Weekend Tribune May 27th 2016

vol 4 Issue 6 | FRIDAY, May 27, 2016

Dhaka Tribune

6

Cook Your Own Way

8

Origin story

20

The Bong Momma

CONTENTS

1

Volume 4 | Issue 6 | May 27, 2016 News

2 News 3 Meanwhile Editor Zafar Sobhan

Features 4 Tailored Men’s fashion 5 Tempt

Features Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Asst Features Editor Farina Noireet Weekend Tribune Team Saudia Afrin Moumita Ahmed N Anita Amreen Sakib Mridha Saqib Sarker Mahmood Sadi Shuprova Tasneem

8 Origin Story

6

Cook Your Own Way Kitchen chronicles

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

Tropical flavour

12 Issue Smokers’ health

14 Issue

Corporal punishment

16 Laws

Protecting Children

Regulars

17 Legalese 18 Stay In 19 Go Out 20 The Bong Momma

Cartoons Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy Priyo

Colour Specialist Shekhar Mondal

Contributors Minu Ahmed Jennifer Ashraf Aashni Bhansali Reema Islam Farzana Romine

Graphics Md Mahbub Alam Alamgir Hossain Tahsin Momin

DIY face masks

9

Photo Story Working moms

On the cover

Editor’s note Dear readers, June 1 is Global Parents day, which has us taking a critical look at parenting practices in Dhaka. One of the most alarming statistics we’ve seen in the past year or so is the rise in number of cases involving severe corporal punishment inflicted by parents on children. With this in mind, we have two stories looking at the laws and social climate surrounding this situation. We also have a very touching photo story about working mothers.

Before we get into that, start fresh with our skincare tips and

fashion advice in Tempt and Tailored. Our Origin story traces the journey of the perfect tropical fruit, the pineapple, and we have some tempting cookie recipes for you to try this week.

Since we recently observed World No Tobacco day, we take a look at how the new smoking awareness campaigns are faring.

Finally, settle down with the Bong Momma as she talks about getting to know a beloved member of her new household.

Wishing you comfort in the week to come.

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

2 News | This week Pope embraces Al-Azhar imam in sign of renewed relations

Obama drop-in for pork soup stuns Vietnam street shop owner

Pope Francis on Monday last week

a New Year’s bombing on a Coptic

She has ladled out countless bowls of

was a great surprise for my whole

embraced the grand imam of Al-Azhar,

Christian church in Alexandria killed

her pork noodle soup, but the owner

family, who could never have imagined

the prestigious Sunni Muslim center of

21 people. Since then, Islamic attacks

of a Hanoi streetside restaurant says

it, even in our dreams,” she told AFP on

learning, reopening an important channel

on Christians in the region have only

she was stunned when Barack Obama

Tuesday.

for Catholic-Muslim dialogue after a five-

increased, but the Vatican and Al-

strolled in, pulled up a plastic stool and

year lull and at a time of increased Islamic

Azhar nevertheless sought to rekindle

slurped down Vietnam’s famed “bun

and popular with everyone,” the

extremist attacks on Christians.

ties, with a Vatican delegation visiting

cha” delicacy.

shop’s owner told AFP, adding that she

As Sheik Ahmed el-Tayyib arrived

Cairo in February and extending the

for his audience in the Apostolic

invitation for el-Tayyib to visit.

Palace, Francis said that the fact

Francis and el-Tayyib spoke

The US president slipped away from his hectic Vietnam visit on Monday night to sample the dish with Anthony

“Obama was nice, smiling, cheerful

regretted not posing for a picture with the president.

Bourdain posted a picture of the

that they were meeting at all was

privately for 25 minutes in the pope’s

Bourdain, a chef and food critic who

dinner on his Instagram feed with the

significant.

private library, bidding each other

fronts a travel show about hidden

caption “The President’s chopstick

farewell with an embrace. El-Tayyib

culinary gems around the world.

skills are on point”.

“The meeting is the message,” Francis told the imam.

The meeting came five years after

and his delegation then had talks with the Vatican

the Cairo-based Al-Azhar froze talks

cardinal in charge

with the Vatican to protest comments

of interreligious

by then-Pope Benedict XVI.

dialogue.

Benedict had demanded greater

While 54-year-old

Photo: AFP

protection for Christians in Egypt after

Shahriar: IS falsely claiming attacks in Bangladesh

restaurant owner Nguyen

The world at a glance Weekend Tribune Desk

Islamic State is trying to ride a

we’ll not argue over it – that

wave of religious radicalisation by

sends a wrong message.”

falsely claiming a spate of killings in

His comments came just days

Bangladesh, a government minister

after a EU delegation said there was

said, adding there was enough

an unprecedented threat to human

Thi Lien knew a foreign television crew was on the way, she had no

It showed the two sitting on tiny plastic stools that are a common feature of Vietnamese street restaurants, Obama clasping a bottle of Hanoi Beer in his right hand.

“Total cost of bun cha dinner with

idea they would

the President: $6.00. I picked up the

be bringing a very

check,” Bourdain, who is renowned for

special guest.

his love of cheap streetside food, later

“His presence in our restaurant

tweeted.

Photo: AFP

Tutu’s daughter loses S.African church licence after gay marriage She said her father, the retired

evidence implicating domestic

rights and freedom of expression

archbishop and celebrated anti-

militant groups.

in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to

apartheid campaigner, was “sad but not

tackle the challenge to protect its

surprised” at the news.

Analysts say that as Islamic State loses territory in Iraq and Syria and its finances get drained, it may be trying

“The canon (law) of the South

international reputation.

African Church states that marriage is

Since February last year, the

to build affiliates in countries such

Muslim-majority South Asian nation

between one man and one woman,”

as Libya, Egypt and Bangladesh for

of 160 million has seen the killing

Tutu-van Furth said in an email.

jihadists to launch attacks locally and

of at least 26 people, including five

cheaply.

secular bloggers, a publisher and two

Desmond Tutu’s daughter has been

Saldanha Bay was advised that he must

gay right campaigners.

forced to give up her duties as a priest

revoke my licence. I offered to return

in South Africa’s Anglican church after

my licence rather than require that he take it from me.”

But Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh’s state minister for foreign affairs, told

Al Qaeda has claimed some of

“After my marriage... the Bishop of

Reuters in an interview that no local or

the attacks, while Islamic State

she married a woman, she told AFP on

foreign agency had found any presence

has claimed 17 killings since first

Tuesday.

of Islamic State in the country.

“Those claims (of killings) are

taking responsibility for murders in

Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu-van

Marceline Tutu-van Furth is an Amsterdam-based professor specialising in paediatric infections.

Bangladesh in September last year,

Furth can no longer preside at holy

according to US-based monitoring

communion, weddings, baptisms or

Tuesday. “But what we’ve agreed

service SITE.

funerals after handing in her licence

and have children – officially tied the

with our partnering countries is that

News: Reuters

because the church does not recognise

knot in the Netherlands in December.

gay marriage.

Photo: Reuters

definitely false,” Alam said on

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

The couple – who are both divorced

. . . Meanwhile

3

Photo of the week

Storm clouds loomed over Dhaka last Wednesday, throwing the city into near darkness.

Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu

Barack Obama will reveal alien and UFO details held by the US before he leaves office Barack Obama is close to making

The 69-year-old has been lobbying

a groundbreaking announcement

the White House to release these details

regarding UFO and extra-terrestrial

for 20 years and is excited about being

activity before he leaves office, it’s been

“on the brink” of discovering the truth.

reported.

The US President is under pressure

The possible revelations would come just months after Clinton told

thanks to similar disclosure promises

a US talk show that she was keen

made by the campaign of Democratic

on transparency of information on

candidate for Obama’s replacement,

ET and UFOs.

