Dhaka Tribune Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Volume 1, Issue 41

ConstruCting patriotism

Flip to our Hot topiC for an exclusive vox pop

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

This generation of Bangladeshis are constructing their own ideas about nationalism.

ModelIrad and AnkaPhotographerHomayra Adiba

About the cover

A weekly production ofDhakaTribune

EditorZafar Sobhan

Magazine EditorSabrina Fatma Ahmad

TMAG TeamSabiha Mahmud SumiRubab Nayeem KhanMunira FidaiNatasha RahmanSaudia AfrinTahsin MominBaizid Haque JoarderFuad M Hossain

ContributorsRad ShararSyed Azraf Zaman

GraphicsSabiha Mahmud SumiMohammed Mahbub Alam

Colour SpecialistShekhar MondalKazi Syras Al Mahmood

ProductionMasum Billah

AdvertisingShahidan Khurshed

CirculationWahid MuradEmail: tmag@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

2 Funk up your room Politicising your space

More insidePIcKS oF the WeeK2 Room of the week Ameen’s residence3 Doodle of the week Faizah Aziz10 The goodsheet “Don’t fade away” by

Whitesnake

Your WorLD5 Car talk Chevrolet Corvette5 FFPB Game week 239 Fiction Switching to the responsible side9 Non-fiction What is democracy?9 Book “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt9 Comic strip The Boy10 Music News “Ceremonials” by Florence and the Machine11 Gadget Razor Hammerhead Pro11 TV Almost Human11 Anime Akira11 Game Devil May Cry

FAShIoN4 Beauty check Bindi times4 Wardrobe check Street smart

reAL LIFe3 Events12 He says, She says 12 Choose/Lose

tMAG SAYS2 FYI Heritage walk3 School Survival Finding your political

identity - debater style10 Playlist Teen voices10 Instrument Cuatro10 Spotlight Shrapnel Method12 Listology The big meet

horoScoPeS5 Your forecast

Dear Readers,

Potter fans amongst yourselves are probably reeling from author JK Rowling’s latest bombshell about regretting the Ron-Hermione relationship. We certainly were. What do you think? Are they the OTP from the HP series, or were you rooting for Harry/Hermione like the movies seemed to be doing? Chime in on Facebook and let us know.

Also, as we count down to Valentine’s Day, we’re opening up a special-issue message board. If you have a note you want to send your sweetie, post it on our Facebook page, or send it to tmag@dhakatribune.com and we’ll pick the nicest ones to print on our special issue.

Got mad doodling skills? A cool pad? Flash fiction you want to see printed? Send them to us!

Have a great week!

Love from the TMAG desk

eDItor’S noteMy mother is under the impression that the cat calls her ma. Replaced by a cat. This feels nice, no really it does.

Status of the week

I don’t get why the villains in Gotham city rack up their brain to attack Batman. They can just spray him with some aerosol, I mean he is a bat after all.

Quote of the week

Banana oil!Meaning DoubtfulUsagePerson 1 She was on the way half an hour back, should be there by now.Person 2That’s banana oil!

Lingo of the week

4 Look of the Week Prints charming

6 Hot topic Vox pop

8 Written in the stars BD Devs’s Rahat Yasir Anindo

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Dhaka’s rich history of 400 years is something that cannot be forgotten because it has gone through a lot. Be it the Nawabs with their wonderful architecture to the British rule and to the more recent Liberation War, Old Dhaka has seen it all and is still there to tell the tale.

Urban Study Group (USG), is a voluntary organisation of a group of architects and holds the main aim to preserve the heritage of Bangladesh. It is currently focusing on Old Dhaka. They are known to conduct tours within the region, taking tourists to places of vivid heritage.

Places covered in the tour include the likes of Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, the Buriganga river banks, the Armenian Church, Boro and Choto Katras, the Bibi ka Rauza and even to places that are less known. Tourists are taken to old mansions of the Zamindars, vested properties, and ancient mosques; even for strolls through different “mohollas” in the region.

The experience leads you to contemplate the brilliant architectural techniques used in the making of the

buildings, the rich neo-classical style and French Rococo styles are some to point out among many.

Old Dhaka may be dirty and noisy but it is all part of the experience as one gets an insight into the lives of the people who live in the region of such a lush heritage.

USG has identified thousands of buildings which should be preserved but there are resource constraints and a private organisation can do only so

much unless government authorities join hands with them. It is hoped that such buildings and structures don’t get demolished and can be preserved so that the future generations can experience what we are experiencing now.

For further information, visit Urban Study Group’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Study-Group/241851761085

baizid haque joarder

FYIFunk up your room

Your Life2 tmag

TMAG’s Room of the week!

herItAGe WALK

saudia afrin

Dhaka, oh mighty Dhaka! One may go on for hours about how bad Dhaka treats us with the endless traffic jams, the socio-economic problems and then there’s the political crises that seems endless at times. Apart from being the least popular city to live in the world, Dhaka has more to offer. The Heritage walk is one such thing and a much appreciated way of showing us what this city has in store

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PoLItIcISING Your SPAceThough not entirely but our lifestyle says a lot about us. When we go through a transition period of liking and disliking anything, our living space tends to show off those preferences. And the part that gets influenced the most is our bedroom

On top of that, if you have a political fetish and haven’t revealed it yet, this initiative will visibly help you bring out the actual you amid near and dear ones. We have a glorious history of victory, from 1947 till now, our people have faced lots of phases during which many leaders were born and had paved a way for the next generation.

Do you have a favourite leader whose principles and philosophies persuade you? If yes, any of your room’s walls could be adorned with their photographs although, it’s not entirely necessary for you to focus on just one person. However, if your list becomes heavy, make a collage of it. By using pictures in relatively similar sizes, experience the asymmetric beauty of this creation. The oblique edges will definitely catch the attention of your pals. Moreover, you will get more to work with, if you use the greatest statements from these leaders. Newspapers abundantly publish quotes and statements in big fonts and with loud colours. You can either cut and paste them directly or frame them to make a great wall hanging. On the other hand, if you feel stuck without many options, go for paintings.

