M H Haider

Bangladesh, along with the rest of the world, is living through the strangest of times. It feels surreal to think of the ‘new normal’ — seems straight out of a sci-fi apocalypse movie! Nevertheless, to make sense of it all, journalists continue to bring the latest of the ongoing pandemic and to keep the world informed and updated.

Would you eat shorisha pizza? How about kalabhuna dumpling? Bolognese fuchka? Yes? No? Well that’s where the debate starts. First respectfully, then passionately, and then, in no time, things get out of hand!

You could turn to the don for advice on fashion. Sure, Michael Corleone could teach you a lot about business, leadership, and family values, but just by observing him, one could get a style guide to formal wear.

Located in 44 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, a new addition to Dhaka’s culinary scene, is The Garden Kitchen, the buffet restaurant of Sheraton Dhaka on the 14th floor of the hotel.

How you connect with a colour largely depends on who you are: where you are from and what culture and country you belong to. And so, this makes us ask, what do different colours symbolise in Bangladesh, how do we perceive certain colours, and how do they relate to our national identity?

“Food, especially good food, brings people together. The Mediterranean diet and the Italian tradition include the notion of eating together and spending quality time with family and friends,” the ambassador said. “And this is also what we have done on this event, by bringing people from various international, local, and business communities together.”

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea organised a three-day film and tourism festival at Bangladesh National Museum last month, which encompassed the screening of five movies — including the global sensation, Parasite — and a number of interactive games and activities.

You know or at least have heard of Dante. It is almost impossible not to! Well, you may not have read his works, but it is inevitable that you have at least come across the Divine Comedy.

Just like stamps, coins, etc. matchboxes can be collectibles too. But what’s so special about matchboxes, you ask?

And so, towering over a big chunk of the city, the lounge overlooks it, providing picturesque views of the city around. The breath-taking views are just the start. With plantations providing plush greenery, a cosy and sleek décor perfect for an evening out with your loved ones, and a swimming pool, Impetus Lounge is a perfect getaway from the worries of the day.

To answer that, we have to travel much further back in time than the last century, before genesis (of the university) if you will.

Let’s zero in on food safety! After all, it is World Food Safety Day today. And it is also a major issue to be dealt with in Bangladesh, as it is all across the world; during the pandemic, it is even more crucial.

Time and again we have been reminded of the dire condition of food safety in Bangladesh. Although positive steps are being taken and some praiseworthy initiatives are in place, we still have a long way to go in ensuring safe food for all.

But with the experiences they have penned down, we can travel back in time! And hence, we present five such travellers and some highlights of their tours.

And we are excited to announce that we are making a commemorative video — sponsored by Tradesworth Household Limited and directed by Goutam Koiri — featuring a plethora of slogans which were chanted during various struggles in our history.

These women are our inspiration and their success stories give us hope in an otherwise patriarchal and male dominated world.

The history of this land is obviously not just 50 years old. It goes back much deeper than that; a long, complicated, and fascinating journey throughout several centuries,

Far away from the capital lies the awe-inspiring Chittagong Hill Tracts, with its pristine natural beauty and distinct cultures.

Whenever I stand in front of those vast canvases of S M Sultan — or Lal Miah, as he was called — I try to grasp not only their artistic value, but also the incredible life their maker had lived. In both, I fail.

In Dhaka, there are several eateries serving Italian delicacies, but Raffinato may be argued to be a cut above, as this restaurant in Gulshan-2 is relentless about serving only authentic Italian and not unoriginal versions or twists of it.