Arts-&-Culture
8th Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival begins Saturday
The eighth edition of the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF) is going to open its door to film enthusiasts Saturday.
The four-day festival will showcase 26 films – selected from 153 entries – from 31 countries, under three categories.
The Inauguration ceremony will be held at the university at 11am the day after tomorrow and the closing ceremony on March 1 at Star Cineplex, Dhanmondi.
DIMFF 2022 called for submission in three categories – "independent" without any duration or a time limit, "competition" for the university students under the time limit of 10 minutes and "1-minute" for the young filmmakers from grades one to 12.
The jury members of the independent category are Sara Afreen, Zahidur Rahim Anjan and Jai Sharma (India).
Mahde Hasan, Sally-Ann Dunn (UK) and Elizabeth D Costa are the jury members of the competition and 1-minute categories.
The festival will present the "DIMFF Best Film Award" under the independent category, and the "Cinemascope Best Film Award" under the competition category.
Read: BGMEA for promoting culture, heritage to boost country's image globally
Also, the "ULAB Young Film Maker Award" will be presented to student filmmakers.
As per tradition, DIMFF is arranging a masterclass this year by collaborating with East London-based digital creator, documentary filmmaker and YouTuber Andy Burgess, known for hosting the YouTube show "Red Bull Origins."
This master class will be held on February 28 via Zoom at 4pm to discuss "Documentary Storytelling for Online Platforms."
Festival director Zerin Tasnim Tahsin Probha, coordinator Md Sambitul Islam, supervisor Hasmi Jahan Shetu and public relations and media manager Shamsul Islam Shuvo briefed the journalists about the festival Thursday.
DIMFF advisor Abdul Kabil Khan, associate professor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh's (ULAB) media studies and journalism department, was also present.
The film submission period for DIMFF opened on April 3 last year and concluded on October 28.
With the tradition of focusing on a particular cultural heritage element as its festival theme, DIMFF has chosen "Nokshi Pakha" as this year's theme.
A flagship event of ULAB's media studies and journalism department, the festival earned the university 28th position in the entrepreneurial spirit category in the World's Universities with Real Impact Ranking 2021.
Also, DIMFF has collaborated with Initiative für Neue Bildung as a "partner for change" and provides an online mobile filmmaking course to the ten participants from Barishal's Nook, a self-designed learning centre that enables marginalised community members to pursue their own education.
Recently, it arranged the 'Community Digital Story Telling" filmmaking training for the Munda community in Koyra upazila of Khulna and Shyamnagar upazila of Shatkhira.
Gallery Cosmos to host ‘The Passion of Drawing’ on Friday
Gallery Cosmos is going to organize a daylong exclusive art event titled ’The Passion of Drawing’ on Friday at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara in the capital.
The event is intended to celebrate the universal and jovial artistic pleasure of drawing, according to Gallery Cosmos Executive Artistic Manager Sourav Chowdhury.
“As one of the introductory activities of human beings across the world, drawing accompanies an artist forever. To celebrate the essence of drawing in this mesmerizing Spring, Gallery Cosmos is hosting this exclusive art event titled ‘The Passion of Drawing’ with a celebratory vision to explore the innate and everlasting connection between humans and nature,” Sourav Chowdhury told UNB.
Also read: Cosmos-Atelier 71 hosts Artist Residency Programme
Seven leading and promising artists of the country will participate in this exclusive event. The list of stalwart artists participating in the event included Biren Shome, Kuhu, Fareha Zeba, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Afrozaa Jamil Konka, Jibrael Ali Chowdhury and Sourav Chowdhury.
These prominent artists will participate in life drawing sessions and interact with audiences over their respective works.
The drawings will also be put on display simultaneously for the audiences.
Also read: Cosmos dialogue on Bangladesh-South Korea relations to be premiered Thursday
Valentine’s Day 2022: Deals, offers in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh
Valentine's Day 2022 is approaching and love is in the air. This is the time of year when couples and singles alike celebrate love and affection. If you are looking for some great Valentine's Day deals, discounts, and offers in Dhaka city, you have come to the right place. Our city has a lot to offer when it comes to romantic getaways, and we have put together a list of some of the best deals in town. So, check them out and start planning your perfect Valentine's Day celebration.
Jewelry
Diamond World has organized a special campaign on the occasion of Valentine's Day 2022. With the middle class in mind, Diamond World is offering a 27% discount on diamond jewelry for online purchase at https://www.diamondworldltd.com/. Moreover, every purchase will get a gift voucher, platinum card, and special valentine gift until February 15.
