CONTENTS
P.30 Fashion Portfolio Checkout the ethnic, urban and traditional outfits from some of the finest clothing lines in the city
P. 14 With stunning precision Samsung’s A5 and A7 making headlines
p.16 Of culture and heritage Celebrating the works of local artisans in creating traditional Bangladeshi handicrafts
P. 18 Colour Me Pink Assembling a list of must-have pink essentials for your wardrobe
P. 20 Built to be Noticed Huawei’s Mate 8 is strong, sturdy and worth a shot
P. 22 Acing Professionalism Being a woman of excellence in the personal and professional space
P. 24 From the City and Beyond Deciphering the complexities of text and verse in Bengal Publication’s captivating reads
P. 26 Owning the Stage Joss stone wins hearts with her sensational music and humble demeanour
MARCH 2016
CONTENTS P. 28 Culture Vulture Aidha Cader studies human behaviour on social media
P. 30 Fashion Portfolio 1: Irresistibly Yours Emdad Hoque’s ready-to-dazzle pristine collection
P. 36 Dress for Success Look your corporate best in the workplace with our up-to-theminute attires
P. 38 Fashion Portfolio 2: Forever Florals Soft blowy gowns from Anokhi
P. 44 Makeover Made Easy Makeup artist Navin Ahmed charts out the dos and don’ts of applying makeup
P. 46 Fashion Portfolio 3: Cutting Edge Samsung dazzles us with their Galaxy A 2016 edition Smartphones
P. 52 Day and Night Step up your makeup game with these mystifying looks
P. 56 Fashion Portfolio 4: Everyday Chic Don these fine threads from Chondon’s latest collection
P. 62 Establishing Trends Designer Usman Aziz shares his creative inspirations
P. 64 Irresplaceable Icons Paying tribute to the unconquerable spirit of women from all spheres
P. 65 Shoot to the Top Rokia Afzal on negotiation skills and empowering women to excellence
P. 66 With Flying Colours Sarah Ali’s take on the ready-for-action world of advertising and building strong customer relationships
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CONTENTS MARCH 2016 P. 67 Queen of Talk Samira Zuberi Himika has the last word on bridging the communication gap between local and global enterprises
P. 68 Fight The Power Tasaffy Hossain discusses her role as a feminist
P. 69 Standing Tall Acid Survivor Tahmina Islam rises above the struggles and fights back
P.70 Fighting the Good Fight Transgender woman, Anonnya Banik is optimistic about her battles for equality
P. 71 Working her Magic Elita Karim triumphs in her love for music, journalism and entrepreneurship
P. 74 Going Global Sharbari Zohra Ahmed’s glorious journey from author to screenwriter
P. 76 Reaching for the Stars Maksuda Akhter Prioty reigns the world as Miss Earth 2016
P. 84 Seaside Stories
P. 110 Picture Perfect
Tantalise your tastebuds with Manhattan Fish Market’s seaside delIcacies
P. 86 A Burst of Flavours Our love for red meat revisited in the form of Chatga cuisine
P. 90 Fresh Start Your best breakfast options around the city
#BetterYou
On the cover
P. 111 Magnificent Mix-in Cold Stone Creamery creates a sensation with their delectable ice creams
P. 114 Events News and reviews of local events
P. 96 Take on the World How to be self-sufficient and multi-skilled before entering the job market
P. 98 Lazy No More Beating procrastination the simple way
P. 100 Travel Smart Travel mantras for the globetrotter
P. 102 Once Upon a Time in Manhattan Sohana Nasrin is awestruck by the artistic gems at the Museum of Modern Arts
P. 106 The Great Escapes of Summer The best summer destinations to unwind and relax this season
P. 78 In the Line of Fire Photojournalist Lynsey Addario captures photos revolving around conflicts and human rights issues
Marvelling at the raw appeal of Choudhury Safwat Gani’s photographs
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The Magazine That Reads You Closely Vol 13 No 03
March 2016
Publisher Abul Khair Chairman, Editorial Board Syed Shamsul Haq Director, International Publications Zeenat Chowdhury Executive Director Nawshin Khair Managing Editor Tawhidur Rashid Fashion Editor Goutom Saha Deputy Editor Tanuva Aumia Khundkar Assistant Editor Natasha Rahman Sub-Editor Rubab Nayeem Khan Staff Writer Aidha Cader Senior Designer (In charge of Graphics and Layout)
Jason Sabbir Dhali Designer Md. Mainul Islam Head of Marketing Lucky Begum Assistant Manager, Marketing Farah Tani Finance and Accounts Md. Abdul Alim Sales and Distribution Md. Manik Mollah
e-mail: icetoday@gmail.com editor@icetoday.net facebook.com/ice.today www.icetoday.net Here comes the stunner Samsung Galaxy A 2016 Edition Smartphone on Sunerah’s hand. Sariful is wearing a Gear VR, compatible with new Samsung device-Galaxy S7 Edge Model: (L to R) Sunerah, Sariful Razz, Akhi Wardrobe Partner: daraz.com.bd (Vittate, Doors, Ecstasy Menz) Makeup : Tilat Khayer Hair: Rafina Photography: Riyad Ashraf
Published by Abul Khair on behalf of ICE Media Limited. Printed at M.K. Printers189/1,Tejgaon I/A,Dhaka-1208 Editorial and Commercial office: Road 23/A, House 4, Block B, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh . Advertising, Sales and Distribution: 01711339587, 01819412035, 01775779315, 01812656961, 01614025340 Tel:+880255035336-8,+8809666773 313
Buzz ICE Today
A reel of the latest lifestyle updates
With Stunning Precision N
Offering smart manager features; finger print scanners, it provides the best security system available 14
o matter what smartphone you have, your quest for something bigger and better never satiates itself. Samsung Mobile Bangladesh, understands the need for this much needed update and has come up with the Galaxy A5 and A7. The 2016 versions of both the devices are a great coup with premium designs and modern features for the fashionistas. Made of metal and glass body with only
2.3mm bezel, you can now make a fashion statement with these beauties. Boasting a slimness of 7.3mm, the new A5 and A7 come with 5.2’’ & 5.5’’ display respectively. Having the Octa Core Processors, these devices are more efficient than ever. On top of that, they are also 4G enabled LTE Cat.6. Scrolling endlessly through Instagram for the best outfit of the day? Sifting through the gallery for the best selfie amongst thousands? The 2016 versions of A5 and A7 include quick launch, brighter photography, wide selfie, palm selfie, OIS and beautifying effects enabled cameras. Fast charging feature, fast downloading and uploading makes this a much loved gadget. The best part is, they will come up with 2,900 mAh & 3,300 mAh battery respectively. Pure sophistication, this device is an alluring addition to our fashion-forward lives. Keeping in mind safety precautions and battery consumption, these portables gives us the best of both worlds. Now you can keep scrolling through your web browser without being worried about running out of charge. Offering smart manager features; finger print scanners, this gadget provides the best security system available. Synced with our lives, these gadgets are a combination of beauty with brains. Moreover they are also compatible with the latest fashion accessories from Samsung. Available globally, these will soon be introduced in the local market by Samsung Mobile Bangladesh.
Photographs by Mizanur Rahman Khoka
Of Culture and Heritage By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
he National ‘Master Craft-Person’ Award was introduced in the late 80s by the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh with the objective to recognise the value of traditional crafts and local artisans. Since 2010, the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and the Bengal Foundation have been jointly organising the Award Ceremony and the Crafts Fair. On February 4, a five day fair was held at the
Dhanmondi Art Gallery. The fair was held to highlight the traditional handicrafts of Bangladesh and to celebrate this longstanding heritage of our country. The entire venue had been sub-divided into sections highlighting different types of crafts. Every section had a master craftsman or a representative who talked about the artist. The exhibition consisted of various art forms. There was a section for corkwood crafts also known as Shola Shilpa – where the artisan was carving details into a magnificent miniature Tajmahal made out of corkwood. These artworks are commonly known as Malakars. In the past corkwood turbans were particularly famous among the Hindu grooms as they wore them during weddings. Apart from this, corkwood was also used to make necklaces for Hindu deities, decorating homes and wedding decorations. Dhaka’s Shakari Bazaar is still famous for producing this form of artwork in bulk. Terracotta dolls, also known as Poramati Putul was another item that was also under the limelight. This art form existed widely in Bengal many years ago and still plays an important role in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Taat Shilpa, popularly known as handloom artistry has always been the pride of Bengal. Visitors at the fair got a glimpse of the other popular forms of handloom crafts like Aadi Taat, Komor Taat and Garo Taat. Other exhibits comprised of Jute products, traditional jewelry and Sankha Shilpa.
Mashiat Maswood gathers the perfect pink must-haves for your closet Photograph from daraz.com.bd
With the weather warming up and reflecting all shades of the rosy hue, it is not a surprise that pink is the colour of spring. With all its lovely tints and shades, there is a perfect pink for every season. So put on your rosy glasses and read the list along the way Mac Lipstick Please Me (Banglashoppers.com Tk 800 to 1,000) This dusky rose shade of pink is a beautiful shade for everyday wear, while simultaneously lending a touch of sophistication and flirtatiousness. What's more is that this shade compliments every skin tone regardless of the yellow or pink undertones.
The Balm Cindy-Lou Manizer Shadow and Shimmer (Banglashoppers.com Tk 1,950) For those of you who cannot seem to get the right countour, put away the multiple brushes and try strobbing. Balm's Cindy-Lou Manizer shadow and shimmer gives you that rosy flush, your hectic schedule takes away from you Dior Miss Dior (Banglashoppers.com Tk 64,500) If you like a powdery muted fragrance and prefer a clean smell as opposed to something overpowering, this roseate bottle holds what you need. With well-blended floral notes and a hint of oakmoss and sandalwood, it is an elegant fragrance that is perfect for any occasion. Apex Moochie Heels (Tk 2,000 to 3,000) Heels never looked this good. Trendy and versatile, the
Moochie heels are a wonderful addition to your closet. This pink moochie brings a pop of colour to daily neutrals and helps to keep things interesting. Revlon French Mix Nail Art, Miss Perfect (Banglashoppers.com Tk 750) If you are tired of the conventional white tipped French manicure, why not try pink tips instead? The Revlon French Mix Nail Art pen in Miss Perfect will give you just that in the comfort of your home.
