Mahabir Pun is well known in Nepal for his extensive work in rural villages in fields of health, education and awareness program-mes by connecting those remote areas through internet using wireless technologies.Born in Nangi Village, Myagdi District which is in the Himalayan foothills of western Nepal. Although it takes 7 hours hard climb to reach Nangi and not even a presence of telephone line, Mahabir’s determination to connect his village to rest of the world has succeeded by using wireless internet technology.
The contribution done by Mahabir is a lot. His contribution starts from education to scientific-development till now. Yes, he is one of the multi-talent men who have contributed to the Nepali people in different fields and services.At first, the contribution started in the educational field. He contributed as being a teacher for twelve years. Mainly his is Known for Introducing Wireless Internet technology in remote areas of Nepal, National Innovation Center.Pun was the first Nepali man who has introduced wireless internet technology in rural areas of Nepal. This technology helps in the making internet affordable and online education simplicity to the people of remote areas.
Also, Pun used to teach computer classes to students and fellow teachers, but he fails to establish a telephone connection to the nearest city, Pokhara, and the Internet. That’s why he asked for help from the popular agency, BBC.Mainly he contributes as much as possible to communication development. For making easy communication he had made the dish panel. Likewise, he got big help from donors and volunteers to bring the wireless connection between the Nangi village and other neighboring areas. With the help of handmade dish tv antennae mounted in tress, he had contributed to rigging the wireless connection on the rural part of that area.
The Ramon Magsaysay Foundation of the Philipinnes awarded Mahabir Pun Ramon Magsaysay Award 2007 for Community Leadership. Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine President, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.University of Nebraska, USA invited Mahabir Pun for winter commencement speech and awarded Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters in December 2007 for his outstanding work for his country, Nepal.
National Innovation Center “Rashtriya Abiskar Kendra”
Mahabir Pun led the initiative to register a nonprofit organization named “Rashtriya Abiskar Kendra” in 2012, widely termed as National Innovation Center in English. Primary objective to establish the Innovation and invention center according to Mahabir Pun is to foster research and developments for the economic development of the country. Mahabir worked with the government for funding of the project which did not happen and since July 2016, Mahabir is running a crowd funding campaign to fund National Innovation efforts. National Innovation Center crowd funding campaign plans to collect build a 10MW hydropower station, which according to the initiative would sustainably fund it’s running cost.Mahabir has got social attraction with his donation of land for the National Innovation Center.