Hillary Clinton.Stephen Bassett,

say what?

The Democratic candidate spoke

executive director of US-based

out on Jimmy Kimmel Live as she leads

Paradigm Research Group (PRG),

the race against Bernie Sanders for the

believes that there could be a massive

party’s nomination for November’s

announcement to come.

election.

And he says David Cameron will follow suit almost immediately after.

News and photo: Daily Mirror

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

4 Tailored | Men’s fashion

Rise against the rainfall Outfits for a rainy day Mahmood Hossain

O

ne day it’s pouring, the other

you’ll want to pop out with some colour.

decides to welcome non-stop

Doesn’t really matter if it’s pouring

drizzle, and finally, those

outside or not, the entire idea is to look

energy draining days plagued

good and relaxed at the same time. Think

with unbearable heat. All in a single

about a tan or khaki suit that can frame a

week! This can get tiring really fast. But

crisp light-blue, dress shirt. And making

keep in mind, fashion or your personal

sure you’re indoors, some classy suede

style doesn’t have to be effected by this.

shoes will round up the look just fine.

It’s simpler than you think, to keep your

To get a better picture, imagine yourself

cool and the rest of you dry.

as a movie star in the south of France

The mash-up casual There might cloudy skies, blanketed in

about to stroll into a Cannes Film Festival brunch.

shades of grey, but there’s no reason you

Have some fun, dang it

have to be brought down by it. Noting

While Ramadan is right around the

says super cool than a leather motorcycle

corner, don’t limit yourself to falling

jacket. And if you want to stand out,

back into the mundane way of living.

look ridiculously stylish, you’ll want to

Whether you choose to completely

unzip that jacket and put it on top of a

devote yourself to an entire month or not

nautical striped t-shirt. Throw on some

is all up to you. However, keep in mind,

casual, fitted trousers, with top quality

your personal style will never take a back

sneakers and the streets might look a bit

seat. It doesn’t matter if you’ve decided

more optimistic. Okay, it’s Dhaka; maybe

to wear a panjabi for the remainder of

it’s wishful thinking. The most important

the 30 days, it’s not a sin to keep yourself

thing about this look is the fit of your

well-groomed and your clothes fitted.

trousers.

Some of us love this weather, while

The quality of your leather jacket will

others can’t stand to imagine how they’ll

already speak volumes but if it doesn’t

survive the day without being sprayed by

compliment the rest of your look, there’s

mud. No matter which category you fall

no point in wearing it. Rock some fresh

in, it’s important to keep your priorities

shades with the rest of the outfit to

straight. No one is telling you to wear a

take things up a notch, you never know

white seersucker suit. Just try and keep

when that sun might want to make an

clean and take care of yourself.

appearance.

Office and dates

Inspirations You don’t always have to follow every

Sometimes a proper tailored suit is all

little trend that you see online. However,

you need for the entire day. The more

there are certain sources on the web

tiring the day gets, the more layers you

and smartphone apps that provide

can take off or loosen up. The desired

countless tips on keeping things fresh

choice for the rainy season would be

and somewhat clean through the rainy

a patterned suit in the subtlest form.

reason. So while you take a gander

Dark grey or even charcoal would be

through the many services, keep the

the most ideal choice when you have to

following in mind. After every day, when

suit up. It’s also important to keep the

you arrive at home, make sure to let your

underpinnings clean, tonal and as simple

clothes air out before you decide to toss

as possible.

in the laundry bin. It could be possibly

As the suit itself is patterned (like

really wet, damp or backed up with

plaid), you won’t have to go out of your

plenty of dust and grime. That’s just the

way to match it up with loud ties, shirt

kind of place we live in, and at times,

or other accessories. It’s like letting your

unfortunately unavoidable. Letting your

suit do the talking, while everything else

clothes breathe helps with the odour and

in the outfit is the best supporting cast.

evaporation, which makes it easier for

The same can be said for those suave

the washer or washing machine when it’s

soirées with a significant other or close

time to making things brand spanking

friends of yours. Keeping things light,

new. n Illustration: Priyo/Dhaka Tribune

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

DIY face masks | Tempt

5

Are you the

fairest of them all?

Trading in commercial products for DIY face masks Aashni Bhansali

I

So what should you do?

skipping a heartbeat of your crush!

Simple. Go natural. Just to clarify, I don’t mean go on a lookout to find any

Beet Blush: ever wanted to get that

product under the sun that has the

natural blush, without actually having

word ‘natural’ on its packaging. No.

to use tons of blush? Try this face mask

Go natural for real. The only person

for that pinkish blush and a natural

you can really trust with your skin is

glow. Mix together two teaspoons of

yourself. Only you know what’s best for

beetroot juice and one teaspoon lemon

your skin and how it feels with what

juice. The beetroot is guaranteed to give

you rub on to it. Just trust your gut! It’s

your face with the much desired glow

t’s right there! It’s the first thing

understand their effects on my skin. Do

real quick and easy to make your own

by solely exuding its own beautiful

people notice about you. Your

you know of the longer lasting effects

skincare products, and it’s the most

colour onto your face.

face. Sprout a pimple and you’ll

of these substances on your skin, and

economical as well. For starters, try a

get bombarded with questions

overall health? Probably not. Not-so-

couple of my DIY face masks as your

Delicate Avo: Suffering from the dry

of whether you’ve been indulging

fun fact – many of these products can

new skincare routine and to tackle

skin syndrome? Try the Delicate Avo

in spicy food. Have bags under your

have toxic effects on your skin over

various skin problems.

to deeply moisturise your skin. The

eyes and you’ll suddenly raise huge

time. Phthalates, for example, can

concerns about your sleep cycle. Get

shockingly affect your hormone levels

Acne Warrior: use this mask to battle

oils, which means a direct application

a new wrinkle and your friends will

and are linked to birth defects.

your pimples. Mix together one

of avocado on your face will leave your

start reminiscing about your good old

oils of avocado closely match our skin

teaspoon of orange juice, one teaspoon

skin feeling soft and rejuvenated. What

are added to your products is because

of lemon juice, two drops of olive oil

are you waiting for? Use this recipe to

they act as preservatives, making them

and one teaspoon of rose water. The

wash away that dry spell on your face!

So naturally, every person asks -

smell nicer and last longer. And the

orange juice works on shrinking and

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, how can I

bitter truth is, most of us are either

closing open pores, while the lemon

be the fairest of them all?”

unaware or choose to ignore these

juice gets itself busy fighting acne and

natural, DIY skincare now, and forbid

A good marketer picks up on this

lasting effects, thanks to the heavy

lightening your skin. The additional

commercial beauty products from

and introduces you to their newest

marketing around them. Should you be

olive oil and rose water work on

stripping off your natural oils. It’ll do

selection of products, be it Estée

concerned? Absolutely!

moisturising and hydrating your skin.

wonders for your skin. Your face really

You can sit at home, spend next to

is important, and getting it right will

‘young’ days.

Lauder, Olay or even Clinique, with an

The only reason these chemicals

Every concerned amateur turns to

Seriously, make a transition to

exceptions-based guarantee to turn you

natural, chemical-free skin products

nothing and get this aggressive Acne

come with a healthy dose of natural

as fair and lovely as you can possibly

to their rescue. But don’t be fooled.

Warrior to start defeating that acne on

beauty and confidence. n

imagine. And they end up getting you

Products termed as ‘natural’ are more

your skin!

good too. Have a think about your

likely to be a marketing gimmick

regular day, and you’ll probably find

rather than actually being chemical-

Turmeric Crush: this is the secret

yourself slathering on around ten

free. Take, for instance, Dr Organic’s

behind every South Asian bride’s

different skin products each day.

new line of ‘natural’ products. The

beauty. Mix together two teaspoons of

packaging and eco-friendly buzzwords

gram flour, half a teaspoon of turmeric

Is it really natural, or a hoax?

around the brand might make it

powder and two teaspoons of milk.