Do you remember the posters from the Liberation period, Language Movement and the most recent incident at Shahbagh Projonmo Chottor? You can use any of these to glam up your room and many can be found on the internet. Either that or use your imagination, get creative and make a unique one for your room.

Saudia afrin

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NAMe

AMeeNSAreA

GuLShAN

ethNIc eLeGANce

A few choice knickknacks with traditional flair can turn a

room corner into an area of interest.

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

FAIzAh AzIz DreW thIS WheN She WAS FeeLING SLIGhtLY GLooMY

SchooLogiSticS 3tmagSchool Survival

EvEnt tWEEts

Saraswati Puja February 4 Venue BRAC University

Reunion (SSC 2006 - HSC 2008) of Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Rifles CollegeFebruary 5, 10am Venue Bangladesh Border Guard, Pilkhana

“Call for photos” February 5, 8pm Venue BUBT Photography CLUB

7th DRMCSC National Science Festival February 6, 9am Venue Dhaka Residential Model College

UncoveredFebruary 6, 10am Venue inHouse, House 67/C, Road 9/A, Dhanmondi R/A

Call for entry into “Words in Silence” by RPSFebruary 6, 2pm Venue Drik Gallery, House 58, Road 15A (New)

“Words in silence” [Tribute to Faisal Kabir Roktim]February 6, 3pm Venue Drik Gallery, House 58, Road 15A (New)

Underground Soccer Fest February 7-8Venue Uttara

Dhaka Art SummitFebruary 7, 10am Venue Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segun Bagicha, Ramna

Valentines & Bibaho Utshob MelaFebruary 7, 10am Venue Hotel Washington, Gulshan 1

Anchor Live Performing @Music Mayhem 4 powered by Music MayhemFebruary 7, 10:15am Venue National Library Auditorium

Exhibition by Get Gorgeous, Valentine RushFebruary 8, 10am Venue Gulshan Efes Resturant

FINDING Your PoLItIcAL IDeNtItY Debater StyleDeveloping a political identity is a final, final step in what is a long and arduous journey that begins from simple curiosity. When you are curious about it, you research. When you research, you objectively take in the positives and negatives of the subject and later you become adept on the topic at hand, or at least enough to form a strong opinion of your own. You are then prepared to take on whoever opposes your opinion with hard facts and viola, success is yours

Debate is a discipline by which you learn objectivity. Because you do not know whether you will be asked to be for or against a motion, you need to be well informed on both counts. Objectivity lends weight to your research. In a society where we are made to think of politics as a gutter that gentlemen don’t step into, debate can help you see the positives of it.

When you debate, you support your opinions with facts. You do not simply argue. It teaches you self control. We see many people who break into fights over politics. Being civilised about it will make people respect your opinion as much as their own, if not agree. It goes without saying that the prerequisite to being a debater is the need to be well informed. And if you are ambitious enough to want to represent your country globally, your information bank needs to be filled to the brim. This is one gift debating can give you.

On the spot analysis of a problem, identifying others’ loopholes and countering them with strong reasons are all part of debate. If you need to

build a strong political identity, you have to have a keen sense of where theories are going wrong, whether you are being cheated into things, and weigh the odds of success.

In short, debate can be an ally on your way to building a strong political identity of your own. As Aaqib Farhan Hossain, our very own WLDC Berlin 2013 champ says: “Developing a political identity is a tricky journey to navigate at the best of times. You can either decide to identify with a group of people out of self interest or other reasons and adopt their party line as your own beliefs, or you can identify the principles you truly believe in and look for like minded kindred souls to stand with you to fight for those principles. It begins as curiosity (or even obligation), blossoms into research and culminates into a hardened opinion you’re willing to and can defend. You learn not to hate a person because that person is not you, and to not hate him or her because she doesn’t agree with you and to stay calm when you’re being proven wrong.” munira fidai

If you are a classroom doodler, email your doodle to tmag@dhakatribune.com and see it in our weekly!

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TMAG’s DooDle of the week!

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Doja and Bongo BazarShirts, pants, sweaters, jackets, blazers, you name it and it’s there. Every form of clothing is available at a bargain. However, wear sneakers, as you have to look hard and deep to find something that you really want. Prices differ with quality, type, and material, but are usually around half their initial asking price.

New MarketThis old, broken down, and greying monument is no “new” market, in fact there is nothing new about their super value clothing shops. Cheap bags, shoes, and belts are available in abundance along with clothes. The New Market is worth a visit, but a tad more expensive than Dhaka College.

Elephant RoadEvery form of footwear, starting from formal shoes to bathroom slippers, is available here. The best part is, the deal is similar to the clothing hubs. If you know what you’re doing, they let go at half the asking price.

Street shopsAlthough finding something up to the mark is difficult, street shops are the cheapest places to shop. Notable areas are the Gulshan 1 and 2 circles, where diverse choices are common, for both shoes and clothes.

All these places are brilliant though mainly for casual wear. It’s best if you take someone to bargain for you, if you are not adept at it. Always be extra careful and check for faults when you buy, for there’s no taking it back. rad Sharar

Beauty Check Wardrobe Check

fAShioN fAce-off4 tmag

The obvious clothing stores are always there – Yellow, Artisti, Artisan, Spark Gear etc, but it’s helpful to remember that Bangladesh is the second largest garment exporter in the world. We can’t beat the Chinese, but what we can do is dress like a king with the wallet of a beggar. All you need is patience and knowing where to shop. TMAG tells you where

Look of the Week

bINDI tIMeS

Whether You’re rocKING AN INterNShIP, or huNtING DoWN A job, or eveN breAKING Your bAcK over FINALS, A cArDIGAN AND buttoN-DoWN WILL hAve You LooKING ShArP

Model Prince IkramPhotographer Homayra Adiba

PrINtS chArMING

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We have often seen the ladies in our family and friend circles wear bindis as a fashion accessory, but how many of us know what it stands for? The bindi comes from the Sanskrit word “bindu” or dot, or drop and is worn in the exact position as the proverbial third eye. It is originally an Indian decorative facial accessory but Bangalis seem to have adopted it as their own. A symbol of power, in some cases, traditional beauty, in others, this fad is here to stay

The Bangali bindiThe traditional red dot can be worn with any sari, kameez or fatua and it will add an instant, Bangali zing to your look. Traditionally worn with a sari which is draped the Bangali way, this bindi is gold!

