Lifestyle
10 Tips for Home Shifting without Movers & Packers
Shifting homes can be a terrifying thought for most people. With the unavailability of reliable moving and packing services in Dhaka, many people opt for shifting by themselves without the help of any professionals. While this might be a challenging notion, it is not something impossible to do. With a few tricks and tips, shifting homes and offices can be done efficiently within a given time without anyone having to invest too much time and effort in it.
How to shift home without hiring any movers/packers?
Today, let’s run through 10 such valuable tips which can effectively change the way everyone looks at shifting homes and offices without the help of any movers and packers.
Planning
Advance planning is a crucial part of home shifting. People who shift without the help of movers and packers need to make a checklist of all the things that need to be done in order to move into a new home. Writing everything down can be a great way to start this process as it helps one to go through all the steps one by one in a non-chaotic way.
Fixing a budget
The most important thing in the planning process is determining a budget to spend on moving. Even if one is doing it by themselves, a certain expense is required for transportation, packing supplies, relocating expenses, etc. Hence, before starting the whole process of shifting, making a budget and sticking to it as much as possible can take any unnecessary stress away.
Read Best Home and Office Shifting Services in Dhaka
Fixing a date
Fixing the right date for shifting is another pivotal step of shifting. Choosing a day when one has enough time to move and settle in obviously needs to be a priority. If the moving day coincides with a working day then it might be too much of a hassle to do all of it without the help of ay movers and packers. Therefore, it is imperative to select a day that can be entirely dedicated to this purpose only.
Arranging transportation
Since a certain kind of transportation method is needed to move big furniture and storage boxes, it is wise to contact the right kind of service beforehand. It has to be ensured that the transport is available at the right time on the selected date to expedite the home shifting process.
Read How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know
TOEFL Preparation: Best Free Online Resources, Guidelines, and Mock Test Opportunities
TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized English test conducted by the English Testing Service. The private organization conducts the test which acts as a certification for English proficiency. The TOEFL scores are accepted in over 150 countries and 8000 universities and institutions.
Much like the IELTS, TOEFL has emerged as a universal medium of assessing mastery of English, typically for the graduate level of study. The test solely assesses English proficiency based on an academic setting.
TOEFL is easy to get by if an examinee has clear directives. In addition to paid resources and test materials, there are useful free resources on the internet. Let’s have a look at them both.
Read IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General
Best Resources and Test Material for TOEFL Preparation
The TOEFL test is divided into four distinct sections – reading, writing, listening and speaking. The divisions are similar to IELTS. The article will be divided into each of these categories to better summarize the resource materials. To know more about IELTS resources, check out a comprehensive resource guide here.
Reading
There are about 3 to 4 passages in the reading section. Each of the passages is 700 words long with about 10 questions. The questions are designed in such a way that tests the colloquial and phrasal understanding of the test taker. Some free reading tests are available on the ETS website to get familiarized with the pattern.
Read SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose?
The Exam English website also has several free reading tests for the prospective test-takers. ETS offers a few paid mock tests for the applicants. An applicant will get access to real past questions and mock tests designed by the real examiners of TOEFL. Visit TOEFL Practice Online to get a more detailed idea.
In addition to these, an applicant should make the habit of reading English dailies and magazines to get better at reading. TOEFL is mainly an academic English-based assessment. An applicant should check out the AWL Practice Sheets to develop their vocabs. There’s a separate section for vocabs later in the article.
Read Best YouTube Channels to Learn English
Writing
The TOEFL writing test is designed to test the academic English writing capability. The test itself is divided into 2 sections. One is integrated and the other is independent. In the integrated section, the test taker reads an academic passage and listens to a discussion on the subject matter. Then they are required to write a summary of the passage. The independent section checks the free-flowing writing skills on any topic.
Since these writings are academic, a test taker should focus on structured preparation. TOEFL Resources has an amazing selection of writing samples and guidelines on how to summarize a topic. TST Prep also has several sample topics and essays tailored just for TOEFL. The ETS website and Goodluck TOEFL also have detailed guidelines and topics regarding the writing module. ETS also outlines tips to improve writing skills in the exam.
