Avenue T Volume 2 Issue 9

Dhaka Tribune | Saturday, July 5, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 9

earthy

essentials

Healthy fasting habits

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Contents

AvenueT inside...

Editor’s note The clay chemistry

Editor

8

Zafar Sobhan

Executive Editor

Shahriar Karim

Managing Editor

Jahangir Hyder

Magazine Editor

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

5

The versatile Toyota Yari 2013

Asst. Magazine Editor

16

Nature’s secrets

Mahmood Hossain

Avenue T team

Khan N Moushumi N Anita Amreen Sabah Rahman Tausif Sanzum Sabiha Akond Rupa

Contributors

Agony Aunt Dina Sobhan Natasha Rahman Abdur Rafi Khondaker Tahsin Momin Adila Hoque

Photography

Syed Latif Hossain Sabiha Akond Rupa

Graphics

Alamgir Hossain Md Mahbub Alam

Colour specialist

Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood

Production

Masum Billah

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The female purse-uit

2 Tuned Arthouse cinema

12 Trending Getting purse-onal

3 Try Out Nature’s flare

13 Tailored Man jewellery

4 Tech Galaxy S5

14 Tempt Grounded beauty

5 Tires The Yaris sedan

15 Ticket Budget guide

The flipside of love 8 Tucked In The clayground 9 Take Care Easing into Ramadan 10 TrIAL Room The shopping evolution

16 TRAVELOGUE Relaxing shores

7 Tell

Dear Readers, As Ramadan descends upon us, the first week takes a little getting used to. For a month that features abstinence from food, it is the time when food is uppermost on our mind. From getting the ingredients to preparing it, to the agonising wait for Maghrib to sanction its consumption, everything else takes a back seat.

Keeping that in mind, we hope this issue helps ground you.

Kick back and calm your senses with a soothing mud pack. Our Tempt guide will show you how. Join us in the Trial Room as we discuss ways in which we do our groceries have changed. Check out our special Take Care session on getting through the first week, the healthy way.

Ramadan Kareem!

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Editor, Avenue T

18 Tantalise Iftar offers around town 19-20 News

Chaldal.com and Unimart on changing retail experiences

10

Advertising

Shahidan Khurshed

Circulation

Wahid Murad

Contact us

avenuet@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com

This week Monsoon comes with all its earthy flavours - a blessing for those fasting in the summer Photo: Syed Latif Hossain Model: Sabiha Akond Rupa

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2 | Tuned in celeb buzz

Art house treats | Abdur Rafi Khondaker

Le Chef Director: Daniel Cohen Starring: Jean Reno, Michaël Youn, Raphaelle Agogue

The Railway Man

cousin, becomes Ewa’s only hope to escape the horrendous situation she ends up in.

Director: Jonathan Teplitzky Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Stellan Skarsgård

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Director: Wes Anderson Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric Gustave H is a well known caretaker

Pattinson, Scoot McNairy Jacky (Michael Youn) is an ambitious man who taught himself to be a chef.

Even though he has the gift, luck fails to be in his favour. On the other hand, star chef Alexandre Lagarde (Jean Reno) also goes through a rough time in his career wit the situation might even causing him to give up his much-loved restaurant.

A series of events allow Jacky and Lagarde to work together in the fascinating world of French cuisine.

Soon, Lagarde’s traditional way of catering is faced with challenges that he tries to overcome by teaming up with Jacky.

at a famous European hotel where a war is about to break out. Zero Mustafa is a lobby boy who soon becomes his most loyal friend. A renaissance painting goes missing and the movie tells the story of its recovery. The fight for an enormous family fortune takes place at the same time. All this while, the continent continues to change.

The Rover Director: David Michôd Starring: Guy Pearce, Robert

10 years after a worldwide economic breakdown, a hardened loner pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car. Along the way, he catches the brother of one of the thieves, and the duet form an uncomfortable bond during the dangerous journey they set out on.

As he travels the desolate towns and roads of the outback, a gang of thieves steal his precious car leaving Rey (Pattinson) behind in their wake. Forcing Rey to assist in tracking the crew, Eric will dodge any obstacles to take back the one thing that still matters to him.

This movie is based on the bestselling autobiography and it unravels the astonishing and heroic true story of Eric Lomax (Colin Firth), a British army officer. Eric Lomax is held captive at a Japanese labour camp as a prisoner of war during World War II. After decades have gone by, Eric Lomax and his love interest Patti (Nicole Kidman) find out that the Japanese interpreter who was responsible for Lomax’s suffering is still alive. So the couple embark on a quest to confront him and the lingering past.

The Immigrant Director: James Gray Starring: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner

in Dhaka

June 25 - July 19

Ewa Cybulski and her sister Magda leave their home in Poland and sail to New York seeking a new beginning.

Soon after the sisters reach Ellis Island, Magda is found to be in poor health and this causes them to part ways. Ewa is left all alone in the busy city of Manhattan and she has no idea what to do. Soon, she crosses paths with Bruno who forces her into prostitution. Later, Orlando, Bruno’s

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Urban Experiences Venue: Bengal Art Lounge

this week

July 18 – July 19

ERA House - Eid Exhibition VI Venue: Efes

Try Out | diy

The carved lantern

I tried it

This Ramadan try your hand at creating your very own carved lantern. This natural craft is not meant for the faint-hearted, but rather for those who have the creative passion and patience required to master this art form. This week Avenue T talks to the leading ladies behind Food Art to learn insider tips on creating a centrepiece inspired by nature, light and passion

| N Anita Amreen

| N Anita Amreen

You’ll need

• 4 bottle gourds (Lau) in four sizes • 1 knife with a thick blade • 1 knife with a thin blade • 4 small bowls/cups • 4 small candles •

Directions

1

Cut off the tail of one bottle gourd. Keep slicing that part in circles until you have chopped off another 2cm. If you place the gourd on the table diagonally, the round edge will not allow the gourd to be stably seated. To flatten out the edge, cut it in circles again till you can comfortably place the gourd on the table.

2

Working from the top end make a hollow by taking your thick knife and start carving and scooping out the seeds and the spongy flesh from the insides, working towards the edge. Don’t make the outer shell too thin, stop when you reach half an inch from the circumference of the bottle gourd. Continue doing this until the insides of the gourd have been scooped out evenly.

3 4

Wash the gourd.

From the top end, begin creating triangular edges that point to the top. The crevice of every triangle being not more than an inch.

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3

Meena Herbal’s Uptan Price: Tk70 Rating: 4/5 Meena Herbal has recently hit the market with a range of organic face packs and beauty masks meant to rival other leading brands.

Their uptan, one of the more popular face packs, is made with sandalwood, turmeric, amlaki, tulsi, multani mitti, lentil powder and neem leaves, among other ingredients. Upon first look, the uptan seems neatly packed in a small, sealed plastic bag with the instructions and direction for use clearly labelled on the pack. They state how each tablespoon of uptan is meant to be mixed with just enough water to create a light paste or even mixed with olive oil instead of water for those with dry skin. The first difference I noticed about the uptan is the colour - instead of the bright yellowish tinge of regular uptans, Meena Herbal’s one tends to have a more subdued greyish tone, possibly because of the use of more multani mitti instead of holud. The wateruptan mix is light and creamy.

Photo: Food Art

Take a pencil and subtly trace out the outline of your preferred design on the skin of the bottle gourd. Draw rectangles and/or squares that you would like to cut out.

Once you have drawn your design, cut out each shape using a thin knife.

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Repeat the sequence on the other three gourds.

Place a small cup in the centre of each gourd. On the cup place a small, flat candle and light up your very first personally carved lantern.

