weekend tribune june 10th 2016

vol 4 Issue 8 | FRIDAY, June 10, 2016 Dhaka Tribune

6 Cook YouR own wAY 12 nAtoRe

RAJbARI 20 the bong MoMMA

WEEKEN D TRI BU N E | FRI DAY, J U N E 10, 2016

Volume 4 | Issue 8 | June 10, 2016

EditorZafar Sobhan

Features EditorSabrina Fatma Ahmad

Asst Features EditorFarina Noireet

Weekend Tribune TeamSaudia Afrin

Moumita AhmedN Anita AmreenSakib MridhaSaqib Sarker

Mahmood SadiShuprova Tasneem

ContributorsJennifer Ahmed

Minu AhmedReema Islam

Enayetullah KhanFarzana Romine

CartoonsSyed Rashad Imam Tanmoy

Priyo

GraphicsMd Mahbub AlamAlamgir HossainTahsin Momin

Colour SpecialistShekhar Mondal

AdvertisementShahin Ahsan

ProductionMasum Billah

CirculationMasud Kabir Pavel

Websitedhakatribune.com/weekendfacebook.com/WeekendTrib

Email your letters to:[email protected]

Editor’s note

On the cover

Dear readers,

And just like that, Ramadan is upon us. Ramadan in Dhaka presents us with an interesting set of contradictions. One one hand it is the month of piety, abstinence, and reflection. And on the other, it’s a month of indulgence, frayed tempers, and unbridled consumerism.

We’ve attempted to portray both aspects of this month in the first of our Ramadan issues. Kicking it off with a handy planner to get you on track, we also have three healthy iftar alternatives to the traditional fritters and fried food. A fashion flashback takes a look at

the designers at this year’s Lustrous Runway. To add perspective, we’ve also taken a trip around the world to see how other people fast, and back home with a photo story on the Iftar Bazaar.

For a little bit of heritage, we go to Rajshahi to visit the old Rajbari, and then straight to Cannes to see Tagore in 3D.

Finally, the Bong Momma too, gets introspective as she learns to communicate with the Jellybean.

Wishing you a comfortable week of fasting and prayers!

Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

News 2 News

3 Meanwhile

Features

4 Event

The Lustrous Runway

8 Offers

Coupons

12 Origin Story

Natore Rajbari

13 Film

Culture

15 Spirituality

Rituals

16 Ramadan special

Planner

17 Ticket

Shopping

regulars14 Legalese

18 Stay In

19 Go Out

20 The Bong Momma

Darasbari Mosque is a historic mosque that was built in 1479 AD and is located in Shibganj Upazila of Chapai Nawabganj District Bangladesh

Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

CONTENTS 1

COOk YOuR OwN waY KiTCheN ChRoNiCLeS

PhOTO STORY ifTaR bazaR

6

9


2 NEwS | This week

Victorious Clinton claims historic ‘milestone’ for women

China said on Wednesday, last week that the Philippines has ignored a proposal for a regular talks mechanism over maritime issues, as it repeated that its door was always open to bilateral talks with Manila on the South China Sea.

China claims most of the waters, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims, as well as close military ties with the

United States.The Philippines has

brought a case at an international

tribunal in The Hague contesting China’s claims, a case rejected by China

which wants to solve the issue

bilaterally.In a statement released in both

Chinese and English, China’s Foreign Ministry said the two countries had agreed in 1995 to settle disputes in the South China Sea “in a peaceful and friendly manner through consultations on the basis of equity and mutual respect”.

China and the Philippines have held many rounds of talks on the proper management of maritime disputes, though have had no negotiations designed to settle the actual disputes in the South China Sea, the ministry said.

“China has on a number of occasions proposed with the Philippines the establishment of a China-Philippines regular consultation mechanism on maritime issues; however, to date, there has never been any response from the Philippine side.”

The Philippines Foreign Ministry declined to comment.Photo: AP

Russia is building an army base near its border with Ukraine, the latest in a chain of new military sites along what the Kremlin sees as its frontline in a growing confrontation with NATO.

While there have been no clashes between the former Cold War rivals, Russia is building up forces on its western frontiers at a time when the NATO alliance is staging major military exercises and increasing deployments on its eastern flank.

A Reuters reporter who visited the Russian town of Klintsy, about 50 km (30 miles) from Ukraine, saw a makeshift army camp, large numbers of newly-arrived servicemen and military vehicles.

Two soldiers in camouflage gear who were manning a checkpoint in a forest turned the reporter away, saying they were guarding a “special military site”.

Last year, Reuters also reported on construction of two other bases further to the south on Russia’s border with Ukraine.

The defense ministry however has not acknowledged the deployment of troops to Klintsy, which usually serves as a stop for truck drivers traveling between Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.Photo: AP

Hillary Clinton declared a historic victory for women as she grasped the Democratic Party nomination and the chance to become America’s first female president.

“Thanks to you, we’ve reached a milestone,” a beaming Clinton told ecstatic supporters in New York: “the first time in our nation’s history that a woman will be a major party’s nominee.”

The former first lady took a dramatic step toward the White House by winning New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, three of six states voting on the last major date of the 2016 primary calendar.

The biggest prize of all, California, was still up for grabs, but with polls closed there and 40 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton held a substantial lead.

The victories effectively put an end

to her battle with challenger Bernie Sanders, the self-declared democratic socialist senator from Vermont who waged an extraordinarily successful grassroots campaign.

But Sanders, ignoring the political writing on the wall, vowed to “continue the fight.”

“Our mission is more than just defeating Donald Trump, it is transforming our country,” he declared to supporters in Santa Monica, California.

Clinton’s triumph came almost eight years to the day since her first Oval Office bid was spectacularly thwarted by a charismatic young senator named Barack Obama.Photo: Reuters

Mahmuda Khanam Mitu, 32, wife of Babul Akter, a superintendent of police (SP) of Dhaka police headquarters, was killed at GEC Circle in Chittagong near her home at around 6:45am on Saturday by a group of motorcycle-borne miscreants.

The killers stabbed and shot dead the wife of the police officer as she was going to put their son into a school-bus at GEC Circle.

