tmag volume 2 issue 15

Dhaka Tribune Thursday, August 14, 2014 Volume 2, Issue 15Dhaka Tribune Thursday, August 14, 2014 Volume 2, Issue 15

Savvy, not smartHOT TOPIC

TMAG Th u rsDAY, AuGusT 14, 2014

Savvy, not Smart

model Maisha TahseenPhoto Homayra Adibaart Direction Saudia and Baizid

About the cover

A weekly production ofDhakaTribune

EditorZafar Sobhan

Executive EditorShahriar Karim

Managing EditorJahangir Hyder

Magazine EditorSabrina Fatma Ahmad

Asst Magazine EditorNatasha Rahman

TMAG TeamTahsin MominFuad M HossainSaudia AfrinBaizid Haque JoarderRad ShararRaisa Rahim

ContributorsImad KhanKyoko BhuiyanAnika Jannat Munira FidaiAmeera Rahman

GraphicsMohammed Mahbub AlamTahsin Momin

Colour SpecialistShekhar MondalKazi Syras Al Mahmood

ProductionMasum Billah

AdvertisingShahidan Khurshed

CirculationWahid MuradEmail: [email protected] Website: www.dhakatribune.com

More inside

PIcKS oF the WeeK2 room of the week Armin Musa3 Doodle of the week Latiful Jawad10 Spotlight Alaa Wardi10 the goodsheet Ultraviolence11 app of the week The virtual connection

Your WorLD5 Car Lamborghini Aventador9 Fiction Pedestal9 non-fiction Secret Paradise9 Comic book Black Orchid9 Book It’s a whole new world

reAL LIFe3 Event tweets6 Hot topic Savvy, not smart12 Listology Tricks of the tech

FAShIoN4 Beauty check When emergency strikes4 Wardrobe check Geek wear etiquette

tMAG SAYS2 Funk up your room A private theatre2 FyI Maxing your cells10 Playlist Tech tunes

horoScoPeS5 your forecast

Dear readers,

If you’re wondering why Cinderella is channelling the terminator on the cover, skip straight to Page 9 for a review of the awesomest post-punk Disney fanfiction you’ll read all year.

this week, we talk about our relationship with technology, about tapping into the full potential of all the wonderful tools that science has given us. roll on over to Hot topic to join the discussion.

Since the human spirit can triumph over the weaknesses of our fragile bodies, we’ve got an inspiring feature on Written in the Stars.

there’s all that and more on this very special issue, so have a read and sound out on Facebook about how we did.

Cheers,From the TMAG desk

eDItor’S noteMosquitoes are like family. Annoying but they carry your blood – Haren Rishi Thadhani

Status of the week

#PranA trending hashtag to honour the creator of the amazing “Chacha Chaudhury comics,” Pran Kumar Sharma who died recently after fighting a long battle with cancer.

Hashtag trendings

3 TMAG’s Easel Latiful Jawad

4 Look of the week afraa anam

6 Hot topic Savy, not smart

5 Car talk Lamborghini aventador

Teen quote of the weekIf something can corrupt you, you are corrupted already


YOur LIfe2 tmag

Its 8am, and you’re late. You rush out of bed, get dressed, unplug your smartphone and dash to class! Not your bag, not your notes, not your books; just your smartphone. That’s all you need really. This one amazing gadget can replace your whole study, your workplace, your computer, and even be your Hermes on the latest events; but only if used properly

FYI

MAxING Your ceLLS

A PrIvAte theAtre

TMAG’s Room of

the week!

NAMeArMIN MuSAAreAGuLShAN 2

Kheya Mezba

A beautiful painting placed cleverly in between two certificates – what better way to bring attention to your achievements? The lamp is about perfect for the pink walls and the spotlight above the hangings adds more panache to them

Funk up your room

Cloud backupthere’s no bigger relief than knowing all your necessary files/documents, are with you wherever you go, and is accessible at any time. Life becomes much simpler when you don’t need to carry a heavy bag to class, but download it from Dropbox or Google drive whenever you need it.

Twitter feeds and newsIf you want to stay updated, nothing beats twitter. Follow your favourite sporting teams, stay updated on matches, know the latest fashion trends, keep track of national/international news and much more. the best part is, you follow, and receive constant feeds. no

hassle! However, if twitter is a hassle, there are numerous news apps you could use for every sector – news, sports, business, fashion, technology, you name it. Choose a few, and make the most of it.

Syncing mailIt really doesn’t matter how instantly available you are on social networking sites; for professional stuff, you use email. Sometimes you can afford to miss a friend’s text, but being unaware of certain mail can be disastrous. Sync it to your phone, and check it occasionally. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

File appsWhy shove that humongous table-sized

textbooks into your bag when you can simply keep the e-book of it on your smartphone? File apps are extremely useful, and can store all PDFs, your school books, your story reads, your notes; all that synced to your mail and Facebook to share instantly with others.

