Not intentionally

 I was very irritated with someone. I told them, "You can write a book called 'How to Irritate Shahana in 101 Ways.'" It seems my words hurt them. They replied, "I don't do it intentionally." But things didn't improve much.

"Shaheed Minar"

At the University of Dhaka, our department was on the opposite side of the "Shaheed Minar". "Shaheed Minar" is a sculpture in remembrance of those who died to keep the Bangla language alive in this world. We call it the language of our mother. The larger sculpture represents the mother, and the smaller ones are her children. The incident occurred on 21st February 1952 in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Every year, the Banglade Academy arranges a book fair throughout the month of February to celebrate this month. People show their respect on February 21st and gather at this "Shaheed Minar".

While we were students at the University of Dhaka, one day I thought we should take some pictures on campus so we could remember this beautiful place. Shumi had a camera, and we took pictures at different places in the University. I think this was one of them. 

Biography 323: Life teaches us to lose

 So many things I thought I could never have, but life turned out in a way that I have them. These situations made me think that maybe I can achieve anything I try.

But life has more to teach me. Now I know, whether I like it or not, whether I want it or not, whatever is meant to happen will happen.

I'd better try to adjust and live with it. It doesn't mean I won't try to make things better. I won't give up. And then whatever I get, I try to live with it happily. In life, we need to learn to lose. If you win every time, you will forget the taste of winning.

Importance of cleanliness.

 Whoever comes to a leadership position should first focus on cleanliness. The position could be a mayor, premier, prime minister/president, house owner, house manager, counsellor, or school team leader.

If you can clean around you, many problems will solve themselves. Mostly, you will feel better, and whoever visits the place will, too. It could be your home, a neighbour's, a city, an airport, a bus station, a country, an office, a restaurant or anything else.

When I visited Halifax for the first time, the first thing I noticed was that the town was cleaner than Toronto. One of my co-passengers said they felt like they had come from Bangladesh to Canada.

Not only will it make you feel better, but it will also reduce illnesses, mental problems, and many other issues.

Bangla Academy Book Fair 2015

 Bangla Academy always arranges a book fair in February. I visited on the first day of spring to check out the Book Fair/Boi Mela.

The road was closed for the fair, and the fair gates were made to celebrate the book fair.

Little flower businessman.

The main gate of the fair/Bangla Academy

For the remembrance of the national poet Nazrul Islam.

Another gate of the Bangla Academy

Small businessmen are selling Pitha (Traditional winter desserts, the main ingredient is rice flour)

Professional photographer Piyar Bhai. Girls are waiting for their turn to take a picture.

Just the opposite side of the Book Fair there is a park Shohrowardy Uddyan

Bought a book for a kid

Biography 322: How to increase the amount of tea.

 I don't remember when I started taking tea. In Bangladesh, parents allow children to drink tea from a very early age. Maybe a 3-year-old child can be allowed to drink tea.

My youngest sister likes to drink tea, but she was very young. So my mom gave her tea in a small cup that wasn't full. She came up with a solid plan. First, she took one or two sips, then poured her tea into my mom's big mug. My mom was surprised. She asked what had happened. My sister said, "Okay, bring my tea back." Even though she had already taken some tea, she took it all back. But my mom didn't fill her cup 100%. So she said, "I don't drink half a cup of tea. It has to be full." My mom filled it, and she drank it. Then she said, "I don't drink just one cup of tea. I take 2 full cups of tea." So my mom had to fill her cup once again.

Toronto is the best city in Canada.

 As far as I have seen, Toronto has the best weather among all Canadian cities. It has all kinds of features, maybe in limited ways, but you won't miss them. For example, it has Lake Ontario, the Blue Mountains, the Badlands, forests, waterfalls, big cities, a green belt, small towns, rain, snow, wind, railways, subways, LRTs, streetcars, airports, jetties, ships, cruises, skyscraper buildings, cottage villages, a capital city, different cultures and living styles, malls, farmers' markets, best universities, best student grants, amusement parks, natural parks, museums, gondola, skiing, racing, different cultural programs, safari park, etc.

Now it has an official Bangla para too, where most Bangladeshi people live. You will see Bangla nameplates on the roadside shops.

That's why once people start living in Toronto, they don't want to go anywhere else. But the city is becoming increasingly expensive. Living costs are becoming unbearable, mostly in housing and groceries. For this reason alone, some people are moving out of the city. 

Now the job crisis has begun. This crisis is worsening.

1st day of Spring celebration in Bangladesh.

 Before I moved to Canada, one day Falguni asked me to join the celebration of the first day of spring. We went to Boi Mela (Book Fair) and then visited some areas of the University of Dhaka. We met some of our other friends, too.

We were at the Boi Mela (Book Fair).

As far as I remember, the stage was at the Charukala, University of Dhaka, 

Inside Boi Mela (Book Fair), which runs throughout the month of February.

Biography 321: Social media in my life

 I am a busy person. I am always busy. My father used to say about me, "busy for nothing." That wasn't true. I am really busy with many things. I have plenty of important things to complete. Blogging isn't important to me. I am not earning money by communicating with people through my blog. It's just something I like to do, to express my thoughts on different issues. The same goes for my Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram accounts.

I have started blogging as part of my office job. Our company introduced a blog and asked me to join. Then I started writing in my own way on my personal blog. A place where I can express myself without worrying about others' expressions.

Well, I am aware that I won't hurt anyone, that's why in many cases I avoid much information.

Now it's become difficult for me to spend time on social media. I should focus on my important issues in life, not social media. But you know, I should keep a little room for my mind's entertainment. Just to relax and speak (writing, sharing pictures).

Happy New Year 2026

Yesterday, on New Year's Eve, I made some food to celebrate. It was polao with potatoes, tomato salad, chicken kabab, and, for dessert, egg halua. The dessert didn't look good, so I didn't take any pictures of it. The food was very tasty. I added buter daal (lentils), olives, garlic pickle, and lime to taste it more.