The black lineThe black line is elegant and speaks of silent power. Off course it’s your forehead to paint but worn with ethnic patterned saris, boldly lined eyes, and chunky, bead jewellery to match, this bindi can have others on their knees in front of you.

The sparklerThis little diamond dot is good to go with absolutely any dressy sari. Of

course, it works its charms best with pastel coloured, party saris like chiffon, net or anything with a lot of lace. It also adds a sparkle to dressy kameezes.

The lone dotThe lone dot bindi is probably the most common bindi sported by girls who want to look effortlessly traditional. Jeans and fatuas, simple kameezes, you have the look nailed with this simple lone dot.

The black holeWhile the other cousins in the bindi family speak traditions, this one shouts bold! Used to lend a streak of rebellion to fusion T-shirts, kameezes, Punjabi suits, saris, etc, this one is the “in” bindi. munira fidai

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Street SMArt

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Normally American cars struggle with the Euro elites. But the Corvette ZR1 is something truly special. The Corvette was born in the 1950s and has been thundering through the ages ever since. In the 1960s, they were the height of cool. Even the astronauts fancied Corvettes. So, if you had the right stuff, you most certainly had a Corvette. Through the years they had made many alterations with the body styles, but in the 1990s, they began working towards a vision. A car that would stand toe-to-toe with the Ferrari or any other European supercar.

The 2013 Corvette ZR1 is a result of that vision; a carbon-fibre shell, supercharged battering ram. But is it a supercar? It has a 6.2-litre aluminium block LS9 V8 with a supercharger that

puts out 638hp making it more powerful than a Porsche 911 GT2. It is the most powerful and the fastest production car that GM has produced to date. Despite its all-American roots, it does 0-60mph faster than a Lamborghini Gallardo.

So it’s definitely a supercar on paper but does that translate into reality? Well,

as a matter of fact, not all shiny objects are gold. It is fun to have all that power underneath the bonnet but it isn’t fun to live with all those horses on a day-to-day basis. That’s because it is not an easy car to drive. All American cars are terrible when it comes to taking a corner and the ZR1 is no exception. And then there is the interior; it feels more like swivet than Corvette. The dash

board is overdosed with plastic and that supercar feel is definitely on a leave.

To be honest, something had to be sacrificed, at $115,000 it is half the price you pay for any average supercar. So, the investment goes into one thing only; performance! This car has plenty of power. Just hit the throttle and it will

take you from nought to 60mph in 3.2 seconds. Therefore it seems like this car was built utterly on a dare, “I dare you to put a supercharger in this thing,” and they did.

It is without a doubt, one of the best Corvettes ever made. Even though it has taken them over 60 years to develop the ZR1 but Corvette has finally got itself a supercar. TahSin momin

Car Talk

FFPB

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette is more than just an icon of American automotive engineering; it is a legend in its own league. Entering its 60th year in production, the Corvette continues to obliterate its competitors, both foreign and domestic, by offering the best horsepower-to-dollar ratio in contrast to other sports cars

Street 5tmag

FANtASY FootbALL PLAYerS oF bANGLADeSh (FFPb) FANtASY LeAGue toP 10 AFter GAMeWeeK 23

rank team Manager GW tot1 Da_Dreamers Fazle Rabbi 73 1,5272 eBeastmode Ibrahim Mohammad 83 1,5043 Dream United FC Fahim Al Ifran Rahim 86 1,4904 tomahawk Galacticos Rax Rahman 80 1,4765 Sesc17 Shadman Haque 60 1,4756 Underdog FC Shazzadur Rahman 66 1,4727 ABRAR FC Abrar Moeen 68 1,4578 noob FC Fathin Shadman Priyo 81 1,4539 Firehouse Quamrul Hassan_FFPB 71 1,45010 Rakesh Challengers Rakesh Sinha 71 1,449

The code to join FFPB fantasy league is 975-707

the bLue-bLooDeD DevILARiES (MAR 21-APR 19) You might get yourself tangled in a war between mutual

friends this week. Tread lightly, you’re on thin ice.

TAURUS (APR 20-MAy 20) Feeling a little down in the dumps this week? A bit

of shopping should cure the blues. Just don’t end up buying the entire store.

GEMiNi (MAy 21-JUN20) If someone lands on your last nerve this week, take it out

on them. Don’t snap at your loved ones.

CANCER (JUN 21-JUL 22) Suddenly you’re torn between career and duties.

This could cause you to feel crabby this week. Take a breather.

LEo (JUL 23-AUG 22) You’re week is about to begin with disappointments; uh-oh.

Avoid getting cranky at the bearer of bad news.

ViRGo (AUG 23- SEP 22) Bad dreams aren’t an omen; they’re just your mind

reminding you that you have no control over your life. Take the week to think about it.

LiBRA (SEP 23- oCT 22) If a friend or a family member is about to blow their fuse,

avoid being in the same room. They might attack you, for no reason.

SCoRPio (oCT 23-NoV 21) Pressure might get the best of you at midweek.

Deadlines are important, but in order to meet them, you need a stable mind.

SAGiTTARiUS (NoV 22-DEC 21) Bickering with friends will not serve you well this

week. Emotions will be running high and low. Avoid creating a scene.

CAPRiCoRN (DEC 22-JAN19) The thought of unfinished tasks and new

projects are orbiting your head. Figure out which one’s priority.

