Hrishik Roy

Hrishik Roy is a former intern at Star Books and Literature. Reach out to him at hrishik.roy.27@dartmouth.edu.

The impact of privilege on US college applications

While many applicants work their fingers to the bone to present their best selves on paper, the reality remains that some individuals are inherently positioned with better odds right from the start.

6m ago

“Fragile Things”: How ghosts and spirituality make it into writing

Participants, including the show’s hosts and guests, picked up discarded pebbles, photo frames, children’s artwork, and other knick knacks—all fragile things collected and displayed by the author.

10m ago

Is the transportation system failing the youth?

The deteriorating transportation situation in Dhaka has made commuting a daunting experience.

1y ago

Prabir Ghosh taught me to be a sceptic

Through his simple and coherent scientific explanations for “supernatural” events such as the practice of witchcraft or the sanctity of religious sites, he challenged the dogmatic belief system which exists throughout much of South Asia.

1y ago

Academics, book reviews commemorate Abul Mansur Ahmad

"Without the practice of literature and study of history, no civilization has progressed much", Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury said in his closing speech.

1y ago

Of ‘BONOBIBI’ and music as a form of storytelling

The verses remind us that a withering, war-torn Earth can still birth new life and hopes of freedom.

1y ago

On Coke Studio Bangla x Meghdol’s ‘BONOBIBI’ and music as a form of storytelling

When Coke Studio Bangla released Meghdol’s Bonobibi, their second song of season 2, listeners found themselves torn between loving the song and questioning it. Questioning as to why the song was done under the banner of Coke Studio, a project funded by an American-based multinational corporation; questioning what qualifies Meghdol, a band known for singing about urban life in Dhaka city, to sing about tales originating in the Sundarbans; and why the song didn’t delve deeper into the history and background of the stories they were trying to tell. It has raised a wider question about how music plays a role in storytelling.

1y ago

A diverse longlist for the 2023 International Booker Prize

Novels from India, the Caribbean, Ukraine, Spain, Bulgaria, Ivory Coast, France, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, China, Norway and South Korea in the longlist.

1y ago

December 15, 2022

HSC examinees walking to the exam centre through police barricades set up due to political unrest

Dysfunctional political demonstrations and the disruption in daily life

As the country heads into another election season, political demonstrations will definitely be on the rise.

December 13, 2022

John Green slams Tumblr user accusing him of sexual abuse

The move probably came as a form of counterstroke against Twitter’s ridiculous measure of allowing people to have verified accounts with $8. “Real tired of this free speech platform requiring me to be John Green. I AM A SOCK COMPANY,” Green tweeted.

December 9, 2022

On free speech and Milton’s 'Areopagitica'

Milton shows how the erroneous use of censorship laws have hindered progress even in the quest for scientific truth.

December 8, 2022

Annie Ernaux delivers her Nobel Prize lecture

What came to me spontaneously was the clamour of a language which conveyed anger and derision, even crudeness; a language of excess, insurgent, often used by the humiliated and the offended as their only response to the memory of others’ contempt, of shame, and shame at feeling shame.

December 5, 2022

5 books to read about Brazilian football

Whether you’re an Argentina fan or have a newly found enthusiasm for the Japanese team, you cannot deny the exceptional trajectory of the Brazilian footballers, each more celebrated than the other. Here are five books about Brazilian football to shed new light on the sport’s background.

December 3, 2022