Tahira Shamsi Utsa

Reporter, Print/Digital, The Daily Star

Country failing to protect children from violence

A 16-year-old madrasa student in Jhenaidah was hospitalised last month after being beaten by an assistant teacher -- reportedly for eating two slices of leftover orange after iftar, with the madrasa superintendent’s permission.

6d ago

Neonatal mortality still high at 20 per 1,000 births

A recent study has raised concerns about their current condition, revealing operational issues that could threaten future progress.

1w ago

HPV vaccination for cervical cancer: Overcoming stigmas, girls get vaccinated

Monowara Mubasshira Chowdhury, a seventh-grader at Government Agragami Girls High School and College in Sylhet, suffered a head injury and was unconscious for 45 days before undergoing surgery.

1m ago

Community shocked after beloved dog Keeper killed

The man struck Keeper in the head with a heavy slab, causing serious injuries that led to his death

1m ago

The unpaid household labour GDP ignores

Yasmin represents the millions of women excluded from the labour force, who say that family and household work is a significant setback to their employment.

1m ago

From piyaju to pizza: Dhaka’s street food business takes a delicious journey

Roughly two decades ago, Dhaka’s street food scene was all about simplicity: crispy piyajus and singaras, deep-fried puris, or spicy jhal muri. Depending on the season, you would also find a variety of pithas -- comforting, traditional and closely tied to local flavours. 

2m ago

Local mechanics rev up the road, now govt needs to catch up

Amid the worldwide development of electric vehicles, which is changing the traffic landscape away from fossil fuels, Bangladeshi mechanics brought their humble version of an e-vehicle to the road: a battery-run rickshaw -- awkwardly wired, with visible battery units slinging on the back.

4m ago

Sexual abuse is part of life for street children

Dhaka’s bustling streets are both a workplace and a home for 14-year-old Amina.

5m ago
October 11, 2024
October 11, 2024

A community scourged by child marriage

Inside the straw-roofed clay houses that line the dusty streets of Alipur union in Satkhira Sadar upazila, a silent crisis is unfolding.

October 3, 2024
October 3, 2024

Fashion brands see higher customer footfall ahead of Durga Puja

Fashion brands and retailers are witnessing increased customer footfall ahead of Durga Puja, the biggest annual festival for Hindu community, despite rising prices and political uncertainty.

September 28, 2024
September 28, 2024

Inside the lives of RMG workers

In the shadowy predawn hours, the air in Ashulia, a small industrial town on the outskirts of Dhaka, is thick with anticipation.

August 10, 2024
August 10, 2024

Shakil was always vocal against injustice

Says brother of 23-year old who was shot in Mirpur

July 6, 2024
July 6, 2024

EMTS: Cheapest way to send money across the country

Many may be surprised to learn that the most cost-effective way to transfer money from one place to another without a bank is through the post office.

July 6, 2024
July 6, 2024

How we entered the era of digital money

Rahman Ali, a 68-year-old retired primary school teacher, begins his day in a serene village in the northwestern district of Bogura with a routine he has perfected over the decades.

June 7, 2024
June 7, 2024

Breakdown of money spent over 13 years

The food ministry spent less in fiscal 2022-2023 compared to fiscal 2009-2010, according to data on expenditure over the last 13 years.

March 21, 2024
March 21, 2024

Parents alone in fight against society

For Ayesha Islam*, every day is like a battle.

February 21, 2024
February 21, 2024

International Mother Language Day: Languages we may lose soon

Mang Pu Mro, 78, from Kranchipara of Bandarban’s Alikadam upazila, is among the last seven speakers, all of whom are elderly, of Rengmitcha language.

February 13, 2024
February 13, 2024

Female-headed households rise to a decade high

In 2022, some 17.4 percent of households were led by women, up from 16 percent the year before and 15 percent in 2020. It was 11.6 percent in 2013.