Mahmuda Khanam had been living with her son, Akter Mahmud Mahir, 8 and Tabassum Tajnim Tapur, 4, and a housemaid, Fatema, at flat no. D-7 at O.R. Nizam Road, in a complex named Equity Centrium, for three years. She had left her residence on foot to put her son into the school-bus at GEC Circle around 6:45am like everyday.

CCTV footage later showed the

three men riding a motorbike from the GEC area. One was wearing a helmet, two were without helmets. They stopped her at the spot. The first man stabbed her indiscriminately, then they shot her.

“We recovered two bullet shells and a live bullet from the spot,” said Poritosh Ghosh, deputy police commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (North). Police suspected a militant link with the incident as the police officer had unearthed many incidents carried out by militants.

“He has led several raids on militant hideouts and has played an important role in nabbing militants and busting their dens. For the motive of the murder, we suspect a militant link to the heinous crime,” added Ghosh.News: Dhaka Tribune

China says the Philippines is ignoring a maritime talks proposal

Russia deploys troops westward as standoff with NATO deepens

Renowned SP’s wife killed in CTG

The world at a glanceWeekend Tribune

Desk


. . . MEaNwhILE 3

Photo of the week

This is the moment a teen could have captured a secret army experiment on film after he filmed a man on camera floating in the sky.

The mysterious figure, who looks to be wearing some sort of next-generation personalised transportation device, such as a jetpack, was spotted flying hundreds of feet above the ground.

Charlie Knott managed to get the weird spectacle on film after he noticed the image flying above his home town of Furnace Green, West Sussex.

The lad, 16, was at friend Yazz Jeffrey’s home at 9pm on Friday when she noticed the ‘person’ floating in the air.

Charlie said: “We both ran outside and were just looking at it and wondering what it was.

“Then I ran back inside to get my phone to take

pictures and video.“It was like the figure of a person and

it looked like it was on a board which was underneath the figure and was moving quite quickly.

But while aliens may be plausible, others suggest that the floating figure above Crawley has been connected to a secret NASA project named Project Blue Beam.

Project Blue Beam is a conspiracy theory that NASA is to implement a new world order in the form of a new religion with the Anti-Christ at its head.

In order to convince people of this, it is thought that a ‘Second Coming’ will be technologically

simulated.Other people think it is a person-shaped balloon.

News and photo: Daily Mirror

say what?Aliens or secret military tech? Stunned teens capture video of ‘man’ floating in the sky

A worker at a puffed rice factory in Fatullah, Naraynaganj.Photo: Mahmud Hossain Opu


4 EvENT | The LusTrous runway

Five years of fashionThe headliners at TReSemme presents 5 Years Celebration of The Lustrous RunwayBaizid Haque Joarder

The biggest fashion event of the season kicked off again last weekend at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Le

Meridien. With even more excitement and anticipation surrounding this exemplary fashion show, “TRESemmé presents 5 Years Celebration of The Lustrous Runway” lived up to its fame and did not disappoint. With a host of marvellous designs and some of

the most talented designers from the region, this platform was primarily created with a vision to redefine the future of fashion and integrate Bangladesh into the global fashion world. This week, we take a look at some of the famous fashion designers whose work graced the ramps of this year’s event, as well as the celebrity showstopper who headlined the event.

AnokhiHumaira Khan’s label has been in the fashion scene for over two decades now and has garnered appreciation from critics and young fashionistas alike. This time, Humaira proudly presented her very own signature collection at the fifth year celebration of The Lustrous Runway. Inspired by nature, her line comprised of designs inspired by the

blue sky, green leaves and the palash shimul that were embroidered and hand-painted on silk, jamdaani and our very own muslin. The flowy cuts were pleasing on the eye. Youngsters in the audience may well have noted the brilliant combo of trendy jackets teamed up with dhotis, skirts and wrap pants.

Agnimitra PaulThe proud owner of the designer label Inga, Agnimitra Paul did not disappoint. Inspired by Madhubani paintings from the Madhoban district of Bihar, Agni’s ensembles spoke of

simplicity, ease and oh-so-stylish confidence. The fusion between western outfits like jumpsuits and dresses with motifs from the sub-continent were anything but a miss.

Sarah KarimHomegrown talent Sarah Karim enchanted the audience as she transported them back to the Mughal era. The craftsmanship of the line that was showcased left no doubt that the artisans were very experienced as the detailed aari work, zardozi and embroidery on the outfits made

the guests feel like they were sitting inside Akbar’s darbaar. Sarah’s talent of infusing such traditional artistry with contemporary cuts really made her line stand out. Fusion kameezes, bridal wear and jackets looked fabulous on the ramp.

Photos: Courtesy


5

Salita NandaSalita Nanda’s collection at the event was bold, playful and beautifully feminine, to say the least. Inspired by surrealism, the designer should be credited for the creative use of juxtaposing elements which made all the sense in the world, and looked

nothing short of art. The line would be a brilliant match for a confident woman who does not think twice when it comes to vivid colours and prints, which seemed effortlessly elegant as the models strutted down the runway.

ZurhemProbably the hottest men’s label to have operated in the industry, Mehruz Munir’s very own Zurhem is well known for its cutting edge style and impeccable fit, ever since the label opened its doors to fashion savvy

men back in 2015. Aptly titled as “The Rebels of China,” the only all-male-collection of the night saw brilliant use of Chinese prints, silk and velvet, leaving the men and women in the audience gasping for more. n

Neeta LullaThe designer whose work is preferred by several Bollywood beauties, Neeta Lulla showed the audience in Dhaka why the organisers saved her for the last slot. Neeta, who has been a part of the industry for over three decades, made all jaws drop with her line

comprising of trendy, ethnic Indian wear. A designer of her stature surely knew how to make her models look drop dead gorgeous as they donned colours and patterns of pink, gold and red, setting fire to the runway in a brilliant finale.