Battery lifenow, the issue arises that when you’re using your smartphone continuously, you’re sapping battery life severely. a little compromise in screen brightness, control in cellular data, and bag space for a charger, should solve that and you will be the knowledgeable, resourceful person you always could have been.

Rad ShaRaR

The thrill of a new movie arriving at Blockbuster Cinema or Star Cineplex is inexplicable. But it’s impossible to watch every single one that hits the screen. The solution to this inevitable problem is to set up your own theatre at home

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the first step to achieving this, is to choose a suitable room. you’ll be the luckiest person if your parents allow you to transform the living room but if they don’t, you can always go for any available spare room, the guest room, for instance. remove all the furniture from this room and replace them with some cozy sofas. Position the sofa opposite the wall you’ll place the tv on. theatres always have a dark appearance so make sure you paint the walls accordingly - such as dark red or brown. Don’t forget to put matching cushions.

once you’re done decorating, it’s time to get a new/big HD tv. When choosing a tv, the three options are LCD, LED and Plasma. Both LCD and LED tvs use what is a sandwich of glass and liquid crystal to display an image, but LCD tvs use several thin fluorescent lamps at the back whereas LED tvs use thousands of LED bulbs. the individual blocks of light can be dimmed or brightened independently, which, as a result offer better contrast in comparison to an LCD. Plasma tvs offer fairly wide contrast ranges and come at a good price but they require more electricity than LEDs or LCDs. Given the choices, your best option would be an LED tv. the preferred width for your tv should be within 50-90 inches. once you are done buying, prop it up on the wall. most people prefer to put their tvs on a tv stand, but in this case it would be better if it’s up on the wall.

Usually, the built-in speakers of the tv provide poor sound quality, however, this can be overcome by buying a sound bar. If you do decide to get one, always remember to check whether the sound satisfies you before purchasing. now that you have everything set up, go ahead and have your friends come over. Have fun eating popcorn and enjoying the theatre like experience!

anika Jannat

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SCHOOLOgISTICS 3tmag

EVENT TwEETs

TMAG’s easel

If you are a classroom doodler, email your doodle to [email protected] and see it in our weekly!

With the slogan “Debating for knowledge dissemination” Islamic University of technology Debating Society (IUtDS) is once again organising the IUt Inter University Debating competition on august 15 at their campus.

this year, 40 teams will be participating to win the title from Bangladesh Debating Society. the panel of judges for the tournament are; tahsin mahmood Jehad as chief adjudicator, abir Hasan niloy, rishad Sharif, rohan Jain, ratib m ali as deputy chief adjudicator and nazmus Sakib as tab director.

the finale will be held on august 17 at the Westin Dhaka. Huseyin muftuoglu, ambassador of turkey will be present at the event as chief guest in the finals.

IUtDS hosted its national level tournament for the first time in 2010.

after that, in 2012, IUtDS continued its legacy with IUt Iv 2012. By having tariq maketab from Ut

mara (malaysia) as the deputy chief adjudicator in IUt Iv, the competition is certain to set a benchmark for all debating tournaments in Bangladesh. Ut mara will be hosting the “World Universities Debate Championship”

this year in malaysia. the tournament incorporated a record breaking 48 teams, from 24 reputed universities from all over Bangladesh and four international teams from South Korea and malaysia.

IUtDS, established in 2002 has glorious achievements in Bangladesh. IUtDS is ranked very high by Worlds Universities Debating Championship (WUDC).

Event

INter uNIverSItY DebAtING coMPetItIoN

LAtIFuL JAWAD the hoWLING crY oF the WoLF

Dhaka Football Academy: Registration August 14, 3pm Venue Banani Club Ground/ mohammadpur physical college ground

Australian Education EXPOAugust 14, 10amVenue Spectra Convention Centre Limited, House 19, road 7, Gulshan 1

Extreme Championship August 15 Venue Lalmatia Block - D Field

Photo Walk August 15 Venue Sher-e-Bangla agricultural University

courtesy


fASHION fACe-Off4 tmagWardrobe Check

Beauty Check

Not all lunch/dinner parties will be held on weekends - a friend’s unexpected farewell, a cousin’s surprise birthday bash or a spontaneous “let’s meet up” call from your crush - all these and more are situations that usually sneak up on you right after a grueling class or in the middle of a threading session at the parlour or some such place that you’re generally not looking your best, and become moments you simply don’t want to miss out on. Here’s what to do in such emergencies

WheN eMerGeNcY StrIKeS!