AqUARiUS (JAN 20-FEB 18) Inability to put ideas into action may cause you to

snap at those around you. Taking impulsive decisions this week is a no-no.

PiSCES (FEB 19-MAR20) You’ve got a lot on your plate this week. Don’t be

surprised if there are lines of stress on your face. Take a break.

HOROSCOPE

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

hot toPic6 tmag

One year after Shahbag, history has been made, some justice served, many lives lost, particularly in the months leading to the rather controversial elections we just had. A lot of opinions have been expressed, the situation analysed by experts at home and abroad. TMAG decides to turn to an overlooked, but crucial segment of the population – teens and first time voters. Join us as we look back and aheadstory By Baizid Haque Joarder, taHsin MoMin, saudia afrin, natasHa raHMan, rad sHarar, and syed azraf zaMan

PHotos Bysyed zakir Hossain

One thing the Shahbag movement highlighted was the involvement of the youth, proving that the idea that the present generation in this country isn’t as apathetic to its politics and current affairs as the “grown ups” might think. It is worth shifting focus from the movement to the political identity of first-time and future voters of this country, and examining their motivations.

While national elections may still be dauntingly complicated for first-time and future voters, one way in which they can get a taste of politics and the electoral process is through their involvement and interactions with the student councils at schools and universities.

Safat ishtiaq, Head of Marketing, North South University Social Services Club (NSUSSC), talks about the benefits of student councils.

“These activities enable students to be involved in capacities beyond studies and also to gain experience in their preferred fields. It helps students to acquire practical skills. For instance, the clubs maintain hierarchy among the members just like any typical organisation which enables the students to be acquainted with things like organisational behaviour, team building and leading, chain of command, etc.”

Vox Populae

TMAG’s young voter survey

What percentage has voter iDs’?

18.3% school-going

100% undergraduates

What percentage are interested in voting?

36% school-going boys, and no girls

54% undergraduates boys and 33.3% girls

What percentage are interested in voting?

57.1% school-going

17.8% undergraduates

What percentage think the polls are unfair?

42.9% school-going

50% undergraduates

Surveyed: 60 students from both English and Bangla medium schools, 40 from private universities (undergraduate)

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

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Last year, in February, we started our journey in the Shahbagh movement. Within one year, many of our demands have been fulfilled. Some decisions came in our favour, while other decisions didn’t. Also it isn’t possible tangibly to calculate our achievements. For me, it’s too early to comment, but if we want to look through any concrete achievements from the movement, the whole nation will have to wait up to five to 10 years. But right now the rise of patriotism inside us as Bangladeshis is our greatest achievement.

The protests in print

Shorbojon hit the crowds in the Shahbag protests on February

9 as the bulletin of the cause the demonstrators were pursuing.

It tried to record the new developments, people’s feelings and

assessment of the trial process and the movement. The paper

attempted to uphold the spirit of the protesters from various walks

and their space in the people’s movement. Critics of the loopholes

and shortcomings of the organisers and the movement’s increasing

distance from the primary dissents of the people – that the ruling

Awami League might have influenced the lenient sentence of

Abdul Quader Mollah – invited various pressures from Ganajagaran

Mancha and Awami League’s front organisations to the bulletin.

However, when those against the war crimes trial kept hurling

false allegations like “fascism” and “atheism” to the movement,

the paper tried to counter as the Mancha was very ineffective in

handling those. Quader Mollah’s execution after revision of the first verdict was

only a step forward to the demands of capital punishment to all

war criminals. The paper adds that now it is Awami League’s turn

to prove its honesty and sincerity with the trial by trying the alleged

collaborators of Pakistan occupation forces inside the party that

includes two ministers in previous tenures. People yet have a long

way to walk, the paper believes.

FEBRUARy 5, 2013Abdul Quader Molla, in trial for war crimes, hears life imprisonment sentence. Students sit down at Shahbag after a group of bloggers plan to protest the sentence, demanding the death penalty. FEBRUARy 6-7Protest intensifies as people from different paths of life join the movement. Student bodies abroad express solidarity with the movement. FEBRUARy 8-10Thousands join the rally on the afternoon of the 8th. Musicians, actors and other popular members of the society join. Protests begin nationwide in most of the cities.FEBRUARy 12Protestors around the country observe silence for three minutes.

FEBRUARy 15Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, who was an active member of the movement, is murdered in retaliation for alleged anti-religious sentiments expressed in his posts.FEBRUARy 17Hoisting of the national flag and singing of the national anthem in different schools in Dhaka to express solidarity with the protest.

In the Act that is being used to try the accused war criminals, there were no options for appealing to a higher court. Amendments were made to facilitate the option.DECEMBER 12, 2013Abdul Quader Molla is executed after his case ran its course. The Appellate Division gave death sentence to Molla.

After the initial war crimes verdict was announced, bloggers and students began a sit-in movement at Shahbag on February 5, 2013, which quickly gained momentum and became known as the Shahbag Movement. On the anniversary of that unprecedented show of solidarity by the present generation, we get up close and personal by one of the participants of the movement.

najmul nayeem, a young architect, shares his views about the protests.

What made you take part in the whole Shahbag movement in the first place?Well the idea was to force the government to call for the death penalty for the perpetrator, Quader Mollah, also known as the “Butcher of Mirpur,” who conducted the 20th century’s most barbaric and inhumane crimes against humanity during the struggle for our nation’s liberation. Deep down, we knew, this will not erase nor clean the deep wounds that still linger within millions of ordinary Bangladeshis today,

but this feeling of justice would at least help them sleep peacefully at night.

How would you ideally portray the movement to the youth in this country?It is an expression of our freedom of speech. In a country where repressive and ineffective governments block most avenues for participation, Shahbag provides a platform for youths to be heard. It is a space that the youths of this country have carved out for themselves, to engage in political activity for the sheer act of expression. Slogans in Shahbag extend beyond calls for justice, to reflect Bangladesh’s liberation and history. The posters, banners and artwork brought to life Bangladesh’s flags, maps, and national symbols.

