The New Nation - Internet Edition

Citibank Volunteers Support senior citizens at Boshipuk

Weekend Plus Report

Citibank, NA Bangladesh along with their colleagues in over 100 countries observed the Global Community Day on November 8 like the last two years. Citi's Global Community Day is a worldwide effort involving hundreds of projects in hundreds of cities around the world. Recognizing that many Citi employees volunteer year-round in their communities, Global Community Day celebrates Citi's volunteer spirit worldwide on one day. Local volunteer teams will be working on a variety of projects addressing specific community needs including literacy, housing, environmental protection, nutrition, and health care. To celebrate the Global Community Day, Citibank, NA Bangladesh had organized a daylong event for the senior citizens residing at Boshipuk (Rehabilitation Center for the Old and Children), the largest old home of Bangladesh in Gazipur. Citibank termed this "a special day to remember and treasure" for the senior citizens of Boshipuk.

Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Cultural Affairs and Women and Children Affairs inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest. Besides many other dignitaries, artists and important personalities of the nation, also graced the day. Number of local celebrities including famous screen and TV actors, Razzak and Bappa Razzak, Shomi Kaiser, Afsana Mimi, Illias Kanchan, Kawser Chowdhury, Abdul Kader, Azizul Hakim, Tazin Ahmed and singers like Haider Hossain, Aagun, Mehreen, including many other important individuals like Panna Kaiser who are among the leading social activists joined the volunteer program.

Citibank employees joined the residents at Boshipuk and took part with them in different activities such as cultural function, games, music, listening to their memories and experience, drama show and enjoyed a special moment with media celebrities who gathered at the event. Citibank employees also planted trees and provided some necessary equipment to the old home. Rasheda K. Chowdhury as the Chief Guest planted the first tree to mark this special day. Citibank's customers also joined the community day and took an active role to support the elderly citizens.

Mamun Rashid, Managing Director and Citi Country Officer, Bangladesh said, "Global Community Day is one of many ways that Citi strengthens the communities where we live and work. And we are extremely proud and happy that we got the opportunity to serve the senior citizens of the country to mark the Global Community Day in Bangladesh." Pamela Flaherty, President and Chief Executive Officer, Citi Foundation and Director, Corporate Citizenship said, "On Global Community Day, Citi employees in more than 100 countries around the world will assemble to make a difference in their local communities. Whether it is teaching financial education to young people; planting trees to combat deforestation; refurbishing schools in poor communities; or serving meals to the homeless, Citi employees will turn out to volunteer."

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, Citi-Financial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex.

There will absolutely come a day when your parents and grandparents will need you. They made a remarkable effort to make your life comparatively easy when you were growing up and now they deserve is to have a life that is contented as they live out their previous years.

Caring for our elderly rich sense of closeness and satisfaction from the knowledge that you are doing your utmost to help your loved one.

Boshipuk works for elder care. If anyone chooses to put old people in an old home, make it your business to find the best one there is in your area. It allows individuals to enjoy safety, security, and companionship in the comfort of their own home. Qualified and committed in-home caregivers are available to provide non-medical care and assistance on a full-time, part-time, or live-in basis.

Make sure you visit your parents or grandparents at least once a week. Get involved at the facility that you chose for them and donate extra supplies.

The 72 bigha Gazipur campus, established in 1994. It provides services to about two hundred people. The organization now also in Rajbari and Rangamati.

They provide three nutritious and delicious meals a day plus snacks, medication assistance/supervision, and full-time staff.

Their mission is to provide shelter and care for the needy elderly who have no home or suitable accommodation

This is a non-profit charitable organization, sponsored by Givency Group. According to founder of Boshipuk, Khatib Abdul Zahid Mukul, "We look to medicines, doctors, diets, vitamins-anything we can find, in hopes of keeping them healthy and happy. When finally the complications get too great, we turn to an assisted living, nursing home, or other long-term care facility to continue the thoughtful and conscientious care we are no longer able to provide."

How many of you look at the older person as a pain? Come on they move at a pace that comes close to a snail and when your behind them you are delayed for your own busy lifestyle. Why not just take some time out of your busy lifestyles to see the people of Boshipuk?