Since it takes a while to dry (about 15 to 20 minutes), it’s best to use it somewhere you don’t mind leaving dry uptan flakes. Once I washed it off, the results were subtle, yet evident – just what I’d expected. It helped get rid of dirt and excess oil off my skin, leaving it feeling much tighter and slightly brighter than before. Although I used the pack at night, it seemed that the effects were much more visible in the morning after.

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Arrange all four lanterns on a cane or a crystal tray and embellish with fresh flowers.

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4 | Tech troubleshooting

Chat heads are back | Mahmood Hossain

gadgets

Revisiting district 5 | Mahmood Hossain We took a second round of the hands-on approach to the Galaxy S5 Samsung likes to believe their flagship phone will always be up to par against the competition. It’s inevitable for brands to outdo the others once the recent version of a smartphone has been released and tested. Since we’ve seen the likes of the HTC One (M8) and LG’s new monster, it was only tempting to compare the S5 with the new kids on the block.

For a long while, it was all fine and dandy when Facebook had its own desktop version of their chat messenger. Alternatively, most of us chat through our smartphones. But it can become a hassle when we’re at the office or home and have to reach for our phones rather than sending messages through our desktop.

Faces.im is here to save the day.

Faces.im is a Google Chrome extension that brings the Facebook Chat Heads right to your desktop. Your friend’s head pops up on your desktop as it would on your phone. But the cool addition to this is when you attempt a mouse over the Chat Head a small window appears with a preview of the sender’s most recent message. While the Facebook mobile app opens up a drop-down window, clicking on Faces.im, Chrome opens up a new window for the message.

This also allows you to access all of your Facebook messages.

The Chat Heads will also remain visible on any new tabs you wish to open in Chrome. You don’t have to drag the Chat Heads anywhere to rid of them like you would on your phone either.

There’s a small “x” on the top right corner of the dial so you can close them easily. Now, you have easy access to your Facebook messages without leaving your current tab on your browser.

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

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Specs and performance

With features galore, the S5 isn’t too far off from the new competitors. There’s no gulfing class separating the two parties. In fact, the average consumer won’t be able to tell the difference apart from the design and presentation.

Each phone has its advantages and appeal, catering to those who are in search of specific attributes in a smartphone. For example, the Galaxy S5’s camera is still pretty darn impressive. The shutter speed is incredible – in a blink of an eye – and accurate when taking photos. The overall swipe and other gestures are still as smooth

as ever.

Design and appearance

This was never Samsung’s strong suit. It’s disappointing that after a couple of tries Samsung still hasn’t focused enough on the outer appearance. It’s not as sexy as the Xperia Z series or as edgy as the HTC phones. Taking a

step inside, the UI can still make you cringe. It’s heartbreaking to learn that such an amazing phone can be let down by its design. However, holding the phone for regular use still remains comfortable; the grip is something to note.

Final verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is still a great phone. Now that the price has dropped a little, in particular areas, it should be more of a reason for those who want value for the buck to purchase this flagship. Putting the manufacturing materials aside, the S5 has plenty of wonderful features for an Android phone. It still remains a best buy.

apps

As swift as possible | Mahmood Hossain The best keyboard replacement app is now free

The makers of SwiftKey have interestingly decided to make their app available for free. This is, with no legitimate competition, the best Android keyboard you can have. This app will replace your stock Android keyboard, giving you a better experience when typing messages. New

Android phones may already have the prediction technology in their keyboards, but SwiftKey is pretty quick on picking up your typing habits. The prediction technology allows you to choose a word that pops up on top of the keyboard without you having to finish typing that particular word.

With plenty of practice, typing a single sentence will only take a moment or two to finish.

Overtime, the predictions will improve; the more you use SwiftKey the better it gets. Now that it’s free, you’ll be able to take full advantage of its features.

They’ve decided to only charge you to customise the keyboard to your liking. But the app already provides you plenty of colourful keyboards to choose from. In addition, the new updated version now has the numbers attached to the top row, which you can add by tinkering with the settings.

Once the new iOS8 rolls out, iPhone users will also be able to take advantage of SwiftKey. For the moment Apple restricts thirdparty instalments of keyboards.

And of course, it will remain free.

Worth the download? You bet.

Tires | wheels

Road rage

2014 Toyota Yaris

Moonly craters

| Tahsin Momin

| Tausif Sanzum

It might not be big on space but it is definitely big on luxury With the 2014 Yaris, Toyota yet again delivers its buyers with a quality car that has remarkably less fuel consumption and surprisingly stunning comfort features. The impeccable versatility and the reliability of a Toyota make the Yaris a perfect choice for the day-to-day commuter.

Exterior

The Yaris Sedan is available with nine colour choices; red mica metallic, silky beige metallic, grey metallic, attitude black mica, super white 2, silver metallic, quartz brown metallic, greyish blue metallic, and frozen blue metallic.

There are colour-keyed front and rear bumpers, side rocker panels, and side mirrors. All these things add a glamourous look to the car.

The chrome accent front grille and the door handles give an additional blazing touch.

Available at : Navana Toyota 3S Center 205-207, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208 Phone: 880-2-9892911, 880-29893048, 880-2-9851212

Interior

On the inside, the seats are covered in quality fabric upholstery and they have the resourcefulness of adjusting the driver’s seat in six-ways and have four-way adjustable passenger seats with seatback pockets. The cabin is truly exotic with a touch of gloss and superiority. The front and rear seats have a good amount of space for keeping your head and legs. The rear can be folded to create more space for your luggage. The boot provided in this Toyota Yaris Sedan is not much. The space is only for keeping small luggages. The Yaris come equipped with key-less entry, push start and a CD player with MP3 compatibility along with steering controls. All-in-all the interior of the Yaris is quite good with an extensive use of expensive materials.

and smart-stop technology are all standard on the Yaris. It also has something called “vehicle stability control system” which controls the stability of the car. It prevents the car from skidding, under-steering and over-steering. The smart-stop technology on the other hand helps in stopping the car if the accelerator and brakes are pressed at the same time. It even features a tire pressure monitoring system, which lets the driver know if any tire has less pressure. And like all cars these days, the front and rear airbags are standard. Also, the front seatbelts have pre-tensioners with force limiters which keep you in place in case of any jolt or bump.

If you’re looking for a perfect combination of comfort, economy and reliability, then this is the car for you. On a highway you might have a hard time overtaking because of the puny 2NZ-FE but it handles brilliantly and is fun to drive.

Apart from that, it is a great city car that looks fantastic. And more importantly, there is the reliability of Toyota. Who would dare to question that?

Performance

The Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.3litre 2NZ-FE engine that produces 85HP coupled up with a CVT transmission. The engine might not be the most powerful of the lot but it definitely shows signs of promise.

Hauling in traffic or highway does not require much effort. And due to its lesser horsepower, the Yaris delivers superbly on the fuel mileage. The estimated fuel mileage is 12km/l in city and 15km/l on highway.

Safety

The 2014 Toyota Yaris comes loaded with safety features. Traction control, anti-lock brake system,

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AUTO CORRECT

How essential are mud flaps on your vehicle?

Vehicles that are well kept will last longer and serve their owners better than those that are not maintained properly. Dirt, however, is inevitable, especially for cars. Mud and rocks are just some of the dirt that can damage your vehicle. To reduce any severe damage on a vehicle’s body, a durable mud flap set should be installed. This auto part can prevent road grime from reaching the vehicle’s body. While protecting the car body from dents or scratches, it also shields the mirrors and glasses from the solid road dirt that can leave these fragile parts with cracks.