Gizmo
he 6-inch Mate 8 is Huawei’s latest challenger in the game of the big guns. Although it is stacked with some impressive features, does it make the Mate 8 a worthy shot in the highly competitive smartphone market? Let’s find out. If you are a fan of big phones, this would rank high on your list. The Mate 8 has a well-made metal unibody with a gently curved back that has a smooth matte finish. The 6-inch FHD display has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and aids in power saving. Speaking of power saving, the Mate 8’s battery life is outstanding. It’s 4000 mAh monster of a battery will serve you faithfully for as long as two days straight after one full charge. Eventually when it does run out, you can charge it beyond the 30% mark in less than half an hour. Full charge takes a little over an hour. So, if you are out all the time and enjoy browsing and watching videos without worrying about draining your battery, the Mate 8 will be your best friend. Although the Mate 8 comes with Google’s latest Android Marshmallow 6.0 OS, Huawei does add its own touch to the software, with it’s Emotion UI (EMUI 4.0). Some visible changes include exclusion of the app drawer, which you may need some getting used to. But the new edition offers the convenient option of getting things started simply by invoking ‘OK Google’ from any screen. The 20
Speaking of power saving, the Mate 8’s battery life is outstanding. It’s 4000 mAh monster of a battery will serve you faithfully for as long as two days straight after one full charge latest Android OS also allows you to enjoy some interesting additional features like Doze and Now on Tap as well. The phone packs Huawei’s very own octa-core Kirin 950 processor and 3GB RAM. The Mali-T880 MP4 GPU, the ultra-powerful Cortex-A72 cores, and the 64-bit chip which has four 2.3GHz and four 1.8GHz cores, make it a dream phone to play even the most graphic-intensive games on it. Games such as Real Racing 3, Asphalt 8, and Lara Croft: Go among others run with no signs of stuttering. The 8MP front camera allows you to
take great selfies irrespective of light condition. The 16MP rear camera is also packed with features like optical image stabilisation, a dual-tone flash and an HDR mode. You can focus and click in under less than a second and can record videos at 1080p and 720p with 120fps for slow motion shots. The redesigned fingerprint scanner on the back is a spectacular addition to the phone. It can take you to the home screen in less than a second, and can be useful taking pictures. If you are into big smartphones this should be right up your alley.
Built to be Noticed
A
Corporate Cafe
Tanziral Dilshad Ditan’s ambition cropped up when she was pursuing her studies. “My first job was working for my mother at her boutique house- ‘Gulshan’ designing dresses for friends and family. Soon after, I opened my own clothing line ‘Denial’ where I learnt the ropes of running a business as an entrepreneur.” Ditan expressed that her experience in the fashion industry landed her, her first job as a writer. “I started working as the first fashion editor for ICE Today.” Her drive to gain more knowledge took her into different avenues and her journey in the world of advertising began when she started working for Grey Advertising. She had also worked for Bitopi Leo Burnett and Asiatic Experiential Limited. “When I look back, I feel glad for accomplishing a 360 degree agency work experience. This was only possible because of my eagerness to learn more.” The PR industry requires one to be on their toes constantly; and Ditan does it immaculately. “The secret is simple; you must love your work. There is just no alternative to that. I also take a few days off from work and travel which helps me unwind and get back on track. My mantra is to reconnect with nature and come back with a fresh mind.” Having worked in different fields in
Photograph by Sakib Muhtasim
cing professionalism
By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury
the business sector propelled Ditan to grow both professionally and personally. According to Ditan the idea of being an ambitious, single woman is not celebrated in most cases. However, with the support of wonderful parents and great friends, she is keeping her stand to be single and believes in the affirmation of love and commitment rather than being unhappy with a wrong person for society. “I have been blessed to be part of a great organisation and supportive friends, who have been protective about me with guidance and affection. Even the little backlash I received, I tried to handle the situation with humour and smile. Being vocal, sincere, and most
importantly hardworking, I have been successful in proving to everyone that my small little accomplishments are because of my perseverance and determination.” Ditan gleefully shares that as a person the entire process helped her to become more open minded about people and situations. “Today I believe women can peruse any passion if they work for it with patience, sincerity and hard work. The more experiences you have, the closer you reach your goal. And every woman's goal should be to have a content life with self respect and identity. Everything else will fall into place,” Ditan sums up.
Bookworm Munira Fidai curates intriguing reads from Bengal Publications
From the City and Beyond
Voices
Munize Manzur A collection of short stories for the Bengali heart, Voices speaks in a language which appeals to the common man in Bangladesh. Untold emotions like love, triumph, bitter defeat, fear and sorrow are all captured in this book. Teacher by day and writer at heart, Munize Manzur captures the entire spectrum- from the essence of youth to the shock of betrayal, to the trivialities of draping a sari. These are stories told with a silent subtext, almost always with an implication of something unwritten. The language flows easily throughout the book while the stories take you to different levels of highs and lows, creating a beautiful harmony of literary delight for the reader. From the viewpoint of a hurt child, to the silent rage for a parent, to the shock of hearing from an old lover, to having the tables of success turn on you, there is something in it for everybody. Munize Manzur has a knack for hooking the reader to her words with the very first line, dripping with warmth and a keen philosophical understanding of her readers. If your heart needs some good lines to chomp on, here’s one book that’ll not disappoint.
Piazza Bangladesh Neeman Sobhan
This book is a concoction of delightful short stories for the Bengalis who live away from their land. Set in diverse locations like the dirty backstreets of Rome, the contemporary suburbs of America and pre and post war time of West and East Pakistan. The stories depict emotions that run deep and strong; Neeman Sobhan’s take on separation, longing, sorrow, envy, loss and regrets strike a mellow chord and tugs at heartstrings. Some stories have borrowed characters to give a flow and sense of similarity, as if the snippets are part of a large family or a private world. The language, interspersed with words in Bengali, add more charm to the already descriptive narration of the gifted author, providing a heady sense of familiarity and identification with the characters. The words flow as free as feelings in this solemn book that’s meant for those who like their literature with a personal touch.
Tunes
wning the Stage Benazir Sarker meets Joss Stone and comes back enthralled
T
he multi-talented English singer, song-writer and actress Joscelyn Eve Stoker better known by her stage name Joss Stone has won thousands of Bangladeshi hearts with her enthusiasm and simplicity and not to mention her mesmerising music at ‘Pop Republic.’
Photograph by Sakib Muhtasim
Grammy and British award winning Joss Stone is not only a low-key, jolly multi-instrumentalist but a philanthropist as well. She collaborated with a number of legendary and contemporary artistes, among many are Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Damian Marley and A.R Rahman.
Q
You have collaborated with contemporaries such as Rafael Saadiq as well as legends such as Stevie Wonder. Name one contemporary and one legendary artiste that you want to collaborate with and why? I like to experience the place that I am in. One way to do that is by making a musical collaboration. My interest lies in singing with people that I have never heard of before, so that I can learn something new. Here in Bangladesh, I’m going to play with a musician called Skikhor and become part of the Bangladeshi music, share what each of us have and learn from it. Joe Simon, You Got the Love by Candi Station, I Don’t Wanna Be With Nobody This is the type of collaboration I But You by Absent Friends and Victim of a Foolish Heart by Bettye Swann. am looking forward to. Q What is your favourite instrument for an acoustic cover? Q One artiste you think is I came across an instrument at Beirut jam session in Lebanon known as changing the voice of soul or Guseng is my favourite. ‘It’s a Chinese harp and has a beautiful feminine tune to it. I also like the happy, soft and sweet sound of the Ukulele. jazz music? Aretha Franklin is one artiste that moved Joss stone immensely. She Q Do emotional incidents expand upon an artistic license? One needs to be an emotional person. You have to be connected to your certainly moved me with her own feelings and be empathetic towards others as well. If one talks about music. soul music which is a broad genre it might be the case. Q Name a few favourite covers Q What happens when you get a writer’s block while writing your that you’ve performed in the music? past I have written songs that I didn’t like and got stuck while writing for a Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye by The Casinos, The Chokin Kind by moment, but I didn’t consider it as a writer’s block.
Culture Vulture
Be
Photos: Internet
yourself
Staying within the fringes of mainstream cultures, Aidha Cader, ICE Today’s culture connoisseur has inculcated an appreciation for food, history, travel and art beyond her comfort zone
f your Facebook home page has been crowded with a stick figure meme dishing out passive aggressive advice, then you, like countless others found it distasteful or on the contrary ecstatic.Yes, I am talking about ‘Be Like Bill’- a meme that had taken over social media platforms. character. It has created countless spin offs, such as ‘Don’t be like Bill,’ or ‘Be like Kate’ and so forth. Social media has always been a place that glorifies our lives to our friends. The ‘Be like Bill’ meme was no different as it satisfied our need to let others know about our shortcomings and our failures. Created last year by programmer Eugeniu Croitoru and Debabrata Nath, it is a series of cartoons that show Bill
engaging in various activities and abstaining from others. As the meme took off the ‘Be like Bill’ Facebook page began to attract over a million followers. However, the recent wave of popularly was a result of the meme generator now let you replace Bill’s name with your own and this resulted in your personal version of the meme. This was the perfect platform for our social media persona. It tends to feed the void within us that, we want to share with the world, what we do and do not do right. But as with most memes that go viral, social media users are quick to turn against what was hugely popular just a while ago. And just as swiftly as it rose to fame, its popularity diminished as quickly as
well. The good news is that the demise of a viral meme like the ‘Be like Bill’ is only one step away from the next rapid ascent to glory. The only thing left is to brace ourselves until the next ‘Be like Bill’ meme blows over. Many studies have been done on behavioural patterns in the context of social media. What we actually revel about ourselves is often more than we think. Using a prediction API (Application Program Interface) by the University of Cambridge, analysts were able to scour our Facebook likes and status updates to discover specific personality traits. The results consisted of habits like bragging which goes to show lack
of self-esteem issues as well as as the constant sharing of children’s photos which highlight the competitive nature among parents. When status updates are mostly political, social or intellectual issues; these were linked to open mindedness, curiosity and creativity. Sharing status in pictures with a big group of friends often reflected that they were as extraverted as the photographs indicated. The ones who constantly update their personal drama with emojis were categorised as neurotic and overly anxious. They tend to use Facebook to get the attention and support they are missing from their offline friends. When one’s updates are mostly about exercise, diets and so forth they were grouped as narcissistic. Facebook speaks volumes about our personality and self-esteem. Studying human behaviour on social media gives us an idea about people’s personalities as well as how they view us. When you present yourself in a particular way, chances are that people may view you in a different way. Our behavior on social media reveals more than we might think. It's not just what we post on Facebook that reveals information about our personalities, it's also what we don't post that can be quite telling.
