[wsfii-discuss] Nepal Wireless Networking Project wins Asian Nobel Prize

Wed Aug 22 17:30:05 UTC 2007

    *Nepali teacher wins 'Asian Nobel Prize'*
*
*Mahabir Pun

Imelda Abano
13 August 2007
Source: SciDev.Net
http://www.scidev.net/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=printarticle&itemid=3818&language=1

A Nepali teacher has been honoured with a prestigious Ramon Magsaysay 
Award, regarded as the Asian Nobel Prize, in recognition of his 
innovative application of wireless computer technology in Nepal.

Mahabir Pun, 52, from the remote village of Nangi in Nepal, will receive 
the 2007 Award for Community Leadership and a US$50,000 prize along with 
six other awardees in Manila, Philippines this month (31 August).

Pun started the project --- The Nepal Wireless Networking Project --- to 
meet the communication needs of his village, seven hours climb to the 
nearest road and without a telephone connection.

"I believe that better communication systems are important for the 
overall development of a community and a nation," Pun told SciDev.Net.

Under the project, villagers and a team of international volunteers 
initially powered several computers with small hydro-generators in a 
nearby stream.

They then linked them wirelessly to the Internet with a series of 
television dish antennas and mountaintop relay stations, using the 
nearest telephone connection in the town of Pokhara, a two-day trip away.

Pun said the project has so far provided 14 rural villages with access 
to services like telemedicine, distance learning, e-marketing of local 
products and telephone services.

"I strongly believe that all the people in the world have right to use 
and benefit from this technology. This has been a basic need in 
developed countries. Therefore one of my goals is to work hard to close 
the digital divide as much as I can," said Pun. 

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation writes that his innovation has 
brought progress "by connecting his village to the global village".

Sandy Dela Cruz, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation communications 
programme officer told SciDev.Net that Pun's dedication, innovative 
leadership and motivation in connecting the mountain villages of Nepal 
to each other and the outside world is magnificent.

"He is an inspiration to young people in Asia because of his courageous 
and ambitious goal for Nepal," Dela Cruz said.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award celebrates outstanding individuals and 
organisations working in Asia for the people of Asia.

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