Also read: Digital Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas 2022
Hotels and Restaurants
Almost all the restaurants and upper-class hotels in Dhaka city are offering Valentine's Day deals. Following are some of the top offers.
Dhaka Regency Hotel has organized a special event on the occasion of Valentine's Day. Dhaka Regency has organized Valentine on the Skyline at Rooftop Garden Restaurant' Grill on the Skyline'. There will be a bar-b-que buffet dinner for couples. There will also be Valentine's special drinks and special heart-shaped cakes, as well as opportunities to enjoy live music by popular musicians by candlelight. All these will cost Tk 7,999.
As always, Amari Dhaka has organized a special offer on the occasion of Valentine's Day where couples can enjoy special dinner and spa packages. Amaya Food Gallery has a special dinner offer for only Tk 5,000 per couple. In addition, there is a free offer for special bank cardholders at a purchase price of only Tk 2,500. Enjoy your favorite Day with Italian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian Live Kitchen food at Amari Dhaka.
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The Westin Dhaka offers several deals for couple staycation. Deluxe Rooms will cost Tk. 13,999, Junior Suite will cost Tk 16,999, and Executive Suite will cost Tk 19,999. All these deals include heart-shaped valentine cake, 24 hours stay-in, a 30% discount at Westin Spa, and more.
On the other hand, Radisson Blu Dhaka has three-day offerings for couples, which will start on February 12 and ends on February 14. Pre valentine's day dinner buffet on February 12 and 13 will cost Tk 3,700 while it will be Tk 5,900 to Tk 7,900. They also have offers for a stay starting from Tk 6,500.
InterContinental Dhaka has a special deal for the rooms starting at Tk 19,999, which will start on February 10 and end on February 20. The deal features a one-night stay, buffet dinner, breakfast, special chocolate box, and kore.
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Ascott Hotels offer Valentine's dinner for Tk 3,500 at Nabihah Restaurant & Café at Ascott the Residence, Baridhara, Dhaka. Moreover, they also have a couple of staycation offers for Tk. 10,500/night which comes with a complimentary 6 course including dinner and breakfast.
Clothing
Sara Lifestyle has brought Kurtis, printed three-pieces, fashion tops, denim for the girls on Valentine's Day occasions as well as for the spring. This year's collection for men includes various arrangements, including Punjabi, casual shirts, formal shirts, polo, t-shirts, denim pants, chino. And floral print has been given priority in the design of all these garments. All the new dresses will be available both online (https://www.saralifestyle.com.bd/) and in-store.
Fashion house 'Rang Bangladesh' has brought a new collection on the occasion of Valentine's Day. The theme for this year's collections is named a sign of love, which uses red as the main color and golden as a secondary color. Cotton and half silk fabric designs have been enhanced using various value-added media. This includes screen printing and handwork. This collection includes a sari, Punjabi, t-shirt, and mug with a couple dresses. There are also jewelry and various gift items.
Read Wedding: Renowned Bangladeshi Fashion Brands with a Bridal Line
Furniture and Home Appliances
ISHO, one of the leading furniture brands in the country, has launched a new 'Date in a Box' campaign on the occasion of Valentine's Day. ISHO's initiative is to spread joy among all in the ongoing pandemic worldwide. There are three types of boxes for customers in ISHO's 'Date in a Box' campaign. Three boxes are nicely arranged with the themes of 'Movie Night,' 'Breakfast-in-Bed' and 'Candlelight Dinner' considering the preferences of the customers. Each box is priced individually. You can visit https://www.isho.com/ to get your box.
RFL has introduced five new types of customized gas stoves in the market on the occasion of Valentine's Day. This special offer can be availed from the popular ecommerce site othoba.com for 10% off on the entire February. Also, on RFL Gas Stove's Facebook page, buyers will be able to participate in various online competitions of this campaign and win all the attractive prizes.
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Phones
Samsung has collaborated with ecommerce website Daraz to provide a valentine’s day offer this year. You can enjoy all the great deals from Daraz for different Samsung devices. For example, you will get up to 12% off on Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A03s.
realme is launching a new phone on Valentine's Day 2022. realme 9i will be available on the valentine's day campaign. The first smartphone of the realme 9 series comes with Leap Forward technology. The 9i has a great processor. The new chipset consumes 62% less power and is 46% more efficient than a 12-nanometer processor.