Well, beware! Such clever marketing,

sound non-detrimental, but that’s

Gram flour is an excellent exfoliator,

more often than not, covers a myriad of

nothing more than an idea sold by the

fully equipped to unclog your skin pores

sins. Try picking up one of your beauty

brand’s marketers. A closer look at

whilst our secret ingredient, turmeric

products and take a good look at its

the ingredients of their ‘natural’ skin

powder, is absolutely set on fading away

ingredients. You’ll find oxybenzone,

lotions will show you that they do

your blemishes and gently lightening

benzalkonium, parabens, sulphates,

contain worrisome ingredients such

your skin. Adding milk complements

and a whole load of other chemicals

as sodium benzoate, which is a toxic

this fairness recipe as milk is great in

you’re unwittingly rubbing into your

preservative. Moral of the story - a

shedding off pigmented skin and works

skin every single day. I can’t even

commercial product will always be far

as a natural cleanser. Trust me, the

pronounce half of these, let alone

from natural.

Turmeric Crush will work wonders in

The author is a IndianBelgian marketing grad turned blogger/ Youtuber based in London. To know more, check out her YouTube channel @laughingananas and blog at www. laughingananas. com, and find her on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook @ laughingananas

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

6 Cook your own way | Kitchen chronicles

Of cookies and biscuits Photos and text: Farzana Romine

I

have been collecting different cookie recipes over the years and these three recipes are my most favourite. These are nutty, buttery and chocolaty; very easy to make and you can adapt them according to your choice.

Swedish Saffron Rusk Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

I got this recipe from my Swedish

Directions:

logs as long as your baking sheet.

to 350째F/170째C. Toast the slices, cut

colleague when she was visiting Dhaka.

Preheat oven to 400째F/ 200째C.

If your baking sheet is small, then

side up for about ten minutes. Turn

divide into three equal logs. Flatten

them over after five minutes to cook

I fell in love with the taste. This is my

Melt butter and stir in the saffron.

most favourite cookie.

Allow this butter mixture to cool,

the logs slightly by pressing them on

the other side. Depending on your

**(This recipe yields about 25 cookies)

then add the chopped mixed nuts and

the top. Make sure there are at least

oven, you may have to bake them

combine.

two-inch gaps between the logs.

longer. If they still seem soft after ten

Ingredients:

In a separate bowl mix the flour,

1/2 cup butter

baking powder and raisins together.

1/2 tsp saffron

Beat the eggs and sugar together

Bake in the middle rack of the oven for about 12 minutes. The logs

minutes, bake for few more minutes.

Turn off your oven and let the rusks

will puff up, some cracks will form

cool down inside, keeping the oven

1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (pecan,

until fluffy. Add the butter and

on the top, but the logs will still be

door slightly open. Once totally dry

walnuts, cashew, almonds)

nut mixture and mix well. Once

slightly raw in the centre.

and cool, they will be ready to eat.

2 eggs

combined, add the flour mixture

1/3 cup sugar

and form it into a cookie dough-like

one-third-inch slices with a serrated

Note: You can use any kind of nuts.

2 cups flour

consistency.

knife (if they cool down, they will

You can experiment with different

become dry and crumble).

combinations of nuts or any one kind. n

1+1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup raisins

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

Divide the dough into two equal parts. Shape the dough into two thick

Working quickly, slice the logs into

Lower the temperature of the oven

7

Scottish Shortbread When I am lazy I make this cookie. It

mixture is fluffy. Gradually add in the

takes only five ingredients to make

vanilla.

these. All these ingredients are very

Combine the flour, salt and

common, so it’s easy to make them any

baking powder. Add this to the butter

time.

mixture. Mix well and knead until

** (This recipe yields about 15 cookies)

fully combined. Form the dough into a

Ingredients: 1 cup soft butter 1/2 cup brown sugar or white sugar

ball. Make sure not to over-knead the mixture, as that will make the cookies hard.

Roll the dough into a half-inch

2 cup flour

thick sheet and cut the cookies into

1/4 tsp baking powder

any shape of your choosing. Prick the

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

cookies with a fork so that they don’t

1 pinch salt (if using unsalted butter)

puff-up.

For the glaze:

and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until

1/4 cup chocolate chips

slightly golden.

2 tbsp butter

Put the cookies on a baking sheet

Let the cookies cool completely.

To make the chocolate glaze, melt

Directions:

chocolate and butter together and dip

Preheat oven to 325°F/160°C.

half of the cookie into the mixture.

Beat the butter and sugar together until the sugar is totally melted and the

Let the glaze dry for 20 to 30 minutes before eating. n

Italian Double Chocolate Biscotti Anywhere you find biscotti, you’ll

Directions:

invariably find a cup of coffee paired

Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C.

with it. Biscotti have a reputation of being a dry, flavourless “grown-up” cookie. However, my Double Chocolate

In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder.

Chop the nuts coarsely. If the

Biscotti are so good, you can eat them

chocolate chips you use are larger than

solo. You won’t even miss the coffee!

average, chop them too.

** (This recipe yields about 20 cookies)

Ingredients:

Beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy and then mix in the vanilla extract.

Add the flour, butter, nuts and

2 cups of flour

chocolate. Mix well. The mixture will be

3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used

very sticky.

Ghirardelli 60%, but you can use any

Now divide the dough into two even

high-quality baking chips)

logs. Brush the dough with egg and

3/4 cup cocoa powder

sprinkle with sugar.

1 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 cup melted butter 1 cup brown sugar

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until firm.

Cool for 15 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut the log into 1/2 inch slices.

Bake the slices cut side down, for

1 tsp vanilla extract

12-15 minutes, turn them over, then bake

3 eggs (at room temperature)

for another 12-15 minutes.

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used cashew, pecan and almonds)

Let them cool completely. Enjoy with friends and family.

One extra egg and a little sugar for the glaze

Note: The technique for shaping and cutting these cookies are same as the Saffron Rusk. n

TIP: Cover your hands in melted butter before handling the dough. It will be easier to shape.

Farzana Romine is a food lover and travel enthusiast whose mission is recreating restaurant quality dishes at home and she invites you to come along for the ride

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

8 Origin Story | Tropical flavour

History of the Pineapple From a Pina Colada to anarosh bhorta and upside down pineapple cakes, the spiky fruit that has started flooding our markets with its heady aroma and succulent tastes has also travelled many miles, across the centuries to arrive on the hilly slopes of Sylhet and other parts of Bangladesh where it is grown. We take a small peak into the history of Pineapples. Bon appetite!