Skin care during winter

Nahid Sultana

Winter is upon us and winter skin care is probably on your mind. This time of year not only brings us some of the most beautiful scenes on postcards or paintings, but it also brings us a need for dry skin treatment.

Skin tends to dry and flake in the winter. When the days shorten and the temperature dips, your psyche and your skin may both rebel against the changes. Seasonal changes are normal, and one way to boost your psyche is to pamper and nurture your skin back into its natural healthful, glowing state.

Drink a hot glass of water with lemon juice at morning to assist your body in removing toxins. Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin and offset the lack of humidity. Cold drinks, coffee and tea dehydrate the body; so while your liquid intake may be higher in the winter, make a special effort to include hydrating beverages. If you really don't like the taste of water, add lemon or lime juice, or eat more foods with a high water content.

Brush your dry skin with a skin brush before your daily shower or bath. Not only does this practice remove dead debris from the outer layer of the skin, it encourages toxin release as well.

Limit your exposure to hot water. Warm water will cleanse the skin just as well as hot water without the drying effect. A hot bath every now and then isn't going to damage your skin, especially if you're soaking in a pampering bath with sea minerals or pure essential oils, but avoid regular hot baths. Quick showers in warm water help minimize excessive drying. End your bathing routine with a skin oil, lotion, or butter.

Wear lip protection. Forget any nonsense you may have heard about your lips "becoming addicted to moisture." They require moisture, because they contain no oil glands. If your lips chap before you switch to a more emollient lip balm, exfoliate with one of the new lip exfoliants. A lip balm with any of the butters, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, etc., is a good choice. A waxy lip balm serves a dual purpose; it keeps lipstick in place as well as sealing in moisture. Reapply as often as necessary.

Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week and your face as needed to remove dead, flakey skin. Hands and feet require more frequent exfoliation in the winter. You'll find that your heels flake and crack more in the winter. Follow exfoliation with a rich moisturizer. You don't need to spend a king's ransom on special hand and feet exfoliants. You can create your own concoction with salt or sugar and carrier oil such as sweet almond oil. This blend exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. Add a little essential oil, and you have your own high-priced product for pennies on the dollar. Rub into your hands and feet in a gentle circular motion, and rinse well. For extra-deep conditioning, exfoliate right before bedtime, moisturize, and don gloves and socks while you sleep.

Protect your skin from the elements. If you spend time outdoors, particularly skiing, add a sunscreen to your regimen. In the winter, brisk winds add to the damage from the elements. Your body may not feel warm, but you can still get a sunburn. Studies show that we receive more ultraviolet rays in the winter than was previously thought.

Nourish your skin from the inside. Eat right, take proper vitamin and mineral supplementation, exercise regularly, and sleep right. It's winter for heaven's sake-nature hibernates.

Oranges, tomatoes, amla

Benefits: "Oranges contain Vitamin C which is most essential to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. This vitamin helps in preventing wrinkles by producing collagen in the skin. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, collagen is responsible for your skin being "elastic" and that means less wrinkles. Eat one whole fruit (not just juice) everyday, regularly for beneficial effects."

Oatmeal, whole-wheat bread

Benefits: "Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant that helps protect the skin against harm done by pollution and too much sun. Oatmeal face scrubs are popular because oatmeal is a natural exfoliant. With its fiber content, it also contains Vitamin E. Oat is a very good moisturizer for the skin."

Carrots, beet roots

Benefits: "Vitamin A is also known as an anti-oxidant. And the best source is carrots. You can also try squash and beetroots. Vitamin A helps regularize the skin cell renewal and hence its regular consumption helps you get a smooth, soft and supple skin."

Papayas

Benefits: "Apart from being a low-calorie fruit, papayas filled with the goodness of carotenoids releasing vitamin A. They have an anti oxidant effect and help in maintaining younger looking skin. One bowl (apx. 200- 250 grams ) of fruit a day is enough."

Sunflower seeds

Benefits: "Sunflower seeds contain essential fatty acids which help skin secrete natural oils that lubricate it and prevent water loss. This helps keep skin soft and supple, improve hair texture and reduce blackhead formation. Take three teaspoons twice a week or use sunflower oil to cook your food in."