In our 500 plus Facebook friends how many do we actually know or how many do we have a deep relationship with? With whom do we go out for coffee and feel no need to share with the rest of the world? Being with the person ‘in person’ is fulfilling enough, that the need for random others to stamp their ‘like’ approval button on a captured moment or a status update is irrelevant. Yet the social media world we live in has made us densely connected than ever before. However, new research is also showing that this connectivity is often leaving us lonelier than any generation that preceded us. Over the past thirty years, technology has delivered to us a world in which we are in contact every moment. Within this world of instant and absolute communication, unbounded by limits of time or space, we also suffer from unprecedented alienation. We have never been more detached from one another in the real world than this current generation. Often at parties, individuals are on their phones texting in the virtual world unaware of the people around them. In a world consumed by ever more novel modes of socialising, we have less and less actual society to live in.
The royal baby
Sealing the deal
1 By Faria Faizun
Sitting and staring at tiring spreadsheets? Add cheer to your wardrobe with these stunners. Our style forecast brings you fashion-forward classics that you can rock at the workplace
Pair up this silk and georgette black shirt with nude divider pants. Accessorise with a big-dial watch or a hand bag spacious enough to keep all your work essentials.
1. Black shirt, Tk1890 from Plaire 2. Formal nude pant, Tk1695 from Artisan 3. Nude black heels, Tk3500 from KR shoes
Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani
Got an important presentation?
2
ress for uccess
2
1
3
Ds
3
Amplify your black pencil skirt with a pastel polka shirt. Make travelling easy with black golden gladiators. Shades and hoop ear rings are nice complements to go with this look.
1. Pink Polka Shirt, Tk 1890 from Plaire 2. Black Pencil Skirt, Tk 3600 from Plaire 3. Black Golden Gladiator Shoes, Tk 3200 from KR shoes
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Beauty Alert
Fatima Faheem looks into the blunders and wonders of make-up
Make-up is yet a mystery to many of us, particularly because the question still comes to mind ‘How much is too much?’ Here are a few common mistakes made by women while dolling up
Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani
akeover
made
easy
Do Suck in your cheeks and then use a brownish flesh coloured blush to accentuate the hollow of your cheekbones. Make sure it is one or two shades darker than your skin tone. Navin’s trick is to have the client smile first. Then she applies the blush on the raised part of the cheeks and blends it well with the contour colour. She even asks her clients to smile so that she can locate the exact spot. The highlighter is used right on top of the cheekbones to define them further. Choose contour colours that are barely darker than your skin colour, peachy or pinkish toned blush to the apple of the cheeks and finally highlighters which are usually light in colour and contains light reflecting particles.
Base Make-up Applying base make-up is the best technique to smoothen out blemishes and even out the overall appearance Don’t Matching foundation shade on the back of the hand is a complete no no! The skin on our face is very different from the one on the back of our hands given that both the complexion and the texture is different. Often people forget to blend the foundation with the neck.
Navin uses the concealer only on the areas where the foundation fails to cover up.
Contouring
Eyebrows The eyebrows are very important in framing the face. Photograph by Sakib Muhtasim
Do Match the foundation shade to your jaw line. Use a primer to smooth the skin. Make sure you blend the foundation well.
Matching foundation shade on the back of the hand is a complete no no. The skin on our face is very different from the one on the back of our hands. Both the complexion and the texture is different
Don’t Very sharp lined eyebrows can give a very bold and unreal look
Contouring enhances the areas of the face that naturally stand out.
Avoid sharp, angular lines too, they look unnatural.
Don’t Not blending your bronzer can be disastrous. Wiping it along the jawline and not diffusing the colour will leave nothing but two harsh bronze streaks on your cheeks. The blush used for contouring should not contain shimmer. Matte formula always looks more natural.
Do A few light strokes with an eyebrow pencil will do. It is very important that there are no harsh lines and the brows look well blended and natural.
Navin Ahmed has received training in Cosmetic Techniques and Management from Sheridan College, Canada. She is the make-up artist for Gala Makeover Studio in Dhaka.
Cutting Edge
Made by glass and metal, the phone exudes uber chicness Model: Sunerah, Sariful Razz, Akhi Gadgets: Samsung Galaxy A 2016 edition Wardrobe Partner: daraz.com.bd (Vittate, Doors, Ecstasy Menz) Makeup : Tilat Khayer Hair: Rafina Photography: Riyad Ashraf
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It features high security system which is a perfect fit for your corporate needs
An epitome of luxury, the phone is as stunning as your personality
Taking selfie in low light never seemed so easy
Makeover As we celebrate women this month, internationally renowned makeup artist Tilat Khayer creates various styles using her own product range to amp up the glam quotient. By Aidha Cader
Into the Dawn Eyes ‘Soft Spun’ shade of shimmer is used as a highlighter below the brows. Pastel eyeshadows in ‘Aroma’ and ‘Swoosh’ is blended together across the lids. Black eyeliner is drawn over the upper lash line. Cheeks ‘Baha’ tone blusher is applied along the cheeks and ‘Soft Spun’ shimmer is used for highlighting the cheekbones. Lips ‘Cherish’ shade lip liner is used to define the shape and filled in with ‘superstar’ matte lipstick. ‘Phoenix’ Liquid Matte Lipstick is coated onto the lips for the final touch. Hair Using rollers, large strands of hair are curled up. Once set, the rollers are removed and adjusted to fall over the forehead and shoulders, naturally.
&
Day Night Models: Zakia Moon and Trina, Photo editing: Lena
Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani
Into the Dark Eyes ‘The Bomb’ shade of eyeshadow is used as a highlighter and ‘Riptide’ eyeshadow is blended across the lids. ‘Electric Avenue’ colour gel eyeliner is drawn across the upper lash line followed by ‘Moody Blue’ eyeliner along the lower lash line. A coating of mascara is applied on the lashes. Cheeks Blends of ‘Hot & Spicy’ and ‘Cheeky’ shades of blush are blended onto the cheeks to contour the face. Lips ‘Cherish’ tone lip liner is used to draw the shape and filled in with ‘Buh Bye’ colour lipstick. ‘Devoted’ shade of Liquid Matte Lipstick is applied over it to complete the look. Hair Hair is swept to a side and placed into a bun. Artificial hair extensions are pinned in and looped along the bun. Hair accessories are fastened at the intersections of the loops.
Into the Dusk Eyes ‘Perfection’ eyeshadow is applied to highlight the brow bones. ‘Medieval’ eye shadow is blended across the lids followed by ‘Jetliner’ eyeshadow along the crease lines. ‘Nori’ shade eyeliner is drawn across the upper lash line followed by a coating of mascara on lashes. Cheeks ‘Cherry’ shade blusher is blended across the cheeks. Lips ‘Raisin’ lip liner is used to define the shape and filled in with ‘Devoted’ Liquid Matte Lipstick for a lovely pout Hair The hair is pulled on to the left and twisted at the nape of the neck to create a low messy bun.
Culture Vulture
Man of the Month Rubab Nayeem Khan takes note as Bjarke Mikkelsen discusses the rise of e-commerce in Bangladesh
R
ecently, e-commerce has won the hearts of consumers by enabling shopping via web portals. Be it technology, fashion or household goods, happiness is just a click away. In light of that, CEO of Daraz Asia, Bjarke Mikkelsen, delved into the e-commerce business when he was in London. With a knack for fashion and its ever-growing market, he started an agency named www.blog.berthrams.com, which focused on Scandinavian fashion. “There is a neck in neck competition in the UK market since everybody wants to start a fashion brand in London. They want to find a new designer nobody’s heard of in order to be different,” claims Bjarke. Their initial setup was part online and part offline; most of the sales
Photograph by Kamrul Hasan Ifty
Signed, sealed, delivered
were done in an online showroom where buyers can come in, place their orders, see the fabric and try the products. “Our model in London is efficient in the sense that we give more visibility to whoever is buying for one’s own store,” mentions Bjarke. Bjarke recalls how difficult it was for new designers to showcase their talent in the UK market. Keeping that in mind, he along with his partners ventured into helping aspiring designers bring their styles to the fashion industry. His partner Christina Berthram Poulsen, had worked for an agency which dealt with wholesale distribution. “She would represent brands in the UK and Ireland because that gave her access to all the buyers. So there was no retail; only wholesale,” points out Bjarke.
Among the department stores, they reached out to names such as big as Browns and Liberty. “We were looking at independent stores as well as popular e-commerce websites,” adds Bjarke. Eventually, Bjarke and his team were able to establish the privileges of online shopping in Bangladesh with daraz.com. bd which gained them immense popularity within a short span of time. Their creative vision is currently piloting the online shopping portal by allowing retailers to outsource products from everywhere in the world and optimise their assortment. Shopping portals not only act as a web mall but also serve as a platform that gives visibility to sellers, wholesale industries as well as designers. Since the model has been tried and tested internationally, Bjarke
is certain that e-commerce will flourish in Bangladesh. In a country like Bangladesh, most of the concerns surrounding e-commerce is trust. Hence, getting the real product instead of a replica is a dominating factor. Despite having certain shortcomings, Bjarke along with the daraz team in Bangladesh takes the challenges in stride to deliver the best to its loyal client base. In terms of commercial development, Daraz Bangladesh is six to eight months ahead in comparison to its Pakistan chain. While he looks into the prospects of e-commerce in Bangladesh, Bjarke mentions that they are working towards developing their services further. “When you’re running an e-commerce business, you need to stress on the little details in order to make the customers happy,” he sums up.
Designer’s Diary
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stablishing Trends
By Tawhidur Rashid
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hen it comes to shopping, Yellow by BEXIMCO is one brand that has fashionistas wrapped around their threads. Designer Usman Aziz lets us in on his fashion expertise.
On Working in Bangladesh
Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani
This is an excellent place; the people here are hospitable. I have been to places like Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin
and their breathtaking beauty totally floored me! The traffic congestion is a significant problem, but I think it's a common phenomenon in all mega cities.
On Handling his team I am leading a group of 25 people: all energetic and friendly. I have always wanted to become a mentor, not a boss. Making myself approachable to them helps bring out the best in them and this has enabled us to create a terrific team.
On the Brand he works for
Usman's Staples Blue jeans and white t-shirt Brown shoes Brown-belt watch Not a fan of stripes but checks A die-hard Barcelona FC fan; Argentina and Spain are his countries of choices for football Favourite pastime: Origami
As a commercial designer, I have worked with brands like Leisure Club and Chen One in Pakistan. Yellow has a mighty presence in Pakistan and I have always had high admiration for it, which is why I pride on being associated with it. Even more so, now that it is one of the leading brands in Bangladesh.