Read Top Amusement Parks in Dhaka for Family Day Outs, Children Fun Activities
Ecommerce
Daraz Bangladesh, the country's largest online marketplace, is organizing Valentine's Day Campaign (2022) for the sixth time in a row on the occasion of Valentine's Day. The campaign will run from February 7 to February 14 to spread love among the customers. There are huge discounts on numerous products in the campaign. These include 'New User 20% Off', 'Brand Free Shipping,' 'Fashion Mega' Voucher, 'Global Collection' Voucher, 'Deals of the Day,' 'Daraz Mall' Voucher, 'Shake Shake Offer' and many more attractive deals.
To celebrate Valentine's Day, the popular ecommerce site othoba.com has organized the 'Joy of Valentine Campaign.' Online customers will get the opportunity to shop at attractive discounts throughout the campaign. The campaign, which runs till February 13, offers customers a maximum of 65% discount on purchases, mega deals, exclusive offers, free delivery facility, and a 20% cashback offer on bKash payments.
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Lata Mangeshkar: Tributes abound from cultural arena for 'India's Nightingale'
Remembering eminent singer Lata Mangeshkar, respectfully revered by music lovers around the world as the 'Goddess of music' who passed away on Sunday at the age of 92, noted celebrities in Bangladesh have written down emotional tributes on their social media handles throughout Sunday.
Shakib Khan, Dhallywood’s most celebrated superstar in recent years, wrote on a Facebook post from his verified page pouring his heartfelt respect to the legend. "She was a total legend in her singing. It’s so sad she’s gone but her voice and music shall live on in the hearts and souls of many! #RIP #LataMangeshkar," Khan wrote.
Legendary actress and Member of Parliament Subarna Mostafa wrote, "The nightingale is no more… Rest in peace Lata Mangeshkar … You have filled the hearts of millions with your music. You will remain with us forever.. Deepest Respect and Love."
Read: Hasina mourns Lata Mangeshkar’s sad demise
Iconic singer Kumar Bishwajit wrote on his verified Facebook page: “There is only one Lata Mangeshkar. Even though she physically left the earth today, she will remain immortal among us. We will be forever indebted to her majestic voice. May peace be upon her soul."
Singer-journalist Elita Karim wrote: "A sad day for millions around the world. As Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and music leaves for her abode, she does not leave behind the queen. #LataMangeshkar breathed her last a while ago, at the age of 92. The nightingale who has been inspiring generations of singers is finally at peace. Thank you for your music. You will live forever in our hearts."
Celebrated singer Ankhi Alamgir shared a picture with the late-great singer alongside her step-mother and legendary singer Runa Laila on her Facebook profile, taken in Lata jee’s famous residence Prabhu Kunj in Mumbai on March 27, 2017. “Respect. Feeling cold, numb,” Aankhi Alamgir wrote her instant reaction upon hearing the news of the great singer’s demise.
Popular actor Ziaul Faruq Apurba wrote, “This is the end of an era. Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away at the age of 92. RIP.”
Chanchal Chowdhury, one of the most beloved cultural personalities in the country, referred to the singer as the ‘Goddess of music’. Expressing his immense respect towards the legend, he wrote: "Adios, dear 'Goddess of music’ Lata Mangeshkar."
Read: The day the music died in India
Reminiscing his fond memory as a listener, ‘Indalo’ frontman and actor Jon Kabir wrote: "Rest well. Your voice woke me up so many times in the morning when I was a kid, all credit goes to my mom."
Apart from these celebrities, a great number of music artists from different genres, film and television actors-directors and people from all walks of life have been expressing their utmost condolence and sharing fond memories of the legendary singer since receiving the news of her departure on Sunday morning.
Curtain rises on BSA's week-long little magazine exhibition
Reminiscing the legacy of the little magazine movement that gave rise to a new generation of writers in the country, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) lifted the curtain on a week-long little magazine exhibition at its National Art Gallery in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The exhibition showcasing over 800 little magazines from across the country, features a wide range of diversified topics from different genres.
In addition to the inauguration of the week-long exhibition, BSA also honoured eight editors of little magazines with the ‘Little Magazine Sammanona 2022’ awards.
The inauguration event was joined by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman as the chief guest, while Bangla Academy folklore department Deputy Director and little magazine ‘Amitrakkhar’ editor Aminur Rahman Sultan and little magazine ‘Lok’ editor Aniket Shamim were present as discussants.
Presided over by BSA Director-General Liaquat Ali Lucky, the event was also joined by BSA Secretary Md Asaduzzaman who delivered the welcome speech, and writer Saikat Habib.
The awards were handed over in two categories -- five awards in the central little magazine category, and three for the district and union-based little magazines.
