|
 |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
Background
 Shykh Seraj started his television career at least 35 years back and is directly involved with the development journalism for almost 30 years. In 1982, he was recruited as a television presenter in BTV (Bangladesh Television, The only state-run terrestrial television of the country) for the programme, Mati O Manush (Soil & Men). He continued until 1996 and when he was leaving the programme then 588 episodes of presentation was already in his bag of experience. He gave agriculture a very different look. He commented, "The only Culture in Bangladesh is Agriculture." There is just no way that you can step away from this inevitable truth, which is pedaling our economy. After he started working in Impress Telefilm Ltd. /Channel-i, he penetrated even more to find the actual truth of agriculture. In addition, after long research he along with his team has produced 3 different agricultural programmes: Hridoye Mati O Manush (Soil & Men in Heart), Hridoye Mati O Manusher Daak (The Post of Soil & Men in Heart) for Channel-i and Krishi Dibanishi (Agriculture: Round the Clock) for the only state-run terrestrial television of Bangladesh, BTV (Bangladesh Television). His to move even further to reach the extreme height for the benefit of the marginal, impoverished and distressed farmers of Bangladesh. The farmers know and comment on Shykh Seraj: "A friend in need is a friend indeed". Seraj is really the great man who has sacrificed his life for the farmers only through television programmes- this is quite a surprising story throughout the world. Has anybody done that before in the history of agriculture? Using television box for farmers" purpose is the predominant concept that was implemented to the highest by Shykh Seraj.
Hridoye Mati O Manush (Soil & Men in Heart)
 Since June 2004, Shykh Seraj along with his associates, team members have done research work to introduce and telecast a new programme named "Hridoye Mati O Manush" (Soil & Men in Heart) with new innovative ideas. This programme is aimed at economic development, poverty alleviation including farmers, local leaders, business community, stakeholders, policy makers, donor organizations, UN Agencies, civil society, entrepreneurs and developers in the country. On 21st February 2004 (International Mother Language Day), Shykh Seraj started Hridoye Mati O Manush, consisting of present position of agriculture, rural economy and information development in the country. Duration of the programme "Hridoye Mati O Manush" is 25 minute. Only a few of the country"s TV programmes have a history of revival. Shykh Seraj"s acclaimed programme on agriculture, Hridoye Mati O Manush, presently being aired on Channel-i, has set that record and set it in quite a remarkable way. It has been able to attract the attention of the audience much like its earlier version –Mati O Manush (Soil & Men) on Bangladesh Television. The BTV programme was a milestone. Few TV viewers could fathom that a programme on agriculture could be so interesting. Moreover, many disbelieved that a youth of Seraj"s age could have such complete dedication to agriculture- probably the most neglected sector of this agriculture-based country. "I have always believed that our country can never prosper if our agriculture does not develop," says Shykh Seraj. "And this belief had drawn me to make such a TV programme. I thought that if I can motivate the people, both rural and urban, if my programme can provide them with the slightest guideline, maybe one day there will be the real "Green Revolution" in our country."
Shykh Seraj heads the team for Hridoye Mati O Manush. A dedicated well-trained team of professionals is associated with the team. The 8 members" team is lead by Shykh Seraj visit different parts of the country to represent all the sectors of agriculture.
The programme covering the activities like:
- Development activities of the Government
- Success Stories in the Socio-economic development
- Activities on Agricultural Development
- Market Research on Agricultural Produce
- Farmers Involvement in the Production and Financial Return
- Village Problems and Probable Solution
- Different Steps Toward Attaining Self-sufficiency and others
- Modern Innovative Technologies in Agriculture and in different field of activities
- Development of small-scale entrepreneurs
- Agro-Processing Industries
- Different Activities for Poverty Elimination
How the researcher, extension department and policy makers may reflect their idea and work regarding the gradually increasing population"s forthcoming food demand, specifically in the least-developed and developing countries, is under Shykh Seraj"s multi-awareness programme and he is very much vigorous in this sector. His prime concern was to bring the whole scenario of agriculture into the eyes of policy makers of the country.
Hridoye Mati O Manush has been quite successful in its commitment so far. After it focused on the problems of marketing tomatoes produced by the farmers of Moulabhibazar (Sylhet), the Agriculture Ministry of the Government of Bangladesh has taken initiatives such as how to market the huge amount of tomatoes instead of importing it every year. Similarly, in an episode the programme documented how pineapples are being wasted in the country just due to absence of processing plants or juice factories for pineapple. "Private companies have come forward in this sector," informs Seraj. Already 200 episodes of this programme were already on-aired and there are more to come in the future. Hridoye Mati O Manush is a weekly programme being telecast each Saturday at 9:35 PM (BST) & Repeat Telecast on Next Day (Sunday) at 11:30 AM (BST) on Channel-i.
|
|
| |
|
