“No culture without agriculture”

Eminent media personality Shykh Seraj is an active campaigner for the farmers' cause. For over three decades, he has sponsored television programmes for them. For his altruism Shykh Seraj has won awards like the Ekushey Padak, and United Nation FAO's AH Boerma Award, amongst many others. He is director and Head of News of Channel i.

“Krishoker Eid Ananda”, “Krishoker Baishakhi Ananda”, “Krishi Budget Krishoker Budget”, “Phirey Chol Matir Taan-e” are among the TV programmes hosted by him. He has been making popular Eid special programme “Krishoker Eid Ananda” for the last nine years. This year's programme was shot in Poba, Rajshahi where a number of men and women farmers took part in rural-themed games. The programme will air at 4:30pm on the next day of Eid. In a recent conversation, Shykh Seraj shared his views on agriculture, and why he makes the show.

“There is a close link between Krishi and Krishti (agriculture and culture). The farmers supply the prime elements for our celebration of Pahela Baishkh, Nabanna Utshab, Poush-Parvan and many other festivals. Farmers are the backbone of our economy: the nucleus of Bangladesh's economy. That's why all my dreams revolve around them. I don't want to celebrate Eid day – a day of joy -- without making them laugh. That's why I make them part of the programme 'Krishoker Eid Ananda' on the TV screen. Doing something for the farmers has over the years become my passion and profession. I feel a sincere responsibility to do something positive for them.

“A farmer faces many crises; his journey of farming from sowing seeds to harvest is uncertain, yet he keeps a smile on his face, which charms me immensely. There are 23 stages from sowing to harvest, and women farmers accomplish 17 of them single-handedly. This year, a total of 200 farmers joined the selection day. From them, five got the chance to vie for the first prize by participating in the game of climbing an oily banana tree. Initially, a colour television was the first prize for the game; now they get a motorcycle. Many interesting events happen at the game show. As we arranged the event in Rajshahi this year, all the seven games centre around mango. In every installment of the show, I try to convey information on agriculture and heritage of the respective place. The TV show has achieved great popularity both at home and abroad.”