Life & Living
Must-visit tourist spots in Bhutan
Let’s explore some tourist attractions in Bhutan that you must visit at least once.
Sadia Islam Mou: Of grace and glamour
Mou has been in the limelight mostly during the ‘90s, especially for her modelling career.
Progressive Bangladeshi Cuisine by AxR
The fine-dining event was hosted in CERO on 19 – 20 August 2023, on a pre-booking basis, with tickets selling out in a day! After all, two renowned faces in the culinary industry were the ones behind the scenes. Chef Rashedul Hasan won hearts for being the first Bangladeshi participant in MasterChef Australia. Growing up in Dhaka, he has fond memories of his family cooking fresh meals, which sparked his interest in cooking.
Understanding the difference between dengue, flu, and COVID-19
With the onset of monsoon, torrential rains, and extreme hot weather, it looks like different viral diseases are making their rounds.
Summer smoothie bowl recipes
Take advantage of the abundance of fruits available during this time of the year and whip up these delicious and fruity smoothie bowl recipes in no time!
How to make soy milk
Soy milk is slowly replacing dairy milk worldwide. It is extracted by grinding soybeans and squeezing out the liquid from the mixture to form a milk-based item.
5 important tips to keep in mind when travelling
Here are 5 things you should always bear in mind while travelling.
Sharing financial information with your family
In our culture and social upbringing, we tend not to talk about finances, especially between spouses.
Arts & Entertainment
Khilgaon street named in honour of Fakir Alamgir
The enduring memory of the legendary folk singer Fakir Alamgir will now be etched forever in the very streets he called home. Today, on the second death anniversary of this eminent musician, Road No 6 of Chowdhurypara in Khilgaon has officially inaugurated as "Fakir Alamgir Road" in presence of Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor, Md Atiqul Islam.
The comfort of rereading old books
I often feel overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of new books that I still want to read—so many stories, so little time—and understand that this is an ambition that rereading can only delay.
Bangladeshi singer Shwapnil Shojib awarded ‘Best Rabindra Sangeet Artiste’ at Ananda Mela LA
With a deep understanding of Rabindranath's message, Shwapnil's melodious voice has managed to spread the charm of Rabindra Sangeet, not only in the hearts of Bangladeshi music lovers, but also to fans around the world.
Riverdale can be anytime, anywhere
Sweet, colourful, and funny, Archie comics were one of the only graphic narratives available for people who weren’t interested in superheroes and really gritty, edgy comics like Batman.
World Music Day / Scrounging revelations out of music
I don't remember at what point in life I learned to recognize the fallacy behind the not-like-other-girls phenomenon and discarded it for an all-encompassing love for female friendship and solidarity, in acceptance of femininity in all its forms. But I do know that Taylor Swift played a significant role in it.
Musician, vlogger Bushra Shahriar ties the knot
Bushra Shahriar is a musician, vlogger, and a PHD student at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee.
Never have I ever…seen such diverse casting in western media
It makes me wonder if the entire show gets too swept up with its political correctness.
Snapshots of history—Golam Mustafa meets Manzoor Alam Beg
Modhurimay Alap (Swapno ‘71, 2023) transcribes two days of conversations with the late Golam Mustafa, first Director of Photography of Bangladesh Television.
Showbiz
Jumping from billboards to OTT
Borno was also featured in Chorki’s web-series “Mercules”, where she donned the role of Anamika. “Natasha and Anamika are two different types of personas. Anamika is an extrovert who loves her friends and enjoys her life to the fullest. On the other hand, Natasha's personality is very complex. She is ambitious and a workaholic.”
From ‘girl next door’ to multifaceted star: 10 years of Safa Kabir
The tenacious actor, Safa Kabir who has completed a decade in show business, wanted to be a fashion designer growing up.
Inside Saba's world
With dance being her first love, Sohana Saba gradually molded her inner artiste into different forms of arts—modelling, anchoring and prominently acting. The “Ayna” famed actor is expecting a couple of projects—“Oshombhob” and “Maniker Lal Kakra”, to be released soon. She dropped by The Daily Star for some coffee.
Dhaka’s burgeoning concert industry: Organisers scramble to find their niche
In a city where most youth are confined to social circle jerks of restaurants and malls; these concerts are much-needed injections of life. Whilst there is a risk of fatigue and overuse, as it is with any industry, it is important that organisers persevere and stick to what makes them unique.