Glasses that spell geek If you are going geek, you can’t let go of the geeky pair of spectacles. If you can pull off the horn-rimmed thick rectangular glasses then you are set. If rectangular shaped glasses aren’t your thing, pick out the ones that fit your face dimensions right. Do not get glasses that are too wide or too narrow. If you don’t wear glasses, you can always opt for non-prescribed ones. Pick out some funky neon frames keeping your outfit’s hues less on the bright side. Don’t do neon on neon - that would just be overkill. The geeky closet Pull out t-shirts with eccentric images or funny texts that you only save for stay-overs or a stay-in at home. those are no longer for your long hours on

the couch, being on a Big Bang theory marathon. Einstein images, shapes of planets on the t-shirt, quirky text on math equations are all geek wear that needs to come out of the closet and make it to the outside world. you could also pair plain tees with fitted pants that have inside jokes from cult movies or even fantasy novels.

Geeking the final touches you can’t be a quintessential geek without carrying a comic book or sitting glued to a gaming console, fighting it out over a game. If the gaming bug isn’t gnawing at you, sit in front of your desktop/laptop while trying to figure out “pi” and its mathematical equations and voila, you will have mastered the geek in you. nataSha Rahman

“What’s up with your geeky look?” If you are bombarded with this question every time you decide to just be yourself and it’s really starting to get to you, keep your eyes glued here. For those who want to keep wearing their geek gear yet look oh-so-fab, read on to see TMAG’s geek checklist

GeeK WeAr etIquette

Look of the week

bigstocK

StrIPeS oN PrINtS

PePLuM toPS Are ALL the rAGe NoW! PAIr theM uP WIth PrINteD PANtS AND bALLet FLAtS AND You Are Set!

Model Afraa Anam

PhotoCourtesy

Wet tissuesKeep these handy. they will be absolutely essential when you need a quick fix and don’t have time to wash your face. make sure these are refreshing tissues and not make-up removing.

Baby powderKeep some baby powder in an empty tic-tac box and pat some on your face for an instant brightening effect. yes, you don’t need to throw away those cute little boxes anymore, thanks to us!

Compacta compact face powder is another staple that you should not travel

without. It evens out what the face powder brightens. Call it your “best actor in a supporting role.”

Lipstick a light tint on your lips gives a moist, fresh look to your pucker. a lip colour can also be applied as rouge to your cheeks as it may be difficult carrying the entire make up room with you. that’s right. multitasking starts here.

Kohl pencil If your face is a theatre, this one’s the spotlight. It works as an eyelid liner as well as a lower lid outliner. What’s more, rub some on your fingertips and pinch your lashes and it’s worked as your

makeshift mascara too! Girl Friday, much?

Sanitary napkins When emergency rears its ugly, red head, there need not be bloodshed. Well, not visibly, at least. When “Uncle tom” comes knocking unannounced, this one is oxygen.

Bobby pins It matters not that your tresses aren’t silky straight. Luckily for some of us lazy ones, the messy bun is trending right now. you will need them pins to hold up your crown, princess.

muniRa Fidai bigstocK


STreeT 5tmag

ARiES (MAR 21-APR 19) your will is put to the test this day. Feelings toward an

important person in your life will carry extra weight.

TAuRuS (APR 20-MAy 20) If you can’t observe something, it might not exist

in your world. However, be prepared to break out of character.

GEMini (MAy 21-Jun 20) It’s not like you to conceal the truth. yet, you may feel

venerable speaking your mind this day with someone you really care about.

CAnCER (Jun 21-JuL 22) trust issues might arise in your heart. However,

summoning enough courage to talk it out can really help put your mind at ease.

LEO (JuL 23-AuG 22)you tend to see the best in people, which in turn bring

out the best in them when coming in contact with you.

ViRGO (AuG 23- SEP 22) you might feel the need to cater to the needs of an

emotionally damaged acquaintance today.

LiBRA (SEP 23- OCT 22)the urge to put on your dancing shoes is strong today.

However, you might need to put out some fires in your home before you do.

SCORPiO (OCT 23-nOV 21) restrain from lashing out if someone’s pushing you to.

Words today are like fire. Use them carefully.

SAGiTTARiuS (nOV 22-DEC 21) you tend to be pretty confident. that is why you

don’t mind sharing your opinions. However, today might be a little different.

CAPRiCORn (DEC 22-JAn19)you’re not always open to change, but when you get the

chance, take the path you’re really passionate about.

AquARiuS (JAn 20-FEB 18) It is likely that you’ll be running into a past deed that

requires healing today. However, this day is also blessed with energy to take on a meaningful conversation.

PiSCES (FEB 19-MAR20) Even though you’ll never admit it, you like a little drama

in your life. Gossip might flow in your direction today. Keep your lips sealed.

HOROSCOPE

and now 70 years after building the first tractor, Lamborghini has evolved and produced what may be the most radical and beautiful supercar on earth. the $387,000 aventador. the aventador is a quantum leap forward for Lamborghini; the intention was not only to surpass its predecessors but also to move a generation ahead of all the other supercars.

Here is the essence of Lamborghini in a nutshell; it’s a supercar manufac-turer that had a great early history, and then had a period of total unreliability and now it is completely rehabili-tated. the problem is that you don’t know whether if it’s going to fall off the wagon again. It is kind of like the robert Downey Jr of cars.

