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.
Krishi Dibanishi (Agriculture: Round the Clock)
Very recently, in Bangladesh Television, Shykh Seraj has introduced a new programme, titled, 'Krishi Dibanishi' (Agriculture: Round the Clock) from 13th August, 2007 by his own planning, presentation and direction, where following topics are highlighted:
- Modern agricultural science,
- Technology,
- Environment,
- Agriculture
- Commerce and Industry
- Market management and
- Different sectors of the rural life
Krishi Dibanishi, or 'Agriculture: Round the Clock', is a revolutionary programme in Bangladesh as Shykh Seraj is bringing all the information regarding agriculture, environment, industry, commercialization of agriculture, modern technologies in Agriculture. It has already sketched advanced applicable agricultural tools for the marginal farmers. Besides, the issues concerning the policy makers, scientists, agriculture extension workers, researchers are also covered in the programme. The authority such as the agriculture ministry is not left alone regarding any relevant queries, which could be posed to them. Overall, this programme has been a dream for Shykh Seraj - the dream that he nurtured for so long. He is back on BTV, the only government owned terrestrial television channel in Bangladesh with Krishi Dibanishi. The information that he is giving via BTV is significant and inevitable due to the terrestrial distribution of BTV around the whole Bangladesh. Any farmer can watch Krishi Dibanishi while just opening up their televisions from anywhere in the country. The marginal farmers are very happy due to this because once again they will have the opportunity to fetch their information and work accordingly. They are happy because this is the only agricultural resource for them, which can bring substantial development in their lives, which would obviously be sustainable. Krishi Dibanishi is a long-awaited hope for the future of agricultural development of Bangladesh. Krishi Dibanishi is a weekly programme being telecast each Monday at 8:30 PM (BST) & Repeat Telecast on Next Day (Tuesday) at 5:00 PM (BST) on BTV (Bangladesh Television).
Episode 08
 Dear viewers, I am talking with you, standing beside a shrimp gher from Falatita of Fakirhat, Bagerhat. You would ask what kind of a shrimp gher is this. Apparently, all the lands here were plain paddy fields upon which the farmers here have built the shrimp ghers. Kindly, notice where I am standing now is a rice field and few days ago, IRRI harvest had taken place here. Before this land was re-shaped, it was just a simple and plain rice field. You may also notice that just beside this land a water-drain has been created for the gher. Some farmers cut these drains on both the sides of the main land; some do the U shapes, some do the L shapes and after that, they use the soil that has been dredged, to the sides of the lands and when the rainy season will come, then the water will flow here to make this ultimately into a gher. Now, is the time to put the fingerling in these water-drains and after that when waters will be all around this place, these places will appear as individual ponds. Kindly mark, as far as you extend your view, you will certainly notice ghers after ghers The whole district of Bagerhat, Fakirhat, Mollarhat, Falatita, Chitalmari- the whole area has been transformed to gher from the rice fields. These are all a farmer's own invention, of course. I hope you remember Keramat, Syed Keramat Ali...I have been covering on him and was presenting his activities in front of you for so long...So many years back, he let some fingerlings (prawns) go into the water-drains, situated beside the rice fields. He nurtured all those fingerlings and after that, the result was quite awesome: from the rice field, he used to earn 1000 to 1200 Tk. previously. Surprisingly from that very field, later, he sold shrimps of 17000 Tk. for the very first time. That was Galda shrimp from sweet water, which turned into a successful event to the local farmers. Now, after 15-20 years, smiles are all around in all the families of this area. Once there was a time, when people from this region, used to go to the bed without having any food. These were all large water-body areas. People from this area used to eat 'Dhep' and 'Shapla' and they were poor like anything. Today, even at midnight if you go to a farmer and request for 10000 Tk., then he would certainly be able to provide it. The situation has changed in this manner. Regarding these issues, we have presented different reports in front of you in different times. For once again, for a follow-up report, we are offering you to come with us at the widespread lands of Falatita, Fakirhat.