From Santiniketan to ‘Shondhatara’
Destiny pushed Sunidhi towards Rabindra Sangeet, and her love for classical music took a back seat. Then “Shondhatara” came along and changed her life—her voice and cracking chemistry with Arnob captivated the audience.
Mahfuz Ahmed’s stunning reincarnation
The charming Mahfuz Ahmed made a stunning return to the silver screen as the passionate ‘Mona’ in Chayanika Chowdhury’s “Prohelika”.
A fire kindles inside Konal
Somnur Monir Konal, popularly known as Konal, has grabbed the proverbial brass ring after winning Channel i Shera Kontho, and had a career most reality show participants can only dream of.
Ghaashphoring Choir: A family of harmonies
Ghaashphoring Choir takes on many forms – like a family, they laugh, make music together in enviable symmetry; like an institution, members ‘graduate’ and move on, making space for another starry-eyed newcomer looking to make it in the industry, or perhaps just have a good time.
Star Health
Canada detects first case of highly mutated coronavirus variant BA.2.86
Canada has detected its first case of coronavirus infection from the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant of Omicron in a person in British Columbia who had not traveled outside the Pacific province, health officials said on Tuesday
Dengue Outbreak: Platelet kit crunch delaying treatment
Treatment of seriously ill dengue patients is being affected by an acute shortage of the kit needed to extract platelets from whole blood in a method that requires only a single donor.
Dengue Cases From Aug 20 To 26: Over 56pc deaths due to shock syndrome
Around 56.79 percent of the 71 dengue patients, who passed away between August 20 and August 26, died of shock syndrome while 10.4 percent died of expanded dengue syndrome, according to data of the Directorate General of Health Services.
Dengue: 8 more die, 2,331 hospitalised in a day
At least eight more people died from dengue in 24 hours preceding 8:00am today as the country grapples with a record outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease
Dengue Outbreak: August cases surpass all of 2022
With four days shy of the month-end, August has seen a higher number of dengue cases than all of last year.
Dengue: 11 more die, 2,327 hospitalised in a day
At least 11 more people died from dengue in 24 hours preceding 8:00am today as the country grapples with a record outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease.
Dengue Outbreak: Unicef delivers medical support as cases surge in Bangladesh
With more than 21,000 cases of dengue reported among children under the age of 15, Unicef is intensifying its support to the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh to contain the dengue outbreak in the country
Maintaining health in the golden years
Cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and dementia are common chronic conditions in old age. Osteoarthritis, diabetes, and related mobility disabilities will increase in prevalence as the population ages. These population changes have considerable public health importance. No matter your age, it is important to take care of your body and prevent illness. But if you are older, the flu or common cold can progress and lead to complications. This includes secondary infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, an ear infection, or a sinus infection.
Satireday
Comment Warrior Association in disbelief after India’s lunar triumph
The netizens of Bangladesh, the epicenter of social media-based intellectuals, stormed the internet once again following India’s historical astronomical leap.
The story behind Trump’s ‘perfect’ mugshot
Former US president Donald J Trump, also someone who “they say” is the current US president, has been honing his “mugshot face” since January 6, 2021 -- the day on which he allegedly instigated an insurrection.
Panic ensues as woman swings from coconut tree
In a rare sighting, a woman was found swinging from a coconut tree by clutching onto one of its leaves in Dhaka’s Elephant Road area on Saturday morning, creating severe panic among residents of the capital.
Netizens and other sensitive people upset by actors like Bradley Cooper acting like other people
Netizens and other sensitive people are out for blood and a few millimetres off Hollywood Actor Bradley Cooper’s nose. Cooper is set to play real life conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian Leonard Bernstein. Cooper needed to add some length and girth to his leading man nose so he used a prosthetic to match the likeness of the man he is playing.
Taliban shuts down beauty parlours to save monthly budget
In the latest turn of ridiculous events, the Taliban has shut down beauty parlours throughout Aarghmenistan in an attempt to decrease electricity bills and increase the country’s defence budget. The incident came to light when Supreme Leader Akhter was making his bi-annual budget for the year.
Youth forced to start eating healthy as soft drink prices cross Tk 100
Earlier with the price hike of potato chips, inflation dawned upon the youth of Bangladesh for the first time. But our young generation somehow recovered from that inflation and continued to devour packaged food like the very concept of cholesterol doesn’t exist. However, as the price of 1-litre soft drinks has finally hit the sweet spot of 100 bucks, our youth is going through their worst crisis to date -- having to live without soft drinks.
