United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka University (DU) authorities has announced a roadmap to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year, with traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra' on April 14 after a two- year break. The flagship procession from Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, was not held in 1427 due to the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the FFA organized a symbolic procession on its premises in the following year due to lockdown during the period. Read:Sights, sounds of Pahela Baishakh to return to Ramna after two years The details regarding this year's celebration were announced in a meeting chaired by DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman, held at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building on Sunday. At the meeting, it was announced that this year's 'Mangal Shobhajatra' will start from the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) premises at 9 am. The procession will be brought out from the Sarak Deep area of the TSC as the road in front of the FFA has been narrowed due to the ongoing construction work of Metro Rail. After parading the 'Memory Eternal' monument premises of the university, the Shobhajatra will end at TSC premises on the campus. The meeting committee also announced that the festivity must be concluded within 5 pm and public entrance would be restricted on the campus area after that. Evaluating the present context of COVID-19 in the country as well as the month of Holy Ramadan, the authorities requested the citizens to limit the public gatherings in this year's procession. Alongside requesting everyone to maintain proper hygiene, the authorities announced that festive masks and bags cannot be carried on campus. However, masks made by the Faculty of Fine Arts can be carried. Furthermore, it was declared that playing and selling of the Vuvuzela flute at this year's event will be strictly prohibited. On the day of Pahela Baishakh, movement of the procession-goers and others via the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan behind the Raju sculpture will be restricted. However, the FFA entrance in front of the Suhrawardy Udyan, the adjoining gate of the Engineering Institute and the entrance of Suhrawardy Udyan in front of the Bangla Academy will remain open for the citizens.  Vehicles without DU authorized stickers will not be allowed on campus after 7 pm on April 13, as well as on the day of the Pahela Baishakh. Residents on the campus area can use the road to Nilkhet and Palashi intersection for their transportation using their own vehicles. The committee requested police to install CCTV cameras and archways on the campus to ensure the security inside the campus area during the festivities. Read:Longest-running Amar Ekushey Book Fair ends; Tk52.50 crore books sold Mobile public toilets will be set up in the area adjacent to Haji Muhammad Muhsin Hall, the area adjacent to TSC (Student-Teacher Center) the area around Doyel Chattar and Curzon Hall, the committee said at the meeting. Now cemented as one of the most vivid and significant additions to the Bengali New Year celebration in the country, the DU Faculty of Fine Arts have been celebrating the traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra' since 1989.

For the first time after the start of the Covid pandemic two years ago, Chhayanaut will welcome the Bengali new calendar year 1429 with cultural festivities at Ramna Park on April 14 this year. However, as Pahela Baishakh will be observed during the holy month of Ramadan, the festivities have been scaled down, the cultural institution said Saturday. Read: BGMEA for promoting culture, heritage to boost country's image globally "In the past two years, we remained confined to home due to the global pandemic. However, taking stock of the current situation, Chhayanaut has stepped up to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429 with its traditional festivity again at the Ramna Batamul," Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun said. Inspired by the success of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair this year, the institution has started taking adequate preparations to organise its traditional festivity at the Ramna Batamul to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429, Chhayanaut Executive President Dr Sarwar Ali said. Usually, more than a hundred Chhayanaut performers participate and showcase their musical performances every year at a live event in Ramna. However, considering the health protocols as well as the month of holy Ramadan, this time "we have reduced the number of performers and the overall duration of our event," Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa told UNB. Chhayanaut, founded in 1961, has earned global fame for organising the traditional, extravagant cultural festivity of Pahela Baishakh at Ramna Park every year. Read: Pandemic dampens Pahela Boishakh celebrations in Bangladesh The only exception was in 1971, during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, then the last two years due to Covid. The traditional cultural presentation of Chhayanaut marking the Pahela Baishakh – one of the most coveted and long-awaited festivities in Bangladesh – has earned its fame as one of the grandest regular cultural celebrations in the world.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen stated on Saturday that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emphasized the establishment of peace as a prerequisite for development, following the groundbreaking foreign policy of "friendship with all, enmity with none."  “Bangabandhu highlighted the need of establishing peace as a necessity for prosperity throughout his life, and following his footsteps, we have been advocating a peace culture in many international forums for the benefit of disadvantaged people against prejudice, conflict, and violence,” Dr Momen said while inaugurating the Microtopia International Art Fest 2021-22 at Gallery Chitrak, Dhanmondi in the capital. Emphasizing the importance of art in society, he said that the language of art is universal. “People all over the world have different languages, different religions and different political ideologies, but the unique language of art is able to reach the hearts of all kinds of spectators by overcoming all the barriers of human-to-human communication,” he added. Lauding the organizers, Dr Momen said that art is a significant medium of fostering human connection, nurturing a culture of world peace, fighting against exploitation and hardship, and celebrating humanity's achievement - all of which are offered to all people, regardless of religion or caste. Noted artist Professor Shishir Bhattacharjee joined the opening ceremony as the special guest, while eminent artist Professor Rafiqun Nabi presided over the ceremony.