Lisa RayLast but not least, the audience was wowed by the beautiful Lisa Ray, who wore a gorgeous embroidered outfit designed by Sarah Karim with jewellery from Gitanjali. Lisa Ray is not only known as a famous actress and model, but also a philanthropist and social activist. Born to a Bengali father and Polish mother, Ray made her film debut in 2001 in Kasoor opposite Aftab

Shivdasani, and the rest is history. In 2009, she revealed at the Toronto Film Festival that she suffered from a rare form of cancer called multiple myeloma. Although she has since been declared cancer-free after treatment, Ray has continued to devote her time to raising awareness on the disease and raising funds for cancer research and cancer patients.


6 COOk YOuR OwN waY | kiTchen chronicLes

Of pumpkin and peasToday, i am sharing my three favourite recipes for iftar. Two of them are very healthy. The chickpea curry is a great alternative to our regular chola that we have everyday for iftar.Farzana Romine

Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:• 3 cups chopped pumpkin • 1 small potato• 1/4 cup chopped onion• 2 cloves garlic chopped• 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder• 1 tsp cumin powder• 1 vegetable or chicken stock cube• 1/4 tsp chili powder• 4 cups water• Salt and pepper to taste• 1/4 cup olive oil• Croutons, cream, or cheese to use as

a garnish

Directions:First heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the onion and garlic. Stir for three to four minutes until they soften. Then add the nutmeg, cumin and chili powder and stir for 30 seconds. Because the spices are dry, they will burn if you cook them too long. Once the spices are thoroughly combined with the garlic and onions, add the potato and the pumpkin. Mix well.

Now add the water and the stock cube to the pot and bring it to a boil. Add salt to taste. Continue boiling until the potato and pumpkin are soft (around 30 minutes.)

Once every thing is soft, remove the pot from the heat and set aside until cool. Once the soup is cooled, puree the soup. You can use either a hand or conventional blender to achieve a smooth, uniform consistency.

Once the soup reaches the desired consistency. Warm it on medium heat, stirring regularly. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with a little drizzle of olive oil, cream or shredded cheese as you please. Serve hot with toasted croutons and salad for a complete meal.

Photos: Farzana Romine


77

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

Chickpeas are a popular ingredient for Iftar time. This chickpea curry is a great addition to any Iftar menu. If you have canned chickpeas, this dish takes a very short time to cook. Its really flavourful. This recipe has two parts.

Ingredients:• 1 15oz/425gr can of chickpeas, or 1

cup dry chickpeas • 1 large potato• 1/4 tsp whole cumin• 1/4 cup chopped onion• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder• 1/2 tsp chili powder• 1/2 tsp coriander powder• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder• 4 whole cloves• 1 bay leaf• 2 tbsp tomato paste• 1 tbsp ketchup• 1 tbsp sugar• 2 tbsp cream• 1/4 cup oil

To make the spice paste:• 1½ cup roughly chopped onion• 1 cup chopped tomato• 3 cloves garlic• 1 inch ginger chopped• 2 tbsp oil

Directions:Drain the chickpeas from the can. If using dried chickpea, soak them the

night before and boil them in water until tender.

Boil the potato until soft, but not too mushy. Let it cool and cut into small cubes.

Heat oil for the spice paste and add the onions. Sauté for one minute, then add the tomatoes, ginger and garlic. Cook them until the smell of the raw ingredients dissipates. Let it cool and grind into a smooth paste.

Heat ¼ cup oil in a pan and add the whole cumin and let it splatter. Then add the onion, bay leaf, and cloves.

Sauté for a few minutes. Now add the chili, turmeric, coriander powder. Sauté for 30 seconds. Add the tomato purée and ketchup. Cook until the oil starts to separate from the masala. Once it separates, add the spice purée we made earlier. Add sugar and bring to a boil.

Now add the chickpea and potatoes. Mix well. Before taking it off the heat add the cream and the garam masala powder.

Garnish with fresh cilantro, ginger and onion. Serve with naan, paratha, roti or luchi.

TIP: You can cook the spices and make the gravy and freeze it. When you want to eat, just heat the gravy and add chickpeas or any vegetables you like. n

Roasted Pumpkin SaladPumpkin and spinach are both delicious foods that are high in vitamins and minerals. This easy-to-make salad goes very well as a side dish. Add some grilled chicken or fish and it becomes a hearty main dish.

Ingredients:• For the dressing:• 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar• 2 tbsp of olive oil • 1 tbsp of honey • 1 tsp yellow mustard • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp black pepper

Mix all of the dressing ingredients together and set aside.

To roast the pumpkin:• 2 cups of cubed pumpkin • 1 tsp of salt• 1 tbsp of olive oil• 1 tsp of black pepper• 1 tsp of paprika

For the salad:• 2 cups spinach • 1/4 cup pecan or walnut • 1/4 cup cubed cheese

To roast the pumpkin, preheat your oven to 375°F/190°C. Mix the roasting ingredients with the pumpkin. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and evenly distribute the pumpkin on it. Bake for 15 to 20 min. The pumpkin should be light brown and soft.

Once the pumpkin is roasted you can start assembling the salad. Just spread the spinach in a bowl. Add the cheese, pecan and the roasted pumpkin. Pour the dressing and toss well. Serve immediately.

Note: You can add lettuce, cucumber and tomato to this salad as well.

Creamy Chana Masala


8 OFFERS | coupons

This Ramadan, there’s another reason to love Weekend Tribune. Take this page with you to the outlets mentioned below for exciting offers.