Guardians no longer sad about their children scoring eggs in exams
In an epic U-turn in the outlooks of Bangladeshi parents, eggs -- once considered to be the worst possible outcome -- have now become the most desired marks in the exam papers of their children.
Fight breaks out among TikToker groups about location of sky in Different Touch song
A fight broke out yesterday on Hatirjheel bridge between 17 groups of TikTokers over which part of Dhaka was referred to in the classic 90’s Bangla hit pop song “Sraboner Megh Gulo” by the excellent band Different Touch.
TOGGLE
Editor's Note / Embracing the inevitable
And thus, we invite our readers to embark on the next exhilarating journey with Tech & Startup!
So long, goodbye
The sun may set, but the journey never truly ends. Stay tuned for our next adventure!
Bytes / Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: The ultimate ultra
Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, takes centre stage as a powerful contender in the smartphone market. While some might argue that the design changes are subtle and the price tag is on the higher side, there's no denying that this device excels in certain key areas, especially when it comes to photography.
Cover Story / Every end marks a new beginning
To our readers, thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty. We invite you to join us in embracing this new beginning and be a part of the exciting journey that lies ahead. Together, let us explore the endless possibilities that technology and startups offer, celebrating the innovative spirit that drives us all.
Huawei completes 25 years in Bangladesh
Huawei, the multinational technology corporation, has recently completed 25 years in Bangladesh. The organisation held a celebration event on 20 July, where they thanked their partners and stakeholders for years of support.
Safeguarding workspaces from escalating cyber attacks: A comprehensive guide
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how organisations can safeguard their data, secure their employees' information, prevent cyber attacks, and respond effectively in case of a breach.
The setting sun
With that, let’s join hands in hopes of a brighter future. Keep in mind that everytime the sun sets, the promise of a better tomorrow awaits. A new journey is always right around the corner.
AI news presenters: What they mean for the future of newsroom
Since the debut of the country's first-ever artificial intelligence news presenter named 'Aparajita', there has been a raging debate regarding whether AI news presenters will take over the job of human news presenters in Bangladesh.
In Focus
The Portrayal and Relevance of Women in Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Novels
Kazi Nazrul Islam is our National Poet, but, in addition to writing poetry and composing songs, he also wrote fiction. In fact, Nazrul’s first publication was not poetry, but the short story “Baundeler Atmakahini” (The Autobiography of a Vagabond), published in Saogat in May 1919.
The many meanings of Partition 1947 and beyond
My memory is again in the way of your history. Agha Shahid Ali
100th Birth Anniversary of SM Sultan / My heart doesn’t desire to speak about Sultan
I had once written extensively about S.M. Sultan. Why? Because it felt essential to make our ‘art authorities’ aware that he was a rare talent, although many were unwilling to accept it. Thus, the pen became my last resort.
152nd Birth Anniversary of Abanindranath Tagore / “The Ever-Falling Darkness of History”
In the opening years of the twentieth century, Abanindranath Tagore (1871– 1951), Rabindranath’s nephew and a prominent artist living at the Tagore palazzo in Calcutta, Jorasanko, made a trio of paintings depicting the Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58) at different stages of his life, together with his great monument to love, the Taj Mahal.
As I Remember Syed Waliullah, My Papa
Thinking of Syed Waliullah and being his son always triggers contrasting feelings of joy and pride, melancholy and pain. Regrettably, neither my elder sister Simine nor I am able to remember much about our father, as we were both very young when he passed away.
'Be more attentive to the workings of nature around us and through us'
Congratulations on your new book, “River Life and the Upspring of Nature.” With your academic background in religious studies and social life in Pakistan, what prompted you to shift your focus towards studying the river life and char communities in Bangladesh?
Laughter and Thrills: A History of Circus in East Bengal
The circus industry in Bengal experienced a significant boost during the 19th century, thanks to the arrival of Russian and European performers, as well as contributions from Africans, Mongolians, and other Asians in the 20th century.
Bagh Bidhoba
Sonamoni! No prefix, no suffix, that is her name. It signifies the golden pearl of the eye.
Star Youth
Albums that feel like a goodbye
Here are some of the albums that you should listen to for processing the most bittersweet and complex of emotions – bidding goodbye.
