Ode to resilience

The sea is rough. I can sense it even in Dhaka, a good three hundred kilometres away from the danger zone. What are my men doing I wonder? The real lucky ones, I assume, are sitting in the dark, crowded rooms of the cyclone shelter; others reluctant to leave the refuge of their thatched houses, the only real protection in their lives, are all strong against the raging wind. Some may have even dared to venture out into the sea. Chanting the kalima in unison with other fishermen, an open declaration of War against the treacherous nature.

I failed to understand the driving force behind these men, battling the odds of nature in every step of the way. Where do they get the courage to battle against hunger, against the Mahajan, against life? They have been fishermen all their lives, the lives of their fathers, their great grandfathers and further still in their patriarchy. It seems through the ages, they have been handed down with the tradition of defying all laws natural or human. This makes life bearable and their spirits revived. A hurricane has come and gone, they know more is yet to come but their struggle goes on. Signing Off!

The excerpt may be a work of fiction but it does, in essence, speak of the people living in the coastal belts of the country. We salute these valiant souls and pray for the salvation of those departed.

Finding the right furniture

Whatever we do almost always revolves around some type of furniture or another- from sleeping on the bed to working on the desk at the office, furniture is undeniably one of the best things since the invention of wheels! It serves almost every purpose, including regular requirements and home beautification. Thus, it is literally something we cannot do without!

It is no mean feat trying to pick out the right furniture for one's home. It is usually a pretty lengthy process into which a fair amount of thought must be put. Probably the best way to getting the right furniture is through ordering and having them custom made, since that way, you can be sure of what exactly that is you want. Unfortunately, what with the incredibly hectic lives that people have to deal with today, such a luxury is not always possible. Which is why the next best option is to get ready-made furniture from a furniture store. And even better than that, of course, is to be a little patient and wait for the furniture fair that is held annually, where one can get great deals and discounts, as well as an option to choose from a huge selection of items since most big furniture stores across town participate in the fair.

This year, the 5th National Furniture Fair 2007, was held the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, from the 12th to 17th of this month. As always, it was a grand affair and turned out to be quite a success, even through all the disruption of the cyclonic weather! The fair was almost constantly abuzz with pleasant crowds of people, either enthusiastically buying or simply visiting!

Among the participants, were some of the leading furniture makers of the country, such as Navana, Otobi, Hatil, Akhter Furnishers with their exclusive range of both office and home furniture. Also available, were kitchen furniture such as kitchen cabinets, oven racks, etc, as well as garden/lobby furniture and living room furniture, such as sofa sets and divans. Other participants were, Wood Marc, Naznin Furniture, Nadia Furniture, Athena's Furniture ans Home Decor, World Class Home Furniture, Toru Furniture and Handicrafts, etc. Wood Marc, in particular, had some beautiful bed designs, that ranged from Tk- 65,000-70,000. Most of the stalls offered a discount of 5-10%, while a few offered up to 15%.

Many of the furniture on display flaunted 'sold' tags, which goes to prove that the event did indeed, turn out to be quite a success! This type of event, although not all that common as yet, is quite encouraging for both the sellers and customers, since people are interested and do, in fact, make time out of their busy lives to attend along with their families and try and pick out the right furniture for the home.

Kindled Candles

Protesting against their mundane use for mere illumination during power failures, candles have come a long way from the kitchen shelves to every corner of our houses. Whether candles are assembled in the living room, candlesticks gathered on the dinner table, or cuddled in colored glass votives on the mantle, candles surely add stylishness and chick to the drab décor. And why not? Everything seems to become nicer by candlelight!

Decorative candles are gaining on popularity day by day revealing their versatile persona through various designs, shapes, colors and aromas. Not only do they add flair and spice to any atmosphere but they also can add subtle warmth, allowing your home to be an inviting place for guests rather than a stale, boring abode.

Decorative candles work well in just about any home as they can sit anywhere and you can find them in just about any color or fragrance. Candles are available in almost all of the department stores, superstores, gift shops or street markets throughout the city but Aarong can be your one stop solution in buying decorative candles. A wide variety of candles and candle stands can be found in this hub within a very reasonable budget. Shops like Archies and Hallmarks can also be a good option for these decorative pieces of wax.

Candles come in all sorts of varieties and styles these days to suit the tastes of every one. Pillar candle, which is the most common, and dominant of basic candles comes in numerous colors, patterns, textures and designs ranging from Tk 30 to Tk 475. As a special collection, Aarong's pillar candles with inscriptions of Bengali alphabets, costs Tk 140 each and cylinder shaped glitter candles start from Tk 30. Thin taper candles with a wide variety of sleek colors can adorn your dining table for only Tk 40 per pack. If you prefer scattering the candles in every corner of your room or ensemble them mixing or matching the colors according to the décor, then votive candles can be your best choice. They're small enough to not be in the way and burn bright without spilling the wax as they sit on glass or metallic holders. Their prices range from Tk 20 to Tk 245 depending on the quality and size. Tea light candles which are often unscented and come in a plain white color cost Tk 30 each. However, you can also find tea light candles that are scented. The allure of a scented candle priced at Tk 65 is irresistible, particularly when the candle is slowly burning down, allowing the wax to release a blissful fragrance. Floating candles are yet another great option that provides magical touch to the décor. Available in the most diverse forms and shapes, floating candles are priced from Tk 2 to Tk 20. Just like the candles themselves, the prices may vary too from shop to shop. So if you are not in a fixed price shop it'd be wiser to use your bargaining skill.

