Harnaaz Sandhu of India has been crowned the 70th Miss
Universe, topping a field of some 80 contestants in a pageant that was touched
by politics and the pandemic.
The previously reigning Miss Universe, Andrea Meza of
Mexico, crowned her successor, a 21-year-old model, early on Monday in the
Israeli Red Sea resort town of Eilat.
The pageant was held in the middle of the night, wrapping up
at 5 am (0300 GMT) on Monday to accommodate the primetime schedule in the United
States.
The pageant included traditional displays of national
costumes, swimwear, and a series of interview questions to test contestants’
public speaking skills. The top 10 showed off intricately bedazzled full-length
gowns in either gold, silver, or bronze.
The Philippines’s Beatrice Luigi Gomez wore an asymmetrical
cut dress with one sleeve, highlighting a new tattoo she said: “celebrates her
womanhood”.
Before Sandhu, two Indians have won the Miss Universe title:
Bollywood actresses Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
Boycott calls
The contest also drew attention in recent weeks for other
reasons, with several contestants defying pressure to boycott in support of the
Palestinians.
A grassroots Palestinian-led boycott movement had urged
contestants to skip the event to protest Israel’s treatment of the
Palestinians.
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural
Boycott of Israel wrote: “We urge all participants to withdraw, to avoid complicity
in Israel’s apartheid regime and its violation of Palestinian human rights.”
The 80 contestants also included Miss Morocco Kawtar
Benhalima and Miss Bahrain Manar Nadeem Deyani, whose Muslim-majority nations normalized
ties with Israel last year.
In the end, only Indonesia and Malaysia, nations that do not
have diplomatic relations with Israel, did not send a representative, citing
the global COVID-19 situation, not Israel’s rights record.
South Africa, which also strongly supports the Palestinian
cause, withdrew support for the country’s representative over her
participation, citing “atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians”.
The United Arab Emirates, which also normalized ties with
Israel last year and where Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a historic visit
on Sunday, has also not sent a candidate.
But the UAE said that was “due to time constraints” in
selecting its national winner.
‘Colonialism, racism’
Contestants for the pageant landed in Israel late last month
and have since toured sites, sometimes coming under criticism for cultural
insensitivity.
In one stop in the Bedouin city of Rahat, the candidates
wore robes with traditional Palestinian embroidery while rolling grape leaves –
which Gomez tweeted was a “Day in the life of a Bedouin”.
The Bedouin are traditionally nomadic Palestinians who have
long complained of discrimination in housing and education by the Israeli
government.
“Colonialism, racism, cultural appropriation, patriarchy,
whitewashing, all in one place,” tweeted Ines Abdel Razek of the Palestine
Institute for Public Diplomacy, an advocacy group.
In an interview last month, Meza urged contestants to leave
politics out of the pageant, saying the gathering was meant to bring together
women from different backgrounds.
“When you are in there, you forget about politics, about
your religion,” she told The Associated Press news agency at the time.
Sara Salansky, an official with the Israeli tourism
ministry, said the country was selected to host the contest earlier this year
because of Israel’s successful coronavirus vaccination programme.
The contest suffered a last-minute hiccup with the arrival
of the Omicron variant, which forced Israel to close its borders to foreign
tourists late last month.
Most of the Miss Universe contestants were already in the
country before the new regulations came into effect. But those who came
afterward were given special permission to enter, albeit with a mandatory
72-hour quarantine period.
Throughout the run-up to Sunday’s contest, all contestants
were tested for the coronavirus every 48 hours and required to obey strict mask
requirements.
Amid all the safeguards, France’s contestant, Clemence
Botino, tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after arriving in Israel. After 10
days in quarantine, she was declared virus-free last week and allowed to rejoin
the competition.
Last year’s pageant was delayed due to the pandemic before
Meza was crowned in May of this year for her abbreviated tenure.
Participants in the pageant, which was co-owned by Donald
Trump before he became US president, must be between the ages of 18 and 28 and
should not be married or have a child.
Comment
Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh, the umbrella organisation for several of the country's music-related groups, has honoured the eminent Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, who has recently been named as one of the distinguished recipients of India’s prestigious "Padma Shri" award by the Government of India.
On Monday (February 5) evening, the representative team of Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh congratulated the iconic singer at her residence in the capital with floral greetings on behalf of the organisation.
Secretary Generals of the organisation Shahid Mahmud Jangi and Naquib Khan, alongside Sangeet Oikko’s Publicity and Publication Secretary, National Film Award-winning lyricist Zulfikar Russell, went to felicitate Bannya, who is also the President of the organisation.