Green tea

Benefits: Green Tea is a global favourite being loaded with flavonoids and antioxidants. They prevent skin from UV rays and free radical chemicals in the atmosphere, prevent wrinkle formation and remove blemishes from the skin. Take Green tea (without milk) boiled in hot water twice a day to enjoy the beneficial effects. It is very good for combating the changes in skin during menopause.

Aloe vera

Benefits: "It is considered a miracle plant with multifarious positive effects on the human body. The juice of this plant is very beneficial for patchy irritated skin; helps prevent acne and skin pigmentation. Simply take 30-40 ml of juice daily for better skin. However do not extract juice from raw pulp but take the juice available at chemists in pre-packaged form. Raw pulp if ingested without processing can contain some harmful ingredients which may cause stomach upsets and more.

Blueberries and purple grapes

Benefits: These purple foods have gained popularity lately due to their anti-aging properties and their use in the cosmetic industry. Purple food can prevent breakdown of collagen and slow the wasting of muscles. Not only are these foods used for consumption orally to delay signs of aging, purple grapes, grape seed oil and red wines are used popularly for the skin and aesthetic spa treatments. Popularized as vinotherapy, the science behind the therapy is that the polyphenols found in grape seeds, help regenerate the collagen and elastin in the skin, thus the anti aging effect. It also causes the repair of the tissue damage.

Strategy: Assertiveness skills: How to speak out your mind

Can you speak up when you have a point to make? Or would you rather avoid exchanging words at any cost? Being assertive is a skill that every woman should possess at her work or in her home. And it's never too late to learn this essential skill.

What it is: Being assertive means presenting your view point and saying what you really feel in a clear, concise manner. It is often mistaken with being aggressive or self-centred. It is neither. An assertive person is one who can stand up and express their thoughts, while being sensitive to the feelings of others. However it does entail ruffling some feathers on occasion, so a definite attitude change is required. Stash away your cowardice and escapist mentality and stand up and be counted. What it's not: Some others believe that you are either born with it or not. Unlike genetic inheritances, assertiveness is a skill that anyone can learn. (Read on for more practical tips) Assertiveness is also confused with aggressiveness, which is hostile and demanding behaviour. The intention of aggression is to force someone into submission - either in behaviour or thought. Assertiveness on the other hand is mindful of others' feelings but still expresses one's own chain of thought.

Why it's important: "Being assertive helps you place your view point. There are times you have to voice your opinions and concerns and that's the time when it really helps to have this skill," opines Seema Hingorany, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist.

Why it's not always easy: If you've spent most of your life trying to please others without causing any discomfort, learning to be assertive can be a challenge. Often in a bid to avoid nasty confrontations, we submit to decisions or opinions that we don't really believe in. However in the long run, we tend to resent ourselves and our partners, family or friends, as there is an internal conflict.

Rules of assertion: If you're not used to speaking out and standing up for yourself, being assertive can be a bit of an uphill task. But always remember a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So put your right foot forward and begin on an onward march towards a more confident you. Here are some useful tips from expert Hingoranyt

"Listen carefully, but don't give in easily if you feel others are wrong." More often than not, our listening skills are far from perfect. "Lost in translation" often describes a common state of affairs. So listen to what is being suggested but if you feel your partner/friend or any other person is wrong, be logical and practical as you present your feelings on this.

"Make sure you are not aggressive but only assertive." Screaming matches only get you so far. While sometimes we all love a good fight to clear the system, using aggression to have your way will get you nowhere. To be assertive means expressing your thoughts in a calm manner. Resorting to theatrics and hysterics is a no-no.

"Observe the pitch of your voice and tone." Body language is the biggest giveaway when it comes to showing how you really feel. When you are in the midst of a discussion, it doesn't take much for voices to be raised and the "discussion" turns into a full-fledged war call. Moderate your tone at all times and don't allow your emotions to take over your speech. It also doesn't mean that you are impassive and cold to the point of being frustrating.

