Avenue T Volume 2 Issue 24

24
Dhaka Tribune | Saturday, October 25, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 24 Dalim Kumar: DEAD AND LOVING IT

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Transcript of Avenue T Volume 2 Issue 24

Dhaka Tribune | Saturday, October 25, 2014 | Volume 2, Issue 24

Dalim Kumar:DEAD AND LOVING IT

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

10Spine-chilling

Bengali folk tales

Contents

inside...

2 Tuned An eerie exhibit3 Try ouT Masked4 Tech You had us at Ello5 Tires Riding on the Wego6 Tell Know when to let go8 TucKed in A ghoulish gala9 TaKe care Emergency 10110 Trial room Final fantasy

12 Trending Go goth13 Tailored Decked out like Dracula14 TempT Out with the old15 TicKeT A graceful indulgence16 TraVelogue Heaven on earth18 TanTalise Domestic disasters19 neWs

AvenueT5 TVS Wego

Editor Zafar Sobhan

Executive Editor Shahriar Karim

Managing Editor Jahangir Hyder

Magazine Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Asst Magazine Editor Mahmood Hossain

Avenue T team Khan N Moushumi

N Anita AmreenSabah Rahman Tausif Sanzum

Sabiha Akond Rupa

ContributorsAgony Aunt

Tahsin MominAdila Hoque

Baizid Haque Joarder

PhotographyZakir Hossain

Homayra Adiba

Graphics Alamgir Hossain

Md Mahbub Alam

Colour specialistShekhar Mondal

Kazi Syras Al Mahmood

Production Masum Billah

Advertising Shahidan Khurshed

Circulation Masud Kabir Pavel

Contact [email protected]

www.dhakatribune.com

This week

Dear Readers,As the Western world gears up for Halloween, we at Avenue T found ourselves in a mood for spooky stories, fantasy and par ties. And that’s pretty much what this week’s issue is about.A Halloween par ty is the best way to get your kids excited about creative costumes, so we put together a plan for one in Tucked in. To help you get into the mood of things, we’ve also got a mask tutorial in Try Out.Vampires, werewolves and ghouls are all great, but our own folklore is teeming with plenty of beasties, and our special edition of Trial Room explores these dark fantasies. We’re also talking expiry dates, for make up on Tempt, and for bad romances on Tease.Sometimes, real life horror is scarier than anything fiction could conjure. Medical emergencies definitely fall in that category. Prevent one from turning tragic with some first aid tips in Take Care.Finally, if you’re dying to get out of Dhaka, we’ve got a great travel option for you, one that won’t break the bank.

Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful week

Sabrina Fatma AhmadEditor, Avenue T

Revisiting frightening old tales

editor’s note

12

16

models: Tausif Sanzum & AnushaHossainmake-up: Divine Beauty Loungemake-up expert & styling: Bapon Rahmanphoto: Luthful Plabonshoot coordinators: Khan N Moushumi & Sabiha Akond Rupa

Getting Goth with it

Up in the clouds

In case of an emergency9

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

2 | Tuned

event

| Tausif Sanzum

october 24

october 28

BPS-IFIC BANK 13th National Photography Competition & Exhibition 2014

Venue: Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

“Manipuri Manikut,” 35th “Nupur Beje Jai” presenting Manipuri dances of Bangladesh

Venue: Chhayanaut

Knownunknown

Dhaka Art Center had a week long exhibition titled “Known Unknown” of artist Farzana Ahmed Urmi’s work from October 16 to 23. Urmi’s work is beautiful with a sense of eeriness attached to them. While not limiting herself to any particular technique, she works with multiple techniques and includes materials such as paper, ink, watercolor, acrylic, oil, collage and other drawn subjects to distinguish her work. She displays the body while breaking down the psyche too so that both of these factors influence each other.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

3Try Out |

diy

We know you do not want to wear those mainstream tacky plastic masks; they’re not pretty enough to sit atop your face. Follow these steps and whip up a whole new face in just about an hour

home-made maskYou’ll need• A rubber balloon• 2 cups flour• 1 cup water• Fabric colour, feathers, pearls,

glitter

• Glue• 2 ping pong balls• An elastic band• Duct tape (optional)

Instructions1. Blow up the balloon so that its

size is just a little bigger than the head of the person who would be wearing the mask. Tie it off at the end.

2. Cover the balloon with newspaper cuttings dipped in a mixture of flour and water, leaving out eye-holes and space for the mouth. You can create masks of any shape to suit your need.

3. Pop the balloon and remove it from the hardened newspaper strips as soon as they dry. Cut

out the rubber from the eye openings too.

4. Wrap around an elastic band from one ear to another and glue it to the sides of your mask.

5. Paint the mask with colours or use spray. You may use feathers, pearls and glitter to embellish it, and ping pong balls for the eyes.

6. If you like, you may cover the whole mask with duct tape to give it a little edge.

owl maskYou’ll need• A half-face mask with an elastic band• A pair of scissors• Glue• Hot glue gun• Construction paper in yellow and brown shades• Old newspaper• Fabric colour and glitter

Instructions1. Paint the mask yellow and let it dry. If your mask is plastic and won’t

hold colour, cover it first with newspapers soaked in glue, wait for it to dry and then colour it.

2. Cut out the papers in different sizes of feathers.3. Glue the “feathers” onto your mask.4. If the nose on your mask isn’t large enough, dip the newspaper

cuttings in glue to create a nose between the eyes. Let it dry.5. Sprinkle some glitter on if you wish.

Use the same method to make a peacock mask. Real feathers will give it a more authentic look.

h for halloween| N Anita Amreen

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

How many social network accounts do we really need? Well, the folks behind Ello take you back to a much more simple presentation of the social networking world, hoping to reel you in. Facebook has become a monster and somewhat a necessary evil. Ello on the other hand, is all about simplicity and ad-free design. In fact, the entire layout is similar to a default design you could find on Tumblr.

All of your posts are essentially in the Tumblr fashion. And when Ello says it’s simple, they aren’t lying. It’s the most minimal layout you will ever see on a social networking website. The no ads policy goes along the side of having your real name out there. Unlike Facebook, Ello doesn’t require you to expose your real name or spam it out to various companies and brands. The invite-only website, for now, has started out like every other social network. What remains to be seen is if people are willing to completely make the move. Perhaps live two different lives online?

The stats however say otherwise. Over thousands and thousands of users are willing to sign-in and wait to accept their invitation from the site. The developers are quite clear about their service in their manifesto. “Your social network is owned by advertisers.” They briefly go on to explain their solid belief that a social network should be a tool to empower people and not exploit them. In other words, you are not a product. Bravo, Ello. Let’s see if they stick to their word. For now, you can head on over to the site and ask for an invite.

