Eid shopping a priority above health safety?
The government has directed all supermarkets, malls and shops of Dhaka city to adopt precautionary measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. However, the markets are struggling to maintain proper health and safety measures as there are large crowds of people shopping before Eid-ul-Fitr.
Filing complaints now easier than ever
It was quite a pleasant surprise for Kawser Alam when he found Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) workers clearing the dumped waste in front of his house, a day after he lodged a complaint through an app called “Sobar Dhaka”.
Footpath, road blocked by DNCC’s structure
Dhaka residents usually come across footpaths and roads being blocked by vendors and parked vehicles. As a result, they may have to jaywalk or manoeuvre their vehicles through the obstacles, hoping that one day authorities will clear the path.
Here’s hoping next year’s book fair is Covid-19 free
Yesterday was the last day of this year’s Ekushey Boimela. Marked by a delayed start and a lockdown announcement midway, the book fair -- originally scheduled to end on April 14 -- ended two days earlier due to the surge in Covid-19 cases across the country.
(Mist) cannons to fight pollution!
To control dust pollution in the capital and maintain air quality, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have begun operating two truck-mounted
Ekushey Book Fair : ‘Better promotion would have drawn more visitors’
As soon as the gate of Amar Ekushey book fair opened at 3pm yesterday, visitors started coming in. Among lone visitors and groups, there were students, couples, families university students, couples and families joining in the festivity of the fair.
Ekushey Book Fair : Young readers thrilled to meet favourite writer
On the fifth day of the book fair, the crowd was a little relaxed at the Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday.
Ekushey Book Fair: Readers on the hunt for new-release titles
One of the key attractions of Amar Ekushey book fair is the release of innumerable new books. Many wait for a whole year to satiate their hunger for newly released material, and the fair fulfils their desire in the form of novels, poetry, fiction and sci-fi.
Boimela sees weekend crowd
Although a little late, the Amar Ekushey book fair is taking place again after a year. The delay was obvious -- like everything else, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the Boimela too.
Abrar Memorial Footbridge: Half-baked structure now being ‘retrofitted’
When private university student Abrar Ahmed Chowdhury died in a tragic road accident on March 19, 2019 in front of Jamuna Future Park on
Kuril left in the dark
Kuril flyover and its adjacent areas in the capital have been left in darkness for months, putting commuters at risk of accidents or falling victim to criminal activities.
To keep the language alive
Nandita Ritchil and Natasha Manda, two young volunteers with their hands full of books, were talking with attendees with great enthusiasm at a book fair in the capital’s Nadda.
‘Illegal floor’ thrives in risky building
Right next to the Gulshan-2 intersection, one of the most upscale commercial areas in the capital, a shabby-looking “kitchen market” under the city corporation’s custody is running with a plethora of rule violations and questionable management, literally under the authority’s nose.
Mosquito menace on the rise
With the mosquito problem of Dhaka becoming more and more menacing, residents are having to strengthen their defences against the insects, and many complain that the city corporations’ measures to control mosquitoes are not effective in their areas.
Getting a shot at a new life
Before reaching her teen years, Borsha had to leave her parents’ house.
The bike lanes to nowhere
Around 15 months after the inauguration of Dhaka North City Corporation’s first dedicated bicycle lane in Agargaon, the initial optimism of cyclists surrounding the lanes is waning due to illegal occupation and lack of integrated networks.
The curious case of e-ticketing
The queue at Bangladesh National Museum was a little unusual this Friday. Things were getting a bit chaotic too. The issue laid with some who were being refused to enter. Waiting at the back of the line for a long time, they couldn’t believe they were being turned back.
A unique Christmas celebration
Christmas, the biggest religious festival of the Christian community, is back again after a year-long wait, with the same exuberance among the community. Billions across the globe will observe the day, and Bangladeshi Christians will join in on the celebration as well.
Bleeding for Survival- First Garo band to be featured on GAAN app
Rock band Bleeding for Survival is the first ever band from Garo community-- an indigenous community of Bangladesh-- to be featured on the leading music streaming platform, GAAN app.