The roads of Dhaka have become nightmarish, thanks to a number of factors from which potholes are topping the list. On any given road in the city you will come across craters that resemble those found on the moon. No one exactly knows how they emerged.

Thanks to the rainy season these holes overflow with dirty water and it becomes almost impossible to detect them, particularly after sunset. This leads to a number of road accidents. The medical expenses incurred due to this further add to the victim’s woes.

Rickshaw rides which have traditionally been considered a source of joy and romance, turn

into death rides as the vehicles try to avoid these holes, resulting in the most uncomfortable bumpy rides. This adds to traffic jams as the movement of vehicles becomes slow.

A lot of cities around the world are known for their weird sights.

Dhaka, too, can pride itself on its scenic traffic jams and the hilarity of people casually falling into water pits – all resulting from the chain reaction caused by these wonderful death holes.

While other countries have hot springs, we have smelly springs.

The dirt accumulated in these holes combined with rain water gives out a pungent smell. This fills the atmosphere with what can only be referred as the opposite of “delight.”

The fact that municipality officers leave them unattended only adds to this misery.

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.

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6 | Tell letters to Mars

Commitment phobia Q Three years ago I broke up with my girlfriend of six years. I was madly in love with her and I really thought we’d get married. However, since I wanted some time until we got married, she couldn’t wait and left me over something this petty. I’ve never been able to get over her. I began talking to this other woman, F, two months ago. She seems perfect in every way, but somehow I just can’t see myself getting married to her. I want to be with her but I’m afraid to tell her that there never will be marriage in the cards. What do I do AA?

A

Oh la lah! You were madly in love and after six years you were not ready to make a commitment? And now you discover that you cannot do it with this lady either? Well, you may be just one of the many young men who nowadays do not want to grow up. Come to think of it, all of us are afraid of growing up, but the alternative is not pretty - living in the la-la land means never having to confront oneself with one’s own fears - fears of being good enough to deal with life. Courage comes by doing, not by not doing. Courage is a muscle we have, but we need to exercise every day, when life gives us the opportunity.

We often hear people who physically exercise say, “Look I have muscles now!”

No, they always had those muscles in their bodies, but now they are aware of them and they are developing stronger and fuller. Come on, you have those muscles, use them. You will get your six packs in being a full human being.

drama mama

Self-destructive | Dina Sobhan My daughter is in love with a man we strongly disapprove of. We assumed this was another infatuation that would eventually pass, but she has been with this man for over a year now. He’s a self-centred drug addict who leeches off his parents’ money.

Last week, I overheard her talking to someone about running away from home to get married. She has been battling clinical depression throughout her teenage years and has always been a bit of a hot head. Unfortunately, her temper has not abated even now in her early 20s. She also has had suicidal tendencies so I’m scared to tell her anything that might drive her over the edge. I just don’t know how to get through to her. Please help?

Photo: Big Stock

Your daughter is not thinking clearly or using proper judgment.

While her age may be a small contributing factor – the early 20s is still considered young in terms of experience – the predominant cause is her temperament. As someone with clinical depression and volatile emotions, she is probably acting out. Those who have difficulties contending with their emotions frequently engage in impulsive activity and look to others for love and acceptance. While her choice of partner may seem unusual to you, your daughter is drawn to him because he offers her excitement and an escape from herself and her feelings. However, drug addicts are notoriously unreliable and unstable as partners, and this relationship will not end well. She may already be engaging in drug use and other dangerous behaviours. It is in your best interest to intervene now, despite any fears you may have of driving her over the edge, because waiting may result in a far worse scenario. Explain to her that you are concerned for her welfare, through a formal intervention if necessary. If she is unwilling to listen, you may have to consider more drastic measures such as seeking professional help in an inpatient facility, particularly if she has suicidal tendencies.

Dina Sobhan is a free-lance writer, a part-time counsellor and a full-time mom

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

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 see her clients Photo: Big Stock

Aries (MAR 21-APR 19) This week you’ll be spending a good amount of time reflecting.

You may feel lonely, but don’t you worry - you’ll soon receive conformation from a loved one that you’re not alone.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) A blessing is coming your way for you to capitalise upon. Grab all new opportunities that cross your path.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) This week is the best time for you to take a step back and heal all the past wounds that you’ve been avoiding all this time. Just remember, anything in your heart that isn’t a complete “yes” is a definite “no.”

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) This week is the perfect time for you to clear out any mess that you’re in. Getting rid of the clutter will help you bring in positive energy, which is something your worn out mind desperately needs.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) Stay true to yourself. Stick to any decision you may have made - no matter what others tell you.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) This week might be a good time for you to get some rest, do some self-healing. Surround yourself with positive people, do something constructive; do not engage in any negative thoughts and stay away from people who bring dark energy.

Horos

scope

Tell |

7

letters to Venus

Swayed

A

Q

From a very young age, I have felt this indifference when it came to the sexual side of life. While I did enjoy exploring myself here and there, it never felt like anything extraordinary to me. I got married nine years ago and have a 3-year-old child. I’ve had a female best friend K for over 16 years now.

We’ve been extremely close and love each other to death. Last year my father died and she was my greatest pillar of support – often staying over to help me cope. Three months ago, in the heat of the moment, we ended up kissing. I feel something for her that I haven’t felt for anyone else. We’ve been secretly seeing each other behind my husband’s back but I feel guilty for feeling the way I feel. Can you help me understand what’s going on with me?

Photo: Big Stock

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) This is a time for being grateful for what you have in life. Solitude will do you good; take a walk and engage in deep-thinking.

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) A happy change is coming your way.

Any family issue will be fixed. You will be more in control due to the new-found peace in your life.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) It is high time you looked inside yourself and thought about all the other things you could possibly do. It is an opportunity to make changes as you will be on the peak of spiritual growth.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) This is the time for you to stand your ground and follow your heart.

Pursue any passion that flares up inside you. You will be surrounded by opportunities, so keep calm, and grab them.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 19) It looks like as if you’re at the end of a cycle in your life. Not knowing what the next step is might be a frightening notion, but do not give in. You are in a position of self-empowerment; remember the lessons learned from the past.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Spend some alone time. Your stillness of thought will change the way you view yourself. You’ll feel more in control despite all the daily struggles and it will help you cope with all the difficulties piling up in front of your door.

It is possible to develop a passion for a friend who has been loving and kind to us. I think you are asking me if you have found out that you are more inclined to love a woman rather than a man. From what I know, people do not choose to be homosexual versus heterosexual; some of us are born to be more in tune with people of the same sex and some to be more in tune with people of the opposite sex. Some, given some circumstances in their lives again feel more familiar with people of the same sex. Unfortunately because it is believed that being in love with someone of the same sex is a degeneration, it creates a great deal of trauma for the people involved and for those close to them. I have had many clients who developed sudden feelings for a close friend be it of the same sex or not, sometimes it is because of sad events in their lives, sometimes it is the discovery of a latent feeling. Give it time, do not feel shame; shame never makes anyone change their behaviour. Give time to understand yourself, your relationship with your husband as well.

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

tease

Dear Mr Nice Guy | Sabah Rahman Men need to stop complaining that nice guys always finish last.

We’re bored of that old story. Doing nice deeds for someone and expecting them to let you into their hearts, (let’s get real - their pants) is not a nice thing at all. We don’t want jerks, it’s just that we don’t want doormats either Dear Mr Generous

Buying your way into someone’s life is never a great idea. Do you have absolutely no confidence in yourself as a human being? Do you not possess a decent sense of humour? Are you absolutely hideous?

