lifestyle
‘Fearless Call 3’: Bangabandhu’s historic speech at the UN echoes through engaging artwork
In 1974, the 29th UN General Assembly, witnessed a historic and powerful speech — on the need for non-violent and peaceful politics — that still bears remedy to the current state of chaos and conflict ravaging countries and taking a devastating toll on millions of lives. It was the brightest moment for Bangladesh on the global stage, within years of its independence.
Before an assembly attended by as many as 138 leaders, the impact of a newly formed nation was on full display, thanks to the call for the greater humanitarian cause by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Now five decades down the line, that message of global peace, humanity and freedom resonates in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 as Center for Research and Information (CRI) has rolled out an exciting and profound exhibition themed on the relevance of the speech.
As a tribute to the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary, CRI’s month-long exhibition drew a gathering of a diverse group.
Lawmaker Nahim Razzaq and several members of CRI team alongside family members of martyred intellectuals inaugurated the event.
Dhaka Flow's festival celebrating Women's Day provides a much-needed space for wellness
Chhayanaut organises 'Deshghorer Gaan' in memory of Waheedul Haque
Cultural institution Chhayanaut organised its special commemorative event 'Deshghorer Gaan' on Saturday, in memory of its founding member and the country's esteemed cultural personality Waheedul Haque.
The event commemorated the 91st anniversary of the legendary cultural icon, who mobilised public support against the anti-Tagore hate campaigns of the then-Ayub regime and founded Chhayanaut with like-minded people in 1961 on the occasion of the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Prominent folk singer Kanan Bala Sarkar inaugurated the event at the Chhayanaut auditorium on Saturday.
The event featured regional songs by esteemed local artists, including Gurupada Gupta (Khulna), Badal Rahman (Patuakhali), Jayita Arpa (Mymensingh), Bimalendu Dash (Habiganj) and the guest of the event Kanan Bala Sarkar.
In addition, Eidu Boyati and his team from Jamalpur delivered 'Kichhapala' performances at the event.
Chhayanaut Joint Secretary Jayanta Roy delivered the welcome speech at the event, while its General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa delivered the vote of thanks.
Homemade Instant Powdered Fruit Drink Recipes for Iftar
During the holy month of Ramadan, after a long day of fasting, the tradition of breaking fast, or Iftar, often involves enjoying refreshing beverages. Among these, instant powdered fruit drinks are a popular choice due to their refreshing flavours and instant preparation. However, commercially produced powdered drinks can contain artificial additives and excessive sugar, which may not align with dietary preferences or health goals. Thankfully, making homemade powdered fruit drinks provides a healthier alternative, offering control over ingredients and customisation of flavours.
Why Avoid Commercially Produced Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks?
Commercially produced powdered fruit drinks often contain artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, and high amounts of sugar. Consuming such additives regularly may lead to adverse health effects, including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Additionally, individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences may find it challenging to locate suitable options among commercially available powdered drink varieties. Homemade powdered fruit drinks allow for the exclusion of unwanted additives and customisation according to personal taste and nutritional requirements.
Read more: Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting
How to Make Instant Powdered Fruit Drinks at Home
Mango Powder
Ingredients
1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, 1 teaspoon mango emulsion, 1 teaspoon citric acid, and ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
First, in a mixer jar, pour sugar and add 2 tablespoons of glucose powder, mango emulsion, a quarter teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of citric acid. Grind the ingredients together until they achieve a fine powder consistency. Your homemade mango mix is now ready.
Transfer it into an airtight jar for storage. To serve, simply mix one tablespoon of the mango powder with 200 ml of water, add some ice cubes, stir well, and enjoy the refreshing taste.
Read more: Iftar Items, Recipes for Ramadan in Bangladesh
Orange Powder
Ingredients
1.5 cups sugar, 1 cup orange glucose, 1 teaspoon citric acid, a pinch of salt, 4-5 drops of orange fruit colour, and ½ teaspoon orange essence.
Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting
In pursuing a healthier lifestyle, the choice between Ramadan fasting and traditional dieting holds significance. Both practices impact health and eating habits, but which one emerges as the more beneficial option? Let's embark on a journey exploring the nuances of these two approaches and their impact on well-being.
Benefits of Month-long Fasting during Ramadan
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Holistic Detoxification
Ramadan fasting goes beyond the typical notion of dieting for weight loss. It involves a unique detoxification process where the body undergoes a thorough internal cleansing. The fasting period allows organs to rest and rejuvenate which promotes optimal functioning and contributes to overall health.