Reema Islam

Scientific Name: Ananas comosus

C

In Lawachara Forest

Photos: Reema Islam

tumultuous seas and through the

to later missionaries from Australia

hands of greedy traders and colonists,

who first imported their plants from

it continued remaining a symbol of

India’s soils during the early 1800s.

welcome. In Hawaii, door knobs were

However, as is the case with many

carved in the shape of a pineapple

other fruits and vegetables, it is

and in many gardens or plantations

possible that pineapples were already

around the US, pineapples were

consumed in parts of India as claimed

carved near the entrances. Many of

by the book, “Ancient India: History

us must have passed those houses on

and Culture”. It is thought that the

the way out of Dhaka via Jatrabari,

fruit was introduced during the Maurya

where the huge concrete pineapples

(322 to 185 BC) and Gupta Empire (320

have been carved on their rooftops. At

to 550 CE) while later day Mongolian

least that is what I believe those spiky

immigrants also played a role in its

monstrosities resemble…! Hence the

transport. Similarly anthropologists

pineapple continued being represented

have stated that pineapples existed

symbolically and once the Portuguese

in ancient Egypt as early as Queen

had brought it with them to the islands

Hatshepsut’s reign from 1492 to 1458

hristopher Columbus was

soil, especially after the vehement

of Java and Indonesia and eventually

BCE. Evidence of pineapple and corn is

out to discover a New World

dislike King Charles V had taken to it

India, it soon became an integral

painted on old murals, suggesting that

and ended up making

but soon the Duchess of Cleveland’s

part of the Asian cuisine as well. The

the ancient Egyptians visited the New

all sorts of discoveries,

hot house in 1642 was successful in

Portuguese however called in Ananaz,

World by ship over 3,000 years ago.

including finding the refreshing

allowing the locals to enjoy locally

a word taken from the original term

pineapple on the shores of a Caribbean

grown pineapples. A French Hugeunot

of nana which meant excellent fruit,

in its many varieties. It was introduced

island. On his second voyage in 1493,

who had invented the hot houses was

from the language of the region of Tupi,

to us through Assam and Manipur in

Columbus discovered pineapples in

instrumental in this move but it was

which included many South American

India and was first cultivated in Sylhet

Guadeloupe and called them pina

still an expensive fruit to sell in the

countries.

in the beginning of 20th century.

de Indes or Pine of the Indians and

markets, given the cost of growing

Pineapples are grown abundantly in

Pineapples are now cultivated almost

this was the first recorded meeting

it. Yet, pineapples were a favourite

many parts of India which was brought

all over while Sylhet, Tangail, Dhaka,

of a European with the spiky fruit.

ingredient for colonial confectioners

in by the Portuguese traders in 1548,

and Rangamati remain the hubs of

Columbus and his mates obviously fell

who started renting them out to women

after visiting the nearby Indonesian

pineapple plantations. n

in love with the fleshy fruit and gladly

who wanted to impress their guests

islands. India in turn was the supplier

took it back with them. However, the

with their resourcefulness. It must

return journey had spoiled some of

have been quite a task concealing the

the pineapples and King Charles V

fact from their dinner guests that the

was least impressed by the acidic, foul

central piece of the dinner ensemble

smelling fruit that reached him. Yet,

was in fact, a pineapple just barely

pineapples soon took over the hearts of

being kept fresh on its third round of

the European aristocrats and became

being rented out! Alexander Dumas was

a sought after delicacy that tested the

never a great fan of it and suggested

efficiency of a hostess if she could

immersing the pineapples in water then

serve her guests this soft, juicy fruit in

serving it with wine and sugar.

all its freshness. The fruit however is

A symbol of welcoming guests,

said to have originated in the Orinoco

when Columbus and his men were

Basin of South America and possibly

touring the Caribbeans, they soon

also in Brazil and Paraguay and was

learned that a pineapple placed

introduced eventually to the Caribbean,

outside a village entrance meant the

where Columbus finally met this fruit

locals were welcoming them and

that reminded him of a pine cone.

this concept travelled far and wide

It was initially a challenge to

and when the pineapple eventually

grow the pineapples on European

made its worldwide journey, across

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

In Bangladesh, we enjoy the anarosh

On the slopes of Srimongol

Reema Islam works at Jovago, the global hotel booking platform. Her main interest lies in archaeological heritage conservation & working with communities that live around a heritage site. Reema raises awareness about Bangladeshi archaeogy through articles in the US magazine Archaeology & other foreign & national publications.

Working moms | Photo Story

9

Labour and love Photos: Syed Zakir Hossain The construction industry continues to employ manual labourers in jobs that can be done by machines.

Manual labourers, typically women, breaking bricks with hammers is a common sight in Dhaka city. Our photo story this week captures images of women labourers at their work and taking care of their children. A mother changing a homemade diaper by a heap of bricks looks familiar to any mother tending to her child. In the context of the coming Global Day of Parents day on June 1, these pictures may be seen as a small tribute to the mothers who endure incredible hardships. Even with the hardened muscles of their arms and rough callouses on their hands, they still hold their children with as much tenderness as any other mother.

This week’s photo story features the labourer mothers at work in and around Dhaka city.

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

10 Photo Story | Working moms

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

11

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

12 Issue | Smokers’ Health

Going up in smoke Are the graphic warnings on cigarette packets being ignored?

N Anita Amreen

“J

oghonno,” Sherman

showing that pictorial warnings could,

Is the change too slow?

Sheridan Moreino says

to some extent, improve the level of

“You can’t help but think twice before

was his first and initial

awareness on the harms of smoking as

having a smoke but what matters is

reaction to the graphic

well as motivate smokers to quit. With

that these images at least make you

image on his pack of Benson lights. The

only two months since the new law

think about it first. I wouldn’t say

pictorial warning depicts an image of

has been in effect, it’s difficult to say if

there has been a direct decrease in the

the insides of a man’s decayed throat -

these most recent measures have really

number of cigarettes I smoke, but it

gory and frightening. “It’s a disgusting

been effective in curbing smoking.

definitely makes me feel more strongly about quitting in the long run,” shares

photo, but I do think, to some extent,

“Every time I see the packs, I feel

it’s an effective campaign,” shares the

a sense of self abuse,” shares Shafkat

Sherman. Every time he buys a pack, he

25 year old, who smokes around five

Sakin, a marketing professional who

is compelled to think about what if he

to nine cigarettes on a regular day.

smokes Marlboro Advance. When

also suffers the same fate as the man in

Bangladesh recently implemented the

asked if this has led to any difference

the image.

Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage

in the number of cigarettes he smokes,

(Control) Rule 2015 where the use of

he says it hasn’t. “I haven’t stopped

is a much stronger factor than these

pictorial health messages on packets of

smoking and neither do I smoke less

warning signs or images,” explained

all tobacco products came into effect

because of the pictures, but I definitely

Wasif Ahmed Naveed, a 24 year old

on March 19 this year. Ever since, most

think that feeling of self abuse will

who has been a smoker for the past

leading tobacco products have had

one day perhaps motivate me to stop

eight years. As someone who smokes

images that graphically show the death

smoking completely,” he adds.

Marlboro reds, ever since the images

and disease that smoking tobacco

One study’s findings have been in

“I think the force of habit of smoking

have been imposed, he looks at the

causes. With up to 50% of the main

line with Shafkat’s thoughts - although

pack less but it hasn’t reduced his

display areas taken up by these photos,

the images may not immediately curb

consumption. “They might have long

some believe that these images may

smoking habits, viewing graphic images

term subliminal effects but I wouldn’t

help smokers kick the habit better than

over time has an impact on smokers

think it’s coming into effect right now

those who read verbal warnings alone.

and does lead them to think more

or any time soon.”

Positive step forward

carefully about the risks of smoking.

“I feel like the packaging will

The study published in the journal

have no effect as Bangladesh is a late

Bangladesh was the first country to

PLOS ONE is the first to study the

adopter and this has been in effect

sign the WHO Framework Convention

impact of pictorial warnings labels on

throughout the whole world, and

on Tobacco Control (FCTC), alongside

smokers outside of a laboratory and

smoking incidence has only increased

being one of the first 40 countries to

over a relatively long period of time. It

throughout Asia. The images are not

become a party to the FCTC. Prior to

found that smokers that looked at the

a bigger turn-off than the addiction

the new law that makes it mandatory

labels for four weeks felt worse than

the cigarettes cause. Plus most of

to have pictorial warning labels on

those that just looked at text warnings.

these images are so unrealistic that

every tobacco product, most cigarette

Eventually, it led them to believe

the smoker perceives them as lies,”

and bidi packs had text-only health

that their habit was more dangerous,

says a former employee from one

warnings. ITC Bangladesh’s 2011 survey

thereby increasing the chances of them

of the leading cigarette and tobacco

on the need for pictorial warnings

giving it up in the long run.

company’s in Bangladesh, on request of

in Bangladesh found that text only warnings weren’t actually effective in conveying the harms of smoking effectively. The study found that smokers in Bangladesh demonstrated “a relatively high level of awareness of text-only labels”.