Special Deals

10%Disc

ount

Valid time

7 Days frompublishing date

Guhaa-The Cave KitchenRangs KB Square, Level-9, 736 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.Contact- 0191144408

Special offer by

10%Disc

ount

FirefliesHouse# 275, Road# 27(old), 16(new), 2nd Floor, A2 Rangs Nasim Square, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Cell: 01745566526

Special offer by

Valid time

3 Days frompublishing date 15%Di

scou

nt

Le PizzariaHouse# 93, Road# 6, Block-C, Banani, DhakaContact: 01700690383

Special offer by

Valid time


10%Disc

ount

Valid time


* Minimum bill Tk1000/-

Nawab ChatgaHouse# 29, Road# 19 (Back side of Navana Tower), Gulshan, DhakaContact: 01873667766

Special offer by

10%Disc

ount

bbq Restaurant1. Gulshan Branch2. Dhanmondi Branch3. Baily Road Branch

Special offer by

Valid time


On Sehri

Complementary

Moctailwith every

Iftar Buffet

Valid time


* 1 drink for 1 single buffet

Meraki188, Gulshan AvenueGulshan-2, Dhaka(Just beside Australian High Commission)

Special offer by

Buy 1Get 1 Free

Valid time


* Only for Ice Cream Scoop

Caramel Scoop10 Lake Drive Road, Sec. # 7Uttara, DhakaContact: 01822999996

Special offer by

Nikunja 2, DhakaContact: 01713332651

Special offer by

Valid time

7 Days frompublishing date SPA till chand raat

20%Disc

ount

Level-12-13 & rooftopRahman Regnum CenterGulshan-Tejgaon Link Road, Dhaka.Contact: 01955800100

Special offer by

Valid time


Complementary Browniewith every IFTAR Buffet

House# 45/A, 5th floor, Dhanmondi 27, Landmark: AB Bank, Opposite toMeena Bazar, DhakaAppoinment Us: 01747547387

Special offer by

Valid time10/06/2016 to

17/06/2016

20%Disc

ount

* On all beauty services

25%Disc

ount

* On beauty and hair packages


ifTar bazar | PhOTO STORY 9

During almost any hour of the day, old Town’s Chawkbazar is teeming with people – local businessmen, patrons and many others – buy with the day’s trade and commerce. however, it comes particularly alive during the month of Ramadan, when it proudly hosts the largest and most famous iftar bazar in the city.

boasting unique food items that are exclusive only to this part of town, Chawkbazar’s iftar market is visited by throngs of people every single day.

This week’s photo story features a typical day at Puran Dhaka’s famous Chawkbazar ifter market.

Chawkbazar’s iftar market

Photos: Mahmud Hossain Opu


10 PhOTO STORY | ifTar bazar


11


12 ORIGIN STORY | naTore rajbari

Rajshahi: The Heritage of NatoreThis mango season, we welcome the rains and the anticipation of gorging ourselves with mangoes, with a trip to one of the most culturally rich zones of bangladesh: Rajshahi. from the Puthia temples, to the zamindar homes and the unique artefacts of the barendra Museum, Rajshahi has loads to offer other than its succulent mangoes and its soft silk

Reema Islam

With the Ganges on the West and the Karatoya River on the East, the Barendra region

included the present Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions. Scattered with

some of our oldest archaeological sites, this region is a true representation of ancient Bangladesh. However, today we travel to Natore, slightly North of Rajshahi, home to a zamindari culture, the tradition of silk, luscious mangoes and some of our largest beels or wetlands. 47 rivers flush their water out into the Chalan Beel, one of the largest in the country which covers an area of more than 4000 Km2. With its numerous beels and the special Barindra tract in the classification of soils, the Barendra region still remains of immense environmental and geological significance.

Zamindars were mainly rent receiving land holders, highly influential aristocrats of the region who collected revenue for the ruling British monarchy. Natore was the District Headquarters of Rajshahi from 1769-1825 CE and came under the Zamindari umbrella of the family of Ramdev Rai, a tahsildar or tax inspector for the neighboring Puthia Raj family. Rai’s son Ramjivan built the Natore Rajbari that we see today while his more enterprising brother Raghunandan, rose to a higher tier of influence as he managed to impress the Nawab Nazim of Bengal – Murshid Quli Khan and the Raja of the Puthiaa estate. Ramjivan however is also better known for his daughter-in-law, Rani Bhabani who became de jure Zamindar after her husband’s death and was an anomaly in the entire region as a female ruler.

A philanthropist who built water tanks, advanced the system of education, worked to develop and improve the lives of the people she

ruled, the Rani remained de jure zamindar until her death at a ripe old age. She acted beyond the realm of revenue collection as she built roads, connecting villages and towns and rest houses for travelers along the way and paid doctors to carry out free medical support. Under her leadership, positive changes were implemented and people truly benefitted, while the Rani continues to remain a figure of inspiration for women all over. The Natore Rajbari is still referred to as Rani Bhabani’r mohol.

The Dighapatia Palace is close to Natore and was also built by someone connected to the Rani’s father-in-law, Ramjivan. Dayaram Roy was a dewan (government official) to Ramjivan and assisted the Nawab Nazim Murshid Quli Khan in defeating a neighbouring zamindar who was rebelling against the British rule. With this tactical move, Roy won the Nawab over with his loyalty and in return got a fair amount of land. Roy was given the title of Jagirdar or land owner and the Dighapatia palace was eventually built by him, only to be later renovated after the devastating earthquake of 1898. With its semi-Corinthian pillars, the architecture is reminiscent of the times when the local zamindars were heavily into mimicking their Western rulers and from their clothes to the food they ate was all influenced with this foreign culture. The palace was later converted into the house of the Governor general during the time of East Pakistan and is currently known as Uttora Gonobhaban. This erstwhile palace is now the official residence of the Prime

Minister of the country as the Northern retreat and is equipped to also receive official guests.

The Dayarampur Palace in Bagatipara uppazila, on the banks of the river Boral, under the Natore district was an extension of the house of Dayaram Roy. The Palace was subsequently named after him but more importantly, it pays homage to an old family who heavily influenced the region. The Rajshahi Association was co-founded by a member of this family in 1872 to aid people and build a culturally and socially stable society. The house was also instrumental in producing great personalities like Sarat Kumar Roy, the son of Raja Pramathanath Roy, who became the eventual founder of the Barendra Research Museum. The Museum provided the Kolkata museum with stiff competition around the turn of the 20th century and after its inauguration in 1910, Lord Carmicheal, the then Governor of Bengal, had to ease the tension between the two museums and Barendra continued to house some of our most treasured ancient artefacts, relics and archaeological evidence. Along with his team of enthusiasts, Sarat Chandra Kumar traversed the country combing for artefacts and his passions and conviction also accorded him with the friendship of Rabindranath Tagore. The Palace still remains as a museum along with the other rich heritage of the Natore environs, while the Barendra Research still holds the distinction of being the most heritage and culturally rich site in North Bangladesh. n

Photos: Jovago

Photos: Jovago


Cannes – the very name conjures up images of movie star glamour, unalloyed creativity, and cinema

as it should be – artistic, visually captivating, and incorporating a language that is altogether in danger of getting lost in a tsunami of reality-based tv and franchise filmmaking. Every year in May, this quintessential resort town in the South of France plays host to the Cannes Film Festival, that is famed all over the world. It isn’t just another stop on the festival circuit. Cannes is famous for launching many a star into world renown, from 60s French siren Brigitte Bardot to Abbas Kiarostami, the acclaimed Iranian director.