You sir, are just plain lazy. You don’t want to use your wits to spark someone’s interest like normal men do. You would rather shell out big bucks and expect the lady in question to show you her appreciation with love (or at least a roll in the hay). And when she still doesn’t see you as someone she would date, you say she used you to buy her things. Did she actually ever ask for any of those gifts you showered on her? Is she actually a materialistic cow or are you just bitter? In the case that she was really using you, you don’t have our compassion. Maybe you aren’t very smart when you don’t know you were very obviously played.

you for granted for that reason exactly.

Get your own life if you don’t want to get friend zoned

Dear Mr D-bag

So you call yourself a nice guy? What kind of jerk does that? A person who is kind to others doesn’t need to go around telling people how awesome he is. It’s like giving to charity just so you can post it on Facebook and boast about it. You definitely won’t even make it to the friend zone.

Stop being that guy or you will actually finish last.

Dear Mr Always There

We can’t turn around without you, always there, standing around like an obedient puppy, waiting to be told what to do. We can’t breathe because you’re all up in our business, voluntarily running our errands, trying to give us rides home and just always being there in general. We take

Photo: Big Stock

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8 | Tucked in Digs & Finds Take your pick from Cuteness Er Dibba’s gift boxes presented to you in four vibrant colours Photographer : Sabiha Akond Rupa Shop: Cuteness Er Dibba Address: Road # 72, House # 3/A, Gulshan-2, 1212 Dhaka, Bangladesh

decor

Art of clay | Sabiha Akond Rupa

Nothing beats the beauty of rustic dĂŠcor that is inspired by Mother Nature itself. Clay showpieces are one such souvenir that add that earthy, artistic feel to your home Clay wind chimes: The Chinese believed that clay wind chimes can cure negative energies at home.

The best places to hang them are the balcony, patio and the garden.

Clay cups, plates and bowls: Yes, you read that right. I am talking about using clay crockery items that can add grace and sophistication to your dinner table. You can always serve tea in clay teapots and cups.

You can even take these chic clay plates, bowls and jars to serve dinner when you have guests over.

Clay planters: A touch of green definitely contributes to making your home all the more environment friendly. You can go with small clay planters for your writing table or bedside table and save the bigger ones for the balcony or for placing beside the window.

Clay pottery: At your nearest pottery store, you can find unique clay pottery that come in different shapes, patterns and colours. You may find them a little expensive but they truly accentuate the elegance of your home. You can collect different types of clay pottery and place them on a wooden shelf in your living room or beside your bookshelf or even on a vintage wooden side table in your corridor.

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Buddha, the mythological character Sakuntala or even your favourite owl sculptures in the stores among other statuettes.

Air-dried clay jewellery and tray: These days, many stores in Dhaka

stock stunning, air-dried jewellery items. To organise your jewellery collection, you can look for small clay jewellery trays to give an earthy look to your dressing table and it will truly change the decor of your room.

Clay sculptures and masks: If you like collecting exclusive pieces of art then you should definitely add clay sculptures and masks to your list. You may find the laughing

Shops: You can find clay showpieces at Idea Crafts, Aarong, Aranya, Jatra, Source, BRAC Kanon, roadside shops near Doyel Chottor (DU) and many other places.

Take care |

Ramadan Special Week 1

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The Ramadan

get-up-and-go guide | Natasha Rahman

For all those who think Ramadan is a time to slack off a little, sleep a little longer, gorge on greasy food and forget about the gym - well, here’s a how-to on how you can easily transition into the first week of Ramadan feeling more energised than ever!

Rest

Diet

The health plate

Get your shuteye

Yes, we need to wake out of the peaceful slumber of our sleep in the middle of the night for sehri, pray and then go back to sleep only to be jostled awake by our 7am alarm clock. The first day is bound to be a little rocky on your sleep cycle, but it’s really not that big of a deal.

To compensate for the lost hours of sweet sleep, you could either take a power nap - and I mean a power nap - of about 30 minutes and immediately take a quick cold shower after. For the office goers, do try to tuck in early to bed and if no one’s watching, sneak a few minutes of sleep on your desk during prayer breaks and wash your face after.

Natasha Rahman is an aerobics instructor at The Dazzle Ltd. She is also the Assistant Editor for Tmag. She lives to eat and doesn’t believe in starving oneself to look stunning

In the first week of Ramadan, you can’t completely wash your hands off of the grease and smear off the Ramadan “bhajaporas” but you can obviously slide off some of that from your plate.

Of course, you should try that delish haleem, the juicy dahi baras, and the crunchy jalebis, but try eating a bowl full of a shredded beef or chicken salad (without mayo and salad dressing of course), add lots of tofu, mushrooms, carrots, cucumbers, green beans.

Squeeze lemon juice, add pepper, and some chillis and you have a powerhouse of a high in fibre health bowl ready for you. Drink loads of coconut water and give the Roohafzah a break.

Burn

Working those muscles

Even though it’s the first week of Ramadan, fasting does not buy you an excuse to quit working out. In fact, if you haven’t started yet, lace up those gym sneakers already! For those who can take time off of work, either join a cardio or yoga class nearby. For the ones at home, try either brisk walking or even climb stairs a few times till you are sweating.

Remember, you must sweat it out. Fasting or not, in no way should you ever push yourself to a breaking point. Always make a judgment call and don’t stress your heart. If you need to stop, please stop. Some can do an intense cardio session on an empty stomach, if that’s not your cuppa, then go for a quick tabata yoga session which is high in intensity and has quick bursts of effort for 20 seconds and then 10 second rest and again 20 seconds of high intensity moves. If that is too intense, start off with mild beginners’ stretching and hip opening yoga to let your body sweat, release tension and get stronger.

Photos: Big Stock

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10 | Trial room

A shopper’s Web therapy with Chaldal.com

Waseem Alim and Zia Ashraf, founders of Chaldal.com give us a fairly clear insight into their recent endeavour - an online retail and consumer merchandise. Will this new online market in the country revolutionise grocery-shopping?

| Adila Haque

Q A

Is there a need for online shopping in Bangladesh?

Definitely. With the increasing trend in the working population, less people are being able to comfortably fit grocery in their weekly to-do list. Chaldal. com gives them the opportunity to do a wide range of shopping whilst confined in the comfort of their own homes. Indeed, it is for the more pragmatic set of minds.

Our biggest clients are working mothers who have to find a very difficult balance between work and babysitting. In addition, lives are getting busier and household help is getting more and more difficult to appoint - all this makes online grocery a very urgent necessity in some homes. Online grocery shopping will not remedy all their time issues, but it can certainly help reduce the stress by a fair margin.

Q

Why do you think online shopping is becoming increasingly popular in this subcontinent?

A.

Online shopping offers a lot of choice for consumers who do not have the time to step out of their work premises. What makes grocery-shopping different from other online retailers is that grocery shopping is a greater necessity and people need to do it very frequently.

Q A.

What made you venture out into this route of business in the first place?

Well, initially, we noticed how very densely populated Bangladesh is which makes the country a very lucrative choice for potential business. Online shopping will flourish in a country such as ours, where the population is growing almost exponentially.

Q A

What do you think is the biggest fear of consumers who use your service?

Their biggest fear, according to me, is reliability. Since online

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, J U ly 5, 2014

shopping is a newly emerged island, it is difficult for customers to trust that the products we deliver to their homes are of the best quality we can find. Also, given our current situation of the toxicity present in our groceries, their distrust in us is, to an extent, legitimate. We, however, do our very best to ensure the finest quality products.