What was interesting to find is that a minority of smokers reported that the warnings made them “try to avoid the labels, think about the health risks of smoking or made them think about quitting,”

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

Although the images may not immediately curb smoking habits, viewing graphic images over time has an impact on smokers and does lead them to think more carefully about the risks of smoking

13

anonymity.

“The images are absolutely appalling and it does make me wonder - will this happen to me?” says Sheikh Irfan, an

sign a petition against tobacco. So far the petition has 710 signatures as of May 25.

The website also encourages people

entrepreneur who’s been smoking for

to report immediately to the National

nearly 20 years now. Ever since the

Tobacco Control Cell - Ministry of

new packaging has been introduced,

Health and Family Welfare Tel: +88

Irfan has been unable to find any store

02 9585135 if any pack of unlabelled

or shop selling packs that don’t have

cigarettes is found. With a fine of

the images or are still selling cigarettes

Tk200,000 for this breach of law, one

from the last stock that hasn’t had the

would imagine that most retail stores

images imposed.

would only carry packs with warnings,

National efforts to reduce smoking

however, a report by UNB suggests otherwise.

The UNB report states that 75%

Packpeople.com.bd is a Bangladeshi

packets of tobacco have no pictorial

website that takes things a step

warnings. A survey conducted by seven

further via their campaign to make

anti-tobacco organisations, including

the harms of smoking even more

Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Environmental

real by sharing actual testimonials

Council Bangladesh and Ubinig and

of smokers suffering from the same

National Heart Foundation, revealed

disease and illness depicted on the

that 14 brands of bidi that was covered

country’s graphic health warnings. The

under the study are yet to follow the

People Behind the Packs campaign is

law. It was also revealed that about

supported by Vital Strategies, a global

55% cigarettes in the market had no

expertise to build large-scale health

warning, directly breaching the law in

programs in every region of the world,

place.

primarily in low- and middle-income

The Health Ministry’s recent

countries. The campaign was filmed at

statistics revealed that around 57,000

cancer hospitals in Dhaka where four

people die of tobacco-related illnesses

tobacco victims reveal their horrifying

every year and nearly 300,000 suffer

stories about their illnesses and

from related disabilities. Even though

disfigurements that have resulted from

the government has put into place

their tobacco habit.

important measures to curb smoking,

“Tobacco kills more than 92,000

with this year’s theme for World No

people every year in Bangladesh – that

Tobacco Day being “stop illegal trade of

is more than 250 people every day!

tobacco products,” the government still

Sign this petition against tobacco and

has a long way to go in ensuring that

smoking in Bangladesh,” reads a sign

these measures are being effectively

on the website encouraging viewers to

implemented. n

Photos: Bigstock

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

14 Issue | Corporal Punishment

Spare the rod Shuprova Tasneem

T

Photos: Bigstock

The little things that hurt

hese words, written by one

all corporal punishment at home.

of the most famous 15 year

According to a Bangladesh Bureau of

olds in the world, portray

Statistics and UNICEF report in 2014, a

is almost shocking how many children

Zafir*, “I used to get beaten up all

all the innocent love and

survey conducted in 2012-2013 showed

from educated middle-class families

the time, with belts, shoes, hangars –

admiration a child can feel for their

that 65.9% of surveyed children (age

in the capital have been beaten as a

you name it. It wasn’t always severe

parents. While there is some truth to

1-14 years) had received physical

form of discipline, whether it be for

obviously, after a while it became a part

this view, one cannot argue against

punishment, and that respondents with

bad behaviour or doing badly at school.

of our upbringing and it didn’t bother

the huge impact that parents have in

no educational attainment (35.1%) and

But are these strict views on parenting

me. The worst beating happened to

forming their children’s personalities

residing in poorer households (41.7%)

changing among the young, educated

my younger brother – he came home

and determining their behaviour,

considered beatings to be a necessary

urbanites of Dhaka, and what are the

under the influence of something and

especially when they are younger.

form of discipline.

views of this generation who were

got beaten with a golf club. I don’t

given corporal punishment when they

agree with corporal punishment

were children?

though, because I know what sort of

Parenting can be difficult and children

This may lead some to believe that

can be naughty, and quite often parents

it is only the economically and socially

have to resort to punishing children for

excluded who beat their children since

their mistakes, in order to teach them

they do not know any better, but this

right or wrong.

is simply not true. In his book ‘Better

It is an open secret that families

Days, Better Lives’, Kamal Siddiqui

in Bangladesh often resort to beating

wrote in detail about the culture of

their children in order to discipline

physical punishment as a disciplinary

them. While corporal punishment at

tool all across the country, arguing

schools was outlawed in Bangladesh

that pain is inflicted on children “to

in 2010, it is still prevalent in a lot of

secure better academic performance

academic institutions, and although the

and to enforce obedience”, which is

Children Act 2013 does make ambitious

“augmented by the traditional view

provisions for ending child cruelty, there

in Bangladesh society that parents,

is still no specific prohibition against

guardians, teachers and elders ‘can do

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

no wrong’”.

However, when you dig deeper, it

According to 29 year old businessman

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” - Anne Frank

15 resentment it builds, and I think there

have to stop comparing children to

out there, adds Zafir. “Most people in

it really helps to ask others for help – be

are other ways to handle kids but my

each other and empower them instead,

Bangladesh think about getting married

it online or your friends and family.

parents just weren’t aware of them, and

but of course that does not mean you

and having children as a normal

We are a close-knit community, but

we were definitely a handful.”

should condone bad behaviour either.”

progression in life without really

often strict practices can be passed

thinking of the giant responsibilities

down between generations, whereas

On the other hand, 32 year old

These views are echoed by

Onik* who works as a sub-editor in a

Chaitali*, development professional

that come with it, especially since in

to me it makes more sense to have

business magazine, argues that some

and mother of a toddler. “In my mind,

our community we get a lot of support

a community of new parents who

forms of corporal punishment, such as

the most effective way of disciplining

from other family members in child-

can give each other helpful advice

an open-handed slap, can be used as a

kids is through an open and clear

rearing, which is great but I think that

in bringing up happy and healthy

tool of discipline. “I was never beaten

communication channel. Positive

only adds to the problem.”

children.”

severely and never in public, but I

reinforcement is invariably more

think sometimes you do need to be

effective than negative in ensuring that

Karima* adds to this, and argues

to move past the assumption that

reprimanded for really bad behaviour,

children have the space to share, rather

that corporal punishment shouldn’t

unconditional family and teacher

such as swearing at parents or hitting

than hide, their thoughts. Beatings not

even be used as a last resort. “If the

obedience and the best academic

them. I grew up abroad, and most

only alienate the child but also set the

option is still on the table, and you

performance is the norm for each and

minorities like us did have some form

wrong example and can permanently

use it on the rare occasion, you’ve

every child,” said Prof Akhter. “Every

of physical punishment at home for

scar a child’s psyche,” she said.

still beat your child and given them

child is different and can have different

the impression that some form of

behavioural or psychological problems

with this view. “I was never beaten

violence is sometimes acceptable. I

that need to be gently dealt with, not

Nawrin* argues that corporal

as a child, I can’t imagine my parents

know parenting is difficult, but I think

with blows and raised voices.” n

punishment only made her act

would ever have hurt me like that. But

out more, and that parent-child

my friend in the neighbourhood was

relationships aren’t just a one-way

always beaten by his parents, and I

road of obedience and respect. “I

could see how it slowly dehumanised

believe that if my parents had not hit

him. I was once over at their house and

me, I wouldn’t have hit my little sister

saw his mother hitting their hired

as a child. There was one time that I

help who can’t have been more

instinctively hit my father back, and

than 14 herself, but he didn’t

they stopped doing it after that. I know

bat an eyelash. It just didn’t

it was disrespectful, but they shouldn’t

register that she was doing

have hit me at all if they wanted to earn

something really wrong.”

terrible behaviour.”

