Memory of a father is never more poignantly felt than on father's day. It has been more than 17 years since my father embarked on his last journey, way up high, somewhere over the rainbow. Even after so many years, the pain never dulls, for no one can ever replace the void in my heart.

All fathers are special but mine was exceptional for he was both father and surrogate mother. My mother passed away when I was only five, long before I could have any meaningful mother-daughter dialogue. The task of grooming me and five other sisters fell on my father. He seemed to know all there was to know about the world of fashion, cooking, hosting and all other social etiquettes, which would prepare me for my adult life. Home was like a finishing school where my father taught us everything. My father was a government official who had an eclectic mix of social friends. And he loved to entertain. Our house was like a honeycomb attracting politicians and poets, ambassadors and administrators, public servants and private businessmen, journalists and revolutionaries. And as we sisters came of age, in a somewhat accelerated pace, each in turn learnt the rituals of playing hostess. The reigning sister, when her turn came, had several assistants at her beck and call as each of us went through our respective baptism of fire.

Our training was not restricted to just conventional female vocations. My father instilled in us a keen sense of men's fashion. He himself was fastidious and fashionable, always smartly dressed for the occasion. I learnt about esoteric items of formal dress like the Kamarband, long before I became a diplomat's wife. I still have fond memories of tidying up my father's fashionable wardrobe and the lessons learnt directly and in subliminal ways were part of my growing up as a woman. The fragrance of his wardrobe wafts in my subconscious even now, at random intervals, and he is never too far from my memory.

Reminiscing about the past, I look about me today. The idea of fashion that these youngsters (especially the young men) indulge in brings a rush of disappointment and an overwhelming impulse to invoke change. Perhaps it is the mother in me that is speaking, but as my father taught me, similarly I would like to pass on those teachings to the next generation. It is always important to know what to wear and when to wear it. Father's Day, like Mother's Day, is a very important day. So I hope you will take your fathers out, and have a ball, and let them know how much they are loved and cherished. Make a note not to miss Father's Day (15th June), there is still time to book a table at a nice restaurant. Wear nice clothes (attempting to keep to the proper dress code!), and make a special night of it.

Recipe

In this issue, I wish to celebrate Father's Day in the memory of an amazing father, who meant more than the world to me. As the recipe for this issue I am including one of my father's favourite dishes.

Whole Wheat Corncakes
Makes 16-3" pancakes
Per pancake: 44 calories, 0g fat, 0 mg cholesterol.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup Quaker oats (lightly grinded)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
1 small ripe banana (mashed)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp vinegar
1 - 1 1/4 cups fat free milk

Method:
Stir the flour, Quaker oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine mashed banana, brown sugar, vinegar and 1 cup milk. Add the flour mixture and stir just enough to remove lumps and make a pourable batter. Add a bit more milk if the mixture seems too thick. Grease a non-stick skillet or griddle lightly with vegetable oil and heat on medium fire. Pour small amounts of batter onto the heated surface and cook until the tops bubble. Turn with a spatula and cook the other side until golden brown, about 1 minute. Serve immediately. To be enjoyed with fresh fruit and honey.

Dress code
As mentioned earlier it is the mother in me who wants to give out few tips on dressing right, hope it'll come in handy, so here goes.

Formal:
a. National dress- Any & all unless specified as casual or informal, etc.
b. Uniform (For Service Personnel)- Luncheon/Receptions/Occasion other than Dinner/banquet.
c. Full Mess kit with cummerbund (For Service Personnel)- Dinners
d. Dinner Jacket/Tuxedo/Smoking/Black Tie- Dinners only.
e. Dark Suit (Preferably black for dinner with white dress shirt & polka dotted ties in contrasting colour)- Dinner/Lunch/National Day Receptions.

Informal:
(IMPORTANT: Not to confuse informal with casual)
a. Lounge Suit or Business suit with shirt (Not necessarily white but tie must be worn)- Usually Business luncheon or informal Dinner/Receptions.

Smart Casual:
(IMPORTANT: Full Sleeves must. Smart casual in Asian countries are very popular because of weather conditions)
a. Full sleeve shirt (Mandarin or winged collar) with matching trousers.
b. Batik (Full sleeves).
c. Combination suit.
d. Jacket (No tie but cravat).
All the above, should be worn as specified in the Invitation Card.

Casual:
a. Open Collar full or half sleeves/T-shirt.
b. Jacket (No tie but cravat)
All the above, should be worn as specified in the Invitation Card.

Comfortable:
a. Invitee's choice. Any wear that he/she feels comfortable.
E.g. Kurta/Pajama, Shalwar-Kamiz Etc. (A terminology popular in South Asia)
The above, should be worn as specified in the Invitation Card.

Top 5!
Gifts are a part of Father's Day. Sometimes it's difficult to find the perfect gift ideas that say, "I love you dad, and I appreciate all the sacrifices you've made for me." This year, forget about the tacky tie, and give your father a gift that he'll truly appreciate. Finding a gift is quite simple; just think of all the activities your father enjoys, then surprise him by planning a full day together. The gift will show your appreciation, but it's the time spent together that will be the icing on the cake.
1. Swiss Army Hunter Red Knife
2. Dress Wallet
3. Grooming Kit
4. Sports Event Tickets
5. iPod to make him tech savvy

Photo: Zahedul I Khan, Model: Shakhawat Hossain, Zaima Hossain, Shadab Hossain We express our sincere gratitude to Anita Haque for arranging the photo shoot.

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