Q A

What steps have you taken to make sure the food you deliver is of good quality?

Most consumers like to handpick their produce, and since that is not possible with online retail marketing, we do our very best to make sure our customers are not disappointed with us. We deal with very specific suppliers and we always make sure that they deliver their topmost produce to us. Secondly, we have our very own quality control department that ensures quality is not sacrificed in the whole process. Of course, we also replace a produce within seven days of delivery if a customer is unsatisfied.

Q A

What do you think is the major hurdle in the budding of this newly formed industry?

The biggest obstacle in our way, I believe, is lack of sponsorship. Enough money is not being invested by sponsors in fear of sheer failure. Although, Chaldal.com has made very good progress in a very short time in this country, it will be a long time before it should completely take over conventional grocers, really.

Despite the “digitalisation” going on in our motherland, it will be a good many decade before online shopping will tower over our heroic grocers.

Q A

What, in your opinion, can conventional supermarkets and grocers offer that you can’t?

There are three things that we cannot possibly supply to our customers. There are many housewives who will always be

more comfortable picking their own produce - they wouldn’t have it any other way. We also cannot provide the grocer-consumer relationship that often forms in conventional retailers. Finally, we do not offer our customers a chance to bargain - and it is a habit that many of us do endorse. But since we purchase our products directly from the manufacturers and wholesalers, the absence of the middlemen in the process helps cut down the overall price of the products enabling us to sell them at their MRP value.

Q A

Tell us a little about the growth of this industry.

Well, in its infancy, the business was slow - like it is with any other business. However, in just a few months as it gained more popularity it started growing at a very abrupt rate. Even though the growth isn’t as good as it should be, we’ve actually been

very impressed.

Q

What do you think is the future of Chaldal.com - and other possible future online retailers in our country?

A

We believe the future of this industry in a country such as ours is very positive. Even though we’re selling everything at their MRP value, we are making good profit with every transaction. In addition, combined with the ease with which this kind of shopping is done, I do believe that with further “digitalisation” this economy has a lot to expect from this industry.

So far, we’ve been very impressed with the government’s efforts, but with further attempts at “Digital Bangladesh,” I think we’d lurch with greater profit.

11

Trial room|

shuttle Unimart - revolutionising your shopping experience

Gone are the days where you battle your way through kitchen markets and bargain hunt for the best telapia, flawless tomatoes or fresh mint leaves. With the introduction of mini-malls and supermarkets women have finally found a convenient way to breeze through their shopping experience.

Avenue T talks to Malik Talha, Director of Unimart, one the first and most comprehensive hypermarkets in the capital

| N Anita Amreen

A

I think it sort of came about as a by product of one of our other businesses. As United group we concentrate on several business sectors, the key among which is real estate. This was one of our real estate projects and we basically were looking to rent it out. We developed this floor particularly for a large supermarket or a hypermarket.

However, entrepreneurs just wanted to rent parts of the floor, not the entire floor. We then decided to open our own hypermarket that would cater to almost every retail need of customers.

Q A

What made you decide to partner with brands such as Ecstasy and North End?

Q

As far as grocery shopping is concerned, do you think prevalent shopping trends have experienced a change?

A

It has changed and is still changing, but probably not drastically. These days you notice more changes in the family structure where both spouses work. By the end of the day there really isn’t any time to do grocery shopping from separate markets. A hypermarket is something that will work in this scenario. It is a concept where you quite literally get almost every item at one place and it’s sort of like a one-store solution for you. Given the current circumstances of the city where pushing through traffic to get to a particular place is an issue, it will be more convenient for people if they had a one-stop mall located nearby.

Q

How and why did United group decide to diversify their business to include a hypermarket such as Unimart?

When we started off we didn’t have experience in the retail industry - this was our pilot project.

Retail was brand new to us. We started out believing that we should team up with some experienced brands that also have a fan following of their own. This helped us drive customers in our early days. Down the line we signed up with leading brands such as Khazana, North End and Ecstasy. In Ecstasy’s case we wanted a brand that deals with all kinds of outfits, casual, formal, etc. In the future we might introduce other leading brands – we still haven’t made up our mind about it yet.

Q A

And what do you think sets Unimart apart from other retailers?

Our USP includes one stop shopping experience; in addition we roughly have about 500 parking spaces in this building.

Approx 60% to 70% of our customers are all foreigners or expats and they normally like to drive in, in which

case parking is a big issue. That is something that is not addressed in other shopping malls. So I think this is one major factor that will work in our favour in the long run.

course there will always be those goods that come through a lot of middlemen before reaching Dhaka and it will be difficult for us to control it to that extent.

Q A

Q A

How has Unimart geared up for Ramadan?

Ramadan happens to coincide with Unimart’s one year anniversary so we celebrated on July 4 where every 100th customer got all the goods in their shopping trolley for free.

For Ramadan we concentrated on our in-house products and brands such as Indulge that manufactures everything from fresh breads to savoury items. On the ground floor we have set up a stall for Indulge and Khazana. Alongside this we have also started a new campaign titled “Eat Healthy Stay Fresh” which is something we’re trying to promote throughout Ramadan.

As for discounts, instead of giving discounts on regular items, we are offering discounts for products that are more value added. For example, we are trying to sell more olive oil during Ramadan essentially because it’s healthier. Low GI rice also have discounts, as well as Roohafza and many other items.

Q

As for the price hike of essential goods during Ramadan, is it possible for Unimart to cope with these changes?

A

At the end of the day, for a single store it is difficult to combat these price changes.

However, we buy a lot of our products from very large vendors who don’t have to involve a lot of middlemen, which means certain expenses are minimised. But of

In the case of damaged goods, is there a return policy in place?

As far as our return policy is concerned, we encourage our customers to physically check the products before buying them. If a product is damaged or doesn’t meet quality standards after a customer has bought it, in that case we are happy to replace the product. We don’t do money-backs essentially because money-backs have accounts related and security related issues which are difficult to keep track of. If we do replacements it’s actually easy to go back to the vendor with it and they replace the good for us.

Q

So do you believe that customers who shop from kitchen markets will eventually be inclined towards commercial markets and be able to put their trust in them?

A

Kitchen markets usually don’t have the testing facilities or even the will to take the necessary steps to get their products tested.

For example, a basic formalin tester costs approximately more than a lac.

Most organised markets will have these testers. I will regularly reject batches if they don’t fit my quality standards or requirements. I think people are already placing their trust in commercial markets. If you bring about the trust issue as far as product testing and product quality are concerned, organised retail is many steps ahead of kitchen markets.

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12 | Trending style session

With Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

fashion

Satchel lovely bag | Sabrina Fatma Ahmad The ladies’ answer to the men’s satchel is a curvier, convertible bag, perfect for the working woman on the go. With multiple pockets and ample storage space, this is the bag that will take you through the busy work day, and, provided you are nice to her, will hold her own at that casual lunch. Cat’s Eye, Apex, Celebrations and Bata all have decent offerings of satchels.

Q A

So I hear Mom jeans are making a comeback. Does this mean I can hang on to mine?

While it’s true that high rise, light rinse jeans have been spotted a couple of times on the runway, it doesn’t mean that they will suddenly look flattering on you if they don’t already. In fact, the style that we call “mom jeans” is notoriously frumpy and can age you.

If you have an incurable nostalgia for the early 90’s, however, and absolutely must wear a pair, do try to dress it up with a nice fitted tank and a fabulous kimono wrap like the ones at Urban Truth. Accessorise with something unique like a pair of earrings from Orange Theory, and maybe, just maybe, the look might pass muster.

