Volume 2 Issue 1 Avenue T

AvenueT Dhaka Tribune | Saturday, April 26, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 1

10

A miraculous

transformation

18

Extreme

adventures

*in-vitro lab test for less breakage/ split ends vs. non-conditioning shampoo #60ml CLEAR conditioner tube free. Applicable for Clear 375ml Anti Hairfall, Soft & Shiny and Complete Active Care variants

Contents

AvenueT inside...

Editor

5

Editor’s note

Jett-set

9

Founder of VLCC

Zafar Sobhan

Magazine Editor

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Avenue T team

Mahmood Hossain Khan N Moushimi N Anita Amreen Tausif Sanzum Sabah Rahman Sabiha Akond Rupa

Contributors

Nowreen Nazmi Natasha Rahman Tahsin Momin Agony Aunt Dr S N Shampa Dina Sobhan

Easy peasy fried beef

16 18

Outdoor fitness

Photography

Syed Latif Hossain Sadia Marium

Graphics

Alamgir Hossain Md Mahbub Alam

Colour specialist

Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood

Production

Masum Billah

Advertising

Shahidan Khurshed

Circulation

Wahid Murad

Contact us

avenuet@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com

2 Tuned Lux sandal & cream

10 TrIAL Room Dropping 60 pounds

Cardio clubs 4 Tech All around entertainer 5 Tires German engineering 6 Tell Dealing with teens 8 Tucked In Home air pollution 9 Take Care Words to live by

12 Trending Silm down the look

3 Try Out

10

Dear Readers, We’re kicking off the first issue of Volume 2 in a super-motivated mood.

This week is dedicated to helping you bring out the best version of you possible.

To start off, head to the Trial Room for some real-life inspiration.

Stuck in a closet rut? Trending and Tailored will help you bust out of that fashion funk.

Finally, we’ve got healthy recipes on Tantalize, and plenty of tips about where to find a workout that will suit you best.

Let’s get fit together!

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Editor, Avenue T

13 Tailored Hiding that belly 14 Tempt No to gym make-up 15 Ticket Top gyms and health clubs

Stir the beef & spice 18 travelogue Extreme sports 16 Tantalise

Nazmi’s drastic 60

This week As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to work off that “biyer belly” and get back into shape.

Your best workout gear will allow ease of movement, and wick away the sweat you work up.

Model Jasna Boudard Photographer Syed Latif Hossain Shoot coordinator Mahmood Hossain

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

2 | Tuned in event

Lux Unleashes the fashion on Pahela Boishakh

WATCH

What to do

Captain America:

The Winter Soldier The new Captain America movie is here. It is a continuation of the first movie with Steve Rogers waking up after decades in a new era and he now has to deal with living in a time completely different from his earlier one. Added to this Nick Fury, the director of SHIELD is killed by a mysterious assassin, Winter Soldier. Before dying, Fury warns Rogers not to trust anyone in the organisation. When Rogers acts on this, he is called a traitor. He now needs to solve this mystery with the help of Black Widow and The Falcon. However, he faces enemies where he least expects them. With so much at stake, Captain America makes for a compelling watch.

Lux Sandal and Cream organised a fashion show titled “Hajaro Konthe Borshoboron 1421� at the Bashundhara International Conference Centre on April 14. All popular fashion houses and designers of the country displayed their Boishakhi collection at the show.

Designers Emdad Haque of Emdad Studio, Lipi Khondokar of Bibiana, Maria Islam Mumu of Maria Mumu, Chandana Dewan of Chandan and Biplob Saha of Rang displayed their exclusive collection. Pia, Lux Channel i Superstar and Lux Sandal and Cream brand ambassador Mehzabin, Lux Channel i Superstar Moushumi were the show stoppers among others.

in Dhaka

April 26

See

this week

April 30

Karma Coffee at ISD

Venue: International School Dhaka, Bashundhra R/A

Room 2

Venue: Goethe Institute, House no. 10, Road no. 9 (New), Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka 1205

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

Looking This dramedy is about a group of gay men living in San Francisco.

This series is more relatable than previous gay centric series like Queer as Folk. Three friends Patrick, Agustin and Dom try to fix their lives. Patrick is in search of a boyfriend for a long time and yet he is confused as to whether he can have casual sex with someone.

Agustin is confused about moving in with his boyfriend while Dom is tired with his job as a waiter. Catch this HBO series to get a slice of gay life which have problems not very different from the hetero ones.

Try Out | diy

I like to move | Natasha Rahman

3

it!

The hustle and bustle of Dhaka city is enough to make you want to tear your hair apart and crawl inside a hole, but unfortunately, even finding an outlet like that is nearly impossible. Here, Avenue T brings you three such outlets that will release those endorphins and rejuvenate you completely.

Connect with yourself, mentally, phycally and spiritually.

I

f Bollywood “jhatkas” and the item numbers make you want to boogie woogie then a Bollywood dance class couldn’t be more perfect.

It’s awesomely choreographed and a real fun dance class headed

by Srabonti Narmeen Ali, at ARA (American Recreation Association).

It’s the perfect place to let your hair down and forget about the household chores, the office assignments et al – and enjoy an hour of fun and easy dance steps with your friends, twice a week.

I

f you are looking for a palette of some of the best instructors in Dhaka city, the Dazzle Ltd. is a must visit. From children’s yoga to zumba to aerobics – there’s a little something for everyone. The yoga classes are done in a dim lit room and the asanas, meaning the breathing techniques, teach you how to connect with your mind, body and soul. Aerobics classes are conducted by a plethora of instructors and students can choose which instructor suits them

the most. If you want to train really hard then go for the instructors that incorporate high intensity interval training, kickboxing, dumbbells and steppers. Also, for the ones who want their sweat glands to only be mildly activated, pick out the more easier instructors and slowly work your way to the hardest one.

Dazzle takes classes 6 days a week, excluding Fridays.

Y

ogilates by Shazia Omar is an enriching yogic experience, a fun fusion of both yoga and pilates at ARA (American Recreation Association). She smiles, encourages and before you know

it, she is attempting leg splits, arm stands and moves that will leave you in awe. Fret not, because she has beginners and advanced classes for aspiring or practising yoga learners. Thrice a week, one hour each day, she will take your body through a rollercoaster. After a week’s practice, your body will open up in ways you have never imagined before and that feeling of sensing your body’s fluidity is priceless!

s: t detail Contac le Dazz 81348 n- 0288 Gulsha s te a il g Yo m mail.co mar@g shaziao d dance class oo Bollyw ail.com .ali@gm ti n o b sra

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

4 | Tech troubleshooting

apps

Move that app | Mahmood Hossain

Activity diary of your life

| Mahmood Hossain Track on the Mac This is something for those of you who are new to the Apple way of doing things. In fact, this could be something that is useful to those who already have a MacBook and never came across these helpful pointers. While using the mouse is easier, the trackpad on your laptop isn’t too far off. It can be made easier by trying out these handy tricks.