Mindful Eating and Discipline
Unlike conventional dieting, which solely focuses on restricting calories, Ramadan fasting instils a sense of discipline and mindfulness in eating habits. The structured nature of fasting encourages individuals to be more aware of what and how much they consume. Thus, Ramadan fosters a healthier relationship with food in the long run.
Read more: Healthy Sehri Meal Recipes for Ramadan Fasting
Spiritual and Emotional Well-being
Ramadan fasting is more than just a physical practice; it is deeply rooted in spirituality. The act of fasting is not only an exercise for the body but also for the mind and soul. This spiritual dimension contributes to emotional well-being and enhances a sense of inner peace, gratitude, and resilience.
Community Support and Bonding
One of the distinctive aspects of Ramadan fasting is its communal nature. Individuals come together to fast and create a supportive environment beyond personal discipline. This sense of community support and bonding provides emotional strength and motivation, elements often lacking in individualistic dieting journeys.
Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
Month-long fasting during the holy Ramadan encourages a holistic approach to health that extends beyond the month of fasting. The discipline and mindful eating habits cultivated during Ramadan can translate into sustainable lifestyle changes. This helps individuals maintain a balanced and health-conscious approach to nutrition throughout the year.
Read more: Ramadan Fasting with Diabetes: Best foods for Sehri and Iftar
Balanced Nutritional Intake
While dieting may sometimes lead to nutrient imbalances or deficiencies, Ramadan fasting emphasises a balanced nutritional intake. The pre-dawn and post-sunset meals, suhoor and iftar, are carefully planned to include a variety of food groups which ensures that the body receives essential nutrients.
Improved Digestion
The intermittent fasting pattern during Ramadan allows the digestive system to rest and function more efficiently. This can lead to improved digestion, absorption of nutrients, and a reduction in digestive issues, contributing to better health.
Controls Blood Sugar
During Ramadan fasting, insulin sensitivity can improve, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. When cells become unresponsive to insulin, insulin resistance can develop – a precursor to diabetes. Fasting prompts the body to use stored glucose for energy, reduces glucose levels, and enhances insulin sensitivity.
Read more: Healthy Iftar Meal Recipes for Breaking Ramadan Fasting
Promotes Weight Loss
Fasting aids weight loss by regulating portion sizes and cutting calorie intake. However, it is crucial to avoid overeating after fasting periods to maintain progress. Sustaining healthy eating habits and exercise during non-fasting hours is vital for lasting weight loss. Ramadan fasting offers a chance to reset eating patterns and foster healthier food relationships.
Good for Cardiac Health
Ramadan fasting positively affects heart health by decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and enhancing blood circulation. This minimises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Those with existing heart conditions should seek medical advice before fasting, ensuring it aligns with their health needs.
Improves Brain Function
Ramadan fasting boosts cognitive performance and brain function notably by elevating the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This protein fosters brain cell growth and survival, heightening memory, learning, and mental clarity.
Read more: Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours
Increases Growth Hormone Secretion
During Ramadan fasting, the body's growth hormone secretion is naturally enhanced. Research indicates that fasting increases human growth hormone (HGH) levels. This hormonal surge supports metabolism, aids weight loss, and promotes muscle growth, contributing to health benefits during the fasting period.
Could Extend Longevity
Examining periodic fasting's impact on the human gut, a study observed an increased diversity of beneficial gut bacteria, notably Christensenella species linked to longevity. Additionally, researchers identified heightened sirtuin levels, proteins crucial for metabolic regulation and longevity. Further research is essential to grasp fasting's longevity effects and identify optimal fasting protocols.
Reducing Cancer Risk
The American Cancer Society Journal suggests intermittent fasting could aid cancer treatment and prevention by reducing tumour growth and chemotherapy toxicity in certain cases. However, they stress the necessity for more robust clinical trials and advise cancer patients to undertake intermittent fasting within clinical settings. Further research is imperative to comprehensively understand fasting's impact on cancer.
Read more: 10 Healthy Iftar Drinks for Breaking Ramadan Fasting
Celebrating wellness and women’s empowerment: Dhaka Flow’s weekend festival draws over 10,000 participants
The pioneering wellness platform Dhaka Flow, in collaboration with Baridhara Society, hosted a transformative two-day festival of yoga and wellness at the scenic Baridhara Society Park last weekend. The festival – titled “Inspire Her Wellness” – designed to honour Women’s Day, offered attendees a holistic experience centred on movement, mindfulness, health, nature, and community, free of charge.