"Don't be rude and defensive when placing your view point." Another big part of being assertive is the ability to listen to what others are saying and to not hold the disagreements against them personally. While presenting your own opinions, you need not use sarcasm or derogatory remarks to get your point across. Behave and participate like an adult, instead of a child who wants to have that cherished toy. "Use assertive skills often or else you may lose its essence." Practice makes perfect. Cliched as it sounds, that old statement is true in all walks of life. Learning to say "No" and standing up for yourself is something that needs to be cultivated over a period of time. The only way to be assertive is to keep practising those skills over and over again.

Situations where you need to assert yourself:

At the workplace: All of us have faced situations where our colleague tries to challenge everything we say. It's no wonder it's a big topic of discussion in the after-office hours. If you are convinced about yourself, speak up and let her/him know how you feel. Again, pay attention to the rules of assertion and you won't go wrong. Appeal to their intelligence and take the practical route in trying to make your point. With friends and peers: How often do we get into situations where we are just not heard? If this is your story then be accurate and organised in what you say. Babbling and bursting into tears is not the way to impress. Voice your thoughts when you're with friends and continually practice the same.

In your home: In family, children are not following discipline methods. For many women the challenge of being assertive lies in their very home. Kids running amok and refusing to obey instructions can be a contentious issue with all the dynamics at work. Be consistent in your approach and reactions so that no conflicting messages are given. Set ground rules and stick to the repercussions should they cross the line. Very often being aggressive and screaming and nagging your child gets you nowhere other than feeling drained and frustrated. Instead opt for a calm, pragmatic yet no-nonsense approach as you tackle your kids.

Health: Alzheimer’s disease & dementia

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Scientists have learned a great deal about Alzheimer's disease in the century since Dr. Alzheimer first drew attention to it.

It is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer's gets worse over time, and it is fatal. Today it is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. For more information, see Warning Signs and Stages of Alzheimer's Disease.

It is the most common form of dementia, a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Vascular dementia, another common type of dementia, is caused by reduced blood flow to parts of the brain. In mixed dementia, Alzheimer's and vascular dementia occur together.

Activities and Dementia

It is important to choose activities that the demented person can manage. All human beings, including people with dementia, have a fundamental psychological need to be occupied. However, the nerve pathways in the brain, which carry motivation, may be damaged in a person with dementia.

You may therefore, have, to help them get started. Many people with dementia also have problems concentrating. They may be unable to concentrate on anything, such as a TV program or reading the paper, for very long. This means that activities have to be adapted to meet their very special needs.

Administering Medications to a Confused Person

An effective way to administer medications to a person with dementia (confusion) is to crush the tablets (if it's a medication that can be crushed safely) and mix the powdered medication in a small amount of applesauce or pudding.

Bathing a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

Try to make sure that all bathing materials (soap, shampoo, washcloth, towels) are within easy reach, so that you will not need to leave the patient unattended even momentarily. Safety issues also become more important. To lessen the chance of the patient slipping or falling, try placing a rubber mat or decals on the floor of the bathtub. Grab bars and shower seats may also be helpful. They can be purchased at most any medical supply store. You may want to lower the temperature of the hot water in your heater to reduce the chance of scalding.

High-Fat Diet May Raise Alzheimer's Risk

A high-fat, high-calorie diet may double a person's risk for Alzheimer's disease, especially if the person is genetically predisposed to the disorder.

Importance of Consistent Care of Person with Dementia

It's important that care to a demented person be provided on a consistent basis. Changes in routine have a negative effect by increasing confusion and agitation.

Music and Alzheimer's

Doctors say the right kind of music, golden oldies, can help Alzheimer's patients interact with others better.

Noise and Dementia

Speak gently and distinctly to a confused person. Loud voices only add to the person's confusion and may make the person agitated.

Preparing a Person with Alzheimer's for Visitors

Talk about and show pictures of the people who are coming to visit.

Have the person with AD watch and/or help with preparations.

Persons with AD may recognize faces of family members and friends but may be unable to recall names. Nametags are helpful.

Have a "quiet" room if things get too hectic and have someone familiar stay with the demented person so he or she doesn't feel isolated or left out.

Prepare for distractions beforehand (e.g., use of photo album) to divert attention if problem behaviors occur.

Radio, TV and Alzheimer's

A radio and television left playing in the room with a person who has Alzheimer's can help calm and reorient them.