Site of the week

Share your troubleshooting problems, write to us [email protected]

4 | Tech

| Mahmood Hossain

projecting through yoga

less is more

Site of the week

| Mahmood Hossain

gadgets

apps

Lenovo changes the way a tablet operatesEllo mates

A couple of very quick and simple iOS apps

The new Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro is, like its predecessor, something unique. While there might be minor updates, this new tablet will surely win plenty of hearts. The design and its specifications are things to boast about. There’s a new kickstand design and the device has been given Windows 8 updates. The new Yoga Tablet is a 13-inch Android tool with a cylindrical edge, where the kickstand is conveniently placed. Within that is a built-in projector. Yes, a projector.

At 13-inch, it’s obviously bigger than most tablets in the market, but rightfully so. The size and the projector may seem like a gimmick but they’re far from it. The projector, once activated from a physical button, can toss a 16:9 image, which comes out to be 50-inches diagonally. Its display has a better resolution. The 13-inch display provides a much better than HD resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. And let’s not forget to mention that

built-in 8-watts of output subwoofer from JBL. We’re talking about a standout entertainment tablet here.

The portability is a strange situation, though. The Yoga Pro 2 has a cut-out opening on the kickstand, letting you hang it on a hook somewhere while you carry on with other chores. With that in mind, as mentioned, it’s larger than most tablets so you’ll have some difficulty snugging it into your bag like other flatter tablets. We’re nit-picking here of course. If you have a small laptop bag, that’ll do just fine. As for the battery life, Lenovo says you’ll be able to use it for about 15-hours on a full charge, and for three hours if the projector is on.

HEREHERE is possibly the simplest app you will ever come across. What’s its purpose? Well, to let people know that you have arrived. That’s it. No, really. It may seem useless, but it’s actually a good indicator of arrivals through a single touch of the screen. You’ve got your name and e-mail address, which let you set up the given options in notifications. Once it has access to your native calendar, it will capture all the events you might be invited to. Whether it’s a hotel, business conference or an important meeting, your peers will know that you are at the venue, right then and there. No tricks either, your location will also be revealed once you press “HERE.” So not only is it proof, but it’s sort of an alarm to get the party started.

ChitChatVoice messages are getting more and more popular nowadays. From short captions on a single picture on SnapChat to phone calls through Viber, there is now even a shorter way to get the message across. ChitChat gives the user the ability to record a voice message and send. That, believe it or not, is its only purpose. To take things a tad further, every voice message you send is instantly deleted once it has been heard. You better make sure the recipient on the other end listens to the message the first time around or you’ll have to repeat yourself. It may sound annoying, but it’s actually a very secure line of messaging. There is no logging or saving, which keeps the hackers away.Both apps are free to download at the App Store and requires iOS 7 or higher.

| Mahmood Hossain

• Intel Atom Z3745 Processor (1.33GHz, 1066GHz 2MB)

• Android 4.4• Memory – 2GB

LPDDR3• 32GB EMMC hard

drive• Bluetooth 4.0• Camera – Front 1.6MP,

Rear 8MP

The Yoga Tablet 2 Pro will probably cost you around TK40,000 when it arrives to town.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

Road Rage

According to a study conducted by BUET, road accidents take an average of 12,000 lives annually and cause about 35,000 injuries. The World Bank statistics show that an “annual fatality rate from road accidents is found to be 85.6 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles.”

To think of it, these are just numbers. However, the amount of emotional toll it takes on a family to lose one of its dear members cannot be explained with big numbers. So what factors are causing this huge loss of life?

The rate at which the vehicles are increasing, it’s clear that the roads are not expanding at an equal rate to accommodate them. As such there is a huge crowd of vehicles which very easily gets out of control and ends up claiming precious lives.

There are a lot of unattended open manholes, potholes, cracks and other road infrastructure deficits which need government attention as a person becomes highly vulnerable particularly at night and can easily come in front of a fast moving vehicle.

We too as citizens need to be more careful while on the road. The chauffeurs should drive more cautiously, we should totally avoid using headphones while walking on the road and try to cross roads in groups as that forces cars to move slowly allowing you to cross safely.

Finally the traffic police need to be more authoritative and book speeding vehicles and also stop cars at regular intervals to help people cross roads.

Got a peeve to share about the state of the city’s roads and traffic? Sends it to us at [email protected], or post it on our Facebook wall.

wheels

5Tires |

TVS is back in the fray with a completely redesigned 2014 TVS Wego 110cc scooter. It seems like TVS is on a roll and has simultaneously gone aggressive. The 2014 Wego has gone through plenty of major makeovers which according to TVS, will improve its market share and win customers’ hearts as well. Let’s find out whether TVS has done it subtly or have they given it the full banana treatment!

DesignThe most obvious visual change is the trendy new dual tone body colour, which makes the Wego stand out in the crowd. If you look closely, you will find that there are some design cues similar to its older sibling, TVS Jupiter. Sharing the same platform with the Jupiter in turn makes the TVS Wego appear more premium than before. Another welcome change is the digital instrument pod, which shows most of the basic information like speed, fuel level, rpm count, battery voltage indicator and service reminder. TVS has even changed the seat and now the Wego features an “anti-skid non-hysteresis seat” which will keep you comfortable regardless of the weather conditions.

Performance and handlingTVS has made the 110cc engine more refined and efficient with the help of the CVT-I technology. This revised single cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled, SOHC motor produces a maximum power of 8.1HP at 7500rpm and peak torque of 8Nm at 5500rpm, which is a segment standard. The CVT ensures that acceleration comes smooth and effortlessly. In the power mode, it will sprint for 0-60km/h in a company claimed 11.2seconds. However, TVS boasts of a 63kmpl fuel efficiency under test conditions, but real in world, the figure will be around 45-50kmpl.

TechnologyThe Wego comes with a good 150mm

deathtraps| Tausif Sanzum

how do i know if it’s time to replace the clutch?There are three basic signs that will indicate that your clutch is going south.1. When you accelerate, the engine will rev, but the forward movement will be

less compared to that it is used to at the same rpm.2. While changing the transmission fluid, if there are traces of particles in the

oil. Most clutch plates are made out of non-magnetic fibre, so once they disintegrate, the fibres will float around in the oil.

3. If it is bad enough, you will be able to smell it. Put your bike in gear, release the clutch and the bike won’t move no matter how much you rev it.

4. If any of the above three happens, just get in touch with your mechanic. Replacing the clutch won’t put a dent in your bank account. It is a quick easy fix that won’t take more than an hour.

aUto CoRReCt

of ground clearance, a telescopic front suspension and a gas charged mono-shock absorber at the rear which is more than capable of dealing with the usual road undulations. All these, along with the aid of the 1,275mm wheelbase, make the TVS Wego well balanced and pretty composed. The firmer suspension setup makes it more pliant over ditches and road bumps.

