About Rayed

A business graduate with experience in strategic consulting and advertising, Rayed is passionate about content creation and storytelling. He has been trying to turn writing into a side hustle from a hobby since 2009.

Once an Elon Musk fan, Rayed now mostly cringes at the Twitter overlord’s tweets. Rayed also writes fiction in his spare time and works as an analytics specialist in the media advertising industry. Wish him luck on his journey, and give him good financial advice.

About Joyeeta

Joyeeta is a hoarder of stories, be it from nature, streets, bookshelves or even random people around her. She didn’t chose to be a writer- it’s the only way she could salvage the tales that imploded in her mind, and now has become the only she can make sense of her existence.

A former editor for Lumos Literates, Joyeeta has also handled HR duties for Ember, a youth organization. Currently studying at ULAB, Joyeeta is ready to take the next step on her journey to adulthood.

About Noshin

About Puja

Puja is an English literature major and loves reading and analyzing stories, poems, and especially, comics. Her writing style and inspiration stem from Neil Gaiman’s storytelling techniques. She thoroughly enjoys writing pop culture, book reviews, and stories, and is open to exploring almost any genre. In her time so far at UpThrust, Puja has also covered various social issues such as performative activism, and sexism in advertising. She loves reading graphic novels, and is also a believer in feline supremacy.

About Rafia

About Shapar

Shapar Shamim is an undergraduate. She is an only child which makes her bore to curtains at times. She has a love for writing and a questionable collection of stickers. When Netflix CEO said that their biggest competitor is the amount of sleep people invest in, Shapar understood what he meant. Because she would rather finish binging than give her eyes some rest. Aside from the addictive binging, she loves a good conversation with her friends and finishing tasks way before deadlines.

About Shoumen

Shoumen doesn’t like his name, but everyone tells him it’s pretty. That’s why nobody calls him Rahul, his nickname, despite all the subtle coaxing. He sometimes finds it difficult to express his emotions. Art is his gateway to people – be it through music, photography, or writing. Shoumen believes in the gift of life. He will never miss an opportunity to live to the fullest. Adventure is his favorite addiction. He loves to listen to people and absorb their spirit. If you ever need to prick up someone’s ears, he is your guy.

About Nayeem

Nayeem is a sophomore at IBA, DU. The first thing most people notice about him is how big my name is. He is the low-key one in groups. It takes some time for him to open up.

He tends to gobble up books regardless of the genre. Basketball and books are his catharses. Nayeem is a fervent UFC fan as well. Somehow, while reading and trying to express his thoughts in the best way, writing became a part of life. Also, the Sopranos and the Wire are the best tv shows of all time.

About Risha

Risha is a very focused person who knows how to control my emotions. She loves to make plans. She loves reading books as well, mostly fiction. Writing stories makes her happy.

She is also studying Media Studies and Journalism. Risha hopes to make a career in writing. She loves hearing others’ stories. She always tries to be the best version of herself, no matter who she is with or what work she is doing.

About Saabeen

A sophomore business student, Saabeen is a contributor for The Daily Star’s SHOUT. She is also an associate executive for Youth Opportunities, an emerging platform for youths across the globe. She aims to work in marketing once she graduates.

Saabeen alternates between worrying about her future and taking long walks with her lobster. She is still waiting for her Hogwarts letter, which she believes got lost due to a misspelling of her name. That’s more common than you might think.

About Ayon

A junior at BRAC University, Ayon is a lowkey econ student who writes, songwrites and jams on the side. His writing portfolio includes online and print publications alike, such as HiFi Public and the Daily Star. His current band, Petty Never Grew, releases cool singles all the time. Show them your love and support!

You will find Ayon near Dhanmondi in his free time, hanging out with his close-knit circle of friends and family. Hit him up on Facebook if you want to get in touch.

About Asif

A recent BBA graduate, Asif has always been an avid reader. He loves expressing his thoughts through writing. He also passionately follows sports, with football and tennis being his biggest interests. Asif is resilient, always looking to adapt and learn from challenges. He also has an interest in, and a knack for data.

Asif often thinks about social issues and the best ways to deal with them. He dreams of a world devoid of hatred and full of love and compassion.

About Toree

Toree would describe myself as an expressive yet discreet person. She loves expressing herself through her art, words, and visions but she also prefers to be wary of how exactly she should be expressing herself.

