Lifestyle
Lawachara National Park Travel Guide: Evergreen forest in northeastern Bangladesh
Lawachara National Park is a prominent national park in Bangladesh. The park is known for its extensive forest reserves with diverse flora and fauna in and around it. Being a national park, Lawachara is a must-visit place for anyone traveling around Sreemangal and Moulvibazar. Here’s everything you need to know about touring the famous natural reserve of Bangladesh.
Where is Lawachara National Park?
Lawachara National Park is situated in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district. The park used to be part of the greater West Bhanugach Reserved Forest area until its establishment as a national park. The reserved forest covers approximately 27.4 sqkm of land of which Lawachara covers around 12.5 sq km.
The northeastern region of Bangladesh is known for the large deciduous trees indigenous to the region (as a secondary forest). Likewise, Lawachara thrived as a semi-evergreen forest biome with a deciduous forest biome.
Read more: Best Rustic Resorts and Campsites near Dhaka
10 Delicious Quinoa Recipes for Weight Loss
Weight loss is a journey that often requires a balance between nutritious meals and regular exercise. If you are looking for a healthy and tasty food to shed extra pounds, try quinoa. It offers a blend of protein, fibre, and essential nutrients. Quinoa, originating from South America, has gained immense popularity due to its health benefits and versatility in the kitchen.
Key Health Benefits of Quinoa
Quinoa is a superfood. It offers a range of benefits that make it a desirable addition to any diet. Here are some of its key advantages:
- High in protein, aiding in muscle development and repair- Rich in fibre, promoting a feeling of fullness and aiding in digestion- Low glycemic index, making it suitable for diabetics- Packed with essential vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins.
This nutritous grain can be a game-changer in losing weight in a healthy way.
Read more: 7 Healthy, Delicious Egg Recipes for Breakfast
10 Tasty Quinoa Recipes for Losing Weight
Quinoa Bowls
Ingredients
1/2 cup quinoa (rinsed), 1/8 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup fruit (like blueberries), 1/4 cup walnuts (coarsely chopped), and 1 banana (sliced).
Instructions
First, add quinoa and water to a saucepan. Sprinkle some salt and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, covered. Once most of the water is absorbed, fluff it up with a fork.
Then, add milk and honey and give it a good stir. Divide the delicious mixture into two bowls. Finish off by garnishing with almond milk, fruits, banana slices, and nuts. Time to savour!
Read more: Top Traditional Bangladeshi Foods You Must Try
Quinoa with Vegetables
Ingredients
125 grams white quinoa, 1/2 medium zucchini (diced), 1/2 green bell pepper (diced), 1/2 green and yellow chilli (chopped), 2 apricots (optional, diced), 250 ml vegetable stock, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 spring onion stalk, 100 grams rajma (shelled), 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a few sage leaves, and a few rosemary leaves.
This is the hottest chilli pepper in the world according to Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records declared on Monday that Pepper X has won the title of world's “hottest chilli pepper”.According to testing conducted by Winthrop University in South Carolina, this new pepper averages 2.69 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), surpassing the previous record-holder, Carolina Reaper, which averages 1.64 million SHU, according to Guinness World Records, reports CNN.
Also read: Dhaka Clean-up Campaign hits Guinness World RecordAmerican scientist Wilbur Scoville created the SHU scale to gauge the spiciness of chilli peppers in 1912, it said.According to Guinness, the typical jalapeno pepper has a SHU rating between 3,000 and 8,000.
Also read: 64- year-old FF sets Guinness World Record swimming 186 kmsEd Currie, the owner of the Puckerbutt Pepper Company in South Carolina, cultivates Pepper X. The Carolina Reaper, which broke the record in 2013, was also a creation of his, the report said.“Ed cultivated Pepper X on his farm for over 10 years, cross-breeding it with some of his hottest peppers to increase its capsaicin content,” Guinness said on its website.
Also read: Thakurgaon youth jumps rope to enter Guinness BookCurrie unveiled Pepper X to the public for the first time on an episode of the popular YouTube series, “Hot Ones.”There is currently no information on how a pepper that has 1 million more Scoville units than the Reaper will be characterised.
Gallery Cosmos felicitates Ekushey Padak 2023 recipient Kanak Chanpa
Gallery Cosmos, a renowned platform supporting Bangladeshi art and artists, honoured the 2023 Ekushey Padak recipient and eminent artist Kanak Chanpa Chakma on Monday night.
The felicitation event was hosted by Gallery Cosmos at the Garden Gallery, Baridhara, in Dhaka.
Chaired by Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet, the event was joined by distinguished personalities including renowned Bangladeshi industrialist and patron of arts, Anjan Chowdhury; Ekushey Padak recipient artist-academician Jamal Uddin Ahmed; Cosmos Foundation Director Dilshad Rahman and others.
