Life & Living
Live longer with just 4000 steps a day!
We all know the power of a good stroll, but what if we told you that the key to a longer, healthier life could be within reach with just 4,000 steps a day? Yes, you read that right. The latest research, hot off the press from the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, unveils a fascinating truth: the path to vitality might be simpler than we ever imagined!
7 traits that make children successful
Thrivers are made, not born. In her quest to help marginalised children flourish, an educational psychologist learned of seven different ways by which kids can be moulded to thrive and succeed in their lives. Among them, self confidence and empathy reign supreme.
How to find your passion in life
In this ever-evolving journey of self-discovery, we have assembled some guideposts that can really clear the path to achieve what we are really passionate about and broaden our minds to all the possibilities that lie out there.
Tips on managing your finances
Let’s take a look at some easy tips on how to make sound financial decisions.
Essential workout routines for all
You do not have to be a gym enthusiast to have a workout routine. Hence, we will be suggesting exercises that will not take up too much of your time and can even be done every day.
Understanding the concept of travelling mindfully
Travelling mindfully transforms the spirit of a traveller from a simple desire to see the world to a more profound expedition of connections and understanding on a whole other level.
#Technology / Tech trends that will shape our future
Let's look at some tech trends that will change our future.
5 ways to master the timeless art of draping a sari
While there is no debate on which is the better style, here are 5 ways to drape your favourite sari the next time.
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
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.
Tanzika Amin’s remarkable return
Stepping back into the game with grace and poise, Tanzika reflects on her remarkable comeback, shedding light on the industry's challenges and more with Star Showbiz.
A new action hero in town
With a manly look, brilliant dance moves, and amazing acting skills, Ador Azad has caught the audience's attention this Eid with his film, “Local”. His on-screen chemistry with Bubly was a treat to the eyes.
Star Health
Collective efforts a must to control dengue outbreak
Multi-sectoral efforts are necessary to control the current dengue outbreak that has taken a severe turn, said speakers at a seminar yesterday.
31 children under 10 died from dengue so far this season
With her health improving, two-year-old Mayamanat Islam Sadia was spending her time playing with a balloon on her bed at the dengue ward of Mugda Medical College and Hospital.
Fight for survival amid ICU crisis
Rafia, a 14-year-old girl battling dengue, finds herself caught in a distressing predicament within the healthcare system of Dhaka.
Rise In Dengue Patients: DMCH faces acute shortage of beds
Twenty-year-old Mohammad Sakib was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Sunday as he was experiencing severe weakness -- a dengue symptom that is considered a “warning sign”.
Dengue Outbreak: Saline disappearing from store shelves in Dhaka
Injectable saline solution, an essential fluid used for treating dengue patients, has become scarce in retail drug stores in Dhaka due to a surge in demand caused by the growing number of patients.
Inclement weather frustrates hilsa fishermen in Cox's Bazar
It should have been a busy, festive time for the fishermen in Cox’s Bazar after the 65-day ban on fishing
Dengue outbreak: 14 more die, 2,751 hospitalised
At least 14 more people died of dengue today as the country grapples with a record outbreak of the mosquito-borne fever, with hospitals struggling to make space for patients
Kidney Transplant: Documents of donor, receiver falsified
The committee tasked with probing a possible scam involving the first-ever kidney transplant surgery at the newly inaugurated BSMMU Super Specialised Hospital found that the documents concerning the relationship between the donor and the recipient had been falsified with the latter’s consent.
Satireday
Girls’ football jerseys leave several injured, doctors helpless
The days of getting injured by just deadly weapons or human assault are past as Bangladesh witnessed its first ever case of people sustaining serious injuries from the shorts worn by female footballers. Doctors said these injuries were incurable.
Rain destroys Dhaka drivers’ muscle memory: a study
Drivers on Dhaka roads lose the ability to switch on muscle memory the moment there is more than 5mm of rain, according to an in-depth study.
When Readers Write / Concert organisers play victim after things go wrong for 100th time
After attendees were left suffocated and sick in a mismanaged concert for the hundredth time in a row, the event management firm unSound Event Management has decided to play the victim yet again.
From bird to X: Bangladeshi boy sues Twitter for appropriating his love story
Who would have thought that the introduction of Twitter’s new logo, from blue bird to X, would trigger a Bangladeshi boy and give birth to a new controversy?
Bangladeshi marketing execs unhappy as Barbie’s viral marketing actually cost money
“Viral content should be a breeze. Just post something, give it a Facebook boost, and boom, it goes viral,” explained a perplexed Rashedul Jeeyam, the GM of Tubs Standard Media and Communications.
Sick of receiving bribes, man starts eating money when offered
Lobhi Chaibeshi Takai (Japanese on his mother’s side), was getting increasingly anxious as days went by.
When readers write / Aliens to follow mosquitoes’ example to finally start winning in movies
Aliens who have been shown in movies invading the United S of A, have now set their eyes on one of the world’s most mosquito-infested countries, dubbed “Mini Singapore”.
Rags-to-riches actor to start making arthouse films to win over tri-state residents
Gone are the days of sending five gangsters flying with one kick, said film actor Sayam Chowdhury, popular among the tasteless poor.
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
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.
Souls at 50: The many incarnations of a band
Souls is not the first band in Bangladesh to reach the milestone of 50 years.
The battle of plassey: A Tale of Triumph and Betrayal
On the afternoon of July 2, 1757, at the hour they were going to kill Siraj in a sodden dungeon of the Jaffarganj Palace—along the east bank of the ebbing Hooghly,
Forgotten Borders: Tracing the History of the Indo-Bangladesh Enclaves
The existence of enclaves in different continents is a perceptible reality of contemporary world history.
