In Bangladesh's land of six seasons, varied land and nature always make people dream of change. Life changes with the climate, and dreams come true for those who look to the land and sky after days of despair.

On Bengali New Year, such change could be seen in the Barind region of Rajshahi. The sun blazes more strongly than before, but the harshness this region had at this time a few years ago seems to have gone. With good irrigation, field after field is turning green, and rural life is reviving.

Urban comforts are reaching villages too: children's birthdays are celebrated in remote villages, and brick and cement houses are replacing mud homes. As elsewhere, marginal farm families here have found dreams of happiness and peace.

When water reaches the fields, farmers find water in their lives too, and dreams of crops follow. But in Bengali life, rice comes first. Today's farmer wants rice and a fair price for it. On New Year, farmers wish for a good rice crop and better prices.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.