Dhaka Tribune
Thursday, February 20, 2014
| Volume 1, Issue 42
AVEN U E T TH U RS DAY, F E B R UARY 20, 201 4
Contents
inside...
7 2013 Honda CR-Z
5 Calligraphic invites
More reason to love chocolate
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Homemade hummus
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Volume 1, Issue 42, Feb 20, 2014 Editor Zafar Sobhan Magazine Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Avenue T team Najmal A Nadvi Mahmood Hossain N Anita Amreen Tausif Sanzum Khan N Moushumi Esha Aurora Sabah Rahman
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For the love of spring
Photography Syed Latif Hossain Sadia Marium
The glory of Old Dhaka
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Design Alamgir Hossain Md Mahbub Alam Najmal A Nadvi Colour specialist Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood Contributors Tahsin Momin Agony Aunt Dina Sobhan Dilshad Fayeza Haque Auronee Malsi Naureen Hassan Tasnuva Rahim Humayra Production Masum Billah Advertising Shahidan Khurshed Circulation Wahid Murad Email: info@dhakatribune.com Website: www.dhakatribune.com
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Pop art prints
4 Tuned - Ekushey Boi Mela 5 Try Out - A personalised invite 6 Tech & Turns - Never forget a birthday 7 Tires - Traffic travesty 8 Tell - Dealing with addiction 10 Tucked In - The fifth wall 11 Take Care - Chocolate goodness 12 Trial Room - Classic artistic prints 14 Trending - Spring fever
Cover photo Photographer: Miftah Rahman Model: Atri Location courtesy: Studio Spondon Wardrobe: Paera Shoot coordinator: Tausif Sanzum
15 Tailored - Finding the right pair 16 Tempt - Thinning hair 17 Ticket - Sale alert 18 Trails - In the heart of Old Dhaka 20 Tantalise - Hummus desi style 21 News - Romance at sea
Send in your queries, views, suggestions at avenuet@dhakatribune.com and like us on facebook.com/avenuetdhakatribune AVE N U E T TH U RSDAY, FE B R UARY 20, 20 1 4
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Tuned Entertainment
Feature
WATCH
Ekushey Boi Mela All the literary hearts come together for a tete-a-tete with their favourite writers words. Dead Poets Society Todd Anderson, played by Ethan Hawke, enrolls into a school where his older brother had become popular. He and his room-mate, Neil (Robert Leonard), are introduced to Professor Keating (Robin Williams) who musters certain emotions from his students. He reveals the Dead Poets Society and drives them to go against society’s norm in their own way from the love of literature. It’s about expressing themselves and following their passions.
SEE
Spoken Word The performance art is now all over YouTube. In its traditional poetic form, individuals from all over the world, voice their perspectives and opinions. From taboos to everyday issues, the flow of each line and the tone of each voice vibrates through the ears in a thought provoking manner. The language is simplified for anyone to understand and reciprocate. They are simple words with a greater meaning in a bigger picture.
READ Photos: Neloy I Hossain
in Dhaka this week Cloud Atlas Written by David Mitchell, this is a narrative divided into five different stories. All woven in a pastiche, connected by the symbolic reference of a song. This is essentially a story about stories, or more like how we tell our stories. The nature of that narrative might change but the human experience is greatly defined by our stories. The ones we tell and the ones we hear.
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February ...
24th War and Colonies 1914-1918 Photo Exhibition
Alliance Francaise de Dhaka
Until 28th
Ekushey Boi Mela Bangla Academy
25th-26th War and Colonies 1914-1918 International Conference Senate Bhaban, DU
Try Out
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DIY
Calligraphy Adding a regal touch to your invitation cards
N Anita Amreen
1 Be it a wedding card, a special birthday envelope or an invitation card, there’s nothing quite like a hand written message. Instead of writing a quick scribble, why not invest a few minutes to create your very own calligraphic font? Calligraphic letters may seem difficult and complicated to write; however, given a few minutes, a few careful pen strokes and a tad bit of patience, you can easily emulate the grace of this intricate lettering style. This week, Avenue T gives you a quick and easy method to add a stylish touch to your invitation cards. Things you’ll need: A 0.5mm gel pen (any thin tipped gel pen will work) A pencil An eraser
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Directions 1) Draw very faint horizontal lines on your card/envelope to help give your writing a basic outline. Depending on the number of lines you intend to write, draw equally spaced lines. Also add thinly spaced vertical lines to help ensure that every letter has the same size. 2) Take assistance from Microsoft Word or any online website where different calligraphic font styles are available for download. (Try www.dafont.com if you don't like the ones on Microsoft Word). This shall serve as the guideline for your text.
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3) Using your pencil, carefully draw the outlines of the calligraphic alphabets on your horizontal lines. Make sure every capital letter is of the same size and every small letter is proportionate to it. 4) Using your pen, trace over your pencilled letters one more time. Next, draw a second outline of the same letters, previously written in the script, emulating the style as close as possible and leaving only just a few millimetres between the two strokes.
5 5) Fill in the space between the two strokes with your gel pen. 6) Wait for an hour or two for the ink to dry. Do not erase the pencil marks until well after two and a half hours.
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Tech App Watch
Gadgets
Getting the message across
A touch of Guetta
Now you’ll never forget to send a single message
Most of us can’t go through the day without music. From inspiration to calming our nerves, we reach for the best possible source for those melodies to hypnotise our ears. The world renowned DJ, David Guetta joined forces with Dr Dre and company, to produce the Beats Mixr DJ headphones by Dre. It’s a winning combination, isn’t it? From the looks of it, straight out of the box, you can safely assume it is worth spending the cash on.