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Shahid Iqbal-edited ‘Chinho,’ Abdul Mannan Swapon-edited ‘Dhamani, Ejaz Yousufi-edited ‘Lyric,’ Mizanur Rahman Nasim-edited ‘Mananrekha’ and Obaed Akash-edited ‘Shaluk’ received the awards under the central little magazine category.
Asaduzzaman Sharkar-edited ‘Mohakalgor’, published by Zila Shilpakala Academy Rajshahi, and Asit Baran Dash Gupta-edited ‘Surmakopot’, published by Zila Shilpakala Academy Sylhet, received the district-based awards and Upazila Shilpakala Academy Kamalganj in Moulvibazar, Sylhet, got the award under the union-based little magazine category for its publication titled ‘Aranyak’.
The award-winning little magazines were selected by a jury composed of renowned researcher and Liberation War Museum trustee Mofidul Hoque, writer and translator Abdus Selim, and Professor Khaled Hossain.
Every awardee under the central little magazine category received a crest, a certificate and Tk 50,000, while the awardees in the district and union-based categories received a crest, a certificate and Tk 25,000 each.
The week-long little magazine exhibition will remain open for visitors till February 7 at gallery 6 of the National Art Gallery complex.
Climate Conscious Architecture: Bangladesh’s Rainwater-harvesting Hospital Wins International Award
The RIBA International Prize 2021 is given to a hospital in Bangladesh's Satkhira district for being the world's greatest new structure. The Friendship hospital is a paradigm of climate-conscious architecture created with the lowest minimum of resources. It triumphed over competition from a David Chipperfield-designed museum in Berlin and a Wilkinson Eyre-designed cycling and footbridge in Denmark.
The RIBA International Prize 2021 winner drew inspiration from water. The canal winds across the property, gathering important rainfall and aiding in the cooling of the adjacent courtyards during the scorching summer months. It acts as a hurdle between the inpatient and outpatient sections, segregating the two halves of the site without the need for a dividing wall.
Conceptual and Designing Aspects
When Cyclone Sidr struck the nation in 2007, causing an ever-changing terrain due to increasing water levels, the narrative for this corner of the globe shifted dramatically. Due to constant climate change, seawater has infiltrated the interior, causing all adjacent agricultural lands to be turned into shrimp production ponds.
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The land around the Friendship hospital was once covered with grain fields. The surrounding settlement was also precarious, consisting mostly of low-rise buildings and thatch homes. Recognizing the limits, the Bangladeshi architect designed a somewhat linear plan with interconnecting courtyards and covered pathways to divide the inpatient and outpatient zones. When it came to establishing access control between these locations, he created a rainwater collection canal that crisscrossed the site's center.
This feature operates in a variety of ways. On a functional level, the captured water assists in microclimate cooling and provides a vital resource in a location where salty water is useless for the majority of functions. On an aesthetic level, the property's constant presence of water animates the inside environment and imparts a feeling of visual continuity.
A Project of Collaboration
"Water pervades this space," explains architect Kashef Chowdhury, head of Urbana, the Dhaka-based firm that designed the building. "However, it is not necessarily of the beneficial kind." Rising sea levels as a result of the climate catastrophe have changed the surrounding landscape of grain fields into shrimp fishery, while the groundwater has become too salty for most uses.
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Locals make every effort to gather and save every last drop of freshwater during the rainy season. Chowdhury has built the building as a rainwater harvesting machine, with every roof and courtyard surface emptying into the central canal, which connects to two storage tanks at the site's ends.
It is the organization's first "land hospital," since Chowdhury previously assisted in converting many boats into floating hospitals to serve rural villages in the delta area. Built on the lowest budget of just under $2 million, its first permanent structure serves as a lifeline for thousands of people in a region devastated by a destructive hurricane in 2007.
A Mesmerizing Building with Unique Perks
The Grand Jury for the coveted prize, which included prominent people such as Es Devlin, Jeanne Gang, Rossana Hu, and Gustavo Strabo, as well as Decq, thought it pleasant to see a hospital with such a kind and natural touch. "The Friendship Hospital is particularly timely at this point in history since it tackles the global problem of uneven access to healthcare," an official press statement noted, adding that the winning project was also named the world's greatest new building.
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"It is an example of how a beautiful building can be accomplished via strong design even when dealing with a limited budget and constrained contextual conditions. This hospital is a celebration of a human-centered structure."
Architect Kashef Chowdhary, whose practice is rooted in history and places a premium on climate, materials, and context, discusses winning the award, "In a sublimely significant moment, the RIBA and the jurors have identified a project from the global periphery to elevate to the center of architectural discourse and become the subject of one of the most prestigious global awards." I am pleased that this may motivate more of us to commit to an architecture of care for mankind and the environment, not in spite of, but precisely because of, resource and means constraints, in order to jointly address the global urges we confront; today."
