Netrokona’s iconic balish mishti gets GI recognition

October 12, 2025

Netrokona's beloved sweet, balish mishti, has recently been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status, which means that it is no longer just a local delicacy, it is now officially considered a part of Bangladesh's national heritage. The story of Balish Mishti began with Gayanath Ghosh, who ran a sweet shop named 'Gayanath Mistanno Bhandar' on Barhatta Road in Netrokona town. Unlike many other sweet makers of his time, he wanted to break away from the usual treats. That determination led to the making of a new sweet known as 'Balish Mishti'. Long, soft and shaped like a pillow, it quickly became a favourite among locals. Out of respect, people still lovingly call it "Gayanather balish mishti."The sweet comes in different sizes, with prices varying accordingly. The largest size can weigh nearly three kilograms and is enough to serve 8 to 10 people. Although Gayanath moved to India in 1969, he left behind his creation here in Netrokona. Before leaving, he passed on the recipe and method to the main moira (the community known for making sweets), Nikhil Chandra Modak, ensuring that the tradition would live on. After Nikhil's passing, his three sons took over the business. To this day, the Modak family continues to carry the legacy forward. For anyone visiting Netrokona, balish mishti is a must-try. Tasting this unique delicacy is more than just enjoying a dessert; it is about experiencing a piece of living tradition that began over a century ago. With its new GI recognition, balish mishti has now risen beyond a local delicacy to stand as a proud symbol of national heritage....

Shades of style: The fashion power of eyewear

October 09, 2025

Eyewear has always straddled the line between necessity and style, but today, the balance feels more relevant than ever. There is no denying that sunglasses are a genuine necessity, shielding our eyes from sun damage and, in the time we live in, something we should make a habit of wearing regularly. Yet, practicality doesn't have to mean predictable. Glasses and shades no longer follow a one-size-fits-all formula. From timeless aviators to bold, bedazzled frames, eyewear has become less about hiding behind lenses and more about revealing personality. Gone are the days when oversized aviators were the only shorthand for glamour. Yes, oversized frames still have their allure, but fashion is cyclical, and the pendulum has swung back toward shapes that feel distinctly retro. The 80s-inspired smaller round glasses, or their close cousins (the slim oval frames rimmed with gold), have resurfaced in full force. Their comeback has nothing to do with nostalgia, really. It is about reclaiming an edge, balancing understated cool with effortless sophistication. That said, choosing sunglasses is never a random affair. Your face shape dictates which frames flatter you most. Round faces find balance in angular frames, while sharp jawlines soften beautifully under rounded edges. Heart-shaped faces lean into cat-eyes, elongating the eyes and cheekbones with feline drama. Oval faces, of course, win the lottery — they can carry nearly any frame, from oversized square shades to the tiny 90s rectangles now back in vogue. But the real secret lies not in rules, but in the dialogue between face and frame. The right pair doesn't just complement, it amplifies. And while we speak of amplification, few things illustrate the power of audacity better than bedazzled frames. Think glittered rims, jewel-encrusted borders, and crystals scattered across the lens edge. Once ridiculed for being "unwearable", these are now the emblem of fearless fashion. The shift happened when stylists...