Mahmood Hossain
Most of you live very busy and time constraining lives. You are always in a hurry to squeeze everything in that sometimes you forget some of the most basic duties. SMS Scheduler is an app that, well, lets you schedule certain messages to be sent to whoever and whenever. This can be a very useful tool for those always on the go or have terrible timing. More importantly, it helps you organise and schedule birthday wishes for your friends and family. After you’ve downloaded and installed the app (free for Android), you’re greeted with a detailed intro. They give you the option to completely skip the bullet points and a few paragraphs, but it’s wise to quickly read through it before you jump into the deep end. It’s really a good way to familiarise with the app so there isn’t any confusion. This has to be one of the most convenient apps for anyone to use. Press the ‘Add’ button at the bottom, find your contacts and type in your message. Next, simply choose the date and time you want your messages to be sent. How easy is that? If you’ve already created different groups of contacts, it makes things even easier for office use. Giving your co-workers the time and place for the next meeting will be a cinch, while you tend to other priorities. There’s also a frequency option after you’ve set the date and time. This means the same message can be sent over and over again, every few minutes, days, weekends, fortnights, years, you get the idea. However, the user interface is something left to be desired. From its app icon to the entire layout, it’s quite bland. But that shouldn’t be a big deal, since it gets the job done. That’s what we’re aiming for, are we not?
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David Guetta collaborates with Dre
Both in black and white, the headphones are elegantly crafted. The tone is just right, keeping up to par, with attractive style of other sound pieces in its family. The brushed aluminium, with little use of plastic, gives the pivoting motion of the earpieces a comfortable fit. Wrapping these around your head feels as if there is a light tiara placed up top. Except, of course, you’re no princess.
Mahmood Hossain
Looks may be pretty but how is the performance? You will not be disappointed. There’s a small addition but worth the mention. The headphones come with two different cords. One for mobile use that integrates iPhone and Blackberry smartphones; you can answer and hang-up phone calls with this. The second is the obvious 3.5mm jack that hooks into many devices. Another cool bit is that, you’re allowed to connect the cord to either the left or the right earphone. The sound is brilliant. It’s like jumping out of economy into the business class seats. The highs, lows and midrange sound flawless. The base is clear and performs to pure satisfaction. What is even more impressive is that any genre
of music flows into your ears to sound orgasmic. Most of us should be familiar with the hip hop beats produced by Dre and the club thumping hits by Guetta that make us swing our hips. That’s the wonderful part, its performance goes beyond. You can hear the masterpieces of the classics, jazz and rock without needing more. You could go for other headphones in the same range and develop a fondness for them. However, trying these out wouldn’t hurt at all. You might need some getting used to with the fitting at first, but you can’t knock the build quality or its sound. But if you’re really interested, the Beats Mixr is available at Executive Machines Limited for Tk24,200.
Call for info and availability. Gulshan: 019-777-27753; Dhanmondi: 019-788-27753
Tires
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Wheels
2013
Road Rage
Traffic travesty Esha Aurora Hybrids aren’t usually the kind of cars to cause an adrenaline rush; Honda claims it’s all about to change with the new CR-Z Tahsin Momin The Honda CR-Z is one of the newest breed of hybrid cars that offers both a perfect blend of performance and style in a brilliant manner. This two door sports car offers three modes of driving (sports, normal and eco mode). Honda CR-Z’s three-mode drive system is really an excellent feature, turning the CR-Z from a normal to a super fast sports car, with just a push of a button. Similarly, you can change this sports car to a fuel efficient environmentalist’s dream car in the blink of an eye just by switching to its eco drive mode. It is the first hybrid car in the world that comes equipped with a six-speed transmission. Exterior The 2013 Honda CR-Z comes with one of the most elegant and stylish exterior of modern times. This two seater comes with standard 16-inch alloy wheels. The exterior of Honda CR-Z is equally striking and exotic. There are projected beam halogen headlights, large front grille, folding side mirrors, LED brake lights and short overhang which greatly increase the aesthetical aspects of the CR-Z. Interior The high style of the Honda CR-Z is not confined only to the exterior but inside the vehicle as well; this is possibly one of the most advanced interiors Honda has ever created. Completely driver focused, the control panel provides a great ease to the driver and the three-mode drive system allows operating this vehicle as you desire. Honda’s satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition, Bluetooth hands free and advanced USB audio interface are some of the latest additions to its elegant interior. Performance This vehicle is equipped with Integrated Motor Assist System (IMA) and powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC, 4 cylinder engine, which has a combined power output of
130hp, helping the driver to enjoy the drive on any terrain. This combination delivers spirited performance rarely seen in the hybrid realm with impressive fuel economy. Both options for the transmission system are available i.e. manual and automatic. And the best part of the Honda CR-Z is the world’s first 6-speed transmission system in any hybrid vehicle. Low centre of gravity, wide tread and low height contribute to the CR-Z’s excellent handling and control. This fuel efficient car comes with Eco Assist System, which means brilliant mileage and fuel economy. Safety There is an impressive list of standard safety features in the CR-Z. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), 4-wheel Anti-lock Disc Brakes (ABS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are the major safety features of this car. The CR-Z is full of airbags which completely protect the driver and the passenger, in case of a crash. In addition to this, there are many passive safety systems like advanced compatibility engineering body structure. The very clever 2013 Honda CR-Z is a true little sports machine, adding driving enjoyment to fuel savings and low emissions. It is stylish and engaging in rather unusual ways that are difficult to resist, especially at a pricing that is way too moderate for such a distinctive and technically advanced car.
Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
Honda CR-Z
As infamous as traffic is in Dhaka, this past weekend has proved that if you think things cannot get any worse, it really, really can! It was the rush of the cricket games, Valentine’s Day madness, Boi Mela and Pohela Falgun. All of these things combined produced not a jam but a sense of being packed like sardines in a tiny one centimetre can. Here is the amazing part. Either we have no civic sense at all or just plain impatient. People keep honking their horns ad nauseam thinking maybe the sound wave have magical power of clearing traffic. People! Honk all you want, it only makes your ears bleed, nothing else! Let us forget the discordant symphony for a moment and focus on the fact that people never seem to be walking where they are supposed to. As a result, instead of taking the overpass, they create a huge human mass swank in the middle of the road that cars and busses need to swivel around, causing further lag in the already slow moving traffic. Now remembering that traffic lights are purely ornamental in Dhaka, this weekend proved to be a case of eat or be eaten. Everyone fending for them means cars, busses, rickshaws and people come at you from every direction. Especially when it’s at a junction or rotunda making the very act of moving forward a tedious exercise. Perhaps, we don’t understand traffic rules, like being on the right lane when you want to make an U-turn, or we don’t have the patience or maybe just no respect for law and order. Whatever the case, what we are doing is only disabling us. Almost paralysing us. Just for once, maybe yell less, honk your horn when you actually need to, be on the right lane that you’re supposed to and for the love of God, use your high beams to find your way, not blind everyone from the opposite direction!
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Tell Drama Mama
Addicted Leo (jul 23-aug 22) Your ability to focus on minor details will be enhanced this week. Your detail-oriented approach to things will greatly help you accomplish a lot. Aries (mar 21- apr 19) Tread carefully, for you may find yourself in thick soup. Try to stay away from other people’s problems as you may end up hurting them by mingling too much.
My 14-year-old daughter has always been a headstrong, curious child. For the past few months, she has begun taking a keen interest in finding her religious calling. She prays five times a day, tries to alter the way she interacts with others and often narrates the hadith to us. Two weeks ago, she proposed that she wants to begin wearing the hijab. While I would like to be supportive of her choice, I am afraid she is too young to make such a commitment. Is it wrong of me to be worrying about this? Adolescence is a time for exploration. It’s possible that her search for identity and security has led her to God and that she finds comfort in it. It may be a phase that she will grow out of, much like any other adolescent phases, or it may be a lifelong calling. Either way, you can only voice your concerns and let your daughter choose what works best for her. As a parent, you can guide her but ultimately, the decision is hers to make. Truth be told, there are greater fears for a parent in today’s world than a daughter who is too religious. If it protects her from the growing prevalence of alcohol, sex and drugs among today’s youth, it may actually be a cause for gratitude. Of course, you should be on the lookout for extremes in any sort of behaviour. If you find that her religious leanings are affecting her relationships with others in a negative manner or getting in the way of her education or other important aspects of her life, you should certainly intervene and seek help of a counsellor if necessary. If, on the other hand, it helps her maintain a positive outlook in the face of a difficult period in life, there is no harm in supporting her.
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Taurus (apr 20- may 20) Your high energy levels will enable you to finally tackle your ever increasing workload. It’s advisable you make the most of your energy by accomplishing important tasks in your to-do list.
Gemini (may 21- jun 20) While you have been stressed out lately, try not to use this as an excuse to lead a sedentary life. Instead, invest in high impact activities that will keep both your mind and body engaged.
HOR
Cancer (jun 21- jul 22) This week is all about being able to make sound decisions - be it at work or the romantic front. If there have been things you’ve put off, this is the time to focus on them and rid your life from excess baggage.
Dina Sobhan is a free-lance writer, a part-time counsellor and a full-time mom
Virgo (aug 23- sep 22) Something exciting will come about this week. Something that will lift you off your emotionally depleted state and take you on a journey of self exploration. Keep an open mind, for the journey is going to be a long one.
Tell
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Tease
No, thank you (Part 2) The types of women to avoid at social gatherings Mahmood Hossain
Libra (sep 23- oct 22) Any mental road blocks you may have had in the past will be cleared this week. Allow your creative juices to flow when dealing with seemingly difficult situations. .
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Sagittarius (nov 22- dec21) This week, you should take a look at your finances and make immediate plans for the future. Practicality today will take you a long way tomorrow, so plan wisely.
Capricorn (dec 22- jan 19) When it comes to making serious choices, there is no need for you to shy away with fear of making mistakes. Confide in a close friend or a peer you trust, to help make serious decisions that need your attention.
SCOPE Aquarius (jan 20 – feb 19) It’s the perfect week to turn your ideas into actions. Your plans will be supported as long as you are confident and not held back by insecurities.
Now that the introductions, provided in last week’s column, are out of the way, let’s meet the rest of the cast of women you need to avoid at social gatherings. Gossip girl Let’s face it, there’s an entire clan of these women in every gathering. As sad as it is, most of the population likes to gossip. One way or another, they’ll find themselves “spilling the juice,” about the woman standing next to you. This one has no intentions of becoming Serena or Blair; she’ll never be part of the
scandal itself, only contribute to it. She’s Attila the Hun of the gossip world, hoarding on people’s personal affairs at an alarming rate. The pretenders This actually goes for both sexes. They are the ones who pretend to be something they are not. You know almost every single detail about her but she puts on a total front. Whatever insecurities she has, however misunderstood she may be, this one has an identity crisis. She’s the one that boasts about growing up in a different culture. When in reality, she did her schooling here and maybe a three year stint abroad. And that lame attempt at an accent isn’t helping her case. Is it necessary for her to be so fake? Absolutely not. She’s better off being herself than trying to outperform Matt Damon in The Talented Mr Ripley.
Letter to Mars
Pisces (feb 20 – march 20) Make the most of this week by reconnecting with yourself and getting closer to nature. Not only will this lift your spirits but this will also put a lot of things in perspective for you. Scorpio (oct 23 – nov 21) While you shall be tempted to take the easy route, your personal strength will help you make decisions that are right for you. Stand your ground and you shall not fail.