•

•

•

•

•

Clicking the trackpad with two fingertips is the same as the “right-click” on a mouse. You can also press and hold the CONTROL key while clicking the trackpad for the same function.

The motions on your trackpad are similar to that of a tablet. Pinching your two fingers will have you zoom in, while spreading those fingers will zoom you out.

While in Safari, swiping from right to left will take you back to the previous page. Swipe left to right and it will go forward one page.

Safari’s assistance goes a little further. If you select a word that’s difficult to understand, you can check out its definition in a pop-up window by doubletapping three fingers.

By pinching your thumb and three fingertips, you’ll activate the Mac’s “Launchpad” feature which shows all the applications in your Mac on a neat grid.

You’re able to tweak each gesture by going to your Mac’s settings. You can do this by opening the Apple menu on the top-left corner of your screen.

Select System Preferences and click Trackpad.

Share your troubleshooting problems, write to us at avenuet@dhakatribune.com

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

The statement isn’t far off. Moves wants to cover every step you take. The app has a very playful and aesthetically pleasing interface and gives users an easy way to count their steps. Moves will automatically record any walking, running or cycling you do throughout the day, as long as you have your phone with you. It also lets you view each distance, duration and calories that you’ve burned in each activity.

The cool thing about the app is that it’s always on. There’s no need to slide and touch through your phone to switch it on or off. Simply by keeping the phone in your bag or pocket will keep the app running.

Since the app is running in the background, it’s recommended that you charge your phone nightly.

With that said, the app won’t take too much of the battery as it will last the entire day. Another wonderful addition is that it allows you to add activities if the app itself cannot detect it.

It’s really a fantastic approach when it comes to one’s health. You are able to see the results from each activity each day so you can live out the rest of the days accordingly.

You’ll know what you need to improve on and burn the right amount of calories.

Moves is available to download for free in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

gadgets

One from the box | Mahmood Hossain

A good time has passed to cover the Xbox Microsoft’s Xbox One has been out for months but time is what it

needed for the positives to shine.

Sure, it’s much more expensive than its main rival the PS4. It may not even look as attractive as its counterpart. Let’s face it, it’s a steep investment and it looks like a giant VCR. Remember those?

We’re not here to point out its clear aspects, this is about the console’s not so obvious qualities. One of them being the fact that it’s more than just a gaming console.

The company has presented a role reversal. While their main competitor did the same, this time around this current gen is boasting in all-around entertainer. Apart from the specs, as the graphics may not be up to par as the PS4, it possesses what others lack.

The navigation, for example, is a cinch to operate. Keep in mind, it’s Windows 8. This makes using the native apps and Internet connected clients to work with really easy. It is Microsoft after all.

Streaming media and Skype sessions (used with Kinect 2) with friends and family seem right at home.

It’s a similar or maybe even a better experience you would have on your desktop. For now, the games library is a tad better than its competitor. But again, it’s gone beyond than just playing games. In the box, you have your Xbox One console, a power brick, the Kinect, a 6-foot HDMI cable, one much improved game controller and a chat headset.

Specs: • • • • •

Optical drive: Blu-Ray/DVD 8 Core AMD custom CPU 8GB DDR3, 8GB flash memory 500GB hard disk 802.11n and Wi-Fi Direct

Tires | wheels

5

ROAD RAGE

2013 Volkswagen Jetta | Tahsin Momin

In 2013 Volkswagen made few changes in the interior and the exterior of the Jetta.

These changes might not be noticeable at the first glance but they have most certainly improved the vehicle refinement. As a result, the 2013 Jetta is bigger, better and comfortable too.

its stiff suspension, the car fails to provide you with a smoother ride and also adds a bit of numbness to the steering.

Exterior

Safety

The Jetta’s fine exterior is a testament to German engineering.

It has a wide front. It has a long horizontal grille with the headlights attached to both ends of it. The Jetta sits fairly upright and is attractive in a traditional way.

The bonnet is slightly lifted up as well. Meanwhile, the side of the car follows a sharp bold line which gives a wider look to it. The rear has red box shaped tail lights accompanied by a lifted up rear end.

There are lots of safety features in 2013 Jetta which provide you with a lot of security. The anti-lock disc brakes help control the car if the driver accelerates the car by mistake. It has stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is a car with a mixture of positive and negative features. It has enough space to provide its

Photo: Baizid Haque Joarder

Conservative styling and lacklustre finishes hack and slash into the Jetta’s appeal

passengers with comfort but has an ok exterior which can impress only a certain amount of buyers.

The interior of the car is not so attractive but has certain features which are without a doubt loved by all. It’s a car that is appreciated by a true German engineering fan.

Interior

On the inside, the refinement is quite a lot better from the earlier versions. The seats have gotten bigger and are very comfortable.

The car has adequate head and leg space for you to relax and enjoy the drive. It has a centre armrest which can adjust according to the length of the passenger. The touch screen stereo interface is the most liked feature in this car. It features a redundant control knob ideal for controlling an iPod. The boot of the car has enough space to handle large sized suitcases.

Performance

The power in the Jetta is delivered by a 115hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It’s offered with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Volkswagen claims that the Jetta with the automatic transmission will take almost 11 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

It’s impressive enough under acceleration, with a grunty feel and without as much of the grumpy engine sounds that usually come under hard acceleration. But with

Available at: Multidrive SANARC Complex 76, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Dhaka 1208, Phone: 983 0360

AUTO CORRECT

Photos: Big Stock

What happens when the oil warning light comes on?

Typically this light will come on if your engine oil pressure is too low.

Low oil pressure is serious and if you continue to drive with this light on, eventually your engine will die.

Low oil pressure can be caused by a failed oil pump, a blocked oil filter or strainer in the pump or by low oil

levels - for example if your engine is burning oil. Either way, you need to get it fixed, and fast. Low oil pressure is a bad thing and your engine won’t thank you for leaving this problem untreated.