Learning English: A guide that doesn’t involve books
Here’s a breakdown of a few other ways you can boost your English skills.
Paving the way for inclusivity
Ashreen hopes for a future in which gender labels no longer limit their playgrounds.
Finding nutritional food on campus remains a challenge
Too often, people prioritise their hunger over their health and wellbeing.
Internships can help high school students prepare for a brighter future
Although internship opportunities available to high-school students might be hard to stumble upon, they are certainly available.
Young leaders from Bangladesh at Women Deliver 2023
The conference provided a platform for young people all over the world to advocate for the policies and solutions they felt were most important.
The importance of building strong parent-teacher relationships
A strong parent-teacher relationship can play a crucial role in providing the student with a positive learning experience.
A guide to your first visit to the gynaecologist
Just like visiting your doctor for a routine checkup, visiting your gynaecologist once in a while is just being safe.
Shift
India unveils BS-6 Stage-II 'electrified flex-fuel vehicle' prototype
India has recently unveiled a prototype of the BS-6 (Stage-II) electrified flex-fuel vehicle, which is said to run on 100% ethanol. The vehicle, a made-in-India Toyota Innova Hycross, is developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and contains both a fuel flexible engine and an electric powertrain.
Tesla faces trial over deaths caused by autopilot malfunction: reports
Tesla Inc., the multinational electric vehicle company, is set to appear in court to defend against claims that the malfunction of their autopilot driver feature resulted in accidents that led to death.
Avik Anwar triumphs in Malaysia Championship Series
Avik Anwar, the Bangladeshi racing sensation, clinched first place in Race-2 of Round-3 in the Malaysia Championship Series at the Sepang International Circuit on Sunday. This victory marks a significant milestone in Anwar's career, elevating him to third place overall in the championship standings.
Green Delta Capital secures sustainability bond for Runner Automobiles
Green Delta Capital Limited (GDCL) has successfully closed the subscription of a sustainability bond for Runner Automobiles PLC. According to a press release, this is the first-ever sustainability bond in Bangladesh certified by Moody’s Investors Service Singapore Pte.
Meet Cruise, the self-driving ride-sharing service
Cruise, a California-based automobile company, has released a unique 'self-driving' ride-sharing service to passengers in San Francisco and some parts of Austin and Phoenix, US. These driverless, fully electric cars do not require the input of a human driver and have recently received permission to operate 24/7 across the city, barring freeways.
Shift / Burnt shell of Ferrari sold at auction for Tk 21.8 crore
A burnt-out 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I was sold at auction for nearly $2 million (nearly BDT 21.8 crores) in the United States. The car, one of only 13 ever made, was driven by Franco Cortese, Ferrari's first racing driver, and designed by the iconic Pinin Farina.
Shift / Lamborghini goes electric: Meet the new Lamborghini Lanzador EV
Lamborghini has unveiled the Lanzador, an electric vehicle described as an 'Ultra-GT' at Monterey Car Week.
SHIFT / The Land Cruiser 70 returns
The iconic Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series, known for its rugged reliability and unyielding performance, is making a triumphant return with its first update in 15 years. While North American fans are still unable to purchase it for road use, the new 2024 model is back on sale in Japan.
Daily Star Books
ESSAY / Humayun Ahmed and the language of Bangladeshi novels
His written language came close to spoken language due to the primitive and original style of Bengali syntax—simple sentence structures.
Book Review: Nonfiction / The minority report in India
In Another India, Pratinav Anil unambiguously faults Nehruvian secularism—the very mantle championed by historians such as Mushirul Hasan for whom “the congress best represented the Muslim interests from the fifties on.”
Opinion / Living a feminist killjoy life
The way we perceive the word “emotion” through the gendered lens contributes to systematic oppression because it dismisses those who fall under the umbrella of the emotional radar and it is easier to silence their voices as emotional beings because they are often, according to the patriarchal society, deemed as unstable, illogical, or disoriented.
Views / Why grown-ups should reimmerse themselves in children's literature
Children's literature is purposefully crafted for a segment of society without political or economic clout—individuals devoid of wealth, suffrage, or command over the levers of finance and governance.
Musings / Why I learned more from reading fiction books than nonfiction
It is deeply saddening that this discouragement to read fiction is coming at a time when we as a population are suffering from a crisis in empathy.