Though we cater to the youth with up and coming trends, we want to turn Yellow a brand for families as well. In line with that, we have launched Yellow Kids collection, namely Yellow Junior. We are going to launch sarees in summer; the collection will have 100% silk and georgette with ethnic prints and designs. Jacquard Punjabis, more superhero graphics on tees are a few visually evident trends we are going to establish through our future collections. We are also trying to adapt new washing techniques which will enhance the quality of our products.
On the Upcoming Trends
We see a lot to come in the field of denim. Washed denim, ripped denim, grinding types of denim are going to rule the international trends in future.
On the Fashion scene in Bangladesh
I was amazed to see the bravado of the people in this country while choosing colours. Some loud colours have made their ways into the everyday closet of the citizens, which I find incredible. People here possess a happy-go-lucky nature, and that trait truly reflects in the colours they choose to wear during festivals. There is an evident connection between culture and fashion in this country.
On Creative Inspirations
I follow everyday people on the street to get creative inspirations. Especially for our Bangladeshi clientele, people here love to experiment. As a trendsetting brand, we never fail to read their pulse and quickly incorporate them into our designs.
Cover Focus
rreplaceable cons Whether it’s home or work, women tend to find a way to balance everything even when the going gets tough. Compassionate, ambitious, disciplined, emotional may just be a few qualities they possess. But in all honesty, words fall short to describe women entirely. Be it a colleague, cousin, wife, mother, friend or a sister, women truly hold a special place in our lives. On a national level, women have been known for leading various projects and organisations, initiating startup companies as well as setting up social and cultural platforms. They stand up for what they believe in and this certainly has taken them sky high. In the spirit of International Women’s’ Day, we bring to light some women who were driven by passion or plight, in order to become who they are today.
S Cover Story
Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani
hoot to the Top
E Once, while sealing a deal I had to turn back and walk away; sometimes you just have to play a bluff
mpowering women through entrepreneurship development, President of Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Rokia Afzal Rahman is at the zenith of success. Involved in media, insurance, real estate and power sector, she brings to light skills that lead women entrepreneurs to excellence.
In Bangladesh now, there is a surge of startups and the investment scenario is also looking up. Rokia feels now is a great time for women entrepreneurs to hone their skills in their respective fields. “Bangladeshis like many other countries looks forward to a huge future for startups and young men and women are all rushing into an
Rokia Afzal Rahman highlights how to shine in the corporate front By Benazir Aunon Sarker
emerging market that Bangladesh has. The IT sector is a new field that women can open up to and connect with countries like the US , and Europe. Sometimes, formal training is enough for a woman in IT to start a business.” However she feels they need assistance in setting up companies, getting trade licenses, registering the company as a formal business entity and later networking. “This is where associations can help. Subsequently they need to network so one can complement the other’s business.” The social welfare pioneer recognises that opportunities are great. “The government is very supportive of women entrepreneurs. They have loans for women, and at subsidised interest rates, it’s an opportunity they should certainly grasp,” she emphasises. Sponsor Director in Midas Financing Limited and Director in the Central Bank of Bangladesh as a member of the board for three years, Rokia has diversified her business through a broad spectrum. Handling various projects and people, ideal negotiation skills are a must. “Negotiating skills are gained over years of experience. However, Bangladesh needs better professional advice. Governments in other countries bring professional support, when they come to a negotiation table. “ Once, while sealing a deal I had to turn back and walk away; sometimes you just have to play a bluff,” she shares. “In a good negotiation, both parties should come out of it feeling satisfied so it’s not really a winner and loser situation,” she affirms. Considering the role of women in business, she doesn’t find significant difference in the set of negotiation skills for women and men. “It’s the same concept of negotiation for both; men have been engaged in this arena for a longer time which justifies their possession of better negotiating skills. However under the same conditions, if a man and woman negotiate, I think woman would do better,” she smiles. However women have not come into procurements yet, which is important. “There should be a reserved quota in procurements from the government in the private sector that should be available to them. Women are natural managers, they are sincere and dedicated which is what makes them good at negotiating,” she ends on a positive note.
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At Bitopi Leo Burnett, Managing Director Sarah Ali looks at how to make the most out of opportunities By Natasha Rahman
ith flying colours
“According to me, the key to building trust with clients, is honesty” aperwork, deadlines, clients; this may sound like just another day at an agency. But if you look beyond the endless work hours, the place is a treasure trove of ideas Agencies are all about building a relationship with clients. “Trust and confidence are two of the most essential ingredients. It is no different in the partnership between clients and agencies. The key to building trust with clients, according to me is honesty,” stresses Sarah. She also says that it is necessary to be truthful in the face of all odds and accept that mistakes can happen. As their work is based on creative content, Sarah is
willing to take risks and find solutions for her clients that is both unique and out of the box. “Some clients are willing to take risks and move out of the comfort zone. As the client’s partner, it is our job to find the most creative way to solve the client’s problem. If the agency is capable of giving a valid reason to go ahead with the idea, the clients usually are willing to listen and try it out,” shares Sarah. A large part of advertising deals with ideas and strategic execution. Balancing the creative process and managing to meet the needs of your clients on time is of utmost importance. “The job of an advertising agency is to solve a client’s or a brand’s problem. The ideas that we come up
with are connected to solving a client’s problem.” Sarah feels there is no point in having a good idea, if it cannot be executed for whatever drawbacks there may be. “It needs a fine balancing process with a realistic discussion of timelines with the client. I think it is all about expectation management and discussion with the client. I have seen that ‘assumption’ is the root of all kinds of difficulties in my line of work. There is ownership from the client and a much greater change of creative executions happening.” On a final note, Sarah’s motto is to always communicate and involve the client in the entire thinking process and generate ideas together.
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odifying the Message
When an issue is labelled based on a particular gender, it creates avenues for various debates. In the context of human rights and equity, feminism does come to light. However, being identified as a feminist in this day and age is still something new. But this doesn’t stop Tasaffy Hossain in standing up for what she truly believes in. While she’s at it, she does acknowledge that rising above the negative connotations attached to feminism is tough indeed. For Tasaffy, feminism isn’t just a word; it’s a revolution. She says, “You just have to grasp the word for what it stands for. It’s a belief system and it’s about what you make of it.” According to Tasaffy, being a feminist has been quite liberating for her. “You can choose to be who you want without moulding yourself into the predefined boxes created by society.” She points out that feminism is not about equality of women in regards to men; rather, it is the equality of the human race and what should be allocated and allowed for them. Tasaffy acknowledges that feminism would only fare well in Bangladesh if adults and children discuss the kind of changes they want to see in the future. Moreover, she stresses on changing women’s
mindset about the movement. “It is not exclusively about men oppressing the women or women being marginalised; it stems from families and the ideas and norms they believe in.” With up and coming opinion platforms, such as One Billion Rising Bangladesh, The Vagina Monologues and It’s a She Thing, Tasaffy recognises that the feminist perspective is not so distant anymore. “One of the main goals behind these initiatives was to make it more relatable for men and women,” adds Tasaffy. The passionate activist says that one cannot be a social activist in just one particular area. “You just have to want equality for humans in general in order to give someone the same life and freedom that you want for yourself. If you really want to see a change, it has to start from an individual basis starting from talking to your friends and families and then spreading it on a wider scale,” elaborates Tasaffy. She highlights that gender and race is culturally constructed; so the changes need to be homogeneous. Hence, feminism needs to be a movement of intersectional solidarity of all marginalised groups coming together in the hope to achieve the objectives of feminism.
Tasaffy Hossain, Founder of VDAY, Dhaka, talks about how to be your own hero By Carissa Musrat Photograph by Sakib Muhtasim
S Photograph by Ashraf Uddin Apu
tanding Tall
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hen someone falls prey to an acid attack, life instantly becomes a uphill battle for them. But for some, the scars become a reason to rise above the struggle and fight back. Tahmina Islam, Programme Officer at Acid Survivors Foundation became an acid victim on March 27, 2000 in Sylhet. She became an unintentional target when a man with whom her
Acid Survivor Tahmina Islam knows how to look forward to life By Rubab Nayeem Khan
colleague was once romantically involved with, attacked them on the street. “This left my colleague visually impaired in one eye and my face and hands scalded,” reveals Tahmina. After spending five days in Sylhet’s Osmani Medical Hospital, she was aided by BRAC and the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) to receive medical care from Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. She underwent treatment for three months after which through the help of women’s committee and ASF, she was flown to Italy for extensive surgery. Slowly, the pangs of Tahmina’s trauma were eased by the Acid Survivors Foundation. In 2003, she joined the team to aid other survivors to move on with their lives. From there, life took a different turn for her. Tahmina’s work at ASF began in the medical unit as a medical assistant and in no time she became thoroughly involved in the numerous departments and projects at the organisation. “I am currently working for the Survivors Support Service. We visit the homes of survivors in order to rehabilitate them,” explains Tahmina. Tahmina shares how the attack took a toll on her life. She says, “It’s an internal struggle for those who go through facial disfigurement. People ask various questions about my appearance; and I have to be prepared to answer them.” But her indomitable spirit is what lifts Tahmina up. “Now that I’ve started working for ASF, I’ve received life skill training and acquired leadership qualities. I make the best of them to help my fellow survivors.” The resilient survivor acknowledges that though she last lost a lot in life, she has managed to fill that void with greater things. Tahmina says, “One has to muster up the courage and have the mental strength to overcome such incidents.”
Anonnya Banik, transgender woman and Liaison Officer at Bandhu Social Welfare Society, shows us how to be optimistic in the face of daunting odds By Natasha Rahman
performance arts company in collaboration with Goethe-Institut and Bandhu Social Welfare Society worked closely with sexual minorities for a documentary. “They documented everything we did during rehearsals. Our traditions, way of life; the songs we sing, the words we write- they analyse everything,” she reveals. Angie Hiesl Production projected the transgender identity with performers from Bangladesh and Europe. “Through the documentaries, our passions, interests and needs are highlighted. It gave us a platform to express what we normally can’t,” she shares. Although the government recognised hijras as the third gender in 2013, development for the community in terms of social, health and medical
Photograph by Choudhury Safwat Gani
mbracing your identity is laborious if your society isn’t ready to welcome you with open arms. However, that doesn’t dampen Anonnya’s spirits. She dances, sings and rejoices being the women she is with aplomb. Britto Arts Trust, Bangladesh’s first artist-run alternative arts platform, co-founded by Tayeba Begum Lipi, made three documentaries on her story. “My love for performing arts is immense. I was in Reversal Reality , one of the documentaries that gained international recognition. It was also my first solo show that was broadcasted at the Shrine Empire Gallery, Delhi last year,” she reminisces. In 2012, Angie Hiesl Production, a
Fighting the Good Fight
welfare still remains a work in progress. “I am thankful to our government for creating a space for us and allowing people from our communities to stand for elections; however we have a long way to go.” As the Liason Officer at Bandhu Social Welfare Society, Anonnya works closely with sexual minority organisations all over the country. “I monitor and intervene if and when rights of the minorities are breached by providing solutions with the help of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the Human Rights Commission.” The provisions made by the government to secure our social, environmental and medical rights are still in their initial stages. “My gender is still a woman in my passport, bank account and voter ID, but I will keep fighting for the rights of my community,” she emphasises. However, there’s another area of rights that are being violated. “We have no legal documents to validate our relationships with our partners. But it’s time to take things into stride and get what we deserve.” According to Anonnya, there is a severe social pressure on partners after a certain amount of time to get on with their lives and walk out of the relationships. “I wish to take legal initiatives which will ensure the safety and commitment of a relationship. It shouldn’t be so easy to walk out of a commitment. In that case, once legal implications are passed by the government, we will feel more secure in our relationships,” she asserts. According to her, every revolution has a rocky start. “We are shunned by our families, our society, and sometimes even our partners. I have been working with the rights of transgender for 16 years now. We have created our own language to communicate. Although we are kept separate from society, we are still a part of the same society,” she explains. Anonnya dreams for a day when we all can coexist with each other happily and peacefully.