Munching their way to a road jam | Tausif Sanzum The food cart business is booming these days (let’s save the issue of adolescent obesity for another day). There are at least three different varieties of food carts at every street corner particularly in Dhanmondi. While the school kids are enjoying the varied delicacies being sold at these carts, the traffic comes to a standstill. If you happen to have an emergency appointment and need to reach somewhere by 2pm, either you start before 1pm or re-schedule (as if that is possible) after 3pm. The time between 1.30pm–3pm is reserved for the investitured ceremony of the taller, sharper and stronger kids who after a long day of bugging the teachers, straining on their new clothes and fighting among each other, feast on burgers as if they are in an eating contest. This period is when they are rewarded with food from these carts for doing the favour of going to schools. For a complete one and a half hour, people in cars or rickshaws have nothing to do but to look at these future dignitaries as they munch and relish the last bit of their food standing next to the food cart creating a crowd which makes the traffic stop moving altogether. No amount of honking can come between them and their burgers/hot-dogs.

Got a peeve to share about the state of the city’s roads and traffic? Sends it to us at avenuet@dhakatribune.com, or post it on our Facebook wall.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

6 | Tell letters to Mars

Branching out the family tree

Q A

Photo: Big Stock

I’m a 46-year-old divorced man who’s been single for a very long time now. After my last marriage I’ve learned my lesson and realised that serious relationships are just not my cup of tea. I’m a firm believer of the freedom singledom gives you, thus I have never gotten serious. Recently I have been having a strictly physical affair with a great married woman. She too is the laid back type and likes the relationship we have. The problem arose when her daughter began to work for my firm. She is a striking 28-year-old young woman and I’ve started to take a liking to her. I feel something for her that I haven’t felt for any woman for years now – not even her mom. How do I approach this situation?

First of all click pause. You mentioned your “last marriage.” Does it mean you got married more than once? Uhm, I wonder if taking responsibility is not your favourite activity. Having an affair with a married woman keeps you free from duty, faithfulness and from growing up. Now you turned your attention to your lover’s daughter who is much younger than you. What are you going to do with her? Love her? Marry her? Have fun with her and then dispose of her when she will want you to confirm her devotion only to her? What will the relationship do to the mother and daughter? I suggest you find your thinking cap, put it on, breath out and figure out if “not being an adult” is what you want. I would love to hear from you after your meditative state! Please get in touch, readers will be anxious to know what you decided. Your decision will help others understand themselves.

drama mama

| Dina Sobhan There may not be a way to discuss such matters with a teenager without a few fights and raised voices, unfortunately. Your daughter is at an age where she is neither a child nor fully an adult, and trying to establish how much freedom and all its accompanying perks she can handle is not a simple decision. While I think it’s important to outline what your values are as a family and what is expected of her, you must allow her the space to discern who she is on her own. However, make it clear to her that how much money and freedom her friends are given are irrelevant and that she will have to be content with what you, as her parent, feel is right for her.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to listen to her and take note of what is reasonable and makes sense to incorporate into your parenting methods. Perhaps she has a valid reason for complaining if you are too strict with her. Remember that the tighter you hold her back, the more she will strain against you and rebel. It is crucial to strike a healthy balance between what your daughter wants from you and what you feel is right for her.

Dina Sobhan is a free-lance writer, a part-time counsellor and a full-time mom Photo: Big Stock

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

Write us your problems and send them to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

Aries (MAR 21-APR 19) Your strong willpower and persevering nature make it easier for you to follow through on your health goals. Follow a plan of balanced nutrition and fitness rather than taking drastic measures.

Teenorama

My 17-year-old daughter has embraced life as a teen – coming home late, barely listening to her parents, locking herself in her room, fighting for more freedom. I tried to give her as much freedom as possible but now I regret it. As she makes more friends and visits more households, she comes home and compares us to other parents.

She’s constantly comparing how much freedom, attention or even money other parents give to their kids. Without getting into an argument, what’s the best way to make her understand that we are doing the best we can for her?

Our Agony Aunt is a life coach and a 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

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) You’re into indulgences of any kind – especially those that cater to your sweet tooth. To control your diet, have several small meals a day to keep those pangs at bay.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) Life for you is one giant party and whoever said three’s a party couldn’t have put it any better. Join hands with friends if you’re going to the gym or trying out a new diet.

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) When it comes to helping others out, you are the first one to extend your hand. However, when it comes to yourself, you tend to slack off. Try a health plan that does not require an extra effort.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) You being the fire sign, are instantly attracted to diet plans that promise you quick, immediate results. But it’s wise to keep yourself inspired and invest your fiery energy in working out.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Your nature is such that you like discipline and enjoy being meticulous about any endeavour you undertake. If you aren’t already maintaining a routine health plan, this is the time to begin.

Horos

scope

Tell |

7

letters to Venus

Lost pride Q

Dear Agony Aunt, I have had an arranged marriage to K two years back. He’s a momma’s boy who is very close to his parents. For the past six months I have noticed a change in the way my father-in-law interacts with me. When no one’s home he asks me to sit next to him to watch TV, tries to casually put his hand on my shoulder, once even trying to massage my neck. If I’m serving him tea, he caresses my hand, if I’m standing somewhere he’ll brush his body against my back. At first I thought I was over thinking it, but now I know this is not normal as it makes me feel very uncomfortable. Should I risk telling my husband about it?

A

I would first confront your father-in-law and tell him that his behaviour makes you uncomfortable and he should stop. If he does not, at the next move tell him that you are now obliged to make his son aware of this. If need be, leave the house for a couple of days and stay with relatives.

Photo: Big Stock

Our Agony Aunt is a life coach and a 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

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) To really rev up your physique, infuse two of your favourite pastimes: creative outlets and socialising. Take up fun classes such as Zumba or Bollywood dance classes to make staying fit a fun exercise.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Instead of drowning your miseries in a tub full of ice-cream, try to harness your competitive, angry side into a productive workout programme this week. Try exercises that are difficult but help you explore your body.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Individuality is a natural trait in you.

They love their freedom and enjoy philosophical pursuits. Perhaps martial arts can give you that surge of confidence a fit body enables.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) You love exclusivity and any elitist group setting. Join a high-end gym and make an investment that you are bound to use to your best advantage.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 19) To keep your health goals in check, make your very own meal plan that is unique, creative and full of food that you want to experiment with.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) While you may be swayed into trying out crash diets, your emotional self will not allow you to do so. Try a balanced diet this week while allowing yourself a “cheat day” for sweet indulgences.

Photo: Big Stock

Write us your problems and send them to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

tact

Body Image

| N Anita Amreen

We’ve all been there, at some point in our lives Your hands reach for your rotund stomach, slowly easing on to grip your ever inflating tire. A sinking feeling follows as you realise that you have put on that dreaded kilo you fought so hard to keep off. A glimpse at the mirror and you cringe at the image that stares back at you: round, bulgy and stocky, you feel as grossly bloated as you look.