How effective do you think the movement was?What the Shahbag movement showed me, as a Bangladeshi, is that my generation is well-versed, politically

aware, protective of its history, and is online. It showed me that we are not unconcerned about the future of Bangladesh. We may have fallen into a black hole, spanning four decades since 1971, but the youth of Bangladesh, across the world, are awake. This might not be “Tahrir Square” but this has definitely achieved its goal. The execution of Quader Mollah’s verdict is a testament to the effectiveness of the Shahbag movement.

Do you encourage the youth to come out of the shell and create a similar revolution as the Shahbag movement in times of crisis?The youth of this country are unaware of the power that they possess. The youths are the ones responsible for the language revolution, they are the ones responsible for the liberation of this nation, and last but not least, for the justice of the war crimes. With the tide clearly on the side of the youth, in times of crisis, they should be the first ones to make a move.

say what you need to say

Shahbag Timeline

“

- Mahmudul Haque Munshi, Blogger

“

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Rahat Yasir Anindo

Akib Anwar

Mohsin Farabi

Riasat Azim Khan

Ashiqur Rahman

Faysal Ahmed

Syed Monowarul Islam

Faqrul Islam Shaon

Murad Choudhury

Hasan Tanvir Mansur

Rezwanur Rahman

Shariful Islam Nibir

Asif Zahan Deep

Al-amin Sarker Tayef

Meet the teAM MeMberS

A very common notion in today’s world is that the “rapid development of information technology makes our world even smaller than it already is.” And truthfully so, today people can access anything and everything at anytime via mobile or computer devices. BD DEVS, a volunteering team of app developers believe that in order to serve better with apps, they need to be localised. And sadly this has been scarce, if not non-existent, in Bangladesh.

Jointly, these youngsters consider the need for helping the government to achieve the vision of a truly digital Bangladesh. The initiator of this team Rahat Yasir Anindo says: “Though the government has done plenty of work in this sector, they still have limitations.

We think that developers like us should lend their expertise and work together with the government. That will definitely make this journey smoother.”

Till now, they have developed apps for both the government and the private sector. Their work is entirely fuelled out of their own interest and has no affiliations with any other organisations. Recently they successfully completed their work with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), creating the DMP News portal and a website app for the DMP.

The team has an ongoing project, which is creating locator apps for CNG stations, different banks and their branches, directory of hospitals and doctors in Bangladesh etc.

Also, the BD DEVS team has

provided their services free of cost till now and probably will keep doing so, till they finish their education. They have started developing apps for Windows phones, and in the near future they look forward to make them accessible for the Android platform.

The members are still students but that doesn’t stop them from running the organisation.

Anindo says: “We are not here to compete with anyone. If other software developing organisations want to work with us, we would love to collaborate with them, since our primary goal is to serve the people.”

To find BDDEVS latest apps keep your eye on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bddevs n

writteN iN the StArS8 tmag

Within three months of their journey Bangladesh Developers (BD DEVS) have successfully completed the creation of a bundle of mobile apps. Presently they are working on numerous projects while waiting to release the finished products to the people. saudia afrin has a chat with the young group about their endeavours

APP-LIeD DeveLoPMeNt

• WHEN PASSioN BECoMES PRoFESSioN, a person can bring out their best. Rahat Yasir Anindo won a place in the top 10 finalists at Nokia Future Capture Hackathon. That’s not all, in 2012 he was the first runner up for Microsoft Imagine Cup, Bangladesh, regional finals. The following year his software project Beetle was selected to be one of the best innovations at Panasonic, Ideas Change Lives.

• HE STARTED PLAyiNG WiTH CoMPUTERS AS A KiD and he loved every bit of it. He decided to

become a software developer after learning about Mark Zuckerberg.

• To BRiNG HiS DREAMS To PERFECTioN, Anindo is studying computer science at North South University (NSU). Besides his education, he has also been working for Microsoft for more than two years and within this short period of time he had made 23 apps for the Windows phone. He says: “I love programming, because through it, I can develop anything I want and these programs can make someone’s life easier.”

• ANiNDo LoVES HiS PARENTS, and his father is someone he really looks up to.

• ANiNDo SEES HiMSELF widely recognised as a software engineer in the future. He also wants to help the ICT sector of Bangladesh as much as he can. He says: “I always try to accept everything positively. If one of my dream projects fail to achieve its goal then my aim is to find the flaws and rectify my errors so that I can make changes that will later on effect my future in a positive manner.”

Tale of The iniTiaTor

Work hard, never lose hope, and never give up.“

“

- Rahat Yasir Anindo

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

You write it 9tmag

non ficTion

bo

ok

WhAt IS DeMocrAcY?

Growing up in a “democratic” Bangladesh, at one point or another, we often wonder what democracy really is. Is it freedom? Leadership? Or being the chosen one?

By definition, it is a form of government in which leaders are chosen by, and from among the common people through votes. In some dictionaries, it is also defined as majority rule and ironically enough, a state where everyone is treated equally, with the same rights. It is a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”

The word originates from the Greek “dēmokratí” meaning “rule of the people” which itself was derived from dêmos “people” and kratos “power” in the 5th century BCE.

In our country, where power is in the hands of a select few, we often lose sense of our own importance; whether we, as individuals, hold any power at all, or have any say in this thing called “democracy.”

Now, think about the time you were chosen to represent your school somewhere, a competition maybe, where you could represent your interests. That is democracy. Perhaps when the teacher asks who can be entrusted with a responsibility, your name is what the majority blurts out. That is democracy. Once, we ran a campaign against noise pollution in fourth grade - we went out with banners on the road to voice our own thoughts, despite knowing how little a ripple it will create. That is democracy. If you’re eligible for voting, and you think that we’re given a Hobson’s choice, think twice. You can still refrain from it, and that’s democracy.

According to Gephardt, “Democracy is interactive... It’s a constant job of information, education, explanation, listening, and interactive communication.” Although you now have a general idea of what democracy is, it is ever-transitioning like clouds, and what shape you make of it is only to fit your own imagination.

