Lifestyle
Tazing Dong Trekking: In-Depth Travel Guide and Cost Details
Trekking hills and standing on hilltops are the most cherished expeditions for thrill-seeking outdoor enthusiasts. Many trekkers plan their itineraries during the cold, dry months. One of the premier destinations for mountaineers and hill trekkers of the country is reaching the top of Tazing Dong or Bijoy. In this travel guide, we will delve into the details of trekking Bangladesh's highest peak, known for its challenging descents. Before heading towards the hard-to-reach remote peak, let's get an in-depth understanding of what the entire trip will be like.
Location and Significance of Tazing Dong
Tazing Dong is part of the Saichol Mountain ranges. It is located at Remakri Pangsha union of the Ruma Upazila under the Bandarban District, nestled in the southeastern hilly region of Bangladesh. To reach this destination, one must travel approximately 25 km from the downtown of the upazila.
Despite the official height being recorded at 789 metres (2589 feet), Tazing Dong is acknowledged as the highest peak in Bangladesh. This natural wonder has surpassed the previous record-holder, Keokradong, marking a significant change in the hierarchy of the country's top peaks.
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It's noteworthy to mention that, based on private research, there is an alternative contender for the title of the highest peak in Bangladesh. Saka Haphong Mountain, though yet to receive official recognition, challenges the established order.
Origin of the Name Tazing Dong
The etymology of the name Tazing Dong traces back to the language of the communities inhabiting the Remakri region adjacent to the mountain. In their linguistic context, the term “Tajing” signifies something of considerable size, while “Dong” translates to hill. Combining these two words, “Tazing Dong” takes on the meaning of a substantial mountain.
Additionally, the mountain is officially recognized as “Bijoy”.
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Best Time to Visit Tazing Dong
Navigating the terrain of Tazing Dong involves strategic timing to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. During the rainy season, like many other mountain passes, Tazing Dong transforms into a challenging landscape. The accessibility is limited, and the conditions can be perilous.
Contrastingly, the optimal time to embark on a journey to Tazing Dong is during the dry seasons when the mountain is reachable by Chander Gari. Attempting to conquer this rugged path during summer is not advisable, given the difficulties and health risks like thirst, sweat, dehydration, heat stroke, etc posed by the scorching heat of the sun. However, it would be wise to avoid the journey during the rainy season, as the route becomes nearly inaccessible.
The ideal time for an expedition to Tazing Dong is at the onset of winter, providing clear trails free from the obscuring blanket of fog. Moreover, the trekking journey becomes even more thrilling, enchanting, and spell-binding during a full moon night.
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Travelling to Tazing Dong from Dhaka
For Dhaka residents, the most convenient way to reach Bandarban, the gateway to Tazing Dong, is by bus. The travellers can opt for the direct bus route that provides seamless access to Bandarban Sadar. Buses heading for Bandarban are available from multiple bus stands such as Gabtali, Kalyanpur, Kalabagan, Mohakhali, Fakirapool, or Jatrabari.
Depending on the bus companies and the type of service (AC or non-AC), the fare typically ranges from BDT 850 to BDT 1,800 per person.
Those who prefer trains, have to catch a train from Dhaka to Chattogram and then take a local bus to Bandarban. Trains to Chattogram depart from Kamalapur or Biman Bandar Railway Station at various times throughout the day, with fares ranging from BDT 285 to BDT 788 per head depending on the classes.
For those seeking a quicker journey, flying would be the best option. Board a flight from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, landing in Chattogram within an hour. Flight tickets to Chattogram range from BDT 3,500 to BDT 11,175 per person, with potential cost savings if booked at least one month in advance.
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Upon reaching Chattogram, secure a Bandarban bus for BDT 200 to BDT 300 from the BRTC terminal or Dampara bus stand.
Thanchi upazila, located approximately 79 km from Bandarban district city, serves as the starting point for the journey to Tazing Dong. The trekkers can reach Thanchi from Bandarban by bus, SUV, or Chander Gari. Local buses departing from Thanchi Bus Stand in Bandarban are available every hour, reaching Thanchi in 4 to 5 hours at a fare of BDT 200 per person. Alternatively, a Chander Gari accommodating 12 to 14 people costs BDT 5,500 to BDT 6,000, providing a more enjoyable journey in just 3 to 3.5 hours.
The trek to Tazing Dong commences from Thanchi, and it's essential to note that the only permitted route to reach the peak is now via Sherkarpara through Hedmanpara.