The ambience created by a soft flickering glowing candle is truly magical. The appeal of candles is eternal and their impression ever lasting. Employ the use of decorative candles wisely and see what difference the flares bring to your home. Needless to say, you won't regret it.

Guardian Angel on the Job

A man was walking in the street when he heard a voice: "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you." The man stopped and a big brick fell right in front of him. The man was astonished.He went on, and after awhile he was going to cross the road. Once again the voice shouted: "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step a car will run over you and you will die." The man did as he was instructed, and a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him. "Where are you?" the man asked. "Who are you?" "I am your guardian angel," the voice answered. "Oh yeah?" the man asked. "And where the hell were you when I got married?"

Have Fun

* Wife: Darling today is our anniversary, what should we do?
Husband: Let us stand in silence for 2 minutes.

* It's funny when people discuss Love Marriage vs Arranged.
It's like asking someone, if suicide is better or being murdered.

* A man who surrenders when he's wrong, is Honest. A man who surrenders when not Sure, is Wise. A man who surrenders even if he's Right, is a Husband.

* Aadmi shaadi kyon karta hai?
Takee vo marne ke baad agar Swarg jaye to achcha feel kare aur agar Nark jaye to homely feel kare...

* Why do Bride & Groom exchange varmaala during wedding?
To tell each other affectionately. .. Sweetheart U R Dead!

* There is only one perfect child in the world and every mother has it. There is only one perfect wife in the world and every neighbour has it

* Prospective husband: Do you have a book called 'Man, The Master of Women'?
Salesgirl: The fiction department is on the other side, sir.

* Man receives telegram: Wife dead-should be buried or cremated?
Man: Don't take any chances. Burn the body and bury the ash.

Mother

Growing up was really hard for all of us, the flock of three sisters who hurdled and messed up things, sometimes wondered whether the society was considering us as burdens. We were not all the same, but yes, there were few similarities. Cursed, hampered in life and sharing the same unfortunate circumstances to be raised without a mother on the side. And here I stop like a summer migrated bird, flying in the relentless sky reticently- does it make sense? Birds don't fear, don't equate the height with fright; they fear inhumanity that can come and touch them making lives hell.

So this is how my life starts entering the invariable misery and suffering- I was not killed or tortured ruthlessly in some military camp, jihads or something nor there was money crisis; what I lacked was the proper attention of love that one needed. The bread for stomach can be left behind for the soul food: love, affection, affirmation, someone to live for. Left in the middle of nowhere, to walk on such a big path, for two 6-year-old kids and a just grown up teenager is really a big dilemma for the young minds. They look for the similar faces but do they reckon any? Long ago, one fine day, luck played this trick that we would recognise as our bane, our nightmare.

If there is anyone in the world a child loves most, it is her mother. In this cryptic universe when tiny toddlers open their eyes the person to be seen first, fearfully looking among all the protruded heads, is that women whose love for us increases as days pass and life changes. I have never wondered about the miracle of birth. Sometimes, it does bring tears out of happiness to appreciate God's great gift, to the womankind. How would it really feel when your child holds your hand and smiles tenderly? We would also know it one day, we'll be mothers as well and will always try level best to grow our up children as proper human beings.

But such feelings, for my part no longer exist. Not that I can hug her and pick my stray hair off her cheeks; she doesn't pray for me to pass my exams, not anymore, nor does she tie my hair into a bun. Life without her is meaningless and how do I carry on with it? But they say life has a way deeper meaning that just 'death'. The going of a single person doesn't stop you from living, it always goes on, and so would mine here. But some lacking always stays and no longer do you have the urge to resist. This is what happened to me at first. It came like a howling storm in my life and tore everything apart….

A murky afternoon with the sun set high above the mountains that reflect a grey daylight shadow in the skies. It was 29 June, 2000 when I happily sung out my lungs rehearsing for my musical play at school hoping to tell mom I was selected for the annual function. She would really burst into laughter and hug me tight. The school day ended and as everyone queued out. I waited very long, and when our car finally buzzed in and the 'darowan bhai' took my bag from the usual place it was positioned and yelled 'hurry up car's here'. Mommy wasn't there waiting, but maybe she had some work needed to be done.

Then it all became so uncertain and finally she left us. We hadn't counted on the prospect of it and seen the luggage being packed and unpacked many times, how they smashed and she knocked him down and went away, very far. But everything was a mere blur. My dad no longer smiled at random nor he had this broad grin, and I understood what it meant to be living without your "same-old queen". It never seemed to matter to anyone. People came and showed sympathies knowing we had lost our mother, no one really felt the pain like we did. They just came and overheard our taunts that we learned all these as motherless daughters.

Today after the long race of 7 years, its 2007, when we stand almost changed: all grown up faces, faded pains and suffering from flashbacks that come as a big force sweeping us away…with a heartburn that never really fades. But you are always there in my heart, maybe your position is slightly vague: you under a bigger, greener sky where you can see the stars shining down.

Banking Tips

How many types of accounts are there?
The different types of accounts are individual/personal, joint account between individuals, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint stock company, NGO, Trusts, clubs and associations.

What is meant by Business Organizations?
Business organizations can be grouped in three major categories: sole proprietorship, partnership and joint stock company.

What is a Trustee account?
Individual, company or association to whom property is given in trust to deal with it according to directions given by the creator of the trust.

What is a negotiable instrument?
According to the Negotiable instrument Act, a negotiable instrument means a Promissory note, Bill of Exchange or Cheque payable whether to order or bearer. It is a piece of paper which entitles a person to a sum of money and which is transferable from person to person by mere delivery and by endorsement and delivery. The person to whom it is transferred becomes entitled to the money and also gains the right to further transfer it.