Bannya received Bangladesh's highest civilian award, the Independence Award, in 2016 for her contribution to the country’s music. This time, the eminent artist was awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the 'Padma Shri' for her distinguished service in the field of art.
Lyricists’ Association of Bangladesh, Singers’ Association of Bangladesh, Music Composers’ Society Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Musicians Foundation have united under the banner of 'Sangeet Oikya Bangladesh' in 2021 to protect the rights of people associated with the country’s music industry.
This organisation is working together with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Bangladesh Copyright Office to create links between all parties in music and formulate jointly developed proposals for the betterment of the industry.
The first and current committee members of the organisation include President Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Secretary Generals Shaheed Mahmud Jangi, Naquib Khan, and Kumar Bishwajit, Finance and Department Secretary Asif Iqbal, Information Technology and International Affairs Secretary Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel, Cultural Secretary Bappa Mazumder, Publicity and Publication Secretary Zulfikar Russell, and Executive Members Manam Ahmed, Kabir Bakul, Shawkat Ali Imon, and Joy Shahriar.
India’s highest civilian honour is "Bharat Ratna," followed by "Padma Vibhushan," "Padma Bhushan" and "Padma Shri" in chronological order. These awards are conferred for special contributions in different sectors.
This year, the Indian government has nominated 132 distinguished people for the Padma Awards. Five of them are receiving the "Padma Vibhushan," 17 are receiving the "Padma Bhushan" and 110 are receiving the "Padma Shri’" award, including Bannya.
Earlier in 2021, the Indian government awarded the "Padma Shri" to the leading personalities of the cultural arena of Bangladesh, including Chhayanaut President Professor Sanjida Khatun and Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Quazi Sazzad Ali Zahir, Bir Protik.
Previously, archaeologist Enamul Haque and social worker Jharnadhara Chowdhury also received the "Padma Shri" award, while late-eminent educationist Professor Anisuzzaman and diplomat Syed Moazzem Ali received 'Padma Bhushan' from the Government of India.
Bangladesh Rezwana Choudhury Bannya Padma Shri
Comment
Victoria Monet on Sunday won the coveted Best New Artist Grammy, beating an eclectic field including Bronx rapper Ice Spice to earn the honor.
Monet entered the night with seven nominations including one for the prestigious Record of the Year award, after her debut studio album "Jaguar II" sparked a commercial breakthrough following years in the industry.
Her Best New Artist prize brings her total win count on the night to three. The others were best R&B album and best engineered album, non-classical.
"Thank you to the champagne servers of tonight. That's my first thank you," Monet told the audience.
"Thank you to the Recording Academy voting members. This is because of you guys. You guys pressed that button, you were in your emails. Thank you so much. Thank you to my mom -- a single mom raising this really bad girl. Thank
you so much."
Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Sacramento, California, Monet showed promise in the arts from a young age, not least as a poet and lyricist.
A frequent collaborator of Ariana Grande, Monet had many songwriting credits on Grande's studio albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings."
In 2021, she was also nominated in the Best R&B Song category for co-writing "Do It" by sister duo Chloe X Halle.
She cites artists including Janet Jackson, Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys as influences, as well as Sade, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Her daughter Hazel, who was born in 2021, became the youngest Grammy nominee in history for her contribution to "Hollywood," which was nominated this year for best traditional R&B performance.
-BSS
Victoria Monet Grammy New Artist
Comment
Bruce Springsteen played a blistering duet with Jon Bon Jovi to honor the latter artist at a pre-Grammy gala Friday, as superstars including Paul McCartney danced along to an event heavy on New Jersey pride.
The two rock icons had the crowd on its feet for rollicking renditions of Bon Jovi's hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home" and Springsteen's "The Promised Land."
The star-studded gala in Los Angeles is an annual pre-Grammy tradition from MusiCares, the charitable wing of the Recording Academy that raises money to help musicians in need.
Past honorees include Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell as well as Springsteen and McCartney.
In accepting the award, Bon Jovi heralded his friend The Boss, including to acknowledge the death of Springsteen's mother earlier this week.
"He wanted to be here tonight for me, and I'm forever grateful to you," Bon Jovi, 61, told Springsteen.
Comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan hosted the event, which was brimming with riffs on short shorts and big hair, a look elemental to Bon Jovi's rise in his heady hair band days.
At one point, Gaffigan even donned a teased wig and denim cutoffs, telling the audience: "When most people see Jon or me they see a piece of ass -- but that's not fair to Jon or me. There's many more dimensions."
Sporting a sparkling blazer and cowboy hat, nineties rocker Melissa Etheridge harnessed her powerful vocals for a performance of the bluesy "Blaze of Glory" in honor of the artist she told journalists on the red carpet she has "loved for years."
