Spotlight | The Daily Star

  • Halloween myths and why they exist

    The origin of Halloween comes from the land of the Celts, now modern day France and the British Isles. According to Celtic myths, the dead reside in a faraway land of eternal youth and happiness, called Tir nan Og, and that one could only communicate with the dead during the turning of the year.

  • Cast a spell or two

    Would you not want some 'practical magick' like this in your life? Order your broom to sweep up last night's mess, a flick of your wand to sort out all your chores or maybe a drop of soothing potion for your ever troubled bestie

  • Durga Puja Festival 2018

    Durga's empowered womanhood

    Hymns, camphor-lit invocations and venerations of Durga followed by the immersion of idols in the river — Durga Puja is an electrifying carnival of a religious festival. Rooted in our very own Bengal, and dating way back to the 17th century, Durga Puja has evolved to mean a glorified community affair with lights, fireworks and colours. However, the main tableau of Durga herself is an overlooked story and one for the ages. And, it is here where the spirit of Durga Puja is tethered.

  • Raised by the Mother

    My birthright was to become part of a faith that could trace its roots back to the earliest civilisations known to man, yet it always felt heavy on my shoulders. What my family constantly recounted to me as a privilege always made me feel like an outsider to the rest of the world, but it had less to do with being part of a minority community in this country and more to do with my upbringing.

  • My Beloved Deshi Sari

    That was only Tagore and what about our very own Humayun Ahmed? His ladies are always described wearing the perfectly pleated Taant in the deepest shades of blue, almost replicating the ocean or the sky.

  • Diet plan for weight loss

    Intermittent fasting- the new diet planner in town

    Intermittent fasting, as the name suggests, is a dieting scheme or plan which involves a period of eating, followed by a period of not eating, repeated over time. Of course, water is consumed during the fasting period, including fluids like fruit juices, tea, coffee etc. but, without sugar, or very small amounts of sugar, preferably less than 50 calories.

  • Tales of two foodies

    As two blokes sit at a coffee shop somewhere in Gulshan immersed in conversation over their love for all things food; in the midst of it, I hastily try to scribble note after note of their many anecdotes and the food adventures they've been on.

  • The fertile grounds

    Over the years the nature of harassment children experience at school in the hand of their peers has changed; it is important we re-assess the situation based on its current nature.

  • The ABC's of bullying

    Areeba Binte Sadiq was nervous on the day she stepped into her new school. Experiencing mixed emotions, she secretly nurtured the anticipation of quickly making new friends, and blending in with ease. Yet, deep down the fear 'what if it does not work' was also very real.

  • Top 5 Beauty & Lifestyle Apps

    Apps- tiny little icons just a click away on our smartphones, we use them everyday for multifarious purposes! But, what if we told you the names of some apps that can play a major role to redefine your living?

  • Terror in the machine

    Global statistics still show that maximum bullying incidents take place in schools. The very classrooms and playgrounds that we deem safe for our children can cause untold miseries for them at the hands of none other than their peers. Even though the perpetrators can be anyone from teachers to staff, in most cases the bullies are children themselves.

  • The silent victims

    Laila Khondkar, Director, Child Right Governance and Child Protection, Save the Children in Bangladesh is a well-known expert in this field and she addresses a very relevant but misrepresented aspect of bullying in the current context.

  • Come into my mind

    “One thing we must always keep in mind is that bullying is a universal phenomenon and is not limited to urban playgrounds; it can happen anytime, anywhere — while you walk on the streets, at a party you attend, and for adults even in the workplace. It can even start in your own home” said Dr Ahmed, the reputed psychiatrist.

  • Cattle tales

    Cattle tales

    Bangladesh is home to various cattle breeds and their crosses. Although it is hard to distinguish between the breeds, as farmers do not keep accounts of the cattle being bred,

  • Mosaic art in mosques

    Illuminating rays from hanging lamps, glazed tiles sheathing interiors of domes, marble designs and encircling inscriptions- Islamic art is monolithic, especially in its variety.