Although just after the independence, poverty had spread in most of the localities. The cry remained in the livelihood of the people from areas like Bagerhat, Fakirhat, Mollarhat and Falatita, the coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal. Hectares and hectares of water-stuck lands were of no use. The areas were like water-bodies or like haors. Then, the roots, shaluk and nalas of the shapla were the predominant food of the people of these areas. The other two methods of profession were hunting birds and catching fish in natural way. At some period of the day, they used to have the shaluk or may have had nothing on the other period- this is how the days used to pass for these large localities. 1978. A comeback phase for the people of this region. From Syed Mahalla village of this area, son of Syed Yakub Ali is Syed Keramat Ali. He completed his graduation back in the Pakistan regime and joined the police force as the Sub-Inspector. He came back to his family due to the innate bondage with his very own soil. Then, he never had gone back to his profession. Although, poverty of the people from this area used to give him mental distress, but there was nothing to do for them. It was one of the days like any other in 1978. He bought some small shrimps from the market and he let it go in a one bigha land-water out of nowhere. We have heard the story of success of this populace directly from Keramat.
We used to have the shaplas from the fresh water during those horrible days. It was quite a situation that you could ever imagine. That was our staple food. From that place, we have come to this place. It's due to Allah's endless mercy and the progress that we have made here is just unimaginable ... unimaginable.
Slowly, the shrimp farming started a revolutionary success. The story of success of a locality started coming onto the television media. Successful men and incidents in a massive number started building as well. Whereas these localities haven't had a single step to move forward, they had accomplished Aladin's Miracle Lamp in their hands. And, the forerunner of this success is Syed Keramat Ali.
The most important thing is Syed Keramat Ali didn't only prosper his own case and his own living area but he is coming as the leading voice anywhere, regarding any calamities or possibilities in shrimp farming. 12 years back, the shrimp farmers of this area were troubled with the farming; still even then, Syed Keramat Ali was regarded as the frontline. He represented all the shrimp farmers of his area and was the dearest to the farmers who had raised his voice for all the shrimp farmers.
1992
We didn"t have any facility from the Bank, specially the shrimp farmers. And, lack of training is yet another major problem.
1992
We have come again to Falatita of Bagerhat district to cover the follow-up report, regarding how far the farmers have advanced here, how many farms were here and how many have been newly formed. We will cover this on today's report. Just after 12 years when the shrimp farmers are in severe calamity with their farming, then Keramat arranged all of them and came in front of the media once again.
If we do not have the fingerlings (prawn) at this time all of our effort will go in vain.
It was taken very seriously by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Livestock and Environment and Forest Adviser Dr. Chowdhury Sajjadul Karim of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Along with the Divisional Secretaries, Director General and other staffs he rushed to Falatita of Bagerahat district.
Falatita is now a totally changed developed community. The people from this area not only have become economically enriched but have prospered with great sustainability as well. When the Adviser went to see the scenario of shrimp farming, then Syed Keramat Ali brought out the ins and outs of the shrimp farming yet again.
Then again at the Shrimp Landing Station of Falatita, there was farmers' conference where Mr. C.S. Karim had presided over the event with other staffs and responsible officials. All the farmers here have spoken boldly in favour of Keramat Ali.
Keramat Ali, he is the great hero of taking a community forward with success. As really, he is the sole forerunner of keeping up the shrimp farmers and the industry dedicatively at the southern part of the country that could be easily understood when he really stood bold in front of the government policy makers.
At last the farmers were ensured that they will have the fingerlings (prawn).
We have done a temporary solution as this is a field of possibility and many are already engaged with this very profession. We will look forward to a long-term solution in the future as well.
We have done a temporary solution as this is a field of possibility and many are already engaged with this very profession. We will look forward to a long-term solution in the future as well.
This market has been extended as the shrimp farming has been spreaded all over this region. Everyday millions of fingerlings are being sold from here and the current market price is 10.2 Million to 40 Million.
All the farmers are very happy to express Keramat's contribution while saying that he was the only one who brought the success single-handedly at this region. They also think that he is the forerunner of this special kind of farming.
We expect Syed Keramat may prosper endlessly in days to come.
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