The longest-running Amar Ekushey Book Fair concluded in the capital Thursday. The 31-day fair is estimated to have sold books worth Tk52.50 crore. Traditionally held throughout February every year at the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan, the fair's 2022 edition started on February 15 after a pandemic-induced delay. Jalal Ahmed, director of the Bangla Academy and member secretary of the Ekushey Book Fair Committee, presented the sales report of this year at the closing ceremony.

Greatest Bengali of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's political wisdom and lifelong struggle gave birth to Bangladesh in the world. In short, his life is a history. From birth to death, each part of his life teaches us lessons. However, we all are well aware of his political and personal life. But how many of us know about Sheikh Mujib’s childhood? This legend of Bangladesh was born on March 17, 1920. Let’s explore all the details of Father of the nation Sheikh Mujib’s early age. Birth and Early Life Sheikh Mujib was born on March 17, 1920, in an aristocratic Muslim family in Tungipara, Gopalganj. His father Sheikh Lutfar Rahman was the Serestadar of Gopalganj Sessions Court (Clarke of the court) and his mother's name was Saira Khatun. Mujib was the third child in a family of four daughters and two sons. His parents affectionately called him ‘Khoka’. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life was spontaneous in the green environment of Tungipara. He was the leader of the group while swimming with the village boys in Madhumati, playing ha-du-du, football, and volleyball. Read Who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? A Short Biography of Bangabandhu, Father of the Nation Education In 1927, when Mujib was 7 years old, he was admitted to the local Gimabhanga Primary School. The founder of this school was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's youngest grandfather Sheikh Abdur Rashid. Bangabandhu studied up to third class in this school. Later, he was admitted to Gopalganj Public School in 1929 at the age of nine and studied there till 1934. Less than a year and a half later, Mujib contracted beriberi. This disease causes a Glaucoma in his eyes. Due to this, he could not continue his schooling for four years from 1934. Start Wearing Glasses Sheikh Lutfar Rahman took Mujib to Calcutta for eye treatment. Kolkata's famous T. Ahmed performed surgery on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's two eyes and advised him to wear glasses. From then on Bangabandhu started wearing glasses. Read:Bangabandhu was a great strategist: Energy Advisor

As the Middle East's largest contemporary retail art fair ‘World Art Dubai’ (W.A.D) is all set to return for its eighth edition from Wednesday to the UAE's glitziest city - where this year, painter Mahfuzur Rahman is set to make his mark as the first Bangladeshi artist to be featured at W.A.D. Mahfuzur will have hids his own stand (Q 07) displaying 13 of his paintings at the famous art fair from March 16-19 at Dubai's World Trade Centre. Sharing his excitement with UNB from Dubai, Mahfuzur Rahman said this is an incredible achievement of his career to participate in the glorious international platform, hoisting the Bangladeshi flag as the first-ever participating painter from his motherland. READ: Photography exhibition ‘Shahabuddin: The Painter, The Fighter’ begins at DU “Words cannot describe how immensely happy and proud I am to be the first and only Bangladeshi Artist participating in this world-famous art carnival, known for interconnecting the art world to the artists and artwork buyers. All praise to my Almighty and I am thankful to all of my family, friends and well-wishers,” Rahman told UNB. Hosting a gigantic collection of more than 4000 artwork pieces from more than 120 renowned galleries and solo artists hailing from 50 plus countries, this year’s World Art Dubai is set to enthral art admirers with multiple art workshops, art talks, live performances and several other segments highlighting young talents from diverse backgrounds and giving them the opportunity to be seen, thrive, and network with the art world. At the event, Mahfuzur is also participating with the Funun art group with 74 artists. He will also participate in another segment titled ArtWalk.  A full-time corporate professional and also a passionate contemporary painter, Mahfuzur Rahman has participated in over 20 solo and group art exhibitions in eight countries around the world. In September last year, two of his paintings were displayed at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) art event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Set to be World Art Dubai’s largest and most diverse edition ever, the event aspires to enthral the art admirers through a collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, street and digital art featuring an inaugural NFT platform. Typically, artworks at World Art Dubai are priced from $100 to $20,000. Like the recently concluded Art Dubai which had its first digital art section this year, the eighth World Art Dubai will also dedicate a zone to crypto art titled W.A.D Next. In addition, it will provide information on cryptocurrency via a special talk programmed by MENA Tech alongside a podcast on NFTs titled Crypto Sheikhs. Other highlights this year include a show of underwater artworks by Singapore-based artist Olga Belka. Her sculptures were made at the bottom of the sea, with the artist diving multiple times to complete her unique underwater projects.