Some Foods May Cut Alzheimer's Risk

Eating nuts, leafy green vegetables and other foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

Trial Alzheimer's Vaccine

A safe, effective vaccine for people with Alzheimer's may be on the horizon.

Researchers are working on a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the beta-amyloid protein found in the brain-clogging plaques involved in the disease.

Pet care: Understanding cat body language

You can tell so much about your cat's mood just by understanding cat body language. Happy cats have their ears up high, and a straight tail. How ever ears that are swiveled off to the side, and a tail held high but slightly bent at the tip show the cat is very happy. A cat holding it's tail straight up is a cat body language sign that he's feeling average, and a drooping tail is a sign of unhappiness or illness. A bushy tail, usually means that your kitty is ready for battle or possibly afraid. Understanding cat body language is an important part to you and your pets relationship.

A mother cat will usually allow her young kittens to play with her tail, but when she gets tired of this it will thrash wildly, and teach them to leave it alone. Therefore, the thrashing tail indicates that a cat is about to lose his temper, while a slowly wagging tail means alertness.

Some tips for understanding cat body language

A cat can be telling you he's anxious from lip licking or subtle purring. Rapid blinking can show anxiety, a sign that a cat has friendly intentions and does not pose a threat to another cat.

When your cat is sitting there with his eyes half closed, or slowly blinking is a sign of contentment. There are many cat owners that believe blinking at their cat, when the blink is returned is the equivalent of a receiving a kiss. Dilated pupils indicate a cats interest, while smaller ones generally mean alertness.

Some more tips to understanding cat body language are the position of their whiskers. Drawn forward whiskers is a sign of pleasurable anticipation. This can occur when their awaiting their meal, or just after they've caught something. When a cat is snarling, either at another cat or animal the whiskers will be drawn back almost against their face. While yawning in the human world can be taken as a rude gesture, it's considered a sign of reassurance for a cat, so don't be offended.

Crazy Cat body language behaviors

This may drive you crazy but often a cat will refuse to use his cat flap to enter the home, instead he meows until you come to open the door. This is instinct, a cat will not enter or leave an area until they're sure they can see the area ahead is clear. This is used to protect them from predators waiting ahead. Because of this a cat will prefer that you open doors widely, and allow him to see clearly there is nothing waiting up ahead for him.

Cat flaps do not allow for this because as soon as a cat begins to go through the flap, he is committed. He cannot turn around and get back in because he will be trapped by the flap. This, and the fact that flaps have to be opened by pushing the head against them, accounts for the reluctance of most cats to use them. And if it is raining at the front door, chances are your cat will ask to be let out the back door, thinking that it might not be raining at the other side of the house!

These are just some of the funny mannerisms you'll begin to notice when you try to understand your cats body language. They live in a funny little world, but remember they are animals with instinct, and they'll follow that before anything else. So next time your cat sees it's raining at the back door, don't be surprised if he wants out at the back door, just to check and see if it's raining there also. Good luck in your journey to understand cat body language.

Cuisine: Oil-free recipes

Special Dhokla

Ingredients

2 cups rice

1 cup tuvardal

1/4 cup each of channa and urad dal

Handful of finely sliced coriander leaves

4 tblsps sour curds

50 grams shelled and boiled green peas

1 Inch piece ginger

Pinch of hing (asafoetida)

1/4 tsp. Soda bicarb

2 tblsps finely grated coconut

1/4 tsp. turmeric powder

Salt and chili powder to taste.

Method

Beat the curd well. Add little water and beat once again till smooth. Soak the dal and rice. Separately In water whole night. Next morning, drain out the water and grind to smooth paste. Put In enough curds to form a thick batter. Cover and set aside for .10 hours. Grind together ginger and chilies and mix into the batter. Mix soda In 1 tsp. oil and stir in. Also add salt. Turmeric and chili powder. Put the mixture in a greased thali about 1-inch thick and arrange the boiled peas on top. Steam for half an hour or till a tooth pick Inserted in the centre comes out clean. Decorate with coconut and coriander leaves and serve with curd chutney.

Mixed Veggie Raita

Ingredients

2 cups beaten curds

1 small firm tomato

1 small onion, 1 small carrot

1 small cucumber

2 teaspoons peeled and shredded raw beetroots

2 green chilies minced

Handful of coriander leaves

A few sliced mint leaves

1/2 teaspoon dry ginger powder

1 teaspoon cumin seed powder

1 teaspoon sugar

Salt and chili powder to suit the taste.