Elita Karim shows us how to balance her zeal for music, food and journalism
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ditor of the Star Weekend at The Daily Star, Elita Karim has a very efficient and independent team working for her. One of the four partners at Nawab Chatga, Elita plays a very significant role in making decisions, working on promotions and also reaching out to people to try out the food. While she’s at it, she manages to find time for music as well. “I perform with a group of friends and we perform together. I try to keep at least a day in order to practice for 4 hours a week after work. It goes without saying that multi-tasking
comes easily to Elita. “I actually used to take pride in the fact that I could multitask so well, but that was in the past. Now I feel that maybe I need to focus on one or two things at a time. But in all honesty, it is indeed difficult to choose between all the things that I do. I love writing, performing alongside running a restaurant. I don’t think I would ever give up on either one of them.” Be it a passion or a priority, balancing both together requires a trick or two. “Choosing the right people to help you out is the secret,” wraps up Elita.
Photograph by Kazi Mukul
By Nusrat Jahan Pritom
Going Global From an author to a screenwriter; Sharbari Zohra Ahmed speaks about the journey of her transition
The Pages of her Life
Every television show is the outcome of endless brainstorming and scripting done by directors and screenwriters. As 2015 came to an end, it roped in a couple of new TV shows for us. ABC’s Quantico found itself among some of the reigning shows on the silver screen. With Priyanka Chopra playing the lead role of Alex Parrish, the show has indeed won the hearts of many. Our
focus however, veers away from the cast and looks into Quantico’s writer’s room. It came as a wave to us Bengalis when Bangladeshi-American writer Sharbari Zohra Ahmed soon became an addition to the show’s screenwriting team. The author of the short story collection The Ocean of Mrs. Nagai and the play Raisins Not Virgins says that coming across diverse cultures and questioning
her identity has played an immense role in shaping her as a writer. “Living in Ethiopia at a young age and travelling frequently had a major impact on why I became a writer. I can empathise with people and their situations; it comes in handy when you want to tell a story. You catch on to nuances that escape most people, which is both a blessing and a curse,” claims Sharbari. Her surroundings served as an influence for her writing career; thus the life lessons found a place in her stories. The themes Sharbari delves into revolve around politics, race, culture and identity. “I am fascinated by people and cultures and their various beliefs and inclinations. Hence, it becomes difficult to write about just one kind of subject or idea,” shares Sharbari. The writing platform is no different from the film industry. Although writers have a vast pool of genres to work with, they always bear the pressure of bringing something new to the table. Sharbari incorporates
a technique or two in order to introduce a fresh perspective to her readers. “I just try to be authentic and not worry about trends. When I was younger, I did try to imitate other types of writers because their style would sell, but it was not true to who I was so I abandoned that quickly. Thankfully publishers or agents didn’t think it was very good either,” she says cheerily. Her perspective and expertise in creative writing eventually yielded in the opportunity to be a screenwriter for ABC’s Quantico. While she celebrates the idea of being a part of ABC network, she takes into account that there’s certainly room for improvement. “For me Quantico is still a working progress; I am learning how to be a TV writer for a major network. I have not mastered it yet. Luckily I have a roomful of talented and experienced writers to help me along the way,” Sharbari mentions. When asked about prospective story ideas for the future, Sharbari says that she hasn’t yet
written about the dynamics within a family, such as aging, death or loss. But she intends to do it with a sense of humour. “I think I might do a memoir on myself; my father once told me I have the unique ability to pick absolutely the wrong man to fall in love with every time. I need to explore that one out in a novel or screenplay. I think there are a few women who would appreciate that, but I also want to continue to connect seemingly disparate ideas and characters. It’s all in the service of figuring things out,” highlights Sharbari. It’s come to notice that every TV series, be it new or old has a way of keeping its fans hooked. Quantico too has its way of keeping fans at the edge of their seats. Sharbari says that Quantico is meant to be a ‘popcorn thrill ride’ for viewers. She also adds, “We deal with some serious issues but generally people keep coming back for the humour, the stunning and unusually diverse cast and of course for the intrigue of it all.”
Her surroundings served as an influence for her writing career; thus the life lessons found a place in her stories
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At first, she won hearts with her beauty; and now with her kindness. Natasha Rahman chats up our very own Maksuda Akhter Prioty
Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani
eaching for the Stars
Beauty pageants thrive on creating fantasies by crafting a divine image. To assume that being beautiful is a prerequisite for winning a show is a common mistake made by many. But it isn’t a cake walk and Maksuda Akhter Prioty, Ms Ireland, tells it as it is. She refutes the idea that beauty pageants are a platform to display women’s physical appearance only. “As a participant in Ms Ireland, 70 percent of the marks come from how much time I consume in social work; the rest 30 percent is credited to external appearance and my ability to blend in with the other contestants,” she shares. Prioty has paved the way for her fairytale by being the first Irish-Bangladeshi woman to be crowned First Runner-up in the Ms Earth 2016 international pageant in Jamaica. “Whatever I do, I give my 100 percent,” she says.
The winner of Miss Universal Royalty 2013, Prioty, always wants to push herself and get as much as she can from life. “It’s ingrained in us to work for people, not only nationally but internationally. People will want to see if I am reaching out to other countries as well.” The spirited Prioty enjoys the thrill of balancing her passions and priorities. Working as a private pilot and a flying instructor in Newcastle Airport, Ireland, pursuing her modelling career and working for charitable causes, Prioty dons all these hats with ease.“I get bored easily and want to immerse myself in various activities,” she chuckles. When back in Dublin, she still keeps herself busy with various fundraisers and social causes. “When we are questioned by the judges about our aims once we
become the title holder, our answers must reflect our previous work history. As Ms Ireland, my actions represent my country. I will do my best to uphold the dignity; or else it’s futile in holding such a big title,” she stresses. Adrenaline doesn’t allow Prioty to rest. “I am currently on vacation, but I decided that I should do something for Bangladesh.” Now involved with Bangla Pathshala, Procheshta Foundation, Shobar Jonno Shikkha, Gorbo Bangladesh, Prioty supports as many causes as she can. “I am genuinely learning a lot about various causes. I get to work for underprivileged children, thalassemia patients and have also helped in delivering sanitary napkins in rural areas.” Prioty is ecstatic to work with people. “I don’t do it because of the title; it truly is a rewarding feeling to be part
of a noble cause,” she says with pride. In the case of modelling platforms, Prioty feels it has taken a backseat. The enthusiastic model ends by saying, “We need to establish training centres here for girls who are willing to take part in beauty pageants. It is essential for them to build a profile, involve themselves in social causes and learn to coexist with fellow contestants despite cultural differences to compete internationally.”
As Ms Ireland, my actions represent my country. I will do my best to uphold the dignity; or else it’s futile in holding such a big title
In the Line of Fire Rubab Nayeem Khan reels in as photojournalist Lynsey Addario speaks of life in crosshairs
Every time we surf through news channels, we come across footages of countries being torn apart in the cruellest of ways. But what we see is just a fragment of what is termed ‘a war-torn affair.’ One woman, however, goes beyond her duty to capture the utter chaos in our world. The American photojournalist, Lynsey Addario, gives a completely new perspective to journalism by capturing civil strife, terror and trauma in its most raw forms. After working as a photojournalist for around ten years, her setting and subjects capture the kind of elements, which are mostly steered away from the mainstream media. Lynsey’s photography depicts sexual assault, wars, mortality rates as well as spirituality. In a nutshell, her work mostly revolves around conflicts and human rights issues. “It’s my job as a journalist to inform and educate people about what’s happening in the world,” says the spirited photojournalist. Being on a quest to capture the readers’ attention, Lynsey explains how difficult it is to evoke emotions
Lynsey Addario is an American photojournalist whose work revolved around conflict and human rights issues
among the masses. She truly believes that “only an image has the power to portray something that is unexpected and out of the ordinary.”
The bloodshed of American soldiers during major war operations in Fallujah, Iraq, childbirth and mortality rates in Africa’s Sierra Leone or
the self-immolation in Afghanistan are just a few ordeals among many that have been shot by Lynsey’s lens. While she braves the
Dr. Renu Singh checks a patient for possible signs of Tuburculosis in the district TB center in Patna, Bihar, India
In South Kivu, Mapendo, 22, lies in her home in a village, weak and covered in a skin rash less than a year after she was kidnapped and raped by five men in Eastern Congo.