Drawstring bucket bag | Sabah Rahman

I am lazy when it comes to my handbags. Every time I carry a zippered bag, I always leave the enclosure open because I can’t be bothered to unzip it every single time I need to grab something. And I tend to grab a lot of things every five minutes. I’ve always known drawstring bags existed, but I didn’t think they would fit my sense of style until I discovered the modern renditions. They come in bright colours and won’t remind me of the bags our Mom carried back in the day. These bags are big enough to carry your life around in. All I have to do is stick my hand in it, and within seconds, I have whatever I need at the moment.

Q

I had a lot of lovely summer fluorescents bought, and then it started to rain. How do I manage to stay chic?

A

There’s no rule that says you can’t wear your summer fluorescents during the rainy weather. Invest in a nice raincoat – Doja market has some surprisingly stylish waterproof trenches if you know where to look for them. Roll up those jeans and swap those heels for some cute rubber flats, and you can wear all the pretty neons your heart desires.

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The cross-body bag | N Anita Amreen When it comes to purse-onality, you might as well say I had none, until, of course the world introduced to us lazies the multi-purpose functionality of the cross-body bag. Small, compact, utterly stylish the cross-body messenger bag seems to have it all. It has allowed us ladies the option to finally be able to stuff our belongings, and strut our favourite accessory without the pretentious (and often burdening) responsibility of gracefully dangling our precious by the edge of our little finger. Holding everything from dirty napkins, old bills, the odd toothbrush and a scattering of leftover nuts from yesterdays trip to the fridge, this kind of purse is a secret storage spot for hoarders who enjoy hiding their bad habits behind the safety of its folds.

13

Tailored| in fashion

No flash on the wrist | Mahmood Hossain

It’s nothing new but definitely in Man-jewellery, as the strangers to fashion would label it, has been more of an acceptable trend in the high testosterone zones around the world. In truth, men have been wearing bracelets for quite some time, just not tastefully. The gold and diamond flashing by Middle Eastern playboys isn’t really the look you should be going for. And the excess amount of chest hair doesn’t help either.

Nowadays, bracelets are more laid back; it’s versatile enough to wear both casually and on formal occasions. There are hand-carved beaded bracelets to woven leather ones. While there are thicker versions of silver metal and brass wrist accessories, keeping things light around the wrist is a more suitable fit. If you prefer showing a bit more

This particular accessory is a very subtle addition to an outfit so there’s always a chance for you to add one or two more bracelets; stacking it up is encouraged. Just as long as you keep each piece thin and light, you’ll be on the right track.

elegance, that’s what wristwatches are for. It’s also a great combination if you can manage to match a bracelet or two with your watch.

his style

Down to earth | Mahmood Hossain

Mother Nature may not always be kind, but your wardrobe can be It’s difficult to incorporate earthy colours and items into your look during the summer months. When you think of this particular element, you think autumn. Truth be told, there aren’t any actual rules behind it. You can mix things up with earthy tones to your outfits. It’s all about taking it one step at a time and familiarising yourself with the right colours.

You should already recognise shades of dark green, different tones of brown, and similar hues to contrast.

Up top

There are so many combinations of shirts and jackets you can put together it’s magnificent. Since we’ve been stuck with an undesirable roller coaster of sun and rain, we’ll have to skip the extra layers. Sporting a brown suit is one thing, but the casual to semi-formal wear can be a fun challenge. When it comes to shirts, fitted as always, aim for dark browns and colours such as hunter green, deep moss green or dark moss green, and Brunswick green. You want

to stick to colours that are closer to or flatter your skin tone.

Down below

Live on the edge a little, step outside the comfort zone. Maroon, Bordeaux, or burgundy can do the trick when it comes to casual trousers. The windowpane or Prince of Wales checks can also make the trousers livelier, so don’t be afraid to add a bit more flavour to your look. You have to keep in mind the contrasting process. You can risk looking like a Christmas tree if you aren’t careful. Darker shades with non-traditional mixing and matching work best.

style session

with mahmood Hossain

Q

My girlfriend and I have been debating whether men should match their socks to their pants or their shoes. What do you say is right?

A

Here we have one of the most basic steps in men’s fashion. Write this down.

Unless you are going to a formal all black event, it’s best to match your socks with, well, anything but your shoes. You could match the socks with your trousers but it’s more flattering when you have your tie, shirt, and suit to consider. The reason you want to avoid matching it with your shoes is because it’ll look like you’re wearing children’s booties. If you want the boot effect, wear boots!

Q

Photo: Big Stock

I’ve been sporting sideburns for a long time. I’ve gotten used to them but it seems like they are out of style. My friends say I’m stuck in the 70s. Is there a way to have sideburns without being made fun of?

A

Aren’t there too many Elvis impersonators anyway? The reality is sideburns look much better when they are joined with your facial hair. Even at that point, keeping it slim and trimmed is the more attractive choice. It also depends if you’ve got the face for it. Not too many grown men can pull off mean sideburns and get away with it. If it suits your overall personal style, then go for it. But if too many people are voting against it, you might want to rethink your stance on sideburns.

Here we go

One move at a time, gentlemen.

Incorporating colours or even items that are traditionally meant for autumn during the warmer months can be tricky. What you need to do is find summer items simple enough to become versatile and assist you in putting those darker tones into action.

Send in your style inquiries to avenuet@dhakatribune.com

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14 | Tempt Beauty session

with sabrina f ahmad

Loco for coco Five reasons coconut oil is a beauty hack There’s more to coconut oil than just hair food. Let’s look at a few unexpected beauty boosts we can get from this.

Photo: Big Stock

1

Haute highlights – Add a dab of hand-warmed coconut oil to your cheekbones and brow bones for a subtle, natural sheen. Warning: tread with caution if you have oily skin.

Stretch no more – Applying coconut oil to your belly and thighs twice a day will prevent stretch marks before they happen.

Essential oils – Add a few spoonfuls to your bathwater. Not only will this moisturise your skin, but you can close your eyes and let the scent transport you to a tropical spa.

Cuti-cure – Rubbing handwarmed coconut oil to your cuticles will keep them glossy and healthy.

Beurre de corps – Cocoa butter too expensive? Coconut oil in its solid form works just as well as a body lotion. Will keep you smelling like Mr Cookie too.

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3

4 5

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Mud on your face | Sabah Rahman It doesn’t seem like the goop that you try really hard to avoid from getting on your fancy footwear would have an amazing number of benefits for health, skin as well as hair, but guess what? It’s time to get your mud on. Don’t go rolling around in the fresh stuff from the recent down pour just yet, keep your clothes on and let’s figure out what the deal here actually is

What’s the big deal?

If you prefer to keep your beauty routine natural, using mud is as organic as you can get.

We’re not talking about any old mud though, so put away the jars you brought out to collect some from your neighbourhood park. The good stuff has to be dug up from at least five inches from under the ground beneath your feet. There are a lot of steps that then go into getting it ready to use on skin, so this really isn’t a “DIY” project.

The ancient Greeks loved it, beauticians worldwide swear by its therapeutic properties and there are products made from it. Due to the many beneficial minerals found in mud, it’s also great when used to detoxify your body.

How we can get in on it The French have their green clay, the Italian have Fango mud, and we have Fuller’s Earth, locally known as Multani Mitti. Sound familiar? You’ve probably already used this clay in face masks and body treatments a couple of times.

This stuff is great for degreasing your face if you’re plagued with oily skin, helps treat acne, balances out irritating scalp conditions. If you have strange tan lines on your body from some of those hot new swim suits, a Fuller’s earth concoction will help make them less noticeable. Massaging it onto your body is also said to improve blood circulation. The list of benefits is almost never ending, and we’re sure you’ve got the gist of it by now.

