Cooking up memories: Food that remind of mother's love
Whether it's the taste of your grandmother's signature kachki macher chorchori, or a steaming pot of tehari prepared by your mother, the taste is tied to emotions and specific moments in time, making nostalgia hit hard.
Travel
From Lisbon to Porto: A tale of adventure in Portugal
Life is all about grabbing an opportunity when one presents itself and that’s exactly what I did, when I found an email in my inbox, one fateful day, inviting me for a 4-day work meeting, across several continents, to Europe. It was one of my favourite, yet least explored destinations in the world — Portugal — and this time, I knew I wanted to capitalise.
Chasing horizons in Thailand: A month of marvels and mishaps
Dhaka. The city where honking is the language of the roads, and the heat is a constant companion like that one clingy friend we all have. So, what happens when five Dhakaites decide to swap this chaos for the tropical allure of Thailand? Let's just say, it involves more than our usual dose of adrenaline and an unexpected culinary plot twist.
5 budget-friendly summer vacation destinations in Asia
With its rich culture, breath-taking landscapes, and fascinating historical sites Asia has countless destinations fit for a summer vacation. So, put your travel plans in motion and get ready for an incredible summer in Asia!
Food & Recipes
The healthiest diet around: Exploring Japanese cuisine
With an emphasis on unprocessed and fresh food, Japanese food can boast as one of the healthiest dietary choices in the world. Modern Japanese cuisine features all sorts of ingredients.
Say no to French Fries? Which foods to eat and to avoid this summer
Beat the summer heat by opting for a diet that keeps you cool and energised. These dietary changes not only help regulate body temperature but also prevent dehydration and bloating, ensuring you stay healthy and refreshed all summer long.
How to jazz up your regular lemonade in two minutes!
Lemonade is one of our go-to summer essentials this year, and although the original recipe is delicious as it is, here are 5 ways you can jazz it up, that too in under 2 minutes!
Light and delicious: Shrimp recipes for summer
Summer brings with it clear skies and dazzling sunshine, but more often than not, it also alters our taste preferences. Light, zesty, and herby recipes seem to taste better when the sun’s up and shining. Thus, here are 4 shrimp recipes to try for you this summer, so that you may savour delicious food while you beat the heat!
A tale of two polaos: Ilish and Kaju polao recipes
Dive into a culinary adventure that’s as rich in tradition as it is in taste, just in time for your Eid meal prep! First up, we’ve got the Ilish Polao, a dish that’s a love letter to the monsoon-fed rivers of Bangladesh, where the silver hilsa fish turns a simple meal into a feast for the senses. Then, we switch gears to the regal Kaju Polao, where each bite is a crunchy, nutty surprise that promises to add a dash of opulence to your dining table.
Health & Fitness
Here’s why watermelons are good for you
Watermelons are not merely a symbol of summer refreshment. They are an excellent source of hydration and nutrition. Beyond its irresistible watery sweetness, the fruit is preferred for its ability to sustain good health and invigorate the body.
Tips for exercising in this summer heat
In the intense heat, it can be quite tiresome to keep up with the constant momentum of your exercise routine. But there are still many ways to keep your plans from falling apart.
Dermatologist-recommended skin care tips during this heatwave
Heat, humidity, and intense sun exposure can exacerbate or lead to various skin issues, especially during the heatwave. To keep our skin healthy and comfortable, we need to understand these common skin conditions and how to effectively manage them.
Heatwave hack: Beat the monster heat with coconut water
When the blistering summer knocks at your doorstep, your first instinct would be to pull out a bottle of soft, cold drink from the fridge in a store or supermarket and chug it down in one go. Instead, say yes to coconut water for all of its goodness in summer!
Living with phobias: Understanding and managing deep-seated fears
Phobias are not just simple fears. They are complex emotional and physiological responses that can disrupt daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Experiencing fatigue and headaches after iftar? Dr Maisha Nishat Alam explains why
Ramadan — a month that calls for fasting from dawn till dusk — which, while fulfilling, can sometimes leave you feeling like you're running on empty, fatigued, and nursing a stubborn headache. Ever wondered why?
Meditation for all: A beginner’s guide to mindful living
If you are a beginner who is wondering whether meditation is for you, the good news is that meditation is for everyone, regardless of their age, socioeconomic background or vocation in life. Meditating regularly makes one more receptive and open, thus enhancing the way one experiences life.
5 habits to avoid for better oral health
With our lives being so busy all the time, it’s easy to overlook the little things that can make a big difference in maintaining a dazzling smile. So, before you brush off your oral care routine as ‘good enough,’ let’s dive into the top five no-no’s that might be doing a number on your teeth.
Life & Living Multimedia
Navigating Dhaka's Eid shopping scene on a budget
By now, many have already spent a good chunk of their time shopping for friends and families. After all, can you put a price on the smile of your loved ones after gifting them their Eid dress?
My Dhaka / Comrade, give me a cup!
Yet, the tiny, yellow-walled tea stall attracts customers like bees to flowers. “Comrade, give me a cup,” is how they ask for tea.
The colourful cauliflowers of Bangladesh
Instead of the regular old white cauliflowers - you can now have cauliflowers that are red, yellow, pink, or purple.