The eternal battle between you and the image of you is back with a vengeance. At 50kgs you feel chubby, at 55 you feel fat and at 60 you feel downright inhuman. You’ve spent so long just waging a war on yourself, you’ve forgotten what that “perfect you” really looks like.

If you are suffering from these symptoms, you definitely have body image issues. No matter what weight you may attain, nothing would be good enough and no body would seem “hot” enough for you. From the poster of a model to a size zero Bollywood star prancing away on TV, anything and everything acts as trigger mechanism sucking you into the abysmal depths of self-pity and hate.

Sometimes its not even the body, the weight or the diet that leads one to feeling this way. Rather, it’s the harrowing lack of self-esteem that pulls you to the depths of despair.

For times like these, when nothing really seems to work, it’s time to pull the brakes on this war and just take a moment to think. Just sit down and

Photo: Big Stock

think about what’s really happening here. Is the self-pity and the constant struggle for weight loss worth the effort? Are you really willing to give up your sanity in favour of or attaining something that you yourself can’t put a finger on?

For a moment, just a moment, promise yourself not to think about what’s on your plate and how it’ll impact you. When you stop contemplating every calorie in every meal, you can finally get to enjoy what you’re eating: be it a scoop of ice cream or a bowl of salad. Once you stop worrying and just eat to enjoy your meal, you naturally tend to make healthier choices without really restricting yourself from foods you enjoy. Sometimes the greatest win in a battle is felt when you willfully give up and surrender.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

8 | Tucked in digs & finds

LampLust Jatra @

i Banan branch

Check out this ball of light

decor

Unwanted guests Not all of us have the space in our front yard to make a garden. Most of us have to make do with the According WHO, 4.3 million die from being to these unconventional spaces into balconies orto the rooftops.

Insteadpeople of complaining aboutexposed it, transfer household pollution every year your dream air garden retreat

| Tausif Sanzum You might think that you are safe within the confines of your home sweet home but you will be shocked to know how polluted they are. These health hazards remain invisible as we are not aware of what exactly is causing them. The major sources of indoor pollution are building materials, paints, household cleaning products, gas, burning wood and kerosene release. Added to this is inadequate ventilation due to poor home engineering and weather conditions like humidity which result in suffocation caused by these pollutants.

Carbon monoxide is evil, not just in vehicle fumes but also in your home. It is both odourless and colourless making it almost impossible to detect. Gas-fuelled stoves, wood stoves, room heaters and other similar appliances emit this deadly gas. Simple measures like placing your stove near the window, maintaining a particular distance from room heaters are the best solution in these scenarios.

Although not scientifically proven, a lot of people believe that as mobiles emit radiations and since we hold them close to our head and ears, over a long period of time it might lead to harmful side effects. To be on the safer side try to keep your mobiles on your side table or bookshelf, instead of under your pillow at night. Using earphones to avoid direct contact with the cellphone is always a good option

This lamp base will get along just swimmingly with your room

Light up the party

Photos: Sabiha Akond Rupa

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

but overdoing it might cause hearing related problems. Even some vegetables or fruits (such as bananaa) are radioactive due to the fertilisers which they might have been exposed to. However, these do not pose a radiative hazard unless you eat them – a lot of them.

Lead is weather resistant and therefore used extensively in construction materials such as in piping.

Although the greatest risk to health comes from swallowing or breathing in chips and dust of paint containing lead, a considerable risk is associated with consuming the metal via drinking water. Even though lead might directly not be present in the drinking source but it can enter it through corrosion of plumbing materials. Always filter your drinking water before consuming it.

Being in a painted room, you might experience throat infections, headache or suffocation for the first few days. This is because of the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paints.

Liquid disinfectants used to clean the floors, cleaning supplies and paint/varnish contain organic compounds which vapourise and become harmful gases (VOCs). For recently painted houses, keep the windows open for a few days to let the fumes get out.

Always remember that precaution is better than cure and it is up to you to make your home safe.

Photo: Big Stock

Take care |

9

Consultation

health

Five questions with Vandana Luthra

Q&A | Dr S N Shampa

The proud recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award for contributions to Trade and Industry, Vandana Luthra, founder, VLCC Wellness, is no stranger to success. Being a believer of ”first follow what you preach,” the fitness guru and mother of two, shares how she incorporates the three mantras of well being – health, fitness and wellness in her life

Interviewed by Tausif Sanzum

Photo: Big Stock

What do beauty, health and wellness mean to you?

As you would probably be aware, VLCC has always believed that we owe it to our fellow citizens to help them live richer and fuller lives and not just the ones free of disease - in sync with the World Health Organization (WHO)’s vision of what constitutes good health.

You may be familiar with the preamble to the WHO’s Constitution which defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

The WHO definition of health has been VLCC’s driving philosophy right from the time I set up our first Transformation Center in Delhi in 1989.

Through our focus on holistic wellness which seamlessly marries the latest, most innovative, scientific and efficacious weight management programmes with revolutionary skin and hair care treatments, VLCC has been constantly engaged in ensuring that the people who approach our 300 Wellness Centers in 121 cities across 16 countries go back completely transformed, looking good and feeling great about themselves.

What would your advice be to women, particularly homemakers, who get so immersed in household responsibilities that they do not take proper care of their health or take time out for grooming themselves?

As a woman, a mother of two daughters, and in charge of a company, where the majority of employees are women (6,000 women employees), I feel that it is absolutely imperative that women don’t ignore their health and wellbeing in the process of discharging their myriad responsibilities – be it as daughters, wives, mothers or working professionals. Women form the pillars of any society. By not paying attention to their own wellness quotients, women raise the risk of threatening the very foundation of human existence.

Q A A young lady embracing her healthy lifestyle

What should a healthy lifestyle constitute of, for a man and a woman?

A healthy lifestyle for all individuals – be it a man or a woman – should consist of a proper combination of a balanced diet, exercise and consistent focus on improving the wellness quotient.

Eating the right kind of foods, going in for regular exercises, and therapeutic beauty treatments go a long way in not only making a person look and feel great, but, more importantly, in shaping their confidence so that they are in a position to work towards realising their full potential.

You have a long connection with the Anti-Obesity Day. Can you shed light on the importance of health and wellness for children?

Children are our future. It is therefore vitally important that

we pay significant attention to the health and wellness requirements of children. In this context, while a lot of stakeholder focus is understandably and rightly so, on the under-nutrition aspect, I feel the time has come to also accord equal emphasis on addressing the rising problem of obesity among children, particularly among those in urban settings.