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Finally Trekking Tazing Dong
The larger groups embarking on the journey to Tazing Dong can consider a pit stop at the Tama-Tungi tourist centre when reserving a Chander Gari on the way to Thanchi. On clear days, this spot offers breathtaking views of several mesmerising tourist spots of Bandarbans, like Keokradong, the Tazing Dong peak, and the tourist-frequented Dim Pahar road. Tama-Tungi is particularly renowned for its picturesque settings, making it a popular choice for photography enthusiasts.
Upon reaching Kaitong Para via the Chander Gari, the primary trekking adventure kicks off with the assistance of a guide. Sherkarpara, the next destination, is approximately a 7-hour trek from this point.
Initially, brace yourself for the challenging ascent along steep mountain paths, evoking a sense of awe in the surrounding wildlife. After an hour of trekking, you'll arrive at a small plain, with the boarding district visible on one side of the hill. The Mro community, dwelling along the trail path of the hill, adds a cultural dimension to the journey.
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As you traverse the wild road, you may encounter the jhum fields and streams of cold water flowing down from natural springs. Sherkarpara emerges as a welcome respite, signalling the first signs of life after trekking through uninhabited paths. This hilly township is home to the Bam community, and the machang houses here provide ideal accommodation options for those seeking shelter after a long trek.
The uphill climb from Sherkar Para to Tazing Dong spans over two hours. After the initial half-hour ascent, you'll encounter a machang house in the middle, with a trail dividing the green hills on both sides. Continuing further uphill, a mesmerising view of cloud-covered mountains unfolds. Another hour into this breathtaking scenery, the Y junction marks a pivotal point where both routes lead to the summit.
Continuing ahead, three peaks standing almost in a row become visible from a distance. The north peak, the tallest among them, surpasses the central peak of Tazing Dong. As you draw closer, the cross mark atop its summit becomes evident.
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Descending straight from this peak lies the village of New Simplumpi. Travellers taking the direct route from Shekarpara to Remakri pass through this charming neighbourhood nestled at the foot of Tazing Dong.
Food and Accommodation
For an overnight stay during your Tazing Dong expedition, Thanchi huts or BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) Cottages are the optimal choices. When you're travelling in a small group of two to three persons, there's no need for accommodations before reaching Sherkarpara. Machang or Jhum Ghar arrangements can be made by engaging with residents in the vicinity, and the guide can assist greatly in this endeavour. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, camping is a viable option.
Additionally, Bandarban and Thanchi offer a range of accommodations, including hotels, motels, cottages, and delightful resorts for an overnight stay. However, these options come with a price tag ranging from BDT 1,500 to 5,000 per room per day. Cottages with attached food facilities may cost between BDT 2,000 to 3,500 daily, while tourist motels offer overnight stays for BDT 1,500 to 2,500 per room.
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The mountain hotel in this area provides a memorable culinary experience, featuring freshly caught fish from the Sangu River. Sherkarpara boasts some decent hotels, and if you notify them in advance, they can arrange both accommodation and meals.
Throughout the trekking route, it is advisable to rely on dry food and carry an ample supply of water. Besides these trekkers can carry other essential gadgets like first aid boxes, outdoor burners, ready-to-cook instant meals, sleeping bags, etc.
Places to Visit Nearby
While travelling from Bandarban to Thanchi, you will encounter the cherubic beauty of captivating sites such as Milanchari, Chimbuk, and Nilgiris. An early departure from Sherkar Para allows for a morning visit to Vijay Chura, reaching Thanchi by noon.
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For those with additional time to spare, an extended exploration can include visits to Amiakhum and Velakhum from Sherkar Para to Thuisa Para. Further extending the journey, key attractions like Nafakhum, Remakri, Bara Pathar, Raja Pathar, and Tindu can be explored on the return trip to Thanchi.
Takeaway
Reaching Tazong Dong (Bijoy), the highest peak of Bangladesh is certainly a lifelong dream for many trekkers. However, the expedition may not be comfortable for all travellers. Being fit is the precondition for strenuous journeys like the Tazing Dong trekking. Therefore, initiatives like regular walking, doing physical exercises and taking essential climbing training are invaluable to prepare oneself for trekking journeys.
Additionally, undertaking preparations including carrying dry food, essential medicines, ample water supply, etc ensures a seamless trip. And, respecting the privacy, customs and lifestyle of local people is the sole responsibility of each trekker during the expedition.