It may not be as well-known as the Oscars, but for most filmmakers, Cannes is the beating heart of their craft – mainly for its artistic ethos that

rewards directors and producers for their vision, and where they take their craft, rather than how much they can boast in box office takings. It’s a place where you feel Rabindranath Tagore, with his natural charisma and humanist outlook, would have belonged. Tagore himself was well-travelled of course, but the festival itself started its journey a bit too late for him – in 1946, five years after his death.

The Kabiguru (master poet) of Bengal certainly took an interest in film, and the possibilities inherent to the medium. But the film industry was still nascent in this part of the world during his lifetime. It isn’t very well known, but Tagore did still manage to make a foray into filmmaking at the insistence of producer BN Sircar. Unfortunately, it failed to enjoy a run worthy of its maker’s stature. Just a year after it was made, it was destroyed

in a 1933 fire in the warehouse of New Theatres, Calcutta.

All the more reason for film-goers, as well as Tagoreans, to sit up and take notice of a 3D colour recreation of the only film Tagore ever made, Natir Puja (1932), that was unveiled in this year’s Cannes Film Market. Professor Karl Bardosh, Hungarian-born American academic and filmmaker, has brought alive the film that provides another fascinating insight into the creative vision of Bengal’s first Nobel laureate.

Bardosh’s interpretation of the dance drama that Tagore wrote in 1926 for the stage at the Jorasanko Thakurbari is titled Natir Puja – The Court Dancer, and features Sujata Awon Pradhan of Kolkata, where she heads the dance group Nrityalok, in the lead role. She choreographed herself, with Jayati Chakraborty, a leading exponent of Rabindra Sangeet in West Bengal,

as the playback singer. Renowned Dutch cinematographer Leonard Retel Helmrich, the master of the ‘single camera shot’ technique, was roped in as cinematographer. Tagore’s script is based on a Buddhist tale that goes back 2400 years.

Unsurprisingly, the message it delivers is of religious tolerance, and that fact alone should be enough to ensure its continued relevance in this day and age. The fact that it gives Tagore fans an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what their favourite bard may have envisioned in another, arguably more encompassing medium than what they are used to with his poetry, prose and lyrics, makes it even more intriguing. n

cuLTure | FILM 13

Taking Tagore to Cannesa 3D colour recreation of Tagore’s Natir Puja (1932) was unveiled at this year’s Cannes film MarketEnayetullah Khan

Enayetullah Khan is executive producer of Natir Puja - The Court Dancer

Photo: Courtesy


14 LEGaLESE | jennifer ashraf

Some more information about dawn raids at factories and establishments, with reference to Warrants

and other additional information which will help me deal with sudden unexpected raids in my factories and establishments would be highly helpful. Please help me understand this better with some information.

Dear Reader,Thank you for writing in to us. There are no such provisions in Bangladesh law which would allow

leverage of local laws and regulations in order to avoid or postpone spot checks and inspections. If the authorities are in possession of a valid search warrant, and they are either prevented from entering the premises or the staff would behave uncooperatively, it may be viewed as an ‘obstruction of justice’, and is therefore inadvisable.

1. These guidelines are for use of the receptionist [or member of staff working at the front desk] in the event that the authorities arrive with or without a search warrant to enter the Company’s premises and inspect.

2. When the officers arrive, they should firstly identify themselves and produce either a search warrant or other evidence of due authority to enter the premises.

3. If the authorities attempt to show their search warrant or other

Jennifer Ashraf Kashmi is a barrister and solicitor of England and Wales. She is currently Senior Partner at Legacy Legal Corporate

Q

A

Illustration: Priyo/Dhaka Tribune

evidence of due authority to enter the premises to you, you should state the following:

4. “I am the receptionist. I am not a person in authority. You should show your documentation to a person in authority. I will summon the person in authority.”

5. You should show the authorities to a vacant meeting room away from reception and work areas and ask them to wait in this room while you summon a person in authority. It could result in a criminal offence for you not to allow authorities into the premises. However, you should not give them access to work areas.

6. You should then urgently contact the following:

[Name of Individual] [Name of Company] Legal &

Corporate Affairs ‘ Tel: 7. In his/her absence, please contact

[Name of Secondary emergency authority person] to locate an attorney.

8. You should request that they come and deal with the authorities immediately.

9. You should then call Security to check whether any of the authorities are present in any other locations on the premises and to request help to watch over the authorities who are waiting.

10. You should check on the authorities and arrange for refreshments to be

offered to them.11. Be friendly and cordial, but firm in

your dealings with the Authorities. Do not panic and be calm.

12. It is also advisable to ensure that the calm environment presides in all instances.

Hopefully the above will help you understand how the initial point of contact should a sudden raid or inspection arises. I will address next week the steps that your Manager or a person of Authority needs to handle this situation. Hopefully, the situation will help you resolve your issues further. n

On raids and warrants


It may come as a bit of a surprise to learn that fasting is practiced by a wide number of people from different religios and

cultural backgrounds across the world.

Regardless, it is fascinating that different people in different human societies have independently decided to observe ritualistic abstinence from eating and drinking. Is there a common link? Why we gravitate towards this practice? Why do we subject ourselves to these fasting rituals when most of us would like nothing more than feasting on a delicious meal.

Indeed our iftar menus do testify to our affinity for eating. There have been much discussion on whether overeating during iftar defeats the purpose of Ramadan in the first place. But that is a different discussion.

