lifestyle
Delicious Winter Pithas in Bangladesh: Where Savory, and Innovation Meets Tradition
Bangalis are known for their love of pithas or traditional homemade cakes which are a specialty during the winter season. Winter is incomplete without the aroma of the pithas attracting everyone’s attention. With the varieties of pithas prepared during this time, from steamed to fried, from white to golden, from crispy to juicy, everyone can get their hands on something they really like. Apart from the winter season, these pithas can also be found on special occasions like weddings, Eid celebrations, Puja celebrations etc.
Traditional Mouth-watering Winter Pitha in Bangladesh
With the forthcoming winter approaching fast, let us look at 8 such delicious winter delicacies that have always made people crave for them.
Patishapta
Patishaptas are long and thin rectangular crepe rolls that ooze out delicious puree made out of shredded coconut or molasses that have been caramelized. The thin crepes can be made with refined rice flour and semolina. The warm, gooey and sweet stuffing of these pithas are the highlights as they immediately satisfy the heart and the appetite. The filling is often replaced by kheer or kheersha which is basically the wet pudding that Bangalis love to have as dessert.
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Patishapta is a versatile pitha as it can be cooked in different ways. Some people also like to have it as a savory dish by adding vegetables and meat as the puree inside the crepe. These pithas are suitable for breakfasts as they do not require much time to prepare and are also suited for occasions as they bring out the festivity in everyone.
Bhapa pitha
Bhapa pitha is a classic Bangladeshi winter pitha. Most households prepare this delicious goodness in their homes. But if someone is feeling too lazy to cook these, they can also get them on the roadside stalls and carts during winter.
GMAT Preparation: Free Online Resources for Study, Mock Tests, and Guidelines
The Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is a computer adaptive test designed for prospective business graduates. The test comprises several segmented assessments for graduate management programs like MBA.
The test is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council or GMAC. It was first introduced in 1953 with 9 of the leading business schools in the USA. Since then, the GMAT has been the standard for MBA entrance examination in over 114 countries and 2700 business schools across the globe.
Naturally, the assessment process of GMAT is rigorous. However, a planned preparation can easily help a test taker ace the assessment.
Read GRE Preparation: Free Online Resources for Study, Mock Tests, and Guidelines
Why is GMAT Important?
The obvious reason is the standardized nature of the test. GMAT has emerged as an entrance criterion to ivy league MBA programs across the USA, Canada, and different European countries.
The test comprises analytics, writing, verbal, comprehensive skills, and quantitative skills. GMAT aims to assess the analytical and problem-solving skills of a test taker by incorporating data, logic, and critical reasoning.
GMAT is not an absolute criterion to get into a business school for post-graduation. However, there is a strong correlation between the GPA in post-graduation programs and the GMAT scores. As a result, leading business schools tend to provide a strong weight to the GMAT scores while considering admission opportunities.
Read TOEFL Preparation: Best Free Online Resources, Guidelines, and Mock Test Opportunities
Best Resources for GMAT Preparation
The entire GMAT exam is 3 hours and 7 minutes long. The assessment test is divided into four sections; those are verbal, analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, and quantitative.
Analytical Writing Assessment
The analytical writing assessment is 30 minutes long writing test on analysis of an argument. A test taker needs to understand the presented argument and write a critique on it. To ensure proper assessment, the essay is judged by an independent assessor from GMAC and a computer-based marking system. The essay score ranges between 1 to 6 where 6 is the highest achievable denomination.
The key to acing AWA is all about practice and going through sample responses. GMAT Club has over 100 AWA solutions on different arguments. These will help a test taker to better understand the approach and response pattern. Platinum GMAT also has some sample essays. E-GMAT lists 50 plus arguments for self-practice. Manhattan Review also has a comprehensive list of sample prompts and practice opportunities. To practice AWA, head over to 800 Score. The website has a free real-time mock test opportunity for the test takers.
Read IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General
Integrated Reasoning Section
The integrated reasoning checks the ability of the test taker to interpret different data presented from a different source and find a correlation among them. The section consists of 12 questions in total. The 12 questions fall under each of – table analysis, graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, and multi-source reasoning.