Cultural Acceptability
Rainwater collecting is a widely acknowledged method of augmenting freshwater supplies in southern Bangladesh. While rainwater collected from ground catchments has a low bacteriological quality, rainwater collected from well-maintained rooftop catchment systems fitted with tight storages and taps is typically good for consumption and often satisfies WHO drinking water criteria. This water is of greater quality than that available in the majority of the world's conventional water sources.
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Rooftop rainwater collection may produce excellent quality water that is safe to drink if the rooftop is clean, impermeable, constructed of non-toxic materials, and is positioned away from overhanging trees.
Sustainability
Rainwater collection is one of the most promising options for meeting rising water shortages and demand. The strain on water resources, the increasing environmental effect of huge projects, and worsening water quality all limit the capacity of conventional sources to supply the demand for freshwater. Rainwater collection enables the supplementation of water sources while also promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Conclusion
Rainwater harvesting effectiveness is determined by the materials used, the design and construction, the maintenance, and the overall quantity of rainfall. The runoff coefficient, which is the proportion of precipitation that occurs as runoff, is a frequently cited efficiency measure of 0.8. By contrast, when cement tiles are utilized as a roofing material, the year-round runoff coefficient is around 75%, but clay tiles often collect less than 50%, depending on the harvesting mechanism employed. Plastic and metal sheets perform the best, with an efficiency of 80–90%. A well-designed and meticulously built gutter system are also critical for the proper functioning of a rainwater harvesting system. If the gutter and down-pipe system are installed and maintained correctly, 90% or more of the rainwater collected on the roof will be discharged to the storage tank.
Read 'Sisimpur' nominated for International Kidscreen Awards
Celebrations for Year of the Tiger are muted, but bring hope
People across Asia prepared Monday for muted Lunar New Year celebrations amid concerns over the coronavirus and virulent omicron variant, even as increasing vaccination rates raised hopes that the Year of the Tiger might bring life back closer to normal.
The Lunar New Year is the most important annual holiday in China and falls on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Each year is named after one of twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac in a repeating cycle. The Year of the Tiger follows the Year of the Ox.
This will be the third new year in a row celebrated in the shadow of the pandemic. It was two days before the holiday in 2020 that China locked down Wuhan — a city of 11 million people — following the detection of the coronavirus there.
Some 85% of Chinese are now fully vaccinated, according to Our World in Data, and more Chinese have been traveling domestically this year, despite government warnings. Many people prepare to celebrate by buying red lanterns and other decorations for their homes, and food to mark the beginning of a new year.
Also read: NYC Lunar New Year parade showcases support for China, Wuhan
Still, 63-year-old retiree Huang Ping lamented as he shopped at a Beijing flower market that the new year’s “atmosphere has faded” with the closure of temples and seasonal fairs to prevent large crowds. He said he hoped for better times soon.
“I wish for the epidemic to pass as early as possible and for the economy to recover as well,” he said.
Another retiree, Han Guiha, said he was planning on making the best of the situation.
“I’ll stay at home enjoying good food and wine,” the 62-year-old said. “I will make my house clean and beautiful. Right now the virus is spreading and we need to be careful.”
Some 260 million people traveled in China in the first 10 days of the holiday rush starting Jan. 17 — fewer than before the pandemic but up 46% over last year. Overall, the government forecasts 1.2 billion trips during the holiday season, up 36% from a year ago.
This year the celebrations coincide with the Beijing Winter Olympics, which open near the end of the weeklong holiday. The Chinese capital has been tightening controls to contain coronavirus outbreaks ahead of the sporting event.
The Games are being held inside sealed-off “bubbles,” and organizers have announced that no tickets will be sold to the general public and only selected spectators will be allowed.
“I’ll watch the games with my kid, but of course on TV,” said Wang Zhuo, a retail manager from Beijing.
In Hong Kong, which saw a surge in cases in January, people wore surgical masks as they shopped for red and tiger-themed holiday items. The city has closed schools because of the outbreaks and required restaurants to close at 6 p.m., forcing many to dine at home for traditional New Year’s Eve family dinners.
Also read: Pandemic dampens Pahela Boishakh celebrations in Bangladesh
With the Year of the Tiger, many are hoping the traditional powers attributed to the animal will help put the country on a path out of the pandemic, said Chen Lianshan, a Beijing university expert on Chinese folklore.
