ron (or Non-Non as

and I inherited my father’s dimples.

hair. I can already see this happening

Jellybean calls him).

My sister on the other hand, looks a lot

to The Husband. My once fine and

like my dad, got his nose, but is very

strapping young spouse – so sporty and

herself. Despite being such a

fair-complexioned. I used to be very

muscular – has slowly migrated to the

concoction of personalities, some

It got me thinking about all the

Starting with looks, my sister and I

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M ARC H 25, 201 6

The Husband is a very good mix

Now we come to little Jellybean

You know how they say that, “The apple does not fall far from the tree”?

Well in Jellybean’s case, the apple didn’t fall from the tree at all! n

Minu Ahmed is your not-so-average homemaker, normshirker and abomination of awesomeness, juggling a career in communication, motherhood and a fatter half.

Questions? Send to thebongmomma@gmail. com