Dhaka, Aug 31 (UNB) – The second edition of a book containing the translations of Bangladesh’s national anthem in 50 languages was launched at the National History Museum in Minsk, Belarus, last week.

“My Golden Bengal – in the languages of the world” was published earlier this year by Yakub Kolas Printing House ahead of the International Mother Language Day, 2019.

Compared to the first edition, the number of translation languages has been expanded.

Bangladesh adopted the first 10 lines of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘My Golden Bengal’ poem as its national anthem after independence.

The lyrics of the poem, which became the national anthem of Bangladesh many years after it was written, inspired not only Belarusian poets, but also writers from other countries to translate this poem into their native languages.

The poem has been translated in languages from English to Tabasaran, from Polish to Swahili. The compilers of this unusual book were Alexandr Karlukevich, the Minister of Information, and a member of the Union of Writers of Belarus, and Bangladeshi citizen Muzahidul Islam. 

Famous poets, including Naum Halperovich and Mikola Metlitsky, made translations of Tagore’s poem into the Belarusian language.

“This publication is a kind of diplomatic cultural bridge between Belarus and Bangladesh,” said Alexander Karlukevich, according to a statement released Thursday. 

Karlukevich paid special attention to the illustrations of artist Zainul Abedin in the book.

“This is a great artist, a classic of Bengal painting. A series of graphic works of the 1940s ‘Hunger in Bengal’, which are used as illustrations, reflect the history of the country, which has passed a difficult path to its own statehood,” Karlukevich said.

The Minister emphasised the importance of not only diplomatic and trade relations, but also cultural ties between the countries.

Karlukevich said the bilateral trade volume between Belarus and Bangladesh is about $140 million. “Our countries are closely cooperating. In addition, an event like the release of the book of Rabindranath Tagore on Belarusian soil brings our peoples even closer,” he said.

Poet Naum Galperovich said the work was challenging and demanded concentration.

“Of course, it was very interesting but also difficult,” he said. “It was necessary to understand the psychology of people from different cultures who lived in another era, in another geographical area.”

He said he listened to the recordings many times, delved into the lines of Tagore. “Into their rhythm, it is difficult for me to assess my own contribution,” he said, adding that it is up to the readers to judge whether he managed to do a good job. 

“In any case, I am glad that today these poems sound in the Belarusian language,” he said.

Representatives of diplomatic missions of India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Poland, Italy, who read the poem “My Golden Bengal” in their native languages, attended the presentation.

“What is nice is that it is a full-fledged publication with excellent graphic design. We also exhibit original works of Bangladeshi artists, used as illustrations, at easels. All translators are iconic authors; the book presents several versions of the Belarusian translation,” Pavel Sapotko, the director of the National Historical Museum, said about the second edition of the book.

Last year, Belarusian publisher Dmitry Kolas presented a translation of poems by Tagore in Belarusian language. ‘Gitanzhali: Song Offerings’ was published in Minsk in November 2018.

The poems were translated by Republic of Belarus State Prize winner Alexander Ryazanov. The translations were conducted from English - London edition Gitanzhali (Song Offerings) in 1913.

New York, Aug 31 (AP/UNB) — Red, yellow, green. It's a system for conveying the healthfulness of foods, and at the center of a debate about how to approach weight loss for children.

This month, the company formerly known as Weight Watchers provoked a backlash when it introduced a food tracking app for children as young as 8. The app uses a well-known traffic-light system to classify foods, giving children a weekly limit of 42 "reds," which include steak, peanut butter and chips.

Obesity is a growing public health issue that nobody is sure how to fix, and around one in five children in the U.S. is considered obese, up from one in seven in 2000. Childhood obesity often leads to adult obesity, and to higher risk for conditions including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Getting kids to eat well and exercise is crucial, but figuring out how to do that effectively is extremely difficult — and sensitive. For some, the app was a reminder of bad childhood experiences around weight and shame, in public and at home.

