Ashif Ahmed Rudro

Pahela Baishakh: Origins and celebrations

Pahela Baishakh, celebrated on April 14, marks the Bengali New Year, rooted in Emperor Akbar’s reform aligning taxes with harvests. Today, it’s a vibrant cultural festival filled with music, processions, traditional food, and colourful attire.

1w ago

City of magic: Dhaka's blend of stories

Dhaka has had many names over the years — City of Rickshaws, City of Mosques, City of Magic, and many more. Perhaps, calling it ‘Mini-Bangladesh’ is not a misnomer either. People from every nook and cranny of the country come together in this place, and each brings something that makes it what it is today.

2w ago

Avoid the Eid madness: 4 peaceful getaways in Bangladesh

Escape the Eid crowds by exploring hidden gems in Bangladesh. Visit China Clay Hill, Manpura Island, Niladri Lake, or Boga Lake for serene nature, adventure, and breath-taking views. Travel smart, pack essentials, and enjoy stress-free exploration.

4w ago

Rajshahi in a day: Top spots you can't miss

Rajshahi, Bangladesh, offers a quiet getaway with historical sites like Varendra Museum, Rajshahi College, and Dhopkols. Enjoy scenic views of the Padma River and Rajshahi University’s serene campus. Avoid summer heat; pack sunscreen and water.

1m ago

Rethink your food habits for affordable and healthy options

Revamp food habits with budget-friendly swaps: corn flour for wheat, green papaya for cucumber, and guava for apples. Choose cheaper food colours, switch beef for fish, and experiment with nutritious, affordable alternatives for a healthier, cost-effective diet.

2m ago

The types of passengers you meet on a bus

Dhaka is not that big of a city. But there are way too many people, and while the number of buses is not little either, it’s far from enough. The daily bus commutes in Dhaka are tedious but if one is willing, there are plenty of drama and stories to find. Today, we will count the five types of p

2m ago

Think asking salaries is polite? Time to unlearn that and more

Unlearning is the process of abandoning outdated or harmful norms, habits, and beliefs ingrained through societal and cultural conditioning. It involves rejecting intrusive questions, respecting privacy, and embracing self-improvement to rebuild healthier practices and virtues.

3m ago

Planning a trip? Your credit card might just be your new best friend!

Credit cards simplify foreign travel by offering cashless security, lounge access, easy booking, reward points, and expense tracking. They enable smooth transactions, discounts, and financial management, making travel more convenient and cost-effective for users.

5m ago
November 7, 2024
November 7, 2024

Generations of style: Bashir Uddin Tailors’ heritage of hand-sewn elegance

For many of us, New Market, as popular as it is to retailers, has a lot of fond memories. In our attempt to sail through nostalgia and history, we found an interesting shop at New Market, Bashir Uddin Tailors and Fabrics — this is the story of a sartorial pedigree.

October 13, 2024
October 13, 2024

Battling dengue: Simple steps to stay safe during the outbreak

Here are a few ways to stay safe from dengue. While most people know these precautions, a timely reminder never hurts anyone.

October 6, 2024
October 6, 2024

Drums, beats, and dhakis: A fading tradition

“Dhak, dhol, jhajor baaje,” we recite as children and there is no denying that the beats of the drums that we call ‘dhak’ has something robustly unique about it. Dhak is a familiar musical instrument that is native to the Indian subcontinent. Aside from their uniquely loud palpitating beats, there are stories behind the sound.

September 23, 2024
September 23, 2024

The daily bus ride adventures in Dhaka

Do you remember those school days when you had to memorise an essay about a journey by bus? Sure, you must have had experiences of bus travels, but none compares to the commutes by bus within the capital city.

September 2, 2024
September 2, 2024

5 things that make Mirpur special

Dhaka is basically divided into a few “general areas”. These areas refer to a larger neighbourhood that are recognised by the same name. For example – the Mirpur area might refer to the whole of Mirpur-1 through 12. Like every other neighbourhood in the city, there are a few perks of living in Mirpur.

August 29, 2024
August 29, 2024

Skinny shaming: The bullying we pretend doesn’t exist

Body positivity never really caught up in Bangladesh. It’s shocking how even in 2024, body shaming not only exists in our society, but also is taken for granted. In recent times, there has been some awareness against fat shaming. Yet, the same cannot be said about skinny shaming.

August 28, 2024
August 28, 2024

Understanding the ‘Dhaka Dhakka’ phenomenon

Moving to a new city can be intimidating, and when it’s Dhaka, there are bound to be some stories.

August 19, 2024
August 19, 2024

Life without metro

Dhaka residents have a bitter relationship with traffic jam where one can’t go one day without falling into one. The congestion on the roads is usually much worse during peak office hours. In the midst of this perpetual torment, there was a small respite in the form of metro rail.

July 10, 2024
July 10, 2024

Library lane: The forgotten bookshops of New Market

Nilkhet, Mirpur, Banglabazar -- many destinations are well known amongst bookworms of Dhaka. However, nestled within the bustling New Market lies a lesser-known, historical book market. What happened to Library Lane, this once vibrant hub of knowledge? Today, the future of the place hangs in the balance, its rich history fading into memory.

July 2, 2024
July 2, 2024

5 popular eateries in and around DU campus

On July 1, 2024, Dhaka University celebrated its 103rd anniversary. University life is an experience in itself. Besides the education and the bonds of friendship people share, a notable aspect that shines in every person’s heart is campus food.