Lamborghini claims the aventa-dor will do 0-62mph in under three seconds – 2.9, to be precise. and when you know the factor in it is a 691HP v12 monster, the traction afforded by

its all-wheel drive and a mid-engine configuration, coupled with a gut-bust-ing gearbox that’ll shift in 50 millisec-onds, you’ll not doubt the numbers. this car will absolutely throw you back in your seat. on any road the Ferrari 458 will be slicing the asphalt and de-liver it to you in finely sliced pieces; the aventador will grab it with both hands and shove it face first.

It is strong, it probably feels like riding a bull that you really haven’t got accustomed to; just the brutal power of it.

Under the skin of the aventador, it’s not only Italian leather and cappuc-cinos; there is some real engineering going on here. the skeleton of this beast is impressive. the entire chassis is moulded from a single piece of light weight carbon fibre. and it was derived using a technology borrowed from Boeing that was used to build the 787 Dreamliner jets.

not everybody thinks a Lamborghini is beautiful. the Diablo met with mixed reviews, the Countach was known as an eccentric man’s dream, the murciel-ago wasn’t respected at all and then the reventon, which was a complete and utter disaster. and then suddenly all the angular stealth fighter mess became cool. So, gradually the world’s taste caught up with the boldness of Lambo’s designs.

volkswagen purchased Lamborghini in 1998 and in the aventador they have created something that is as pleas-ing to the eye as it is menacing. It is undoubtedly lighter, stronger, quicker and stiffer than its predecessor. the aventador is a device that will grab you by the heart and never let go. and while Lamborghini takes a massive leap with the aventador, at least this time it is in the right direction.

tahSin momin

the ItALIAN DreAM

Car Talk

Once upon a time there was a hot headed Italian farmer, who didn’t like anybody else’s tractor. So, he buried himself in his barn and built his own. His name was Ferruccio Lamborghini and he built the most ridiculous tractors in the world


6 tmag

Cell-phones, tablets, mp3 players...the 21st century teen has a multitude of toys and tools to tinker with. And yet “tinkering” is the last thing we’re doing with all these goodies. This week TMAG explores the fine, yet tangible line between being “tech savvy” and “tech smart”

By Rad Sharar Bin Kamal, Raisa Rahim and Baizid Haque Joarder

Savvy, not smart

Teching it easyLet us begin with a little experiment shall we? When you think of the word phone, what pops to mind? Probably a big touch screen, a camera in the back, Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram icons floating in the background, music and headphones etc. the basic definition of calling and communicating has been relegated to the back burner, as innovations in technology have taken us so far beyond that. our preferences and needs have changed over the decades, and a surprising realisation has occurred; we do not necessarily demand more technological advancement, but more comfort and utility out of what is already available.

this is a reason why ioS iPhones and android devices are so popular. they make it so easy, convenient, and personalised that we don’t really need to know how they work; simply choose the numerous options which make

it more relevant to our lives. It’s so effortless, that there is really not much we have to do, and that lands a finger on the problem – laziness. If there is a need to know how technology works, a more pressuring issue is that of using it properly and organising information. Syncing our phones to our laptops, using it as a remote control to our tvs and computers, making it a hub for information by constant feeds, etc, are just some of the simple things we could do to take advantage of technology. the possibilities are endless!

It really is disappointing to state that many misuse the comfort and remain as efficient as they were without it. Use it, be creative with it, maximise its output and satisfy the meaning of its existence. If that is not the case, there was no point in buying the gadget in the first place, was there?


HOT TOPIC 7

Get your elementary smart onthe issue of teaching elementary coding or programming in schools can be quite polarising. However, in this fast-moving digital age, the need for everyone to learn programming has become immensely apparent.

teaching programming or coding at a basic level is nothing better than just learning to read and write the computer language. many schools in London, are teaching first graders how to create their own games; perhaps programming a maze or a robot. the national school curriculum will soon introduce programming in state schools, at age five, once it’s updated.

Elementary programming and coding are not just pre-requisites of subjects like engineering, computer, etc. It comes in handy for whatever

subject you are going for. most importantly, it assists us in every place and every task we get stuck with. In many different countries, for instance, Singapore and tallinn, Estonia government, industrial and corporate personnel argued about the necessity of basic knowledge about how the computers, software and certain devices work.

With every coming “tomorrow,” the world is becoming more tech-focused. one major aspect of teaching programming and coding is the development of problem-solving abilities and preventing yourself from being vulnerable to treachery through modern technologies; internet and banking software. Hence, it is wise to help create a tech friendly society.

Technologically handicapped, no more!Saad, a 19 year old who has been using computers since he was 12, says that he didn’t know anything about spreadsheets until he had to learn all about it for his )-levels Computer Studies.

