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Maisha Islam Monamee

The author graduated from Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka and is a contributor at The Daily Star. Find her @monameereads on Instagram.

The cultural reinvention of Pahela Baishakh

The cultural reinvention of Pahela Baishakh

14 April 2026, 11:27 AM
What is now one of the most widely celebrated cultural events across Bangladesh actually started as an administrative solution, and its transformation over the centuries offers a surprisingly layered look at how traditions evolve.
14 April 2026, 11:27 AM
Webcams

Webcams for your online class setup: our picks

13 April 2026, 16:41 PM
From affordable entry-level devices to more advanced options with specialised features, here is a wide range of webcams to choose from for your online class needs.
13 April 2026, 16:41 PM
Learning from execution

Next Step / How we learn from work and what we often miss

8 April 2026, 13:22 PM
The idea of “learning from execution” challenges the tendency to treat results as self-explanatory and argues that without deliberate analysis, both success and failure can mislead.
8 April 2026, 13:22 PM
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Understanding the science, salience, and surge of ‘Project Hail Mary’

5 April 2026, 17:14 PM
The theatrical experience has been under quiet negotiation for years, reshaped by streaming, shrinking attention spans, and an industry increasingly inclined to design films for quick consumption rather than sustained engagement. Into this landscape arrives “Project Hail Mary”, a film that feels almost defiant in how fully it leans into what cinema can achieve when it assumes the audience is actually watching.
5 April 2026, 17:14 PM
Casting, controversy and cultural memory in the age of adaptations

Casting, controversy and cultural memory in the age of adaptations

3 April 2026, 15:34 PM
A visible portion, however, reveals something more uncomfortable: how quickly aesthetic preference can blur into racial bias when long-held images are challenged.
3 April 2026, 15:34 PM
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How World Cup anthems became a global phenomenon

2 April 2026, 09:07 AM
The FIFA World Cup has always extended beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch. It operates as a cultural convergence point where identity, commerce, and memory intersect. Within that ecosystem, music plays a precise role: it frames the tournament, translates its energy across borders, and leaves behind an auditory record that often outlives the matches themselves.
2 April 2026, 09:07 AM
Eid gifts

Here are 7 gadget gift ideas for this Eid

17 March 2026, 15:37 PM
From devices that encourage reading and creativity to gadgets that improve productivity, entertainment, or health awareness, the right tech gift can remain useful long after the festivities end.
17 March 2026, 15:37 PM
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The spin-off age: How supporting characters now lead the narrative

10 March 2026, 14:44 PM
For most of film and television history, supporting characters existed with a clear narrative function: assist the protagonist, provide comic relief, move the plot forward, and quietly exit when the hero’s journey took centre stage. They were memorable, sometimes even beloved, but rarely powerful enough to reshape the story’s structure. Yet the modern entertainment landscape, particularly in the age of sprawling franchises and long-form streaming series, has begun to shift that balance.
10 March 2026, 14:44 PM

How the July revolution reshaped Bangladesh’s youth

History has its moments—points of inflection where societies, seemingly stagnant and indifferent, erupt with untold energy.
19 February 2025, 18:00 PM
Bollywood love stories and the art of setting unrealistic expectations

Bollywood love stories and the art of setting unrealistic expectations

Bollywood gets many things wrong, but imbuing romance into love stories isn’t one of them. In fact, if this genre had a physical form, it would probably be a man standing in the rain, holding a mandolin, waiting for a train that has already left. Or, more accurately, it would be Shah Rukh Khan, arms wide open, standing in the middle of a mustard field. If there is one thing Bollywood has perfected over the decades, it’s the grand, sweeping, goosebumps-inducing love stories that make real-life relationships look like dull PowerPoint presentations. However, let’s face it—whether we admit it or not, we love every second of it.
14 February 2025, 10:06 AM
New era of work

Ushering in a new era of work

The global job market is changing faster than ever before, driven by shifts in technology, demographics, and the rise of new industries. These changes are not just limited to advanced economies; they are impacting countries like ours, where rapid economic growth and a young, ambitious workforce are driving conversations about the future of work.
12 February 2025, 05:42 AM
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Shikho aims to bring in the AI hype to ed-tech—here’s how

Shikho, a Bangladesh-based edtech company, has recently introduced a beta version of Shikho AI, an artificial intelligence tool aimed at addressing educational gaps for Bangla-speaking students.
12 February 2025, 05:33 AM
‘Dhaka Makers’: Our ultimate urban guilt trip

‘Dhaka Makers’: Our ultimate urban guilt trip

Each year, "Dhaka Makers" returns with the promise of celebrating Bangladesh’s rich artisanal heritage. This is our city’s grandest attempt at presenting a craft fair as the pinnacle of urban sophistication. This is not just any ordinary roadside haat where artisans sell their work at reasonable prices. It is an "experience" so refined, so exclusive, that one must pay Tk 300 just to step inside and breathe the artisanal air.
3 February 2025, 10:49 AM
An exploration of traditional art forms at ‘Dhaka Makers 3’

An exploration of traditional art forms at ‘Dhaka Makers 3’

The ongoing "Dhaka Makers 3" is showcasing the vibrancy of Bangladesh’s contemporary art scene while also serving as an exhibition for both traditional and contemporary crafts. Through a series of hands-on workshops, participants have been introduced to the timeless techniques and motifs of Bengali craftsmanship, allowing these age-old traditions to thrive in a contemporary setting.
2 February 2025, 12:48 PM
The inherent discrimination in our medical admission tests