Public speaking is an art that is not easy to attain. Most people have stage fear and it gives them anxiety and creates a panic situation for them. However, in this competitive and ever-growing world, everybody needs to possess outlandish values. Among all the critical life skills, public speaking is a crucial one for kids. Effective public speaking can keep the listeners spellbound. If you want to teach your child this valuable skill, check out some efficient ways of learning public speaking. Read Benefits of Debates for Children, Teenagers, Students Importance of building public speaking skill for children -       Makes them feel confident when communicating with others -       Helps them to overcome the fear and anxiety that are related to voicing their opinions -       Encourage them to improve their reading and listening skills -       Improves their academic performance and overall knowledge -       Progress in vocabulary and pronunciation -       Enhances leadership and management skills -       Teaches planning, discipline, and time management -       Promotes logical and analytical thinking -       Makes them feel confident to influence others -       Prepares them for a better future -       Teaches them the art of persuasion -       Helps kids to express themselves spontaneously -       Grows kid's critical analysis and thinking -       Creates more job opportunities -       Helps children to increase their social Connections. Read Nail-biting in Children, Teenagers: Causes, Dangers, Ways of Prevention

The 10th edition of 'Liberation DocFest', a documentary festival on liberation and human rights, organized by the Liberation War Museum (LWM), began on Friday. The inaugural ceremony of the festival was held at the LWM auditorium, where Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud was present as the chief guest. The five-day festival, previously known as the International Festival of Docufilms on Liberation and Human Rights, has generated much interest among film lovers at home and abroad. The 10th edition of Liberation DocFest features two different sections: the National Competition Section and the International Competition Section. Over 2,100 films from 196 countries were submitted to the organizers, out of which 140 documentaries from 40 countries are scheduled to be screened at the festival.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of natural beauty and historical significance that are chosen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their outstanding universal value. Currently, there are 1,054 World Heritage Sites in 167 countries, and more are being added all the time. Among those 1,054 sites, 897 cultural, 218 natural, and 39 mixed properties. Let's get to know details about world heritage sites in Ukraine. What are the Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ukraine? Ukraine has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are treasures of world culture and history and include ancient monasteries, fortresses, and natural wonders.  Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Constructed in the 11th century, St. Sophia Cathedral is a superlative example of Byzantine architecture and one of Ukraine's most recognized landmarks. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 for being an outstanding architectural masterpiece that profoundly marked the history and culture not only of Kyiv but substantially transformed Ukraine. The cathedral is located in the midst of a complex of monastic buildings constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries in Ukrainian Baroque style. Read Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is a world-renowned monastic ensemble that has been in operation since the 11th century. Throughout its history, the lavra has undergone many changes and continued to grow in size and stature. Today, it is a major tourist attraction in Kyiv and remains an important spiritual center for Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Church of the Saviour at Berestove, adjacent to the Lavra, was added to the site in 2005 as part of an effort to restore and preserve cultural heritage sites. Lviv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre Lviv, one of the most beautiful and historically significant cities in Europe, is located in western Ukraine. Lviv's architecture and urban planning are based on a unique mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. The Historic Centre of Lviv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the great Language Movement, a two-day long community book fair in the city's Gulshan kicked off on Friday. The second edition of the Boi Mela, consisting of 25 stalls with renowned publishers and booksellers, was arranged by Gulshan Society at Gulshan Lake Park. Shukla Sarwat Siraj, convener of the organizing committee said that the book fair was organized in 2019 for the first time. But, it was not possible to organize the last two-year due to the Covid pandemic, she added. “We are impressed and satisfied to see the crowd on the first day of the two-day fair".