We can’t really blame people like Saad. most of us don’t have enough time to “explore” our gadgets apart from maybe finding out the best filter for the next post on Instagram. But there is so much that a basic computer or any other gadget has to offer for our benefits. making daily routines on spreadsheets can make your life way easier, to-do lists can give you the reminder for your next class and so much more! Imagine a day on which everything goes according to plan.

Fascinating, really!another teen Sumaita tells us how

she made her parents buy her a new DSLr for Eid because most of her friends have one. DSLrs are popular among teens but it is not hard to find people who bought such an expensive gadget without even knowing how to work them properly when such cameras are professional by nature. For example, few change the ISo settings which need to be handled with change of lighting and even fewer know about shutter speed. FyI, a normal digital camera can be very versatile on it’s own if only you know how to work the finer points.

How to learn to work on such gadgets? the best way is to explore the

gadgets on your own but if you don’t have the time to, ask someone who can teach you. and if you think asking is “too mainstream” for you (ahem, if you feel embarrassed!), fret not, Google will provide you with all the answers you need. If you would, take Steve Jobs; he used to buy cell phones simply to take it apart and know how they work. He had a passion, we realise, but a thought has been imprinted within our minds that technology has developed beyond our understanding. We are the ones who make iPhones and supercomputers! our ability to understand how these work is much much more beyond that of mere technology. We invented them, hence we should know, to a certain limit, how

they operate. If the gadget is your new phone and you do not know much about it, there are plenty of forums where new users like yourself, discuss about the functionality and everything else. you just have to find the right forum for yourself; which is also a click away, thank you technology!

admitting it, many of us do tend to use gadgets without knowing HoW they work at all. For instance, we heat food using the microwave oven in the kitchen but very few of us know how such waves work or what they are really. Even cell phones, ever wondered how you talk to your friends using invisible signals? Food for thought.

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What is PDF’s view on physically challenged people?PDF considers disability as an evolving concept that results from the interaction between people with impairment, attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder full and effective participation in the society on an equal basis with others. We must change this attitude, so we can empower them by creating an environment where they can practise leadership in a diverse setting.

the current practice of youth leadership is very appreciable. Despite the rapid growth in youth engagement, the situation for disabled youth is yet to change. the youth communities are raising their voices to; establish women’s rights, fight against racism, corruption, and sustainable environment together. though this creates an impact in most cases, the disabled youth usually keep silent. as a result their voices are not counted among most youth-led movements. We do believe to start a revolution from here; our call is “nothing about change without us.” Ultimately, PDF envisions an inclusive society where, youth with disabilities can practise leadership and work with mainstream communities to empower themselves.

Tell us about PDF’s signature event Summer Challenge?

PDF has geared up to organise their flagship event “PDF Summer Challenge” for the third time. the event is a unique gathering of over 200 youths, organisers, along with 1,500 volunteers for one purpose; sustainable community development. the event

has helped many youth gain invaluable experience and skills; something that can be used in whatever career they wish to pursue in the future. also, the training provided has been a great way to help these youths rediscover themselves, through a process where their decisions affect the lives of many. Every year, 1000 physically-challenged and underprivileged people benefit from the event. the project strives to raise awareness among the society, encourage the youth to take up voluntary service and improve their leadership capabilities.

in which areas is PDF working to create an active citizen? active citizens means, people getting involved in their local communities and upholding democracy at all levels; in things that matter in towns and cities to nationwide matters. they have

constructed a strategic plan - “the PDF Summer Challenge,” which gives general students a platform to design and implement their own projects, help participants to learn about culture and their community, promote mutual understanding, cultivate shared responsibility, leadership, networking skills and encourage them to engage in the local communities.

How is your organisation’s approach different or more effective in comparison to other organisations working for the same causes?

In Bangladesh, we have hundreds of nGos and institutions working with disability or youth leadership issues. these traditional platforms have failed to create an exclusive environment where disabled youth can practise leadership and independent living. those who are working with youth leadership are usually unable to engage the disabled ones. also, a majority approach the issue from a charity standpoint.therefore PDF strongly encourages the participation of our youth in activities that will benefit the nation and advocate youth-led community service. also PDF is not naive enough to believe that, by simply participating in our projects will make one a future leader, but what we do believe is that it will certainly arouse responsibility in them and create a feeling that something needs to be done to improve our society.

