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Our Friend Shykh Seraj
By
Abdur Rashid Majumder
It was 1972. I was then a student of Notre Dame College and so was Shykh Seraj. We used to go together to college and thereby our friendship developed. I lived at Bashabo during that time and he lived in Khilgaon. We both used to visit each other’s house quite often. We used to chat, study together and therefore he was just like a member of our family. He used to address my mother as ‘Ma’ and I also shared an affectionate relationship with his parents.
Shykh Seraj was very careful about his attire. He used to remain very tidy and always wore shirts and shoes while visiting any place. He used to come in suit and tie in different programmes and functions and we used to tease this Shykh Seraj.
I was in love with a girl. At that time, Seraj gave me a lot of counseling, which benefited me greatly. That girl is now my wife. Shykh Seraj also taught my wife a lot about life. All our friends have grown-up together and doing business together. Sometimes, we used to chat in Sagar’s house. Sometimes we met in ‘Khabar Dabar’ as well as in my house.
I wonder how a smartly dressed Shykh Seraj roamed in the muddy fields and got mixed with the soil of the land and produced a programme like Mati O Manush.
But, mostly we met in ‘Khabar Dabar’. During this period, he started his TV programme and impressed the viewers with his programme Mati O Manush. Like other viewers, we also liked this programme. Our dear friend Shykh Seraj became a man of Mati O Manush. This programme helped the country immensely. Due to this programme, many rooftops in the urban area became a farmer’s garden and were filled up with greenery. Lot of poultry farms grew up. We also saw people planting guava trees.
Due to the farsightedness of Shykh Seraj, his programme has crossed the boundary of the country and spread all over the world. I wish Shykh Seraj will keep it up.
Shykh Seraj, an Empirical Agricultural Scientist
By
Dr. M. A. Sattar Mondol
According to Mr. J.N. Efferson, an eminent Farm Management Economist, five basic questions need to be addressed in order to increase efficiency in farm management. The questions are:
- What crop will the farmer grow?
- What will be the technology of production?
- When will be the inputs bought and when the crop will be sold?
- Where the crop will be sold?
The key to successful farm management lies in appropriate answers to these questions. And to get correct answers to these questions one needs to have practical knowledge about farmers and the agricultural work done at the field level. There is a great lack of such empirical knowledge in our country. Shykh Seraj made up this deficiency to a great extent through his Hridoye Mati O Manush, Hridoye Mati O Manusher Daak and Krishi Dibanishi. He went to every corner of Bangadesh whenever there were new technologies used or new initiatives undertaken. He covers the activities in his camera, speaks to the farmers on their own lands, in their own language.
With his sharp observation and inquisitive mind, Shykh Seraj portrayed various agricultural activities of Bangladesh such as growing crops, poultry, fish farming, flower cultivation, production of dairy and milk production etc. In this perspective, he can only be compared with the world famous tourist Ladjenski. Ladjenski narrated his experience through his writings whereas Shykh Seraj did this with his videography through the stories of farmers…stories of their various problems regarding the application of appropriate technology, marketing of agricultural products and finally the calculation of his profit and loss.
Shykh Seraj mainly focused on modernization of agriculture. That is why he laid emphasis on marketing and commercial aspects of agriculture in his programme. From this point of view, Shykh Seraj’s programme bears resemblance between the then agricultural development council and agricultural economist Arthur T. Moshe who is the promoter of modern agriculture. To quote Moshe, modern agriculture is such a business, which is changing constantly producing consistently and always moving forward. During the last two decades, Shykh Seraj has been portraying through his TV programme, a vivid picture on the ongoing changes in the agriculture, the increase in productivity, (Land, Labour and Water etc.) fluctuations in farmers’ profit and loss, how the farmer is using the technology and what problems he is facing. The main objective is to ensure modernization of agriculture and enhancement of farmers’ income.
Shykh Seraj has shown mastery in selection of topics. His video-presentation consists of various action-oriented programmes. He has vividly presented numerous investigative stories on agricultural activities like vegetable cultivation on water hyacinth, growing of Arabian date in remote villages, marketing of vegetables, diseases in the poultry farms, vaccination, fish-cultivation in the pond, high-yielding Hari Dhan (Paddy), processing of mangoes and even the dissemination and discrimination in the wages of male and female labours. When one watches this, he feels the urge to do something instantly. Here lies the success of the presenter who has been able to inspire the people, giving policy directions and supporting the people morally to undertake risky but fruitful agricultural ventures.
That is why I am inclined to brand him as a rare empirical agricultural scientist. Through his media, he is not only inspiring the numerous farmers but also enlightening the students, teachers and researchers about the latest and innovative technology of agricultural science. Needless to mention, he is also providing initiative to do and learn something new and creative. May Shykh Seraj’s long journey become more fruitful. I pray for his long life.
