[wsfii-discuss] Magsaysay Award 2007

Wed Aug 1 03:42:38 UTC 2007

Friends

I am exceedingly happy to do something right - to be
the first on this list to congratulate our listmember
Mahabir Pun on being given the Ramon Magsaysay award
2007 "http://www.rmaf.org.ph/"for his tremendous work
under punishing odds in setting up and using the Nepal
wireless network. 

"Mr. Mahabir Pun, from Nepal, for Community
Leadership. He is being recognized for "his innovative
application of wireless computer technology in Nepal,
bringing progress to remote mountain areas by
connecting his village to the global village ."
"

We look forward to continuing to benefit from your
work, Mahabir.

PS: For those who may be new to this recognition,
"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."

[slightly OT] Incidentally, this year, an Indian, P
Sainath, is another of the  awardees. He is a writer,
journalist and editor who has focused on the
structural inequities that 'conspire' to keep billions
of people in poverty, as evidenced in the Indian
subcontinent. Possibly his most well-known work is his
seminal book "Everybody Loves a Good Drought", where
he brings out the unenlightened self-interest that
drives national and international aid agencies. 

Pardon my aside, but I can't help but notice that
continuing lack of interest among those same agencies
in establishing rural connectivity (because it will be
'free'?) is rampant. 

Vickram

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