“The tiger is a protection against evil spirits and it can defeat demons and ghosts of all kinds, and the Chinese believe that the plague is one kind of an evil spirit,” he said.
Elsewhere in Asia, there were signs that celebrations might not be as subdued as they were last year. Despite ongoing pandemic restrictions, most people are now vaccinated with at least two shots in many of the region’s countries.
In the old quarter of Hanoi, people flocked on the weekend to the traditional market to get decorations and flowers for the festival, known as Tet in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s daily case count remains at about 15,000 new infections but its low hospitalization and death rate has allowed the country to reopen for business and cautiously resume social activities.
More than 70% of Vietnamese are fully vaccinated, and 80% have had at least one shot, according to Our World in Data.
Still, the country has cancelled Tet fireworks and other large events to minimize risks this year.
In Thailand, where 69% of people are fully vaccinated, Bangkok decided this year not to hold traditional Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown for the second year in a row, but was going ahead with lighting seasonal lanterns on the district’s main street.
In Singapore, Lunar New Year celebrations are more subdued due to coronavirus restrictions that allow residents to receive only five unique visitors a day, and preferably only one visit daily. The rules are likely to get in the way of the tradition of visiting relatives during the holiday.
“This year it will be rather quiet, as people are spacing out visiting over the next two weeks instead of on the first or second day of the new year,” said Sebastian Lim, a Singapore resident.
Business was brisk at a flower market in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei on Monday as people made last minute purchases. Some 73% of Taiwanese are fully vaccinated.
“The pandemic is surely affecting it a bit, but people still like flowers, so they come out and buy flowers,” said one shopkeeper, who only gave his name as Lee.
“But prices are lower because we have overproduction and we can’t export some items — this is our biggest problem.”
Ethnic Chinese shopkeepers in Myanmar face a bigger dilemma, as the new year coincides with the one-year anniversary of the military’s seizure of power from the democratically-elected government.
Supporters of the growing anti-military movement have called for people to close their shops and businesses in a nationwide “silent strike” protest. Military leaders have warned that anyone who participates could face legal action, including charges of violating the country’s counter-terrorism law.
But that has left shopkeepers who had planned to close anyway for the Lunar New Year to spend time with their families wondering what to do.
“Normally we are closed during Chinese new year, but don’t know what to do this year,” said Hu, a noodle vendor in Yangon who wouldn’t give his full name out of fear of reprisal. “We want to close, but we have to be afraid of the authorities.”
Era mesmerizes the country with spectacular ballet dancing
Recently, some photos of ballet dancing in front of the Raju Memorial Sculpture of Dhaka University have been widely discussed on social media in Bangladesh. Many say that the pictures show solidarity with the student movement against the vice-chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). But the real story behind the picture is different. Then the question arises in the minds of netizens, who is this ballet girl? Well, this ballet girl is Mubashshira Kamal Era. Let's take a look at a more detailed Era and the story behind the photos.
Who is the Ballet Dancer Era?
Era's photos got viral through the Photographer Joyeeta Afrin Trisha. While the whole country was sharing and reacting to Ear's photos, she was sitting in Naogaon, her hometown. Era is studying HSC second year in Naogaon Government College. Since her childhood, Era has been passionate about dancing but started dancing in 2017. Mubashshira took dancing classes to Sultan Mahmud in Naogaon in her childhood. Era dances Bharatanatyam, which she learned in Dhaka, and she is currently working with Sadhona Songhoton since 2021.
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However, Era had a plan to go to India in 2020 to take some classes on Ballet. But the plan got canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After that, she started learning ballet by watching on YouTube, and her mother, Ratna Kamal, inspired her. Era is on her way to mastering ballet.
Joyeeta Afrin Trisha should take the whole credit to make Era popular in the country. Hopefully, the photos will get coverage in international media too.
Photographer Joyeeta Afrin Trisha and Story Behind the Photos
Joyeeta Afrin is a Dhaka-based photographer staying in Dhanmondi. The photoshoot was originally planned by Trisha, which later went viral. In this context, Trisha said, "Such work is not seen in our country. I have seen such works in other countries. I got inspiration from there. Then for about a year, I was looking for a model for ballet. Finally, I found Era. Then talk with her about my idea."
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About the planning of the photos Era conveyed, she worked with this form during the Covid pandemic. She used to make short videos. Then she got introduced to Sagar Debnath and planned to do a photoshoot in Dhaka. After that, Era got acquainted with Joyeeta.
Trisha and Era had a plan to do the photoshoot in different points in Dhaka, such as TSC, National Parliament House, and more.
