Ecofeminism: Spiritual or Political by Maria Meyes and Vandana Shiva: Summary

The given paper tries to define ecofeminism and its purposes. It is a general overview of ecofeminism as a whole told from the perspective of the author. The author tried to differentiate ecofeminist universalism from that which emerged after the Enlightenment and through the capitalist patriarchal roots. According to this school of thought, instead of there being basic and higher needs, there is simply needs – one is not greater than the other.

According to Ynestra King, Ecofeminism is a connection between practice and theory. Basically well-being of the earth ensures well-being of all the living creatures. According to ecofeminist theory, the main threat to environment or nature is the capitalist mentality, which exploits the nature for material gain and in the process, harms individuals.

The 'Gender Lens' by Sarah C. White: Summary

In her research paper, White brings up an important issue to light. That is, race is often ignored due to all the importance given to gender and sexuality. White states that, focus on gender and gender-related issues makes race and race-related issues appear less important, if not, completely ignored. But in reality, issues related to race often go hand in hand with gender based issues. The aim of her research paper was to bring importance of race and its issues into discussion alongside gender.

While working on this paper, she came across various obstacles. For example, she realized how race-based issues are worked upon so seldom and whatever little work there was, it was moved aside. Next, she found out how she herself was guilty of referencing her works as white-washed in the past. 

White correlates gender with race by giving the example of the second wave of feminism in the 1960s, which included the civil rights movement in USA. She claims that racial awareness along with gender awareness was vastly important in that time. Furthermore, she adds that race and race-related issues should be included within the domains of GAD. But she does not forget to address the lack of absolutism about race. Just as gender, race is controversial and broad in terms of definitions.

From Development to Empowerment by Rekha Datta: Summary

The article is a summation of the activities and impact of SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association) in the lives of women, especially the underprivileged and rural women, of India. It talks about the different measures taken by the organization in order to solve various problems a woman has to face in her regular life. The aims of SEWA is to make sure full employment of women is established. 

The organization is situated in Gujarat state of India and since its inception, it has displayed massive success rates in the fields of economy. It is also actively participating to eradicate different social obstructions women face in order to earn a livelihood. One of the biggest hurdles it came across is lack of recognition of self-employed women, such as, women who work in agricultural field, weaving, vending and so on. Previously, the state refused to give these working women the status of “employed”. But with the efforts of SEWA, especially due to the contribution of the young lawyer, Ela Bhatt, the state finally gave these women the proper recognition. This ensured that these women get the benefits of laws when necessary. This is also a stepping stone in the eradication of exploitation of these working class self-employed women.

Types of Feminism and Other Important Terms

Structuralism: The idea that everything can be confined within a structure. This idea was inspired from Saussure’s linguistic structure and the main proponent of this idea is Claude Levi-Strauss. Binary opposites and hierarchy are two main features of this ideology. This is a scientific approach.

Post-Structuralism: The main proponents were Foucault and Derrida and they talked about a decentered universe and deconstruction, meaning that there cannot be a hierarchal order. There is no absolute truth.

Post-modernism: It basically dealt with parody and pastiche. It is a cultural movement which used flashy and festive colors and exaggerated forms of expression.

Colonialism: The idea which leads a state to obtain authority of another state partially, initiating with the aim of trading. Generally, this enables the colonizing country to gain benefits bereaving the colonized country of its powers.

Men, Masculinity and "gender in development" by Andrea Cornwall: Summary

In her research, Andrea Cornwall points out that even though GAD claims to talk about gender in general, it mainly focuses on women and how they are oppressed. At the same time, it demonizes men. This creates an imbalance since, it has already proven that the problem is not “male versus female”; the problem lies in unequal power dynamics. She also points out that GAD emerged only because many of projects under WID failed, and people realized that it’s the institutionalized male privilege or patriarchy, or simply, the system that is at fault; not the biological male or female. Furthermore, she mentions that the current practices within GAD has some limitations.

At the start of 1980s, the idealization of the Universal Woman made even the mainstream feminists uncomfortable and created a power disequilibrium among the western perception of womanhood and other forms of womanhood, namely, black, lesbian, working class etc.