The TVS Wego is a scooter for people young at heart. The styling is pretty unique and can’t be mistaken for any other scooter and moreover the 2014 edition gets some added glamour. The Wego has one of the best handling and confident riding characteristics. In search of the best possible dynamics and aggressive styling, some of the utility aspects might have been compromised, but it never fails to excel during day-to-day use.

Ever since the release of its first edition, this scooter featured potent mechanicals and these mechanicals have now been further re-tuned and refined. It was already a great scooter and these new additions have taken it one step ahead.

TVs Wego

| Tahsin Momin

A promising full-sized scooter that has all the fun you need and the perfect sense of practicality

Available at:TVS Auto Bangladesh 184, Tejgaon - Gulshan Link Rd, Dhaka 1208, Bangladesh Phone: 02-9816725

Photo: Big Stock

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

When I became a mother, I promised myself I’d do my best to be a good one. My husband and I admitted our children to the best schools in Dhaka; we do our best to give them the best of everything, no matter how hard it is. As my elder daughter is easing into her mid-teens, I’ve been noticing a change in her disposition. She’s always asking us to give us more clothes, more shoes - more everything, and sometimes it puts quite a strain on our monthly budget. We tried to make her understand that we are not as well-off as the parents of her friends but she won’t listen to me. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I can’t seem to be able to teach her how to be satisfied with less - especially since it’s all we can afford. Is there anyway I can make her register the fact that we’re trying our best and there’s only so much we can do?

Being a good mother does not necessarily entail giving, at least not in a material sense. Your daughter now has a sense of entitlement from all that you and your husband have struggled to provide for her. She has become accustomed to getting what she wants, without the requisite understanding that you have had to make sacrifices for it. As difficult as it will be for her to accept at this stage, you must start to draw boundaries for both your good and hers. Her desire for things will not abate, as she desperately wants to keep up with her friends, but in order to do so I strongly recommend that you make her earn it. She can baby-sit, or work part-time in an office to make some pocket money. She will only learn the value of money if she works for it. And she will demand less from you once she learns how hard you’ve worked to provide her with the life that she now takes for granted.

6 | Tell

horoscope

Aries (MAR 21-APR 19)Your emotions may become unstable leading you to take rash actions. Gaining weight will be easy so be careful with eating habits and don’t overindulge on the sweets.

TAurus (Apr 20-May 20) You might face obstacles in your family and work. Despite your inner peace, you might react strongly to such hurdles. Stay sharp! You’ll witness a scandal this week.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) You’re running short on your educational supplies and needs, so consider restocking. Circumstances look perfect for you to get involved in a creative project or a start up business perhaps.

CAnCer (Jun 21-Jul 22) You may be susceptible to making a big deal out of the minor issues. Don’t be alarmed if you feel exasperated, it is only because you want to protect or expand your domain.

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) This week will be good for those of you who appreciate harmony, justice and honesty. Destiny will be generous but don’t be greedy; then you’ll be perfectly fine.

VirGo (Aug 23-Sep 22) You might find yourself torn between doubt and hope. You’re strong and independent but you might need to count on the help from your friend to get you through the week.

drama mama

limited means| Dina Sobhan

Dina Sobhan is a free-lance writer, a part-time counsellor and a full-time mom

Photo: Big Stock

My wife has always been a nagger. Constantly nagging about every little thing. It’s not her concerns that bother me, rather it’s the way she decides to voice her distaste for something I do that irritates me. Instead of calmly talking to me about habits she doesn’t like, she is always diving into mad rage, nagging, shouting and complaining. This irritates me so much I can’t deal with this anymore. Before we would have passionate arguments and fight it out throughout the night, but now I just can’t be bothered because I know no matter what I say, she will never change her mind or even learn to behave. Is there any solution to this?

Q

I honestly think that you have come to that point of time where you’ve decided to yield to her since you don’t believe the arguments are worth your time and effort. If you continue down this path, you can actually lead your marriage to the gallows. There is nothing quite worse than frozen communications. It will make you feel anxious and will only get worse with time. I suggest that you take baby steps to learn the power of two way talks. The next time she brings up something she doesn’t like, take a breather, go close to her and softly tell her that you are listening to her. It might be hard to put aside your ego and take the first step but trust yourself and do it. She will come around. Sincerely explain to her how you are making an effort and how much you would love to see her happy and see her appreciate you. Cultivate a culture of appreciation rather than approbation. Patience and tact will get a long way, just take the plunge first and you are ready to go.

a

Write us your problems and send them to [email protected]

| Avenue T desk

letters to Mars

Frozen communication

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

There are tons of signs that indicate your significant other wants out, but sometimes, we just ignore them, hoping things will go back to the way they were. It’s time to wake up and face the music. Life will go on, so go ahead and let the old flame rest in peace.

The good fights stopYes, some fights can be good for the growth of your relationship. We’re not talking about the screaming matches or the breakage of fine china. Good fights are when the both of you find yourselves arguing about issues big and small, but end up resolving them with a better idea of who you’re with. That old familiar feeling that you were in it together is just a memory now. When your partner shuts out all issues you may encounter and no longer wants to figure them out with you. It’s simple. They just don’t care.

Your man/woman has a new lifeAnd you’re not included in it. Within the span of a few weeks, they have new friends, completely different new interests and are hanging out at different places. Most of your mutual old friends may be left out of these plans as well. Face it. Your boo has moved on and doesn’t want you following them.

The dismal distance gameThis can be emotional and physical. You

7Tell |

horoscope

LibrA (Sep 23-Oct 22) If you’re focusing on your professional and social life then this week will be decisive. If you want to achieve something then you’re going to have to work for it. Good luck!

sCorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) You may receive additional tasks due to your efficiency but these will also prove to be tedious. Don’t neglect your juniors who might be in need of your skills and wisdom.

sAGiTTArius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Effort is essential today, both from your body and your soul. It’s possible that you will have to make use of others’ resources and funding.

CApriCorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) The week will prove to be hectic but you can’t really depend on anyone but yourself. Your friends and family might disappoint you in the most crucial of moments.

AquArius (Jan 20-Feb 19) Lack of success will fail to hinder you. In fact, if you keep your cool, these failures will provide you with new found courage and inspiration. Use it to work harder and explore.

pisCes (Feb 20-Mar 20) Adventures, intriguing deals and new trends will seem attractive. No need for caution, go ahead and enjoy the week.

tease

This is the end| Sabah Rahman

Four signs your relationship is dead

don’t remember the last time you both were alone in a room together. You try to bring up the uncomfortable subject to your partner and they get annoyed, putting even more distance between you. This one is tough. Your gut may be giving you strong signals that they have already found someone else to be intimate with, and unfortunately, you may be right. Sometimes people feel overwhelmed with guilt when they are secretly moving on from their old beloved and stick around anyway so fingers can’t be pointed at them. Don’t fly off the handle and make accusations. If you’re unhappy and it’s impossible to get through and make sense of things, why are you with this person anyway?

