A travel show offering rewards

By Afsar Ahmed
6 April 2004, 18:00 PM
Shahriar Shakil: The man behind the show
Imagine, waking up in the high-tech city Kuala Lumpur and looking out of the window to see the world's tallest beauty Petronas Towers gleaming in the morning sun. Or relish the coastline of Penang beach and have fun and frolic on Genting Highlands. This dream of relishing true Asian culture can be real for anyone who regularly watchesRC Travel On. The first ever Bangladeshi travel show programme, shot in locations abroad is regularly telecast on Channel-i, every Wednesday at 7:55pm. Under the banner of Alpha-i Media Productions Ltd, Shahriar Shakil an enthusiastic youth directed and anchored the show while Dr Aunul Islam worked as an executive producer of the show.

The first segments of the programme focus on the spectacular sites of Malaysia and is divided into several episodes, seven of which have already been shown. Malaysia's famous cinematographer Kip Mahfudz worked behind the camera with his unit to shoot the episodes in Malaysia. From their seventh episode they have introduced RC Travel On Special Quiz, where the viewers were asked a question related to the episode. The viewers have to answer all the three questions from the three episodes within a week.

A package of 3-days and 2-nights accommodation in a five-star hotel in Malaysia, including the air tickets sponsored by Malaysian Airlines, will be awarded to the first prize winner while the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar tour package will be given to the second position holder. A special gift hamper sponsored by RC Travel On will be given as a third prize. The names of the winners will be declared on its 11th episode.

'To mark our first ever production, we have decided on something unique and the making of an overseas travel show came to our mind,' said Shakil. While talking to him one learnt that he was a student of Dhaka University and also a member of the cultural group Shwanan. The vision behind such a programme is to gather knowledge of different cultures, lifestyles and customs through travelling. This information can then be presented to our viewers. We can also promote our culture to the foreigners.

The question may arise that for a country like ours where poverty is the main obstacle, is it viable to do such expensive programmes? ' Though it seems that the programme is only for the upper spectrum of the society, I believe it will help all sections of people who really have a keen interest in different cultures.' said Shakil.

With more such programmes, there is likely to be an improvement in the quality and technology of the electronic media, he said.

'Imagine a travel show where the anchor narrates in Bangla standing in front of the Great Pyramid. One day I'll make that possible,' remarked the enthusiastic director.