Our Agony Aunt is a Life Coach and Relationship Coach as well as a Corporate and Organisational Consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to attend seminars and to see her clients
When lovers meet Dear AA, I have been dating M, a family friend for the past two years and we were hoping to get married next year. Our parents have been friends for a long time and we were about to break the news to them in a couple of days. However, I recently found out that my dad and M’s mom are having an affair. I feel extremely disturbed and although I love M to bits, I don’t think I can still be with her after this. Neither do I want to hurt her by telling her the truth. What am I to do under the circumstances? What are you on about? Yes, it is upsetting to find out that your dad and your future mother-in-law are having an affair, but destroying your life and that of your girlfriend is, in my eyes, utter rubbish. Why? Because the two of you are not related. It is okay to be overwhelmed by the news. Even if your father’s lover was an unknown person, you would still be concerned. You could choose to ignore
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the whole thing or confront your father and assure him that you are going to keep it to yourself, so as not to create problems within his marriage, as long as he decides to stop the affair once and for all. If, on the other hand, you are having second thoughts about M and find this as an excuse to get out, then by all means, listen to your heart and break off the relationship. If not, forge ahead and focus on your life, rather than the life of your future mother-in-law.
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Tucked In Decor
Sprucing up those ceilings
(Part I)
Adding colour to the fifth wall in your room Khandker Farzana Farine Most of the time, people focus their renovation and interior design ideas mainly on the walls, furniture, flooring and woodwork across the room, but we often neglect the fifth wall in a room - the ceiling. If we look at our rooms carefully, we see that the ceilings have remained a plain white colour for years. Mostly, the white coloured ceiling contrasts sharply with the wall colour and make the ambiance of a room uncomfortable and shocking. Let’s look at our ceilings from a new perspective. Colour, sheen, design and texture on the ceiling can change the entire look and feel of a room. Decorating ceilings can be a little costly but with little décor intelligence, it can be done within our means. Considering the ceiling to be a plain canvas, we can colour it with our ideas, giving it an elegant look. A large room with a high ceiling can make one feel unbalanced as the bottom half of the room is decorated with furniture, floor coverings and accessories, leaving the top very bland. But if we colour our ceiling with dark paint, harmonising with the wall colour, it will add a cozy, comfortable and balanced feel to it. Nowadays, most of the apartments are less spacious. Rooms are small and cozy, less options for implementing décor ideas. But, we can also make a small room look spacious and comfortable, by painting the ceiling, keeping the colour difference between the walls and ceilings to a minimum. In a small room, it’s better if we use a lighter shade of the wall colour for the ceiling, keeping the colour contrast to a minimum.
AVEN U E T TH U RS DAY, F E B R UARY 1 3, 2014
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Take Care
For the love of chocolate
11 Health
A guilt-free guide to your favourite indulgence Dilshad Fayeza Haque Chocolates! They are nothing but happiness. Next time you have some chocolate, you do not need to feel overly guilty about it. Like every other thing, chocolates have good sides and bad sides. It is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. The secret behind its powerful punch is ‘’cocoa,’’ which is also the source of the sweet’s distinct taste. This little bean is a disease-killing bullet, which contains several healthy chemicals. Despite its bad reputation for causing weight gain, there is a number of health benefits associated with this delicious treat. • Chocolates contain flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can also lead to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants, nearly eight times
Photo: Big Stock
the number found in strawberries. Flavonoid also helps relax blood pressure, through the production of nitric oxide and also balances certain hormones in the body. • Chocolates support cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol levels and improving blood pressure. • Scientists at Harvard Medical School suggest that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day may help keep the brain healthy and prevent memory decline in older people. The researchers said that hot chocolate
can help preserve blood flow in working areas of the brain and thus help it work better.
lower levels of total fat, compared to those who do not eat much chocolates.
• It has been found that people eating chocolates were 22 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who didn’t. In addition, those who had a stroke but regularly consumed chocolates, were 46 percent less likely to die as a result.
• Consuming high levels of flavonoids, which is found in chocolates, could significantly help protect against type 2 diabetes.
• Teens who eat a lot of chocolates, tend to be slimmer. Researchers found that high chocolate intake among teenagers are linked with
Even though chocolate has a lot of health benefits, remember to keep the consumption of your chocolate intake within a certain limit. Like I always say, you can only enjoy the benefits of things when you know when and where to stop.
Yoga
The Yogic diet Tips you need to consider before planning a healthy diet Auronee Malsi The proverb, “you are what you eat,” says it all. Food affects not just the body, but also the mind. Eating the right type of food leads to a healthy body and increased clarity of mind. The body feels light and energetic. The right diet also deepens one’s spiritual experiences. If your aim is to be healthy and happy and to grow spiritually, you must pay close attention to your diet. We generally eat more than we need to. Over-eating contributes to many illnesses and is one of the main reasons for fat storage. We need a certain amount of food to receive energy but with over-eating, instead of receiving energy, we end up spending more prana (life force) energy in digesting that extra food. No wonder stuffing ourselves leads to feeling dull and sluggish. So we have to pay attention to both what and how much we eat. While cooking and eating, it is important to keep a positive and happy attitude. This improves digestion and absorption of prana. Avoid deep fried food. It not only decreases the nutrition and prana
values, but also makes the food high in fat and difficult to digest. Also, freshly cooked food tastes better; it is more potent with nutrients and easier to digest. Also, make a conscious effort to eat slowly! This helps improve the digestion process and may prevent you from over-eating. When you eat fast, the digestion slows down and by the time you get signals from your tummy to your brain of being full, which takes about 20 minutes, you may have already overdone it. Last but not least, a yogic diet is vegetarian. It is wholesome and enriched both in nutrients and prana or breath, i.e. life giving force. The human body is biologically designed for a vegetarian diet. Meat takes from eight to 20 hours to digest, whereas vegetarian food takes only three to six hours. A yogic diet primarily consists of vegetables, beans, lentils, fruits, nuts, grains and a small quantity of milk or dairy products. It is perfectly balanced consisting of all nutrient groups –
carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and good fats. If you’re an avid carnivore, try to make a gradual transition by going vegetarian one or two days per week. Meatless-Mondays can be the perfect ritual for the entire family to get on board with the yogic lifestyle.