Parampara: An effort to appreciate history
Reading about Bangladesh’s rich history gives us an understanding about the people’s struggles, and helps us realise and value their sacrifices.
Push button signals for pedestrian crossing: DNCC pursuing it despite little evidence of utility
People holding out their hands to stop speedy vehicles, buses stopping randomly to take in passengers, cars zooming past pedestrians crossing the road -- this is the chaotic scenario at the road crossing in front of Brac University at the capital’s Mohakhali.
a2i Digital Centres in Dhaka City: Entrepreneurs allege zero cooperation from ward councillors
Despite having a clear guideline issued from the Local Government Division, entrepreneurs under the government’s a2i programme are not getting proper support due to lack of coordination with ward councillors, they alleged.
Most community centres of two Dhaka city corporations not usable by public
Community centres are supposed to be a place where people of a neighbourhood gather, socialise and hold cultural and social events.
A forgone mandate: Dhaka city corporations’ food inspection activities virtually non-existent
The two Dhaka city corporations have the mandate of keeping a check on food safety, but have been doing next to nothing to this end for several years.
Even ‘Fokinni Bazar’ not spared from price hike
It had nearly been an hour, but Khadiza Khatun was still moving from vendor to vendor with her empty bazaar bag in Tejgaon kitchen market.
Vendors are back, but their luck yet to arrive
After six months of staying indoors due to the coronavirus fallout, 56-year-old Aleya Akter is back with her weighing machine on the pavement right across a Badda supermarket.
High risk, higher uncertainty
Mostafa Kamal (45) has been working as an ambulance driver for nearly 10 years. In the past, he took two to three calls per day, which would be enough to meet his family’s needs.
A time to look out for one another
In the middle of March, when Covid-19 started sweeping across the nation, Mithun Raksam, a poet and publisher from the Garo community, got a heart-breaking phone call from an acquaintance.
Outrage over Facebook post on providing ‘Garo housemaid’
A Facebook post with the picture of a Garo woman made by a maid-providing agency has caused outrage among social media users, including people from the ethnic minority community.
From footpath to Facebook
Sixty-four-year-old Habibur Rahman came to Dhaka from Narsingdi in 1988. For the past 32 years, he has been selling books around the city, and now, to the elderly man’s amazement, he is selling books online with the help of his son.
No Eid joy for beauticians
Bobita Dalboth was supposed to stay busy with customers during this time of the year. Pre-Eid is the most profitable time for beauticians like her. On the busiest days, clients would have to line up and wait for their turn to get some last minute grooming done.
Crisis or not, Atiq looks to stand by Dhaka residents
Mayor-elect Atiqul Islam of Dhaka North City Corporation hasn’t taken over office yet, and the city is already undergoing a huge challenge in the form of a coronavirus outbreak. The Daily Star spoke to Atiqul recently about his work during the Covid-19 crisis, as well as plans for the city.
A restaurant-turned-community kitchen
As the clock hits 12:30pm, a group of people can be seen busily organising meal-plates at the Mazaa restaurant in front of Mohammadpur Tajmahal Road’s Krishi Market.
Stalled dev works raise concerns
With the shutdown in place to contain the spread of coronavirus, many ongoing development works of the two Dhaka city corporations have come to a standstill.
Joining hands to wash hands
After a tiring session of painting a nearby store, labourer Shaheen Mia finds the newly set up public hand-washing station, and he along with his co-worker grabs the bar of soap and scrubs away all dirt and grime, and possibly the coronavirus.
How sweet is home?
Empty roads, shuttered shops and few people in sight, the effects of the coronavirus can be seen everywhere across the country. And yet, even during these times, work must carry on for many residents of the city.
A helping hand during times of crisis
As Covid-19 has everyone worried across the country, people are compelled to take precautionary measures, such as frequently washing hands and using hand sanitisers to ward off the highly contagious disease.