Read Best Banks for Student Credit Card in Bangladesh
The TOEFL iBT writing test may focus on the academic side, but it still checks for the sentence structures and overall writing fluency. As a result, Virtual Writing Tutor can be a great place to get your writing constantly checked for errors.
How virtual galleries kept Indian art alive amid Covid
What Jagdip Jagpal, the director of the coveted India Art Fair, said about Indian art in December 2018 sounded like the worst irony to the country’s art business a year and a half later. “Indian contemporary art is close to a tipping point, thanks to biennales, residencies, funded initiatives, philanthropy, and a growing awareness of Indian Moderns.”
This high note of optimism simply evaporated in thin air, the buoyancy gave way to despondency as the Covid-19 pandemic lashed the country and the government announced a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. The Indian art market, estimated at US dollars 14.6 million in 2017, showed signs of shrinking by close to seven percent within weeks.
Desolation and mayhem were palpable in the industry. Almost all auction houses in the country, which accounted for 37% of the art sales the previous year, downed their shutters.
Also read: US returns antiquities to India in stolen art investigation
The global art market, worth US dollars 64.1 billion in 2019, tanked over 5% within months after the pandemic spread across the world. China, the world’s third-largest art and antique market, suffered a slide of 10% and art sales in India caved in by over 30% between March and June 2020.
An Art Basel and UBS report, prepared by Clare McAndrew, the founder of Arts Economics, quantified the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on art sales. In the first half of 2020, the gallery sale plummeted by 36% while the sale of auction houses dipped by 49% during the same period. Bloodshed in the art industry was everywhere in India and beyond.
US returns antiquities to India in stolen art investigation
U.S. authorities returned about 250 antiquities to India on Thursday in a long-running investigation of a stolen art scheme.
The items, worth an estimated $15 million, were handed over during a ceremony at the Indian Consulate in New York City. The centerpiece is a bronze Shiva Nataraja valued at $4 million, authorities said.
The ceremony stems from a sprawling probe by the Manhattan district attorney’s office and the Homeland Security Investigations arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The investigation has focused on tens of thousands of antiquities allegedly smuggled into the United States by dealer Subhash Kapoor, who has denied the allegations.
Also read: Stolen Mao calligraphy worth millions found cut in half
The case "serves as a potent reminder that individuals who maraud sacred temples in pursuit of individual profit are committing crimes not only against a country’s heritage but also its present and future,” District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said in a statement.
Authorities say Kapoor — jailed in India and facing charges there pending a U.S. extradition request — used his Arts of the Past gallery in New York to traffic looted treasures from India and various countries in Southeast Asia. The investigation has resulted in the recovery of 2,500 artifacts valued at $143 million and convictions of six Kapoor co-conspirators, Vance said.
The Shiva Nataraja bronze was sold by the mother of Nancy Wiener, a gallery operator who pleaded guilty in the case this month to charges of conspiracy and possession of stolen property, authorities said. Nancy Wiener sold looted items to major museums in Australia and Singapore, they said.
Also read: Van Gogh painting stolen from Dutch museum closed by virus
In June, the district attorney’s office returned more than two dozen artifacts worth $3.8 million to Cambodia as part of the investigation. Another 33 objects were sent back to Afghanistan in April.
Court papers filed in New York says Kapoor went to extraordinary lengths to acquire the artifacts, many of them statues of Hindu deities, and then falsified their provenance with forged documents. They say Kapoor traveled the world seeking out antiquities that had been looted from temples, homes and archaeological sites. Some of the artifacts were recovered from Kapoor’s storage units in New York.
Kapoor had the items cleansed and repaired to remove any damage from illegal excavation, and then illegally exported them to the United States from their countries of origin, according to U.S. prosecutors.
IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General
IELTS has emerged as a global standard for English proficiency tests. A good number of higher study destinations abroad requires a minimum IELTS score for acceptance. It is also a requirement for professional employment seekers. The standardized test helps aspiring candidates prove their proficiency in English. The test comprises 4 distinct assessments – reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Considering the assessment depth, the preparation should be taken accordingly. But everyone can't enroll in expensive mentorship programs for IELTS. So here are some of the best free resource materials out there for impeccable IELTS preparation.
Best Online Free Resources for Complete IELTS Preparation
For ease of navigation, the contents of this article are divided into the test criteria for the exam.
Writing
The best writing test modules can be found at the British Council. The British Council is the joint owner of IELTS alongside IDP, IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. As a result, the British Council provides comprehensive directives regarding the exam.
Read Best Countries to Study and Work in 2021
The writing assessment can be found here for the academic track. Click here for guidelines of general IELTS preparation.
EAP Foundation is another great place to get an all-around grasp of the writing assessment. The blog takes a deep dive into the various intricate aspects of academic as well as general writing. An examinee can get a detailed idea about what to include and what to avoid in their writing.
Skills You Need focuses mainly on writing in general. An examinee can match with the IELTS module and practice from the diverse writing resource module available on the website.
Read Best Banks for Student Credit Card in Bangladesh
Want to test the writing ability in Cambridge standard? Write & Improve offers a test module to get an essay marked in the Cambridge marking guideline. This is a paid service. However, the first essay can be tested for free.
Virtual Writing Tutor is another great website to get the writing constantly checked. This is a completely free website that grades the writing on general readability scores.
Read How to Improve Handwriting: Tips for Adult Learners
Vocabulary
Whether it’s writing, reading, speaking or even listening, having a strong grasp of vocabulary is important. This is often a determining factor in the reading and writing section of the IELTS test.
The Academic Word List is a comprehensive vocab list of all words related to academics. An examinee can use Road to Grammar to practice vocab skills. Some people prefer printable practice sheets for vocabs. For them, the AWL Practice Sheets can be a great option. The Academic Phrase Bank from Manchester University is another useful resource to learn the British colloquial terms.
Read SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose?
Reading
The Reading aspect of IELTS is a comprehensive test that analyzes the ability of an examinee to read and understand general and academic English. The resource material for the reading can be English dailies and blogs. In addition to that, there is the British Council Magazine which offers free reading material for prospective IELTS candidates.
Lactose Intolerance: 10 Food Substitutes for Common Dairy Products
Many people suffer from bloating, gas, cramps, nausea and diarrhea as soon as they have dairy products. Their digestive systems cannot break down the natural sugar in milk, which is called lactose, properly. Hence, a strict lactose intolerance friendly diet becomes mandatory for them. But it is not always easy to find the alternatives because most of the food that is consumed by everyone has some sort of a dairy product in it. Today, let’s look at some substitutes for milk- based products in order to combat the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Non-dairy Alternatives of Milk
Almond milk
Almond milk is a favorite alternative for most lactose intolerant people as it tastes good and is also packed with vitamin D. Compared to other non-dairy alternatives, almond milk is a comfortable transition for people from normal milk as it does not have a strong flavor.
It is easily available in the supermarkets and is quite cheap to buy. One can also make almond milk at home as it is quite easy to make too. The optimal amount an adult should take daily is about 1 cup which contains 1 gram of protein, 2.5 grams of fat and about 39 calories.
Read 10 Ways to Tell If Your Food is Spoiled
Soy milk
Another popular option for alternating milk is with soy milk. Soy milk is filled with essential nutrients like calcium and potassium. It contains about 80 calories, 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat.
Soy milk is also beneficial for people who are looking to stay fit by losing weight and cutting down on calories. However, because of the strange flavor it has, transitioning completely to soy milk from dairy milk might take some time.
Read 10 Delicious Bangladeshi Dishes With No Onion and No Garlic
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is the go to option for people who like to drink sweetened milk. Because of its naturally sweet flavor, it requires no artificially added sugar. This is also a really efficient transition for people who want to lose some weight as it has half the fat of cow’s milk.
