Karim Waheed

Why is making new friends more difficult as we grow older?

The game has changed, and it’s not you – it’s time. Or, more accurately, the lack of it.

3w ago

‘European lives matter’: Ukraine coverage reveals Western media’s racist bias

“But this isn’t a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan, that has seen conflict raging for decades. This is a relatively civilized, relatively European -- I have to choose those words carefully, too -- city, one where you wouldn’t expect that, or hope that it’s going to happen.”

For Bangladesh, Kishwar has already won

Kishwar Chowdhury, the Aussie home cook of Bangladeshi origin, didn’t win the MasterChef Australia title. She placed third. But for us, Bangladeshis who have been closely following her rise and rise on arguably the most popular reality show on food, Kishwar has already won.

Forks over knives

Remember Galileo's story? In early 1600s, the scientist argued that ours is a sun-centred solar system and not an earth-centred one.

A global menace that spares no one

The world is seeing a rise of authoritarianism—in the form of populist regimes—threatening all those who defend social justice across countries and continents.

Silence of the strings

Music was not just a passion to the self-taught guitarist, it was his sole profession, and fortune did not let him down either. The word “legend” is generously used to refer to celebrities nowadays but Ayub Bachchu was and remains a legend in the truest sense.

Blend in or stand out?

Ever wondered why the Scandinavian countries—Denmark, Norway and Sweden—top the World Happiness Report year after year? No? Well, I have. You kind of have to when your country stands 115th on this year's list.

Sympathy for a monster

I remember reading the story of Medusa when I was a child. It was a child-friendly, uncomplicated, good vs evil story.

February 28, 2017

Undo the damages of a desk-bound job

If I could, I'd take up manual labour but unfortunately, it doesn't pay well. If you're rolling your eyes, try to count the number of overweight people working on the streets you've come across.

February 7, 2017

Jump like a kid or a boxer

No, jumping rope [or skipping, as some call it] isn't only for little girls. If you've watched any movie about boxing, or have ever walked into a boxing gym, you'll know it's a staple in a boxer's conditioning programme. It's also what ended my cardio plateau.

January 22, 2017

La La Land: That Rare Musical I Didn’t Hate

I suppose that title needs clarification. I love music; I eat, breathe, sleep movies – just not characters breaking into a song and dance routine every 15/20 minutes [reason why I’m not a fan of the traditional Bollywood storytelling format]. I went to Blockbuster Cinemas at Jamuna Future Park hesitantly but with an open mind.

November 10, 2016

Opinion: Clickbait gone wrong [as it often does]

British online newspaper, The Independent, publishes article titled “The Muslim country congratulating ‘His Excellency’ Donald Trump” on November 10, 2016 referring to the letter from the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the US President-elect Donald Trump. This is a prime example of clickbait gone wrong. The main purpose was – in all likelihood – to come up with a sensational title that draws in readers who don’t know any better [which sadly is often the case on the internet].

November 6, 2016

Rediscovering Sahana Bajpaie

I have known Sahana Bajpaie as a Rabindra Sangeet singer extraordinaire. She did introduce a very contemporary,

October 6, 2016

I'm happy today because…

Are you happy? Are you content or happy? Do you know the difference between content and happy? If you can perceive the difference, how much does the distinction matter?

October 5, 2016

Berlin – Art Paradise

Right after I arrived in Berlin, on my way to the hotel, I asked my vivacious guide NihanSivridag, “Describe Berlin in a sentence.” In response, Nihan quoted Klaus Wowereit,former Mayor of Berlin: “Berlin is poor but sexy.”[“Poor”, according to European standards, of course.] Over the next few days, I tried to understand what she meant.

August 20, 2016