Shykh Seraj- The Poet of our Land and Farmers
By
Kazi Insan
In April of last year, I was waiting at the lounge of Narita Airport. Mr. Shykh Seraj arrived, accompanied with Aditya Shaheen and Cameraman Shahidullah Titon. With these three of Channel-i, came our new generation reporter Monir Haider. Japan Business Forum has invited them all to pay a visit to Japan. I had a very small role to play in this affair. Due to my efforts, Golam Mortoza of ‘Shaptahik 2000’ (Weekly 2000) was brought here on the occasion of ‘Tokyo Boishakhi Fair’. I proposed to invite Channel-i. Mr. Nannu of Naya Diganta of Japan Business Forum accepted my proposal. Shakhwat Monir was given assignment to do the needful and accordingly I along with Moni, Johnny Bhai and a few others from Business Forum have come to the airport to receive them. Nannu Bhai was yet to arrive. He informed over phone that he was stuck up on the highway- hence the delay. Mr. Seraj along with others arrived on time. He looked a bit startled during our handshake. I could see that he was beginning to recognize me and suddenly it dawned on him. He asked in the usual jovial way, “How are you? Fine?”
After a long time, I met Seraj Bhai face to face.
After graduation, I came to Dhaka in 1977 for the purpose of higher study in M.A. I was staying at Shurja Sen Hall. The room belonged to on Pintu of Kurigram. Four of us among the total five members, used to live in the space for one. We secretly used the hall’s stove to cook our food, attend classes and afterwards roam around. To watch dramas and movies free of cost, we used to go to the Indian High Commission, German Cultural Center and Russian Embassy on holidays. I gave audition for a play on the radio. I got an entry in grade ‘C’ and gradually promoted to grade ‘B’ and then ‘A’. The monthly allowance, which my mother used to send me from Kurigram was not sufficient. Therefore, this extra income helped me a lot. I worked in the drama unit, family planning cell, transcription service and in the radio magazine programme, ‘Uttara’ and ‘Ajker Dhaka’ and anywhere I got chance. ‘A’ and ‘C’ grade artist remuneration was Tk. 50 and one was not allowed to participate in more than four programmes in a month. Nevertheless, somehow I managed to do more. It was during those days I met Seraj Bhai at Abul’s cafeteria at Shahbag and I requested Seraj Bhai to let me work in his programme, ‘Khete Khamarey’ subsequently renamed, ‘Mati O Manush’ (Soil & Men). Surprisingly, he requested the producer that very day to perform due to the absence of the scheduled artist. I still remember that was the beginning of going to Sagar’s (Faridur Reza Sagar, Managing Director, Impress Telefilm Ltd. /Channel-i) restaurant ‘Khabar Dabar’ on numerous times to look for Seraj Bhai. Many people including Milon, Afzal, Asad used to hang out there.
Seraj Bhai’s programme about the farmers was very popular at that time. I wonder how he made such a neglected subject so popular. He came close to the man and soil as a part of his commitment. Even after so many years, I still watch Hridoye Mati O Manush in Japan and become impressed seeing the modern farmers, specially how these poor farmers speak in front of the camera freely without make-up and I bow my head with gratitude to Shykh Seraj, the presenter for his contribution to bringing them to this level.
Shykh Seraj visited Japan thrice consecutively. On the first occasion, it was for ‘Boishakhi Mela’. Next time, it was for the foundation laying ceremony at Tokyo in the Prime Minister’s entourage and lastly for the opening ceremony of Shaheed Minar in Tokyo. He never travelled Japan for pleasure or marketing. Whenever he came was working for Mati O Manush. He recorded the success stories and information about the agricultural system in Japan, farmers’ lifestyle that was later telecast in Hridoye Mati O Manush.
Whenever I meet Seraj Bhai, he extends his hand and smilingly says, “How are you? Everything Fine?” I wish him long life.
My Love to Shykh Seraj of Mati O Manush
By
Professor Mamtazuddin Ahmed
There is no dearth of people talking too much rubbish. The number of people talking too much, telling lies and talking nuisance are swarming around like insects. People having no integrity or accountability are engaged in a mad race to attract attention or to become popular. Nevertheless, sometimes, I really become overjoyed when I find light at the end of the tunnel and locate a few persons who really means business.
I feel Rabindranath in my heart every moment. I wonder with joy how a man of such height was born in Bengal’s soil. We are really fortunate. It seems there is some silt in the land of Bengal, which creates some people of deeds and dedication.
There is no need for drum beating to wake the people. They will wake themselves up like the young leaves of trees. Their endeavours and achievements fascinate me. I feel good. My heart is silently filled up with joy.
To me, Shykh Seraj is that type of a person who has grown up and bloomed gradually. I have been watching this man in action for the last one and a half decade. Few days earlier, Shykh Seraj was like a young plant. Now that plant has become a tree with branches. Seraj has become great, very great. His heart is enveloped with Bangladesh. He is always overwhelmed with the thoughts of man and soil of Bangladesh just like a ‘Baul’, (Mystic Singer) humming on his song of Soil and Men in his own way.
Rabindranath was another such fascinating ‘Baul’. Rabindranath too was overwhelmed with the trees, land and the people of Bengal. The Bengal I am referring is the Bengal of rivers, fertile land and Bengali Language. If any one falls in love with Bengal, it continues forever. My dear Shykh Seraj has set his foot on this wet soil of this Bengal. No wonder, if he, too, falls in love with our country the same way, in that case, I will be overwhelmed with joy.
Let me sum up few words of Rabindranath-
Then comes the tale of our land where we were born. This is the land of our village where our mother and midwives have given birth of this wonderful country. The hearts of our educated people are far away from this motherland and flying in the sky. The soil of our land burnt under the sun is looking above and urging weepingly. “All the knowledge you have gathered and you have in your world is for me, let me have it. Prepare me to have them. You will get hundred times more in return then what you give to me.”
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