Method

Peel and cut all the vegetables finely and mix into the curds along with rest of the above ingredients with the exception of beetroot. Decorate with shredded beetroot.

Fish In Plantain Leaf

Ingredients

1 pomfret, sliced

Square pieces of plantain leaves

For chutney take

½ coconut

1 bunch coriander leaves

5 green chilies

1 tsp. cumin seeds

12 mint leaves

4 flakes garlic

1 small onion

1 small green mango or juice of 1 lime

1 tsp. Sugar

Salt and chili powder to taste

Grind all the chutney ingredients together to a paste

Method

Coat each slice of fish on either side with the chutney and set aside for 1/2 an hour. Spread plantain leaves on a platform and place a slice of fish in middle of each leaf. Roll the leaf gently into a tight roll and tie with a piece of thread. Steam the fish ten minutes on either side. If you don't have plantain leaves then steam in brown paper.

Samah Masavi

Ingredients

1 whole pomfret

1 cup curds

1/4 teaspoon saffron dissolved in 1 tblsp hot milk

2 tblsps.ginger garlic paste

1 tsp.garam masala, salt to suit the taste.

Method

Clean and make fine gashes on the pomfret.Mix the remaining ingredients together and apply on the pomfret.Set aside for a few hours and then grill on both the sides to a golden color.

Steamed Prawns

Ingredients

500 grams prawns cleaned

1 cup coriander leaves

Handful of mint leaves

5 green chillies

½ coconut

Juice of 1 lime

1 teaspoon of sugar and ground cumin seeds

1 small piece ginger

Salt to taste

Butter paper.

Method

Grind all the above ingredients to a paste with the exception of prawns. Mix the prawns in the paste. Wrap in butter paper. Steam on either side for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Mixed Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

250 grams mixed vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, cabbage, potatoes, and green peas.

1 tblsp corn flour dissolved in ¼ cup milk

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tblsp chopped celery

50 grams tomatoes

Method

Peel all the vegetables and boil with 1 glass water along with tomatoes. When soft, remove from fire, Cool and put in the mixer. Blend at high speed for 1 minute. Heat butter and add flour and milk mixture, keep on stirring till thick, put into the vegetable mixture along with a glass of water. Add ajinomoto and celery heat to boiling, Tastes simply delicious.

Event: Colour of young minds

WP Reporter

Asian Paints (Bangladesh) Ltd. arranged a colorful `Children Art Competition' on 12th September for the first time in Dhaka at Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT) titled "Color of Young Minds' the competition based on the theme of `My Home, My Imagination', the purpose of the competition is to engage the children to showcase their artistic talents by sketching various images of their home. A total of 60 children from BIT of Dhaka participated in the event. To add further meaning to the entire event, the top 6 entries will be placed in Asian Paints annual calendar.

The event was inaugurated by Indrajit Lahiri, CEO, Asian Paints (Bangladesh) Ltd. He handed over to the awards to the students. In addition, other eminent cultural personalities were present at this event.

Asian Paints is one of the worlds largest paint company work in Bangladesh, In the eve of the art competition Mr Indrajit Lahiri comments, we want to focus the potential talents of the young boys. The paintings of the top 6 participants will be placed at the annual calendar of Asian Paints. We feel that a children's art competition would be a good way to engage and flourish the potentiality of the kids of Bangladesh.

The artworks will be selected by an eminent judging panel led by Prof. Abul Barq Alvi. Attractive prizes and certificate of participants will be given away to the winners and all participants by the Asian Paints.

Apart from Asian Paints, the event partner is TBWA||Benchmark.

Mosque inaugurated at Belabo

WP Reporter

A grand mosque, constructed with Tk 34.2 million, was inaugurated Saturday at Belabo in Narshingdi district, said a press release.

Narshingdi deputy commissioner Amrita Baroi, Belabo Thana Nirbahi Officer Niranjan Chandra Debanath and businessman Abdul Kadir Mollah, among others, were present at the inaugural ceremony.