  • Hanging gardens

    The desire to have lush gardens in our backyard is unfortunately nothing but a pipe dream if you happen to reside in Dhaka's concrete jungle. With the very little living space most of us have in apartments, it is truly a luxury to even have a corner for planters, let alone an entire space dedicated to greenery. Thinking outside the box will grant you the wisdom of abandoning all hopes for horizontal space, and instead, capitalising on the vertical real estate instead.

  • A story of the Sari and its paar

    A sari is not a mere piece of garment for Bengali women. In its delicate folds lie hundreds of years of tradition. An attire so imbued in our culture and heritage, it feels special every single time, and bestows its wearer with grace and poise.

  • Infidelity: a complicated affair

    To understand infidelity, first you have to explore the dynamics of a relationship. Just being in love is not enough to make a relationship work. Both partners need to be honest, loyal compassionate and appreciative in a relationship.

  • The pros and cons of nuclear family

    A nuclear family is not simply a group of people tied together by parenthood or partnership, but rather, it is a necessity to maintain healthy social relationships in this millennial era.

  • Bani Thani: brushwork for the divine

    It is one of the greatest romances ever; the tale of a union that elevates love and desire, the purest of all human emotions, to a godly realm. Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and the love they share has a multitude of interpretations within Hinduism, but no soul shall ever deny that while Krishna enchants the world, Radha enchants even Him.

  • FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

    Live it up with FIFA 2018!

    What is it about 22 people and one ball that keep over 3 billion people occupied for over one month? Whatever it is, it makes one forget the weather, the traffic and even the impending credit card bill!

  • A couch potato's sport: FIFA video games and friends

    But then came the game that practically swooped the hearts of video game enthusiasts and amateur football players across the globe, and that game was the FIFA video game series. FIFA video games have become a cultural phenomenon and a symbolic representation of friendship between guys.

  • Family football feud

    Brazil or Argentina, Spain or Germany, family or football? All of these are tough decisions to make when the world cup season is right around the corner and football starts to run in our veins. However, we all MUST pick a side and stick to it!

  • The love of the game

    As children, we grow up with memories and aspirations to be someone different from the others. We fall in love with certain things that give us the thrill and rush. Be it sports, books, games or fashion, we grow up with a hobby, which makes us love what we do and at a point become a part of us. With FIFA World Cup 2018 well

  • The fan club get together: A bite with your FIFA bunch

    With the FIFA World Cup going ahead at full steam, the amount of excitement cannot be described with mere words. There are going to be plans and sleepovers every now and then and you know it. Nevertheless, with work, classes and chores that keep you busy most of the week, it is not always possible to have sleepovers. Here's

  • Fashion inspiration from the field

    The shimmering lights, intense fight, and sweat and tears of rejoice after every game is not the only thing football players have done to win the heart of millions. Following years of practice and winning various trophies, these international football players have become more than just athletes.

  • Of Jerseys and Flags: The FIFA 2018 prep

    With the 2018 FIFA World Cup in full swing, the tension and excitement of the fans are at their peaks. If you haven't done any of the preparations for the game, now is as good a time as any.

  • The ultimate Football boot guide

    Prepare yourself for the biggest party of the summer, because this time around, it's not about fighting for the infinity stones, but rather, the gold trophy of legends, granting the nation that earns it the title of the King of Kings.

  • Moonsighting: More than meets the eye

    “Chaad Dekha”, or the sighting of the new moon, plays a huge role in the lives of Muslims who follow the appearance of the moon as the criteria for determining important dates in the lunar calendar, such as the beginning and end of each month in the Islamic calendar, and thus the beginning and end of Ramadan, and of course, Eid. To this day, chaad dekha, remains a celebratory marker for the end of Ramadan, calling in Eid-ul-Fitr.

  • Shoe in with Bata

    Traditionally, “Chaand Raat” is synonymous with many traditions, from applying henna on the hands, moms preparing all the ingredients for what the morning, lunch and dinner menu will consist of for the coming days whilst you figure out which outfit to start the day off with. It is at this moment you realize that throughout the chaos of fighting traffic and bargaining with shop vendors for the entirety of the

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