The event showcased a rich tapestry of activities, attracting over 10,000 wellness enthusiasts and experts alike, converging to explore and exchange knowledge on health, well-being, climate change, and the empowerment of women entrepreneurs, according to a media release.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor, Atiqul Islam, set a positive tone for the festival’s second day, emphasising the significance of utilising community parks for wellness initiatives. Chief Guest and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid later highlighted the crucial role of healthy living, urging the youth to adopt lifestyle tips from Dhaka Flow’s extensive offerings.
Shazia Omar, co-founder of Dhaka Flow and a celebrated yogini, shared her insights on holistic wellness, “Being holistically well offers us a different kind of freedom. It not only improves our quality of life and longevity, but also gives us the ability to stay grounded in the present moment, free from the prison of past regrets, future worries, illness, disease and negative thoughts.”
On Friday, the festival featured a Gratitude Tree Planting session with Shakti Foundation’s Labiba Rahman, and Baridhara Society President, Feroz Hassan. Another session was on Money Matters, powered by Brac Bank Tara, where moderator Shahirah Majumdar asked Zareen Karim, MD of Orion Group; Dilruba Chowdhury, Director of East Coast Group; Mehruba Reza, SVP of Brac Bank TARA; and Shamima Akhtar, Director at Unilever, about how to achieve financial freedom. Later Ghaashphoring Choir, led by Emmy-nominee Armeen Musa, saw hundreds of people in a circle, singing Rabindra Sangeet under a canopy of trees.
The art zone featured Gallery Cosmos, highlighting carefully curated 20 women artists and ‘Art Therapy through Printmaking’ by renowned artist Rokeya Sultana. The festival also featured a Sufi whirling class and a journaling session with Dhaka Flow’s ‘Flow Within’ journal featuring poetry by Jalaluddin Rumi. The meditation garden featured day-long mindfulness sessions as well as support group sessions on topics such as coping with chronic pain, cancer, depression, grief and addiction, thriving with children on the spectrum, and much more, in the hope that rather than suffering in isolation people can come together to be stronger as a community.
The festival contained a mela of 75 vendors, all of whom were women-owned businesses. The festival prioritised an environmentally-conscious approach, with no plastic waste, nourishing vegetarian foods, and free activities for all. It was sponsored by leading private sector organisations, to promote healthy living in the community: Brac Bank TARA, Suzuki Motorbikes, Turaag Active, BTi, and Ispahani Blender’s Choice Premium Tea.
Dhaka Flow is committed to a mission of wellness for all. For more information on holistic wellbeing and to register for classes or retreats with Dhaka Flow, please visit www.dhakaflow.com, and follow the social media @dhakaflowofficial.
Why Making and Keeping Friends is Harder as an Adult
Children can make new friends easily. But as an individual passes childhood and adolescence, the circle of friends becomes smaller. And, reaching a mature age, many people discover that it’s not easy anymore to find true friendships. Entering adulthood brings a myriad of responsibilities and often causes a shift in priorities. While friendships are cherished, making new connections becomes notably challenging. This article delves into the intricacies of forming friendships in adulthood while exploring the hurdles many grown-up people face in this endeavour.
Why is it Difficult to Develop News Friendship at a Mature Age?
Changing Dynamics in Adulthood
When a person enters professional life and eventually starts a family, responsibilities take centre stage. Then day by day issues like career, conjugal life, children, and other personal pursuits become focal points of that person’s life, leaving less time and energy for socialising. The shift in priorities can lead to a natural distancing from the spontaneous social interactions that characterise youth.
Established Social Circles
Entering established friend groups can be challenging. Long-lasting friendships often have a shared history which makes it harder for newcomers to find common ground. Breaking into these circles demands effort and a willingness to navigate existing dynamics.
Read more: How to Buy a Used Motorcycle: A Detailed Checklist
Fear of Rejection
The fear of rejection intensifies with age. Mature individuals may hesitate to initiate friendships and fear that others may not reciprocate. This fear is rooted in the vulnerability of opening oneself to potential rejection which makes the process more daunting.
Communication Styles
Differences in communication styles between individuals can pose obstacles. Due to professionalism and social norms, adults usually maintain distinct approaches to conservation and socialising with new people they meet.
However, an indecent approach or over-enthusiasm to create a connection with new people may lead to misunderstandings or discomfort. Navigating the decent and right way of communication requires patience and adaptability.
Read more: Bearing Legacy Mindset: How Do You Want to Be Remembered?
Limited Opportunities
Studies indicate that, on average, it requires approximately 50 hours to form a casual friendship, while developing close friendships demands an investment of around 200 hours. As responsibilities pile up, opportunities for socialising diminish.
Work demands, family commitments, and other obligations leave little room for older adults to make spontaneous social encounters. As a result, finding time to nurture new friendships becomes a rare occurrence.
