Shoaib Ahmed Sayam

Sub-editor of City Desk. You can reach me at [email protected]

My love-hate relationship with Eid natoks

Are you aware of the "Valentine's Day on Eid" phenomenon? Eid natoks and overall Bangladeshi natoks have gone through a strange trajectory.

Clash between Patro League and Patro Dal leaves several unmarried

Leaders and activists of Patro League and Patro Dal, the marriage wings of two political parties, locked in a clash in front of a kazi office in the capital yesterday, leaving several unmarried.

Brazil or Argentina? A guide on which team to support

It’s time to revive the age-old fight between South Asian supporters of two South American football teams. From competing to see who can hoist the biggest flag, a clear form of overcompensation, to some good ole’ beatdowns in Brahmanbaria, football fever, alongside dengue fever, has taken over Bangladesh.

We had 1 fire extinguisher: Owner of cargo area on safety measures

After the 549th fire incident that could’ve easily been avoided if businesses weren’t absolute pieces of … or if fire-safety measures were a tiny bit better, the nation was shocked once again.

Authorities going all out for ‘2 Fair 2 Free’ polls

Chapasthan is once again gearing up for its Ultra Free, Giga Fair National Election. This time, it’s going to be freer and fairer than ever.

New police station to have play area inside jail cell

After many debates, demonstrations and detentions, law enforcers have finally come to a solution regarding the Lebutala playground issue.

Woman trapped in spiral to renew passport

The following is part of an interview of a woman who is still trying to collect all 634 documents to get her new passpor:.

VC gets intimate about his campus protest experience

The following is an excerpt from the diary of a VC, which Satireday obtained when he left home to get sushi after the end of the students’ hunger strike:

Lockdown will ruin company culture, Mamun from HR warns govt

“There’s no way I’m going to let these people go back home again,” Mamun from HR murmured. “What will happen to the company’s synergy, dynamism and disruption, if there is no one to synergise, dynamise and disrupt at the office?

‘New year, new me,’ say same old people

The people of Chapasthan, who are renowned for being oblivious to the concept of a promise, have once again prepared their New Year’s resolutions.

‘Trust us, we got this, for real this time’

The government of Chapasthan has assured its people that they will be absolutely safe from the Omicron variant of Covid-22, as authorities, under the celestial guidance of the supreme leader, have taken the strictest measures to prevent another wave of the pandemic.

All roads to be converted into racetracks: Minister

The minister of roads and highways recently decided to turn all thoroughfares of Chapasthan into racetracks, as the country’s drivers have a natural inclination towards going fast and putting everyone’s lives at risk.

Previous generation always has it harder than latest one: Study

A recent study has found that every problem the current generation faces is nothing compared to what the previous generation went through.

‘We want our discounts’

With slogans like “We want our half-priced bikes” and “Keep the discounts coming”, thousands of citizens from a specific walk of life held a demonstration at the capital’s Chahbagh intersection.

Country in disbelief after 3,718th episode of majority-on-minority violence

As is tradition, Chapasthan witnessed yet another spate of violence perpetrated by the majority on the minority in the past couple of days, triggering the country’s authorities and experts to recycle their remarks about pluralism, conspiracy and geopolitics.

All international indexes are conspiracies: Minister

Chapasthan has landed at the bottom of yet another international index, but the country’s top officials, like every other time, are not convinced by the report.

Navigating Dhaka by bus with Google Maps

Dhaka is not a big city, but it is not an organised city either. Old Dhaka was fondly called ‘Bayanno Bajar Teppanno Goli’r Shohor’ (a city of 52 bazaars and 53 lanes) by many, and many parts of new Dhaka can also be confusing to commute for the uninitiated.

Citizens visibly shaken by ‘Visible 2021’

On January 1, 2021, Chapasthan transformed into a “utopia”. Weeks have passed, but Chapasthanis are still struggling to face reality.

Is the ban proving counterproductive?

Despite suspension of ridesharing services via motorcycles due to health safety concerns, bikers can still be seen with their vehicles parked at intersections in the capital, waving to potential passengers, and with some success too, as many commuters still choose the verbal-contract service despite the risks associated.

First-world travel vlogger discovers Dhaka after barely interacting with locals

“Hi, everyone! Did you miss me? Of course, you did. It’s your favourite wanderlust-stricken traveller, coming to you from Da…Dacca, Bangladesh,” Ryan said, lying in his hospital bed, holding up the selfie-stick.

Shoppers say new Eid collection ‘to die for’

Along with miseries, the pandemic has certainly brought citizens with generational privilege things to look forward to. Fashionable PPE for death defying Eid shoppers.

A case for pretty pavilions

Avid readers steadily filled up Ekushey book fair premises on its fourth day, some tagging along with their friends, while others brought their little ones.

High schoolers to represent Bangladesh at NASA Rover Challenge

This year’s team, MAR5, consists of six youngsters, Aryan Andaleeb Azim, Rubaiyet Islam, Sadia Alam, Alif Hassan Aunkur, Tasnia Mustafa and Rafiul Alam Khan.

