Written by: Sunabi Pokharel - 25018, Grade X
Posted on: 13 January, 2023
Mahabir Pun is a scientist, educator, social entrepreneur, and renowned activist in Nepal. He is recognized as the first man in the technological and research field who introduced wireless IT technology in the rural areas in the Himalayas of Nepal. Mahabir Pun was born as a son to Krishna Pun and Purbi Pun on 22nd January 1955 AD in a small remote village named Nangi which lies in the Myagdi district of Nepal.
Mahabir Pun wasn't able to have the life that he wanted. Instead in his early childhood, he used to help his parents in grazing cattle and doing household activities. Nobody in his village ever got the opportunity to study due to the lack of schools there but Mahabir Pun got the chance to read as his father, after being retired as the Gorkha Army, shifted his entire family to the southern plains and invested all his money on Pun’s education. After he completed high school, he worked for 12 years as a teacher to support his siblings’ education. After this time period, he applied to universities in the UK and US. He then received a partial scholarship from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1989 AD. After he received a bachelor's degree, he returned back to the village where he lived during his early childhood. He noticed the lack of development there. Hence, he built a high school and introduced computer education in Nangi. It served for educational and economical development of the district. In 2001 AD, he again returned to Nebraska to complete his Master’s degree. Mahabir Pun got married to Ommaya Pun in 1998 AD. They gave birth to a daughter named June Pun in 1998 AD. To date, Mahabir Pun has contributed a lot to the development of remote areas of Nepal. He modernized the schools in the villages and provided the students there with better education. He also started income-generating activities like yak farming, cheese and jam production, camping operation, and various programs to raise money for establishing universities and providing employment opportunities to the villagers. During this time, Pun had to walk time and again for a long distance to talk with the villagers as there was a lack of communication media in the village. Hence, he decided to establish the Nepal Wireless Networking Project to build a local communication network for using WiFi to connect people in the Himalayan region. During the time of Maoist Insurgency, the Nepalese authority prohibited the use of WiFi but still, Pun was able to expand his project to 175 remote villages. These villages use the internet for e-learning, e-healthcare, e-commerce, money transfers, and many more.
Mahabir Pun is awarded lots of awards. He has received awards like Social Innovations Award, Magsaysay Award, Jonathan B. Postel Service Award, and many more. Not only that, he was chosen as Ashoka Fellow by the Ashoka Foundation in 2002 AD. He is not only a scientist but a social worker as well. Moreover, he is a role model who motivates the youths of Nepal to return back to their homeland and perform incredible activities for its development.
Reference:
KC, Sriya. “Mahabir Pun Biography, Early Life, Education And Contribution”, About Mahabir Pun, Early Life, Education, Marriage, Contribution, Awards and Recognition, Sriya KC, MensNepal, 2022.
https://mensnepal.com/mahabir-pun-biography-early-life-education-and-contribution/