You may be shocked to know that more than 40 million children worldwide under the age of five, as per WHO data, were overweight in 2011. The WHO echoes what many of us already know that children today are being exposed to high-fat, highsugar, high-salt, energy-dense and micronutrient-poor foods which tend to be lower in cost but are also lower in terms of nutrient quality. These dietary patterns in conjunction with lower levels of physical activity are resulting in a sharp increase in the incidence of childhood obesity.

How do you implement the mantras of beauty, health and wellness within your own family?

I have always believed in the dictum “first follow before you preach.” In our family, we always eat the right kind of foods and go in for regular exercises in order to look and feel our best at all times.

For someone suffering from kidney problems, how should they alter their diets?

• Kidney patients should mainly control their protein intake. They should be alert and cautious about the types of food they are consuming.

Outlined below are a few general nutritional guidelines for kidney patients:

• High protein foods such as eggs, fish, meat, daal should be consumed in limited quantities. There is no generic amount or quantity that is allowed since every kidney patients permitted intake is based on their individual creatinine levels.

• Completely avoid daal and any type of nuts.

• Keep your potassium level in check at all times. Kidney patients run the risk of having imbalanced potassium levels. Avoid foods and fruits that are high in potassium.

For instance, banana’s and coconuts should be completely excluded from their diet.

Dr S N Shampa is a consultant nutritionist at Samorita Hospital, Panthapath

Send in your health queries to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

Photo: Big Stock

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

10 | Trial room

Food: From foe to friend | N Anita Amreen From being an overweight woman struggling to lose weight in her late 20s, Nowreen Nazmi lost a drastic 60 pounds over a three year period, without the help of any magic pill, crash diet or excessive exercise regime. Currently a Bangladeshi banker settled in New York, Nazmi’s holistic approach to weight loss has left her feeling happier as she embraces her physical and emotional transformations. Without eliminating any food group, she began making healthier food choices by considering food to be a friend, rather than an enemy. Finding solace in yoga and running, Nazmi slowly made lifestyle changes that led her to drop 14 dress sizes. This week Avenue T has a tete-a-tete with this 30-year-old as she delves into her weight loss journey and the changes she has experienced Over time as you’ve gone through with your weight loss journey, how has your self perception changed?

I was more happy-go-lucky when I was overweight. I did not think about what to eat or exercise so I was living in a state of mind where I thought ignorance is bliss.

I was also younger and did not need to think about how my food decisions would affect my body years down the road, as your body ages, metabolism slows down and in some cases (such as mine) you start having acid reflux, GERD or your joints hurt from exercising.

Now, I think about eating yoghurt for my bones or adding cinnamon to my coffee to control my blood sugar. As I lost weight and hit my weight loss plateau I became my harshest critic – I would weigh myself and get very strict if I was up a few pounds from the night before. I realised this negative behaviour was making me crazy so I completely stopped weighing myself. Now I just go by body fat percentage or measurements which fluctuate less. You won’t see fluctuations based on water retention. The weight loss journey

It’s not practical to say, “I will not eat bhaat or roti for the rest of my life.” Labelling food as “bad” or “off-limits” only makes me crave it more and causes binges. The key is to find healthy food that you LOVE, identify the exercises you ENJOY doing and always be prepared with healthy snacks so you don’t succumb to temptation.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

11

Trial room|

can be very difficult and make you neurotic so it’s important to focus on your long term health and not just the weight loss alone.

How do people respond to your new look, as opposed to the old one?

It took me three years to lose 60+ pounds so people have actually seen me losing weight as opposed to just showing up slimmer one day. People seem very supportive and happy for me. They also ask me HOW I did it and seem disappointed when I say it was just the good old fashioned healthy eating and exercises – no elimination diets, miracle pills, fancy programmes, and of course, it takes TIME if you do it right and want the weight to stay OFF! Do you ever feel tempted to slack off/binge and if so, how do you deal with it?

When I started to plateau in my weight loss journey, I became very frustrated and would over-exercise and under eat. This would work on the weekdays but then I would go to a dawat and end up overeating rich food because I was so hungry all the time! Nowadays, I am eating more and better quality food with lots of good fat such as nuts, peanut butter, olive oil and fatty fish so I’m less inclined to temptation. The key is NOT to diet and just eat for your best health and energy. I know women who don’t eat ALL day when they have a dawat and then they just feast on lots of rich food and dessert items, and then starve themselves again the next few days. It becomes a vicious cycle. I would recommend not having this mentality. Instead of considering food as a reward or punishment, you should think of it as your ally which can give you energy and good health if you make the right choices.

Has your evolution changed your personal style? What was your personal style like before and what is it like now?

When I was overweight I would spend a lot more time trying to put myself together in terms of make-up, dressing up and I would wear heels most of the time to look taller. I learned how to do my eyeliner by 13! I used to spend a lot more time, energy and money on nice outfits and figuring out how to flatter my assets and hide excess fat. I would NEVER wear my hair in a ponytail because I thought my face looked fat – now I always wear a ponytail to work. Now I am a lot more confident and relaxed, I seldom wear heels and use minimal make-up since I have to go to the gym almost every evening. I still struggle to flatter my shape since

I remain small (at almost 5’3) and accentuate my curves – it takes trial and error to figure out what works best (belts are my friend). If you are chubby or curvy I recommend wearing TAILORED clothes instead of loose or boxy cut ones which can make you look bigger. Today I am comfortable with myself no matter what I am wearing.

How do you deal with media attention?

Lots of women ask me for advice on weight loss, digestive problems and body image issues. I am happy to help since this journey can feel very lonely and it takes time to figure out what works for you. I always used to feel horrible and left out at dawats because I have severe GERD (acid reflux) and food intolerances. Everyone else seemed to eat whatever they wanted and remained skinny but after opening up about my own journey, people e-mail me all the time and tell me about their problems. I know we are not alone!

There are some people who have a constant love/hate relationship with food. One moment they are binge eating to their heart’s content, the next they are throwing themselves into a rigorous crash diet. For people like these who can never strike a balance, what advice would you give them?

You should never crash diet and if possible, don’t diet at all. Eat healthy as a permanent lifestyle.

It’s not practical to say, “I will not eat bhaat or roti for the rest of my life.” Labelling food as “bad” or “off-limits” only makes me crave it more and causes binges. The key is to find healthy food that you LOVE, identify the exercises you ENJOY doing and always be prepared with healthy snacks so you don’t succumb to temptation. Do not diet or give up food unless you NEED to for medical reasons. Ask yourself, “Can I eat this way and do this exercise for the rest of my life?” Only follow an eating regimen if you can sustain it forever. Over time, your taste buds will adapt to it and you won’t want to eat things like fried foods that have empty calories and will make you sick. Do these things for your health – not for a vacation, party or an event.