You’re an after thoughtForget the compliments and attention to details. That is now an old story. The honeymoon phase does not indeed last forever, but feeling like you’re number two is never fun. You are no longer a priority in your significant other’s life and it’s very obvious. They hardly ever call or message unless it’s absolutely necessary. They will only hang out with you when their other, more exciting plans fall through. You don’t just want to be an option, do you? Get out of this rut and find someone who appreciates you for all your wonderful qualities.

I think I’m in love with my sister’s ex. They were together for two years and they split up about six months ago. It was a bad break-up and she’s still grieving over it. We never talked a lot when they were together, but now that he knows that I’m interested in him too, he calls every other night and is always trying to find a way to flirt with me or ask me out on a date. I’ve been fending him off because of my sister, but a part of me wishes I could be with him. I tried forgetting about it but I can’t really ignore it; it’s always there inside my head. What must I do to get out of this mess?

Q

letters to Venus

Pho

to: B

ig St

ock

Write us your problems and send them to [email protected]

| Agony Aunt

It’s all about family

a

See him a few times to see if you really like him, or it is just the “idea” of him you like.

If you decide to carry on the relationship, talk to your sister and tell her you are in love with him and would like to date him more seriously. Depending on how they broke up, you will get a different response. If she is very angry, understand her feelings and do not bring him home until she feels better about the situation. If the situation at home gets worse be sensitive and try not to provoke the situation any further - do not talk about him for example. If you really love him and you give him up, you will hate your sister and there will be discord between you two in the future.

Our Agony Aunt is a life coach and a relationship coach as well as a corporate and organisational consultant. AA lives and works in Bangladesh but travels extensively around the world to attend seminars and see her clients

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

8 | tucked In

We all know Halloween is one of the most favourite holidays around the world, and even though it isn’t exactly widely celebrated in our country, here are a few ways you can have a spookilicious evening with your friends

| Adila Hoque

Time for teahostdigS & findS

Trick-or-treating, pumpkin carvings and candy normally dominate this season, but adults here can have a bite off the fun too. Follow these simple tips and tricks to throw one of the most exciting Halloween parties within your reach:

1Plan out a themeThe very first item on your

to-do list when planning for a Halloween party would be to come up with a theme suitable enough for everyone’s taste. Do not worry about the fun-spoilers; even if you make the costume party customary, some of those old drags will show up in their normal attire. You have to deal with it. There are plenty of themes for you to choose from, starting from the conventional karaoke and pumpkin theme to the dead celebrity one. You could even use the haunted house theme and let your friends know beforehand so they have ample time to prepare costumes for your party. Other themes include Villains and Heroes, The Murder Mystery, Vamps and Werewolves, etc. The latest one is the Frozen theme and dressing up as Anna and Elsa. However, feel free to trash it if you think it is a little too childish.

2 Set the moodIt is essential for you to create

the perfect atmosphere if you’re throwing a good Halloween party. You can maybe use spider web decorations and plastic skulls and spiders at your dinner table to spice up the evening. Oh, don’t forget the severed hand! You could also replace the blaring white lights with coloured lights or any kind of dim lighting. Some of us are already familiar with covering our tube-lights with coloured paper for added effect. Also, you should serve food that are capable of serving the creep. If you haven’t added red food colouring to water for blood or witch potion, you don’t know the

Spookificsfor your Halloween party

mirpur Flagship showroom51 West Shawrapara, Rokeya Sharani, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216Phone:+88029027659, +88029027701, +88029027704, +8801847004723Email:[email protected] shangshad Avenue showroom5/3 Monipuripara, Shangshad Avenue, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215Phone:+88029144235-6, +8801847004719Email: [email protected]

Tea trolleys in three different colours

Photos: Akhtar Furniture

real meaning of spook yet. Serve spaghetti labelled “witch intestines” with devilled eggs as Vamp-eyes. Some people even add dry ice to their beverages to make it look smoky. Get creative!

3 Plan out activitiesSome activities will never run

out of style, no matter how old you are. One classic example of this is apple bobbing and karaoke. Costume parties are a must if you

are very sure at least more than half of your guests will comply. The toilet paper wrap-up game is still pretty in, if you’ll consider it.

4 The killer playlistLast, but not the least, the

playlist is one of the key items when it comes to creating the perfect Halloween party. Just remember, the cheesier it is, the better.Enjoy!

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

9Take care |

| Sabiha Akond Rupa

health

Medical emergency:

What to do? (part 1)A few life-saving tips

Medical emergencies are a crucial part of our daily lives – be it a sudden bleeding, choking, chest pain, fainting, head injury or appendicitis. It may occur anywhere - at work, at school, on the streets or even at home. We often hesitate to take action when any medical emergency surfaces because we always think whether the procedures are right or if it will harm the affected person. Read on to find out a few crucial first-aid techniques that could save a person’s life – better safe than sorry.

Food poisoning: Signs: Food poisoning can be caused by several different bacteria in the food consumed and they usually begin from two hours to two days after eating the contaminated food. Symptoms include headache, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps.

Sprains and strains: Signs: A ligament fracture can lead to a dangerous situation as it is the tissue that connects bone to a joint. Sprain is an injury to ligaments, while strains are stretch injuries to the muscle. Both can happen by falling, twisting or getting hit. The symptoms are pain, swelling and the inability to move a joint.

Heart attack: Signs: Uncomfortable chest pain right in the centre that gradually spreads to the shoulders, neck, jaw, arms and back. Fainting, sweating, nausea, etc. are some common warning signs of heart attack but take it seriously if it includes difficulty in breathing, abnormal chest pain, abdominal pain, dizziness, unexpected anxiety, cold sweat, etc.

Fainting:Signs: Fainting is a loss of consciousness caused when the blood supply to the brain interrupts suddenly. It is alarming so if a person faints take it seriously.

What to do: Drink water and juice soon after you vomit to avoid dehydration. If the symptoms continue for more than 24 hours, contact a doctor.

What to do: Help the patient lie down on a flat ground. Check if the person is breathing properly and loosen constrictive clothes. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink and consult a doctor if you detect an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, blurred vision or trouble talking.

What to do: Call an ambulance or contact your nearest medical centre immediately. If the person is conscious keep the person calm, make sure the person is comfortable in his or her position. The victim needs to be lying down, stop all kinds of physical activities, loosen constrictive clothing around the chest area and remain calm until the ambulance arrives. If the patient is unconscious then make sure the person is lying on his or her back, clear for breathing and loosen clothing around the neck, chest, and waist.

