It’s spring! Well, almost. While I’m sure most people in Bangladesh rather enjoy our mild winters, springtime ain’t that bad either. The krishnochuras and radhachuras nestle together on treetops like lovers, in full bloom, speckling the country in pretty hues of orange and yellow. We associate spring with beginnings, with fresh starts. As a result Pohela Falgun is greeted with much delight and energy. On the other hand, we celebrate globalisation in the guise of Valentine’s Day. While many still frown upon the idea of rejoicing a western festival, we don’t believe in boundaries when it comes to celebrations, especially when it is a celebration of love. A beautiful example of how well that works can be found in the fact that 21st February is now considered International Mother Language Day, a worldwide observance.
So to commemorate this month of festivities, we bring you lots of interesting material. Our cover story for this issue is on an important topic – why we should prioritise learning in our first language, Bangla. Moreover we own our reputation of being ‘maache bhate Bangali’ in Recipes where we have recapped traditional fish dishes. To get a glimpse of the evolving dating scene of Dhaka, we’ve compiled quotes from lovers of different generations. Go ahead and see what they have to say. Another feature to watch out for is an interview with the gifted illustrator, Sabyasachi Mistry. Other featured articles include a fun review of Angels n’ Gypsies, a travelogue of China, and of course, a stunning portfolio of Dhaka’s fashion houses.
There you have it; eighty pages worth of information, communication and entertainment and it’s all for you. Peruse through it at ease as you welcome the season of colours and enjoy the gorgeous weather it comes with.