The Overlooked Disadvantages of Being Sibling-Free: There is a reason why people tend to ask those who are stubborn or a bit self-centred if they are an only child. We do have it easy in many ways. Some of the positives eventually take a backseat with age. Whether it is the constant reminder that you are the sole caretaker of your parents or how much every single decision you make will affect their futures heavily, it can get a bit overwhelming. Then there are the overlooked disadvantages, which come at the cost of the perks you get from having no…
Tagore’s Timelessness : A name we are all familiar with from our childhoods, from the songs on the radio to the stories we would study in Bangla classes, is Rabindranath Tagore. In Bengali history and culture he is not just a name, but a pillar of the country’s literature and music. Not only that, his works have spread throughout the globe and earned him the title of Biswakabi. Tagore’s talents range throughout most, if not all, areas of Bengali literature. His philosophy and uniqueness depicted in his writing earned him the Nobel prize in 1913. Although he is given the…
The pandemic has brought out the best and most possibly the worst in all of us, but that does not have to be as bad as it sounds as we probably found a reason to laugh about our shortcomings or small mishaps out of sheer boredom. We have managed to stand taller and be braver than ever in the face of global panic where we were greeted by an unexpected circumstance. Even though we assumed it would wash over in the blink of an eye, it seems to be staying for what feels like an eternity. A couple of years…
A Lonely World Made Lonelier : Who would have thought that, in the span of a year, our lives would be changed so drastically? Things that were part of our everyday lives before now seem daunting as we are faced with the anxiety of catching the virus. The virus I am talking about is, of course, Covid-19, which has greatly impacted economies, businesses, how we live our lives and especially, education. In March 2020, we saw the lockdown as a relief for not having to go to school or university. But as the months went by, we grew wearier of…
“Where do we eat?” is a common question that leaves us puzzled when planning a day out with family or friends. Dhaka offers a large number of options, ranging from Bengali cuisine to Asian to Italian to American. Choosing the perfect place, in terms of quality of food, ambiance of the restaurant and general service can be a confusing process. All of these questions can be answered by going through reviews on the Facebook group Food Talk. Food Talk is a niche community of food enthusiasts. It was started by Taskin Rahman, who recalls his eight year long journey from…
Defining individual style : Fashion is a major aspect of an individual’s personality. One can use their outward appearance to express oneself, for example darker shades for when they feel gloomy and lighter shades for when they feel cheerful. Although, for some individuals, how they dress might not be a big deal, but for others it is an art form. Whether they prioritize comfortable over gaudy, or modest over bold, one can be fashionable while still staying true to their style. This is seen among university students in Dhaka, where they have more freedom to dress how they want. A…
Music has been an integral part of most cultures around the globe. To this day, music continues to change and evolve, as more people use it to make unique soundtracks to their everyday lives. As a Bengali, it has been an even bigger part of our culture. From Nazrul’s songs about war to Tagore’s love songs, Bangla is able to truly capture the heart’s language through melodies. Songs in one’s mother tongue best expresses feelings of the soul. As much as music plays a part in our culture, and ultimately in our upbringing, the place we grow up in also…
(Understanding Generation Z through a Gen Z : The feature photo has been taken from Internet, source: https://www.4dhumanbeing.com/how-gen-z-is-transforming-the-workplace/) There are several things that define today’s generation of teenagers to young adults, but how are the youth of this country figuring out their life as they go through a significant historical event and its major transitions? The pandemic has become a big part of the lives of everyone around the world, especially for Generation Z. When talking about this generation, it is hard to ignore the impact of the pandemic. In 2019, the youth would find themselves in cafes where…
Rain, Raincoat & a Rifle : Rain has a distinct utility. It has a calming effect and power to cultivate your memory. Especially if it is a weekend and mug full of fine Lankan tea in hand. Clouds having a game all day and how I enjoy that. Could get very tricky for the mind. And so it has happened to me. Trudging my memory back to the 80’s. According to newspapers – Maradona has a Hand of God, Afghan warlords were then called Mujahideens and Dhakaites tolerating the autocratic regime. And I, a little boy from Paltan enjoying my…
Kalni : My heart wasn’t on my mouth, rather my feet and waist were crying out. The traveler in me would just not listen, so I went on. On the back of a 125 cc motorbike, into the harshlands of Sunamganj. I wasn’t riding that little old Japanese gem, it was my colleague who was doing that thankless job. For 2 days, 15 hours and over 300 km… roads, no-roads, boat, bamboo bridges known as Shako‘s, held our destiny with aplomb. The roads, aah well, that is why I went there. No, not to build them or break them. Rather to…