What to do: The basic emergency treatment includes letting the injured area rest for two to 48 hours, applying ice four times a day for 10 minutes for the first 48 hours, gently wrapping and compressing the area with an elastic bandage, using pillow to support the injured area and help it from moving. If the pain doesn’t subside then seek medical help.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

deathis not the end

10 | Trial room

| Qarshi

Love and valour, vanquishing demons and conquering kingdoms may be typical themes in Western folklore, but in Bengali folk stories, it is death that takes the lead. Death hovers over each story waiting for every chance to seize the day and often becomes the central catalyst for impending climaxes. It’s hardly predictable though, given its extraordinary characteristics that distinguish it completely from death as we understand it in the real world.

A comma, not a fullstop Death is not a permanent state in these stories, but more literally a deep slumber from which one can easily be woken up using props like golden and silver katis (wands), enchanted necklaces as they are taken off for the night, etc. In Dalim Kumar, the prince is dead during the day and alive at night. In Shonar kati rupar kati, the princess is dead during the day when the demons guarding her go out to hunt and alive at night when they are back to massage their aching muscles!

Back from the deepPeople who are eaten by demons are apparently never digested - they can be regurgitated at will and be fine and dandy. In the Thakurmar Jhuli version

of Dalim Kumar, his seven brothers get eaten by demons on losing a game of dice but returned from their stomachs when Dalim Kumar wins the game in the end and demands to have his brothers and their horses back. Even in Shonar Kathi Rupar Kathi, the prince gets his three friends, the minister’s son, the sailor’s son and the woodcutter’s son and their horses back from the bowels of the demon who is pretending to be the queen. The same is applicable to animals like Shutashonkho snakes that can be mistakenly eaten as part of a fruit and remain in a person’s stomach until the person is killed and the animal released and still ready to go on its evil mission.

Tree Friends Every living thing is malleable like genetic mutants, X-men characters - mango trees can open up to accommodate strangers, for camouflage purposes, people can simply transfigure into fruits or conch shells. Trees protect the prince by enclosing him in their trunks and refuse to reveal him to the threats of the demon hunting him. To save him, the tree transforms him into a mango and drops him into the river where

deathis not the endLife, death and limbo in Bengali folk tales

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

deathis not the end

11 Trial room |

Every living thing is malleable like genetic mutants, X-men characters - mango trees can open up to accommodate strangers, for camouflage purposes, people can simply transfigure into fruits or conch shells

he is then transformed into a shell for protection! Needless to say, changing sizes or scales as in Alice in Wonderland are also not a big deal - people and even whole kingdoms can be shrunk and hidden in tiny boxes inside boal fish or other objects at will and return to their original size later. Desperate situations do indeed call for desperate and surreal solutions!

TalismanThere is also the voodoo elements - a person’s life is always tied to something - a fruit or a box or a stick or a pair of dice hidden within a giant whale, or under a tree or in another kingdom. To control these props is to have control over the lives tied to them. The princess in Shonar Kathi Rupar Kathi is kept dead during the day by the demons by placing enchanted katis (pins) at her forehead and feet. It is only when their positions are reversed that she can be brought back to life. The moni (stone) from the gigantic python wakes princess Moni Mala when it touches her forehead. Dalim Kumar has the same attachment to an enchanted necklace.

GirlpowerWomen appear to play a unique role in all this. It is always the queen who is killed and replaced by a Rakkhoshi (female demon) who represents greed, cruelty, jealousy and must in the end be vanquished by a male character, often a prince! Rakkhoshies appear to have a sixth sense…they always know confidential information like where to find the tree that will kill the prince or where the prince is hiding. However, their spidey senses don’t help them from being always one step behind the prince! So in the end, death appears in these folk tales more a part of life than anything else, and much like sleep, a temporary occurrence. Instead of becoming a symbol of morbidity, horror or tragic permanence, it

deathis not the end

becomes more palatable and conquerable even, something that exists and must be dealt with. As a literary agent, it assumes a central role in the advancing storyline and ties the protagonists to their purpose in life. The antagonists and the usually negative elements, including death, even as they play out their typical role of the challenge or hurdle to be overcome, are treated very differently in Bengali folk tales. They are handled with a level of normalcy and

practicality, which makes them less tragic and more tactical than anything else. The contemporary reader might even find, in this variety of life, death and limbo, a kind of humour replacing what was once meant to inspire morality, depth and fear.

Photos: Big Stock

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

Join us in prayerThe legitimacy of milad mehfils have been hotly debated in the recent times, with some parties claiming that since there was no precedence for such gatherings in “real” Islam, they should not be practised. Other parties claim that even if these gatherings are more of a cultural innovation than a religious one, it cannot be a bad thing to meet and pray together. As the conversation continues, the dress code for such an event has also become more flexible, which in turn gives rise to sartorial questions.

What the occasion demandsThere are several types of milad gatherings. Before attending one, it is prudent to know which one you’re going to. A namaaz-e-janaza demands a level of austerity that a milad mehfil held in honour of a housewarming, for example, does not.

Shades of sobrietyIt used to be that a milad invite meant stark whites. No longer is this true. While bright patterns and bold colours are still frowned upon, you can totally get away with soothing pastels and light embellishments. Black might not be a funereal colour in our culture, but as the default hue for burkhas, it is less frowned upon than it was a decade ago, even if you don’t practise the hijab.

Fabric formulaEven though the weather is beginning to take a turn for the chilly, and the venue may have air-conditioning, a large gathering of people means that you will find yourself getting too warm for comfort. The most sensible fabric to reach for would be cotton or linen. Taat, kota or chikan are always appropriate, and even a modest jamdani will not fail you. Avoid flashy silks, net and lace, and heavy embellishments at all costs; happy or sad, this is still a fairly sombre event.

Sophistication over sassWhether you choose a sari or a kameez set, or even long kurti with leggings, it is important to remember that the primary goal of milad mehfils is prayer, and as such, it’s best to make sure you’re properly covered up. This means sleeveless blouses or kameezes are strictly verboten, as are capri-length pajamas, low necklines, and peepholes. Since you will most likely be expected to join everyone barefoot on a large clean sheet on the ground, it makes most sense to wear flat shoes you can quickly kick off and later slip on to, as opposed to fancy heels that require extra manoevring.

12 | TrendingStyle SeSSion

with SabRina fatma ahmad

grown

| Sabah Rahman and Maya Almuqtadir

fashion

A dive into the dark side

Dressing goth is not just something that should pop up in your head when Halloween rolls around. For some people, it’s an everyday thing. Always felt the allure of getting dolled up as a dark diva pulling at you but afraid you’d end up looking like Morticia Addams or just a straight up poser? This look doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. We’re here to help you rock the look in an updated way.

up goth

Denim dosAdd interest to any old boring pair of jeans by tearing bits here and there. You can use sandpaper, available at the hardware shops to thin out the fabric in certain areas. Another trick is to mix a solution of bleach and water and apply on your pants to fade them out where desired. You don’t have to be too neat when it comes to customising your denim. It should look as if the wear and tear happened naturally.

