Mahabir Pun of Myagdi bags prestigious Magsaysay award:-

Mahabir Pun: 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Leadership.
Mahabir Pun of Myagdi, western Nepal, has bagged the prestigious Raman Magsaysay Awards, for Community Leadership.

The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) Tuesday announced that seven Asians bagged this year's Raman Magsaysay Awards, the Asian Equivalent of Nobel Prize.

Pun is among three Chinese, a Korean, an Indian and a Pilipino to receive the coveted award.

According to the RMAF, Pun, 52, is “recognised for his innovative application of wireless computer technology in Nepal, bringing progress to remote mountain areas by connecting his village to the global village”.

Pun is the fourth Nepali to receive the Magsaysay award. He will receive the award amid a ceremony in Manila on August 31.

Here is Pun's profile:
Nangi Village, where Mahabir Pun was born, rests high in the Himalayan foothills of western Nepal. Here and in surrounding Myagdi District live the Pun Magar, whose men have soldiered for generations across the globe as Gurkhas. Yet, their worldly careers have done little to change their sleepy homeland, so far from the traffic patterns that knit together the rest of the world. Indeed, Nangi is seven hours' hard climb from the nearest road. No telephone lines have ever reached it. Despite this, these days the people of Nangi are definitely connected to the world outside. Wireless Internet technology has made this possible. Mahabir Pun has made it happen.
Pun passed his boyhood grazing cattle and sheep in mountain pastures and attending a village school that had no paper or pencils or books. Wanting more for his son, Pun's father moved the family to Nepal's lowlands, where, in Chitwan, Pun finished high school and became a teacher, working for twelve years to help his younger siblings through school. Finally, a timely scholarship led him to a bachelor's degree at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Then, in 1992, after more than twenty years away, Pun returned home to Nangi, determined to make things easier for other youths than they had been for him.

Nangi's leaders were busy establishing a village high school. Pun eagerly joined in. Once a month, he made the two-day trip to the nearest major town of Pokhara to check his e-mail and maintain his links to friends abroad. This led, in 1997, to the donation of four used computers from Australia. Powering them with hydro generators in a nearby stream, Pun began teaching computer classes at the high school. More computers followed, but it proved impossible to get a telephone connection to Pokhara and the Internet.

Pun e-mailed the British Broadcasting Corporation, asking for ideas. In 2001, the BBC publicized his dilemma and within a year volunteers from Europe and the United States were helping him rig a wireless connection between Nangi and the neighboring village of Ramche, using TV dish antennas mounted in trees. Some small grants soon led to the construction of improvised mountaintop relay stations and a link to Pokhara. By 2003, Nangi was online.

As word of Pun's project bounced around the World Wide Web, backpacking volunteers carried more and more donated computers, parts, and equipment into the hills. Meanwhile, Pun expanded the wireless network to embrace twelve villages-distributing a hundred computers to local schools, connecting them to the Internet, teaching teachers how to use them, and then tinkering and troubleshooting until everything worked.
Today, connectivity is changing Myagdi. Using the district's "tele-teaching" network, good teachers in one school now instruct students in others. Doctorless villagers use Wi-Fi to consult specialists in Pokhara. Village students surf the Net and are learning globe-savvy skills. Pun himself is using the Web to e-market local products such as honey, teas, and jams and to draw paying trekkers to campsites that he has outfitted with solar-powered hot showers. In parallel projects, villagers in Nangi have themselves added a library, a health clinic, and new classrooms for the high school.

Pun, now fifty-two, is both self-effacing and charismatic. "I'm not in charge of anything," he says. Yet, he seems to be the driving force of much around him. Eventually, he says, the people of Myagdi District will have to carry on for themselves. In the meantime, he hopes to play his unique role indefinitely. "As long as I can walk," Pun says happily, "I can do this."
In electing Mahabir Pun to receive the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes his innovative application of wireless computer technology in Nepal, bringing progress to remote mountain areas by connecting his village to the global village.

