Ramadan is the most blessed month of the Muslim Ummah. In this holy month, fasting for the whole month from sunrise to sunset without eating anything is fasting. After a day-long fast who doesn't want Iftar with something special hot and cold on their table.

Muslims are overjoyed with the blessed Iftar of the month of Ramadan and considering this amazement, there is a tempting Iftar market in all places across the country.

As soon as Ramadan arrives, the image of Dhaka changes with its unique Iftar markets which start gathering in different parts of the city every afternoon. Iftar is organized by food-loving Bengalis with many kinds of eatables and flavors.

And the tradition of Iftar during Ramadan means the old Dhaka of the capital Dhaka. The fame and tradition of Iftar in Chawkbazar of this area is known to al.

The Iftar market is jammed every time on the occasion of Ramadan. At the beginning of Ramadan, Various Iftar Shows are arranged in this ancient and traditional place of Dhaka, which lasts throughout the month. Starting from all over the capital, people from outside Dhaka also come here to buy Iftar. Especially when it comes to kebabs in 'Boro Baper Polay Khay', the name of Chawkbazar comes first.

The shopkeepers sit at the table in layers, arranging all the tempting Iftar items full of variety. Buyers are also flocking to buy that Iftar.

The Iftar Para of Chawkbazar is very much a part of the Mughal tradition. Notable among the Iftar here are Chicken Kebab, Rooster Musallam, Boti Kebab, Tika Kebab, Kofta, Chicken Kathi, Sami Kebab, Shiker Heavy Kebab, Suti Kebab, Quail Bird Roast, Pigeon Roast, Jilapi, Shahi Jilapi, Nimkira, Halim, Daibra, Saudi drink Labang, Kashmiri sherbet, Isabgul's bhusi, Puri and more than half a hundred interesting ingredients. There are also tana parota, minced meat parota, minced beef parota, purple, onion, potato chop, and samucha.

Although it is customary to make Iftar in every house in Old Dhaka during Ramadan, the residents of the area are always more attracted to outside food. That is why the attraction of Iftar has been going on among the people of old Dhaka since ancient times. So in addition to making it at home, they also buy a lot of items from the market.

But this time the thrilling scene has changed. The lockdown for Covid-19 has also affected the Iftar market. The Shahi Masjid Road in Chawkbazar, which is popular among people during the month of Ramadan, was found empty today. There is no iftar shop on the road. It was seen that the shopkeepers were selling Iftar items in three to four permanent shops and two or four temporary shops. At other times, the Iftar items of different positions were seen, but this time the royal food was not seen. However, the famous Shahi Jilapi, Shahi Parata, Suti Kabab of Chawkbazar, which has been known for ages, have been seen in many places.

Iftar shops on Bailey Road in the capital are not as common as in old Dhaka. The shopkeepers were waiting for the buyers by arranging Iftar shows in a few permanent shops from noon onwards. However, the increase in the number of buyers has been noticed in Old Dhaka, Bailey Road, or all other places in Dhaka.

Just before Iftar, a kind of crowd can be seen everywhere. Some were following the hygiene rules and some were in a hurry to buy iftar without following the minimum hygiene rules. The police is rushing to wherever such people were present and screaming that those sell and buying iftar items must comply with the hygiene rules. Many excuses were given by the violators.

However, the image of the district cities of the country has been seen as a bit well known. Because the outbreak of Covid-19 did not have much effect in the village, the various iftar markets have been frozen there. Besides Iftar, the fruit market is also crowded with shoppers. District cities like Dhaka also had a large police presence. All purchases have been forced to be cut by evening. The police and the administration have conducted all kinds of activities to raise awareness including fines for non-compliance with health rules.

This time the price of Iftar items is a bit higher than last time. On the one hand, most of the families in Covid-19 have financial problems, while on the other hand, the extra price of Iftar is a pressure.

All in all, it is like a wailing environment. Besides, those who had set up shop last year, this time some of them are involved in other works due to lack of capital and have closed their shops due to lack of money and left Dhaka for the village. In a real sense, this sudden epidemic of Covid-19virus has turned public life into a cruel story.