Read more: Best Bandarban Resorts to Enjoy Vacation
Beyond breathing: How COVID-19 affects your heart, brain and other organs
It's easy to be complacent about COVID-19. Most people experience only mild issues – fever and coughing, maybe congestion and shortness of breath.
But the coronavirus is capable of causing much more than a simple respiratory illness, affecting organs throughout the body, experts say.
"We see people have symptoms from almost head to toe in terms of how they feel, how they function and what they can do," said Dr. Adrian Hernandez, a cardiologist who is director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, North Carolina.
The new year started with an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S., prompting Hernandez and other experts to advise caution, especially for those at high risk.
While the short-term effects of COVID-19 can be flu-like, even mild cases can lead to long COVID – a constellation of problems that can persist for weeks or months. More than 200 symptoms have been linked to long COVID, said Hernandez, who has overseen many COVID-19 studies.
Because COVID-19 typically affects breathing and can lead to problems such as pneumonia, many people may think it's primarily a lung disease. It's not that simple, said Dr. Nisha Viswanathan, director of the long COVID program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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"I would argue that COVID-19 is not a disease of the lungs at all," she said. "It seems most likely that it is what we call a vascular and neurologic infection, affecting both nerve endings and our cardiovascular system."
It's no surprise that experts say SARS-CoV-2 – the name of the virus that causes COVID-19 – is complex, with many of its pathways just beginning to be understood. But some things are becoming clear. One of the best reviews of long COVID symptoms, Viswanathan said, appeared last January in Nature Reviews Microbiology. It detailed the disease's effects throughout the body, including the pancreas, blood vessels and reproductive system.
"SARS-CoV-2 is excellent at triggering your immune system to go from zero to 100," said Dr. Lindsay McAlpine, a neurologist who is director of the Yale NeuroCovid Clinic in New Haven, Connecticut. That revving of the immune response leads to both a "wide swath of inflammation" and excessive blood clotting, she said.
"Perhaps the viral replication is going on in the lungs and nasopharynx (the area at the top of the throat that connects the nose to the respiratory system). But the inflammation that the virus triggers is systemic," McAlpine said.
Here are some parts of the body significantly affected by COVID-19.
The brain and nervous system
"The virus and the immune response can have several different effects on the brain," said McAlpine, lead author of a 2021 study looking at strokes in people with COVID-19, published in the journal Stroke. She is researching issues related to COVID-19 and brain fog, which she called "a very common symptom."
The exact causes of brain-related issues are not clear, but she said it does not appear that the virus is directly attacking brain tissue. Rather, it seems that the ramped-up immune response leads to clots that could cause brain problems.
"A lot of patients have described it as feeling like they have a concussion," McAlpine said. "And it can persist for several months after COVID," even if the initial case was mild.
"In addition to the cognitive impairment, we see worsening or new-onset migraines," she said. "We see new neuropathy in the legs and the arms – numbness, tingling, difficulty walking because of the neuropathy."
COVID-19 might also be unmasking other neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, she said. McAlpine has diagnosed new cases of Alzheimer's disease in people who, before COVID-19, were functioning fine, then developed symptoms. "We don't know why," she said.
The heart and blood vessels
Research shows COVID-19 infection can increase the risk for heart-related problems such as myocarditis, a rare inflammation of the heart, and an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation.
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The risk of dangerous clotting – including deep vein thrombosis (clots in large veins) and pulmonary embolisms (clots in the lungs) – is small but stays elevated for up to a year after the infection, according to research done before vaccines were available.
Many factors might be playing into COVID-related heart problems, Viswanathan said, including microclots – tiny blood clots – or an autoimmune response targeting heart muscle cells. A recent study in Nature Cardiovascular Research shows the virus may infect coronary arteries, causing plaque buildup to become inflamed and break off, which can lead to a heart attack. Gastrointestinal system
"Interestingly, the GI system's mechanism may be a little different than what impacts the heart," Viswanathan said. One theory suggests that the virus finds a hiding place while the rest of the body fights it off. "And we have found now in multiple studies that COVID can remain in our GI tract for weeks and months after it has resolved in the rest of the body."
The exact place where the virus might hide is up for debate, Viswanathan said. But Hernandez said gastrointestinal symptoms are clear: "People can have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea."
A large study of veterans published last year in Nature Communications found people with COVID-19 had a higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal problems more than 30 days after infection compared to people without COVID-19. The risk was elevated even among people who had mild cases of the disease.
Kidneys
Kidney problems were common in a 2023 study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine that looked at organ damage after COVID-19 infection.