News report / Applications for the next session of Write Beyond Borders are now open
The lineup of mentors includes a range of writers from South Asia, currently based in and publishing from all over the globe.
Event report / Discussion on power inequalities
As the guests arrived, the room brightened up and a conversation began that would eventually go on to deeply invest in exploring the nature of power and of defiantly opposing the status quo.
EDITORIAL / On moving
Reading moves you. The movement is emotional—you feel moved as you read, you feel moved by what you read. To read is to be moved—by the sheer joy and ecstasy on the pages, by the pain and heartache in the letters,
Star Holiday
LONG READ / Yunnan province of China
One has to visit China to discover its incredible diversity and breathtaking beauty.
Kyrgyzstan: A tale of an eagle and a bond
The eagle man was waving at us; he wanted to tell us something. Our Kyrgyz driver was eager to start the 200 kilometres return journey to Bishkek after a day-long trip. However, we stopped to listen to what he had to say, and what we got remained the highlight of the tour.
Morocco: a timeless wonder
Nestled between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco unveils a treasure trove of vibrant colours, cultural heritage, and centuries-old traditions that captivate a traveller. From the mesmerising Sahara desert to picturesque beaches, majestic mountains, bustling souks, delectable cuisine, and enchanting riads, Morocco seamlessly blends the allure of bygone eras with the modern world.
Meghalaya land of majestic waterfalls
It was a hilly meandering road skirting the India-Bangladesh border. By-passing a dense betel nut orchard, our car was heading towards Syndai, a village of Meghalaya.
Around the world on a Vespa: The ‘no-plan’ nomadic life
For those of us wedded and welded to our routine-ruled existences, there is an almost jealous fascination about people like Vespanda Ilario Lavarra.
The Galapagos: The land of evolution
They say the beauty of the Galapagos can’t be explained. It can only be experienced.
The yellow days in Hanoi
When I visited Hanoi in 2019, I only had a chance to catch a whiff of Vietnam’s capital. I took a glance at all the splotches of yellow architecture in awe and had little to no idea how to navigate myself in a town that hardly communicated in English. But even then, Hanoi found a place of eternal fondness in my heart and gave me a gift of familiarity that I couldn’t make much sense of at the time.
Lobhachhara and the great Nanka
In late October 2021, my quest for documenting tea-planters’ graves around the country brought me to Looba Cherra tea garden.
Weekend Read
Weekend Read / Remnants of a wrestlers’ nest
Kushti, also known as pehlwani, a form of traditional wrestling contested in the sub-continent, was once a popular sport in Dhaka after having originated during the Mughal period.
Kushti’s legacy untarnished despite its downfall in Dhaka
While Dhaka’s traditional kushti is dying down, the scenario in other parts of the country is not bleak by any means. Many kushti events still take place outside the capital.
Arctic Circle: A trip to the land of glaciers
How vast is our planet? The answer may lie in how we perceive it. On the grand cosmic scale, the earth is minuscule, a mere speck invisible even under the most powerful microscope. However, on a human scale, it is truly enormous.
NARINDA CHRISTIAN CEMETERY / A silent witness to Dhaka’s history
With falling leaves, worn-out epitaphs and gravestones, and rustle of breeze whispering tales from four centuries ago -- Dhaka Christian Cemetery, known to city dwellers as Narinda or Wari cemetery, has been the resting place of many known or unsung heroes for decades.
The Great Himalayan Trail: Shakil’s story of perseverance
“Throughout the journey, death knocked at my door several times, but I never lost my focus, I never gave up,” said Ikramul Hasan Shakil, the intrepid conqueror of the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), home to three of the highest peaks in the world.
High Barind running out of water
Due to decades of excessive water extraction, over 40 percent of unions in the high Barind region are facing severe groundwater depletion.
‘Our struggle for water is never-ending’
Bidyut Kumar Mondol, a farmer from Kamardha village in Naogaon’s Porsha upazila, finds himself grappling with a challenging predicament. He had prepared 23 bighas of land for cultivating Aman paddy, but his dreams have been thwarted by a relentless lack of water.
LONG READ / Arial beel under threat
Arial Beel, one of the largest wetlands located in Munshiganj, is facing an invasion by illegal real estate developers. These business entities have acquired portions of the wetland, filling them up with sand and strategically placing signboards to attract potential buyers for residential development.