Varsity Tutor has a free practice test module covering all the parts of the assessment. Here a test taker can assess their proficiency in a mock exam scenario. Veritas Prep outlines a number of sample questions with solutions for each of the parts. A test taker can easily take an idea and understand the question pattern. GMAT Practice Questions also has a good number of resources. The guided practice modules will give a detailed idea regarding correct interpretation and correlation. Prep Scholar has over 200 sample questions and answers to aid in the practice as well.
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Quantitative Section
The quantitative section is considered as one of the hardest sections in the GMAT test schedule. As a result, this particular section requires extra attention and care to get by. The main aim of this section is to assess whether the test taker can reason quantitatively, interpret different data as well as show proficiency in using the provided information correctly.
The quantitative section requires proficiency in certain algebra, arithmetic as well as knowledge of geometry. The scoring ranges between 0 to 60 and the test-taker have to complete the calculation by hand.
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Target Test Prep has several study materials for the quantitative section. There are also math questions with shortcuts and formulas to better prepare for the test. GMAT Club also has a comprehensive review of the quantitative section. The GMAT Advanced Quant has over 250 practice problems with complete test preparation guidelines. The book can be found on Amazon as a paperback as well as an e-book.
Varsity Tutor has a free math practice portal that can be used for mock math exams. The success in this section depends on the ability of the test taker to solve problems as quickly as possible. As a result, there is no alternative to practice. Wizako has several question banks for the GMAT quant. It can be a great resource for practicing.
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Verbal Section
The verbal section comes as the last assessment criteria for GMAT. The section is divided into 3 parts – critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction. Each section has 5 questions which are marked on a cumulative point between 0 to 60.
The verbal section is the assessment of a test taker's ability to analyze any given scenario and come to a definitive conclusion regarding the same.
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Magoosh blog has a definitive guideline on how to ace the verbal section. Since the verbal section is also heavily dependent on practice, Manhattan Review has a host of practice questions. Similar practice questions are available at Varsity Tutor as well. But perhaps the most comprehensive practice module is available at Test Guide. There are over 500 questions covering all three verbal topics. It also comes with sample answers. And all of these free online GMAT resources can be accessed free of cost. For some more resources and guidelines, check out Beat the GMAT website.
Final Thoughts
Universities don’t really outline how much weight GMAT carries. But considering the nature of the test and high relevancy with the academic modules, it is safe to assume that it is significant. The standardized nature makes it easy to use this one score to apply to any business school of choice. Moreover, GMAC allows the validity of the score for 5 years which gives the test taker ample time to make informed higher studies decisions.
Read IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is better for study abroad?
GRE Preparation: Free Online Resources for Study, Mock Tests, and Guidelines
GRE or Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test for different graduate schools based in the USA, Canada, and some other countries. It is one of the oldest standardized tests still in existence today, being founded back in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
GRE is important as it acts as a measure of an applicant’s preparedness for graduate school. It also acts as an indicator of the potential for success in grad school. Studies have directly linked GRE scores with the prospective GPA in grad school. As a result, it has become a key instrument in the enrollment of any local and foreign student.
What is GRE?
As mentioned above, GRE is a form of standardized test. Many universities require a GRE score in addition to graduate-level achievement and ECAs. Depending on Universities, GRE carries significant weight in the overall profile of the candidate.
Also Read: TOEFL Preparation: Best Free Online Resources, Guidelines, and Mock Test Opportunities
The assessment is divided into several sections. The overall marking depends on the individual performance in each part. There is a verbal section, a quantitative section, and an analytical writing section. GRE doesn’t necessarily guarantee admission into prospective post-graduate programs. But a good mark puts a candidate in the upper consideration bracket.
Best Online Resources for GRE Preparation
Since there are three distinct test modules. The resources are also outlined under each subhead.
Verbal Section
The verbal section comprises reading comprehension, use of vocabulary, and critical reasoning. The scoring typically ranges from 130 to 170 for this section. There are about 20 questions in each verbal section with a time limit of 30 minutes.
Read IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General
The verbal section depends on the practice of the test taker. It is not about problem-solving skills, rather understanding and expressing. The Princeton Review has several practice modules for the verbal section. It also comes with explanations for each of the modules. A test taker can easily identify the mistakes as well as learn new techniques from them.