Researchers don't necessarily know whether kidney problems stem from people getting sick with high fevers and taking in less fluid or because "with a virus that can go anywhere and cause inflammation anywhere, you can have all sorts of problems," Hernandez said.
What to do
Not everyone who gets COVID-19 will have these problems, Viswanathan said. But people experiencing symptoms can reach out to their primary care physician or a long COVID clinic.
What everyone can do, she said, is take steps to protect themselves and those around them.
The first step is to be cautious if COVID-19 is surging in your area. Consider wearing a mask in crowded public places. "A lot of people have COVID now, and it may take a while for them to test positive," Viswanathan said.
"The second thing is get vaccinated," she said. "It really does seem to be highly protective." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone ages 5 and older get the updated COVID-19 vaccine to avoid getting seriously ill from the virus.
"The third thing is controlling your cardiovascular risk factors," she said. That means getting high blood pressure, diabetes or other chronic medical conditions under control. "It will all decrease your risk."
McAlpine added that if you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay away from other people to avoid putting them at risk.
Hernandez emphasized the importance of vaccinations in general for people with heart or lung disease, cancer or suppressed immune systems. "For people who have other health conditions, you don't need another one," he said. "And if you could avoid an illness like COVID or the flu – why wouldn't you?"
Winter Care Essentials for Pets: Keeping Your Furry Friends Warm and Healthy
Winter can be a challenging time for pets, requiring extra care and attention from their owners. This extensive guide offers in-depth advice on how to protect your pets from winter sickness, choose appropriate gear, maintain balanced nutrition, and more. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your furry friends are comfortable, healthy, and happy during the colder months.
How to Protect Your Adorable Pets from Winter Sickness
Understanding Winter Sickness in Pets
The cold season can exacerbate existing health conditions in pets and introduce new risks. For example, older pets may suffer more from arthritis due to the cold, while younger pets might be more susceptible to respiratory infections. Awareness of these issues is crucial for early detection and effective management. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help identify and mitigate these risks early on.
Understanding and Managing Winter Allergies
Pets can suffer from allergies in winter too, often due to drier air and indoor allergens. Symptoms can include itching, redness, and discomfort. Regular cleaning and vacuuming of your home can reduce allergens, and humidifiers can add moisture to the air, alleviating dry skin. If you suspect your pet has allergies, consult your vet for appropriate treatments.
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Preparing for Emergencies
Winter weather can be unpredictable, so it's important to be prepared for emergencies. Have a pet emergency kit ready, including food, water, medications, and any other essentials your pet might need if you're unable to leave the house. Also, have a plan in place in case of power outages or if you need to evacuate your home.
Signs Your Pet is Uncomfortable in the Cold
Your pet may not be able to tell you when they're cold, but they can show it. Look for signs such as reluctance to go outside, shivering, or seeking shelter in warmer areas. These behaviors indicate that your pet is feeling the cold and needs additional warmth and care. Ensuring your pet has a warm place to retreat to inside, away from drafts, can greatly enhance their comfort.
Choosing the Right Winter Gear for Your Pet
Proper winter gear is essential for pets, especially those that spend time outdoors. When choosing gear, consider your pet's size, breed, and the specific weather conditions of your area. A well-fitted coat or sweater can provide much-needed warmth, while booties can protect their paws from cold surfaces. Remember, not all pets will be comfortable wearing clothes, so it’s important to introduce any new gear gradually and monitor their response.
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'Shilpakala Padak' 2021 & 2022 announced honouring 20 cultural luminaries, institutions
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) announced the names of the 20 recipients for its prestigious Shilpakala Padak on Monday, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to their respective artistic and cultural mediums.
A total of 20 artists and organisations were unanimously selected (10 out of 12 fields) for the Shilpkala Padak in the years 2021 and 2022 by the evaluation committee formed to review the applications, according to the BSA Shilpkala Padak policy for the final nomination of the deserving artists.
According to the official press statement of BSA, the recipients for the class of 2021 are: - Md Nuruzzaman (instrumental), Sharmin Hossain (dance), Sadi Mohammad (vocal), Biren Shome (fine arts), Professor Abdus Selim (dramatics), Mohammad Nohir Uddin (folklore), Dr Matin Rahman (film), Kazi Madina (recitation), MA Majid (jatra artist), and Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad (creative cultural unit).