Photo: Big Stock
Auronee Malsi is a student, a teacher and a practitioner of healthy lifestyle through good food consumption, fitness and spirituality. Her philosophy in life is to strive for balance and bliss in the mind, body and soul
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Trial Room
Spinning a yarn There was the traditional jamdani, then the regal katan and finally, the sultry silk. Boldly making its way into the realm of saris, breaking free from the tried and tested designs is Paera Bangladesh’s graphic art inspired saris, conceptualised by designer Nawshin Khair and graphically represented by Sabiha Mahmud Sumi. Blending traditional designs with graphic images that are inspired by free speech, language and culture, these designs bear subtle signs of standing up and speaking out
Tausif Sanzum
February 21, 1952 was the first landmark in our journey that led to the birth of our nation. The events of that day would go on to shape, not only our culture, but also our political landscape as a whole. Not until February 2013, has there been such a feeling of awareness amongst young people of all walks of life in Dhaka The artwork represented in this collection reflects on precisely that: the voices of people that are trying to define their own cultural and political identity in their way
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The RAB force inspired design portrays how the very institution initiated to protect the citizens has over time, instilled fear in them
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The different faces imprinted depict the war between what we label as beauty and ugliness in the world
This design reflects the baul/lalon influence on our society
Photographer: Miftah Rahman Model: Atri Location courtesy: Spondon Studio Wardrobe: Paera Shoot coordinator: Tausif Sanzum Address: Kimaya Design Studio, Road 114, House 27/a Gulshan
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Trending
Three spring 2014 trends we’re already rocking
Style Sessions
Sabrina Fatma Ahmad
February is loaded with cultural and political significance. How do you incorporate the latest global trends into your closet without rocking the boat at home? You’re already doing it. Let’s see how.
Q: I am tall and a bit curvy, and like wearing both western and fusion wear. Could you suggest some looks for me that flatter my shape but are still work-appropriate? A: One easy way to flatter curves is to wear something that cinches the waist to give you a more hourglass shape. A belt would be an apparent solution, but might draw unwanted attention to your chest. Opt for a wrap top, or a kurti or kameez with an angrakkha feature, which emphasise your hip-waist ratio without drawing the eyes to the girls. You could also experiment with colours. Bold, bright, solid colours like red are always eyecatching. The idea that only black is slimming is a myth!
Crop tops Us South Asians, have had the bare midriff covered (pun intended) for centuries now. The bralette/bustier worn with a blazer might have been perfect for Valentine’s Day, but might raise eyebrows during the more sombre events – unless you rock the crop top with a sari. An electric blue crop top might just be the right accent to make your black and white Ekushay sari pop. Sheers From Alexander Wang to Calvin Klein, everyone’s been turning down the opacity of their fabrics for a peek-a-boo effect on the catwalk. Can we just say cotton sari? Strut with confidence in that kota or jamdani, knowing that you’re both en vogue abroad and culturally on point at home. Wide leg pants Shalwar hems have been growing wider since fall last year, and it looks like they’re here for a while. Teamed with the long kaftan-style kameezes, it’s a look that oozes decadent comfort. To be even trendier, get a few white ones made. Be warned, though, this style isn’t very flattering on petite figures.
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Q: I have a small bust and narrow shoulders. With a bunch of dawats coming up, I need to have blouses made for the saris. Please suggest some flattering styles that won’t make me look like a bobble-head? A: If you have great arms and don’t have a problem showing them off, halter-neck is the way to go! For a more conservative option, you could try a v-neck, which elongates your neck, flatters the chest and takes the attention off your shoulders. Another great neckline to try is the scoop-neck, which is a sort of deep and wide U-shape with a full curve. If you’re rocking sleeves, try incorporating a little shoulder detail, which broadens the shoulders.
Tailored
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Style
His Style by
Session
Denim for 21
st
Many of us opt for the jeans, passing the pyjamas The last thing you want is your hems kissing the floor. Not skinny but slender If you have a slim figure, it should be obvious that slim-cut jeans would fit you best. What you don’t want to do is reach for skinny jeans. Skinny jeans on a figure like yours, will look highly unflattering, making it seem like you’re starving to be “America’s Next Top Model.” Straight-cut, low-rise jeans work very well too.
Here’s a short guide to getting the right pair of jeans for your figure. Hero You’re tall, lean and could give Hrithik Roshan a run for his money in a role playing a Greek god. Straight-cut jeans will fit you best, especially if you have a fantastic physique to boast about. There are also boot-cut jeans but it’s better to avoid them for such an occasion. Most likely, you’ll be comfortable in a nice pair of sandals.
Photos: Big Stock
Traditionally, most men will wear the panjabi and pyjama combo for 21st February. However, there are many who will reach for the best pair of jeans in their closet. While either choice is perfectly fine, the fitting of jeans is significantly different from that of pyjamas. Even though your jeans may not have too much exposure, as it is mostly covered with a quality panjabi, your comfort is still first priority.
A little on the heavy side Okay, you know who you are. There’s no reason to hide or feel ashamed. This is the beauty of denim; there’s a fitted pair of jeans for every man. Wideleg styles are your best bet. Also, look for little details that make a huge difference. For instance, bigger pockets will make your butt look smaller. In addition, pockets that are closer together, will slightly conceal your wide backside.
Photo: Big Stock
Q: My job requires me to dress in suits pretty much every day. The only problem for me is that, I dislike wearing ties. I always feel suffocated; how can I make things comfortable? A: For one, you could loosen the tie a bit. Having a tie around your neck shouldn’t feel like you are carrying a noose. Some men wear ties religiously, while others opt out of it. Even Tom Ford can’t stand ties; he’ll take his off immediately after an hour or so because it gives him a migraine. In other words, you’re not the only one, so don’t feel too bad. The simplest way to go with the flow is to keep a tie on only when it’s necessary. Just like Mr Ford, only wearing a tie during important meetings or presentations. The rest of the day should be tie-free with an unbuttoned top button. Now, breathe.