Some have lost their jobs and some have jobs but no salary. How to decorate the Iftar dish with various foods? No one knows the exact answer to that question. God will fix the fate for all of us.

 

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year by people around the world on June 14. WHO says for 2021, the World Blood Donor Day slogan will be "Give blood and keep the world-beating". The message highlights the essential contribution blood donors make to keeping the world pulsating by saving lives and improving others' health. It reinforces the global call for more people all over the world to donate blood regularly and contribute to better health.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite limited mobility and other challenges, blood donors in many countries have continued to donate blood and plasma to patients who need a transfusion.  This extraordinary effort during a time of unprecedented crisis highlights the crucial role of well-organized, committed voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors in ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply during normal and emergency times.

Blood donor day history Wikipedia says it is celebrated on the birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner on June 14, 1868. Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the ABO blood group system.

The first voluntary blood donation program in Bangladesh was begun in 1977 at Dhaka Medical College and was organized by SANDHANI. SANDHANI has now 25 units in different medical and dental colleges. SANDHANI is a voluntary institution run by the medical and dental students of BANGLADESH.

Blood donation is when an adult and a healthy person voluntarily donate their own blood in danger or need. This means if you are healthy and strong, you weigh 50-160 kg, you are 18 to 6 years old, you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, you do not have HIV infection and you have not donated blood in the last 3 months or so. You can donate blood. Doctors say that giving blood every 4 months increases the tendency of the body to create new red blood cells. It also increases the body's resistance to disease several times. It has also been found that regular blood donation also reduces the risk of heart disease. Peace comes to mind again through blood donation.

There was a time when blood was needed to run to the blood bank to collect blood from a professional blood donor. In time, these images can no longer be seen. Because the number of blood donors in our country is increasing day by day. Now, if you post blood on Facebook or social media, you can find blood quickly. In the same way, many people are ready to donate blood for the benefit of the people. Men, as well as women, are now ahead in blood donation. Moreover, numerous groups have been formed through social media including direct blood donation organizations.

The number of people donating blood along with the blood recipients for their welfare is increasing like a river. By doing this, thousands of fresh lives are being saved every day. Thousands of golden boys and girls are being born. Thousands of families are laughing. And this is only possible for great blood donors.

How valuable is a blood donor in our country or society? I don't know how many people will be able to give a good answer to this question. Because many people are instantly forgetting that thousands of young people are donating fresh blood for others every day. In a country where the price of 500 grams of water is 15 taka, how can people forget the 500 grams of blood free of cost? In fact, after rescuing our own facilities, we are going to our other work and don't think for blood donors.

In a real sense, a blood donor never expects anything in exchange for blood. But don't expect this or your love. After donating blood, the blood donor gets the best peace by seeing your smiling face. So learn to love all those blood donors. Arrange for them to reach their destination safely after blood donation or keep them informed. At the end of blood donation, always keep an eye on his body to see if he is OK or if he has any problem. Pray for him and his family and if possible go to the blood donor's house at the end of your problem and bring the news of the blood donor. This will be your love for blood donors.

In the midst of all this, the number of people in our society who are aware of blood donors is not less now. There is a lot of service and love for the blood donors who come to donate blood in many hospitals or blood donation centers. Transportation to the blood donation center, the number of people sitting with saline water or soft drinks for body strength is eye-catching. Blood donors are more encouraged to donate blood for people for inspiring who love blood donors in our society.  At the same time, they are made new blood donors day by day.

In this way, a blood donor is encouraged to donate blood again and again. These blood donors work to create new blood donors as well as themselves. Moreover, the role of the organizations engaged in blood donation services is unforgettable. Because these organizations work most and fast in times of emergency. Some organizations currently have new methods, including websites and mobile apps. You can keep your information on the website or mobile app. This will allow someone to contact you quickly if they need the blood. On the other hand, from the information available in those places where your blood is needed, the group can talk to the person and arrange the blood quickly. This has further improved our new society. And everything is for great blood donors.

Today is World Blood Donor Day. Let's donate blood ourselves and love these blood warriors as well as encourage everyone to donate blood. It will change me, my society, and my state. At last, On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day, We pray that anyone will not die for lack of blood.


Rajon Akonda is Editorial Assistant, The Asian Age