Iman Zenglo, 30, sits with her five children in their tent she and her husband set up in a squatter’s camp outside of the Killis camp on the Turkish side of the Turkish Syrian border in Turkey, October 22, 2013.
cons of working behind the lens, she confides that the sights and sounds of chaos have affected her at an emotional level. “I have spent so much time with my subjects; there were times I had broken down. And now that I have a son, it certainly takes a toll on me,” shares Lynsey. Despite being torn between humanity and her profession, she manages to keep a steady hand and get the work done. “I try to channel my emotions into my photographs so that it makes the readers angry and emotional about these issues,” stresses Lynsey. Moreover, she finds it unfair how there are people suffering in various parts of the world, while others are free of anguish. “Mortality rate for instance focuses on the dire need for safety in terms of giving birth. A lot of women cannot avail such privileges,” points out Lynsey. But loving your job has a cost; and she certainly had to pay a hefty price. In 2011, Lynsey, along with journalists Anthony Shadid, Stephen Farrell and photojournalist Tyler Hicks were kidnapped in Libya
A train passenger traveling from Baghdad to Karbala. A police officer's rifle rests on the front seat.
during the clash between Muammar Gaddafi’s troops and the rebel forces. They were all on an assignment for New York Times. During that time, she’d been sexually harassed and physically assaulted by soldiers who’d held her and her colleagues captive. Lynsey had been in a serious accident and has also witnessed the death of two of her drivers. It goes without saying that Lynsey’s job is a gamble; but even within the conflict she rises above and brings to light the horrific conditions from around the world. In
the process she’s missed out ample amount of time with her family. “It affects my personal life, considering that I’ve been travelling for twenty-three years,” says Lynsey. Her book, It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War, depict accounts of her life on war grounds, after 9/11 and the struggle of being a journalist and a mother. Since she refrains from censoring graphic details in her photographs, Lynsey bears the brunt of various controversies. But she takes it rather sportingly and strives to pursue her
passions. “I try to be fair with what I do by working with publications that showcase the best kind of journalism, so that no one can hint at sensationalism,” she identifies. While she’s at it, she acknowledges that the negative ramifications are a part of her job. Given her eye for details, the skilled photographer Lynsey, also talks about Bangladesh and the incredible amount of work that is yet to be done here. “I feel that local photographers could stress on the working conditions in factories, rohingyas as well as poverty,” she concludes.
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easide
Ashfaque Zaman reels in the treasures of the ocean at Manhattan Fish Market
Stories
Fishy Chicky Bang Bang Tk 750
Mocktails at Tk200
Pepper Mayo Salmon Tk 750
Flaming Seafood Platter Tk 800
O Hooked on Hake Tk 800
Oyster Roulette Tk 500
Strawberry Flamin-go Tk 280
Photographs by Abu Naser
The fluffy seasoned rice and crunchy bite of carrots and broccoli are a medley of textures in one meal
Opening a quaint restaurant under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Fish Market has satiated the desire for seafood for 187 years. Our journey begins by testing our courage for the water with their Oyster Roulette. A daring gulp of poached oysters with a shot of heat from the cayenne and chilli peppers, the oyster retains its slippery texture and together with the tang of lemon, it is definitely for the true ocean explorer. We venture into calmer waves with the Pepper Mayo Salmon Burger. The poached salmon retains its juicy definitive flavour, which is complemented with the hint of spice from the pepper mayo. The fish is placed on a sunny-side up egg, which oozes as you bite into it. The entire ensemble is then rested on a crisp bed of lettuce and paired with a side of signature chips. Plunging deeper into the depths of fried galore, The Fishy Chicky Bang Bang is nothing like the icy, dark depths. It is a crisp golden fried fillet of dory and chicken breast with velvety cheese melt at its centre. The tender meat and fish are encased in the chef ’s special batter, which gives the burger that wonderful crunch. The elements of the meal are completed with an egg nestled in a spaghetti basket and chips. Sailors have explored far and wide to discover legends such as the narwhale. However, the fish market captured Hooked on Hake. A meaty fish, grilled perfectly with its skin. It is topped with their special fiery hot sauce that has the smokiness of a
barbeque. The fluffy seasoned rice and crunchy bite of carrots and broccoli are a medley of textures in one meal. Venturing back to its origins, the Manhattan Flaming Seafood Platter offers the best of a vast variety that can be caught from the sea. We start with the crispy battered oysters and calamari, and the house recommended cod. However, all eyes will be on the platters’ flaming prawn; the grilled prawns are smothered with a generous signature cheese sauce and flamed as it arrives on your table. The meal is completed with rice and vegetables. Every journey in the land of food must end sweet and the desserts at Manhattan Fish Company will satisfy any sweet tooth out there. The Strawberry Flamin-Go explores the more tropical waters, with a fruity mango pudding, strawberry and their chocolate syrup. Moving onto the signature mocktails, we have a row of stunning drinks that will quench your thirst. The Melon Breeze incorporates the sugary sweetness of strawberry and watermelon with citrus and lemon. The Brooklyn Sunset is a medley of mouth-watering mango juice with a hint of strawberry. The Hawaiian Breeze is simply a tropical paradise. Finally, the aqua glow of the Gummy Bear brings back childhood nostalgia; the feeling of being in a candy shop. Manhattan Fish market Ahmed Tower, 28-30 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka-1213
Special Feature
Burst of Flavours
Photographs by Kazi Mukul
Irfan Aziz and Fatima Faheem uncovers Chittagong’s recipes tucked away in the corners of the city
C Chatga cuisine is taking Dhaka by storm as we find new love in the form of their Mezban Gosht, Kalo Bhuna, Nola, Paya and other delicacies. Our love for red meat has a huge role to play in the meteoric rise of the Chatgaiya cuisine but it isn’t as simple as it looks. Sure, just the mere aroma can entice us, but what happens behind the scene is equally mesmerising if not more. With the help of Chittagong Express, Nawab Chatga and Chittagong Bull, we are going to walk you through the fascinating world of Mezban cuisine. The taste of Mezban beef develops into its rich juicy flavours once cooked. Hence, processing the meat and cooking it is a crucial task. Mofizur Rahman, proprietor of Chittagong Express, says
that the appeal for red meat is innate; thus it’s a common item prepared at home. However, the methods that are used in Chittagong to cook red meat is distinctive, and that’s what they wanted to introduce to Dhaka. Elita Karim, one of the partners at Nawab Chatga shares her insight on the Kala Mangsho, which is popularly known as Kala Bhuna in Dhaka and is a staple dish in Chittagong. Md. Ariful Islam, Managing Director of Chittagong Bull claims that, “The taste of beef is incomparably delicious!” According to all three of them the market for Chatga cuisine will flourish in the long run. “People are becoming increasingly health conscious and cutting down on junk food; but as Bengalis it is not easy to cut back on rice and curry,” said Ariful. In fact, switching from burgers to a limited amount of rice and beef is certainly a reasonable choice. Shahidul Islam, Managing Director of Chatga Nawab, reckons that there is a potential
With the help of Chittagong Express, Nawab Chatga and Chittagong Bull, we are going to walk you through the fascinating world of Mezban cuisine
It is essential to hold on to the Chatga food culture and to preserve it for the upcoming generations
market for the Chatga Cuisine in Dhaka City. Elita feels that the cooking technique must be right and Mofizur shares the similar sentiment as well. “It is essential to hold on to the Chatga food culture and to preserve it for the upcoming generations,” he says. On a quest to discover the realms of Chatga cuisine Chittagong Express was first on our list. One of their
specialities is Suri Shutki which is only available during winter. It might not be an ideal choice if you’re not pro-shutki, but once you get a taste of it, you can’t get enough. A hint of spice in every bite, this dish is a winner. The traditional Mezban Gosht was served next. Juicy and tender, it was their best dish in terms of flavour. Chatga Nawab was next on our list. The decor was mesmerizing; each room had a own story to tell from the Karnafuli Bridge to the Bat Tali Railway Station. The first item to be sampled was the Loitta Fish Fry. Crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside, its mild flavours was a refreshing change compared to the regular Chatga dishes. The fish is brought from Cox’s Bazaar daily; hence its freshness can be tasted in the dish. After that came the Kala Bhuna; the pinnacle of Chatga cuisine and also the most popular. Considering it takes more than four hours to prepare, if you miss it, you miss it. Smokey, spicy and chewy, this goes best with a warm plate of rice. Our final stop was Chittagong Bull. Creatively decorated with spices in jars, a gramophone and photos of Chittagong, the place instantly makes you feel at home. First item to be served was the Nola more commonly known as Paya over here and then came the Chona Daal. The spice factor in their dishes was more in comparison to their fellow counterparts. This is exactly what Ariful aimed for. He wanted to introduce the concept of Chittagong with a pinch of Dhaka in it. Despite the variety of items that are available in all three restaurants, it goes without saying that Chatgaiya cuisine is indeed a hit in Dhaka. It makes Dhaka feel like home for Chatgaiyas and also gives us Dhakaites a taste of Chittagong’s local cuisine.
Recipes
Fresh Start Aidha Cader checks out breakfast and high tea options in the city and shares their recipes for you try at home Photographs by Abu Naser@Station
Breakfast Essential at Yellow Submarine Inspired by the Beatles’ song ‘Yellow Submarine’, the cafe initially began as a small cart selling waffles. Keeping true to its retro beginnings they now have multiple outlets in the city. It is the ideal place to indulge in various types of waffles and toppings, to get you going in the morning.
Breakfast Waffles
Ingredients 2 cups flour ½tsp salt 4tsp baking powder 1½tbsp white sugar 1tbsp brown sugar 2 eggs 1½ cups milk 1/3 cups of melted butter 1½tsp vanilla extract Preparation Mix flour, salt, baking powder and sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs, milk, butter and vanilla. Don’t over beat it as this will break up the air bubbles. Pre-heat the waffle iron, pour a ladle of batter and let it cook until golden on both sides. Serve with cream and maple syrup.
Ingredients Waffle 2 cups flour 1tsp salt 4tsp baking powder ½tbsp of white sugar 2 eggs 1½ cups milk 1/3 cups melted butter 1tsp of paprika Chilli sauce 1/3 cups of sesame oil mixed with 2tsp of chilli flakes with a hint of salt Pesto Tuna 40g canned tuna with the oil squeezed out. 1tbsp mayonnaise 1tsp honey mustard sauce 1tbsp ready-made pesto Assemble Lettuce leaves Grated Parmesan cheese Preparation Prepare the waffles by mixing the ingredients together and cooking it over a pre-heated waffle iron. Cut the waffles in quarters and set aside. Mix the tuna filling ingredients together. Spread it onto two quarters, top it off with lettuce, a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Brush the other two quarters with chilli sesame sauce. Sandwich it together and serve.