Era came to the dance festival held from 20th to 22nd January in Shilpakala. The pictures were taken on January 23. Trisha went to TSC in the morning to take pictures. Then she went to Raju Memorial Sculpture to take a picture of the sculpture and saw many placards pasted in solidarity with the SUST student movement.
Read 'Sisimpur' nominated for International Kidscreen Awards
After that, Joyeeta planned to take a picture in front of the placard and tried to create a different language for the movement. That is why many have considered the photos as a symbol of the student movement. The numerous shares and reactions on Facebook really created a different meaning.
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However, the photos don't have any direct relation with the SUST movement. It was just an idea that came to Trisha and Era's minds. They just tried to present their concept through ballet.
Numerous people have been sharing the pictures uploaded around 4 pm on Tuesday. Everyone is making appreciative comments below the post. Most of those pictures are being shared, with lines of Kazi Nazrul's rebellious poems.
Shoes are one of the most important accessories of ballet dance. Era tried her best to collect shoes but failed to get any. She finally decided to do ballet without shoes.
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Note that ballet is a kind of dance. There is a wonderful combination of acting and music with dance. Looking back to the history of this art in the West, Italian Renaissance dancing master Domenico da Piacenza was the first to use the word ballo. That is the origin of the word ballet. The first real ballet was held in 1581. However, Era is seen floating in the air in some pictures with her hands clasped. It's not entirely ballet. According to Era, it was a combination of ballet and gymnastics.
Legendary Qazi Anwar Hussain and His Remarkable Creations
Today will be talking about a person, whose journey began in the mid-sixties of the last century and gained popularity in the 1980s to 1990s. Even in the 21st century, his popularity has not diminished. The person is none other than the creator of the Bangla thrill character Masud Rana. From “Rahasya Patrika” to “Kuasha” one person was involved in everything; He is Qazi Anwar Hussain.
Kazi Anwar Hussain single-handedly made the mystery-thriller genre popular in our country. He also made classical foreign literature available to the readers. As the life of his legendary spy Masud Rana, Qazi Anwar’s life was also colorful. On January 19, that colorful life came to an end.
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Early life and Education of Qazi Anwar Hussain
Qazi Anwar Hussain was born on 19 July 1936 in Bagmara, Rajbari District (British India). His full name is Kazi Shamsuddin Anwar Hussain. The nickname was 'Nawab'. Anwar Hussain passed matriculation from St. Gregory School in 1952 and after that, completed his IA and BA from Jagannath College. He passed MA in Bengali Literature from Dhaka University in 1961. Anwar Hussain spent his childhood in the present residential area of Dhaka Medical College and Dhaka University.
After finishing his studies, he started singing regularly on the radio. His three sisters Sanjeeda Khatun, Fahmida Khatun, and Mahmuda Khatun are still deeply involved in Rabindra Sangeet. He was a music artist of Dhaka Betar from 1958 to 1966.
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Family Life
Qazi Anwar Hossian married singer Farida Yasmin in 1962. The couple has one daughter and two sons. His daughter Shahreen Sonia is a vocalist. Eldest son Kazi Shahnoor Hussain and youngest son Maymur Hussain are involved in writing and publishing services.
Career
While everyone was looking for a job after MA, Anwar Hossian sat idly. In fact, he did not like to work under anyone. He decided to run a tea stall. Later he opened a tea shop called 'Baishakhi' in an empty room in a corner outside the house. After a few days, his father Qazi Motahar Hossian influenced him to start writing the story as Anwar Hossian wrote two stories while he was studying in IA. His life changed with the inspiration of his father. He started a new series with two of his stories, called ‘Kuasha’. Its later history is known to almost everyone. Then the writer no longer had to stay behind, just move forward.
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In May 1963, he opened a press in Shegunbagicha with ten thousand taka given by his father. He bought a treadle machine for eight thousand taka and a typewriter with the rest of the money. Segunbagan Press began its journey with two employees, which was later renamed as Seba Prakashani.
Later, his publishing house played an important role in publishing paperback books in Bangladesh, translating world-renowned novels, and advancing the genre of teenage literature. Kuasha-1 was published in June 1964, marking the debut of Shegunbagan Publishing.
Seba Prokashoni
Segunbagan Press was later renamed Seba Prakashani. Its name was derived from the first two letters of the previous name ‘Segun’ and ‘Bagan.’ It was established in May 1963. Seba Prakashani, founded by Qazi Anwar Hussain, is now a well-known publishing house in Bangladesh. Not only the readers but Seba Prakashani has also made an outstanding contribution in making writers in Bangladesh.