More than just blackWhile black may be the old, go-to favourite colour, there are so many other deep shades that can add a fresh new vibe to this old trend. Think midnight blues, rich purples and dark reds. These colours are dark but not as harsh as black. The same trick can be applied to your make-up. Play with deep plums on lips and nails. Berry and teal shades can be worn on the eyes as well and can make the smoked out look more wearable.

Keeping it localYou can experiment with goth elements when it comes to Eastern wear as well. Why not sport leather cuffs with your sari instead of traditional accessories? Corset tops can double as blouses. Switch out your regular churidar with a pair of leatherette leggings for an added edge. The options are endless and a whole lot of fun to play with.

Lust for leatherWinter is coming, (literally) and there is no better time to break out your faux or real leather gear. However, never ever step out of the house dressed in head to toe leather. This look only works for Cher and her admirable sense of confidence. Since the winters don’t get too cold in our neck of the woods, thin, faux leather leggings are the perfect choice and add an edge to the rest of your outfit. Here’s a tip - if you’re going to wear a moto jacket, personalise it with patches, pins and studs. No need to start a clone war.

Photos: Homayra Adiba

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

It’s time to get your lazy bums off your seat and do what real men do. Your wardrobe investments not only require you to dress well but to keep things clean. In other words, wash your own clothes and do it properly.

Air-it-outWe live in a humid environment, so no matter what we’re wearing our body odour and other unwanted smells and liquids get attached to our clothes. When you take them off flip your clothes inside out. It’s important to air dry your clothes to get rid of any dampness or mildewing you might have acquired.

Keep it coolWhen washing your clothes, never use hot water. It’s simple, heat will damage most fabrics. They may not come out warm and toasty during the colder months, but at least you’ll be able to use them for years to come.

On simple termsAs you use detergents, make sure they are free of dyes, synthetic fragrances and brighteners. It’s best to keep things as organic as possible when taking care of your clothes.

To the cleanersWe’ve had plenty of questions on our Style Session column before about dry-cleaning. Believe it or not, visiting the cleaners can be disastrous for some of your clothes. Let’s make it clear. Never take your button-down shirts to the cleaners. Sweaters you can take after every five wears. Cotton suits, every two months, and wool suits once a year.

In those jeansThere are a few different ways of washing your jeans. However, there is one process that beats them all, no matter the price of those jeans. Go to your bathtub and fill it up with cold water about eight

inches high. A large bucket can be a good substitute to a bathtub so don’t worry if there aren’t any tubs around. Add a half-cup of Woolite Extra Dark Laundry Detergent (100-ounce), which you can order from Amazon for less than Tk3,000. Turn your jeans inside out, as usual, and let it soak in the water for 10 minutes. Then, gently rinse out all the grime. Finally, air-dry it for your next wear.

Is it against the rules to wear a band T-shirt at a concert?There are no rules against it, but it’s advised that you not wear one. Leave it to

the lovely ladies and teenagers when it comes to band T-shirts. These types of T-shirts are better left for a lazy weekend, or washing your car.

I never understood if it was acceptable to tuck in the suit jacket flaps in their

pockets. I wanted a sleeker look with them tucked in. Is that a style foul?

The suit jackets that have jetted pockets were actually meant to place the flaps

outwards to prevent contact with the rain. They were meant to be tucked in once you walked indoors. And as usual, a group of guys kept the flaps out and it became somewhat “the thing” to do. Regardless, having the flaps out of the pocket is a little less formal and not as sleek. While you aren’t breaking any style law, you’re better off keeping the flaps tucked into the pockets.

This might sound silly but is there a certain way a man should get dressed

for bed? Are pyjamas out of the question?

Go to bed any-way-you-want! It’s your bedroom, it’s your bed. And if you’re

married or have a significant other next to you, you have to consider their distastes. So, we suggest you to not go commando under the sheets. Pyjamas are actually more useful than most people think. Sure, you may not always have the weather for it, but think about the comfort and functionality of pyjamas. You have plenty of pockets to place all sorts of things inside.

13Tailored|

his style

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Style SeSSionwith mahmood hoSSain

in fashion

No, this isn’t about a cheesy Halloween costume. It’s about the autumn appropriate vampire outfit

Value what’s in your closet and you’ll be a better man for it

| Mahmood Hossain

| Mahmood Hossain

Photo: Big Stock

A wardrobe cleansing

a page from dracula

Luke Evans has been in plenty of action packed films, but Dracula Untold becomes his first fully-fledged leading role in Hollywood. Okay, so the movie didn’t do too well, there aren’t any raving reviews. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. However, Dracula on the red carpet is a different story. The British actor showed up at his New York premiere in a flawless three-piece, brown, tweed suit. The beauty in the fabric and colour is a touch of gothic mixed with a modern cut.

You may not be as ruthless as Vlad the Impaler, but you can make the dark sophisticated look yours without sinking your fangs into an innocent bystander. Steal the style of Luke Evans with autumnal flavours in mind.

Outer layersA cotton suit won’t have the same aesthetic appeal as tweed, but it’s still acceptable. The focus is the dark, chalk-brown tone. Charcoal grey is also a suitable replacement – it’s dark enough to be black, breaking out of the stereotypical vampire outfits. If it gets too hot, you can always skip the jacket and keep your waistcoat on.

AccessoriesA lighter shaded silk tie brings out the aristocratic flair, framed under a spread collar dress shirt. The sharp contrast doesn’t end there. Look down to the toes and you’ll see a pair of chocolate-brown lace-ups. They work for both the brown and grey coloured outfits. While a belt is unnecessary with tailored trousers, it’s an added bonus if you choose to wear one.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

14 | Tempt14 | Tempt

What’s the best way to make my eyes appear more “awake” after a long night out?

The first thing you’ll need to do is apply eye-drops to get the red out. Step two is to put an ice-cold towel

on closed lids for a few minutes. Use a tightening gel under the eyes and let it dry. Then comes the make-up. Use a concealer with light reflecting particles to tone down any shadows. Keep the rest basic with just a thin line on top. An eye-lash curler can be really handy in this situation. Don’t line lower lids because it can drag your eyes down. Remember to not make a habit of late nights. No amount of products can do what a healthy sleep cycle can do for you.

I have a new job and a very busy schedule lately and have found myself not being able to make the time

for my waxing sessions. I want to shave my legs but have read so many negative things about it. What should I do?

What you read about shaving may have been dated and is a complete myth! No, shaving will not

make your hair grow back faster. That is an old wives’ tale and never even made sense. The real difference is that waxing removes the hair follicle from the root, where as shaving does so at the tip. That is why waxed hair grows back smoother than the shaved version. Some women actually prefer to shave since they don’t want the fuzz that has to be grown to ensure a good wax. If you do decide to start shaving, do it every other day in the shower to keep the stubble at bay.