Exercising makes you CONFIDENT which will be the mental strength you need to say “No, I don’t need roshogollah. I need a banana for REAL energy and fibre.”

I struggle with temptation whenever I go to a dawat because people are eating the food I LOVE and grew up with and I have digestive issues that prevent me from enjoying things like kichuri and dairy. I have learned to just operate on autopilot and pick fish, chicken and vegetables. Roti is

always a great option and provides an automatic portion control.

Recently, there’s been a Fat Acceptance revolution sweeping across the world. Do you think this is a good, pro-positive body image or an irresponsible complacence towards healthy lifestyle?

I think everyone should aim to be the best version of themselves.

My mom always told me, “I would rather you study hard and get a B than not study at all and get a B because THEN you would never realise your full potential.” It’s the same way with your health and body. It’s not just about wearing skinny jeans, it’s also about preventing disease and illness later in life. I look up to people like Jennifer Lopez or Cameron Diaz who openly talk about healthy eating and exercise – they WORK hard to look good and so do normal people! I agree you should accept yourself but it’s important to have self-respect and take care of your body! If you don’t take care of your body it won’t support you.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

12 | Trending Style Sessions

A BF for every shape | Sabrina Fatma Ahmad The boyfriend jeans are a timeless classic and never go out of style. That said, the loose, mannish shape is easy to get wrong. Don’t lose heart, though. This special style session edition is dedicated to helping you find the right one for your shape How do you like them apples?

If you have small shoulders and carry most of your weight in your midsection, your body shape is described as the “Apple.” Apple-shaped ladies should opt for a relaxed jean with a slim cut. Patches, distress or other visual detail draws the eye away from the mid-section and towards the legs.

Glam up the grungy style with a flirty, flowy feminine top.

Time after time Ladies packing the hourglass shape should aim for simplicity in their relaxed jeans. Pick one in a dark wash, with no embellishment. Polish the look with a structured top that flatters your curves and hides your flaws.

The world on my shoulders Broad shoulders? The boyfriend jeans is your best look! Pick a straight cut in a white wash – or even dare to go white. It will create a nice balance, and if you’re blessed with a good height, feel free to roll up those cuffs for a look that’s very much on point.

Am I too bootylicious for ya?

For the fabulous femmes with their glorious backends, you want a straight cut in a dark wash, teamed with something fluttery and girly on top and strappy shoes.

Straight edge If you have the Ruler shape (ie, lack of discernible curves), you want to go all out with visual embellishments.

Rips, patches, distressing, you name it. Funk it up with sparkly vans or bedazzled converse shoes for a rebellious edge.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

Fashion

Dress yourself skinny | Sabah Rahman

If you’re not satisfied with your current weight or are just having a “fat” day like all us ladies tend to do, don’t sweat it. Wearing black isn’t the only trick to appearing slimmer Resist the urge to wear super baggy clothing. It just adds bulk. Go for light layers instead.

High waisted dark jeans can give your tummy support and help avoid muffin top. Pair these with a top that ends just under the belly button for a slimmer silhouette. Another trick to remember is to buy shoe skimming jeans. Paired with heels, your legs will look like they go on for miles.

Know your prints. Do not even attempt to wear horizontal stripes on “fat days.” They just make you look

wider than you are. When it comes to other prints, remember, the smaller the pattern, the smaller you’ll appear.

When it comes to local dressing, avoid wearing blouses with sleeves that are too tight if you’re insecure about your arms. It just looks wrong.

We’ve all seen that poor fashion victim with the sleeves painfully pinching her arms. They aren’t fooling anyone.

Instead of picking thin fabric which can highlight your trouble spots, go for the thicker counterparts to help hold it all together.

If you’re top heavy, try boot cut jeans. They balance out your body better than a pair of skinnies.

Nude pumps Wrap dresses could come to your rescue. Why? Because they paired with were designed with voluptuous dresses will women in mind. They accentuate make your legs your curves in the right way by look long and highlighting your bust, taking in lean the waist and camouflaging your stomach and thighs.

Don’t

Please resist the urge to hide yourself in slouchy sack dresses, as they only add bulk

13

Tailored in fashion

style session

Short sneakers

with mahmood Hossain

| Mahmood Hossain

Q

I see a lot of guys wearing their suit jackets with jeans.

I wish to do the same but is it right to wear those jackets with jeans or should I get a blazer or sports coat instead?

Casual shorts with your best pair of sneakers

The heat can be unbearable at times.

No, actually at all times. We’re deep into the spring season with summer just a month away. Most of you can’t wait to take your work clothes off and hop into those relaxing shorts at home. But the trend in topic isn’t about those lazy shorts you throw on with some flip-flops. We’re talking about that weekend cool combo.

We’ve mentioned plenty of times before how sneakers have made their way to high-end labels collaborating with leading athletic brands like Nike or Adidas. Nothing has changed, this little trend will continue and for good reason. There are Nike sneakers (at Bata for Tk4,500) that you can sport with casual-cool shorts (at Yellow for Tk1,595 and up). You can top that off with a casual shirt of your choice, making it spring forward stylish.

And while we do not encourage wearing sneakers with suits, since it’s difficult to pull off, they are perfectly fine with a casual blazer and trousers. It can become a classy and

A

Most of the time, not all the time, wearing a suit jacket with jeans or even casual trousers simply does not look right. The awkwardness comes from the more sophisticated cut in a suit jacket compared to a blazer or sports coat. When you mix the two (formal and casual), it’s not always a winning combination.

You are safer with a blazer that has a classy and casual touch to it. Wearing dressy jeans might help but you still have to be careful not to confuse the aesthetics.

Photo: Big Stock

sporty look for your wardrobe arsenal. Setting that aside, this combination is all about comfort and keeping things cool. Here’s to battling the heat in style, gentlemen. Cheers!

his style

Belly up | Mahmood Hossain

Working around that tummy

Many men are blessed with a wonderful figure. They workout regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle, six packs and all. There’s an equal amount of men who aren’t so gifted, without a six pack. They have what we call a beer keg. It’s quite alright gentlemen of the belly nation, there’s a solution for these style problems. You can take simple steps to avoid making any style fouls by checking these off your list.

• Stay away from sweaters, blazers or shirts that have naturally sloped shoulders. These will avert the eyes down to your mid-section.

• Whichever jacket you try on, make sure it falls right below your butt and that it’s well-adjusted around your waist.