Star Youth
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.
“Teaching Literature and Interdisciplinarity”: int’l conference at EWU explores the importance of language and literature
English is inherently a subject with interdisciplinarity and variety. In an exploration of this very idea, on July 28, the Association of Teachers of Literatures in English, Bangladesh (ATLEB) and East West University (EWU) inaugurated the two-day international conference titled "Teaching Literature and Interdisciplinarity".
Experiencing Bangla literature as someone bad at Bangla
As someone who grew up reading American and British novels, these small experiences that I have accrued with Bangla hold enormous value.
Kinds of toxic masculinity you might not know about
Here are a few kinds of toxic masculinity you might not know about.
Shift
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.
SHIFT / Toyota unveiled the new Land Cruiser
Toyota has revealed the latest addition to its lineup, the Land Cruiser "250" Series, set to launch in Japan during the first half of 2024.
2023 McLaren Artura: Revolutionising performance cars
The McLaren Artura boasts a design language that is both captivating and aerodynamically optimised.
Lewis Hamilton breaks record in Formula One racing
Lewis Hamilton, a British-born Formula One driver representing Mercedes, has recently broken the record for obtaining the most poles in a single circuit.
Shift / Conquering the wild: 10 classic off-road vehicles
When it comes to venturing off the beaten path and conquering the untamed wilderness, there are a select few classic off-road vehicles that have stood the test of time. These rugged machines have paved the way for modern-day adventurers, combining legendary performance, iconic design, and unmatched capability.
Reeves Callaway, legendary Corvette builder, passes away
Reeves Callaway, the visionary founder of Callaway Cars and a legendary figure within the Corvette community, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. Callaway Cars confirmed his untimely demise, revealing that he succumbed to injuries sustained in a tragic fall at his residence in Newport Beach, California. A pioneer known for pushing the boundaries of performance engineering, Reeves Callaway leaves behind a remarkable legacy that forever altered the landscape of high-performance automobiles.
Special Content / The untold tale of the Bangladeshi motorcycle industry
Dhaka, with a metro area population of over 22,00,00, understandably comes significant transportation challenges, due to which motorcycles have become the preferred mode of transportation for many urban dwellers. These two-wheelers offer affordability, low operating costs, and a built-in cooling effect through the generous use of the throttle. As such, Bangladesh has witnessed a significant surge in motorcycle users in recent years. Let's take a closer look into the popularity, production and problems of motorcycle sales in Bangladesh - and how local manufacturers are addressing the issue.
From mild to wild: converting an Impreza into a WRX STi
Owned by local car enthusiast Kazi Tahzid, this STi was originally owned by one of his close friends and started as a 2007 base model Impreza. In 2020, using a CKD imported from Japan, it was converted into a 2006 Impreza WRX STi
Daily Star Books
ESSAY / ‘Bare life’ and Partition
“Can one break a country...Will the earth bleed?” asks eight-year-old Lenny in Bapsi Sidhwa’s Cracking India (1988)–a tale about Partition. “No one’s going to break India. It’s not made of glass!”
BOOK REVIEW: FICTION / The straight and narrow vision of ‘Crook Manifesto’
Colson Whitehead’s sequel to his novel Harlem Shuffle (Doubleday, 2021) is a continuation of the exact same order.
BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Sports journalism and Bangladesh
Textbooks in Bangladesh tend to be written by foreign authors. Those that are written by Bangladeshi authors, emphasise on examples in a non-Bangladesh context.
The "original and thrilling": The Booker Prizes announces 2023 longlist
The novels are small revolutions, each seeking to energise and awaken the language. Together, they offer startling portraits of the current.
Essay / What I mean when I say “listening to books”
Listening is stretching beyond ourselves and another, and if we were to listen to printed words on paper as non-verbal cues of communication, it too emits lower frequencies that moves us, beyond the I, towards new modes of knowledge.
Review: Nonfiction / Tech bias: not a glitch, but a structural problem
With statistics backing her up, Broussard does a stellar job of portraying this bias for the readers with stories from individuals who have faced such discrimination. The book opens with the story of Robert Julian-Borchak Williams who gets wrongfully identified by a police facial recognition technology and gets taken into custody.
Book Review: Nonfiction / An odyssey of love and loss
Having read an account of someone who stood by her husband and helped him through an assisted suicide out of love was extremely heart-wrenching.
ESSAY / The bitter-sweet world of self-help books
The concept of self-improvement is by no means a new one, rather the notion is in the foundational structures of moral well-being. The centuries old Socrates commandment, “Know Thyself” is at the very crux of what self-improvement consists of.
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
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.
WEEKEND READ / Farashganj: The French connection
In the heart of Old Dhaka, there lies a neighbourhood with a captivating history, centuries-old buildings and a thriving spice market. Farashganj is located on the northern bank of the Buriganga river. Established in 1780, its principal thoroughfares are BK Das Road and Ahsanullah Road. In today’s issue of the Weekend Read, we will explore the history, mystery, and spice of Farashganj.
JUTE MILLS IN DISARRAY
Due to lack of maintenance, the once-vibrant mill compounds now appear to be haunted places with weeds and vines growing all over
Remote palichara reflects overall reality
Palichara, a remote village in Rangpur district, is not an unknown name in the local football fraternity ever since it emerged as a breeding ground of female footballers in the country.
High hopes in Halda
It rained in Hathazari, and there was turbulence in the Halda. When the clock struck midnight, quite a few boats gently glided down the river.