The recipients for the class of 2022 are: Foad Nasser (instrumentalist), Saju Ahmed (dance), Elen Mallik (vocal), Professor Alok Rai (fine arts), Khairul Alam Sabuj (dramatics), Sunil Karmakar (folklore), Rafiqul Islam (photography), Mir Barkate Rahman (recitation), Aruna Biswas (jatra artist), and Dr Safiuddin Ahmed (creative cultural researcher).
Subject to the kind permission of the President and formally fixing the date, the Shilpakala Padak awarding ceremony will be organised soon, BSA stated.
Each award recipient will get a gold medal, a cheque for Tk 1 lakh, and a certificate.
The award has been conferred on deserving creative personalities for their continuous contributions in several fields of arts, culture, entertainment, and literature since 2013; however, the award could not be conferred on the recipients in 2019 and the ceremony could not take place in 2020 due to the global pandemic of Covid-19.
8 Best Motorbikes Coming to Bangladesh in 2024
The end of 2023 marked a joyous occasion for the motorbikers in Bangladesh, as the cc limit bumped up to 350. So, it is expected that the new year will bring an emergence of high-configuration and powerful motorcycles in the local market. Brands have already started to utilize the opportunity with Bajaj Pulsar N250 hitting the streets in late November last year. Let’s take a look at the most anticipated bikes to enter Bangladesh market in 2024.
8 Most Hyped Motorcycles in Bangladesh Market in 2024
Karizma XMR
There was a time when the Karizma ZMR took the Indian market by storm with its refined sports looks and raw power. Hero Motocorp is all set to introduce the new Karizma XMR 210 cc based on the same DNA.
The XMR shares the same aggressive look as the ZMR with a rugged sports build. The bike can generate a max power of 25.5 PS at 9250 RPM and a max torque of 20.4 NM at 7250 RPM. The engine on the XMR is a 4 stroke, 4 valve, single cylinder liquid cooled DOHC one with FI fuel transmission. There’s dual-channel ABS for improved rider protection on the petal disc tires.
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The ex-showroom price of the XMR comes in at 1,79,900 INR.
KTM RC 200
KTM is another well-known bike brand in Bangladesh. With the upgraded cc limit, KTM is expected to launch the RC 200 in the Bangladeshi market. The sports bike has a single cylinder liquid cooled 4 stroke, 4 valve engine with fuel injection tech. The 199.5 cc bike can generate 25PS at 10K RPM and 19.2 NM torque at 8K RPM. KTM has also included dual-channel ABS on the RC 200.
The fuel capacity of the RC 200 is also improved to 13.7 L with an average mileage of 35 kmpl. The ex-showroom price in India comes in at 2,18,000 INR.
Bajaj Pulsar RS 200
After the successful launch of the N250 last year, Bajaj is expected to launch the more aggressive-looking Pulsar RS 200 sometime later in 2024. This compact sports bike moves away from the traditional Pulsar naked sports look with increased contours and curves.
Read more: Motorbike Riding in Winter: How to beat the cold weather?
The bike is powered by a Triple Spark DTS-i 4V FI engine with 24.2 PS at 9750 RPM and 18.7 NM torque at 8000 RPM. The 199.5 cc bike comes with dual-channel ABS as a standard safety feature.
The fuel tank capacity of the RS 200 is around 13 L with an average mileage of 35 kmpl. The ex-showroom price of the bike in India is around 1,71,780 INR.
Suzuki Gixxer SF 250
The much beloved Suzuki Gixxer SF is about to see its 250 cc debut in Bangladesh. Currently, the SF 155 variant is highly popular in Bangladesh. In addition to the sports variant, the standard naked sports Gixxer 250 is also slated to be available later this year.
The Gixxer SF 250 has a 4-cycle, single-cylinder, oil-cooled SOHC engine. It can generate 26.5 PS at 9300 RPM and a 22.2 NM torque at 7300 RPM. The fuel tank capacity of the Gixxer SF 250 comes in at around 12 L with an average of 35 kmpl mileage. The ex-showroom price in India is around 1,94,640 INR for the standard edition.
Read more: Top 10 ABS Motorbikes in Bangladesh
How to Improve Focus by Training the ‘Attention Muscle’
Did it ever happen to you that after listening to any hour-long lecture in a workshop or classroom you can’t remember anything? Though you were physically present at that place, your mind was not there. What’s missing here was focus.
Focus – a little word with a huge impact! It's like the superhero of thinking, connecting to decisions, problem-solving, learning, memory, and how we see the world. If the focus game isn't strong, it can put a damper on thinking skills. Mastering the art of focusing is a game-changer. Focus can be used like a spotlight to direct the flow of energy. Harnessing the power of focus is key to success in life.