Top 5 chat up lines for guys to use on girls

Social media has become the latest site for people to practice and implement the art of courtship. And what best way is there to befriend a potential new love interest other than starting a conversation with a chat-up line? Yes, mark our words as we introduce chat-up line as the new hip and trendy word, soon replacing the traditional pick-up line. Here are the top 5 chat-up lines ready to impress the girl you are crushing on.

• Is “this” heaven? Because, I can clearly see an angel in my inbox.

Nothing beats a good old-fashioned flirtation with religious undertones. Simply insert any social media platform in your dialogue and aim for a religious girl and you will have the perfect concoction to a lasting conversation. This line is sure to perk up the interest of any girl because clearly, who doesn’t want to be spoiled a little and being called an angel is nothing short of a good start.

• There has to be something wrong with my friend-list, it doesn’t have you as my friend.

It may not strike as a very good chat-up line but hey! No girl likes a creep. Be a man and work your up into her comfort zone. It’s a safe bet. Start with a healthy friendship with just the right amount of flirting. Smaller steps can lead to bigger destinations.

Roktakto Prantor by Munir Chowdhury: Summary

The play Roktakto Prantor (translated as Field of Blood) is a Historical Tragedy written by the well-known playwright of Bangladesh, Munir Chowdhury. Even though on the surface, the play seems to be about the third battle of Panipath between the Maratha Hindus and the Muslims, there is actually an underlying romance involving the two main characters Ibrahim Kardi and Johora Begum.

Ibrahim Kardi is a Muslim. It is indicated in the play that before the war took place, he was appointed  in the Maratha Army by the chief Peshoba himself with due respect. He was rejected by armies of all ethnicities including the Muslims and since then he was serving for the Marathas. For this reason, he feels a moral obligation towards the Hindus in the third battle of Panipath against the Muslims, even though his religious orientation is Islam as well.

On the other hand, his wife Johora Begum was the daughter of the deceased Muslim chief. She was fighting for the Muslims under the guise of a fierce Muslim male warrior, Monnu Beg to avenge her father, who died at the hands of the Marathas. Hence, the main conflict of the play was evidently between the two main characters driven by moral obligations rather than the war itself.

How to download Youtube Videos and MP3 for Free

In this tutorial, I will show you how you can download YouTube videos in both MP4 and MP3 format as you like for free. All you have to do is download this software called ClipGrab. A simple Google search will take you to their free download site.

After downloading and installing the software, proceed with the following steps.

1. Go to your desired video on Youtube.

2. Copy the URL of the video. The link in the blue highlight is the URL of your desired video.

3. Go to ClipGrab and paste the URL in the box as shown in the picture.

4. If you want the original video, just change the format to Original or if you want an MP3, change the format to MP3 (audio only)

5. You can also change the quality of the video or music but only the available ones on YouTube. For example, if the YouTube video is only in 360p format, you cannot change it to HD in ClipGrab.

6. After that, simply click "Grab this Clip" and save the video in any file location on your PC.

7. The video will then be automatically downloaded and saved.

I hope this tutorial is helpful. Make sure, you do not use this for illegal or unfair purposes.

How to use MUA Lip Scrub

I recently bought this little kiddo from our local shop, BD Budget Beauty, to help treat my lips. But at home I got a bit confused about how I should apply it. I looked up the internet and it was very difficult to find the process. So, to make it easier for you guys, I decided to write down all the information I gathered from the net.

How to apply

• Remove lipstick or lip-gel off your lips.
• Make sure your lips are clean and dry.
• Apply MUA Lip Scrub on your lips for a few times like regular lipstick.
• Rub your lips together.
• Clean the excess product with a cloth and apply your favorite lipstick or just plain simple lip balm.
• You do not have to wash it with water or any other liquid.
• It is better to use it every second day instead of daily.

Benefits

• It removes the dead cells off your lips
• Plumps up your lips, making it appear fuller.
• Gives a pinkish glow if regularly used.
• Removes blackness.

I hope this post was helpful to you guys.  

Arsenic and Arsenocosis

Arsenic shown on Periodic Table

Arsenic

Definition: A natural semi-metallic chemical that is found all over the world in groundwater. [chemical formula: As]


Natural Source:

• Earth crust
• Volcanic materials
• Rock and mineral erosion
• Forest fires
• Sulfur-bearing mineral deposits (like gold and copper)
• Strong affinity to pyrites and iron oxides

My experience with Public Speaking

I define public speaking as all kind of interaction with people using language. My experience with public speaking has faced quite a lot of ups and downs. At certain situations, like at home with parents or some close friends, I am very comfortable to speak. 

