Mannan Mashhur Zarif

Empty nest? More like an empty heart: How one family turned loneliness into love

A woman facing an empty nest found renewed purpose by taking in her house-help's daughter. Despite restrictive adoption laws in Bangladesh, her family secured guardianship, focusing on emotional support and building a fulfilling bond.

3w ago

Think you've seen it all? Wait till you visit this 8th-century gem in Bangladesh

Somapura Mahavihara — “the Great Monastery situated in the locality of the moon” — is one of the oldest monuments in the country, and a UNESCO heritage site. Located to the northwest of Bangladesh in the district of Naogaon, the ruins of the Buddhist vihara at Paharpur serves as a cue to what was once a flourishing Buddhist culture.

1m ago

A postcard from memory lane: Revisiting Dhaka’s GPO

My earliest recollections of the city’s General Post Office are linked to my late grandmother.

1m ago

Unveiling the goddess within

Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga, highlighting her strength, courage, and compassion. These divine traits are present in every woman, empowering them to face challenges and embrace their inner goddess during the festival and beyond.

1m ago

Sharat’s graceful homage

Fall brings a whole new meaning to Bengali fashion. In this day and age, we love taking cues from global trends and fusing them with our versatile styles the rest of the year, but come this season we still lean towards more traditional forms and hues.

1m ago

Kashful fields and starry nights: The magic of autumn in Bengal

Fall, in this part of the world, may not be marked by a profound stillness. Nevertheless, even in Bengal, the season brings about noticeable changes.

2m ago

Tourism in turmoil: How political unrest and floods crippled Bangladesh

Currently, the Bangladeshi tourism sector is witnessing unprecedented problems. While this was supposed to be one of the peak seasons, due to the recent political situation and the current flood that is sweeping many parts of the country, the hospitality industry seems to have come to a standstill.

3m ago

Cultural heritage in a bowl: The taste of Bogura’r doi

Bogura, once a quaint town, is now a bustling metropolis, but its legendary curd, Bogura’r doi, remains a symbol of tradition. This gourmet delight blends age-old recipes with the finest local ingredients. Artisans meticulously craft it, starting with fresh cow’s milk, boiled and reduced, then fermented in clay pots.

3m ago
July 11, 2024
July 11, 2024

Rain or shine, keep your glow: Monsoon skincare hacks

Hot and humid, the Bangladeshi monsoon can create havoc on your skin. The merciless heatwave that we experience even in the rainy season makes the skin vulnerable to increased secretion from sebaceous glands. This makes the skin appear oily; dry skin becomes rough and patchy.

July 4, 2024
July 4, 2024

Confessions of a donkey enthusiast

A casual Google search started it all. Apparently, the number of people “killed” by donkeys is greater than the number of lives claimed in plane accidents annually!

June 10, 2024
June 10, 2024

Battle for the cattle

If you think buying a cattle is difficult, try bringing it home from the market!

June 3, 2024
June 3, 2024

An ode to Jaishtha

On any given Jaishtha or high summer day, fruit vendors ply the streets of the city selling delicious seasonal fruits. Jaishtha -- the second month of the Bangla calendar, is also called “mishtimash” or “madhumash” because of the wide array of fruits available during this time. It is as if the season compensates for the discomfort of the hot and humid climate with the sweetness of deshi fruits.

May 23, 2024
May 23, 2024

Are you eating right this summer? A nutritionist’s guide to healthy diets

In the sweltering heat of a Bangladeshi summer, our bodies crave something different. Rather than sticking to our usual diet, one needs to bring change in their food habits.

May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024

Beauty straight out of fairy tales: Why we can’t stop loving the moon

One does need a dose of romance — even a dash of lunacy perhaps — to appreciate a full moon night, but to those who eagerly wait to behold nature’s symphony, it is an ethereal experience.

November 20, 2023
November 20, 2023

Mourning in silence: Why men grieve differently

Unlike women, men often tend to grieve in silence. They prefer to be left alone or try to lose themselves in diversions like work or jumping into getting involved in new relationships.

October 1, 2023
October 1, 2023

Every day is Wife Appreciation Day

Truth be told, I had no idea Wife Appreciation Day was an occasion to celebrate. Despite constant reminders on social media by media houses that it was “the day” to honour the significant other, and pretty much every married man on my friends list showering their love for their better halves on Facebook, I decided to let the occasion pass.

September 19, 2022
September 19, 2022

Bangladesh Business & Disability Network (BBDN): Supporting people with disability

The number of people with disability in Bangladesh is high. While most people in this group are yet to be covered under a general education scheme, those who do attain a degree find it difficult to get suitable jobs. To help people with disabilities find employment in the job market, the Bangladesh Business & Disability Network (BBDN) has been working with its member organisations and other stakeholders in the industry since 2016.

June 19, 2022
June 19, 2022

A father’s letter to his unborn daughter

Parenting does not come with a manual or a guide. I am repeatedly being told that every pregnancy is unique, and every child born will be unique.