MascaraSome women seem to think that mascaras last until they are completely dried up, but that is a major beauty fail. The inside of a tube of mascara is a dark and wet place that is the perfect breeding ground for nasty bacteria. While some companies declare that it’s completely safe to use the same one for six months, it’s safer to chuck them out after three, since after that, it gets hard to achieve a smooth, even coat. Avoid irritating eye infections and find other products to save money on.

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Breaking up with your make-up

| Sabah Rahman

make-up

When good make-up goes bad

Got drawers full of old cosmetics that you swear you’ll getting around to using but never seem to? Bad idea! Beauty products can expire once opened just like packaged food and need to be trashed when the time comes.

The rule with powders is a bit more relaxed as they don’t attract pesky bacteria as much as liquid formulas. Having said that, it doesn’t mean you can use these pots forever. We’re supposed to replace these products once a year, but keep an eye out for warning signs. If there is any kind of grimy film growing on top of your powders, it’s time to toss them.

LipsLipstick can be a tricky one as some say they last a year and others argue it’s two years. You’ll know your tube has gone bad when it doesn’t go on as smoothly as it used to. Mold can grow on your lipsticks as well, so don’t keep them around too long. Pencil formulas last longer

since you usually sharpen the old bits

away. Know that your gloss has gone off when it turns into a sticky mess.

FoundationExperts say that liquid foundations can last anywhere from six to 12 months. This can depend on if the bottle has a lid on the top and can be exposed to germs in the air or your hands. A pump dispenser is always a better bet. However, even if you haven’t had the bottle for 12 months and the liquids start to separate and smell funky, throw it out. Do not assume a good shake will do the trick. A foundation that has gone bad can cause rashes and full blown breakouts and nobody wants that.

PowdersThis goes for blush, bronzers, eye shadows and everything else you put on your face that comes in powder form.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

15Ticket|

When modesty meets grace

| Sabiha Akond RupaTahoor is a fashion brand that showcases all kinds of Muslim apparel for the urban Bengali ladies. Tahoor’s unique pieces of abayas, cloaks, shrugs, scarves, inner caps, hand gloves, kurtas, kaftans, party wear and lehengas are dynamic in their own essence.

Photos: Homayra Adiba

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

16 | TRAVELOGUE

| Baizid Haque Joarder

If one ever feels like touching the clouds, irrespective of what weather it is, Nilachal is the place to be

A slice of paradise

Sitting at almost 1600-feet above sea-level, Nilachal must make your bucket list if you are planning to visit Bandarban. One can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the entire city and the mighty Sangu River that flows right beside it. The authorities have recently added a resort near the tourist spot that enables visitors to spend the night at the beautiful setting. The spectacular Nilachal Tourist Complex is located on a mountain, about six kilometres away from Bandarban city, in a place called Tigerpara. The spot Nilachal is about three kilometres away from the city on the road to Chittagong. An exit towards left will appear for you to take. Curvy and narrow roads for three kilometres uphill will get you to your destination. Along the road, you can expect to see a few locals and get a glimpse of their everyday lives.

There are several spots, namely Jhulonto Nila, Neeharika, Valentine Point and so on along the mountainside for tourists to enjoy. But the best view comes from the top of the mountain where tourists can experience something so beautiful that would make anyone in these mundane times, jealous. One can feel the clouds breezing and caressing you every now and then. Especially during and after the rainy season.

Photos: Zakir Hossain

NilachalNilachal

Nilachal

Nilachal

Bandar ban city

Nilachal

Nilgiri

Nilgiri

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

17TRAVELOGUE|

A slice of paradise

Tourists can go directly to Bandarban from the capital. Shyamoli, Saint-Martin Express and BRTC provide air-conditioned buses on that route. Fares range from Tk1,000 to Tk1,200.Non-AC buses are provided by Shyamoli, Saint-Martin, Saudia Paribahan, S Alam and Unique Service, ranging from Tk600-Tk700.

The other absolute must on your list of places to visit should be Nilgiri. About 52-kilometres away from the main city of Bandarban, Nilgiri sits about 2200-feet above sea-level. Curated by the army, the tourist spot has a few beautiful cottages. The Niligiri Tourist Centre offers the visitors a majestic view of the mountains and lets them fall in love with the clouds which move in and out, all in harmony.

Tourists can visit Nilgiri from Bandarban for a day-long trip using jeeps. Each of the round-trips will cost around Tk2,500 to Tk3,000.

Direct bus services to Bandarban include Shyamoli and Saint-Martin Express. Fares range around Tk800 to Tk900.

Saudia Paribahan and Unique Service provide buses for Bandarban as well. They fetch rides every morning and night from Kalabagan, Fokirapool and Kamlapur. Bus fares may range from Tk550 to Tk600.

Nilachal Nilachal

Nilachal

Sangu River

Nilgiri

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

18 | Tantalise

recipe

Kitchen nightmaresA few quick tips to ward off kitchen blunders

| N Anita Amreen

Kitchen cutsThere’s nothing worse than a kitchen cut when you’re displaying your skills on the chopping board. To avoid kitchen cuts, it is essential to follow a few basic knife handling tips.

Tip: Store your knives in a clean, dry place. Always be careful when taking your knife from the rack to the counter top and make sure your knife handles are dry so that they don’t slip. Once you begin cutting, work away from your body so that if by chance the knife slips it doesn’t cut you by accident.

Spoilt leftoversSometimes we end up packing our fridge with so many of yesterday’s leftovers that we forget just how long we’ve left it there. The deep freezer, in particular, can fall prey to this vice to the point where we can’t even distinguish what’s in the box and how long it’s been there.

Tip: Keep masking tape (available at any stationary store) handy when packing up leftovers. Label each container with the name and the date so you never have to deal with another bowl or rancid tasting daal.

Soggy munchiesNo one likes to dampen the dinner party spirit by under frying or over frying those samosas. Especially when cooking in large batches, fried munchies such as shingaras, chops and vegetable rolls can become soggy once they’ve cooled.

Tip: The key to perfectly fried food lies in the oil and its temperature. Heat the oil perfectly without burning it before dropping in your munchies. If you’re frying frozen items, it’s a good idea to allow them to defrost for a while, helping fry them evenly.

Dry cakeDespite our ardent efforts to whip up the perfectly moist chocolate cake, there are times when these cakes are anything but that. Dry, and falling into pieces, as hard as it is to believe, there is a way to salvage this crumbling dilemma.

Tip: Dip a towel in hot water and wring it out. Place it beneath your cake pan and your cake will easily slide off instead of falling into

crumbling parts. It’s best to always line your pan with parchment paper or butter to make sure its moist and doesn’t break down.

Burnt dinnerWhether you’re rushing through your cooking shift or struggling to cook through two main courses at once, at one point or another, we’ve burnt our dinner. In our quest for speeding through re-heating last night’s dinner we even end up burning the tupperware.