Future plans of PDF?according to a recent survey, around 500 blind students are currently studying on various levels – elementary to university – around Dhaka. to make their lives easier, we plan establish a one-stop centre in Dhaka.they also plan to start a small-scale good manufacturing industry in the northern parts of Bangladesh.n

wrITTeN IN THe STArS8 tmag

AbLe-ING the DISAbLeDPhysically-challenged Development Foundation (PDF) is an organisation committed to creating social awareness, ensuring equal rights, and creating a skilled work force within the disabled community. M Mizanur Rahman Kiron, president of PDF, had a tete-a-tete with Saudia Afrin about PDF’s journey, goals and achievements

• non-profit Braille printing service

• regular publications for blind students

• Skill development training in the It sector for disabled students

• Language club• Free counselling for the

physically-challenged students• Cultural training centre• transport service hotline

I am really grateful to PDF for my present job at BGMEA. Here I am working as a senior executive. To work properly, a

disabled person only needs support and a friendly environment. I dream of a society where disabled people can enjoy their rights in all sectors. Thanks PDF for their support in helping us live with dignity. -Jolly Kowser

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“the Lunar Chronicles” is a series of books set in a futuristic world, written by author marissa meyer. She sets a world which is inhabited by humans, cyborgs and androids where they all coexist and loosely bases it on our favourite Disney character stories.

the series starts off with Cinder, followed by Scarlet, Cress, Fairest and Winter. Cinder is based on Cinderella, Scarlet on Little red riding Hood, Cress on rapunzel, and Fairest is a prequel to the previous three books which is based on the evil queen Levana, from Snow White. Winter therefore, the last and final book in the series, is based on Snow White and is set after that. So far three books - Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress has already been published. Fairest and Winter is set to come out in January and november of 2015 respectively. the stories are full of twists and turns and meyer

has an amazing ability to intertwine completely separate stories into a combined yet individualistic sci-fi fantasy chronicle. the only set back is that each book ends very abruptly, leaving you confused and asking for more. It is amazing to read how she connects the stories of each of the protagonists and how all of them have one common enemy - the vicious Lunar Queen Levana.

meyer not only brings to life a whole new and exciting side to the characters of the stories, throwing us, the readers off completely from the conventional tales that we have come to love and have grown up with. If you are into sci-fi and fantasy combined with love and drama, the Lunar Chronicles is a must read for you! kyoko Bhuiyan

book

It’S A WhoLe NeW WorLD Black orchid is the re-imagined work

of British authors during the mid 80s by neil Gaiman and his fellow illustrator, Dave mcKean. If there was only one word to describe this book, that would be “beautiful!” yes, we use this word a lot, fling it around and use it when we cannot think of anything else to say. But really, this book is beautiful. one could read through it without even reading the text and still enjoy it because the artwork is that gorgeous. not that the story isn’t great or anything; in fact, the story is a creation of powerful artistic visions, setting a deep and interesting plot with mysterious characters. It could leave readers entwined in a galaxy with a desire to know more and more about this world the authors put you in.

a young girl who was viciously murdered is reborn as the Black orchid, a hybrid between a plant and a human, in order to avenge her

death, fighting her way through crime and otherworldly problems. and it’s not even like your usual superhero stories, where the hero/heroine kicks the bottoms of those who deserve it; there’s a lot more depth. Here, we have Black orchid struggling to reconcile with her memories from the past as a human and her botanical origins.

It’s unfortunate however, that neil Gaiman’s Black orchid is only but a mini-series, seeing as how it gets readers hooked and makes them crave for more. But fret not, it’s nice that the story isn’t stretched out and that it wraps up nicely in the end. It’s strange but indubitably mesmerising, a book definitely worth a read by all comic lovers. imad khan

comic

beAutIFuL, LIKe A FLoWer

“azura, is that really you?” Elisa groaned, her nursing instincts telling her that a lung was definitely punctured. azura carefully knelt beside her and pulled a first aid kit out of nowhere. memories had Elisa reeling, as her vision slowly blurred.

Elisa was the prettiest girl in all of high school. Her nerdy cousin azura belonged to the more reserved, outcast clan of the same batch. It seemed to azura that all of her high school was spent being tormented for her mere existence. the pain was unbearable, she even tried to hang herself once. She survived but the marks left around her neck was forever a mar to the beauty she had grown to become.

the years passed in blinks. Elisa was vacationing in the US on a ticket she won in the lottery, spending only the bare minimum to see the Big apple. renting out a two-bit motorcycle, she found herself skidding off the wet roads of Fifth avenue to a nearby lamppost. an audi screeched to a stop beside her, and the crowd gave way to a world famous doctor, none other than what had been the obsidian, eyed azura. the mark around her neck still remained, a strangely fitting reminder

as she dialed 911, talking into the telephone, asking for help.

Seeing nothing but crimson and black, Elisa asked: “Why are you doing this for me?” azura’s reply was short, cold and strangely befitting: “I’m not like you.” as the black water began to claim Elisa’s consciousness, the toxic, excruciating guilt stabbing her had nothing to do with the spoiler that went right through her left thigh. azura’s lips curved into a vindictive smirk and that was the last thing Elisa saw before she lost all consciousness.

God said: “vengeance is mine. I will repay.” ameeRa Rahaman

ficition

PeDeStAL“Eid mubarak!”

the well rehearsed line escaped Samia’s lips as she hugged each of her cousins one by one.