• Trousers should always be worn on your hips, not your waist.Low-rise jeans, that have the shorter distance between the top of the waistband and the crotch, work best.

• Try to stay away from horizontal stripes as much as you can. This should be a dead giveaway, you don’t want to look like the flag on a pirate ship signalling your arrival.

• Choose your prints on shirts very carefully. Large and loud prints will only make you look bulkier than you actually are.

• The lighter the fabric, the better it looks on you. In other words, forget about wearing bulky woollen items.

Instead, lighter cotton, linen and even thinner blends of wool will work just fine.

There are many more ways to divert the attention away from that belly of yours but these basics can make you look better in an instant.

Q

When I visit the gym, I’m always wearing sweats.

The problem is it gets hot really fast. I know it’s the gym and you’re supposed to lose calories but how can I avoid the rapid heat?

You should be hitting the gym with some proper athletic shorts. Not sure why you would put yourself through even more pressure by wearing track pants or sweats.

Unless, you are ashamed of showing your legs, Prudence. In that case, “Bro, you never skip leg day.” You’re at the gym for a workout, not to look pretty for your prom date. Make it easier on yourself by wearing some proper shorts and put some work in. Most likely, the other dudes on the floor are focused on their work.

A

Send in your style inquiries to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

14 | Tempt FAQ

Beauty Session | Sabah Rahman

Q

Is working out causing a breakout on my chest?

What do I do?

Sweating pretty

A

It’s not the exercise itself but it may be your sweaty sports bra.

The first thing you need to do is take it off as soon as you can, when you’re done working out. Trapped sweat probably clogged your pores and resulted in blemishes. Treat it as you would treat pimples on your face. If you can’t find a medicated body wash in the market, use an anti-acne face wash on your chest - they are both made of similar ingredients. Use a toner on the area as well after drying skin. It will also help to wear loose and airy shirts for a while to avoid further irritation. Keep this regimen up and you’ll have clear skin again in no time.

| Sabah Rahman Gym and beauty? Most of us think the two just don’t go together when we picture our sweaty selves post work out. As temperatures rise and circulation is stimulated, some of us women actually feel amazing knowing that we are on our way to a better, healthier and hotter version of ourselves Don’t wear make-up

Wearing a face full of make-up while working out is a big no-no. You’re just asking for clogged pores which will lead to breakouts. Then there is the meltdown issue which can leave you with panda eyes and smeared lipstick. If you absolutely refuse to leave the house sporting a bare face, you can try some waterproof mascara and a lip stain.

Learn a new trick

Send in your fashion faqs to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

Photos: Big Stock

When you’re done with your routine, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. See that gorgeous natural flush on your cheeks? Try to mimic that look the next time you apply blush.

Switch it up

A boring old ponytail isn’t the only hairstyle for the gym. Experiment with braids and top knots. A pompadour ponytail is a more interesting version of the normal one. Clip back the front section of your hair loosely so it has some height. Secure the rest in a high ponytail.

This way, you won’t get hairline breakouts and look stylish as well.

Photos: Big Stock

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

15

Ticket|

FITNESS FRENZY | Sabiha Akond Rupa

Physical activity is essential to prevent disease and lead a healthy life. It can be a simple morning walk or a gym session to help build a better physique or even take up yoga lessons for attaining inner peace Following is a list of a few fitness centres where you can burn those few extra calories that you have been planning on for months.

RADISSON BLU WATER GARDEN DHAKA HEALTH CLUB Radisson Water Garden Dhaka Cantonment Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: (88-02) 875-4555

SONARGAON HEALTH CLUB Pan Pacafic Sonargaon 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: (88-02) 814-0401

SOUTH AVENUE GYM 44, South Avenue, Road -134 Gulshan -1 Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: (88-02) 881-4544 , 881-4866

WESTIN WORKOUT The Westin Dhaka Main Gulshan Avenue Plot-01, Road 45, Gulshan-2 Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: (88-02) 989-1988

GOLD’S GYM Bashundhara City, Level 9 &10 13/Ka/1, Panthapath Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: (88-02) 815-8864

DAZZLE FITNESS CENTER House 14/B , Road 95 Gulshan-2 Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: (88) 0171-891-7084

ANIKA’S YOGA CLASS Location for Begginer’s Yoga: Black Belt Academy Dhaka, 1st floor of house # 6, road 113/A, Gulsan 2, Dhaka 1212 Location for Intermidiate Yoga: Nordic Club, road 55, Gulsan 2, Dhaka 1212 Email: anika.rabbani@gmail.com

SHAZIA OMAR - A YOGILATES INSTRUCTOR Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/profile. php?id=213881898654129

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

16 | Tantalise recipe

Spicy beef stir fry | Nowreen Nazmi My husband loves meat. I often wonder how to combine meat and vegetables for the growing husband. The answer: STIR FRY! This meal is easy enough that I cooked it up between work and gym on a Monday night but it is hearty enough that he was happy to eat it after a 15-hour work day. Makes approximately three servings.

eat smart

Myth about smoothies

| N Anita Ameen

With health nuts making fad diets and juice-fasts all the rage, fruit smoothies have made it to the top of the “superfood” lists. Despite being made popular

by Hollywood stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, recent research has proved that smoothies aren’t as healthy as they’re made out to be. Read on to bust the top three myths about smoothies AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

Photos: Big Stock

17

Tantalise |

Ingredients Beef strips – you can get 1lb of flank steak, skirt steak or boneless chuck steak cut into strips Vegetables: 5-6 asparagus stalks, sliced or shredded carrots, 1 cup broccoli, ¼ rep pepper sliced up, ¼ cup mushrooms. You can use almost any vegetables you have in the fridge in any proportion that suits your taste 2tbsp frozen and thawed peas 3 chopped leaves of Basil ½ onion (I used a red onion) 2-3 chopped garlic cloves ½tsp minced ginger 3tbsp soy sauce 1tbsp olive oil (or oil of choice) A squirt or hit of lemon juice (optional) Spices: 1tbsp chilli powder (or more depending on taste) 1tsp garlic powder 1tsp onion powder ¼ – ½tsp red pepper flakes 1tsp dried oregano ½ – 1tsp paprika 1½tsp ground cumin 1tsp salt (or less depending on taste) 1tsp freshly ground black pepper 1tsp coriander (optional if you want more kick) A dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions: 1. In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil, once fully heated, add red pepper flakes, garlic and ginger.

2. Coat beef with all the remaining dry spices and add to skillet. Add soy sauce. Add additional spices if necessary.

Stir fry on high heat until beef is either slightly rare or cooked to medium (3-5 minutes).

Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. Add peas, onions, basil, and vegetables and 2 tablespoon of water. Stir fry on medium heat for 5-8 minutes until vegetables look cooked but crispy.

4. Return the beef to the pan and stir fry for another 2 minutes until everything is mixed.

Photos: Big Stock

Nowreen is a banker by day and pursues her love for cooking, running and yoga by night. She maintains a recipe blog at www.banglishkitchen.com where she celebrates her love for food, and talks about her interest in fitness, family and all things related to building a great life (Republished with permission)

Myth1: Smoothies give you the perfect amount of nutrients Although smoothies do include raw fruits and vegetables, once they have been juiced, as opposed to blended or pulped, the fruits lose their natural fibre.

Furthermore, when consumers swap carbonated drinks for smoothies they mistakenly believe that they are reducing their sugar intake. Truth be told, smoothies usually contain more sugar than you would imagine, especially in Bangladesh since most juice bars tend to add sugar to their juices.

chicken will be just about the same calories, while providing you with a balanced diet and a fuller stomach.

Myth 3:

Myth 2:

Smoothies contain less calories than the fruit itself and can be very filling

Any regular fruit and vegetable smoothie has anything from 200-500 calories. On the contrary, a moderately healthy lunch of a cup of rice and some grilled

Juicing improves digestion While it is true that the water and nutrients in fruits and vegetables are utilised in smoothies and juices, however, the vital fibre is left out. The fibre that is left out is the one thing that is directly responsible for preventing diseases and aiding digestion.

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

18 | TRAVELOGUE

Unleashing the daredevil

How far are you ready to push yourself ? If you think that you have a daredevil in you and your thirst for extreme sports in unquenchable, you need to try out these thrilling activities from around the world

| Tausif Sanzum

Cage diving with sharks The adrenaline rush factor – Deep inside the ocean, locked in a cage, surrounded by sharks; better make sure that the steel bars of the cage are strong enough to stop these beautiful but ferocious creatures from making you their next meal.

Best place to experience this adventure Cape Town, South Africa

The adrenaline rush factor – It’s you going against a 50 feet wave and your sole weapon is a six feet tall surf board. It might seem simple but just wait till the giant waves hit you.

Best places to experience this adventure California and Tahiti

Bungee jumping The adrenaline rush factor – The exhilarating thrill of free fall from a tall cliff with nothing but just a rope tied around your ankle. This might be the closest you can come to flying up until you try base jumping.

Big wave surfing AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

Best place to experience this adventure South Africa

TRAVELOGUE |

19

The adrenaline rush factor – Not sure if this is more dangerous than bike riding in the deadly roads of Dhaka city. Jokes aside, this is definitely a pulsating experience for bike lovers who are not afraid to break their bike or bones. Biking through a rough terrain on a mountain bike, what can be more dare devilish? One might answer Heli biking.

Best places to experience this adventure North Wakes and Alpine ski resorts

Mountain biking

Zorbing

The adrenaline rush factor – The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-rolling festival might have been the inspiration behind this sport. It involves being strapped in a giant transparent plastic ball and being rolled down the slope of a mountain. If this is not adventurous enough for you then wait till you hear the next part – most of the plastic balls do not have straps to hold you in one place and allows you to bounce inside as you roll down the hill.

Best place to experience this adventure Rotorua, New Zealand

Photos: Big Stock

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

20 | news Brothers Furniture opens outlet at Mohammadpur Ring Road Brothers Furniture broadens its horizons by opening up another big showroom at Mohammadpur Ring Road in Dhaka. Md Elias Sarker, managing director of Brothers Furniture Ltd. formally inaugurated their new outlet recently. Marketing director Md Sharifuzzaman Sarkar and head of marketing AKM Monir

Hossain were also present at the opening ceremony.

The new showroom is arranged with sofa sets, almiras, bed sets, dressing tables, dining tables among other items in striking designs. For more details call 01926680852 or visit www.brothersfurniture.com.bd.

Dano Shera Boishakhi Recipe Contest

Arla Foods Bangladesh Ltd. recently held Dano Shera Boishakhi Recipe Contest on their Facebook page. Top the winners were selected and given prizes. The first, second and the third prizes were given to Mayank

Paul, Ratri Feroze and Reedoy Paul respectively. Zertab Quaderi, category manager of Arla Foods Bangladesh Ltd. was present at the prize giving ceremony.

From left to right: Zaved Akhtar, Professor Dr Shahin Islam, Kaniz Almas, panelist and Adiba Ali

Beauty is a state of mind – Dove Dove, a brand of Unilever Bangladesh, organised an event titled Dove

Patches Campaign on April 19. Through a unique experiment held globally, the campaign has successfully established that beauty is just a source of confidence, not anxiety and it’s a state of mind. “By illustrating through the Dove: Patches film that a positive state of mind and openness can help them feel more beautiful, we hope to inspire all women and help change the way they see in themselves,” said Zaved Akhtar, brand building director, Unilever Bangladesh. To commemorate this event, Kaniz Almas (Persona), Adiba Ali (Figurina), Professor Dr Shahin Islam (chairman, Department of Educational and Counseling, Psychology, Dhaka University) and Zaved Akhtar (brand building director, Personal Care, UBL) were present including many more renowned personalities who are established at the peak of success in their respective fields.

UPTO 30% OFF! DON'T MISS THE CLEARANCE!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream staged at NSU

In a two day long “Annual Drama 2014” held on April 20 and 21, 2014, the students of NSU performed in a comedy play by Sir William Shakespeare titled “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Organised by The Cine & Drama Club of NSU (NSUCDC), the annual drama performance which has been a regular activity of NSUCDC for the last 22 years has yet again won the heart of the audience.

On April 21, professor Amin Sarkar, vice chancellor attended as the chief guest and professor ANM Meshquat Uddin, pro vice chancellor, NSU chaired the session. Celebrities like Dr Enamul Haque, chairman and academic director, The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art (ICSBA), Rokeya Prachi and Afzal Hossain, actor and activist were also seated to enjoy the comedy. Dr M Emdadul Haq, club coordinator, NSU and Dilara Afroz Khan, faculty advisor of NSUCDC delivered speeches on the occasion.

Midseason Madness with Urban Truth!

Go check out your nearest UT showroom NOW, for their Midseason Markdown Clearance! Up to 30% off on selected products, you don’t want to miss this!

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014

To celebrate Bangla New Year 1421, EMK Center organised “Borsho Borone Baulera” by Pallu Baul Unnayan Shangstha on April 13, 2014

AVE N U E T SATU R DAY, APR I L 26, 20 1 4

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, AP R I L 26 , 2014