In a way, hunger is the most universal connection among humans as well as all animals. While humans may share the universal trait of language among themselves, it is only our need to eat and drink that truly ties us to our fellow inhabitants of the earth – everyone needs to eat.

But only us humans are perhaps the only creatures that will eat even when we are not hungry and refrain from eating against our desire. We can learn

a lot by looking at our food habits. What can we learn by studying why we don’t eat?

Many orthodox religions see fasting as a method of purification and a way of achieving closeness with god. Buddha advised not to take solid food after noon. Some Buddhists eat only once per day, before noon. This practice accords with an account in The Sutra In 42 Sections, a Mahayana Scripture, that relates how the Buddha ate one meal a day, before noon.

Fasting in Judaism is defined as total cessation from all food and drink. A full-day fast begins, unlike the Muslim tradition, with sunset in the evening

riTuaLs | SPIRITuaLITY 15

Fasting traditions across the worldSaqib Sarker

and continues through darkness of the next day. But there is also another kind of fasting called a minor fasting. A minor fast day begins with dawn and concludes at darkness, exactly like in

the Islamic

tradition. The

most well known fasting day in

Judaism is on the Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. The Jewish narrative presents

communal fasting as a collective expression of repentance.

In Christianity fasting is part of a group of spiritual disciplines that also include prayer, mortification of the passions, practicing humility,

almsgiving, controlling the tongue, and others. In Eastern Orthodox

Christianity Great Lent or the Great Fast is observed. It is characterized by fasting and abstinence from certain types of food. During this period intensified private and public prayer, self-examination, confession, personal improvement, repentance and restitution for sins committed, and almsgiving are also encouraged. Fasting practices exist with different variations in all of the strands of Christianity.

In Hinduism, often called the oldest religion, methods of fasting vary widely. In its most stern form the person fasting does not consume food or water from the previous

day’s sunset until 48 minutes after the following day’s sunrise. Like Buddhism, fasting in the Hindu religion can also mean limiting oneself to one meal during the day.

Jainism, known for its extraordinary pacific practices, there are different types of “upwas” (fasting). In the Chauvihar Upwas no food or water may be consumed until sunrise the following day. Another is called Tivihar Upwas where no food is consumed except boiled water, which is allowed. The main goal of any type of fasting in Jainism is to achieve complete “ahimsa” or non-violence.

It is known that Aristotle fasted to invigorate his thinking. Modern science affirms that fasting is beneficial to the health. But the reason this practice persisted for millennia in human societies is perhaps because fasting connects us on a primal level that cannot be achieved otherwise. The ritualistic abstinence also gives people the sense of community and cohesion that our forefathers appreciated and we, too, can feel. n


16 RaMadaN SPECIaL | pLanner

Ramadan planner week 1

With the first week of Ramadan well under way, we’re all trying to get accustomed

to starving ourselves but still getting through the day without tempers fraying and energy levels dropping to dangerously low levels. To ease the troubles that come along with this month, we’ve rounded up a weekly planner to help you to not only survive, but make the most of this special month of fasting, prayer and spirituality.

Friday meal plans for the weekRamadan’s blessings are for everyone, but while Ramadan may mean extra Ibadah to some of the brothers, it usually means extra cooking for most of the sisters. Making a Ramadan menu for Iftar and planning meals well in advance, as well as working out when you want to invite relatives, neighbours and friends for Iftar, will give you the opportunity to catch Tarawih and various other advantageous Ibadat instead of spending Ramadan’s 29 or 30 days stuck in the kitchen. And by the way

gentlemen, if you are planning to just get home from work and put your feet up while your kitchen help, wife or mother prepares the meals, remember that helping out with cooking or cleaning was a practice of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Maybe this is a way you can increase your Sawab [rewards] this month.

Saturday nutrition fix While managing time and planning meals is important, it’s even more important to ensure you are getting the right amount of nutrition and energy your body needs. Having an energy packed Suhoor (one that’s preferably easy to make) will make all the difference to a long day of fasting. Stock up on your family’s essentials and make sure to include some dates, nuts and low GI foods and remind your family to hydrate well! And if you’re tired of listening to people constantly telling you about oatmeal and avocados, go local and just stock up on bananas or mangoes to break your fast with a high energy snack.

Fix your sleep schedule this

Amreen Rahman

SundayBy this time, you’ve spent almost a week waking up in the middle of the night and dragging yourself to the dinner table in search of sustenance before sunrise. Now it is time for you to start planning in advance, so that you can adjust your work, sleep and meal schedules in such a way as to make time for Suhoor, Iftar, etc. That means, for instance, that if you normally go to bed at midnight, in Ramadan you would sleep earlier in order to get up early for Suhoor. Or if you usually study late, you can instead sleep earlier and start studying after Suhoor in the early morning hours. If you are in the habit of having a big meal for Suhoor, it would be better if you just stayed up and did your work, instead of going back to bed with a full stomach. In time, your body clock will also adjust to the sudden change in schedule that Ramadan brings.

It’s never too early for giftsIt might just be the first week of Ramadan, but there is already this nagging fear at the back of your mind of jam-packed roads and hoards of shoppers bargaining in the sweltering heat. Just to make things easier in the last 10 days of Ramadan, when all you want to do is focus on your prayers, start planning your Eid shopping at least, if not buying the things you need. Or you can put Monday aside to come home and categorise your Eid shopping and start on the duties that are really urgent, like finding out what immediate family want as Eid gifts and planning shopping trips accordingly.

Tune-in TuesdaysWe all know that Ramadan can be stressful. Quite often, you get into a routine of getting up at Suhoor, egging yourself on to ignore the gnawing hunger and plod on with work, turning more and more into a zombie as the day progresses and finally crashing at Iftar. While getting the food-work-rest balance right in itself during Ramadan can be tricky, we have to go further and not ignore the other

things we would usually be doing. So don’t put off calling that aunt you promised to check up on, and make that doctor’s appointment while you still can. Make sure you still tune into the news, if only to hear the headlines. Ramadan is a month of constraint and introspection, but you can’t forget that other people exist too.