It was Eid. the day when people adorned themselves with fancy dresses, ate to the point of bursting at the seams, and laughed with people they couldn’t bear to be in the same room with otherwise.

the house was full and her parents were busy greeting the guests. She swerved in and out between groups of people with only one goal in her mind - her room. It was her sanctuary, her safe haven, and it was just a few feet away when she felt a sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her sweaty hands barely touched the doorknob when-

“oh my God, that dress is soo pretty! Where did you buy it from?”

“I love your new hairdo, so much better than before!”

“Have you lost weight? that is such a pleasant sight!”

Bombarded with a bunch of unwelcome questions, Samia nodded. tilting her head slightly to the right, she gushed out courteous replies, never forgetting to keep a smile on her face. the aunties kept going on and on while her strained facial muscles began to

burn beneath her fake smile and her hands itched to push the door open to her secret paradise.

as the aroma of pulao and chicken curry floated in from the kitchen, the aunties dispersed without further queries. Samia heaved a sigh of relief as she finally entered her room.

only it was not a secret paradise anymore. Her nephews were jumping on the bed as if it was a trampoline while the younger ones were rummaging through the drawers and applying her lipsticks on their faces like neon highlighters on white paper.

the little imps dropped everything and rushed out of the room at her sight. With sagging shoulders, disheartened Samia looked around at what used to be her very own paradise. But then it hit her. She would have to deal with unceremonious kids, not so respectable elders and pretend to be someone she is not every single year that lies in her way. It was inevitable.

“Eid mubarak to you too, Samia,” She whispered to herself as she started her Eid by cleaning up everyone else’s mess. nooR-e-FeRdouS

non fiction

Secret PArADISe

bigstocK

bigstocK


spotlight

STereO10 tmag

tech tuNeS

1. Aniden Fuad

2. Technologic Daft Punk

3. Another Sunset Dhaka Dub Hierarchy

4. Watch us work it Devo

5. if Lalon jammed today The B regiment

6. Something’s missing John Mayer

7. Mr Roboto Styx

8. Geekin’ Will.i.am

9. Where did all the love go? Kasabian

10. To the core Rise against

good sheet

top

10

ultraviolence Lana Del Ray

Intro: Dm F Am/C G

verse:Dm Bb G

He used to call me DnIt stood for deadly nightshadeCause I was filled with poisonBut blessed with beauty and rage

Bb Dm C G

Jim told me that he hit me and it felt like a kissJim brought me backreminded me of when we were kids

[Chorus]Dm F Am/C G

this is ultraviolenceUltraviolenceUltraviolenceUltraviolenceI can hear sirens, sirensHe hit me and it felt like a kissI can hear violins, violinsGive me all of that ultraviolence

you don’t have to listen to music beyond your comfort zone to appreciate alaa Wardi’s compositions of song covers, all voluntarily contributed to the internet. Watching his cover videos one would experience a pleasing blast of sounds of all ranges that’d comfort one’s auditory muscles. you’d also be surprised to see that all the sounds were in fact made by the most extraordinary musical instrument – the human body! that’s right, as seen in his cover of “Pehla nasha,” his beautiful acappella singing is backed by rhythms, percussions, bass lines

ALAA WArDIthe huMAN MuSIcAL INStruMeNt

and other musical sounds; all made by culminating edits of beat-boxing, claps, etc into one video. and to top it all, alaa Wardi saves you from sitting awkwardly staring at a guy slapping his tummy while listening to good music by making some funny expressions that might leave you smiling, often in amusement.

However, alaa Wardi doesn’t just do Bollywood music covers; you’ll see covers such as Lorde’s “royals” and Khaled’s “aicha,” all of which are good examples of his brilliance. the Saudi arabian-Iranian musician is accomplished in studies of music and sound engineering. Such talent

and expertise has surely taken him to places; first being internationally recognised and then to forming his own band called Hayajan, which had its first arabic language album, “ya Bay,” debut in 2013 with original songs in different styles. Good music from the middle-East is almost unheard of around these parts. However, given what alaa Wardi has brought to us, with that taste of what could be, our hopes of good arabian music would instil upon us and you never know, it might just come to be. imad khan


PLAYrOOm 11tmagWe recoMMeND

App of the week

comic strip

the vIrtuAL coNNectIoNLiving in the 21st century, we can agree that our lives haven’t been this simple, ever. The various apps that let us express ourselves or connect with someone who’s miles away, with just a touch, only proves the aforementioned point. We at TMAG decided to list a few gifts of technology that make our lives much easier. Facebook is a mixture of all of the following, so we decided not to include it

TwitterSome blog to express themselves, but seeing that we have become restless in the recent times, the creators of twitter came up with the idea of a micro-blogging site where one can post briefly (140 characters), calling them “tweets.” What makes it so popular is that, the user can tweet about what’s happening with their lives and follow other people and celebrities, allowing them to know what’s going on with their lives as well.

instagramInstagram is basically an outlet where the user can take, edit and share pictures or short videos (15 seconds) both publicly and privately with people who follow them. the edits and filters can make the photos look like they were of high-quality in nature and allow people to comment on them as well.