A cup of coconut milk contains about 5 grams of fat, less than a gram of protein and around 74 calories. It is known to reduce the cholesterol levels in people as well. Many people like drinking their coffee with this milk as it naturally has a very creamy consistency.
Read Togur: The Molasses Made from Watermelon Juice in Bangladesh
Rice Milk
Rice milk is made from fortified brown rice and so is a good alternative to normal milk. It can be easily made at home and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Its texture is watery and is naturally sweet in taste.
A cup of rice milk contains about 120 calories, 1 gram of protein and 2.5 grams of fat.
Non-dairy Sustitutes of Ice cream
Coconut Ice cream
If ice cream is part of someone’s diet that they cannot just live without, then transferring to coconut ice cream might be a good idea as there is no risk of lactose intolerance. To make coconut ice cream, coconut milk is used as the substitute for milk. It adds the flavor and is also a plant- based milk devoid of the symptoms caused by dairy.
Read Trans Fats: Facts You Need to Know
Best Countries to Study and Work in 2021
Every year, a large number of students emigrate from Bangladesh in search of better educational opportunities. The quality of education combined with the standard of living attracts these students from developing countries like Bangladesh. Every year, immigration policies change as countries offer more and more inclusive opportunities for aspiring students. Even with the pandemic, now is a better time than ever to scout for a foreign degree and work opportunities abroad. So, which countries are the best for studies and work? And what are the settling opportunities there? Let's find out.
Best Countries to Study and Work in 2021
The list is created in no particular order. Aspiring students can choose any of these based on their preference as well as means of support.
Singapore
Singapore is one of the fastest-growing economies not only in Asia but in the entire world. The country has emerged as an economic hub in recent years which has contributed to its growth. In addition to excellent work opportunities, Singapore offers some of the best study destinations in Asia.
Read Best Banks for Student Credit Card in Bangladesh
There are a total of 34 universities in Singapore. Six of them are national whereas the rest are private. 2 of these universities regularly rank in the QS ranking. The National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University as well as Singapore Management University are some of them.
The annual tuition fee for undergraduates ranges from 18000 to 50000 SGD. The living cost also varies between 10000 to 15000 SGD per year. Approximately, 1 SGD (Singapore Dollar) equivalent to 63.55 BDT (Bangladeshi Taka). However, the living cost can be easily covered with part-time jobs. The graduate placement is also very high in Singapore which easily makes it an ideal destination for work and study.
Read SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose?
Italy
Standing at the helm of once-famous roman civilization, Italy is one of the top destinations in Europe for higher studies. The country boasts an impressive list of 34 universities in the global ranks. The tuition fee generally ranges between 850 to 1000 euros. EU students have a slight advantage in this regard as their fees are comparatively lower than that of non-EU students.
In addition to part-time work opportunities, there are regional scholarships for international students. A student can comfortably pay their tuition and living expenses through jobs and scholarships. Graduate students get a separate visa for job hunting in the country. As a result, settling in the country is easier than imaginable.
Read Can E-Learning Substitute Classroom Learning?
Netherland
Nestled among the Nordic countries of Europe, Netherland offers world-class education and job opportunities in the picturesque country. The country has emerged as an education hub for management, engineering, business, and technology programs.
University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, and the Delft University of Technology are just some on the list. The annual tuition fee varies between 6000 to 12000 euros for the bachelor's program and 7000 to 20000 for the master's program. 1 EURO is equivalent to 99.38 BDT. The Netherlands is a notoriously expensive country to live in. However, counting the job opportunities and scholarships, a student can easily get by without a hitch.
Read Best YouTube Channels to Learn English
Germany
Germany has been on the news for its effort to rehabilitate the influx of migrants from war-torn countries. In addition to that, Germany provides top-notch educational streams for international students. What's more amazing is that it is completely free. Expect to shell out around 850 euros per month on living costs but that is about it. There are no other additional charges involved.
Breast Cancer Prevention: How to Cut Your Risk?
