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Selina Hossain in Galpo Ghar

Selina Hossain, formerly of the Bangla Academy, is a prolific writer. Her 30 novels include Hangor, Nadi, Grenade; Nil Mayurer Jaubon; Nirantar Ghantbadhani; Ghumkatorey Ishwar, and Gayatri Sandhya. Among her short story anthologies are Utsha Theke Nirantar, Motijaner Meyera, and Muktijuddher Galpa. She has edited 15 books on gender and women issues, including a gender encyclopedia. Her works translated into English are The Plumed Peacock, Warp and Woof, The shark, the river, the Grenade, and Selected Short Stories, and the last three was published by Bangla Academy.

Among her many national and international awards are the Bangla Academy Award (1980), the Alaol Purushkar (1981), the Philips Literary Prize (1994), the Ekushe Padak (2009), and the Rabindra Memorial Award for her novel Gaitry Shyandha from the Institute of Planning and Management, Delhi, India (2010). She also received a D. Lit. (Honoris Causa) from Rabindranath Bharati University (2010). Her novel Hangor, Nadi, Grenade, based on the Liberation War, has been made into a film.

Selina's writings are characterized by deep insight into various kinds of human relationships and warm love, sympathy and affection for the oppressed and the underprivileged. Her work has also been translated into French, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Finish, Urdu and Malay as well as various languages of India.

Star Insight Magazine is proud to launch a new section from the next issue titled 'Galpo Ghar' that will publish translations of short stories and novels by writers from Bangladesh. Works by Selina Hossain will be the start in showcasing Bangladeshi writers such as her and applauding them.

Branding Chittagong

To revive the about-to-vanish cultural heritage, dresses, foods, music of the indigenous people, Designers' Forum is going to hold Branding Chittagong 2011, to be launched on February 14. This trend will open the curtain on the traditional lifestyles of the ethnic groups based in Chittagong, the syntax of every day trends and the phases of life of the tribes in a new and novel look.

Michael Jackson's doctor to stand trial

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor found that enough evidence exists to bring Dr. Conrad Murray to trial for the "Thriller" singer's death in June 2009, principally due to an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol.

One in a Million “Red/Green” Apple

Ken Morrish of Colaton Raleigh, Devon, England was out picking apples in his garden one day when he came upon this very rare two-toned apple! Thought to be caused by a genetic mutation, the odds of finding an apple that is half green and half red like this are a million to one!

The Daily Star's 20th Anniversary

The Daily Star started its 20th anniversary celebrations from January 14, 2011, organizing cultural programs with different artistes from all around the country. Being an English newspaper did not keep the organization from always patronizing the Bangla culture. The Classical Night organized by the Daily Star on January 16 at the Shilpakala Academy was a huge success with famed artistes performing at the venue. Such events will be held around Bangladesh all year long in 2011 to celebrate Daily Star's 20 years of journalism without fear or favor. The next celebration, a Folk Festival, will be organized on 28th January 2011 at Bakul Tala of Dhaka Art College.