Read: Yunnan Arts University delegation visits Gallery Cosmos, Atelier71
Born in Rangamati’s remote hill area Tabal Chari, Kanak Chanpa received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 1986 from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University. She then attended Pennsylvania State University in the US from 1993 to 1994, where she was awarded a Mid-America Arts Alliance Fellowship.
Having completed her degree, she came back to Bangladesh, continued her artistic journey and became one of the most successful artists in the country’s contemporary art scene.
“Art is an expression of our emotions, thoughts, inspiration, and desires. These visions of art become even more majestic through the works of Kanak Chanpa Chakma, who is like a sister to me,” Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet said at the ceremony.
Read: ‘Introspect’: Suborna Morsheada's fourth solo exhibition at AFD begins
"Kanak Chanpa is considered one of the most distinguished artists in Bangladesh today, and her art has gained recognition around the world. Many of her paintings reflect the vibrant lives of the Chakma community," Tehmina Enayet said.
Sylhet’s Jaflong Travel Guide: Where Nature’s Beauty Blooms
Sylhet, Bangladesh is a region endowed with mesmerizing natural beauty. Lush green hills, expansive tea gardens, and meandering rivers create an irresistible canvas of diversity. This Jaflong travel guide is going to highlight the spellbinding charm of this traveler’s paradise.
Origin of the Name Jaflong
The name Jaflong is steeped in the history of the Khasi people. The term "Jaflong," with its connotation of a “haat (market) of pleasure”, finds its roots in the Khasi culture.
Geographical Location of Jaflong
Jaflong is nestled at the foothills of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills, approximately 62 km to the northeast of Sylhet. These majestic mountains serve as a natural border, separating Bangladesh from India along the Meghalaya border. The surrounding region falls within the Piyain River basin in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet district. It's through Jaflong that the Dawki River enters Bangladesh from the hills located in India.
Read more: Tinap Saitar Waterfall Travel Guide: Visit a pristine natural fountain in Bandarban
Best Time to Visit Jaflong
Jaflong's charm undergoes a captivating transformation with each season. However, it is during the rainy season that the destination is in its full glory. Those who desire to experience the beauty of this water kingdom must visit during the rainy season.
The period from June to October is the recommended period for the visit. During this time, the greenery of the mountains flourishes and becomes even more captivating, extending into November.
What to See on the Jaflong Trip
Standing knee-deep in the Piyain River and gazing upward at the verdant hills cloaked in clouds is a truly unparalleled experience. The suspension bridge is a relic from the British colonial era.
Additionally, the winding course of Dawki River, a Piyain River tributary, beckons tourists with its majestic allure.
Read more: 8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh
The Khasia village, located just beyond the Piyain River, features unique hillside dwellings that pique the interest of thousands of tourists.
Jaflong hosts a Baishakhi fair on the first day of the Bangla New Year. Even if the occasion is the same, the banks of the river with rapid currents, surrounded by mountains, look very different compared to the crowded atmosphere of Dhaka.
'Tomar Chokhe Bangladesh': Photo contest offers chance to win iPhone 14, motorbike
'Short by Short', a platform, has organised a district-focused photo sharing competition to win brand new motorbike and iPhone 14.
Selected photos from each district will be published on the social media platform of facebook.com/tomarchokhebangladesh, according to a press release.
Read: Yunnan Arts University delegation visits Gallery Cosmos, Atelier71
The page 'Tomar Chokhe Bangladesh' has been promoting the natural beauty of rural areas, including rivers, green fields, the simple lives of people, and even the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to identify districts. To showcase these images globally, the platform has organized a photo contest, with a chance to win a brand new motorbike, iPhone 14 and other attractive prizes.
To participate in the contest, interested individuals should fill up the form and attach three photos of nature and the development of the districts. The form is at: https://rb.gy/pw2sa. Anyone can participate in this competition and present Bangladesh as seen through their eyes. Sixty-four people selected from 64 districts will get one iPhone 14 each.
The process of selecting the winner is also quite novel. To select winners, 80 percent of the score will be based on audience likes, comment shares, and 20 percent from the judges. After the district-wise competition, 64 winners from 64 districts will participate in the divisional competition.
Later, 8 people from the divisional stage will compete to become the best in the country. The contest will continue till October 25.
Short by Short team leader Abu Raihan Jewel said the photos highlighting development of Bangladesh are rare on the internet. "The development that has taken place in Bangladesh in the last few years, however... those pictures are not always in front of our eyes. This competition has been organised so that you can easily find pictures from all over Bangladesh," he said.