“Democracy [is] not majority rule: democracy [is] diffusion of power, representation of interests, recognition of minorities.” (John Calhoun, as paraphrased by Roper 1989, 63)

namira Shameem

You can find the novel at Words n Pages in Gulshan or download it electronically in the form of an e-Book. It is also available at PBS bookstore in Shantinagar, where you can order it from overseas if they don’t have it in Dhaka.

This book is - connecting the dots - about a life filled with love, passion, frustration, and one of a kind adventures. It is the kind of book where you break out the highlighter, or bend pages back, because there are passages that strike you as so riveting in such a simple way, you want to read them over and over again.

Saba SaTTar

Art oF DecePtIoN Miraculous, yet somewhat deceiving, this is a story that revolves around a New York scholarship kid whose mother is killed in a terrorist bomb attack while ogling paintings at an art museum.

Donna Tartt’s narrative augments on Theo’s whacky escapade where he is asked to save the “Goldfinch,” a painting, right after the bomb’s aftermath. The delirious man, injured in the blast, left him a ring with a cryptic message.

The plot line from then on entertains you with its utmost suspense and conformity. The book, published on October 22, 2013, is one of those stay-up-all-night pleasures of reading.

fic

Tio

n

assuming that I was sitting there engrossed in my game as usual. Of course they were surprised when they saw me with a newspaper, acting my age as they stated. After breakfast, my usual routine suggested that I go and watch my favourite TV show. I settled on my sofa, situated in front of the TV. I turned on the TV, not to watch my show but to catch the 11am news. This act of mine surprised me too, I had never imagined myself to take interest in what was happening in my country.

I felt as if I had gone through a transformation. As if I should be aware of what was right and wrong. I began scavenging through newspapers, television news, etc. Today was my 18th birthday, and the elections were knocking on the door. I wanted to make my vote count. KhaTidja huSSein jiwani

I woke up after a good amount of sleep, staring at the ceiling of my room which was still covered with the glow-in-the-dark stars. I looked around my room, glancing at my study table, cupboard, windows, and plush sofa. Everything was the same, yet I felt different. I felt as if I had a different perspective on the world now, and specifically my country.

All of sudden, in a matter of a days, I felt more responsible. I realised that I should act more mature from now on. Unlike any other weekend, instead of starting my day with a round of video games, I decided to skim through the newspaper, eventually figuring out that I was actually reading each and every article related to my country with great interest.

My parents walked into my room shouting at me to come for breakfast,

SWItchING to the reSPoNSIbLe SIDe

co

mic

www.facebook.com/heistheBOY

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

SPoTliGhT

Stereo10 tmag

tuNeS AND toNeS

teeN voIceS

1. i wish i was a punk rocker Sandi Thom

2. Kobe Nemesis

3. Don’t believe the hype Public Enemy

4. Rajahin rajjo Shunno

5. 27 Cutthroat Convention

6. Prithibita naki choto hote hote Mohin er Ghoraguli

7. Hypnotize System of a Down

8. Desh mere AR Rahman

9. Projonmo chattar AM Fahim, Simin, Armeen Musa

10. Tarunner slowgaan Ghuddy

inSTrumenTThe GoodSheeT

ToP

10

DoN’T FADE AWAyWHITESNAKE

intro: A9

A D As I stand at the crossroad, Bm F#m I see the sun sinking low... A D With my cross of indecision, Bm F#m F#m9 I can’t tell which way to go... A D Now I have seen the seven wonders Bm F#m And I have sailed the seven seas, A D I’ve walked and talked with angels, Bm F#m E/G# And danced all night with gypsy queens D/F# All in all it’s been a rocky road, G D/F# A Twists and turns along the way E/G# D/F# But, I still pray for tomorrow, Bm D All my hopes, my dreams E A A9 Don’t fade away... Don’t fade away A D I have painted many portraits, Bm F#m Memories of love and pain, A D Though cut down by life’s deceptions Bm F#m E/G# I found the strength to start again D/F# All in all it’s been a rocky road, G D/F# A Twists and turns along the way E/G# D/F# But, I still pray for tomorrow, Bm D All my hopes, my dreams E A E Don’t fade away... Don’t fade away

the teSt oF tIMeLarger than a mandarin and smaller than a guitar, the Cuatro stood the test of time. It is the national instrument of Puerto Rico. In its earliest form, the Cuatro, which is just like a guitar, had a keyhole shaped sound box but with four strings, which were made from animal gut. The instrument adopted the shape of a guitar but with points at the inner bouts like a violin.

Starting from end of the 19th century and through the 20th century, the Cuatro was going through a transitional period where different stringing was adopted to it. It was an effort made by the Puerto Ricans residing in the coastal areas to cope with modern times then. During the 1920s, an eight-string version of the instrument appeared in the southern

regions of Puerto Rico. Later, during the 1940s, the superior pair of five double stringed versions (10 strings in total) overshadowed the eight stringed ones.

The tuning of the modern Cuatro is in half octaves (interval between two musical pitches) and the frequency of the pitch is different from that of its Spanish counterpart. The Cuatro is usually carved from laurel wood. It upholds a central place in the rich culture of Puerto Rico just like the bagpipes in Scotland. The instrument was predominantly used by peasants, mountain dwellers, and farmers of the area. It was also used to play different “Aguinalados” (folk genre of Christmas music), which refers to the Puerto Rican Christmas songs.

Syed azraf zaman

DeFYING MuSIcImmersed in genres like nu metal and alternative, Shrapnel method has had their fair share in creating music following different genres. They believe that a song should be covered depending on the mood/motive it upholds and should be expressed accordingly.

