TBS Features

TBS Features Welcome to TBS Features — the virtual home of the feature stories published by The Business Standard. TBS Specials has a lot more to offer.

Welcome to TBS Specials — virtual home of the feature stories published by The Business Standard. Join us to go beyond the news and immerse yourself in fascinating feature stories, insightful analyses, in-depth investigations, thought-provoking write-ups, and exclusive interviews. Take a walk with us through the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, latest lifestyle and fashion trends,

and explore brands and new products. For food connoisseurs, we are showcasing mouth-watering local cuisine and high-end dining options. If you are in pursuit of professional success, take a deep dive with us as we cover innovative ideas and new career paths. For aspiring globetrotters, check out our write-ups on the best travel destinations worldwide. And if you love nature, join us as we uncover the wonders of the animal kingdom, delving into fascinating behaviours, captivating stories and stunning pictures. Like our page to experience it all.

In the heart of Old Dhaka, where alleys breathe history, lies Shankharibazar—an enclave of artisans chiselling seashells...
19/09/2025

In the heart of Old Dhaka, where alleys breathe history, lies Shankharibazar—an enclave of artisans chiselling seashells into symbols of love and faith.

A 400-year-old alley, barely wide enough for two rickshaws to pass, is famous for one thing above all—its conch bangles, or "shankha", crafted entirely by hand in a tradition passed down through generations.

From dawn to dusk, the rhythmic sound of chiselling and polishing fills the air as artisans carve intricate designs into conch shells, transforming them into bangles worn by Hindu married women. The process is painstaking and time-consuming, yet it carries with it a heritage that connects Dhaka to centuries of craftsmanship.

Link in comments

I was walking along the riverbank of the Padma, scanning the water and trees for any sign of birds, when something caugh...
17/09/2025

I was walking along the riverbank of the Padma, scanning the water and trees for any sign of birds, when something caught my eye. The soft mud along the bank was dotted with empty husks — the exuviae of dragonfly nymphs.

"They emerged last night," my boatman said, pointing at the delicate shells clinging to the reeds. "Usually, during the full moon, the young ones crawl out of the water and take flight."

I knelt to examine the tiny shells. Each one was a testament to transformation — from an aquatic, gill-breathing predator to the free-flying, sun-drenched hunter above. These were dragonflies and damselflies, insects we affectionately call 'foring' in Bangla.

Their iridescent wings caught the sunlight, reflecting greens, blues, and fiery reds. They are among the most spectacular residents of Bangladesh's wetlands, marshes, ponds, ditches, and estuaries, and yet they remain underappreciated.

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to an ancient and specialised order of insects, Odonata. They were the first aerial conquerors among insects, evolving during the Carboniferous era, around 250 million years ago.

Full story: https://www.tbsnews.net/environment/nature/observing-dragonflies-and-damselflies-bangladesh-1233376

Whether it is rediscovering your passion for art, gardening or fishing, or trying something new, hobbies at a later stag...
17/09/2025

Whether it is rediscovering your passion for art, gardening or fishing, or trying something new, hobbies at a later stage in life bring peace and relief to the elderly once jobs and family responsibilities fade away

Read more in the comments

According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), imports of e-bikes have soared fourfold in just three years. In 2022–2...
17/09/2025

According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), imports of e-bikes have soared fourfold in just three years. In 2022–23, only 2,446 units were brought in, worth Tk 9 crore. By 2024–25, that number had leapt to 10,053, valued at Tk 47 crore.

Most of these bikes arrive fully assembled from China, though 20–30 per cent come in segregated parts for local assembly. Market leaders include Revoo and Yadea, with Walton, Akij, Runner Automobiles, and other domestic players trying to carve their niche.

The appeal of e-bikes boils down to stark arithmetic. A petrol bike costs Tk 2–3 per kilometre to run. An e-bike? Just ten to thirty paisa. Maintenance is minimal—no engine oil, no complex parts, and predictable electricity bills.

E-bikes are also reshaping social perceptions of mobility. For some, they're a greener statement; for others, a symbol of modernity. Shop owners are noticing this too.

The government, for its part, has offered tax breaks to stimulate local assembly. Duties on e-bike production have been slashed, while VAT and advance taxes on parts imports have been waived. This has encouraged companies like Walton to begin local production.

Read more: Link in comments

In Natore, a land where every street corner carries a tale of heritage and every courtyard breathes tradition, one sweet...
16/09/2025

In Natore, a land where every street corner carries a tale of heritage and every courtyard breathes tradition, one sweet has risen above all others to become a symbol of pride: the legendary Kachagolla.

For more than two and a half centuries, this delicate creation has not merely pleased the palate but has woven itself into the very fabric of Natore's cultural identity, standing as both a flavor and a legacy.

The debate still lingers: did Natore make Kachagolla famous, or did Kachagolla put Natore on the map?

Regardless, the sweets' legacy was formally recognized on August 8, 2023, when the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries declared Natore's Kachagolla as the country's 17th Geographical Indication (GI) product. It remains the district's only GI-certified item.