Where to get it Although you can make face packs from scratch at home, it’s always the best to leave it to the pros as they know exactly what mixture will work best on different skin issues. Take a trip to the nearest Meena Bazar and check out their herbal line of products.

15

Ticket|

Your personal price hike guide | Abdur Rafi Khondaker Avenue T gives you a guide on the expected price changes in kitchen market essentials As we step into the first week of Ramadan, our grocery budgets are instantly hiked up to match the jacking up of prices. To help you make Ramadan budgeting easier, Avenue T brings you a guide on approximate price changes.

• • • • • • • • •

Aubergine: Tk65-Tk100 Cucumber: Tk30-Tk55 Green Chili: Tk50-Tk80 Onion: Tk30-Tk40 Tomato: Tk50-Tk80 Carrot: Tk35-Tk65 Garlic: Tk75-Tk95 Ginger: Tk230-Tk250 Potatoes: Tk18-Tk25

The price of fish increased by Tk20-Tk35 per kilo, whereas the prices of beef, broiler chicken, mutton, egg, soybean oil and super palm oil remains unchanged. The good news is, the government banned green chilli, aubergine and cucumber export, so hopefully there will be enough for local markets this time around. Ramadan Mubarak!

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16 | TRAVELOGUE

Soaking to good he The people of the ancient world unearthed the secret to a healthy life.

They did not do this in beauty spas and resorts but amidst the treasures hidden in mother nature.

You too can take full advantage of this wealth by taking a tour along with Avenue T

| Tausif Sanzum

The Dead Sea, Israel and Jordan It is said that Cleopatra went to great heights to gain control over the Dead Sea area. It wasn’t gold or treasure she was after but the sea’s saline and mineral water. Recent studies have proved that the water of this sea has nourishing effect on the skin in addition to reducing rheumatism and providing a relaxing effect by activating the circulatory system. Owing to its low elevation point, the Dead Sea provides you with a beach where you can bask in the sun and not necessarily get sunburnt. The sunbathing sessions also have a clearing effect on chronic skin diseases.

Budapest, Hungary Popularly known as “City of Spas,” the water of this area have been known to have healing powers which even the Ancient Romans enjoyed. Now you too can get access to them in 15 public baths in the city. Scientifically speaking, the water of this region is rich in fluoride, metabolic acid, calcium, magnesium, hydro-carbonate, sodium and sulphate. These minerals help fight off rheumatism and also assist in post injury treatment.

It is believed that drinking from the water of the wells here is good for treating gallbladder illnesses, ulcers, calcium deficiency and kidney stones.

AVEN U E T SATU R DAY, J U ly 5, 2014

17

TRAVELOGUE|

ealth Kangal Hot Springs, Turkey This one is a bit tricky and a little scary too. Located in the province of Sivas in Turkey, the spring contains various minerals in addition to its star attraction “the doctor fish – Garra rufa.� The process includes a 21 day regular bath in this hot spring. Once you enter the spring, a group of the fish surround you and feed on your skin. With subtle nibbles, they remove the hardest layer of your skin. These fish leave a secretion which prevents blood from coming out. Although there have been some controversies regarding infections caused by this treatment, there has been a lot of success stories as well.

Warm Mineral Springs, North Port, Florida Beppu, Japan

These springs are known for their revitalising effect owning to its temperature which is considered perfect for soaking along with a combination of 51 minerals in high concentration. They are famous for reducing skin problems, gastrointestinal and arthritis related problems.

When it comes to hot water springs, Japan prides itself with 3000 plus including the second largest one in the world, Beppu. There is a wonderful legend associated with these hot springs. It is said that the Samurais used to soak themselves in these water after wars and battles due to its healing power. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, Beppu has the facility of sand bath as well. A popular treatment in this region includes burying oneself in sand for a duration of 15 minutes.

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18 | Tantalise Ramadan offers

What’s the deal? | N Anita Amreen

A walk down the various lanes of adventurous palates This week Avenue T scourge’s through Dhaka’s numerous eateries to find you a go-to guide for iftar offers around town. From fullfledged buffets for those in the mood for a binge fest, to lighter platters for those who like their calories counted, this one-for-all guide has it all. Read on to find out where the best meals are at.

Lake Terrace Ashaa at Tk700

Teriyaki Chicken (half), BBQ Sausage, Fried Rice, Sauteed Vegetables, Roasted Potato and Cream Caramel

Rahamat at Tk900

Grill Jumbo Prawn, BBQ Roasted Chicken (Quarter), Beef Fillet Steak, Batter Fry Fish Fillet with white sauce, Fried Rice, Sauteed Vegetables, Roasted Vegetables, Roasted Potato and Cream Caramel

Bounty at Tk1,500

Grilled Lobster, Teriyaki Chicken (Quarter), Beef Fillet Steak, Grilled Calamari, Fried Rice, Sauteed Vegetables, BBQ Sausage, Roasted Potato and Choco Cheese Cake *Free flow of Rooh-Afza Contact: Lake Terrace, Uttara 01618-377223

Radisson Blu Water Arabian iftar and dinner at Tk2,680 (VAT excluded)

Offering regular iftar items such as Jalebi, Halim, Chhola alongside a special arrangement of Arabian dishes Contact: (88-02) 875-4555

Sonargaon Cafe Bazar buffet at Tk1,800 Offering continental delicacies Contact: 01950-015077

Westin Iftar buffet at Tk3,500++ Contact: (88-02) 989-1988

Spitfire: Iftar and dinner buffet at Tk1,350 Offering traditional Bangladeshi dishes along with special continental dishes Contact: 01715-881180

Pizza hut All you can eat offer at Tk800 Contact: (88-02) 885-7535

A&W All you can eat offer at Tk800

Offering Chilli Lime Chicken, 1 Potato Wedge, Texas Burger, Coleslaw Contact: (88-02) 988-0789

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The 8

Arabian iftar and dinner at Tk760 Contact: 01927-558888

Nandos Iftar offer 1 at Tk1,050: Quarter

Chicken, Dates, Chickpea Salad, Mini Burger, Chicken Wrap, Wedges, Buttermilk Brownie Iftar offer 2 at Tk1,500: same as iftar offer 1 but Chicken Espedata replaces the Chicken Wrap and there is an additional Goa Lemon Drink, Mini Burger, Brownie Iftar offer 3 at Tk2,014: Mashed Potato, Chicken Sausage, Baked Beans, Wedges, Coke and Espedata (chicken/beef), Dates, Brownie, Mini Burger, Fruits

Special platter for four person at Tk4,000 consisting of full Chicken,

Chicken Trinchado, Pita Bread, Mini Burger, Chicken Wrap, Wedges, 1 litre Lime Soda/Soft Drink, Fruits, etc.

Contact: (88-02) 881-2121

Luam’s

Gloria Jeans’s

A combination of appetisers (Wonton, Spring Rolls, Chicken on Toast, Deep Fried Chicken), Soups (Wonthon Soup/Vegetable Soup with Tofu/Tom Yam, etc.) and main course Thai items such as Pad Thai, Panang Beef, Beef Red Curry, Squid Basil Leaf, Green Curry Chicken, Whole Fish, etc.)

Desserts include Shahi Tukra, Crème Caramel, etc.

Contact: 01764-342499

Platter includes Beef Wrap, Arabic Falafel with Hummus, Crunchy Greek Salad, Chicken Wings on Pita and Spicy Chicken Lollipop with Mint Chutney, completed with Lebanese Basbusa and seasonal fruits stick with Mariam dates, and a bottle of water.

