As part of a series of events to celebrate the 30th Anniversary in the establishment of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Japan, the Japanese Embassy has invited a teacher from the Soami School and the Headmaster of the Miyako Koryu School to perform an Ikebana Demonstration in Dhaka. It will take place 7 March at Shishu Academy, and the time has been tentatively fixed for 15:30.

Chisato Obikane, an UNWA member who also has a teaching licence from the Koryu School, has been very busy organizing the event.

Beyond e-mail: Learn Word shortcuts and tricks (templates, readability and grammar assistance, tables, mail merge), Excel financial and directory spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentation techniques, and efficient use of the Internet at a new women-only course offered in Banani. For more advanced users, DeltaSoft has developed individualized programs for women working in development in Bangladesh.

e-Office for Ladies beginners’ courses in MS Office at DeltaSoft, Rd.21 Hs.74B, Banani. March 5 - April 9 or April 14 - May 16. Call 988-7518 / 881-0915 deltasft@gononet.com or contact course coordinator Jean Sack, jsack@citechco.net.

A NEEDLE PULLING THREAD

The first ever two day exhibition of Nakshi Kantha organised by Jagorani Chakra and sponsored by VSO will be held in the Residence of the British High Commissioner on Sunday 17 March 4.30-6.30pm and Monday 18 March 9.30-11.30am.

Kantha is the Bangla word for quilt and Nakshi is the fine diagonal stitch pattern most often used.

Nakshi Kantha began when women used to sew old saris together in layers to provide bed covers for the cooler winter months.  Local weavers made very plain saris often with a patterned border.  The border was un-picked and the thread used for the embroidery of the quilt.

Chakra is constantly training more women and increasing the range of their products which include saris, shalwar-kameeze, shirts, punjabi, cushion covers, household items, paper products and quilts.  The materials are pure hand-woven silks and cotton and every piece is hand made.

 With their ongoing training programme, Chakra (a self reliant project and part of Jagorani Chakra based in Jessore) hope that these skills will be preserved and passed down to future generations both perpetuating the art and providing income for women, their families and communities.

By buying Chakra products, customers are helping village women and communities and at the same time buying what in the future may become a family heirloom.

Come and browse at the imaginative and beautiful displays in the Residence during the times stated.  Admission is by ticket only (free) so ring 011 803 654 for your invitation card.