WhatsAppFor people who like to text all the time, Whatsapp is pretty much a saviour, allowing them to send texts, images, voice recordings, music and videos to one or, more people at the same time. Whats awesome is that this nifty app does it at a minimal cost in comparison to that of standard texting.

Vinea twitter-owned service, vine is a platform where you can share, view six-second clips which are often funny and creative in nature. From looping clips that are silly to stop-motion clips of art, vine has it all.

Snapchatmost teens aren’t too keen on sharing personal, light, or well, embarrassing photos of themselves online. that’s when Snapchat comes in to play. It is a messaging app that allows the user, to set a time limit before the picture disappears, making it relatively safer.

Tumblranother popular platform, tumblr is a mix between twitter and thew good old blog. Users can post texts, images, audio clips, gifs and so on, making it look like an online scrapbook. you can follow other people on tumblr which allows you to be subscribed to their posts. Baizid haque JoaRdeR


TeeNArAmA12 tmag

Technology plays a very important role in our lives and inevitably consumes a lot of our time. The world is moving into a new era and the use of technology plays a big if not a huge part in our lives. TMAG explores a few things, you may be unaware of Syed AzrAf zAmAn

heAD cAStING

For some of you who have the tendency to use your remote operated car keys like a katana, aiming to find that pressure point which, locks/unlocks the car, life is about to get much easier. next time, point the keys at your head. your head functions as an antenna which broadcasts the signal to the car and that too over a much wider range.

A LeAP oF FAIth

tired of putting batteries inside a device to test whether they have any juice left or not? try this - place the battery standing on a flat surface and then lift it up by a fraction of a centimetre, and then drop it. If it stays upright, it means that this bad boy still has some juice to spare and if it falls down, it means it’s dead.

ScrubbING It out WIth

vIDeoS

remember, when you’re streaming videos on youtube, avoid going crazy with the cursor and try using the directional buttons for smooth scrubbing (geek speak for going forwards and backwards in a video). you can also use the number keys for this.

listology

trIcKS oF the tech

WhIch vIDeo GAMe chArActer Are You?

tAKe tmAg’s PerSoNALItY

quIZ NoW!

Mostly As (Lara Croft)you kick ass and you’re sexy, what more could anyone ask for? angelina Jolie doesn’t compare to the rEaL Lara Croft.

Mostly Bs (Master Chief)Stoic and proud, you work well with a team, but are better on your own. you love technology and exotic locales, but are often left to your own devices. Keep the helmet on, you look cooler.

Mostly Cs (Leisure Suit Larry)you think you are a ladies’ man. all you want to do is be around hot chicks, but they’re never interested in you.

Mostly D’s (Pacman)your style is classic and timeless. you are always one of the first ones on the party scene, eager to please, and a fan favourite among guys and girls. Everyone loves you!

you’re in the grocery store about to buy your favourite food. What is it?a Ice cream B an apple C a candy barD Chicken breasts

if someone walked up to you in a restaurant and punched you for no reason, what would you do?a Freeze themB ask them out on a dateC Shoot themD Eat them

your favourite pickup line is:a Baby, I’m like a burrito...I’ll spice up

your night.B See my friend over there? He wants

to know if you think I’m cute.C Do you believe in love at first sight,

or should I walk by again?D If I could rearrange the alphabet, I

would put “U” and “I” together.

it’s vacation time...where are you going?a EgyptB vegas, baby!C nyCD outer space...hey, if a member of n

Sync can try to do it, so can I

you have to dress up to go out, what are you wearing?a Heavy metal armorB a pinstriped suitC overallsD Snug fit tees and palazzos

your arch enemy challenges you to a fight, so you bringa a huge swordB Who needs a weapon when you

have killer looks?C an iceballD Sniper rifle

if you were a doughnut, what kind would you be?

a Chocolate frostedB Lemon-filledC Sugar doughnutD Jelly

your main mode of transportation isa teleportationB runningC rollingD Ice skating

you’ve won the lottery! you first big purchase isa a motorcycleB Guns. new guns. Lots of guns.C Candy! Lots of candy!D a lifetime supply of ice pops

Aw, you decide to get a pet. What is it?a BulldogB PenguinC turtleD an adorable puppy

your friend wants to buy you a drink, what do you order?a Pina coladaB Fruit Punch C Grape juice D root Beer

your room is currently:a So messy I can’t even see my bed.B Sort of cluttered but I can still find

my underwear when necessary.C Perfectly clean.D I’m not sure, but I think my mom

cleaned it for me today.

Find out what your gameplay is like

tmag volume 2 issue 15

Documents

week armin musa3 doodle

week2 room

dhaka tribune

special issue

smart5 car

amazing gadget

techfashion4 beauty

private theatre2 fyi