At least 12,000 people will say prayers at a time at the mosque of 200 feet length and 125 feet width.

Mosque imam Shah Alam said renowned industrialist of Narshingdi district Abdul Kadir Mollah carried the whole construction cost of the mosque.

Locals said industrialist Abdul Kadir Mollah has been making tremendous contribution to different development works including education sector, employment creation and building houses for the poor and helpless people of the district for a long time.

Business: Trade show dos and don’ts

Planning to exhibit at a trade show soon? If so, you're not alone. Many businesses find that trade shows can be one of their best sources of new business as well as a good way to attract media attention.

But exhibiting at trade shows doesn't come cheap. The cost of booth space, drayage, product literature, airfare, shipping and hotel costs, and meals can take a significant toll on a small business' bottom line if they don't get the hoped for sales from the show.

No single thing you do can guarantee you will have a profitable show. However, there are a number of things you can do to better your chances for success. Here are several to consider:

Check Out The Show History

Is it a show that regularly attracts large crowds? Will the show be held in a place that's easy for attendees to find and reach by car and by public transportation? Will the show be adequately promoted to your potential customers? Have vendors who have participated in the show in the past done well? What has past attendance been?

Prepare A Professional-Looking Display

You don't have to have the biggest, flashiest booth on the trade show floor to attract attendees. But you do need to have some type of display that lets passers-by know what it is you are selling. Signs, photographs of products or other elements used in the display should look professionally prepared. Unless you're working a crowd that's attracted by the possibilities of bargain basement prices, banners printed with a dot matrix printer on continuous form paper or homemade posters pinned or propped up against a backdrop will make you look unprofessional and make prospects leary of your products.

Have Sufficient Literature Ready To Hand Out

Have professionally prepared brochures or other handouts made in quantity to distribute at the show, and have them prepared well in advance of the show. If you wait until the last minute to prepare your literature you'll wind up paying unnecessary rush charges. If you try to prepare it yourself on a laser printer and photocopier, what you turn out may not do your product justice.

Make Sure You Have a Product

If your product doesn't work, or doesn't work properly, you'll lose more customers than you'll ever gain.

Do Pre-Show Promotion

Experienced trade show exhibitors don't wait for the show to start to try to see customers and make new contacts. To get the most traffic at your booth, send out mailings and announcements before the show inviting your customers and prospects to stop by your booth. Insert announcements in bills you send out, on your web page, and in ads you run near the show date. A couple of weeks before the event call important customers and prospects and set appointments with to meet with them at the show.

Have A Giveaway Or Gimmick

Your goal is to attract people who would be interested in your product to your booth. The giveaway or gimmick doesn't have to be big or elaborate. Samples of your product given away at intervals during the show are ideal. Novelty items such as key chains, pencils, pads of paper with your company and product name can be good too. Even something as simple as a large bowl full of bite-sized chocolates or hard candies can bring people to you booth. Use your imagination if there aren't sufficient funds for expensive giveaways.

Take Notes

You will have conversations with dozens of people during a trade show. Many of them will give you their name or a business card. Make sure you remember what you talked about and why you saved their card by jotting a note about what you talked about on the back of their business card or on a note pad while you're at the show.

Train Booth Personnel

Choose your booth staff carefully and be sure they know how to deal with the public among the faux pas to avoid (all seen at recent trade shows), are booth personnel who:

Pick their nose while talking to prospects

Look unkempt and/or unwashed

Bad-mouth competitors

Don't speak the language of the country well enough to be understood or to understand questions

Talk to each other instead of to people passing by the booth

Delight in garlic-laden lunches (or breakfasts)

Sit at the back of the booth and wait to be approached

Play to the Crowd

Plan demos so more than one prospect at a time can view them. If booth personnel are tied up giving a demo to one or two people, and that demo can't be seen by other passers-by, you limit the numbers of potential leads and customers you will attract. If at all possible, use movie screens or projection screens, or large screen computers and have demos done with the demonstrator facing the any audience or the aisle of the trade show.

Follow up!

Have a plan in place for following up on leads as soon as you get home from the show. Don't wait a month or two to get around to sending information to those who stopped by your booth. By then, the hot prospects are likely to have become good customers for one of your competitors.