Whether you’re a cooking pro or just a newbie in the kitchen, there are times when we cannot help but fall victim to basic kitchen nightmares. From finding pesky, hidden roaches in our daal to having to fight off the depression that follows a burnt dish, this week we deal with all the ghosts lurking around your culinary sanctuary. Read on to find out how to deal with and ward off the daily blunders and restore your position as a culinary guru.

QUICK TIPS• Never lay your knives facing towards you. Leave the handle facing you.• Every night use insect repelling chalks around your kitchen floor to

catch those roaches in the act.• Drop cloves in your sugar bowl to keep ants at bay.• Remove any appliance if it is not in perfect condition. • Keep your kitchen mitts, cleaning cloths away from the stove and the

oven so that they are not prone to catching fire.• Always tie up your hair and try to wear appropriate clothes that do not

have loose sleeves. Also, if you must wear a dupatta in the kitchen, tie it around your waist but never leave it hanging.

• Always make sure your vents and heaters are not blocked or being constricted with furniture or curtains.

• Keep a fire extinguisher handy but never around the stove. If you don’t have one, you may use salt and baking soda to extinguish a fire.

• Before reaching into a blender, make sure you turn it off.• To prevent scalding, always use kitchen mittens and never lean into or

towards a dish when removing it from the pan.

Tip: Use a timer. This can be just any other clock with an alarm. Set the timer on it and place it next to the stove. If you’re the forgetful sort, you can even set a quick alarm on your phone.

Electric shocksOften we’re tempted to sneak out the piece of toast from the toaster or quickly warm a mug of water in the oven. Steer clear from making a few elementary mistakes by following a few quick tips.

Tip: Do a weekly check on all the wires at home to ensure that they aren’t frayed and have a grounded connection. If you ever see a plug point that makes noise or flickers, immediately change it. When plugging in coffee makers, blenders or mixers try to place them on a dry counter top that is further away from the basin to make sure there is no water that can induce shocks.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

19News |

Voices in your headRecognising mental wellbeing is a crucial element of overall health, World Health Organization (WHO) annually observes World Mental Health Day on October 10. Bangladesh is also taking part in raising awareness on this issue. A seminar was organised by BRAC University Counseling Unit in collaboration with Institute of Educational Development of BRAC University and Gender Justice and Diversity Program (GJ&D) of BRAC on October 16 at the university premises. The main objective of the seminar was raising awareness about mental health in community. In the seminar the focus was on this year’s theme, “Living with Schizophrenia” along with other mental health issues.

Professor Fuad Hasan Mallick, pro-vice chancellor of BRAC University welcomed the guests and introduced the topic. Mr Kamal Uddin Ahamed, associate professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka explained the general mental illness to the guests followed by sharing of experience by the members from BRAC University and BRAC. Renowned Psychologist and also consultant to BRAC University, Ms Farida Akhtar described the general concepts of schizophrenia and its symptoms. Dr Md Zillur Rahman Khan, assistant professor, Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explained the general guidelines of early intervention for schizophrenic patients and how family members can deal with them. Professor Riaz P Khan, dean, Student Affairs of BRAC University concluded the seminar greeting the guests. Dr Erum Marium, director, IED, BRAC University & Somajsongee, Sheepa Hafiza, director of GJ&D, BRAC psychosocial counsellors and faculty members of BRAC University Counseling Unit attended the session along with guests from different universities and NGOs.

e-commerce “likes” social mediaBangladesh’s e-commerce sector is rapidly expanding as seen with Kaymu. Social media platforms have played a vital role in establishing Kaymu’s brand. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram provide opportunities to connect to new user groups. Active members of these social media sites share their likes and interests, check-in to places, and communicate ideas online. This content has a vast reach hence social media is undeniably the most powerful tool to communicate with the customers and build a brand. It inevitably increases their networking potential and presents new ways to communicate with buyers and sellers. Nafeez Imtiaz, social media manager at Kaymu emphasises on its importance by adding, “It’s important for Kaymu to listen to people and effectively engage them online. Social networking helps us create a platform that is in tune with the needs of both sellers and buyers.’’ Kaymu provides consumers with an easy-to-use shopping platform, which allows them to shop for items from the comfort of their home.

Office wear at Cats EyeCats Eye always strives to bring out theme-based fusion wear for young people. For corporate officials, simple pattern variations are the focus when it comes to men’s and women’s collection. Smart and trendy looks have been inspired by formal and western wear. In addition, there are elegant outfits for outgoing women. For more information and latest fashion updates, visit www.catseye.com.bd.

dhaka regency’s banquet halls If you’re looking for a venue that can offer a bespoke, managed, service on a reasonable budget, you should consider taking a look at Dhaka Regency’s banquet halls. Dhaka Regency will ideally fulfil all your needs for any business or social event. Other service facilities include Regency’s experienced event planners, customised, budget-conscious menus, delicious cuisine, outdoor catering service, complimentary offers for special wedding arrangements and express booking. Please call 01713332623, or email at [email protected] for more information.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014

20 | news

KFc and pizza hutlaunch World hunger relief campaignWith the aim of raising awareness about and funds to address widespread hunger in Bangladesh, KFC and Pizza Hut have launched a month long World Hunger Relief campaign in support of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Funds raised from the campaign will help WFP provide a mid-morning snack of vitamin and mineral fortified biscuits to primary school children in poor areas to help ensure that they complete a basic education. Raising education levels is crucial to overcome poverty and hunger in the longer term. As part of the campaign, KFC and Pizza Hut in Bangladesh are introducing fundraising and awareness activities in all their 25 outlets. The month-long campaign in Bangladesh began on World Food Day, October 16, and runs until November 15. WFP representative in Bangladesh Christa Räder, managing director and CEO of Transcom Food Ltd. Akku Chowdhury and renowned celebrities Topu, Munmun, Sharmin Lucky and Tusty launched the campaign at Pizza Hut RM Center in Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka.

Turkish Food Festat radisson

Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka is collaborating with the Turkish Embassy of Dhaka to organise a nine day long Turkish Food Festival. Dhaka Tribune will be the media partner of the fest to be held from October 30 to November 8 at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Dhaka.

attention! This is a drillAs part of Westin Dhaka’s Care for Guests and Associates programme, an Emergency Fire Evacuation Drill was arranged at Westin on October 16. In the practice session new firefighting equipment of fire brigade was involved. As a part of the drill, fire alarms went off indicating a general fire in the Hotel and directing the guests and associates to evacuate. The associates assisted the guests to evacuate in an orderly manner. Bangladesh Fire Service fire trucks came streaming down the roads to assist in controlling the fire and evacuating any guests or associate to the hospital in their own ambulance. The fire was contained and controlled in an efficient manner within an hour. The guests and associates assembled spontaneously and all were mustered at the evacuation place. The drill was conducted satisfactorily.

AVEN U E T SATU RDAY, ocTobER 25, 2014