[Link in comments]

According to Dr Akhee, most patients typically need four types of treatments. The most common is conservative treatments...
16/09/2025

According to Dr Akhee, most patients typically need four types of treatments. The most common is conservative treatments, which are just oral medications and maintaining a controlled lifestyle.

Then comes IUI, a fertility treatment where specially prepared, active s***m are placed directly into the uterus during the woman's ovulation period.

Laparoscopic surgery is another minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions to access the abdomen or pelvis with a camera and specialised instruments. It allows for diagnosis and treatment of internal conditions with less pain, smaller scars, and faster recovery than traditional "open" surgery.

Lastly, IVF is another process where an egg is fertilised by s***m in a test tube or elsewhere outside the body.

A few centres also provide fertility assessments, genetic testing, and cryopreservation services for eggs, s***m, or embryos as a means of future family planning.

Link in comments

If you walk through neighbourhoods like Shyamoli, Kalabagan, Malibagh or early Bashundhara blocks, you'll see rectangula...
16/09/2025

If you walk through neighbourhoods like Shyamoli, Kalabagan, Malibagh or early Bashundhara blocks, you'll see rectangular apartment buildings with no setbacks, plain façades, repetitive windows, and barely any balconies, lacking lighting and ventilation. These structures, mostly built in the 1990s and early 2000s, represent what I call the boxy era of Bangladeshi real estate. But why did so many buildings look so bland and block-like?

The answer lies in a combination of rapid urban migration, developer economics, and a lack of design culture. Dhaka was absorbing thousands of new residents every month, and its only priority was to build fast and cheaply. Developers maximised every inch of land to generate profit, often cutting out elements like terraces, setbacks, or aesthetic detailing in favour of raw square footage.

Link in comments

On a late afternoon in Kishoreganj, the wide courtyard of Gangatia Zamidar Bari lies quiet, save for the rustle of leave...
15/09/2025

On a late afternoon in Kishoreganj, the wide courtyard of Gangatia Zamidar Bari lies quiet, save for the rustle of leaves and the call of birds circling above the old pond. At the heart of the silence sits an elderly man in a simple vest and a lungi, his chair angled towards the fading sun.

Visitors arrive hesitantly, unsure if they are stepping into history or someone's home. He rises, smiling warmly, and makes gestures to them. The man is Manabendra Nath Chakraborty, or simply Manab Babu. The house, though known officially as Gangatia Zamindar Bari, is called by everyone here as 'Manab Babur Bari'.

Most Zamindar Baris of Bangladesh are now skeletons of what they once were—crumbling walls, weeds growing through fallen arches, ghosts of music and laughter lost to time. But this Bari is different. Here, a zamindar still lives, tells his stories, and eagerly waits to welcome strangers and visitors.

Read more: Link in comments

Hasan Shahed was waiting for a rickshaw near the 300-foot entrance of Bashundhara Residential Area when he suddenly noti...
12/09/2025

Hasan Shahed was waiting for a rickshaw near the 300-foot entrance of Bashundhara Residential Area when he suddenly noticed a red shuttle bus approaching at a steady pace. A long-time resident, he had never seen it before, having always relied entirely on rickshaws. The bus came to a stop just a few metres from where he was standing.

[Link in comments]

Nearly 2,000 sq km of land added to the country’s land mass over the past century provides opportunities for agriculture...
12/09/2025

Nearly 2,000 sq km of land added to the country’s land mass over the past century provides opportunities for agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and settlement in coastal districts. But challenges of erosion, land grabbing and ecological risks remain

Bangladesh's map is not static — it is expanding. Each year, an average of 52 sq km of new land emerges in the Bay of Bengal through silt deposition, while about 32 sq km are lost to river and coastal erosion.

[Link in comments]

From recycled steel to modular designs, circular construction practices could transform Bangladesh’s building sector int...
12/09/2025

From recycled steel to modular designs, circular construction practices could transform Bangladesh’s building sector into a hub of innovation, efficiency and sustainability. By reimagining waste as a resource, the country has the chance to lead the region in sustainable urban growth.

Link In Comments

On one side of Panthapath stands Bashundhara Shopping Complex, one of the country's largest malls, stocked with every br...
12/09/2025

On one side of Panthapath stands Bashundhara Shopping Complex, one of the country's largest malls, stocked with every brand imaginable. Yet when it comes to shoes, the crowds gravitate to the opposite pavement, where temporary stalls under plastic canopies display row upon row of footwear.

Despite their modest setup, these footpath shops have a loyal following. Authentic leather shoes sell here for a fraction of showroom prices, and high-end brands can be picked up for less than half their retail cost.

Rubel had browsed the showrooms of Bashundhara, but with his month's budget nearly exhausted, Panthapath was the only option. After scanning the stalls, he settles on the Oxfords for Tk1,600. The shoes have a slight crease near the heel, but Rubel barely notices.

"Overlook that tiny flaw, and these are perfect," he says.

[Link in comments]

Address

4/A
Eskaton Garden

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when TBS Features posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to TBS Features:

Shortcuts

Share

Category