Toree is currently studying as an undergrad student at one of the leading business schools in Bangladesh. Singing, occasional painting and travelling is what gives her inspiration to live life in the most creative way. To conclude, Toree likes to see the world from an optimistic point of view since there is something to learn from everything.

About Elma

Elma is currently a student of BBA In Finance and Banking at Bangladesh University of Professionals. She’s from Chittagong but she recently moved to Dhaka for University. In her spare time, Elma loves to read and write. She also enjoys watching sitcoms , reality tv shows and stand-up comedies. Her favorite genre to read is psychological thriller. She also enjoy reading romance too. Elma considers herself as an ambivert person. It takes her a awhile to get used to a new environment and new people but once she’s comfortable, she’s usually the loudest person in the room.

About Faizah

Faizah is a junior business student. Because she is a little bit of everything, to Faizah it it feels like she is all over the place sometimes, as do we all. 

As she goes through the transition of turning into an adult, her goal is to discover her strengths and weaknesses and understand more about who she is.

Afterward, she hopes to have a self-imposed epiphany and realize what she truly wants to do in her life and who she wants to be. Wish her luck on this journey!

About Farah

Farah grew up as the youngest of four in a Pakistani household in Brooklyn, New York. A self-identified bibliophile, she loves to read books of any genre, especially thrillers like those of Edgar Allan Poe, and also loves Tim Burton’s films.

As a native New Yorker, she has seen firsthand the need for reform for a variety of issues from poverty, to immigration and racism. Currently studying at Baruch College, Farah hopes to one day write for a major publication and through investigative journalism, bring attention to flaws plaguing society.

About Jeba

A beautiful write-up starts with a word. Jeba believe writers are those who know that. She always tries to give her thoughts a form and that is writing in her case. Along with writing, Jeba tries her hand in a form of art, sketching. Good music has always served as her companion.

As a child when people aspired to be doctors, Jeba wanted to be a scientist. Currently she’s on her journey and perhaps someday she’ll be the researcher she has always wanted to be. Along with this she wants to continue writing, with the hope that one day, she’d get to publish her own story.

About Munhamanna

An esoteric philosopher in his own right, Munhamanna aspires to be a rock historian, at a time when both genres are irrelevant. He writes about music and reads voraciously.

Munhamanna also dabbles in the importance of personal milestones, such as cherished childhoods and strange adolescences.

A senior business student, he aspires to pursue teaching in his later life.

Munhamanna writes about Phil Colins, double beds and love on Medium. Follow him there!

About Mohua

Mohua is a bold, bubbly and free-spirited reporter. She currently works for the Daily Star. She also writes, sings and draws in her free time.

If you are looking to discuss the challenges of life and the joys of Faber-Castell at the same time, then she is definitely your gal. Check out her band, the Pet Project, too!

A skilled photographer in the making, Mohua Mouli also likes taking pictures of the beauty that can be found in ordinary things, and getting lost in Damien Rice songs during her commutes.

About Muktadir

A recent graduate from Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka, Muktadir is trying to improve and develop himself each and every day, trying to become a better version of himself than yesterday. He believes that there is no end to learning. He also loves playing sports, listening to music, traveling, and sleeping. Muktadir has also demonstrated a knack for business analysis.

His life goal is to travel to all of the beautiful sceneries in the world, mix with different cultures and get to know about the diversities present in the world.

About Mutiul

A PhD student at Florida State, Mutiul used to spend his time either watching debate videos or reading thrillers. Now, he only reads IEEE journals. He started writing back when he was in high-school and found it therapeutic. Although his hobbies have changed, he could never give up writing. Besides reading and writing, Mutiul also likes playing video games and strumming random chords on his guitar. He also loves to debate, although his opportunities have taken a hit since graduate studies. Most of his writing skills are rooted at his mechanism of formulating arguments he learnt from debating.

About Nishat

Nishat is a business student who believes in doing things she loves. Debate is her soul sport. Currently working as a junior market researcher at Icarus.

Marketing tickles her creative senses, as does business competitions. Explores the world of slide making in the hope of accidentally creating something good. 

A passionate Potterhead, she also likes to watch random hack videos and thriller movies/series to kill time. Lives by the idea of enjoying little things in life and aspires to be someone who inspires others.

About Nomrota

Have you ever met sunlight materialized as a person? If not, then too bad. Neither has she. Because that’s stupid.

