Why Join Mahabir Pun’s Nation-Building Journey?

Exclusive: World-renowned Nepali social entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Mahabir Pun Magar has currently emerged as an independent candidate from Myagdi district in Nepal’s upcoming general election for the House of Representatives. After the Gen Z movement, Dr. Pun was appointed Minister of Education in the interim cabinet, where he attempted to introduce an ordinance for educational reform, but was unsuccessful. As a result, he decided to enter active politics and became a candidate from his birthplace, Myagdi. Now, it has become the responsibility of all of us to ensure that Dr. Pun is elected and sent to Parliament to help build the nation and secure the future of Nepal’s youth. And we hope that the people of Myagdi will fulfill this responsibility.

Dr. Mahabir is a proud son of Nepal who, after completing higher education in the United States, returned to his motherland determined to contribute from within the country itself. Widely regarded as the pioneer of wireless technology in Nepal, Dr. Pun began a grand journey of innovation and invention, encouraging young Nepali researchers to stay in Nepal and work toward national prosperity. However, the Government of Nepal repeatedly delayed his requests for years, offering only assurances.

Nepalis living abroad stood shoulder to shoulder with him in this journey. Most recently, by selling his life-story book across the country, he raised more than NPR 100 million and used the funds to revive and operate the dilapidated Agricultural Tools Factory in Birgunj. Through this initiative, work has begun on identifying, testing, and producing agricultural tools needed by Nepali farmers.

What tasks was the government unable or unwilling to carry out, and what were accomplished under the leadership of Dr. Pun—and how?

Under the leadership of Dr. Mahabir Pun, who firmly believes that Nepal can be made prosperous through innovation and entrepreneurship, the National Innovation Center (NIC) currently hosts more than four dozen young innovators and scientists working on innovation projects aimed at transforming Nepal’s bleak present condition. These projects include medical drones; Nyano Nani (baby warmer and incubator); AI-driven innovations; monkey repellent systems; Sel Roti making machines; Sabji Kothi; floor-cleaning robots; reverse vending machines; Black Soldier Fly for alternative animal protein for poultry; electrical conversion; ginger-based beverages; electronic billing systems; solar water heaters; prawn farming; telemedicine and electronic health record systems; thermal power; plastic melting machines; AI-based blind spot detection systems; incense-making machines; solid organic waste management systems; smart cooking stoves; evaporative coolers; bee venom collectors; agricultural equipment; grass cutters; wine making; smart water tanks; coffee and multipurpose roasters; and armed robots that can be used in the defense sector.

During the coronavirus pandemic, under Dr. Pun’s selfless and steadfast leadership, the National Innovation Center produced and distributed more than 15,000 units of personal protective equipment (PPE) free of cost to over 300 hospitals across 58 districts in all seven provinces of Nepal—primarily healthcare facilities, coronavirus isolation centers, and COVID-19 testing and treatment hospitals.

Dr. Pun has already donated 27 ropanis of land near Begnas Lake in Pokhara, valued at NPR 30 million and registered in his own name, to the National Innovation Center. Dr. Pun is also a former Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) who once lived in the United States. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska and returned to Nepal with the determination to serve his homeland, embodying the true spirit of a devoted son of Nepali soil.

Global Recognition

Since 2002, Dr. Pun has been implementing a wireless project connecting his birthplace, Myagdi district, and surrounding districts and villages to the internet. Through this initiative, millions of people across 175 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in 15 districts benefited from rural wireless internet services. In recognition of his significant contribution to expanding wireless technology to rural Nepal, the Internet Society honored Dr. Pun in 2014 with the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award.

In recognition of his remarkable social contributions after returning to Nepal, the University of Nebraska awarded Dr. Pun an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2007. That same year, he was also honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award—often referred to as Asia’s Nobel Prize—established in the name of a former Philippine president. Additionally, Dr. Pun is a recipient of the 2002 Ashoka Fellowship Award.