Ramisa Haque

In a grand celebratory gala, organised at Dhaka's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Friday, 15 February, 2019, PRAN awarded the winners of the annual national pickle competition 2018.

If you are one of the one crore people here (estimate by the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital) who struggle to catch their breaths because of

‘What we use makes us who we are'- the sentiment put forth by this line singularly encapsulates MIB's newest festival, hosted on Fridays, every week, between 9AM-8PM.

Of course, a timepiece provides the answer to the oft asked question, but is that their only purpose?

The day you walk into Four Points by Sheraton Dhaka to 'brunch' is the day you'll walk out of their Eatery located on the 24th floor charmed and full from the grand feast that can only be described to be a true sight for sore eyes.

Not everyone resorts to this go-to course of action when they have found themselves tossing and turning in bed deep into the night, maybe because they can't quite catch their breath even at rest.

Keeping every occasion that may find you, whether it's during a frosty morning clouded in mists, a winter tide of an afternoon, or a wintry evening under the lights, Le Reve has made sure there is a head-turning way for you to stand out and it all starts with the individualistic theme of Vanguard, symbolising the leading part of an advancing group of people.

In an endeavour to retell stories of one of the quintessential art traditions of Bangladesh, Maleka Khan — activist, researcher, and author — penned 'Nakshi Kantha: Bangladesher Nandito Shilper Smarok'.

Hymns, camphor-lit invocations and venerations of Durga followed by the immersion of idols in the river — Durga Puja is an electrifying carnival of a religious festival. Rooted in our very own Bengal, and dating way back to the 17th century, Durga Puja has evolved to mean a glorified community affair with lights, fireworks and colours. However, the main tableau of Durga herself is an overlooked story and one for the ages. And, it is here where the spirit of Durga Puja is tethered.

Claiming the brisk afternoon of Wednesday, 12 September, 2018, the launch marked the introduction of Afternoon Tea with its own uniquely-assorted menu available every day from 2 pm and 6 pm at Latitude 23.

Under the open skies of 30 August, 2018, Dhaka Regency's signature rooftop garden restaurant, Grill on the Skyline, hosted a four-course comprehensive dinner. The evening served as a tasting and review of the hotel's newest promotional venture, Prime Pairing, an opportunity to create your very own personalised steak dinner.

In a tungsten glow and hyped ebullience, Jatra, a celebration of folk culture and Bangladeshi traditions in the form of artistic clothes, accessories and furniture, hosted its newest venture, Jatra Mela.

Illuminating rays from hanging lamps, glazed tiles sheathing interiors of domes, marble designs and encircling inscriptions- Islamic art is monolithic, especially in its variety.

In a spectacular ambience created by the burbles at Water Garden Brasserie over at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, a 10-day long food festival was inaugurated on 2 August, 2018.

Friday, 20 July 2018 was the evening of an epic coming to light again. The English translation of 'Ayesha Mongol'by Anisul Hoque, a best-seller of the late '90s,was launched at a special ceremony at Batighar, situated in the capital's BishwoShahittoKendrobuilding at Bangla Motor.

“Have you eaten yet?” One of the first things Thais ask upon meeting someone, that singular question perfectly describes the passion locals hold for the legendary cuisine.

In an endeavour that is the first of its kind, Dan Cake, a household name in Bangladesh, launched a country-wide dessert making competition on Friday, 13 July, 2018.

Bengal's reputation of being a monopoly in the production of jute preceded it back in the day, but the industry is not what it used to be in the 20th century. Facing challenges in the forms of productive inefficiency, and struggling to keep up with rising global demands, the once-golden industry is slowly losing its lustre.

An estimate by the government concluded that traffic chips away about 3.2 million working hours daily. The infamous traffic causes vehicles to idle at dead standstills indefinitely and slows down daily routine commutes more and more to a snail's pace.

With the blinding morning rays breaking through the changing clouds, the harbinger of new beginnings envelops the land of Bangladesh in true zeal and splendour. It is Pahela Baishakh once again and the dominating rush of reasserting the glorified Bengali spirit has us enchanted, with the spell working its charm from the very break of early dawn.