Varsity Tutors also have a host of test material for the verbal section. The tests are completely free and the test taker can evaluate their performance in real-time.
The Manhattan Review has a comprehensive list of vocabulary exclusively prepared for the GRE test takers. Paid books like Word Smart 5th Edition ensure an overall complete preparation for the vocabs.
Also Read: Best Countries to Study and Work in 2021
ETS has a paid mock test for the verbal section under their PowerPrep program. Want an in-depth overview of the verbal section? Head over to Prep Scholar as their blogs take a deep dive into everything GRE.
Quantitative Section
Similar to the verbal section, the quantitative section comprises marking between 130 to 170. There are about 20 questions in each quantitative section. There is an allocated time of 35 minutes for each section. The quantitative section focuses mostly on high school-level mathematics as well as critical reasoning. Just like the listening section, the key to success in the quantitative part is practice. It is more about honing mathematical skills with practice rather than memorization.
10 Tips to Make Your Perfume Last Longer
French designer Coco Chanel says, “No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” Fragrance has authoritative power. It is one of the few keys that can open and invite one into memories, with a single note taking to a specific place, event, person or time. As a result, a perfume can define a person. It becomes their signature and leaves an indelible mark on people's memories. Most people spend a lot of money on perfumes, but it gets really annoying to spray it on if the scent evaporates quickly. While some perfume formulas do not last as long as others, there are ways to ensure that your scent lasts a little longer.
Fragrance Hacks to make your perfume or body spray last longer
Here are some tips to make the fragrance linger on for a bit longer.
Spraying on pulse points
Scent is activated by body heat. The pulse points of the wrists are hot due to the blood pumps near the surface of the skin, which is the ideal area to apply perfume. Other hot spots on your body include behind your ears, behind your throat, inside your elbows, and behind your knees. Applying to the pulse points can help release the scent throughout the day.
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Applying Vaseline
Vaseline ointment keeps the scent longer. Apply to wrists, neck, inside elbows, behind knees, ankles and calves. The sticky properties of this petroleum jelly can act as a glue for the molecules of the perfume. These molecules stay on longer than the ones without the Vaseline and so it helps to disseminate the fragrance longer than usual.
After showering
If a person has just jumped out of the bath or shower, they should take advantage of the fact that their skin is ready to absorb the smell. After a shower, clean pores open up with water vapor, so this is the best time to apply perfume. However, do not apply perfume while the skin is still damp as the perfume will not be able to latch on in this case and will diminish quite easily.
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Wanderlust Bucket List: Top 10 Places to Visit in Your Post-Covid Vacations
Almost all the countries in the world have gone through the lockdown process at different times for more than two years. Observing the pandemic situation, the continuous lockdown has gradually relaxed in some places and lifted again. Many have been out of breath for a long time staying at home while many people are going out to cut the restlessness and monotony. Some are also preparing for vacation. However, we should keep in mind that the Covid outbreak is not over yet. So extra caution and awareness can keep you healthy in this pandemic as some countries are not safe to visit yet. So, which countries are safe to visit after corona? Let's see the 10 best places to visit for post-pandemic vacation.
The most amazing places to visit in your post-COVID vacation
Cayman Islands
Cayman Island has low Covid-19 cases; about 1,650 people have been infected here in the last two years. Further, 80.73% (up to October 22) of the total population are vaccinated there. Hence, it is one of the safest places for post-Covid vacation.
The Cayman Islands encompasses 3 islands in the western Caribbean Sea, which is a British Overseas Territory. Every year more than 2 million tourists visit Cayman Island for its scenic beauty and numerous activities. Fully vaccinated people can easily visit Cayman Island as they have removed quarantines for fully vaccinated people.
Read Visa Free Country List for Bangladeshi Passport Holders in 2021
Bhutan
World's one of two negative carbon countries, Bhutan, can be the next destination after the pandemic. They are also one of the lowest Covid infected countries in the world. So far, 2,621 people have been infected there, and 64.44% (up to October 24) of the total population are fully vaccinated.