Spend your Wednesday working for othersMany Muslims, at home and abroad, spend Ramadan making Iftar meals and distributing them to the poor. Not only will, Insha Allah, they be rewarded, but this is a great opportunity to really get into the spirit of Ramadan, which really shouldn’t be a month of stuffing your face at the end of the day. Planning in advance for such an activity gives you the time to find nearby areas where you could potentially do such an Iftar drive. You can also try to involve your neighbours, especially young people and teenagers who live in the neighborhood and who, with the right amount of guidance, can get excited about sharing their food with those who are less fortunate.

Travel ThursdayThe possibilities for travel at the end of the Holy Month seem endless … but are they? Bagging a short break at a reasonable price - let alone a bargain - takes research and planning thanks to the popularity of Eid Al Fitr, which traditionally sees airfares rise as availability plummets. A little insider know-how really helps, according to Nathan Adams, the head of holidays at Dnata, a local tour operator. He argues that Eid is a great time to pick a package deal because firms like Dnata are able to offer plane tickets and accommodation for the same price as an economy airfare alone if booked separately. Take the end of the week to wind down and search for the perfect holiday options, so you can enjoy a well-planned holiday when Ramadan ends. n

Photo: Bigstock


Prints, pumps and panacheshopping | TICkET 17

Fashion offers around townSabiha Akond Rupa

BibianaBibiana is inviting you to join this festive season with their contemporary designs with the launch of their Eid-ul-Fitr collection. They have brought up different kinds of prints, cuts and different motifs (such as hand embroidery, applique, machine embroidery) in cotton, silk, endi and half-silk fabrics. This time Eid is blending with summer season, therefore the use of bright colours can be seen in their designs.

Photo: Bibiana

Cats EyeOne of Summer’s coolest women shoe designs have arrived in Cats Eye showrooms in Jamuna Future Park, Gulshan, Basundhara City and Japan Garden City branches. Their shoe collection is filled with pop colours, blinks and high heels.

Photo: Cats Eye

SailorSailor has launched their versatile Eid collection for men and it is available in all outlets. Contemporary shades and the rich quality of fabric was seen in their designs.

Photo: Sailor


18 STaY IN

S u d o k u

Use the numbers 1-9 to complete each of the 3x3 square grids such that each

horizontal and vertical line also contains all of the digits from 1-9

Last week’s sudoku solutions

Last

wee

k’s

solu

tion

s

Clues

Solved it? Email answers to [email protected] and win one free month of the Dhaka Tribune.

Mini crypticshoroscopes

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19)- This week’s blend of energies suggests that if you’re uncertain as to what your next step should be, it might be wise to slow down for a while.Taurus (Apr 20-May20)- If you’ve had your eye on a certain purchase, this could be the time you decide to go for it. Gemini (May 21-June 20)- You’ll be in your element this week, enjoying the chance to be your natural, bubbly self. And if you find it difficult to understand where someone is coming from, you’ll have plenty of friends to confide in who may be able to offer some advice. Cancer (June 21-Jul22)- With a focus on a more introspective sector of your chart, this week’s blend of energies could see you taking time out to unwind and put a bit of distance between you and your daily life. Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)- Your friends look like a positive force in your life this week and in the coming weeks, especially if you’re feeling weary after dealing with some challenges. Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)- With a focus on your sector of career and ambition, this week looks perfect for making a splash on the stage of life. You may have a lot on your plate, so one way to make things easier might be to delegate, particularly home and family chores.Libra (Sep 23-Oct22)- With a delightful blend of energies showing up in your sector of travel and learning, this is one week when you could be tempted to book a short getaway or longer vacation. Scorpio (Oct23-Nov21)- Wherever you look there could be temptations to spend your hard-earned money. And with the present picture encouraging you to be a little more economical, it could leave you feeling left out. Sagittarius (Nov22-Dec 21)- Don’t feel you have to explain yourself to others. You don’t. While friends can be excellent confidants, there are times when you need to work things out for yourself.Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan19)- With a focus on your sector of work and lifestyle, this week’s bubbly energies could see you eager to take things to the next level. Showcase new skills to prospective employers or talk to your boss about a promotion, because your abilities may be in demand. Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)- If you’ve been out of the dating loop for a while, it might be time to have another go if it feels right.Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)- There’s plenty of activity on the home front, which could mean you’ll be eager to entertain friends new and old, impress key people, or simply hang out with close pals.

ACROSS1 Helsinki national not

first in the end (7)2 Piebald switches with

two legs (7)6 Sharing blood, red

embracing dead (7)7 Try and heal confused

on this planet (7)

DOWN1 Grab fee arranged for Russian

jeweller (7)2 US city write up of asian state

(5)3 Vacation with no top in long

grass (7)5 Get rid of shallow trench (5)

aCrOss5 Gather no flames (7)6 Inventor of reformed slate (5)9 Londoner shy holding

broken neck (7)

DOwN1 501, 1000, not clever (3)2 Crime to do with boundary (7)3 Plainer sort of chocolate filling (7)4 Line argument (3)7 Play part of new cat (3)8 Crop of wetter years (3)


GO OuT 19

Weekly Planner

When 10pmWhere International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Kuril Bishwa Road, Dhaka, BangladeshWhat Sehri Khann brings to you two nights of togetherness with family and friends. The best restaurants of Dhaka, 90’s arcade games, Euro Cup match screening and much more will be under one

roof.And while you rejoice and thank

the Almighty for the blessings, a portion of your spendings of the two nights go towards providing for the less privileged this Ramadan.

So mark the date and double the happiness this special month by sharing your Sehri.

When 11amWhere Bangla Academy, Dhaka, BangladeshWhat The summit provides young entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to envision their dreams and take the first steps towards initialising their innovative startups. Young 2016 aims to create a strong link amongst startups across the nation, networking amongst incubators and connecting startups with funds. Reiterating the commitment in fostering entrepreneurship amongst students and youngsters will also be a highlight in this year’s event.

They seek to build an extensive network of young professionals through both social and formal

events and provide opportunities for them to meet and gain insights from various corporate leaders.