Photo: Big Stock
In Fashion
An authentic fake
You are better off with an affordable original than a very expensive fake. Consider yourself fortunate if you are in the ranks of an Omega or Tag Heuer. In fact, you’re better off reaching for designer watches. Cats Eye outlets have authentic wristwatches that come with a guarantee. Present a Marc By Marc Jacobs (approximately Tk35,000) to your significant other and walk out with a DKNY or Emporio Photos: Big StockArmani
Articles by Mahmood Hossain
one for yourself. The prices will range depending on the manufacturers and movements – mechanical terms for watches you should get familiar with. The focus should be around brands that are strictly known for making timepieces. The shine of a designer watch may distract you, so it’s important to keep focus on companies that put function as first priority. You don’t want to end up joining the many women who splurge on replica designer bags. Again, it may be tempting, but you must understand the art behind horology. Look at it this way, would you really hang a fake Rembrandt masterpiece, pretending it was the genuine painting? Didn’t think so.
It’s always recommended to first purchase a leather strapped wristwatch than a metal band. A classic black or brown leather strap is classier and more versatile
Photo: Big Stock
Q: Now that I’m in my late 20s, I’ve started to lose a lot of hair. It wasn’t a big issue before but now it’s gotten worse. What is there to do with my hair? Should I shave it off?
Photo: Big Stock
In many cases, imitation is possibly the best form of flattery, but not when it comes to horology. If you’ve paid attention, past issues have stated that simplicity is the best way to go when it comes to wristwatches. We would all love to wrap our wrists with the names of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constanin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and let’s stop there before we all faint. The reality of it is, we would have to be multi-millionaires (or have a friend who is one), in order to go anywhere near one of these pieces of art.
Photos: Big Stock
Imitation is the best form of flattery. Not
Style tip:
A: Male patterned baldness is as common as Miley Cyrus sticking her tongue out. Shaving it off, believe it or not, isn’t such a bad idea. At least then, you’ll have an honest look. Forget about hair plugs or other surgical procedures. In fact, using hair growing products like Rogaine isn’t necessary either. It’s about aging with grace; it’s an unfortunate process in life. Some of us aren’t gifted with manes like supermodels, and that’s okay. What matters most is how you carry yourself with a shaved or bald head. Look at it this way, no dandruff or other scalp irritations to deal with. Now, with confidence men, carry on!
Send in your queries at avenuet@dhakatribune.com
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Tempt Hair
Thin is not in Thinning hair is an issue many women, and even young girls deal with. It might be a health or a diet issue for some, while for others it could simply be stress related. Tend to your thinning hair, as your body could be giving you signals that something is not right. Pay your doctor a visit to rule out any health issues that you may have and meanwhile, here are some tips on getting back your luscious tresses Naureen Hassan
Protein please If your diet is lacking important vitamins, minerals or protein, then your hair will start to suffer pretty quickly. Protein is essential to healthy hair growth, maintenance and strength. Hair is made of collagen fibres, which are derived and made from easy-to-absorb proteins. Many vegans may struggle with getting enough easy-to-absorb sources of proteins. Omnivores should load up on fish, eggs, organic Greek yogurt and organic grass-fed beef. If you’re lactose intolerant, don’t turn to vegan sources of yogurt for the same protein benefits. Most non-dairy sources of yogurt and milk lack protein and you should seek another vegan option instead. Vitamins Another key nutrient source for your hair is B vitamins. Eating plenty of food rich in vitamin B is the best way to prevent hair from thinning. These include avocados, nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, chicken and whole grains.
One of the most important ways to deal with thinning hair is to make sure your diet isn’t the culprit Eat fat Yes, I’m telling you to eat more fat. I’m a huge advocate of healthy fats in a woman’s diet and would usually block out all the “low fat” talk we hear so often. Sure, you don’t want to eat fat all day long in large amounts, but some fat is good for you, especially for your hair. Healthy fat can help your hair grow, increase shine and prevent it from breaking and thinning. One important health benefit of with fat is that it helps your body absorb vitamins and minerals. Without fat, all the healthy food and vitamins in the world won’t help you. The best sources of fat for your skin, hair and weight, are raw nuts, raw seeds, seed butter, raw coconut butter, coconut oil, unsweetened shredded coconut, avocados, olive oil and fatty fish such as salmon. Yum! De-stress Did you know that too much stress can cause hair to shed? It’s an ugly cycle that’s hard to break. To ensure you’re not stressed to the point of your hair falling out, be sure you unwind each day. Kick back and unwind by doing yoga, taking walks, warm baths and eating well. Even just a few minutes of silence during the day in small doses can work wonders. Style it right Being harsh on your hair while styling it, could be another reason for your hair to be shedding. One tip that I have for those who aren’t careful, is to stop pulling on it so much during brushing and combing while the hair is still wet. Brushing your hair 100 times to make it shiny is a myth. Your hair is more susceptible to damage when it’s wet. Comb your hair just once to detangle, then dry it for just about two minutes to get rid of the excess water. Don’t tug on it with a comb or a brush while doing this.