However, 26 year grad student

my respect too.”

26 year old writer Shurobhi* agrees

is more forgiving of his upbringing, but

Helping ourselves to help our children

still emphasises its negative effects as

Shaheen Akhter,

well by recounting his most traumatic

professor of paediatric

experience with corporal punishment,

neurology at BSMMU,

when his dog tried to save him from the

also talks about

beating and was quite seriously injured

her professional

instead. “The thing is, I committed a

experiences with

crime and was meant to be punished,

parents who beat

but he was an innocent creature who

their children

didn’t deserve that, and it made me

and how it

see red,” he said. “I was old enough to

just creates a

understand what I had done wrong. I

vicious cycle.

think my brother and I being beaten

“I have so many

had less to do with discipline and

people who come

more to do with my mother’s issues on

to me and complain

controlling her anger.”

about their children

26 year old electrical engineer Musa*

Psychological aftereffects of physical punishment

“At the end of the day, we have

** The names used in this article has been changed for confidentiality.

being aggressive. And while I question the child’s history, often

According to Tanmi Akhter, educational

enough it comes out

psychologist at Bangabandhu Sheikh

that the child is being

Mujib Medical University (BSMMU),

beaten, and you have to

such feelings of aggression are likely

explain that the most likely

to happen with children who are given

scenario here is that the child is

corporal punishment, as well as low

only internalising his/her parents’

self-esteem and depression.

aggressive behaviour and acting out as

“There are just too many negative

Doctoral candidate and mother

a result.”

effects of corporal punishment, and it

“When you’re growing up, your

is only a temporary solution. The only

parents are everything to you. I know

way to ensure your child’s well-being

sometimes bad behaviour can be

is to ensure that rules are established

frustrating, but I think parents end up

and good behaviour is reinforced from

beating their children when they aren’t

a very young age,” she said. “We also

aware of other parenting methods

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

16 Laws | Protecting children

Beating them into obedience Are laws in place against corporal punishment of children in Bangladesh?

Saqib Sarker edwan was ticked off.

R

Is there any truth to this feeling or

That known sensation

have people been conditioned to adopt

of frustration and anger

and carry on a perspective uncritically

crept into him. He gets this

from their previous generation? A good

feeling whenever something happens

place to start to understand the impact

to remind him that he is labouring

of corporal punishment would be to

away at a dead end job. A job where

listen to the other party in this issue:

he knows the slow increment in salary

the children.

will never catch up to the expenses

A series of opinion polls of children

and where he is likely to spend the

were carried out in Bangladesh by

rest of his life, because the hope of

UNICEF from 2005 to 2008. From

getting a better job is nonexistent. His

the 2005 study, children identified

one entrepreneurial attempt proved

more than 1,000 behaviours they

hazardous, to put it mildly. He blames

disliked within the family, school

his wife for it. He knew from the

and workplace. Of these, 293 were

beginning that amateur tailoring skills

categorised as physical discipline, 206

wasn’t going to cut it. But they went for

as verbal punishment and 66 as other

it anyway.

forms of discipline, representing the

Redwan looked down at Towsif who gave him a sly smile. “The spoiled

top three disliked behaviours.

Photo: Bigstock

Despite Bangladesh’s commitment

little brat,” Redwan thought. Redwan

to reforming the laws in order to

(and employers) to impose corporal

as The Global Initiative, put a lot of

resented the fact that this school

prohibit corporal punishments in all

punishment on children.

emphasis on enacting meticulous

strictly prohibits corporal punishment.

settings, adequate legal instruments

“In our time the teacher would have

are still not in place to impose an

‘The Children Act 2013’ was enacted to

would be possible to demand the

smacked the smile right off. Heck! We

all encompassing restriction on

address this but The Global Initiative

implementation of the law. Specific

wouldn’t have the nerve to look at the

corporal punishment. At this point the

says that the law “failed to achieve” the

laws simply remove the room for

A following legislation entitled

legislations because then it

teacher, let alone smile,” he thought.

ambiguity in upholding rights and that

Towsif, Redwan’s student in class 3,

is why legislations are so important.

But in a way the safety of children

section C, drew a questionable shape

from physical and mental punishment

on the whiteboard and named it after another student.

Redwan gathered all his will power to not strike his insolent student.

“Shammi did it and now…” Redwan grimly remembered how one of his

The Supreme Court ruling against corporal punishment in schools needs to be codified in legislation

is de facto prohibited under the Constitution if we accept a humanistic and logical interpretation of the Constitution, as the High Court clearly did in 2011.

From a cultural standpoint we still

colleagues was fired for slapping a

need to go a lot further to achieve

class 6 student. All of the teachers were

a tenable atmosphere where laws

shocked to hear about it, particularly after what that student did. But it did

Supreme Court ruling against corporal

goal. The Global Initiative report states

prohibiting corporal punishment

happen. Redwan cursed the stupid

punishment in schools needs to be

that the law “includes the offence of

of children can be enforced with

school and its stupid rules.

codified in legislation.

child cruelty (art. 70), punishing “any

effectiveness. A lot of the times the

person having the custody, charge

reason for beating up children has more

experience of a teacher working in an

Corporal Punishment of Children

or care of any child [who] assaults,

to do with the adult’s own difficulties

English medium school in Dhaka. His

observed in its country report that

abuses, neglects, forsakes, abandons

and challenges in life.

question is the same question many

in Bangladesh corporal punishment

unprotected, uses for personal

people ask: “How do you discipline

needs to be prohibited in alternative

services, or exposes in an obscene way

unrealistic to think that child beating

children if you cannot admonish them

care settings, day care, schools, penal

such child and such assault, abuse,

only occurs because of a wanton

through corporal punishment?”

institutions and as sentence for crime.

negligence, forsaking, abandonment,

psychopathic need for the adults to

In the 2011, ruling on corporal

or the use in personal service causes

torture children. Poverty and a sense of

perception among the older generation

punishment in schools, the High

unnecessary suffering or such injury

insecurity are very potent factors that

that getting beaten up as a child may

Court Division of Supreme Court of

to his health that it leads to loss of the

play a role. It is true that appropriate

have been a positive thing for them. “If

Bangladesh called for prohibition of

child’s eyesight or hearing or injury to

legislation is the first necessary step.

I didn’t fear that my dad would beat me

corporal punishment in the home

any of limb or organ of the body and

But without a holistic approach to the

up I wouldn’t bother towing the line. I

and directed the Government to

any mental derangement”, but it does

problem no amount of laws would

would have done a lot of stupid things,”

consider amending the Children Act

not prohibit all corporal punishment.”

be able to make the phenomenon

Redwan echoed the sentiment.

1974 to make it an offence for parents

In a way pressure groups, such

The story of Redwan is a real life

There is also a widely held

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

The Global Initiative to End All

It would be too self-righteous and

disappear. n

Jennifer Ashraf | LEGALESE

17

The fine print in the Employment Contract. An employer can terminate a contract of an employee (who is not a labour) by serving him notice for the period stipulated in the Employment Contract, or make payment in lieu of such notice period. If the employee falls under the category of a “worker”, termination is possible in the two ways outlined below:

Discretionary termination To terminate permanent employment, the: • Employer must give 120 days’ notice • Employee must give 60 days’ notice.