Summit agenda: Social business, branding, E-commerce and technology, leadership, career development, and funding.

Connect with them at: https://www.facebook.com/YOUNG-1488294888140988/

To register you have to pay registration fee of Tk300 to 01816345017 (Bkash), send your full name/ organisation/ institution name. You can also regoster online at: http://ticketchai.com/details/144/Young-Entrepreneurs-Alliance-Summit

For more information, contact: 01816345017

June 16

June 16

Food | Foodpanda presents Sehri Khann

Education | Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit 2016

June 11Workshop | Professional Graphic Design and Outsourcing CoursesWhen 4pmWhere Colour Spray Institute, House 7 (2nd floor), Rd 20/b, Sector 4, Uttara, 1230 Dhaka, BangladeshWhat If you want to build your career in the big outsourcing and freelancing world, Colour Spray Institute of Graphics welcomes you to attend their outsourcing courses, and get concrete knowledge through a week-long Basic worshop program for a fee of TK1000.

They also offer a three-month long Advance course for a fee of Tk10,000, and another course on Webdesign and development for an additional Tk10,000.

For more information, contact: +880 1978 339988, +880 1612 265687

June 10Exhibition | Pre-Eid Expo When 10amWhere Road: 4, Block: D, Bashundhara R/A, Baridhara, 1229 Dhaka, BangladeshWhat Nina Khan’s Soigne is her first solo exhibition and they are inviting everyone to stop by and visit the unveiling of their Eid collection. You will find beautifully embroidered, beaded work, pearl and metal studs embellished dresses to adorn you for Eid. In addition to these, there will be capes, kimonos, and kurtis, in printed florals and pastels.

For more information, please call 01711386077

June 12Education | Meet Representative from University of Arkansas at Pine BluffWhen 12pm Where The American Center Dhaka, Plot 1, Progati Sharani, J-Block, Baridhara, DhakaWhat At their latest event, The American Center Dhaka will be hosting a representative from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, who will talk about the opportunities and prospects of acquiring higher education in the US. Both graduate and undergraduate students can participate.

This program is free and open for students interested in studying in the US. No prior registration is required to attend this program.


The air is heavy and the weather is stickier than caramel on a hot pan. The terrible thing about these

hot summers is that it often increases irritability and decreases patience.

The reason I’m talking about being patient today is because my little Jellybean taught me a good lesson the other day. She might be a few months shy of four years old, but the wisdom in her is way beyond her years.

I’ve learnt time and time again, that it is very important to listen to our kids, they are always trying to tell us something, and we might not be in the mood all the time, but if we don’t listen, we might just miss something important.

Jellybean has always had a temper, and recently we noticed that she would start yelling whenever she wanted something, and would cry until she got it. Not wanting to encourage such behaviour, often we ignored her rants or if I was particularly short-tempered that day, I would yell at her.

One thing experienced parents will say, there is absolutely no point in yelling at your kid. They learn to yell back, and it becomes a normal practice to behave in a similar way with everyone. However, it’s not like we didn’t try. All of us at home would try to calm her by speaking to her calmly, or distracting her with something

else, and sometimes when it was too hard, just giving in until she finished screaming. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t.

What was revealing for me, was after a recent screaming match between Jellybean and I, she suddenly turned towards me a few hours later, and simply stated, “Tumi amar upor chillaiso, eijonno ami raag korechi.”

This simple revelation, as to why she got angry (because I had yelled at her), made me speechless. And just the other day, when I raised my voice on her, she looked at me straight in the face and said, “Amar shonge jore kotha bolbe na.”

After the intense guilt died down, I asked her if she felt bad when I spoke to her with a raised voice, and she replied in the affirmative. I was astounded at how much maturity my wee one was displaying at that moment, and so clearly explaining to me why she did what she did.

It took me back, to the many times she tried to tell me things. Whenever she was ill, what was hurting her; when she really was hungry, what she wanted to eat; and when she needed me, why I wasn’t there.

Many times I have ignored it, because I thought she was “just being a kid”. But in all honesty, kids are not always “just kids” and they understand everything.

It takes me back to when I was a kid, and sometimes things weren’t always dandy, and during those times I had to be more grown up than I was. I had always sworn to myself that I would always keep an open relationship with my kids, so that no matter what, they could at least come and tell me whatever they wanted to say.

Now as a parent, I see both sides of it. What I had felt as a child, and now the circumstances as a parents. Often we are faced with difficult choices that we have to make, and they aren’t always the perfect choices, but we still have to make them. Sometimes things are out of our hands, and we try our best and every day is a learning process.

So talk to your kids, explain to them why you do what you do, why things are the way they are. But that doesn’t mean you should burden them with your problems and issues – kids are smart enough to understand when something is wrong, but your problem shouldn’t be their problem as well. Talk about life, what makes you behave the way you do, why you are displeased with something, or pleased with something, why you have expectations from your kids, and so on.

It’s very important to raise your kids in a positive environment, and if you instil insecurity in them from an early age, it tends to impact them in the long run without you realising it. As

an example, The Husband and I took Jellybean to a resort where she had a blast swimming and running around. Obviously, she wanted to go again and again. Jellybean understands the concept of money to a certain aspect – that we need it to pay for things. So we explained to her that going to a resort was expensive, and that we were saving up to go again. We didn’t know if it would work, but to our surprise, she stopped bugging us about it.

This tactic might not always work, but it was worth a try. This way she understood that money was important and that she should value it. Whenever she finds a coin or two, she stashes it away in one of her many secret storage places. Sometimes she tells me, “You don’t have this? Okay I will buy it for you.”

Sigh!n

20 ThE BONG MOMMa | TaLes from a firsT-Time mom

Minu Ahmed is your not-so-average homemaker, norm-shirker and abomination of awesomeness, juggling a career in communication, mother- hood and a fatter half. Questions? Send to [email protected]

LISTEN!The bong Momma talks about the importance of being able tocommunicate openly with your kidsMinu Ahmed

Photo: Bigstock

weekend tribune june 10th 2016

Documents