Naureen Hassan is a hairstylist and owner of Studio Salon. With branches in Banani, Baridhara and the Nordic Club, the Tony & Guy (Singapore) graduate, provides clients with a professional and intimate service. Both men and women are treated to a tailored, unique and caring experience Photo: Big Stock
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Ticket
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All out shop out With winter coming to a close and spring making its presence felt, every bargain-hunter’s dreams are coming to fruition. Clearance sales are finally here, with the best bargains being found in leading stores around town. Let the frenzied shopping sprees begin! N Anita Amreen
Bata 60%
Flats, flip flops, ballet flats, stilettos, boots, etc Available at: Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara, Mogh Bazar, Baily Road, Wari, Mohammadpur
Yellow 50%
Tops, shirts, kurta’s, accessories, purses, panjabis, etc Available at: All yellow outlets including Uttara, Bashundhara City, Mohammadpur, Wari, etc
Texmart 60% Knitwear, sweaters and menswear Available at: All outlets including Bashundhara, Uttara, Mohammadpur, Dhandmondi
Reluce 40%
Kamiz, kurta, scarves, accessories, for women, shirts, pants, ties, denim for men Available at: House 50, Block F, Road No 11, Banani
Apex upto 60% Footwear for both men and women Available at: All outlets including Bashundhara market, Mohammadpur, Uttara
Infinity upto 60%
Ethnic wear, casual wear, formal wear, ladies wear and kids wear Available at: Bashundhara City and Uttara
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Trails
Inside Dhaka
Puran Dhaka It is fascinating how, for decades, the localites of Puran Dhaka have stuck to their norms and culture, regardless of the evolving contemporary lifestyle of the rest of the city. It is apparent that the customs of the dwellers of this part of the town are more diverse than the cultural norms of the rest of the Bangali people. Just a stroll down the streets of Old Dhaka is enough to evoke nostalgia Tasnuva Rahim Humayra Photos: Tiger Tours
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Trails
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Puran Dhaka, or Old Dhaka, as most locals refer to it, used to be the capital of Bangladesh dating back to the 7th century. Back in those days, the region was under the authority of the Buddhist Kingdom of Kumarupa, who reigned for about 800 years from 350 to 1140 bc. During the 9th century, the reign was overtaken by the Hindu Sena Dynasty and it is believed that the name of the town was derived from the 12th century temple, devoted to Goddess Dhakeshvari. Some of the most visited and popular tourist attractions in Old Dhaka include the Lalbag Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Curzon Hall, the Armenian Church, Tara Masjid and many more. The Sadarghat ferry terminal is also an interesting place to visit and savour the essence of the busy life of people there. Always vigorous and vibrant, Old Dhaka comes alive in annual celebrations of Shakrain, a kite festival and the harvest festival of Poush Sankranti. Whether you’re up for exploring the historic sites and monuments of Old Dhaka or going on a field trip, it surely will be an unforgettable one.
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Tantalise Recipe
Desi hummus hot pocket Spice infused hummus wrapped in a hot pocket of methi paratha N Anita Amreen The lucsious, creamy goodness of hummus has always been a favourite to those who enjoy their dips light and simple. This desi style hummus gives a spin to its Middle Eastern counterpart, with the addition of spicy chilli flakes and coriander. Add to that, a steaming hot methi paratha, lovingly wrapped around a hearty dose of hummus, and you have your very own hot pocket. Feel free to experiment by using this as a chutney, or even a spread for toast.
Ingredients For hummus: • 1 cup very well cooked chick peas • 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped • Juice of one lemon • A pinch of chilli flakes • 1tbsp sesame seeds, roasted and coarsely powdered • 1/3tsp salt • Olive oil to taste Methi paratha • 2 cups whole wheat flour • 1tbsp ajwain (bishop’s weed) • 1tbsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) • 1tsp salt • Water to bind the dough • 1tsp oil
Photo: Big Stock
Directions: Hummus Soak the chickpeas overnight. Right before cooking, rinse the chickpeas well and place directly in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the chickpeas. Closing the lid, wait for the whistle. Once you’ve heard three whistles, lower down the flame and let it cook for 7-8 minutes. Take out your chickpeas and place it in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients. For those of you who like your hummus absolutely smooth, use a blender. Others may mash it with a fork. Add salt, tasting
it along the way. You may add one to two teaspoons of olive oil, depending on your taste. Paratha Add the ajwain and the kasoori methi to the flour, mixing well. Bind it into the dough. Once you have made the dough, knead it for at least 3 to 4 minutes adding a little oil to help smoothen it out. Roll out one small lemon sized ball. Pull it into an oval shaped ball. Create a dent in the centre of the ball and put a dot of oil and flour on the upper and lower circles.
Bring the upper circle into the lower, thereby making it a two layered paratha. Roll it out to create your round parathas. Using a hot griddle, place the paratha until you see brown spots on it. Assemble the hot pocket Spread a generous serving of hummus on one half of the paratha. You may add a few pinches of chaat masala to the hummus and then fold the paratha in half. Cut the pocket in two parts.
Tips and Tricks
Secret tips from domestic goddesses! If you believe you have a domestic goddess in you, share your special tips and tricks by mailing avenuet@ dhakatribune.com with the subject line reading “Tips and Tricks”
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Here’s a basic baking tip for you. Most baking ingredients include eggs. For best outcomes, do not use a cold egg, otherwise the mixture won’t emulsify properly. In case you find it time consuming for the eggs to warm up, you can, as well, place the eggs in a bowl containing warm water for a couple of minutes till the eggs reach a comparatively normal temperature. Piyash Chowdhury, 33, Elephant road If you are heating your leftovers in an oven, spread the food around with a spoon and space out in the middle. This will help the food get
warm quickly and evenly. Moreover, if your food allows it, sprinkle some water over it since microwaves use the moisture in your food for heating. Shorna Amin, 40, Muhammadpur ●
If you are badly in need of freezing your soft drink, then wrap the bottle with wet paper towel and put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Hopefully, it will be almost completely ice cold after you take it out. Nisha Ahamed, 22, Bashundhara
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Remember the many times you turn off the knob and your shower head
still drops residual water from it? Next time you face such annoyance, wrap the shower head around with a plastic bag with vinegar inside it. Leave it overnight and by the time the sun comes out, everything will be dried up! Farhana Islam, 25, Indira Road
News
One billion rises to end violence against women
Young Economists’ Forum (YEF) holds the second edition of their EconFest NSU Young Economists’ Forum (YEF) is a prestigious student organisation which helps the university to provide a platform for students to exercise their potential. To take the legacy a notch higher, YEF organised the second edition of one of its most prestigious event EconFest 2.0 on February 12. The event welcomed students from both NSU and other universities through a pre-registration process. The event consisted of a speakers’ session on “The importance of foreign education at the undergraduate and graduate levels for a Bangladeshi student.” This was followed by Speakonomics 3.0, a public speaking competition on the banking sector of Bangladesh. Expert’s Dialogue 2.0 consisted of a seminar where experts shared their knowledge on the development prospects of Bangladesh and its relationship with education. The event came to a close with an award giving ceremony.
