Life & Living

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!

21h ago

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.

1d ago

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.

1d ago

Tips on managing your finances

Let’s take a look at some easy tips on how to make sound financial decisions.

1d ago

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.

1d ago

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.

1d ago

#Technology / Tech trends that will shape our future

Let's look at some tech trends that will change our future.

1d ago

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.

3d ago
Arts & Entertainment

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. 

2w ago

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

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.

6d ago

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.

1w ago

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.

2w ago

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”.

3w ago

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

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.

13h ago

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.

13h ago

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.

1d ago

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”.

2d ago

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.

3d ago

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

3d ago

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

3d ago

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.

4d ago
Satireday

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.

6d ago

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.  

6d ago

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.  

6d ago

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?

1w ago

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. 

1w ago

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.

1w ago

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”.  

1w ago

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.  

2w ago
TOGGLE

TOGGLE

Editor's Note / Embracing the inevitable

And thus, we invite our readers to embark on the next exhilarating journey with Tech & Startup!

2w ago

So long, goodbye

The sun may set, but the journey never truly ends. Stay tuned for our next adventure!

2w ago

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.

2w ago

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.

2w ago

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. 

2w ago

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.

3w ago

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. 

3w ago

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.

3w ago
In Focus

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.

4d ago

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.

1w ago

'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?

2w ago

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.

3w ago

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

Star Youth

Finding nutritional food on campus remains a challenge

Too often, people prioritise their hunger over their health and wellbeing. 

1d ago

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.

1d ago

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.

2d ago

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.

2d ago

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.

2d ago

“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".

1w ago

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.

1w ago

Kinds of toxic masculinity you might not know about

Here are a few kinds of toxic masculinity you might not know about.

1w ago
Shift

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.

1w ago

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.

1w ago

2023 McLaren Artura: Revolutionising performance cars

The McLaren Artura boasts a design language that is both captivating and aerodynamically optimised.

2w ago

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. 

2w ago

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.

3w ago

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.

3w ago

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

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!”

1d ago

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.

1d ago

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.

1d ago

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.

3d ago

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.

6d ago

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.

1w ago

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.

1w ago

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.

1w ago
Star Holiday

Star Holiday

LONG READ / Yunnan province of China

One has to visit China to discover its incredible diversity and breathtaking beauty.

3w ago

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

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.

6d ago

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.

1w ago

‘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.

1w ago

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.

2w ago

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.

3w ago

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.