The best time to visit Bhutan is from September to December. However, all tourists (excluding Bangladeshi, Indian and Maldivian passport holders) will need a visa. However, if you want to go by road, you will need a transit visa for the countries you are touching.
Read Najmun Nahar Shohagi: Bangladeshi globe trotter aims to travel 200 countries
The British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are one of the top destinations for cruisers. Every year around 700k to 800k people visit the British Virgins Islands. Moreover, it has a small Covid-19 infection rate, and so far, only 2,725 are infected there, and 51.81% (up to October 22) people are vaccinated.
The British Virgin Islands are four main islands and are located in a volcanic archipelago in the Caribbean. It is known for being a great yachting destination as well as reef-lined beaches.
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New Zealand
We have seen that New Zealand was strict during the Covid surge period, and they kept the infection rate low. So far, 6,428 people have been infected in New Zealand, and 64.68% of the population is fully vaccinated. Therefore, you can consider it as a safe country to visit after Covid.
However, it still doesn't allow tourists from other countries, but they will open the border soon as the world is going through mass vaccination. December to March is the best time to visit New Zealand, and it is a destination for more than 3.8 million tourists.
Read How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know
Hong Kong
Before the pandemic, Hong Kong used to get more than 55.91 million tourists each year, which dropped to 3.57 million in 2020. However, the country tried its best to keep the infection number low, and so far, 12,346 people have been infected in Hong Kong.
Visa Free Country List for Bangladeshi Passport Holders in 2021
Passport certifies the identity and nationality of its bearer by the government for any international travel whereas the visa is a permit issued by a country to a foreigner to enter and stay in the country for a certain period. All rules and regulations depend on the country of the passport holder. Sometimes this rule is very strict, in some cases, it is very relaxed. This feature will focus on the list of countries where Bangladeshi passport holders can go without a visa.
Visa-free countries for Bangladeshi passport holders
According to data from the International Air Transport Authority, the Henley Passport Index publishes a ranking of countries around the world by verifying the visa process of 199 passports at 227 destinations every year. As per its 2021 edition, Bangladesh's ranking is 108, which is 10 points lower than last year.
In this ranking, Bangladeshi valid passport holders will be able to travel to 40 countries without a visa. Among them, 19 countries have on-arrival visas, meaning visas can be obtained by applying just before entering the destination country. Electronic visas will be available only when entering Sri Lanka. Moreover, Bangladeshi citizens don’t have to go through any visa-related activities in the case of the remaining 20 countries.
Also read: How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know
19 countries with on-arrival visas
Africa (13)
Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros Islands, and Guinea-Bissau
Asia (3)
Maldives, Nepal, and Timor-Leste
USA (1)
Bolivia
Oceania (2)
Samoa and Tuvalu
Read Najmun Nahar Shohagi: Bangladeshi globe trotter aims to travel 200 countries
20 countries without any visa activities
Africa (2)
Gambia and Lesotho
Asia (2)
Bhutan and Indonesia
Caribbean (11)
Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Oceania(5)
Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, and Niue.
READ: e-Passport to brighten Bangladesh image: PM Hasina
Overall free-Visa status of Bangladeshi passport
Considering the state of Bangladesh's passports over the past two decades, a retrospective view emerges. Bangladeshi passport holders on free visas had the highest number of travel opportunities in 2010 and 2014. In that period, a Bangladeshi passport holder could have traveled to a total of 42 countries in the world without a visa.
In 2006, Bangladesh's position was the highest; 68th. However, at that time the number of destinations calculated in the Henley Passport Index was much lower than it is now (227). Bangladeshi passport holders had visa-free permits in 28 countries.
From 2009 to 2021, the minimum number of visa-free countries for Bangladesh was 38 and the year was 2017. In other years, the number has risen from 39 to 41. The number of 2019 (40) has come back again this year.
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Final word
According to the data of the International Air Transport Authority, Bangladesh's passport is constantly stepping backward in terms of ranking. However, a few years showed some improvements. From 2012 to 2013, it went from 93rd to 85th place. Ranking from 99 to 95 for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017. The statistics from 2018 to 2020 are also the same which went from 100 to 98. But the record of 108th place in 2021 has faded from the slowly rising level in the last six years.
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.
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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.
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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.