The inherent discrimination in our medical admission tests

Even after all this, when the quota system in admission tests remains, it begs the question of why we still need to favour a select group while sidelining other deserving candidates.
31 January 2025, 10:00 AM
Google backup

How to backup everything on your Google account

Our Google accounts hold a significant amount of data, from cherished photos and important documents to critical emails and contacts. Here are some ways in which you can backup valuable information and files from various Google apps.
30 January 2025, 09:03 AM
‘XO, Kitty’ Season 2: A delightful rollercoaster of growth in teen drama

‘XO, Kitty’ Season 2: A delightful rollercoaster of growth in teen drama

''XO, Kitty'', the beloved Netflix spinoff of Jenny Han’s ''To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before'' franchise, returned for its highly anticipated second season with all the sweetness, drama, and spirit that made its first season such a hit. The show picks up where it left off, delving deeper into Kitty Song Covey's (played by Anna Cathcart) whirlwind life at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS), while also bringing a more profound focus on her quest for answers about her late mother, Eve. Season 2 strikes a delicate balance between familiar beats from Season 1 and exciting new developments, presenting a delightful intermingling of romance, familial bonds, and personal growth.
29 January 2025, 11:05 AM
‘Nalini’: Exploring the intersection of art, environment, and humanity

‘Nalini’: Exploring the intersection of art, environment, and humanity

The words, "What you touch, you change. What you change, changes you," perfectly capture the essence of "Nalini", an exhibition by French-Brazilian artist and printmaker Julia Lebrao Sendra. Hosted at Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in Dhanmondi, this thought-provoking exhibition delved deep into the fragile relationship between humans and their environment, using the Buriganga river as both a subject and metaphor.
28 January 2025, 12:49 PM
Nvidia loss

Nvidia’s worst day since 2020: what happened?

To maintain its leadership, Nvidia will need to adapt
28 January 2025, 07:42 AM
Why do we crave survival game tropes?

Why do we crave survival game tropes?

The eerie whistle of a haunting melody, the countdown of a clock ticking toward doom, and a desperate player caught between having to take a drastic step either for or against morality — survival game shows have become a global obsession. From the blood-soaked battlegrounds of "Battle Royale" to the dystopian depths of "Squid Game", these narratives have gripped audiences, offering a voyeuristic thrill into life-or-death scenarios. But why are we so drawn to them? The answer lies in the intersection of psychology and sociology, where primal instincts and societal reflections meet.
19 January 2025, 12:18 PM
Squid Game game theory

Understanding 'game theory' through Squid Game

Game theory, the study of strategic decision-making, has long been a tool for economists, mathematicians, and political scientists to analyse human behaviour in competitive scenarios. Let's take a look at how each game featured in the hit show Squid Game represents the 'game theory' in action.
19 January 2025, 09:35 AM
AI startups

AI startups to watch out for in 2025

As we navigate through 2025, the startup ecosystem is experiencing a transformative era, with emerging technologies reshaping industries and daily life. Here are some of the most promising AI startups, from around the world, to watch out for in 2025.
15 January 2025, 04:40 AM
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 review

‘Squid Game’ Season 2: A familiar game with new pieces

In 2021, "Squid Game" captured global attention with its brutal social commentary, high-stakes survival games, and unforgettable characters. Its visceral critique of capitalism and human nature made it a cultural phenomenon. Three years later, "Squid Game” Season 2 stepped onto Netflix’s stage, aiming to expand the series’ universe while grappling with the inevitable pressure of living up to its groundbreaking predecessor. While the second season showcases moments of brilliance, it often stumbles under the weight of its ambitions, leaning heavily on familiar tropes and predictable narratives.
5 January 2025, 11:32 AM
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The hidden cost of New Year’s celebrations

We rarely pause to consider the impact on the most vulnerable among us.
2 January 2025, 05:00 AM
15 years of ‘3 Idiots’: Of life, friendship, and breaking free from expectations

15 years of ‘3 Idiots’: Of life, friendship, and breaking free from expectations

Two and a half decades ago, I saw Rancho as a hero, Farhan and Raju as the friends I wished I had, and Virus as the villain I loved to hate. Today, as a university student navigating the same labyrinth of dreams and expectations, I view the film differently.
25 December 2024, 12:37 PM

Dhaka’s desperate need for fresh air

Dhaka’s toxic air crisis requires urgent action to save lives and secure a healthier future.
22 December 2024, 09:00 AM
‘Mismatched’: Of missed connections and out-of-sync stories

‘Mismatched’: Of missed connections and out-of-sync stories

In trying to modernise, however, the creators seem to have lost some of the emotional depth that made the show resonate in the beginning. Rishi and Dimple’s struggles with balancing ambition and love feel predictable and lack the emotional weight needed to truly resonate.
18 December 2024, 12:50 PM
Unwrapping the lately-hyped ‘Stopify Wrapped’

Unwrapping the lately-hyped ‘Stopify Wrapped’

Spotify brilliantly turned our listening habits into social media gold. By wrapping our music data in bold colours, quirky headlines, and an irresistible share button, they transformed a personal experience into a public spectacle. Suddenly, our taste in music was not just our taste—it became content.
13 December 2024, 13:52 PM

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