Savoury Waffle with Pesto Tuna
The Boho Sanctuary at Meraki When looking for an escape from the busy Dhaka life, Meraki offers the perfect chill. Be it reading a book in a quiet corner or strumming a guitar under a tree, dining with friends or sipping coffee by yourself, the café seems to cater to all our moods and moments. Serving both breakfast and high tea, it’s an ideal cafe to catch a bite throughout the day. Ingredients 1 ¼ cups Swiss Alpen muesli 2/3 cup milk 2/3 cup plain yoghurt 1tsp vanilla extract 2/3 cup fresh orange juice ¼ cup honey ½ cup chopped almonds 1 cup chopped fresh fruit (apples, grapes, strawberries and peeled oranges)
Breakfast Muesli
Preparation Mix the muesli, milk, yoghurt and vanilla in large bowl. Let it stand for five minutes to soften. Whisk orange juice and honey in medium bowl. Stir in the almonds and chopped fruit. Add the fruits and nuts into the muesli and stir. Set aside in a refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Ingredients Crust 500g icing sugar 300g butter, 800g flour 50g milk powder, 2 eggs 160g oil Filling 2/3 cup sugar 2 tbsp cornstarch 1tsp lemon zest 24oz blueberries 2tbsp lemon juice 1/2 cup cream cheese 2 eggs Crumble Topping 2tbsp flour, 3tbsp sugar 100g butter, melted Pinch of salt Preparation Crust: In a bowl, whisk the icing sugar with the butter until smooth. Stir in flour, milk powder, eggs and oil. Mix the ingredients together to form a dough like consistency. Line the dough into greased pie molds and bake for 50 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 170c. Once done, transfer to rack and let it cool. Filling: Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest in a bowl. Add the berries and lemon juice. Toss to coat evenly and let it stand for thirty minutes. Beat cream cheese with eggs and set aside. Crumble: Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix with fingertips to form a crumble. Assemble: Fill the tarts with the cream filling, berry and top it with the crumble and bake for 15 minutes at 170c until it becomes golden in colour.
Blueberry Crumble
Old English Charm Stepping into A Restoran transports you to a quintessential British aristocratic surrounding. The interior takes you to a nostalgic time when tea houses serving scones and sandwiches ruled the roost. To experience the best of high tea culture a treat at A Restoran is a must. Ingredients 150g butter 150g flour 150g sugar 2tsp baking powder 3 eggs 1tsp vanilla extract 1 cup strawberry jam, beaten
Victoria sponge cake
Preparation Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together in a bowl. Sift flour with the baking powder and set aside. Gently fold the flour mixture into the butter. Once well combined, pour onto greased cake tins and bake in a pre heated oven at 180c for 20 minutes. Once cooked remove from the oven, turn the cake out of the tins and set it on a wire rack to cool. Next, cut it through middle and add the jam. Sandwich it together and serve it with tea.
Ingredients 350g self-raising flour, plus more for dusting Âź tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 85g Butter 3tbsp caster sugar 175ml milk, warm 1 tsp vanilla extract 2tsp lemon juice A beaten egg for glazing Jam and clotted cream, to serve Preparation Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Mix in the butter with your fingertips and add in the sugar. Mix the warm milk with vanilla and lemon juice and set aside. Add the milk mixture with the flour and knead well on a well-floured surface until smooth. Roll the dough approximately to a height of 4cm. Take a 5cm diameter cookie cutter and cut out circles. Pre-heat the oven to 220c. Brush the tops with beaten egg, then carefully place onto a pre heated baking tray and bake for ten minutes or until golden in colour. Serve with jam and clotted cream.
Classic English Scones
Tw Money
Fatima Faheem enlightens us with tips to refine our skill building
ake on the orld
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rom the easiest rhymes to the toughest mathematical equations, we learn it all in school. What we learn there, adds up to our academic prowess but what we learn outside the classroom adds to a more enriched curriculum vitae. Building your communication, networking and problem solving skills will take you far. Here’s how you can ace it all Extracurricular activities These play a major role in moulding a student’s life. Clubs which focus on debate, music, art and crafts nurture skills that can be acquired outside the classroom. So along with academic qualifications, such non-paid activities also enhance your skill set.
“It escalates professional experience, be it in academic fields like writing, editing; creative fields such as designing and professional skills such as marketing and event management,” comments Hasan Ahmed Talukder, President of the Young Economists’ Forum Club, North South University. Tutoring This has now become a common practice among young individuals. Tutors who are students themselves have to balance their own academic life while giving ample time to their students as well. It is effective in the sense that it teaches you to be calm, patient and helpful. Internships It derives a vast experience where students can apply theory to practice. Moreover, internships offer a glimpse of the corporate culture before you actually start working fulltime. Mashfique Khalid, Senior Creative Officer, Analyzen explains “I got a taste of responsibilities once I joined the company as a part time officer.” Workshops and Competitions These help students identify their passions and goals. Workshops offer scopes for individuals to explore new fields and welcome changes. Competitions provide a platform for students to merge their ideas and come up with something ingenious and creative, that too within a given time frame.
Irfan Aziz guides you through five simple steps that will help you bid farewell to procrastination
#BetterYou
Lazy No More
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Procrastination is probably one of the biggest obstacles between you and your goals. According to award winning website, PsyBlog, even psychologists procrastinate. So how do they deal with this? Well, here are five simple life-hacks to help you fight procrastination.
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Be honest with yourself Honesty is the best policy. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are a procrastinator. It is not an illness, just plain laziness. In fact, according to business blogger, Brandon Gaille, 20% of adult Americans are chronic procrastinators. The very first thing you should do is just acknowledge the fact. Identifying the problem is the first step towards solving it.
2 Set up reminders A very helpful way to fight procrastination and getting the job done is simply by setting up reminders. Set up hourly reminders that you have a certain task at hand that needs to be taken care of and you cannot waste time.
Get a motivation buddy This could be your mother, sibling, friend or even co-worker. One of the main causes of procrastination is lack of motivation. The sole purpose of your motivation buddy will be to inspire you. It could either be through constant reminders or positive reinforcements. A little motivation can take you a long way.
5 Just do it
4 Avoid mindless activities A good portion of our day is spent browsing through the internet, flipping through television channels and going through social media without any purpose. Avoid doing that.
No one else is going to do your work for you. Rather than sitting around and making excuses, just get up and get the job done. Motivate yourself, go to YouTube and watch Shia LaBeouf telling you to “just do it” if you have to. Okay, don’t do that but you get the point, right? You are a strong, focused, independent individual and must not let procrastination get the best of you. See what we did there? Free motivation!
Leisure Badruzzahan Ahmad tips off the dos and dont’s of travelling
Travel smart A new year brings new resolutions. It gives us new hopes and new destinations to explore and experience. But once in a while, even the most resolute among us needs to be reminded of the ‘mantras’ that keep our nomadic natures alive
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Dream Big – Start Small The Pyramids and Eiffel Tower may seem like ‘big and exotic’ destinations, expensive and thousands of miles away, but every wise soul knows that a journey of a thousand steps began with the first step. If you cannot go the whole thousand, take fewer steps to destinations close by, such as India, Nepal or Sri Lanka, which are equally exciting and more budget-friendly. The Click Resolution Every trip begins with the click of a mouse ie when you decide to look it up on the internet. As you imagine standing at that amazing site in person someday, hoping to click that much envied
‘selfie,’ stay strong to your resolution of making that trip happen.
well-being. Avoid global conflict zones or countries at war, as it may put your well-being at risk.
Save Today to Travel Another Day Sure it is poetic to talk about how travelling makes us richer in our souls, but travelling also costs a good deal in reality. So if you truly want to travel, quit whining and save on those things that you do not need and add that to your travel funds!
Forget That Someone Who Went- Do Your Own Homework Someone you know went somewhere you always dreamed of going. Now you are waiting for someone else to tell you how to get there. Stop doing that. Open that browser of your’s and start doing your homework. Find out how to get there, what the visa requirements are and what it all costs. Voila! Now you have just become that ‘someone!’
Plan Ahead There is one major similarity between warfare and travelling. The ones that have concrete plans are usually at an advantage. If you want that trip, plan it well ahead of time. That Thin Line Between Bravery and Buffoonery Travelling is essentially an act of bravely stepping out of one’s comfort zone. But while doing so, do take care that you are not stepping into a conflict zone that may endanger your personal
God Help Those Who Help Themselves There are those in God’s kingdom who sigh and wish they could make that trip, and then there are those in the same kingdom who take the initiative and make that trip happen. They save, they plan and they stay strong. Be part of the latter. Make that trip happen!
Musing Sohana Nasrin reminisces the awe-inspiring beauty of MoMA
Once Upon a Time in Manhattan Photographs by Sohana Nasrin
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hen I arrived in New York City during the winter of 2015, I’d expected an ample amount of snow; the kind that makes the avenues and streets look white. Despite making frequent visits to the city, there was doubt if I was going to end up on the 53rd Street between 5th and 6th avenue. Those who know Manhattan
even a little should have already guessed by now that I am talking about the gem that resides in the heart of the city- the Museum of Modern Arts, popularly known as MoMA. Although I’m neither an art critique nor a scholar, this place manages to overwhelm me every time I visit; especially when I see the different ways in which the artists have captured human life and its complexities. Sometimes the depictions are meant for revolution, other times, just a timid realisation. Regardless of its ability to change someone’s philosophy of life, the exhibits at MoMA will definitely provide people various insights on art. MoMA is often recognised as the most important museum in developing and collecting modernist art; it’s often identified as the most influential one too. The museum offers modern and contemporary works of architectures, designs, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, illustrations, films and electronic media. MoMA played a key role in promoting the abstract expressionism movement when Dorothy Miller curated The New American Paintings which showcased the works of 17 artists over the time period of a year. The museum has continuously tried, as most people say, to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to both modern and contemporary art. Outside of Paris and Barcelona, MoMA is home to the finest permanent collection of Picassos in all of existence, which alone would be enough to confirm MoMA’s legacy of permanent elegance. Here’s a trick or two that you could do in order to satiate your love for art. If you are planning to stop by MoMA when you are in New York, get your ticket online. There is a
long queue anytime of the year, and the museum might be open any day; so be prepared. When you enter, make sure you keep your backpack, jackets and other heavy things in the cloak room at the foyer. The temperature is kept comfortably warm in all seasons; so it’s
perfectly alright to stay without your jacket for five to six hours. Do not underestimate the size of the building, it might look slick and small, but it isn’t and you should not shy away from dedicating a whole day to the museum. On your way to the floors, make sure you
collect the iPod that works as a self help audio guide. It will be a great experience to know about the premises while you drink in the beauty of the great paintings and art pieces. Make sure you stop by the café; the queue there is long too, so plan ahead of time.
Travel
Badruzzahan Ahmed suggests getaway destinations around the globe to beat the heat at home
The Great Escapes of Summer
There are few who would disagree that the summer heat in Bangladesh is infamous. From intense sunlight to exhausting humidity to mosquitoes, our yearly summers are complete packages to influence the average citizen to lock themselves indoors until the season’s passed. But summer is also considered one of the best times to visit several destinations around the globe. If you are really planning to escape the heat, consider these destinations.