Shankha Dasgupta: Meet the genius behind Guti
Shankha Dasgupta is the genius behind Guti, and anyone who has followed his work over the years knows precisely how exceptional he is. The much-anticipated show, Guti, came out on Chorki in January, leaving the viewers binging.
Despite charging fees, needs of passengers neglected
<p>Terminal fees are being imposed on passengers travelling to India. However, there are currently no provisions for the use of restrooms at the Benapole International Passenger Terminal. </p><p>Find out more in today's Star Newsbytes</p>
Please explain Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is about prioritising quality over quantity, sustainability, and making ethical choices
Ways to help birds beat the summer heat
Just as much as the summer heat exhausts us, our feathered friends are just as tired too.
5 ways to keep the house cool without an AC
Don’t have an air conditioner at home? Beat the ongoing heatwave following these simple tips — from clever use of curtains to including homemade coolers and roof modifications for heat reduction, and more
From dance to cultural diplomacy: Sadia Islam’s inspiring journey
The Bangladesh Embassy in Portugal recently celebrated Pahela Baishakh for the first time in many years. Sadia Islam, planned the entire event along with H E Rezina Ahmed andalso choreographed an entire set of performances to show the intricacies and finesse of Bengali culture and traditions.
Stress-free bedroom makeover using furniture sets
Here are three reasons why investing in furniture sets, instead of going for individual pieces, can make your bedroom interior designing project smoother.
Traditions treasured, artisans in shadows: Is UNESCO's recognition truly benefiting local craftspeople?
On 6 December 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of Bangladesh's iconic rickshaws and rickshaw art on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Similarly, many of our heritage crafts, namely the traditional art of Jamdani and Shital Pati weaving were given recognition by UNESCO in 2013 and 2017 respectively. But how are our artisans doing?
Crafting majesty: Tasleema Alam's royal commissions and her love for Islamic art
From gracing the majestic walls of mosques to the pages of intricate manuscripts and beyond, the appeal of the Islamic art form has persisted over centuries and captivated many. The beauty and depth of this art form attracted Tasleema Alam – an artist, designer and educator – who recently designed an Afghan carpet for His Majesty King Charles III.
Beat the heatwave: Tips and tricks to stay safe in hot weather
From preventing dehydration to sun protection, here are a couple of ways you and your loved ones can stay safe and happy and beat the annoying heatwave!
Coke Studio Bangla’s ‘Tati’ celebrates Bangladeshi weavers
If you are a devoted listener of Coke Studio Bangla, chances are you may not have missed its Season 3 opener, “Tati,” — a song that celebrates not just the music, but the very soul of Bangladeshi craftsmanship. Released under the creative direction of Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, the vocalists include Md Gonjer Ali, Oli Boy and the evergreen Jaya Ahsan.
5 documentaries to watch on Netflix this break
Who doesn’t love Netflix documentaries? The suspense and thrill of a well-produced Netflix original leave viewers enchanted, anticipating more. And with the Eid and Pahela Baishakh break coinciding together, now’s the perfect time to gather with friends and family to sit back and binge-watch all that Netflix has to offer!
Felling trees, rising temperatures: Dhaka's environmental wake-up call
Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure projects have prioritised development over environmental preservation, leading to significant deforestation. Roads have widened and buildings have risen, often at the expense of the mature trees that once cooled the air and filtered pollutants.
The corporate clash between millennials and Gen Zers
Gen Zers have sort of re-shaped the workplace or at least are attempting to. Working alongside them are millennials who, safe to say, have been in the workforce for quite several years. This generational mix is proving to be a hotbed for innovation albeit with its numerous challenges.
Hottest handbags to have and hold!
A bag is the best and easiest way to bring instant polish to your one’s look. From day to day, our moods vary, and the places we go to and just life in general are not the same. A reasonably stylish woman needs a couple of bags in her wardrobe that will cover all her sartorial grounds with flair.
Embracing slow fashion – A sustainable shift in our closets
In an era dominated by “fast fashion”, where clothing items are produced rapidly by mass-market retailers to meet the latest trends, the “slow fashion” movement presents a conscientious alternative. Slow fashion is about prioritising quality over quantity, focusing on sustainability, and making ethical choices that benefit the environment and society.
Unveiling the deception of social media
Behind every photo, every video, and every post lies a curated process which is always aimed at portraying an “ideal” version of oneself to the world.
Surviving Dhaka’s summer: A guide to keeping you cool
Summer in Dhaka is not merely a “mean” sun; it can be characterised as part of a survival game. With the mercury at times rising to 43 degrees Celsius, the sun often appears to have taken our dear city for a giant tandoori oven. As an experienced veteran of Dhaka's ruthless summers, one can give you some cheeky yet highly effective advice for keeping your cool when the city decides to turn up the heat.
7 Summer Essentials you must have in your bag
7 things you should have in your bag to make summer days a bit more bearable.
Beat the heat: AC shopping demystified
You will be stuck with your purchase for at least a decade, so it is best to do your research before you take the plunge.
Please explain Slow Fashion
Slow fashion is about prioritising quality over quantity, sustainability, and making ethical choices