The band was formed in March 2008 with Rabiul Awal Real on vocals, Samir Hafiz and Rezwan Ashraf playing guitars, Foysal Ahammed Tanim Pavel playing the bass and Jeffery Ovijit Ghosh on the drums. Shrapnel method was initiallycalled Xoroastrian. They started practicing together on February 2004 with Real as their vocalist. The formation of the band was set in motion when Samir joined, followed by the blooming guitarist Rezwan who was still learning to play the instrument back then. Jeffery was later convinced to join the band by his

schoolmate, Samir who subsequently also brought in Pavel.

So far they have released three singles. First was “Mriter Dhoni” under the album labelled “Rock 404.” Their next solo track is “Muktir Shobtukui” from the album, “Ashor.” Their last track was “Autripto” from the album named “Rock 606.” They even released a music video, “Smriti” from their debut album earlier this month.

When asked about how they would classify their musical style, they replied: “Our music is mostly about the process, or the method through which we produce it. We have noticed that regardless of the style, each song is better than its predecessor in terms of musical maturity and listening ability.” If you want to catch a glimpse of their work visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shrapmeth.

Syed azraf zaman

muSic newSbreAth oF INDIeHaunting yet upbeat; two words that best describe Florence and the Machine. While most of you were blown away by their 2009 album “Lungs,” you should know that their 2011 album “Ceremonials” wasn’t all that bad. However, after listening to songs like “Swimming,” “Rabbit Heart,” and “Cosmic Love” from Lungs, any Florence fan would certainly expect yet another album which they could put on repeat for at least two weeks.

Regardless, you can still expect Florence Welch’s voice going from

extreme lows to highs, and then finishing it off with a powerful chorus. The haunting factor, as mentioned before is still present, along with trippy celtic sounds. And if you’re still hung up over how good the previous album was, just fill in the void with their music videos, which are something out of a psychological thriller film. Songs like “What the Water Gave Me,” “No Light, No Light,” and “Spectrum (featuring Calvin Harris)” should lift your spirits. Tune into SoundCloud, to catch all the tracks from “Ceremonials.”

rubab nayeem Khan

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

PLAYroom 11tmag

We recoMMeND

It is not really the first time when a cop has been paired up with an android on screen, nor is it the first time for one to share those robot’s parts. But, having said that, “Almost Human” brings back those tags in a unique way, revolutionising it,if one might dare say.

So you might now be asking, “How so?” Well, it’s all thanks to the featured story itself. Though the whole concept of “Almost Human” seems to be a collection of many TV series’ taken apart and put together to best suit the write up. Best of all worlds and nothing seems to be “original,” the thing about this new Fox drama is that, it gets the most important element right, and that is the friction it creates in the audience’s mind.

The whole plot of the show revolves around a pair of mismatched cops, in this case Michael Ealy (who plays the android; aka Dorian) and Karl Urban (who plays the android-hating human; aka John Kennex), and the truth is, their chemistry is simply fantastic. All the credit goes to these two actors for such stupendous performances over and over again, and also, for making it look like something brand new, just out of the writer’s box (but it’s not).

Let’s start from the beginning. In the year 2048, a veteran cop with mental and physical baggage returns to the police force, but struggles to adjust to the mandate that requires human officers to be paired up with robots. He finds it hard because many years ago, during a police raid…. Well, we don’t want spoilers, now do we?In a nutshell, there are plenty of reasons to not watch “Almost Human.” But it is just the beginning and some of the episode concepts were quite clever, even if they were “inspired” by other series. So, be it “I-Robot,” “Robocop” or something else, it is still “Almost Human,” a completely different series. And we can still hope for something quite unique from them in the coming episodes.

KhandoKar aShif uz zaman

DeeP coNteMPLAtIoN

TV

GadGeT hunT

anime

Choosing headphones is no easy task. There are many options to consider: ear-buds, in-ear, on ear, over-ear, wireless, etc. One of the best headpieces out there, at the moment, is the Razor Audio’s Hammer Head pro. With a lightweight aluminium body and in-ear noise isolation ear buds, it is the perfect blend of style and quality. The stark contrast of neon green on black will not only draw the attention of someone walking by but will make their jaws drop at how fabulous they look on your ears. The build quality in this thing is top-notch. With a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, advance passive noise isolation, and superior bass quality, this headphone is tough to beat in its price range. The packaging makes you think

that your birthday is here! It comes with three pairs of

interchangeable bi-flanges ear buds, a splitter adapter/extension cable for PC connection and a nifty pouch to put your headphones in when you are not using them. This headphone is compatible with any device, be it Apple, Android or any other mobile device. The makers have also included a microphone which makes answering phone calls, easy peasy. What are you waiting for? Go to your nearest tech outlet and grab a pair of these. At Tk7,000 it’s quite a bargain and to make the deal even sweeter, they are providing 12 months of warranty for your new Hammerhead pro.

aSm foySal

DevIL thAt MIGht crYGameHack and slash games have been around for quite some time. There is this satiating joy one feels when they hack their way through mobs and enemies. The feeling is further heightened if you can earn style points too for spearheading the massacre. TMAG, this week, looks at the latest “reboot” of a game that has kept the fans of hack and slash very entertained since its inception, “dmc: Devil May Cry.”

The fifth rendition to the game has been out in the market for quite some time now. Developed by Ninja Theory and published by Capcom for all available platforms the game doesn’t please entirely, especially those devoted to the franchise. The story’s iconic lead character Dante, who we all came to love, is aesthetically different. Play the game and you’ll know what we mean.

Besides, the fighting mechanics

and AI in-game is rather easy, which is good for new players. But for veterans and fans, racking up those style points with large combos has entirely lost its previous allure. However, there are still several levels of difficulty the game can be played at. That being said, the developers did add something new to Dante’s kit, modifiers to his move set, known as Angel Mode and Devil Mode. Either mode can be activated and allows him to use a series of new weapons besides his trusty sword and guns “Ebony and Ivory.”