Coronavirus Transmission: Misinformation spells trouble for pet owners
With the arrival of novel coronavirus striking fear in the hearts of many, misinformation circulated through social media and leaflets by a number of government bodies has caused worries for pet owners in the capital, as some landlords have notified tenants to get rid of their pets or vacate the house.
Construction work leaves Manik Mia Avenue sidewalk in disarray
Development work is an inseparable part of urbanisation. It is inevitable that sometimes even the busiest footpaths will have to be blocked, for the sake of maintaining the asphalt or repairing the utility lines that run underneath.
Migratory writers flock to the fair
Ekushey book fair has become a symbol of our national identity. The overwhelming presence of not just literary enthusiasts but also writers, poets and publishers at Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan speaks volumes about the love for books in our hearts.
Drizzle no damper for bookworms
Although spring sky took a shade of uncharacteristic gloom yesterday, it was no match for last-minute shoppers, who turned out in droves at Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela.
A risky, stinking commute
The walkway along the Shahjadpur canal that goes through in Baddda and Shahjadpur has become a risky commute for locals due to a lack of safety railings along it, leaving pedestrians -- especially children -- at a risk of falling in.
Keeping indigenous culture alive through literature
They say, this land has been my home for thousands of years
Education in mother tongue: Govt move for ethnic minority students faltering
The government move to ensure children from ethnic communities are given early childhood education in their mother tongue is apparently falling flat due to a lack of teachers with a good command of these languages.
Getting more out of books
In this era of connectivity, digital technology has a deep impact on book publishing and the way people read.
A day of red and yellow
Dhaka is known for its festivities. Be it Eid, Puja, or Pahela Baishakh celebrations, there’s at least a few occasions that are celebrated en masse every month.
A fun way to raise fire safety awareness
Among the innumerable stalls and pavilions at this year’s Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela, you might spot an unusual stall where individuals in uniform are giving instructions about what to do in case of burn injuries.
In the realm of allegories
While literary fiction remains the heavyweight at Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela, a loyal fan base has kept poetry well and truly alive at the month-long book fair.
February 9, 2020
A gathering of literary enthusiasts
After an exhausting month of trade fair and city polls, the book fair got off to a slow start on February 2. But as the first weekend of the month rolled around, city dwellers thronged the fair, re-energised and ready to indulge in literature.
February 4, 2020
Recycling a nuisance: turning election posters into notebooks
Amid concerns over the massive amount of laminated election posters causing serious environmental damage, a youth organisation has undertaken initiatives to recycle the material to help underprivileged children.
February 1, 2020
Victory will be ours: Atiqul
Awami League mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Atiqul Islam spent a busy day yesterday, meeting party members and preparing for the election.
January 29, 2020
Councillors to meet locals monthly: Atiq
There will be monthly meetings between ward councillors and locals in each area every month if he is elected, so that residents can hold the councillor responsible for their work and also can talk about their problems, Awami League DNCC mayor candidate Atiqul Islam said yesterday.
January 28, 2020
Laminated posters not removed in the capital
Even after the High Court order to immediately stop production and use of laminated city polls campaign posters, they are still seen across the capital.
January 27, 2020
Cast your vote freely, without any fear
Supporters of Awami League mayor candidate Atiqul Islam went around the city yesterday, asking people to vote for Boat in the upcoming mayor election.
January 26, 2020
Noise pollution from election campaign: Nuisance unbearable
As the capital is abuzz with campaigns for the city corporation polls, candidates are found using loudspeakers during the hours when it is not permitted by electoral rules.
January 25, 2020
Lofty promises but no manifesto yet
With election to the Dhaka city corporations around a week away, ward councillor candidates are campaigning in full swing. However, most of them do not have any specific vision to develop their wards, if elected.
January 21, 2020
Despite predicaments, they carry on
Women candidates for elections to the reserved ward councillor posts of two Dhaka city corporations don’t just want to be “ornamental councillors”; they want to make the city safer for women and have demanded a balance of power between them and their male counterparts so that they can serve people properly.
January 19, 2020
Vote, no matter what: BNP
Exercise your franchise! Come to the polling centres overcoming all obstacles and vote!
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