What is Focus?
Focus is like a superpower that helps you to fully concentrate into one specific task and ignore the noise and happenings around.
Some folks call it "flow," a term made cool by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in his book “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.” It's that feeling of being in the zone, where your mind is so absorbed that you forget about everything else – time, space, and anything other than the task at hand. For instance, with focus, you can enjoy a novel amid the huge chaos of a railway station.
Read more: How to Utilise the Power of Visualisation to Achieve Goals
Focus lets someone immerse themselves completely in one thing, without allowing mental distractions. It's like a mental power boost, concentrating all brain energy on one awesome task. Focus is the secret sauce to becoming the superhero of concentration!
You can think of focus as a muscle for your mind. Like any other muscle, you can train it. So, if you want to boost your focus game, treat it like a workout – flex that mental muscle regularly.
What is Attention Muscle?
The attention muscle is like the brain's personal trainer for focus. It's all about the ability to direct and keep your awareness on a task, even when distractions come knocking. If you don't intentionally work it out, this attention muscle doesn't get stronger – and that's when the mind becomes a bit of a scatterbrain.
An under-exercised attention muscle leads to a twitchy, agitated mind that can't catch a break, constantly hopping from one distraction to another. It's like trying to herd cats.
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Most people don't realize how feeble their attention muscle is until they actually need to buckle down and focus. Without proper training and development, sustained focus becomes a bit like trying to juggle too many balls at once – nearly impossible! So, if you want to avoid mental acrobatics, it's time to hit the mental gym and give that attention muscle a good workout.
10 Tasty Immunity Boosting Winter Soup Recipes for Children
The chilly weather of winter brings cold waves which can harm children. During the cold months, keeping children safe from flu, colds and other kinds of winter sickness becomes a struggle for their parents. One effective way to enhance a kid’s immune system is by treating it with nutritious homemade soups. Here are some tasty soup recipes that cater to your child's health needs.
10 Delicious Soups to Strengthen Kids' Immunity This Winter
Creamy Broccoli and Cheddar
Enjoy the nutritional benefits of Creamy Broccoli and Cheddar Soup, a blend of fresh broccoli, butter, cheddar, and milk. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, broccoli enhances immunity. The soup provides essential nutrients, including calcium, supporting bone health. To make this comforting bowl, gently sauté fresh broccoli florets in butter, adding a creamy mix of cheddar and milk until velvety smooth.
This velvety creation is both satisfying and nourishing, offering a wholesome strategy to fortify your child against winter ailments. Incorporating broccoli's goodness, it contributes vitamins A and C. Relish a warm bowl of this nutrient-packed soup, making it a delicious yet health-conscious choice.
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Hearty Chicken and Vegetable
Nourish your child with the wholesome goodness of the Chicken and Vegetable Soup. Packed with essential nutrients, this recipe combines protein-rich chicken with an array of nutritious vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions in a hearty broth. To prepare, gently simmer the chicken with the vibrant vegetable mix until it reaches perfection.
The dish is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C. These vitamins contribute to a strengthened immune system. Additionally, the soup provides essential minerals like iron, supporting the body's metabolic processes and maintaining energy levels. This nutrient-dense soup is not only comforting on winter evenings but also serves as a robust defence against seasonal illnesses.
Spinach and Chicken Soup
Enjoy the nourishment of Spinach and Chicken Soup, a delicious mixture designed to enhance both taste and health. Combine spinach with chicken for a nutrient-rich infusion. Simmer these ingredients, allowing the flavours to merge into a comforting soup. Serve with lemon.
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Beyond its delicious taste, this soup is a rich source of iron from spinach, essential for maintaining healthy blood. Chicken contributes essential proteins necessary for the growth and immune function of children. Together, they create a fortifying concoction that delights the taste buds of youngsters and strengthens cold resistance too.
Nourishing Coconut Carrot Lentil
Savour the health benefits of Nourishing Coconut Carrot Lentil Soup, combining protein-packed lentils, carrots, and velvety coconut milk for a wholesome infusion. Simmer the ingredients to meld flavours seamlessly. Together, they create a nourishing symphony that boosts your child's immunity, ensuring good health in winter.
This creation acts as a strong defence against winter ailments, with essential proteins, vitamins B and C, and coconut milk adding a creamy texture rich in healthy fats. This nutrient-dense delicious soup provides nutrients, making it a health-conscious choice for your child.
