Our people opened a new horizon of possibilities and demonstrated what it means to be active citizens. In the days of chaos following the fall—with no police and the army happy to sit back—they took on traffic regulation, protected their neighbourhoods, and organised a massive relief effort for the flood victims. They did all this without command and with no thought of reward other than a functioning state. The jury is still out on what they have received in turn.

Badruddin Umar, a leading Marxist intellectual, political analyst, and activist, talks about the recent student-led mass uprising and what lies in the political future of Bangladesh in an interview with Ananta Yusuf, Priyam Paul, and Shamsuddoza Sajen of The Daily Star.

The use of cartoons in mass uprisings is a long-standing tradition, but the sheer volume of cartoons created in the last 20 days of July 2024 seems to be unprecedented in the country’s history. Many of these cartoons were produced by entirely new cartoonists, some of whom may have been drawing their first political cartoons. Yet, their work displayed a level of sharpness, awareness and expertise that belied their inexperience.

August 5, 2024 is two months behind us. That’s a much longer time than between citizens demanding the authoritarian Hasina step down and her actually fleeing. Yet, for many people, July-August 2024 will always shadow their present. Even by the end of August, pretty much all the beds of the ground floor casualty wards at the capital’s National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) were occupied by those injured during the student-led movement. The wards at the National Institute of Opthalmology & Hospital (NIOH), too, were filled with those who had received severe injuries to their eye(s) during the movement.

Eye-witnesses would describe that as early as mid-day the police were shooting at protesters breaking curfew and trying to go to Shahbagh. When Hasina fell and Gono Bhaban was taken over, the protesters turned on the police. The police were armed—the protesters were not. Even though the government had fallen, they trooped out and shot everyone in sight.

How a student's movement for reform of the quota system for government jobs turned into a mass upsurge against a fascist government and led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina after 15 years in power

When students took to the streets on July 1, 2024, demanding reforms of the quota system, they did not imagine that this movement was about to rewrite the history of Bangladesh.

Although efforts were made to hide Hasina regime's bad governance by gagging the media and free speech and using fake statistics of economic growth and various visible infrastructure development projects, her downfall could not be prevented. It is important to learn from the history of the Hasina regime so that such incidents can be prevented in the future.

We have done the unthinkable—bring down a dictator—only to realise that the fascism within the body politic—and within ourselves—is much harder to dislodge than a once-invincible regime. If we are to do better as a nation than we have in the past, we must do the hard work of looking inwards and collectively figuring out the root causes of our dispossession and deprivation.

In the world of interior design, the shift towards apartment living has catalysed an evolution in furniture trends, blending aesthetic appeal with functional practicality.

The Daily Star (TDS): Please tell us about RR Imperial.

We are delighted to welcome you to the latest issue of Your Property Guru, presented by The Daily Star. In this quarterly edition, we bring you highlights of the latest trends and insights from the dynamic real estate industry in Bangladesh, aiming to keep you informed and ahead in a constantly evolving market.

If you have scrolled through the App Store or Play Store, you have surely come across the Airbnb app. Some of you may have clicked on it and discovered what the app offers. However, for those who aren’t familiar with what Airbnb can do for you, let me explain.

According to the report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Sylhet has seen a consistent increase in domestic and international tourism, with visitor numbers growing by 15% annually.

Step into any modern apartment today, and you are likely to find a canvas of stylish floor tiles beneath your feet—an artful blend of function and flair.

Dhaka is bordered by the Buriganga River to the south, the Turag River to the west, the Balu River to the east, and Tongi Khal to the north. Urbanisation began when Dhaka became the capital of East Bengal under the British Raj in 1905 and later the capital of East Pakistan in 1947.

The Daily Star (TDS): Share with us the story behind Rupayan Housing Estate Limited’s journey.

Gulshan, Baridhara, and Banani have experienced substantial increases in both residential and commercial real estate prices over the past decade. This surge is driven by factors such as land scarcity, exclusivity, high-quality amenities, and enhanced security.

When it comes to making an apartment a more pleasant place to live, fans are often the unsung heroes. They do much more than just beat the heat—they enhance air circulation, boost your décor, and are a boon for energy savings. Whether you’re a fan aficionado or just considering your first purchase, understanding the types, benefits, and smart ways to use fans can transform your apartment living experience.

The Daily Star (TDS): What inspired the founding of your organisation? Could you share the core values, mission, and vision that guide your company’s operations?