"I don't think we appreciate the bias and stigma that families struggling with weight face," said Dr. Stephanie Walsh, medical director of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. That can make it even more stressful for parents worried about their children's health, she said.

There is no easy answer for achieving a healthy weight, regardless of age. But when it comes to addressing the topic with children, pediatricians and dietitians say there are best practices to consider.

TALKING IT OUT

Parents may feel a conversation is not necessary, particularly with younger children, and that they can alter behavior by making lifestyle changes. But experts say a talk can be constructive, especially if the changes are going to be noticeable.

The key is to approach the subject with kindness and caring, and avoid blaming any of the child's behaviors. Children should also understand that any changes would be intended to make them feel better, and not about how they look.

As uncomfortable as addressing the issue may seem, failure to do so may make a child feel worse if they're being teased at school or feeling bad about themselves.

"In some ways, just to get it out there may be sort of a relief," said Tommy Tomlinson, an author who recounted his lifelong struggle with weight in "The Elephant in the Room."

MAKING CHANGES

Any adjustments to meals and activities should involve the entire family, so children don't feel singled out. This is tied to the belief that the most powerful way to help a child change their behavior is by setting an example.

Framing changes in a positive light is also key, Walsh said, whether that's suggesting new recipes to try together or asking about activities they might be interested in.

"Keep things upbeat," she said.

Then there is the matter of giving guidance on foods. Parents might not like the idea of directing children to a dieting company's app, especially since it gives older children the option to "upgrade" to a coaching service that costs $69 a month.

The company that now calls itself WW says the app is based on Stanford Children's Health's Weight Control Program, but views vary on the traffic-light system.

Dr. Sarah Hampl, a pediatrician specializing in weight management at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, said it can be an easy way to understand a complicated topic. Experts say the system can help adults eat better as well.

But Kaitlin Reid, a registered dietitian at UCLA, said it's a way of classifying foods as good and bad, which should be avoided. Seeing any foods as bad might result in feeling guilty whenever eating them.

WHAT TO AVOID

When Tomlinson was 11 or 12, he was taken to a doctor who gave him diet pills. Few health professionals would do that today, and there's broad agreement on other mistakes to avoid.

Using the word "diet," for example, could imply there's something wrong with the child, and that the changes are short-term.

Trying to scare children by warning them about potential medical problems isn't helpful either. And if parents are making broader lifestyle changes, they shouldn't feel the need to intervene or scold every time a child reaches for a sweet.

"Guilt and blame are not good motivators for change," said Stephen Pont, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Dell Medical School. By the same token, experts say parents should avoid making negative comments about their own bodies.

Regardless of whether parents see noticeable changes right away, Pont said, there are long-term benefits of instilling healthier habits in children.

Dhaka, Aug 31 (UNB) – A six-day art exhibition titled ‘Symphony’ will begin at La Galerieof Alliance Française de Dhaka on Monday.

Art works by eminent artists from Bangladesh and India will be exhibited featuring folk themes and traditions of two countries, said a press release.

Prof Biman Bihari Das, chairmen, All India Art and Craft Society(AIFACS)  will attend the opening ceremony as the chief guest.

Prof Biman Bihari Das, who was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, will exhibit his bronze and marble sculptures as well as acrylic paintings.

The participating artists from India are Prof Biman Bihari Das, Joydeb Bala, Nishi Sharma, Simran Kawaljit Singh Lamba, and Subrata Ghosh while from Bangladesh are Nurun Nahar Papa, Elham Huq Khuku,   and Zebun Nahar Nayeem.

The exhibition will remain open to all until 7 the September.

Visiting hours are as follows: Monday to Thursday from 3 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon and  5 pm to 8 pm (closed on Sunday).

Chicago, Aug 30 (UNB/AP) — The largest study of its kind found new evidence that genes contribute to same-sex sexual behavior, but it echoes research that says there are no specific genes that make people gay.