Contact: (88-02) 883-1117, 01970008989

Handi

Iftar combo at Tk375

Daily set menu for iftar at Tk699

Iftar and dinner at Tk800 Iftar at Tk500

Offering Bangladeshi items such as Halim, Jalebi, Beguni and as well as Biryani and Handi specialties Contact: 01950-015077

Fools Diner Unlimited Maki for Tk399++ Set menu 1: Egg fried rice, 2 choices

Offering Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Boxing, Garlic Chicken with BBQ sauce, Fried Rice, Lasagna, Chicken Wrap, Red Velvet Mini Cupcake Contact: 01615-250005

of chicken/beef or prawn for Tk315 Set menu 2: Egg fried rice, 2 choices of meat and mixed vegetables for Tk345 Set menu 3: Pad Thai/spicy noodles and 2 choices of meat for Tk345 Contact: 01790-129635; 01678142285

BBQ

George’s Cafe

Meal for two at Tk1,480

Iftar platter at Tk695

Tastebud Iftar at Tk600

The offer includes two pieces of Golden Olive Chicken, one 6” combination Pizza, 2 pieces Korean Charbroiled Chicken, 1 small jar Kiwi Ade, complimentary water bottles and 4 pieces of dates

Meal for one at Tk795

Offering 1 piece Golden Olive Chicken, 1 piece Jamaican Grilled Chicken, Garden Salad, 1 Lemonade Kiwi, 2 complimentary water bottles, 2 pieces of Dates Contact: 01776-117788

Steakhouse Iftar buffet at Tk1,600

Special items include Steak, Lasagna, Chicken Rice, Shahi Jalebi, Dahi Bora, Halim and other items Contact: (88-02) 886-1604

Platter includes Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potato, Creamed Spinach, Papaya Salad, Chocolate Dates, Cupcake, Wrap, Wings, Fries and an Arnold Palmer Contact: 01784-436743

Iftat platter at Tk777+

Kozmo Combo includes Raspberry Iced Tea, Mozzarella Fritters, Chicken Lollipop, Fried Rice, Chicken Black Mushroom gravy, Oreo Cheesecake, etc.

Ottin Buffet iftar at Tk750 Unlimited soft drinks at Tk100

The offer includes Soup, Hummus, Mutabbel, Chicken Wings, Shish Tawook, Khabsa Dejaj, Saluna Meat, Beef Mosaka, Daud Basha, Rumali Roti, Spaghetti/Penne/Macaroni among others

Smoke Music Cafe Iftar at Tk825

Lebanese Mint Yoghurt, Arabian Chocolate Date and Nuts, Spicy Garlic Potato Bites, Arabian Sauce, Tex-Mex Chicken Salad, Fried Tortilla with Chilli Con Carne, Chicken Fajitas, Turkish Shish Tawook, Pasta Con Polo, Mixed Fruit Salad and Brownie Contact:01750-999333, 01750999444 *The aforementioned offers are subject to change. Prices and offers may vary.

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Iftar at Platinum Chain of Boutique Hotels

Style Sell Eid Collection 2014

Style Sell recently launched their fabulous and elegant collection of scintillating attire for men, women and kids. The new collection emphasises on flamboyant designs on sober colours of panjabis and kurtis along with kotis (vests) and different pajamas. Hyderabad stitch, Kashmiri stitch, floral motifs have all been made part of their new collection. In addition, Style Sell has menswear from Gucci, Armani, Zara, Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Gstar Raw, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. on offer. Saris, salwar kameezes, churidars, long gowns, shararas, lehengas, kurtis for women are also available. For more details visit their outlet located at South Avenue, House 2, Road 9, Gulshan 1. Contact 02 9850789, 01744908019, www. stylesellbd.com or www.facebook.com/HouseOfStyleSell.

During the holy Ramadan, discover the true culinary traditions of Iftar with family and friends at Platinum Chain of Boutique Hotel’s Platinum Suites and Platinum Residence.

The traditional way to break the fast is with dates, which will be plentiful at the Café Nemo and Platinum Terrace in Banani and Terra Bistro in Uttara for its buffet. Also available will be regional juices, a salad corner and Middle Eastern and Asian-themed array of dishes. Hot specialties in this menu include Paya Haleem, Cilantro Corn Fritters, Spicy Chicken Cutlet, Beef Tehari, Beef Chaapli Kebab, etc. at Tk1,200. Alternatively, show up between 11pm and 3am, and you can opt to dine from the A La Carte Saheri menu. For details please dial 01975-284686 .

Beximco Luxury Lawn On June 27, Beximco launched the country’s first ever lawn collection for women titled Beximco Luxury Lawn at Dhaka Westin’s Ballroom.

Beautiful colours, elegant silhouettes and intricate designs made a remarkable impression as the models took the ramp by storm at the fashion show held on the occasion. You can find these lawns at Yellow outlets in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Arabian Iftar buffet at Watercress

Watercress Restaurant prides itself for innovative Pan Asian, subcontinental and continental cuisines. It is conceptualised and developed by the international foods and beverages group – The Next Idea based in Los Angeles. To mark the auspicious holy month of Ramadan, Watercress Restaurant is launching “Arabian Theme based Iftar cum Dinner Buffet” (only at Tk1,495++). For more details dial 01977 077 903.

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Parachute Advansed Beliphool Stylish Hair of the Campus 2014 hosts its Grand Finale Parachute Advansed Beliphool Stylish Hair of the Campus 2014 hosted its grand finale in Dhaka on June 25. A jury panel of the event was formed with actor Zahid Hasan, director Redwan Rony and ceo of RED Beauty Salon Afroza Parveen. In its grand finale the best three contestants out of 11 were selected based on their performance in three different categories - dance, acting and ramp walking.

NEEDLEWORK at Jamuna

NEEDLEWORK recently opened up their new outlet at Jamuna Future Park (ground floor - zone A, shop no 29). Beautician Kaniz Almas Khan, anchor Sharmin Lucky and model/actress Peya were present at the launching ceremony. The fashion outlet features the couture collection of designer NoorA-Jannat, a graduate of India’s NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology).

To check out their latest collection visit www.facebook.com/needlework.

Grand opening of Women’s Collection’s Fashion House Urban Experiences A three-week group exhibition of monoprints by young artists titled “Urban Experiences” was launched on June 25 and is scheduled to continue till July 19 at Bengal Art Lounge. The monoprints presented are the result of a print-making and poetry workshop organised by Bengal Foundation and the American Centre in Dhaka.

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An outlet of Women’s Collection’s Fashion House was opened a while back at Rangamati, Bonorupa 107, Shohid Abdul Rashid Shorok, S R Tower. Shamim Rashid, member of Zilla Porishod of Rangamati Hill District and Sara Rashid, owner, Women’s Collection’s Fashion House attended the opening ceremony among other guests.

Shopping Exhibition at Gulshan-1

Organised by Clock Workz Events, an exclusive shopping exhibition, titled “Celebrating Lifestyle” is to be held at EFES Restaurant at Gulshan-1 from July 4 to 6. Renowned online boutique, fashion houses, jewellery stores with the most promising young entrepreneurs will be participating in the exhibition which will be open for all. Fore more info contact 01720564952, www.fb.com/ clockworkz24x7.

Smartex in Rajshahi Smartex opened their 25th showroom in the country in Rajshahi, Rani Bazaar on June 30.

Chief guest Shamsul Alam was present at the opening ceremony amongst others. Their showroom in Rajshahi is currently offering a 20% discount on all their products.

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