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Kuasha Series
Kuasha is the first series or book published by Seba Prakashani. Publication began in June 1964 and the chief author was Kazi Anwar Hussain. However, Sheikh Abdul Hakim has also written a few books. The first book published by Seba Prakashani is Kuasha-1 and the last book published in this series is Kuasha-78. A total of 78 books have been published under this series. This series is currently closed.
Masud Rana Series
It is a popular spy story series created by popular fiction writer Qazi Anwar Hussain. The first edition of the series was published in 1966. At present many ghostwriters are writing the Masud Rana series in the name of Kazi Anwar Hussain. From the first book named “Dhongsho Pahar '' in 1966, Seba Prakashani has published more than four hundred detective story books about Masud Rana's character. Although the first two books in the series are original, other books are inspired by the foreign books. That is why this series has so many books.
The character of Masud Rana was originally created by the author as a Bengali version of the James Bond character created by Ian Fleming. But at present, the series is on its way to retaining its place in the history of Bangla books.
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Tin Goyenda Series
This is the most popular series published by Seba Prakashani. First published in 1985. Although it was originally published by Rakib Hasan, it has been written by Shamsuddin Nawab since 2003. This is a teenage series based on a foreign story. The first book was "Tin Goyenda.” The book was published as a teenage thriller and the series is a huge milestone in Bangla books history.
Rahasya Patrika
Rahasya Patrika is one of the most popular monthly magazines in Bangladesh. It was first published in 1970. After the independence of Bangladesh, this magazine started to be published regularly from 1984 under the editorship of Qazi Anwar Hussain.
Controversies
The Masud Rana series always had a tag 'For adults'. That must have added to the appeal of the series. So the first criticism against Qazi Anwar Hussain was that he was promoting sexual staff through Masud Rana Series. However, neither Anwar Hussain nor the readers showed any concern about it.
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Towards the end of his life, the writer faced an unpleasant copyright case with Sheikh Abdul Hakim. On July 29, 2018, Abdul Hakim filed a complaint against Kazi Anwar Hussain, the proprietor of Seba Prakashan, claiming ownership of 260 books of the Masud Rana series and 50 books of the Kuasha series. Later the copyright office gave their decision favoring Abdul Hakim.
Final Words
Qazi Anwar Hussain was diagnosed with prostate cancer on October 31, 2021. Then faced a brain stroke and a heart attack. Later, he was placed on life support from January 10, 2022. He died on 19 January 2022 while on life support.
Although most of his novels and stories are based on foreign stories Qazi Anwar Hussain is a legendary name in Bangla as he created a reading habit in Bangladeshi Teenagers and youths. Qazi Anwar Hussain will remain in the hearts of those who have read, enjoyed, and will read ‘Tin Goyenda’ and ‘Masud Rana.’
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Humanitarian Principles: Month-long exhibition begins in city Tuesday
A month-long exhibition titled “Humanitarian Principles: Here and Now” will begin at the Liberation War Museum on Tuesday morning.
It will contain information and photographs highlighting the humanitarian engagement of the ICRC and Switzerland as well as humanitarian principles in action in Bangladesh, in 1971 and beyond.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is expected to attend the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Enamur Rahman , Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard and Head of Delegation of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Bangladesh Katja Lorenz will also attend the event.
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COVID protocols will be maintained, wearing of masks will be mandatory and all are requested to keep the vaccination certificate or PCR negative report acquired in the past 24 hours alongside.
The exhibition will jointly be organized by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the ICRC, Photo Elysée in Lausanne and the Liberation War Museum, Dhaka.
After the formal opening ceremony, the exhibition will remain open to all until February 24 from 10am to 5pm, except Sundays.
This unique exhibition contains photographs and films through which artists share their vision of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and examine the impact of humanitarian principles from a fresh, local and contemporary perspective, said the organizers.
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Humanitarian crises around the world make news headlines every day. The images associated with these tragedies are often related to tears, suffering, hunger, desperation, loneliness, separation, desolation etc.
Sometimes people feel helpless or overwhelmed by all these images of crisis, violence, armed conflicts and natural disasters.
The contemporary art installation “Humanitarian Principles: Here and Now” is a reaction to these feelings.
Humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence are indeed the compass to guide any humanitarian action that intends to provide aid and relief to millions of affected people, said ICRC.
These principles, and the values they entail, are the foundations and objectives of humanitarian action, and what gives it its universal claim, it said.
The exhibition aims to provide the visitors with a better understanding and deeper insight into the significance that humanitarian principles have in everyday life and presents a space for dialogue on humanity.
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