Read: ‘Introspect’: Suborna Morsheada's fourth solo exhibition at AFD begins
Jewel said that any citizen of Bangladesh can participate in this competition by sending photos taken with a phone, camera, or any other device. He also said that photos uploaded previously on social media, or any other platform cannot be sent to this competition. The images submitted for the competition must also be copyright-free.
Manpura Island Travel Guide: Breathtaking Paradise in Southern Bangladesh
Manpura Before 2009, Manpura was just another island on the southern edge of the Meghna River in the Bay of Bengal. Thanks to Giasuddin Selim’s Magnum Opus “Manpura” movie, the island came into the limelight. Ever since the blockbuster, there has been a growing interest in Manpura as a new travel destination.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Manpura island, how to get there, what are the attractions, and many more.
Where is Manpura island?
Manpura island is situated in the northern Bay of Bengal. It borders the exit of the Meghna River into the bay. The island is formally known as Manpura upazila under the Bhola district. It is surrounded by the two of the biggest islands of Bangladesh – Bhola and Hatia.
Read more: Tinap Saitar Waterfall Travel Guide: Visit a pristine natural fountain in Bandarban
Delicious Oatmeal Recipes for Weight Loss
Though Oatmeal is a breakfast staple often associated with simplicity and routine, it does not have to be bland and uninspiring. Are you finding the taste of regular oatmeal a bit mundane? Wondering how you can make it more palatable and enticing?
Fear not! There are countless ways to jazz up your oatmeal and turn it into a delicious and nutritious breakfast that can make your weight loss journey more enjoyable.
Benefits of Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a whole-grain cereal food packed with nutrients. It has many health benefits, including:
- High in fibre aids in digestion promotes a feeling of fullness and helps to lose weight.- Lowers cholesterol levels and contributes to a healthy heart.- Regulates blood sugar levels, especially beneficial for diabetics.- Packed with essential vitamins and minerals.- Aids in weight management and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Read more: 10 Best Teas for Weight Loss
10 Best Oatmeal Recipes for Losing Weight
Oat Milk
Ingredients
½ cup whole rolled oats, 3 cups water, 2 teaspoons honey, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ⅛ teaspoon sea salt.
Instructions
First, in a blender, mix oats, water, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt for 30 seconds. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl for a smoother texture.
You may add honey for sweetening and enjoy it instantly. Or you can drink it after being chilled.
Read more: How to Lose Weight without a Strict Diet or Heavy Exercise
Oatmeal Bowl
Ingredients
5 tablespoons rolled oats, ⅓ - ½ cup hot water, 2 tablespoons walnuts (chopped), 1 cup blueberries, and 2 tablespoons honey.
Delhi Travel Guide: Must-see Places and Fun Activities in the Indian Capital
Standing on the bank of the Yamuna River, Delhi, India's capital territory, presents a captivating mix of history, culture, and modernity. Its strategic location, at the centre of the Indian subcontinent, has made it a bustling hub of diverse influences. And, this year, this city is one of the venues of the ICC World Cup. Delhi promises a wide range of experiences, from exploring ancient monuments to savouring delicious cuisine, along with sports excitement. Let’s take a look at this Delhi travel guide and explore the numerous facets of this fascinating metropolis.
Top 10 Famous Tourist Places to Visit in Delhi, India
Arun Jaitley Stadium
Formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, this cricket venue was established in 1883. Five matches of the Cricket World Cup 2023 are going to be held at this stadium located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in New Delhi. Among them, the match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is set for November 6, 2023.
India Gate
Also known as the All India War Memorial, it stands on the side of the Rajpath in New Delhi. The 138-foot-tall historic structure was designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. A Republic Day parade is held annually around this war memorial.
Read more: Shopping in Kolkata: What to Buy and Where to Buy from
This structure is dedicated mainly to the 84,000 Indian and British soldiers who perished during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Engravings on the monument surface display the names of 13,300 soldiers. Local food hawkers often gather here, offering various delicacies for picnicking groups. A charming children's park is also nearby.
Qutub Minar
Known as Victory Tower, this minaret is part of the Qutub Complex in Lal Kot, Delhi. Qutub Minar's construction began in 1199 under Qutub-ud-Din Aibak. Shamsuddin Iltutmish completed the upper sections between 1199 and 1503.
Qutub Minar brilliantly merges Islamic architecture with Southwest Asian design. In 1993, UNESCO bestowed upon it the prestigious title of a World Heritage Site.
Read more: Spain Travel Guide: Top 10 Must-Visit Places
Meal served on Biman flight goes viral
After a video showing a meal served aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight emerged on TikTok, there have been mixed reactions over the alleged poor quality of the food.