Among other things that are noteworthy is the games level design, in a nutshell; it is “beautiful.” That paired with a brand new story line and really satisfying boss fights, the game does have its perks but only for a few play-throughs at best.

fuad m hoSSain

the ANDroIDS Are IN toWN, AGAIN

AN ANIMe-tIc LeGAcYOne of the best pieces of anime, which remains un-matched in terms of quality, is the 1988 movie, Akira. Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, this film tells the tale of the protagonist, Shotaro Kaneda and his fight against his best friend, Tetsuo Shima, who unleashes his latent kinetic powers in the face of state-based human experimentation on him and his friends. Telling the tale of a dystopic Tokyo, Akira was one of the first films to “westernise” Japanese animation and present it globally. Fuelled by the success of the film, several other classics of Japanese animation such as Sailor Moon, Ninja Robots, Robotech, and others were picked up by major channels throughout Asia and the Americas.

Akira has been referenced as an influence for future classics such as Ghost in the Shell and the Matrix. The concept of a dystopic country or city, where human liberties are governed by state authorities is utilised as a form of novel storytelling, where destruction and devastation is not only part but parcel of

the lived experience in a post-capitalistic, government controlled country.

One of the best points of the movie is its ability to visualise violence and destruction in absolute detail and lucidity. Kaneda and Tetsuo are equally matched in physical and mental energy; although Tetsuo wields kinetic superpowers, it is Kaneda who ultimately perseveres, using the assistance of a lone laser gun.

However, the fact that a couple of teenagers were the ones to bring about change erases the idea of innocence in children and assumes that children must give up their innocence to become adults in order to change the world. That, in itself is a negative reflection on children in the new world; how can people be innocent if they are busy fighting for their survival? As in the anime, this fact of life holds true for children in today’s world as well.

The ultimate message: Only chaos can lead to a new start. Hats off to Akira.

nadia Chowdhury

TMAG TU ESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Dear Teens,Yes, meeting his/her parents may not mean you’re tying the knot just yet. But meeting the monsters that plague your every meeting with a fear of getting caught, need to be tamed once and for all, and that will come only once you calm their fears that the apple of their eye is in safe company. Here’s how NOT to upset the precariously balanced basket of eggs

to WeAr

If you’re a guy, do not wear shorts. If you’re a girl, umm…do not wear shorts! In a society where modernisation in a short time can be viewed a little suspiciously, steer clear of being squinted at and wear something traditional. If you’re not the type for the traditional hype, pretend for the sake of your love.

to tAKe

If you’re a guy, do not go over empty handed. Pick up a cake or some drinks from the nearby store and gift it to them. Ditto for girls. Bake them a cake or cook them something delicious for brownie points.

to GrooM

If you’re a guy, don’t go without grooming yourself. Get a haircut, resist the temptation to put on your earring just this once, and please, cut your toe nails! If you’re a girl, don’t overdo the make-up. The father should know it’s a real girl walking in with his son, the mother should not end up with a glop of foundation on her lips when she kisses your cheek.

to behAve

If you’re a guy, try not to outshine your girl’s father with the credentials of your own. That would not just mean that her father thinks you’re a braggart, but could also mean trouble in paradise for you later on. If you’re a girl, don’t sit around while his mother serves you food, insist on making yourself useful.

to be PAtIeNt

If you’re a guy, don’t peer around the house in order to catch a glimpse of your girl’s room. This, for obvious reasons, can trigger warning bells in their heads. Stay calm and easy, make them feel important. If you’re a girl, do not flinch if his mom shows you his childhood pictures. Mothers love showing their sons off and want others to feel proud too.

munira fidai

teeNArAmA12 tmag

liSToloGy

the bIG Meet

He says

She says

He saysI have started hating going to dinner with my girlfriend’s parents. I may dodge the topic of politics as much as possible, but her parents are going to tell me how my views are wrong. Out of respect, I don’t say anything, but if this goes on, I will let them have it.

She saysThe other day I snapped at my boyfriend’s mother for trying to convince me to vote for her favourite political party. It’s my vote and only I should decide who I want to vote for, without anyone else poking their nose in my business. As a result, my boyfriend is now ignoring me.

The problem of dealing with your partner’s parents’ political concerns

What happens when the political state of affairs hinders your relationship with your partner? Sometimes there’s no escape from the pointing of fingers at each other’s political views and this really gets us nowhere. Here’s a situation where politics pollutes relationships

tmag tELLs you to chooSe or LoSe

Got a sticky relationship ish? Let us help you make up your mind. Email your story today to tmag@dhakatribune.com

i HAVE BEEN DATiNG THiS GiRL FoR ALMoST TWo yEARS NoW. I’m guessing we’re in a steady relationship, considering the circumstances that our families are well aware of us dating and are more than okay with it. She’s a good girl, and I like her, but I don’t want to commit to her. Also, I’ve taken an interest towards this other girl on the side. She knows it, and she doesn’t approve of the fact that I’m interested in her while being committed in the first place.

LoSeWhoa! Hold it right there. You’re already confused about what you want. Why not figure that out before messing things up for two people? Good thing the other girl backed out of this situation. Who in their right mind would want to be a home wrecker? You sir, need to give yourself a break from the mess you’ve made. If you don’t want a serious relationship with your existing girlfriend, just call it off. You’ll be doing her a big favour.

i HAD CHEATED oN My GiRLFRiEND WiTH My CHiLDHooD FRiEND. We’ve always liked each other since we were kids. After dating her for two years, she left me for an Afghani dude. We are still friends, although I think fate just played a sick joke on me. I still see her posting pictures with her current boyfriend (not the Afghan), writing on my wall on Facebook, and it’s okay, but I can see myself flinching. What should I do? Be friends with her and act like we are all good, or should I just disappear from her life?

oN the FeNceMaybe a little late, but now you know how your ex felt. Staying friends with an ex can be messy because either one of you might have unresolved feelings and expectations from each other. When the other person isn’t responding, you want to poke and probe them to find out if you exist for them. You want to find out if they are affected by the separation. Spend some time apart from her; maybe this will give you some clarity. It’ll also give her some time to think if she wants you in her life as a friend who was also her ex.