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Aiming to put an end to all violence against women in today’s world, One Billion Rising for Justice – a global movement - was first introduced in Bangladesh on February 14 last year. The movement is an initiative to spread awareness and a global call to female survivors of violence. Human chains were formed around the country and a flash mob performance was delivered by the OBR activists before the Supreme Court.
Top Ten Fabrics & Tailors Ltd opens their Mirpur-11 outlet Top Ten Fabrics & Tailors Ltd opened their newest outlet in Mirpur-11. On the occasion of their grand opening, they have imported a whole range of fabrics, including Raymond, Reed
and Tailor, Monte, etc. Imported from several countries including India, Japan, Korea and England, the prices promise to provide value for money. The inauguration ceremony
was graced by Nobel, renowned model and actor. Managing Director Syed Hossain and Director Md Uzzal Hossain were also present.
Pond’s couples’ selfie contest comes to a close Foodpanda group raised an additional $20m funding to continue global roll out
Foodpanda and its affiliated brand Hellofood, the fastest growing online food delivery marketplace worldwide, received another USD 20 million in funding from a group of investors including Phenomen Ventures. With the new investment, Foodpanda is aiming to continue its global ambitions and roll out to over 40 markets. Foodpanda has taken another step towards success by making their mark in the Bangladeshi market, launching both their website and an app.
On February 4, Pond’s Bangladesh held a selfie contest for its consumers, in partnership with Magnito Digital, Radio Shadhin and Dhaka Tribune. Celebrating the month of love, they launched the special app through Facebook to allow couples to upload selfies to participate in the contest. A staggering amount of some 23 lakh people were reached through Facebook, while the app itself was used by 4,600 people, with almost 900 selfies competing for the winning
prize. On February 13, the winners were announced - Sadia Rahman, Laila Farzana and Namrata Barman. Securing the highest number of votes, each of the winning couples won a grand dinner at The Westin. The couples will also be featured in an interview on Radio Shadhin.
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News
Setting sail on
Bellissimo’s love cruise N Anita Amreen Whether it’s in the luscious taste of their ice cream, or the diversity of their flavours - for Bellissimo, every step is a labour of love. For Valentine’s Day, Bellissimo held a campaign called Bellissimo My Ultimate Valentine, offering three lovebirds a chance to celebrate their special day by sailing away on a private river cruise. The competition ran from February 4 to 11 with couples being encouraged to upload their selfies on Facebook. Three lucky couples, Farhana and Fahim, Wasifa and Ritu Raj and Novera and Naveed were chosen from a pool of 115 participants. On the early hours of Valentine’s day, the couples were chauffeured to Aricha Ghaat to set sail to their romantic ride. Despite being an international standard cruising boat, it had a dreamy, vintage feel. Built using thousand year old techniques of the Brahmaputra carpenters, the Burmese teak deck and the classic bamboo roof created the ideal setting for a soothing day spent
Pizza Hut Delivery now at Dhanmondi On February 13, Pizza Hut Delivery (PHD) gave their fans delightful news: after Mirpur, Bhatara and Banani, they launched their delivery services in Dhanmondi too. Bringing convenience and delicious food to your doorstep, PHD formally launched its fourth outlet, promising to have their food delivered within 30 minutes. To commemorate the opening ceremony of the Dhanmondi outlet, Akku Chowdhury, managing director and CEO of Transcom Foods Ltd was joined by renowned celebrity Munmun and Topu along with three members of Bangladesh National Women’s Football team, namely Sabina
Khatun, Mirona and Mahmuda Akhter. The launching ceremony was followed by a dance performance by “Nrittyam Dance Group” on the street in front of Happy Arcade PHD and a grand rally including two pick-up vans and two horse carriages. The rally and the dance performance covered all the outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut and PHD of Dhaka. Pizza Hut Delivery’s outlets in Dhaka are located in: Mirpur (09613-999999) Banani (09613-999777) Bhatara (09613-999888) and Dhanmondi (09613-999666)
in the lap of nature and the arms of a loved one. With the calming lull of the riverside and the gentle breeze, they savoured their surroundings. Lunch consisted of a specially created buffet, followed by dessert - Bellissimo’s ice cream. After which, the couple were taken for a romantic stroll on an island on the Padma river. “The stroll down the island was my favourite part of the trip. It was romantic, and just so intimate,” said Novera. To add a touch of love, once the couples returned, they found a surprise gift in the form of individual Valentine cakes and flower bouquets. To add to the romance of the evening, Shakib Chowdhury from Cryptic Fate serenaded the lovely couples. As the boat docked at dusk, the couples sighed in utter satisfaction. While the memories made will forever be etched in their minds, Bellissimo took it one step ahead and recorded their evening, to be later released as a music video.
Cats eye flagship store opening
On February 15, Cats eye opened its flagship store in Jamuna Future Park. They inaugurated their store with a grand red carpet show that took place on the same day. Cats Eye’s mission is to create a style statement that suits the discerning individual, while keeping a stringent eye on quality, while remaining affordable. Here’s a glimpse into their glamorous red carpet night.
Cats Eye Jamuna Future Park Ground Floor Progoti Sharani, Baridhara, Dhaka
Photos: Neloy I Hossain
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