Preconceived Notions
When a child makes a new friend, it starts with a pure mind without prejudice. But it rarely happens in the case of mature persons.
Read more: Micro-acts of Joy: Secret to Being Happier and Healthier?
Preconceived notions about individuals’ geographical, religious, political or social identity can hinder the formation of friendships among adults. Stereotypes and expectations based on age can create barriers and prevent people from seeing beyond assumptions and embracing the potential for meaningful connections.
Building Trust Takes Time
Trust is one of the most crucial elements of any friendship, and it tends to take longer to develop in mature relationships. Past experiences, caution, and a heightened awareness of personal boundaries contribute to the gradual nature of trust-building.
Brand Practitioners Bangladesh holds ‘Fashion and Lifestyle Marketing Fest’ in Dhaka
Brand Practitioners Bangladesh held a ‘Fashion and Lifestyle Marketing Fest’ at the Westin Dhaka on Saturday night.
The event brought together 34 illustrious speakers from diverse realms of the fashion industry, delivering profound insights across eight pivotal sessions.
A crowning moment of the event was the unveiling of the fourth edition of Brand Practitioners Bangladesh's magazine, ‘Business Brillianz’. This edition chronicles the illustrious journey and contributions of Syed Manzur Elahi, Chairman of the Board of Apex Footwear Limited, a titan in Bangladesh's business landscape.
Hadi Chowdhury, Head of Retail Operations of YELLOW, the event's title sponsor, exuded pride in their association, remarking, “We are honoured to be the title partner of this fest, addressing pivotal issues in contemporary fashion and lifestyle marketing and business promotion. YELLOW, synonymous with unparalleled quality, has been a stalwart in product manufacturing since its inception.”
Mirza Muhammad Ileush, Founder and CEO of Brand Practitioners Bangladesh, articulated the organization's unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability within the fashion and lifestyle industry. He extended heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders, envisioning a future brimming with impactful marketing fests aimed at showcasing Bangladesh's unique fashion identity on a global stage.
In the closing speech, Shohrab Hossain Guddu of Brand Practitioners Bangladesh extended warm appreciation to all participants, sponsors, and partners, underscoring the fest's collaborative spirit and shared dedication to industry advancement.
Brand Practitioners Bangladesh is a pioneering entity dedicated to nurturing excellence in marketing and brand management. Through a diverse array of initiatives, including seminars, workshops, and networking events, the organization empowers professionals to navigate the ever evolving landscape of marketing with finesse and creativity.
Poetry recitation programme 'Aparajitar Kabbo' held in Dhaka
'Aparajitar Kabbo' a poetry recitation programme was held at Madar Teresa Bhaban in Dhaka's Tejgaon marking International Women's Day on Saturday.
The programme was organised by Jalaknya and conducted by its owner Suporna Alice Gomes.
A flock of reciters, including famous writer Jharna Rahman and photojournalist Sabina Yasmin participated in the programme.
In the event, eleven men and women recited various poems. They are Mahi Farhana, Nishat Sarmin Jasmine, Swapna Bernadette Francis, Mahbuba Sultana, Falguni De Costa, Nilim Ahsan, Tasnuva Orin, Nusrat Nusin, Suporna Alice Gomes, Khokon Koraya and Javade Hussain.
Sabina Yasmin said, "There was no obstacle to my work as a photojournalist from my family. However, while going to work, I face so many obstacles. But, I always try to get everyone's cooperation by treating everyone politely and I am going ahead with my work."
“As a female photojournalist, I am going through my work facing new challenges,” she added.
Jharna Rahman said, “We all grow up with separate identities. First of all, I am a human being, then I am someone's daughter, someone's wife, someone's mother. We all have a unique identity and we grow up this and work for family and society.”
Asia’s first-ever Wellbeing Summit held in Dhaka
Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation organised the first-ever Dhaka Wellbeing Summit at the Bangla Academy premises in the capital.
The summit bagan on Friday will continue till Satuday, according to a press release.
The summit aimed to create a national well-being strategy, prioritizing the holistic well-being of people in Bangladesh, with the slogan 'From Generation to Generations' at its core.
This event, has been organised in collaboration with The Wellbeing Project, a France-based mental health and wellbeing organization, BRAC Institute for Educational Development at BRAC University, Heroes for All, Map Photo Agency, and Liberty.
The summit emerged as a force to elevate mental health awareness and underscored the significance of individuals’ inner well-being as a fundamental indicator of societal advancement in Bangladesh, it said.
The summit brought around 200 change makers together worldwide to promote inner well-being for all, spark meaningful conversations, inspire actionable insights, and catalyze positive change on both individual and societal levels across Bangladesh and beyond.
