Special Feature

Of nuptial rites

A wedding is not merely a knot tied between two individuals but also a custom that binds two families. There was a time when rites and rituals were the only concern of the families in question but now, people are more aware and thus laws of the land are kept in mind for the completion of a successful wedding.

Muslim marriage
Marriage registration is a must in Muslim matrimonial law. Verbal and written consent of the bride and the groom in front of the Kazi or marriage registrar and four witnesses, generally males, is essential to validate the marriage. Two of the witnesses are chosen from the bride's side and two from the groom's side. The woman should be at least 18 and the man 21.

It is essential that while the matrimonial document or kabin is prepared, the wife must be ensured of her right to divorce, lest the need for such, ever arises. If this clause is overlooked during marriage then she may lose her right to apply for a divorce or remarriage.

Hindu marriage
Marriage is a religious ceremony for the Hindu community and one of the ten Sanskars of the religion.

A Hindu marriage does not need to be documented, as it is a religious rite.

The bride is accepted (by the groom) and granted (from her parents) keeping the god as the witness. Other than that there is no formal role of witnesses. As long as the husband is alive he will be a god for the wife. On the other hand the wife is also the better half of the husband or Ardhangini.

In Brahma marriage, the most prevalent one, the father gives away his daughter with dowry to the groom in the presence of a priest. The bride's consent is not taken into consideration. The bride should be 18 and the groom 21.

Wearing shankha and sindur is not a must according to the law but it is a social custom. Many liberal Hindu women do not follow this custom nowadays.

Roman Catholic marriage
Among the Christians of Bangladesh, Roman Catholics are the largest group. The other two sections are Baptists and Protestants.

According to the laws of Roman Catholic Christians, a marriage can be arranged or it can be an affair. Both the bride and groom should take the oath of marriage in front of a priest and two witnesses, each from both sides.

A Roman Catholic Church contains the record of all the personal information of a Roman Catholic from baptism to marriage. The bride's and the groom's churches exchange personal information of the bride and the groom before the marriage takes place. Mostly it is needed to know whether any of them have in fact been married previously or not. This clearance from the church is a must before marriage.

The priest should announce the marriage in front of the community during Sunday prayers at church before marriage so that everyone of the community comes to know about the marriage. The priest also wants to know whether anyone is against the marriage and if he or she has any valid reason for objecting. The bride and the groom have to attend religious lessons on the sanctity of a marriage before getting married.

Misconception about court marriage
There is no term called court marriage or court kabin in the law. It is not a marriage at all. It is like a declaration like an affidavit where a person declares he or she will marry someone. It is not a kabin or marriage document. A lawyer cannot get anyone married. Court marriage is not an obstacle if that person marries someone else later.

By Durdana Ghias
Special thanks to Advocate Salma Ali, Priya Saha and Aldrick Biswas

Coffee cake

Coffee honey mixture:
1 cup strong, black coffee
1 cup honey
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Method
Beat eggs well; add melted and cooled shortening or oil.

Add fruit juices. Add pre-sifted dry ingredients alternately with coffee-honey mixture.

Bake in a 9" x 12" loaf pan in a moderate oven (350 degrees) about 1-1/4 hours.

Chocolate marble cake
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbsp baking powder
½ cup milk
1 tbsp butter
1 ea chocolate square, unsweetened
1 tsp vanilla

Method:
Cream together the butter and sugar; add the eggs and mix well. Sift together the flour and baking powder and add alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture. Put 1/3 of the combined mixture into a bowl. Melt together the butter and chocolate and add to the combined mixture. Add the vanilla to the white batter. Drop the white batter, then the chocolate batter, by spoonfuls into a well-greased, deep cake pan and bake at 350-F for about 40 minutes.

Fresh strawberry cakes
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cups sugar
1/2 cups chopped walnuts
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cups vegetable oil
10 oz pkg frozen sweet Strawberries*

* or 1 cup crushed fresh strawberries mixed with 3 tsp sugar

Method:
Mix together flour, baking soda, sugar and nuts in a bowl. In another bowl, beat together egg whites, vanilla extract and oil until well blended. Add strawberries and beat at slow speed of mixer until berries are partially broken. Beat in flour mixture slowly until smooth, but berries still a little bit chunky. Pour batter into greased muffin tins, filling halfway. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until they taste done. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or favourite frosting, if desired.

The Spa Hydraulic digital cabin is a fully automated electronic device that includes light, ozone and hydrotherapy, in addition to the typical steam and sauna. This thing can be a great escape from your long daily chores and gets you feeling all rejuvenated along with a relaxing body massage. It gives you the opening for detoxifying and slimming, making you feel very renewed and reformed. The interior of the salon is very chic and simple with mirrors and clear bright lights. The space has been rightly used with separate rooms for cutting, washing, facial, make-up and so on. “My main focus has been on the service rather than the interior, however I have tried to maintain a very fresh and serene environment”, she adds. The next innovation brought in is the ozone hair treatment machine. While the treatment is a popular and common one, the machine is the first of its kind in Bangladesh. It is a total solution for hair loss, deficient scalp and dry or damaged hair. The next miraculous device is for enhancing your skin. The dermabration appliance provides a modern lifting procedure that deals with the removal of wrinkles, spots and the like. The machines are averred to be very safe and secure and the personals very trained, so that you don't feel anxious and enjoy your experience thoroughly. Also in line, is the slimming hot blanket that not only gets rid of those extra pounds but drastically reduces inches from your body.

Other outstanding services provided here are eyebrow embroidery and eyelash firming which is permanent, whilst a temporary scheme is the eyelash extension. The eyebrow embroidery gives volume to your brows while the eyelash firming extends and gives your lashes a new striking savvy look. The spa packages include various attractive offers that you will not want to miss. The real 24-carat facial is one of the most exclusive and pricey packages but is certainly worth a try. However, the prices are otherwise reasonably set. Counselling is also provided on skin and beauty care. The make up for the reception program has been announced free when you get a bridal make-up done. This offer is limited till the wedding season.

Don't get carried away by the name, its not just skin but a total beauty solution. You can check the place out and see if it suits you at House-63, Road-32 in Gulshan-1. The inauguration night was studded with stars. Fahmida Nabi and Samina Chowdhury along with many other models and actors inaugurated the salon. Owner Kanik, had her previous salon under the same name in Eskaton. With her distinctive competencies, there was no question about the salon's success.

By Zion Ara Hamid