• For temporary workers, either side must give 30 days’ notice.

Disciplinary termination Summary dismissal (that is, without notice) is permitted only for convictions of a criminal offence.

For other disciplinary grounds, the employee has seven days to justify his misconduct. If his reply is unsatisfactory, the employer must call a hearing to decide whether he should be dismissed on disciplinary grounds. The Photo: Bigstock

Q

I have just secured a relationship with a foreign company to help them advertise and hire employees

A

Dear Reader

workers, formation of trade unions,

Thank you for writing in

raising and settlement of industrial

to us with your queries.

disputes, health, safety, welfare and

Bangladeshi employers

working conditions of workers, and

tend to follow the

apprenticeship and matters ancillary

following disciplinary grounds apply: • Wilful insubordination or failure to obey.

• Theft, fraud or dishonesty in connection with the employer’s business or property.

in Dhaka. They had a few queries,

guidelines of the Bangladesh Labour

which I need assistance about. Is it

Act 2006 and make the 2006 Act

required/common practice to sign

an integral part of the employment

only for those whoever falls under the

up labour contract with employee

contract. In cases of dispute the Courts

definition of ‘worker’. Under BLA 2006,

in Bangladesh? Or an offer letter

also tend to follow the guidelines

a ‘worker’ does not include a person

is enough? Is there any regulation

provided by the BLA 2006 in the

employed mainly in a managerial or

about the labour contract term?

absence of any particular guideline.

administrative capacity and in such

• Habitual negligent work.

cases the employees need to rely

• Habitual breach of any rule of

Is it difficult to terminate contract

A company or establishment

thereto.

Therefore, BLA 2006 is applicable

• Taking or giving a bribe.

• Habitual late attendance.

• Habitual breach of any law, rule or regulation.

• Riotous or disorderly behaviour, or any act subversive of discipline.

with an employee in Bangladesh? In

can hire employee and/or labour

on the terms and conditions of the

what circumstance can an employer

as their employees by entering

contract with the employer. Generally

terminate contract with its staff and

into an agreement, referred to as

various compliant companies have

damaging, or causing loss of the

is there any cost to terminate an

an “Employment Agreement” in

their own set of rules, e.g. ‘staff hand

employer’s official records.

employee’s contract?

Bangladesh. A mere ‘offer letter’ is not

book’, ‘service manual’, etc. through

enough to constitute an agreement

which they govern their employees.

disciplinary termination (other than

between the parties unless it is not

An employer is bound to follow the

due to conviction for a criminal offence

accepted by the prospective employee.

provisions laid down in the BLA 2006

or theft, fraud or riotous or disorderly

The Employment Agreement serves

as long as the employee could be

behaviour, including arson and

as a contract between the employer

termed as an worker as defined in the

vandalism). The severance payment

and employee and is governed by the

Act.

is equal to 15 days’ pay for each

Jennifer Ashraf Kashmi is a barrister and solicitor of England and Wales.

She is currently Senior Partner at Legacy Legal Corporate

“Contracts Act, 1872”.

Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 was

Contract terms are a variable and usually upheld, as both the employee

employment.

• Falsifying, tampering with,

A severance payment is payable for

completed year of employment.

I hope the above is helpful to you

enacted to consolidate and amend

and the employer implicitly agree

and your company. If you have any

the laws relating to employment of

to it prior to commencement of

further queries, please do not hesitate

labour, relations between workers

employment.

to get in touch! n

and employers, determination of

It is not difficult to terminate an

minimum wage, payment of wages

‘Employment Contract’ provided

and compensation for injuries to

the ‘termination clause’ exists

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

18 stay in Clues ACROSS 5 Revolutionary car dial switch (7) 6 I’m sad about golden King (5) 9 Organ moved to US city for cereal (7)

DOWN 1 Attempt a score at rugby (3) 2 Sailor is a confused dam liar (7) 3 Race duo tour South American country (7) 4 Take to the sky like an insect (3) 7 Weekly pay doesn’t begin to get old (3) 8 Looked up formerly (3)

Sudoku

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19)- it’s time to get out and network with key people. And you could even find yourself attracted to someone on the spur of the moment.

Go easy, though, it could turn out to be

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

an on-and-off relationship.

Taurus (Apr 20-May20)- A week full of passion and creativity engulfs the artist inside you bull, so let it flow.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)- The planets aligning your fate are finally out of slumber, which means this is the start of new beginnings and adventures for you.

Go get ‘em!

Cancer (June 21-Jul22)- Seems like the cat’s got a hold of your tongue for quite some time now. This week brings you opportunities to finally open up and speak and get out of your tiny bubble and explore everything around you.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)- You’ve got money on your mind this week but having said that it does seem like that sometimes

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

money doesn’t matter. Try holding on to

Last week’s solutions

Last week’s sudoku solutions

it for as long as you can, maybe opening up a savings account could help.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)- The weather has been gloomy lately but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to bring yourself down with the rain.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct22)- Your life has been stable and running at a steady speed for quite some time now. Be prepared for some adventurous thrills and excitement.

ACROSS 1 Cheater rearranged land area (7) 4 Arranged seminar for military unit (7) 6 Best to choose sorted mail (7) 7 Galley equipment revolutionary and new (7)

DOWN 1 Poke fun after bad actor made cloth bed (7) 2 Barrow holds a measure of gemstones (5) 3 One slip changed Greek letter (7) 5 New York speed of woodland spirit (5)

Scorpio (Oct23-Nov21)- You’ll be surrounded by friends all throughout this week, it may not be bad idea to take a road trip with them just to ease the mind.

Sagittarius (Nov22-Dec 21)- The creative side of you has been hiding for a while, it is time to give it a nudge and wake it up. Now is a good time to think of starting an entrepreneurship.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan19)- The world is your oyster and you’ll soon be travelling to many a great city for work.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)- You’re usually very calm, composed and hardly ever lose your cool. However it seems like you’ve been under a lot of stress lately.

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)- It’s time to clear away the clutter from your mind and be as positive as you possibly can be.

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

horoscopes

Mini cryptics

Go out

19

Weekly Planner June 2 June 1

Food | Grand Opening of Platform Nine and Three Quarters When 7pm Where Platform Nine and Three Quarters, 5 Lake Drive Road, Sector 7, Uttara, 1230 Dhaka What The first ever Harry Potter themed restaurant in Dhaka, will open on June 1st, 2016. If you are a Potterhead, then participate in their contests, like and share their page, and you will get a chance to inaugurate Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and enjoy delicious meals with your family.

May 27

Concert | Jatra Biroti Live Performances

Concert | Concert by the Bodhisattwa Ghosh Trio When 7pm Where Red Shift Coffee Lounge, Radius Centre, 5th Floor, Bay’s Galleria, 57 Gulshan, Dhaka What The Bodhisattwa Ghosh Trio launching their new album Heart of Darkness.

They are a jazz-rock outfit which believes in the expression of unadulterated human feelings, in the form of unrefined powerful sounds created from energy, deep within the human soul.

Drawing influences from musical

ideas, musicians, feelings, and experiences in Bodhisattwa’s life, the trio, with Bijit Bhattacharya on bass, and Premjit Dutta on drums, delivers a mix of original songs as well as interpretations of pieces written by legends who have inspired the musicians in the band.

Tickets are available for Tk600 at Red Shift/Radius or online for Tk660 at www.imdhaka.com or www.jetechao.com (Limited seating so please book early).

June 2 Exhibition | The Milkshake Collective When 5:30pm Where Cityscape Tower, 53 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka What ‘The Milkshake Collective,’ is a blend of 22 local artists banding together for the ultimate art fair of their own creation.

