Hasan Meer

The decline in the number of Bangladeshi migrant workers is a wake-up call for the country's policymakers and stakeholders

Getting tired of your potbelly? 

People from across the country flock to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment. According to hospital authorities, around 4,000 patients remain admitted to this 2,600-bed public hospital on a regular basis.  

For the last 20 years, Chinami Madraji has been working at a tea garden in Moulvibazar. Rain or shine, the 35-year-old mother of five works for eight to 10 hours a day.

With 13 districts, 42 circles and 96 police stations under its jurisdiction, Dhaka range is one of the most important institutions of police that not only ensures safety and security of people but also oversees and monitors services provided by law enforcers.

These days, Shamnarayan Goor doesn’t do much other than sitting on the porch of his hut and watching the day go by, over the hilly terrain of Lungla Tea Garden in Sylhet.

Since its inception in 2006, Bomb Disposal Unit -- a specialised force of police trained to disarm bombs and other explosives devices -- has been

Young Nurjahan Begum and Nuru Mia got married in early 1971.

Formed in 2012, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has earned a reputation for solving the seemingly unsolvable, “sensational” and difficult cases. This specialised unit conducts criminal investigations and digital forensic services by the order of court and Police Headquarters (PHQ). In an interview with The Daily Star, PBI chief, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Banaj Kumar Majumder spoke about the organisation’s work process, achievements, challenges, constraints and future plans.

When I received an SMS that I have to take the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine yesterday, in the midst of a “strict lockdown”, I was a bit apprehensive.

When I received an SMS that I have to take the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine today, during the "strict lockdown", I was a bit apprehensive.

Baldha Garden no longer bustles with life, as it used to in the past with a delightful array of exotic plants and trees.

“Can we go now?” the disappointment was evident in Arman’s voice. His father, Rashidul Hasan tried one last time. “Look, this obelisk is over 100 years old,” the Laxmibazar resident told his 10-year-old son.The father and son were visiting Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka on a Friday afternoon recently.

The walls are stacked with rare photographs of the Language Movement, as are shelves with books; some have become a bit dusty, but no less significant for it.

Stuck in an inescapable situation or pitted against a ruthless maniac determined to destroy the stability of the free world, what will our protagonist do, how far will he or she travel to save us -- these are the nail-biting cliffhangers that compel us to turn the pages of a thriller and finish it in one sitting.

“Did you know, like me Abul Barkat was a graduate of Dhaka University?”

Vendors encroaching footpaths, garbage lying around, self-promoting posters on the wall and haphazard parking -- residents of Dhaka are all too used to these sights, and to a large extent have accepted these nuisances and eyesores.

Inside the centre, eager polling agents were waiting to help people find the room to vote. They did not seem to want anything except reminding people to vote for “boat”

Good food is personal and far reaching at the same time. It creates a bond, sheds light on values that are important to us, and reveals the perspective and way of life.

This is pretty much what Shahin Alam heard, when he arrived at Karwan Bazar in search of work.