"Just seeing him and the band, you know for decades, just making music and keeping relevant, keeping singing the songs we love, and just, you know, being cool."
- 'Friend for life' -
Jelly Roll, the rapper turned country singer in the running for a Best New Artist Grammy, gave a spot-on performance of the glam arena rock favorite "Bad Medicine" that drew resounding applause.
Also up for Best New Artist are the husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty, a country and blues act who brought the crowd to their feet with a heartstring-pulling duet of "I'll Be There For You."
Country-pop legend Shania Twain performed the power ballad "Bed of Roses," while Lainey Wilson, the country artist up for two awards on Sunday, staged a twangified version of "We Weren't Born To Follow."
And fellow Grammy nominee Jason Isbell smashed his performance of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead Or Alive."
The Goo Goo Dolls, who have toured extensively with Bon Jovi, performed "This House is Not For Sale," including a power solo worthy of any guitar hero.
"He's always been generous and open, and those are the people that I admire most in this business," said Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik of Bon Jovi.
"I think he truly deserves it, he's genuine about what he does, and he's always given back a lot. And I think that helps keep you sane, and it makes this worthwhile."
The night ended with an ensemble performance of the smash "Livin' On A Prayer," after Bon Jovi delivered a speech heralding the "gift" that is music.
"Every time that I strum my guitar, I'm reminded that I have a best friend for life. That instrument will never let you down," he said. "It doesn't matter if you're eight or if you're 80, if you're playing in a bedroom or at the local stadium."
"Tonight, and every night, I know how blessed I've been."
-BSS
Rock Jon Bon Jovi pre-Grammy gala
Comment
The 36th 'National Poetry Festival-2024' will be held at Hakim Chattar adjacent to Dhaka University Central Library from February 1-2.
Poets from Argentina, Nepal, Germany, Iraq, the Philippines and other countries would participate in the festival.
Jatiya Kabita Parishad General Secretary Tariq Sujat disclosed the information at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here today.
The slogan of this year's National Poetry Festival is "Juddho Gonohattya Shoha Na Kobita".
Poet Nirmalendu Goon, who won the Ekushey Padak, Independence Day Award and Bangla Academy Literary Award, will inaugurate the 36th 'National Poetry Festival 2024'.
President of Jatiya Kabita Parishad and Pro Vice-Chancellor of DU Prof Muhammad Samad was present at the press conference.
Convener of National Poetry Festival parishad Shihab Sarkar and various sub-committee conveners Rubi Rahman, Aminur Rahman Sultan, Dilara Hafiz, Nasir Ahmmed and Aslam Sani were also present at the press conference.
-BSS
Comment
A four-day "33rd New York International Bangla Book Fair, 2024" under the initiative of Muktadhara Foundation, will start from May 24 to 27 at Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) in New York, the USA.
The decision was taken on January 28, as the organizing committee of the fair held a view exchange meeting at a conference hall in Jackson Heights, said a press release received here today.
Nini Wahed, Vice-Chairperson of the 'Muktodhara Foundation', its former chairperson Ferdous Sajedeen, former conveners of the New York Bangla Book Fair Committee- Saud Chaudhuruy and Golam Faruk Bhuiyan, executive members- Ranu Ferdous, Obaidulla Mamun, Semonti Wahed and publicity editor Tofazzal Liton were present at the meeting, among others.
At the meeting, it was stated that 33 publishing houses from around the world will participate in the fair and there will be more than 2,000 new books.
This year, the main attraction of the fair besides the books will be open air music sessions and short films screening. Also, there will be a whole day of celebration for the new generation as 'Youth Festival'.
'GFB-Muktodhara Literature Award' will be given for the remarkable contributions towards the Bengali literature at the fair, while the expatriate writers will be honored with 'Shahid Qadri Memorial Award' this year.
-BSS
New York International Bangla Book Fair Muktadhara Foundation USA
Comment
Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh, the umbrella organisation for several of the country's music-related groups, has honoured the eminent Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, who has recently been named as one of the distinguished recipients of India’s prestigious "Padma Shri" award by the Government of India.
Victoria Monet on Sunday won the coveted Best New Artist Grammy, beating an eclectic field including Bronx rapper Ice Spice to earn the honor. Monet entered the night with seven nominations including one for the prestigious Record of the Year award, after her debut studio album "Jaguar II" sparked a commercial breakthrough following years in the industry.
Bruce Springsteen played a blistering duet with Jon Bon Jovi to honor the latter artist at a pre-Grammy gala Friday, as superstars including Paul McCartney danced along to an event heavy on New Jersey pride. The two rock icons had the crowd on its feet for rollicking renditions of Bon Jovi's hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home" and Springsteen's "The Promised Land."