The opening ceremony featured Meerjady Sabrina Flora, ADG, DGHS as the chief guest and Professor Dr Avra Das Bhowmik, Director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as the Guest of Honour.
Flora lauded IWF for its proactive initiative and shared an inspiring quote from Rabindranath Tagore on the holistic well-being of individuals. “We both live and celebrate. We should celebrate life.”
Dr. Avro underscored the paramount importance of the Wellbeing Summit in Bangladesh, particularly in the global context of mental health awareness.
Later, Mirzadi Sabrina Flora, accompanied by IWF Founder and Executive Director Monira Rahman, led the opening ceremony, which received an enthusiastic response from all the guests present. Over two days, participants had the opportunity to express their well-wishes on a "kalpataru" tree regarding their own wellbeing, the release also said.
Moderated by journalist Shahnaz Munni, the opening session of the conference's final day showcasedstorytelling. Shawn Mahmud, daughter of the martyred intellectual Altaf Mahmud, shared strategies for addressing intergenerational trauma from her own life experiences.
Dr Mohammad Robed Amin, Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) line, who served as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, extended gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Health to IWF.
He remarked on the comprehensive exploration of well-being in social and personal spheres facilitated by the Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation through the Wellbeing Summit.
Amin highlighted the establishment of wellness centres at Chirir Bandar and Netrakona Sadar Hospital, where individuals are screened upon seeking mental health care and healthcare professionals are trained in mental health services. Over 1000 psychological counseling sessions have been conducted, predominantly with female clients, exceeding expectations. He expressed plans to expand the wellness centre concept nationwide and pledged support for the development and implementation of the well-being strategy paper derived from the summit's activities and discussions.
Monira Rahman, Executive Director of Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation and Country Lead of Mental Health First Aid Bangladesh Office, expressed, “Mental health is a fundamental right for everyone. To prevent mental illness before it occurs, it's important to stay informed, acquire mental health techniques, and apply them to our daily routines. We collaboratively reflected on the Wellbeing Action Strategy for Bangladesh and established a network to ensure its implementation across all levels. We will collectively advance the program of well-being from generation to generation.”
The summit culminated with cultural performance of Baul music by Tutun Shah Fakir, leaving the well-being seekers inspired and invigorated to continue the journey toward holistic well-being.
Gallery Cosmos offers ‘Art Therapy through Printmaking’ with Rokeya Sultana at Dhaka Flow’s wellness festival
Celebrating the power of creative expression in healing through art on the occasion of International Women's Day, Gallery Cosmos showcased a unique, interactive segment titled “Art Therapy through Printmaking” featuring eminent artist Prof Rokeya Sultana at Dhaka Flow's “Inspire Her Wellness” festival.
Held on March 8-9 at the Baridhara Society Lakeside Park in Dhaka, the printmaking session and workshop at the Creative Playground for the attendees stood out at the festival.
From 11:30 am till the prayer break on Friday, the segment captivated people from all walks of life, in front of the Gallery Cosmos pavilion at the festival.
The influx of crowd continued on Saturday from 11 am though afternoon, as many festival-goers returned on day two after being enamored with the magic of printmaking by the maestro on the inaugural day.
Dhaka Flow's festival celebrating Women's Day provides a much-needed space for wellness
"Printmaking is a unique and extensive artistic process, which we brought outside of our regular studio setting in this lovely spring atmosphere, organised by Gallery Cosmos — inside the beautiful setting of Dhaka Flow's ‘Inspire Her Wellness’ festival," artist and art educator Rokeya Sultana said.
For this segment, Gallery Cosmos not only brought Rokeya Sultana who is a pioneering artist and maestro of this genre, it also brought and temporarily installed its majestic printmaking machine, which became a centre of attraction to the participants.
Over the course of two days, more than a hundred prints were created at this inclusive segment. While children were the primary participants, festival-goers of all ages and families enthusiastically participated in the sessions and printed as they wished.
Mentioning the enthusiastic response of the attendees, Rokeya Sultana said, "Gallery Cosmos organised a truly engaging printmaking segment at this magnificent festival, where the enthusiastic response wholeheartedly amazed me. These participants are not artists, yet they beautifully channelled their creative expressions to the prints, making beautiful art pieces."
"The festival is arranged marking the International Women's Day, and we need to celebrate the occasion through meaningful events like this. Every day, the world and people make us realize that we are women, through various actions and attributions. We need unity in our society, and events like this festival can make us united, while segments like this can act as the much-needed creative therapy for our wellbeing," the artist said.