Breast cancer is a common fear for most women. Almost everyone knows someone who is suffering or has suffered from its consequences. While breast cancer sounds worrisome, modern medical science offers excellent ways to treat it. Along with advanced effective treatments, there are also a couple of actions that can be taken in order to prevent breast cancer. Most of these tips are associated with lifestyle changes. Apart from risk factors like family history and age, most of these lifestyle habits can be formed to prevent breast cancer.
10 Breast Cancer Prevention Tips
Here are 10 tips for women to prevent the risks of breast cancer.
Maintaining healthy weight
Maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI) that falls within the normal range is extremely important when it comes to breast cancer prevention. Especially older women who have hit menopause are at a risk of getting breast cancer. Therefore, it becomes imperative for women to maintain a healthy weight so that they can reduce its risk. Regular weight measurements to ensure that the weight falls within the normal BMI for an adult of 18.5- 24.9 is a necessity to avoid being obese as it will only increase its risk.
Read Korean Skincare Routine: 10 Skincare Hacks
Taking part in regular physical exercise
Research suggests that taking part in regular physical exercise can reduce the chances of breast cancer by 10 percent. Starting to work out at even a later stage of life can be helpful in this regard. A daily walk of 30 minutes or engaging in yoga or doing any kind of physical activity on a regular basis that makes the body sweat can aid in the prevention of breast cancer to a certain extent.
Eating healthy
Eating a healthy and balanced diet can lessen the risk of getting breast cancer. This balanced diet should be ideally recommended by a registered nutritionist according to the individual needs of a person.
Korean Skincare Routine: 10 Skincare Hacks
Korean Skincare has revolutionized skincare like none other. It cannot be traced back to a certain person or a company, rather it gradually started to take over the world of beauty with its effective ways of taking care of the skin. Korean skincare refers to a skincare routine that is based on prevention than cure. It is formulated as such that the well-curated skincare hacks leave one with glowing glass skin and take care of skin problems before they even appear.
10 Steps of Korean Skincare
Let’s take a look at the 10 step skincare routine which can also be used as hacks for beautiful skin.
Steam massage
A steam massage helps to circulate blood within the skin. The heat from the steam opens up pores and allows the skin to breathe. Using their own hands, one can massage the skin in repetitive circular motions starting from the forehead to the cheeks and jaw. A jade roller can also be used to enhance blood circulation and soothe the skin. Massaging the skin can tighten the skin, decrease any sort of inflammation and also provide a natural dewy finish to it.
Read:10 Post- Pregnancy Skincare Tips: Get Your Glow Back
Cleansing (Oil-based)
After a long day outside, one needs to get rid of all impurities that have been collecting on the skin, especially when one has got makeup on. Since makeup, sunscreen and the skin’s natural sebum are oil-based, it requires an oil-based cleanser to remove all the dirt from the face. Besides, using an oil-based cleanser along with a steam massage can actively hydrate the skin. These cleansers also help to protect the skin’s moisture without stripping it away.
Cleansing (Water-based)
Using the second round of cleansers is a good idea as it removes any residual impurities from the skin. Water-based cleansers foaming face washes are used to remove excessive oil from the skin. This step will also ensure that the face is not polluted by any sort of filth or sweat.
Read Fairness Creams: Dangerous Side effects of Skin Whitening Beauty Products
Bangladeshi artist Rokeya Sultana’s solo exhibition in India gets postponed
An exhibition of paintings by Bangladeshi artist Rokeya Sultana marking the 50th anniversary of the India-Bangladesh relationship at the Lalit Kala Academy in New Delhi from October 23 has been postponed.
Necessary arrangements were also made for the inauguration of the exhibition on Saturday, but the Indian government has ordered the postponement of the exhibition without showcasing any particular reason, according to Indian newspaper Anandabazar.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Congress party in Loksabha, and Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee, Parliament of India, slammed the decision via a tweet from his verified Twitter account on Friday.
Read: Rokeya's art exhibition opens at Indian Cultural Centre
“Bangladesi artist Rokeya Sultana's solo has been postponed without assigning any appropriate reasons. However the exhibition in India was organized by Indian Council of Cultural Relations in collaboration with Bengal Foundation,” he wrote.