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Tomato and Basil Delight
Savour the health benefits of Tomato and Basil Delight Soup, a nutritious fusion designed to boost immunity. Simply combine tomatoes with aromatic basil, simmering until the flavours mix seamlessly.
This soup is a powerhouse of nutrients, providing essential vitamins such as vitamin C from tomatoes. Basil contributes additional vitamins, including vitamin K, essential for bone health. Together, they create a nourishing concoction that supports your child's immune system with every serving.
Monitoring lesser-known numbers in a blood screening can help heart health
When you get the results from a routine blood screening, some familiar terms and numbers may jump out: cholesterol levels that point to a risk for heart disease, for example, and A1C, a blood sugar measurement used to diagnose diabetes.
But are there other numbers that merit a closer look?
"There are lesser-known numbers to look at regarding heart-related risk," said Dr. Elliot Davidson, medical director of the Center for Family Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Ohio. "They can be helpful for anybody on the fence about taking medication."
Standard bloodwork typically includes tests for liver and kidney function "that are important considerations for the heart," said Dr. Parag Joshi, a preventive cardiologist and an associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "That kind of stuff is important to know."
First, the basics: Health care professionals encourage people to monitor five numbers to track their heart health. They are blood pressure; blood sugar, or glucose; cholesterol; body mass index or waist measurement; and sleep duration.
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Davidson and Joshi said there are more results on your blood test to consider as well.
Non-HDL cholesterol
The total cholesterol number is calculated by adding HDL ("good" cholesterol), LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and 20% of the triglyceride number. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. They store excess energy from your diet. High LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, along with low HDL, contribute to fatty buildup in arteries.
If you take the total cholesterol number and subtract the HDL, you get the non-HDL cholesterol. "Sometimes that picks up some risk that the LDL or the triglycerides and the total (numbers) don't totally capture, and that we might be missing if we just focus on the usual results," Joshi said.
Non-HDL cholesterol is measured in deciliters of blood. An optimal range for non-HDL in adults would be less than 130 mg/dL, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Davidson said doctors can use cholesterol and blood pressure results, as well as other health factors, to calculate the risk for having a heart attack, stroke or other disease caused by the buildup of plaque in arteries.
People can work with health care professionals to calculate their risk. Tools are available from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, which recently released a new risk calculator that incorporates kidney function and other newly added factors. The AHA tool can predict risk for heart attack, stroke and heart failure over the next 10 years and 30 years in people ages 30 to 79.
"Even if you have a low 10-year risk, you might have a pretty significant lifetime risk," Davidson said.
Lipoprotein(a)
Another measurement to know is lipoprotein(a), a larger type of "bad" cholesterol that can build up in arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. It's mostly genetic, Joshi said, rather than caused by lifestyle factors, and no treatments have yet been proven to lower lipoprotein(a) levels.
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About 1 in 5 people worldwide has high lipoprotein(a) levels, according to the American Heart Association.
"For people with a strong family history of heart disease or early strokes or early blockages, it sometimes shows up as the only risk factor we can identify," Joshi said. "It is something I often check in preventive cardiology, and people are becoming more aware of it."
There is no consensus on risk thresholds for lipoprotein(a) levels, but AHA and ACC guidelines consider a high measurement to be 50 mg/dL or higher.
Hemoglobin
When patients report they are fatigued, that's a reason to focus on their hemoglobin, or red blood cell count, Davidson said.
"If it's lower than it should be, you have to look for a reason," he said. "A common cause would be gastrointestinal blood loss. You've got to make sure you're not losing blood somewhere."
A low count, a condition called anemia, also may be caused by iron and vitamin deficiencies.
Normal ranges for hemoglobin can vary slightly, but in general they are 13.5 g/dL to 18 g/dL for men, 12 g/dL to 15 g/dL for women, and 11 g/dL to 16 g/dL for children.
Creatinine
Blood tests for kidney and liver function also can indicate cardiovascular risk, Joshi said.
The level of creatinine, a waste product formed by digestion of protein, is a marker of kidney function. "It's supposed to be cleared out in the blood by the kidneys," Joshi said. "If the creatinine in the blood goes up, the kidneys aren't doing a good job."
Protein in urine is another risk indicator, he said, "because the kidneys are supposed to retain all your proteins. So, if you're losing protein through your urine, there's something wrong with the kidney. We're learning a lot about how kidney problems increase the risk of heart problems, and vice versa."