Flecked with pop culture, modern and street art, witness the visual explorations in method, medium and madness of these underground maestros. There will be prints, limited edition tees, merchandise, and more.

So come mingle with the artists and share a collective bond at the

calm and charmingly contemporary Cityscape International Ltd, in the heart of Gulshan, Dhaka.

Participating artists include: Alia Kamal, Dibarah Mahboob, Farah Khandaker, Gazi Nafi, Ismail Ferdous, Istela Imam, Kabir Ava, Liza Hasan, Mahenaz Chowdhury, Maleena Dhrity Gomez, Manik N Ratan, Nuhash Humayun, Nuzhat Tabassum, Saiqa S Chowdhury, Saria Saguaro, Sayeef, Mahmud, Shevi Vee, Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, Tanzia Haq, Tausif Sabir, Wasi Ahmed, and Waseka Nahar.

When 7pm Where Jatra Biroti, 60 Kemal Ataturk Ave, 1213 Dhaka, Bangladesh What ‘Ek Bangalir Upakhyan’ is a project that lives up to it’s name that translates into the tales from a bengali bloke. A brainchild of globe trotting bassist/music producer, Mainak (Bumpy) Nag Chowdhury, this project is an attempt to capture the imagination/ dialogues of and between contemporary bengali artists set to the backdrop of Bengal. With fearless co artists like percussionist Ratul Shankar and jazz-rock guitarist Bodhisattwa Ghosh, EBU is creating a hybrid space where the traditional and modern music co-exists.

Doors open at 7pm, music will start at 8pm.

Tickets available at Tk300.

May 27

Play | An Inspector Calls When 8pm Where Gulshan Club, House NWJ 2/A Road 50, Gulshan 2, 1212 Dhaka, Bangladesh What An Inspector Calls is a play written by English dramatist J B Priestley, first performed in 1945 in the Soviet Union and in 1946, in the UK. It is one of Priestley’s best known works for the stage, and is considered to be one of the classics of mid-20th century English theatre. The play’s success and reputation has been boosted in recent years by a successful revival by English director Stephen Daldry for the National Theatre in 1992, and a tour of the UK in 2011–2012.

May 29

Education | Advising on US University Admissions When 3:30pm Where EMK Center, Midas Center Building (9th Floor), House 5, Road 27 (old), Dhanmondi, Dhaka What Interested in pursuing your higher education in the United States? Join this EducationUSA session at the EMK Center on US university admissions process and requirements.

The program is free and open for everyone interested in studying in the US. No prior registration is required to attend this program, simply come to the EMK Center and attend the session.

WE E K E N D TR I BU N E | FR I DAY, M AY 27, 20 1 6

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

Mattha, haath, paao Minu Ahmed

F

irst impressions can be a very

help are so used to being “someone’s

deceptive thing. You think

mom”, that they get surprised when

you know someone, but then

someone wants to know their real

you really don’t. Everyone

name, which is what happened with

goes through this experience many

me when I asked Jharna’r Ma what

times in their lives, at different stages,

her real name was. She gave me a

with different people.

sheepish grin and said, “Zohora”. I

When I got married and entered

told her it was a nice name and she

shoshurbari, I can honestly say that I

dutifully informed me that no one

didn’t know anyone well other than

called her by that name anymore.

my husband. Over the years, I’ve

She has been Jharna’r Ma for as

developed different relationships with

long as she could remember.

the different people in our household,

Despite being part-time, Jharna’r

and each relationship is as different as

Ma is an integral part of our

the other.

familial system. When it comes

The thing about people is, you might

to first impressions, when I first

not like them at first, but if you stay

met her, I was afraid of her.

with them long enough and get to know

She carried an authoritative

them, they end up growing on you.

personality and has a voice

I think it’s safe to say that I not only

harsh and broken with

married my husband, but his family,

time. When she first saw

extended family, and assorted cousins

me, my hair was dyed

as well, haha!

a different colour. For

For someone like me, this was a

them this was strange,

big change in personality, since I was

and she promptly gave

so used to being independent, frank,

me the once-over before

and not taking any crap from anyone.

asking my mother in law

When one comes in to live with a new

if I was a foreigner. When

family, there are expectations on both

she was told that I wasn’t, she

ends, and well, I went through a mega

scrunched her face, and murmured,

personality ‘upheaval.’ I can be very

“Sool rong korse?”

adaptive, but shoshurbari was a whole new ballpark.

Everyone has different experiences

Highly opinionated, Jharna’r Ma does only what she thinks is right and often gets into arguments. Most of the

Photo: Bigstock

rude. I found out soon enough when I

eyesight wasn’t the same as before; her

heard Jharna’r Ma calling Jellybean, “Ai

sweeping and mopping was equal to

Buriiii!”

NOT sweeping and mopping; and your

And that wasn’t all, once I heard

dirty laundry will come out exactly the

and it’s how you deal with different

other part-time maids who worked

Jharna’r Ma teaching Jellybean the

way they went in, just wet and smelling

situations that sets the footprints for

nearby were afraid to even attempt to

Bengali words for head, hands and feet

slightly soapy – but, she is still forgiven

your future. I am personally a very anti-

look for work at a house that Jharna’r

and I had to go running to stop her,

because of how much she cared for us.

conflict person, and prefer to diffuse a

Ma worked at. It was only a year later

absolutely terrified because she was

situation in the best way possible rather

when I had Jellybean and was home

teaching Jellybean in her village accent

enough to see Jellybean married off,

than rile up volcanic eruptions. But

alone with the both of them that I got

and those words came out, “Matthaa,

but until then, these incidents are all

sometimes, it’s important to speak up

to know her well.

haaath, paao.”

stories to tell Jellybean when she grows

Jharna’r Ma hopes to live long

Jellybean calls her Jharna Dadu,

Whenever I would go to visit my

up. So for now, we will make do with

you, until you turn into Venom from

and absolutely loves to pick on her,

parents over weekends, Jharna’r Ma

Jharna’r Ma’s oily but delicious food,

the Spiderman movies.

despite Jharna’r Ma fondly calling her

would hardly show up for work, at the

overflowing with all her love! n

“Buri” and treating her with affection.

great annoyance of my mother in law.

‘angry state’ it would probably look like

Jellybean often steals a spoonful of

If by chance she came in and I wasn’t

an amalgamation of the alien from The

Nocilla now and then with Jharna Dadu

there, she would ask, “Bou koi, bou?”

Aliens movie mashed with The Blob.

as her accomplice, and blames Jharna

and I would hear about it later, about

Attractive, I know.

Dadu whenever she does something

how I had managed to penetrate the

One person who cannot go without

naughty.

tough exterior and create a soft spot for

and clear the air, or else it eats away at

It’s true! If I could morph into my

mention is the elderly part-time maid

Their love-hate relationship is

myself in the persona that is Jharna’r Ma.

at our house, the essential chuta bua,

glued even further with their inability

our beloved “Jharna’r Ma”. It might

to communicate with each other -

seem strange to those unfamiliar with

Jharna’r Ma with her village tongue

caring and possessive about us like her

our customs, but it’s quite normal to

and Jellybean with her shuddho bangla

own family. She will yell and argue,

refer to someone as “someone’s mom”

and broken English. One day I found

but she often did things she was not

or “someone’s dad”. Coincidentally,

Jellybean calling her grandmother, “Ai

particularly asked to do, and went

Jharna (the daughter) also works

dadiiii!”, and I was stumped at how my

out of her way many, many times for

afternoons at our house. Elderly house

barely three year old had learnt to be

us. Okay, so she was aging and her

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, M AY 27, 201 6

Despite her faults, she is extremely

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

Questions? Send to thebongmomma@gmail. com