Nomrota is currently a student of North South University, majoring in Economics and minoring in procrastination. A cosmopolitan at heart, Nomrota is into the fusion of urban culture and antique aesthetics. She’s a little into everything that involves and inspires art, music, creativity and empowerment.

Oh, and she’s probably eating while you’re reading this. And probably while you’re not reading this as well.

About Richard

Richard is a sophomore CSE student and is starting to dip his feet into the world of online writing and reviewing.

He is also a graphic designer and a digital illustrator at odd times. He aspires to work in the video game industry in the future.

Richard spends his time between classes escaping into the world of comics, video games, wrestling and music.

He works on Freelancer if he gets time and rarely uploads on his DeviantArt. Follow him there if you want to check his illustrations out.

About Riyana

Riyana is a high school graduate keen on exploring the world through her writing. From early childhood, she has been enthusiastic about writing. This has only grown over the years. She loves researching on concurrent issues and being exposed to contrasting opinions.

Riyana wants to voice the unheard through her writing and break the barriers of stereotypes. Putting it short, Riyana’s writing is her self-identity. She hopes to develop her voice and empower all those becoming a part of this journey.

About Sadia Nusrat

An avid reader of books and an eternal fangirl of Satyajit Ray and all things Kolkata, Sadia Nusrat is a fresh marketing graduate with a keen interest in pop culture and Bengali literature.

Sadia is currently interning at Star Cineplex, Bangladesh’s premiere theatre chain. From editing the monthly magazine to interviewing Joya Ahsan for Debi, Sadia Nusrat has her hands full having the best time of her life.

Follow her on social media to learn more about her day-to-day adventures and travel stories.

About Sanjana

Sanjana is keen to explore her interests and discover her nature. In reality, Sanjana is a socially anxious girl who could never tug herself to join any dramatic family gatherings. Thankfully she has saved herself till now.

Her obsession about astronomy and zodiac signs is excessive, and she has been escaping realism since she doesn’t know when. Sanjana is very much interested in magical realism. Sanjana also believes in aliens, and would love to speak with one, either here or out there among the stars. Hopefully, by that time she’ll be a social butterfly.

About Rashid

It all started with binging anime and manga series; which eventually lead Rashid to majoring in Japanese Studies. Rashid is a self-proclaimed tech lord who really loves the Japanese culture at heart.

Rashid is also equally adept at staying home and playing games and taking photographs (especially aesthetic ones), going to all kinds of places to take that one click. If you ever need any advice on buying new gadgets, he is the guy you knock. But if you ever meet him in person; just don’t ask him to say something in Japanese.

About Tashfia

An eternal neurotic who loves food and makeup, Tashfia is a business student with experience in digital marketing, having previously worked in Purplebot Digital.

She loves baking, cooking and showing people photos of the stuff she made. A passionate debater, she is also into classic rock and predictable books that provide a respite from the constant worries of daily life.

Like most self-respecting millennials, Tashfia also loves traveling. Follow her on Instagram for her globetrotting exploits, ranging from North America and Europe to South Asia.

About Kinnori

Kinnori is an otaku, gamer and tech geek who likes to explore the limitless world of entertainment, gaming and tech. From the latest video game or movie to upcoming gadgets and tech news, she loves to read about her passions almost as much as she loves writing about them or portraying them in her illustrations. Other than writing, she also enjoys trying new things, be it by learning a new musical instrument or picking up yet another hobby. Kinnori would like nothing more than for her readers to further explore their own passions through her writings.

About Warda

Warda is a business school junior. She spends her time wondering how she will ever finish all the great books of this world because like Frank Zappa said ‘too many books, too little time’, and worrying about the fate of motherland.

She also worships Ritwik Ghatak and Satyajit Ray, and enjoys sports blogging with Rabindrasangeet playing in the background. If she had to pick one subject to fangirl over, that would be Real Madrid.

She is also looking for classical history memes recommendations.

About Zareen

Zareen is an eternal escapist. She believes there is a group of people out there who despise the idea of having to talk about themselves. She belongs to that group. However she is a great listener (if she may say so herself).

As an admirer of authenticity, there is nothing she respects more than that raw and grueling state of being. Thus she tends to avoid interactions that simply hover around the surface. Lastly, she lives for growth.

Here’s to obtaining that feeling of relatability from anyone reading.