Gulistan Underground Market: Where the techie and sketchy coexist

Are you willing to go to the depths of the earth to get your phone repaired? If not, in Gulistan you only need to descend one floor beneath the ground.

Bangladeshi scouts taking on the world

Scouting has been popular in Bangladesh since the 1970s. What started out as a voluntary movement founded by British army officer Robert Baden-Powell in early 1900s has reached schools and colleges all over the country. Bangladesh regularly participates in international scouting events -- giving students an opportunity to become global members of society.

Shopner Dokan: Giving the less-privileged an opportunity to shop

Minutes after a banner reading “Shopner Dokan” was put up, displaying bags of clothes in various colours and sizes at Dhanmondi Road-7, children from the area excitedly gathered to pick their attire for Eid.

DMP’s schooling of jaywalkers: A firsthand account

When I found out that Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is conducting counselling sessions for jaywalkers, I was curious to see for myself what it’s about. So, I decided to go undercover and get intentionally caught jaywalking to attend a session.

Telling stories with metal and water

Trees, flowers and mythic characters spouting water in a lush green field welcomed keen observers. The fountains excited children

Cruising through water to beat traffic

Despite Bangladesh being a riverine country, Dhaka residents don't see enough waterbodies unless one counts the flooded roads

An inclusive Baishakhi celebration

On the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, InclusionX -- an organisation that aims to foster a healthy relationship between the intellectually disabled and abled -- arranged a programme open to all at EMK Center on Thursday.

Dhaka could benefit from more public spaces

What is good architecture? Definitely not an easy question to answer, but Prof Timmy Aziz and Prof Holger Kleine managed to enlighten an audience in Dhaka in the process of exploring this subject.

Breaking perceptions

Human Library Bangladesh (HLB) started with a mission to break prejudices. HLB organises storytelling sessions and discussions where individuals participate as “books”, narrating their stories to “readers” (participating audience). Yesterday they held the fifth session to further this cause.

Talking menstruation and puberty

Eager parents quickly filled up the room and participated in an ice-breaking session to start things off. The speaker made the session conversational instead of it just being a talk.

When trees open up about humans

Nature is more important than ever before, and trees are arguably the most valuable components of the environment. That is why, on this special occasion, we have invited three prominent trees who have come from different walks of life.

CID went off air, and so did my life

1997 was a year when I had no concept of criminals or law enforcers to catch said criminals. That's the same year CID aired for the first time.

Struggles of a Middle Class Gamer

Everyone has dreams. Dreams of becoming something no one could think of, like a doctor or engineer. Unfortunately, more often than not, those dreams are never achieved, for some dirty papers which make the world go round.

MAN VERSUS MIRPUR

For years, we have been getting reports from general people that a certain ominous area in our own capital has been harrowing the lives of its inhabitants, and no, it's not Uttara.

The Vampires of Dhaka

“Hello, did you reach the graveyard?” the person on the other side of the phone inquired. “Yes, I did. I'm inside now and looking for you guys. Where are you?” “What? No, what the heck, get out of there. Take a left from the graveyard, walk for about five minutes and you'll see a student mess. It's house number 42. Do you have Google Maps? I'll send you the location,” he corrected me.

How to 4G Mobile Network Changed my life

How 4G changed my life

The day I got my new 4G SIM was the day I realised my full potential. To think I was going through life with a 3.5G connection is insane. Now every day is so fast and smooth, no buffering. Allow me to illustrate just how much of a paradigm shift this is.

How the rain drips into my heart

The rain means a lot of things to a lot of people. It might be a feeling of nostalgia, a longing for someone or simply a need to pee.

A perfectly normal talk show

Good evening, dear viewers. Welcome to our weekly talk show “Ponchom Jatra”. As always, I am here with our guests for today's topic. Tonight we have Dr. Jamin Amran, Professor of Agriculture and Farming at Compass University; and Mr. Tormu Zalich, owner of the prominent horticulture company “Bestest Fruit Company (BFC)”.

What moms think when you go outside

It's been 20 minutes, what is she up to? It doesn't take that long to top-up your phone. She didn't even take the car. Oh no, did she get ensnared by an undeserving boy? Did she start lying to me now? After all I've done for her?

Can you really do anything you want to?

There's a prevalent narrative which states that people are capable of doing whatever they put their minds to, that following your passion is paramount to achieving your dreams. As good as it feels to be hopeful for the future and be inspired, let's step back and contemplate on this notion.

Just let me eat

We already judge people by their weight, height, clothes, the way they walk, and how they talk. What else can we judge them by? Hmm, I know, how they intake nutrients for sustaining life. This is my story of vilification and condemnation.

You want my saree

Hello. My name is Katan Benaroshiwala, and I'm the best saree salesman this country has ever seen. It all started when my dad bought me a branded lungi with the money he saved by not sending me to school.

This is your brain on social media

Ever wondered why gambling can sometimes develop into an addiction? It's really complex but two components play a role: variable rewards and dopamine. B. F. Skinner's famous experiment (read up on it if interested) demonstrated how unpredictable rewards compel us to reinforce an action. For instance, when people play slot machines they don't know whether they'll win or lose; same goes for those claw