Rome-Italy Considered as one of the greatest travel destinations in the world, the magic of Rome, the Italian capital goes much beyond its archaeological treasures and fascinating history. Built upon the seven hills by the mythical twin brothers Romulus and Remus; whose names inspired the appellation ‘Rome,’ this city was once one of the major epicentres of the ancient Western civilisation. Today it is one of the most charming cities in the world, a quality that can be attributed to the sensitive preservation of its ancient structures and originality. Some of the greatest archaeological sites of the world are situated in Rome. The Pantheon, the Colosseum along with the Roman Forum on Palatino Hill, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps are among the most popular ones. However, the greatest happiness of visiting Rome in summer is none other than the famous 3-scooped Italian ice-creams, whose mouth-watering tastes provoke the visitors to indulge in a rat-race to finish the ice-creams before they melt away in the sparkling summer sun. These ice-creams, locally known as gelato, are available on almost every street corner across the city, costing about one or two Euros per scoop.
Lisbon- Portugal Situated at the edge of the ever-blue Atlantic Ocean, summers spent in Lisbon will leave its visitors with memories of sparkling blue waters and colorful street-front facades. It is from this historic city that Vasco da Gama had set out on his legendary voyage and eventually discovered the Indian Subcontinent, establishing the first connection between Europe and Asia by sea. The Atlantic Ocean, thus is an integral part of Lisbon’s identity, and most of its attractions are placed around the ocean’s shoreline. A day spent at the Belém district offers visitors the Belém Tower, the Belém Cultural Center, the Jeronimos Monastery and the Monument of the Discoveries, built as a tribute to Vasco da Gama. Like Rome, Lisbon was built on seven hills so do prepare yourself to walk up and down its colorful alleys while you discover the secrets of the city that travel guides or mere photographs do not do justice to. Krakow- Poland Krakow, although not Poland’s capital city, it is the primary choice for any traveller visiting Poland. Being one of the oldest cities of Poland and once named as the ‘European Capital of Culture,’ the city has witnessed its fair share of glory and horrors. During World War II, Krakow served as the centre for the Nazi Government. Traces of the brutality that this city witnessed
can still be visited. A visit to Aushwitz, the World War II Nazi Concentration Camp and Schindler’s Factory, made famous by the 1993 movie “Schindler’s List,” remind travellers that brutality and kindness exist concurrently in the world. Krakow is a historic gem full of mythical stories about dragons and princes who conquered them, much of which is revealed in a visit to the Wawel Castle. Summer is the ideal time to enjoy Krakow as the Polish winters can be harsh and rainy. Bhaktapur-Nepal Nepal made headlines around the globe on April 2015 for the devastating earthquakes that not only took thousands of lives, but also flattened thousands of year’s worth of history. Bhaktapur was among one of the most affected regions. However, the campaign started by social media, the mantra now is ‘If you want to help Nepal, visit Nepal.’ Nepal could really use the help of foreign tourists, as their visits not only bring financial gains, but reminds them that their country is still one of the most loved travel destinations in the world. Despite the loss of its monuments, Bhaktapur’s lovely cobbled streets and hospitable locals make up for what was lost. Summer, although slightly humid, is generally pleasant as visitors can stroll about outdoors around the gem-packed Durbar Square.
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icture Perfect
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ompleting his Bachelors in professional photography, under Scottish academy, in Edinburgh, Scotland, 28 year old Safwat is focused on establishing a career in Dhaka. His portfolio boasts of cover photos featuring Justin Timberlake on Prestige magazine, Russia; Joanna Krupa, top model and actor of Poland and USA on Prestige magazine Poland, documentary photos for Save the Children; fashion photography for Vogue. Becoming a photographer is easy, but being a professional photographer needs a strong educational background and a willingness to learn. After four years of extensive studying, I am learning something new every day.
“The plane door was open, everything was shaking and I had only ten minutes.” Choudhury Safwat Gani relives his most challenging photography experiences with Natasha Rahman My first big break was with an e-commerce company LPP.SA, for whom I took their e-commerce, advertisement and billboard photos. My style is to keep the photos as raw as possible. I refrain from using Photoshop to alter my client’s facial features and natural curves. I believe every individual has their own charm and natural appeal. By applying the right light and angles, one can bring out those details in a photo. The first camera I bought was a Canon EOS 5D Mark II. We weren’t allowed to touch a digital camera during our bachelors. We spent hours in the darkroom to develop photos, create prints and finally participate in an exhibition. It makes you realise the value of a “click.” Hence, I make sure everything is perfect before I click in order to avoid ‘wasting’ a shot. The most physically and mentally challenging assignment was for the Bryza Resort in Poland. I had to catch the beautiful light at 5 am in the morning and capture a shot of the resort. The aircraft door was open and the only thing between
me and the grounds below were the belts that held me. I had ten minutes from take off to landing to capture the perfect photo of the resort with all the details in it. Luckily, they turned out great and have been on several billboards all over Poland. A good photographer will know how to shoot a photo aesthetically. The play of colours and light, original concept and composition of a photo are what make the picture timeless. I avoid extensive airbrushing; using soft boxes and Photoshop to change what is natural and apparent. For fashion and wedding photography, I apply special light techniques that will make people understand the makeup on subjects better and give a glow to the expressions. My photography bucket list I want to try under water shoots. After shooting for products, models, editorials, documentaries, and 360 degree panoramas, this area of photography is what I want to attempt next. Choudhury Safwat Gani
Decadent
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Cold Stone Creamery, an international franchise opens its signature confectionary in Bangladesh
Photographs by Ashraf Uddin Apu
agnificent Mix-in
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Customers can choose from their signature creation or create their own with their wide array of topping from cakes to candy bar and berries to peanut butter
old-Stone creamery unveiled their signature store on February 12 by Olive Tree Foods Limited (OTFL). Their grand opening was just as over the top as the humungous scoop of ice cream melting down their signature waffle cones. The program featured a vibrant flash mob, a glacé fashion show and a taste of their signature sweet concoctions were the cherry on top. US Embassy Bangladesh’s Deputy Chief of Mission, David Meale, the Chairman of Olive Tree
Foods Ehsanul Habib and the Managing Director, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, cut the ribbon. Meale expressed his excitement that a taste of home has come to Bangladesh. “I am looking forward to a bite of Bounty Bars with vanilla ice cream,” he says. Actress Aupee Karim said, “I love everything and anything with chocolate. With Cold-Stone in Bangladesh, I can mix chocolate ice-cream with brownies, chocolate chips, fudge and anything cocoa. And the chocolate dipped cones are a fanatic’s dream come true.” Afsana Mimi, actor and director, jovially stated, “The berry berry berry good was my favourite. The freshness of the strawberries, raspberries and bluberries makes for an enticing combination of flavours.” Known for their international quality and innovative creations, Cold-Stone were the pioneer of mix-in, a delectable dessert in which one can mix their favourite toppings with any flavour of ice cream. Customers can choose from their signature creation or create their own with their wide array of topping from cakes to candy bar and berries to peanut butter. By Ashfaque Zaman
Events
Dhaka Regency Hotel donates for CSR activities As a part of the CSR activity, Shahid Hamid FIH, Executive Director of Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort donated the washed old clothing to Pat Kerr MBE, the overseas Director of Shishu Polli Plus (SPP) in order to cater to the needs of destitute mothers and kids.
Mushfiqur Rahim teams up with #DarazCares Daraz.com.bd, leading online retailer teamed up with their brand ambassador Mushfiqur Rahim, Test Captain of BD cricket team and implemented an initiative of #DarazCares. This was carried out in association with actionaid to help out their project Happy Homes- Centres for the deprived and underprivileged girls of Dhaka city. Naushaba Salahuddin, Head of PR of Daraz BD states, “The main goal for this event is to raise awareness in order for people to come forward and further this cause.” MR15 delivered a moving message, spent a few hours talking to the girls, taking selfies, signing autographs and playing a friendly match of cricket.
Standard Chartered Bank signs MoU with Le Méridien Dhaka On 22 February, Standard Chartered Bank signed an MoU with Le Méridien Dhaka for Mediterranean Food Festival and special discount offer for Standard Chartered Bank’s Visa Signature credit cardholders. Under this agreement Standard Chartered Bank was the Premium Partner for the weeklong food festival at Le Méridien’s Dhaka Mediterranean Nights starting from 25 February 2016. The agreement also allows Standard Chartered Bank Visa Signature credit card holders to be eligible for 50% discount offer in Olea Restaurant.
oman’s
World Cosmetics Launches NH69 Perfume Woman’s World Cosmetics organised an event at Le Meridien Dhaka on March 22 to debut the first ever signature perfume of all-rounder cricketer, Nasir Hossain. The event started in the evening at the Sky Ballroom where one could see the familiar faces of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, including local legends Nasir Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. The inauguration featured talks by Nasir Hossain, Fahd Alam Raad, the CEO of Woman’s World Cosmetics, Kona Alam, the Managing Director of Woman’s World Cosmetics and chief guest Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs. The CEO thanked all the guests and the Woman’s World Cosmetics team for making it a successful launch. He also talked about Nasir’s first signature fragrance and explained that NH69 carried the essence of Nasir Hossain. “We are delighted to unveil NH69 before our silver jubilee celebrations. The signature perfume is of the highest quality so I hope it will be well received by the public and the fans of Nasir Hossain,” said Kona Alam.
She also said she always faced a common question from men that she should do something for them. “Today I proudly declare that we have a men’s line too. Woman’s World Cosmetics has manufactured NH69 with pride and dignity and will be manufacturing more fragrances and cosmetics in the near future,” she added. Nasir Hossain took the stage next. “Ever since I was a child, I had always wanted to be a cricketer and the day I was chosen was the day when my dreams came true. I want to thank everyone who stood by me through thick and thin. I have always wanted to connect with my fans on another level and now, with the launch of NH69, I can finally do that,” said Nasir. He also thanked Woman’s World Cosmetics and the chief guest for attending the event. Honourable Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal finally took the stage and said, “This product launch is taking Bangladesh to a new arena. We are used to European products dominating the market and to see a new local product flourish is a great achievement. We have advanced a lot over the years in terms of economy and also in terms of cricket.”
You can get yourself a gift set that comes with a shower gel, body lotion, travel perfume and Nasir’s signature perfume. The fragrance, NH69 – featuring Nasir Hossain’s initials and jersey number - is the first of its kind and is available in many retail and departmental stores including Agora, Vasavi, Nabila, Cats Eye, Rainbow, Diamond World, Dhaka Republic, Unimart, Lavender among others.
iswa Rang launched in Jamuna Future Park On February, 12, Biswa Rang launched their 11th outlet at Jamuna Future Park. In this occasion, they’ve also changed the logo of their brand. The event was graced by Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Dipu Moni, East and West Bengal’s renowned actor Abdur Razzak, Sculptor Ferdousi Priyabhashini, Bipasha Hayat and countless eminent figures from media, business and various other sectors.
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