The genome-wide research on DNA from nearly half a million U.S. and U.K. adults identified five genetic variants not previously linked with gay or lesbian sexuality. The variants were more common in people who reported ever having had a same-sex sexual partner. That includes people whose partners were exclusively of the same sex and those who mostly reported heterosexual behavior.

The researchers said thousands more genetic variants likely are involved and interact with factors that aren't inherited, but that none of them cause the behavior nor can predict whether someone will be gay.

The research "provides the clearest glimpse yet into the genetic underpinnings of same-sex sexual behavior," said co-author Benjamin Neale, a psychiatric geneticist at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"We also found that it's effectively impossible to predict an individual's sexual behavior from their genome. Genetics is less than half of this story for sexual behavior but it's still a very important contributing factor," Neale said.

The study was released Thursday by the journal Science. Results are based on genetic testing and survey responses.

Some of the genetic variants found were present in both men and women. Two in men were located near genes involved in male-pattern baldness and sense of smell, raising intriguing questions about how regulation of sex hormones and smell may influence same-sex behavior.

Importantly, most participants were asked about frequency of same-sex sexual behavior but not if they self-identified as gay or lesbian.  Fewer than 5% of U.K. participants and about 19% of U.S. participants reported ever having a same-sex sexual experience.

The researchers acknowledged that limitation and emphasized that the study's focus was on behavior, not sexual identity or orientation. They also note that the study only involved people of European ancestry and can't answer whether similar results would be found in other groups.

Origins of same-sex behavior are uncertain. Some of the strongest evidence of a genetic link comes from studies in identical twins. Many scientists believe that social, cultural, family and other biological factors are also involved, while some religious groups and skeptics consider it a choice or behavior that can be changed.

A Science commentary notes that the five identified variants had such a weak effect on behavior that using the results "for prediction, intervention or a supposed 'cure' is wholly and unreservedly impossible."

"Future work should investigate how genetic predispositions are altered by environmental factors," University of Oxford sociologist Melinda Mills said in the commentary.

Other experts not involved in the study had varied reactions.

Dr. Kenneth Kendler a specialist in psychiatric genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University, called it "a very important paper that advances the study of the genetics of human sexual preference substantially. The results are broadly consistent with those obtained from the earlier technologies of twin and family studies suggesting that sexual orientation runs in families and is moderately heritable."

Former National Institutes of Health geneticist Dean Hamer said the study confirms "that sexuality is complex and there are a lot of genes involved," but it isn't really about gay people.  "Having just a single same sex experience is completely different than actually being gay or lesbian," Hamer said. His research in the 1990s linked a marker on the X chromosome with male homosexuality. Some subsequent studies had similar results but the new one found no such link.

Doug Vanderlaan, a University of Toronto psychologist who studies sexual orientation, said the absence of information on sexual orientation is a drawback and makes it unclear what the identified genetic links might signify. They "might be links to other traits, like openness to experience," Vanderlaan said.

The study was a collaboration among scientists including psychologists, sociologists and statisticians from the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. They did entire human genome scanning, using blood samples from the U.K. Biobank and saliva samples from customers of the U.S.-based ancestry and biotech company 23andMe who had agreed to participate in research.

Dhaka, August 28 (UNB) – Drama troupe Chandrakala Theatre’s new production ‘Sheikh Saadi’ began its journey on stage in the capital on Thursday.

The inaugural show was staged it the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s National Theatre Hall in the evening.

The drama was arranged in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs Ministry and Iranian Culture Centre in Dhaka.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khaled was present at the inaugural ceremony while President of Chandrakotha theatre group Mamunur Rashid presided over the ceremony.

The play, based on the great Persian poet Sheikh Saadi’s grand life, is written by Apurba Kumar Kundu, while H R Anik directed and portrayed the role of the great poet.

Hamidur Rahman Pappu directed the music while Fazle Rabbi Sukarna designed the stage.

The production assistant for this play is the Iranian Cultural Centre in Dhaka.