Other times, during hang-outs where there are a lot people, I may not be so extrovert. However, during a presentation or a performance (one which had a lot of rehearsals), you would not be finding me sitting quitely at a corner. I am rather active in such circumstances. In fact, I have hosted quite a few shows back in my school days. On the contrary though, I am not so good at prompt speeches.

Bazar of Bangladesh

A Bazar of Bangladesh

So you take your first spoonful of biriyani and the taste hits you harder than a nuclear bomb? Ever wondered what made it so delicious? The best kind of rice, the best kind of spice and the best of meat combined together makes the best biriyani. Guess where you can find all of these?

At a bazar of course. 

A bazar is the local name of the market place where you can find all the groceries you need. From the freshest of fruits to the freshest of vegetables, what not. Right now, we will try to understand the whole concept of bazar as a whole.

The market complex is actually in an open space. There are small stalls all over this complex arranged in neat rows and open in all sides. The owner sits in the middle and displays his goods around him. You can actually bargain here literally. There are a lot instances where you can get a 500 taka product for only 120 taka. 

Should private universities in Bangladesh teach their students morality?

Topic: Should private universities in Bangladesh teach their students morality?

My answer: Yes.

In fact, I believe morality should never even be out of our system. I do not mean that there should another extra subject on morality. That would be awful, because as human beings we like to learn things and enjoy doing it when we are not under some kind pressure of exams and stuff. What I am suggesting is to instill the sense of morality subconsciously, like hanging posters and fliers here and there on walls or notice boards, so that one can some moral values while walking or doing whatever they are doing. It should be like a reminder, not something forced upon the students.

I also do not support some extra free classes where there is a certain teacher teaching us morality. That would be nothing different from normal classes. But, if necessary, the universities can arrange some sessions where different people can discuss what morality is and what should be about it; though I believe that would not be much fruitful since everyone has their own opinions.

How poems become popular

How do poems gain popularity? What makes them feel special? Why do people enjoy certain types of poetry?

To answer these questions, we were provided with five different popular poems and we had analyse them to find out the secret behind their fame. Read along to see find what I think on this matter.

The poems are...

I.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

How love makes us see the change of English literature

Literature changes with time. To explain it to us, our professor decided to give us three poems that talks about love using metaphors. The catch is that each poem is from a different century and each poem has a gap of about a couple of centuries between their publishing dates.

We had to read each poem and explain how they were different from each other and also note how English literature changed over time. Read along. Also note that, these are solely my thoughts and not exactly what the poems mean.

Here are the poems...

Poem I: Poem from circa 1600

My love is like to ice, and I to fire:

How comes it then that this her cold so great

Is not dissolved through my so hot desire,

But harder grows the more I her entreat?

Or how comes it that my exceeding heat

Is not allayed by her heart-frozen cold,

But that I burn much more in boiling sweat,

And feel my flames augmented manifold?

What more miraculous thing may be told,

That fire, which all things melts, should harden ice,

And ice, which is congeal's with senseless cold,

Should kindle fire by wonderful device?

Such is the power of love in gentle mind,

That it can alter all the course of kind.

My experience with drama

One of the most ancient forms of entertainment is drama.

To this day we enjoy plays and drama; difference is that the form has changed but the format has not. Personally, I like to read drama from time to time, though I must admit that I am still a noob in this sector of literature. To be honest, I have never been to a live play or jatra before but I have had glimpses of them on the television and they seemed quite fun. Here, I should add that I have been to school dramas.

Though I have never been a part of drama but I had the privilege of enjoying them in our school auditorium. The performers were amateurs but their zeal was enough to get one hooked.I believe live drama are really important for modern life. With advancement of time and technology, people tend to spend more time in their homes. Introverts are increasing. But drama is a great way for social interactions as well developing speaking skills and becoming more fluent in expressing oneself. Not only that, live drama are also quite enjoyable and are quite harmless in contrast to other technological media which expel a lot of harmful radiation.

Cover art by Mohona Mustary Arju

Here is the cover art for my short story THE MAIDEN AND THE ANGEL done by the super-talented Mohona Mustary Arju! Visit her here.