Davidson noted that high creatinine levels are "not only an independent marker for heart disease, but you have to be very careful about certain medications like ibuprofen and other things that would aggravate your kidney function."
Creatinine levels above 1.2 for women and 1.4 for men may be cause for concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Liver enzymes
Tests for liver enzymes known as ALT and AST can indicate impaired liver function or unhealthy fat deposits in the liver, Joshi said. There are several reasons for elevated ALT or AST, he said. "But one of those reasons is this deposition of fat in the liver, and that is a marker of increased risk of heart disease in the future."
The enzymes are measured in units per liter. For ALT, a standard range is 29-33 for men and 19-25 for women. AST levels should be less than 35.
The bottom line, according to Davidson: "Have a primary care doctor that you trust, keep in close contact, and discuss your bloodwork."
‘Praktoni Sammilan’: Chhayanaut announces gala rendezvous in March
Bangladesh’s leading cultural institute Chhayanaut announced on Friday that it is going to host a grand reunion of its alumni, past and current teachers, cultural workers and organizers from home and abroad, titled ‘Praktoni Sammilan’ on March 2 this year (Falgun 18 in the Bengali calendar year 1430).
The second-ever gala rendezvous in the institution’s six-decade-long history, the event is aimed at reuniting those who have studied, taught or been associated with the institution for at least two years in Chhayanaut Sangeet Bidyayatan's long-term music courses.
On Friday, the announcement of this rendezvous came at a press conference at the institution’s Ramesh Chandra Dutta Memorial Auditorium at its Sangskriti Bhaban, home to its over 150 teachers and 5,000 students, in the capital’s Dhanmondi.
Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali, General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa, and ‘Praktoni Sammilan’ Convenor Rokaiya Hasina Neely briefed the media about the event.
“In 1963, Chhayanaut established its Sangeet Bidyayatan intending to practise the musical culture of Bengal and inculcate the Bengali ethnicity in the learners - and since then, the institution has been immersed in teaching the taste of mainstream Bengali music including Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, Folk Sangeet and various genres of classical dance and pure music. With this gala rendezvous, we are aiming to commemorate and celebrate the unity of this majestic institution with all of our learners, teachers and associates,” Dr Sarwar Ali said at the event.
‘Praktoni Sammilan’ Convenor Rokaiya Hasina Neely said that the day-long celebration will feature commemorative sessions, dialogues, cultural events and more. The decoration of the event will be Jamdani-themed, and there is a plan to publish a memoir book and photo exhibition on the early-mid-current phase of the Sangeet Bidyayatan featuring students across generations.
“However, most likely, having a calm conversation, dancing in harmony, playing instruments to set the mood, and singing in unison with the companions would be the most enjoyable activities for everyone. We are anticipating such a majestic rendezvous with utmost cooperation and participation of our alumnus and associates,” Neely added.
Registration for the event is currently underway for interested alumni and associates at Sankskriti Bhaban and also through the institution’s official Facebook page and website. The registration will remain open until the end of January, and further details regarding the event will be shared shortly, according to Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa.
Chhayanaut was founded in 1961 to establish the cultural rights of the oppressed Bengali netizens in then-East Pakistan under the Pakistani regime. Poet Sufia Kamal was the founding President of the institution.
Aside from its cultural curriculum, the institution is famed worldwide for organizing the traditional, grandiose cultural festival of Pahela Baishakh at the capital’s Ramna Park every year. One of Bangladesh's most iconic and popular events, the traditional Pahela Baishakh festivity of Chhayanaut has gained the reputation as one of the world's greatest regular cultural festivities.
Open-top buses introduced on Marine Drive Road in Cox’s Bazar
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has introduced three open-top double-decker buses on Marine Drive Road in Cox’s Bazar to enhance the experience for tourists.
The first journey commenced from Cox's Bazar city's Laboni intersection with one of BRTC's double-decker open-top buses at 9:00 am on Wednesday.
Passengers seated on the upper deck enjoyed a breathtaking view as the bus traversed the Marine Drive Road, providing a captivating blend of mountains and sea.
The 80-kilometre-long Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road, known for its scenic beauty with the azure sea on one side and picturesque hills on the other, has become an enchanting destination for tourists.
The upper deck seats are priced at Tk 700 per person, while the lower deck seats are available at Tk 600 per person. Along the journey, the buses will make stops at six tourist spots for 20 to 45 minutes.
With an additional cost of Tk 200, travellers will have the opportunity to relish lunch at Patuwar Tek during the approximately nine-hour trip.