(Source: Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation)

nepalnews.com mk/ia July 31 07

source:

http://www.nepalnews.com/ archive/2007/jul/jul31/ne ws12.php

Mahabir Pun (magar) and his social developemnt project profile:


Who is Mahabir Pun (magar)?

http://rip.physics.unk.edu/nepal/


Mahabir Pun's projec start:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/h i/science/nature/1615454. stm



Mahabir Pun (magar)'s Wireless project Nepal:

http://www.nepalwireless.net/



His project paper:

http://www.himanchal.org/ wiki/images/6/60/NepalWir elessReport-August-2006.p df



Mahabir Pun (magar) in his Wireless village:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3744075.stm


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doggy dog, its not Nobel Prize...its Magsaysay award.

!!! Awesome !!!
We all should contribute something to our community.

It's the nobel prize of Asia...4th Nepali to win it!! Keep it up!

I envy him

Establishing a wireless internet connection in a remote village, and opening a portal of global communication and information sharing system for a new generation of Nangi village is something. Once again Mr. Pun proved that "Impossible is Nothing". A true inspiration and a role model to many of us struggling here abroad and waving a dream similar to his.

Very proud moment indeed .Congratulations to Mr.Mahabit Pun .While corrupt politicians are bagging all the money for the national development this man has put all his energy and wealth from his pocket for the same purpose .

by the way mr Poon-Hill are you from this village called Ghorepani ?

" Pun dedicates Magsaysay award to mother, birthplace "

BIRENDRANAGAR (CHITWAN), Aug 2 - Immediately after Mahabir Pun came to know that he had bagged the most coveted prize of Asia, he left for Chitwan on Tuesday. Without bothering to inform his friends and well-wishers in Kathmandu about the cancellation of pre-scheduled meetings, 52-year-old Pun, one of the winners of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2007, left for Chitwan to visit his 80-year-old mother Purbi Pun.
"Love from anyone is important for me. But the affection I get from my mother is something special that helps me attain the pinnacle of success," Pun, winner of the award, which is regarded as Nobel Prize of Asia, expressed in a sentimental tone.

"Wherever I go, I believe I am always with my mother. That faith helps me achieve my mission," he told The Kathmandu Post, adding, "So, I quietly left Kathmandu canceling all my meetings with some VIPs without prior notice."

Upon arrival at Birendranagar VDC of Chitwan on Tuesday evening, Pun stated he was not much interested in estimating the importance of the award. "But, it will certainly help fulfill the dreams of my mother and my birthplace, Myagdi," he added.

Myagdi is the land where he is learning many things about communication, agriculture, farming and tourism, according to him. "I have not lost so far. I am learning and winning simultaneously," he added. His octogenarian mother, Purbi, said, "I am really glad to see my son on television."

Pun explained that sentimental attachment with the birthplace ties him to Myagdi, while his mother's affection draws him to Chitwan. The Pun family has been staying in Chitwan for the last 40 years.

On completion of his Masters' degree in the United States, he taught for 12 years in Chitwan. After that he left for Myagdi to serve at his birthplace, Ramche village.

"Three things are essential for the development of a remote place - education, communication and finance," he said, adding communication is needed to disseminate education and finance is the backbone for supporting the development of both these things.

Currently, he has been running several projects in Ramche, Sikha, Histan and Ghara VDCs in Myagdi jointly with local communities.

However, Myagdi, is not the only destination of his mission. Rather, he has prepared development plans for 17 other remote districts.

When asked how would utilize the money he will receive in Manila on August 31? He was quick to reply, "This is the prize for the villagers of Myagdi. I wish to spend it on information technology. However, I will do whatever they command me to do. Let's see, what they want."


http://www.kantipuronline .com/kolnews.php?&nid=117 840

New about Mahabir pun;


http://www.nepalmonitor.com/2007/07/mahabir_pun_another_magsaysay_awardee_from_nepal.html

Yeah Sexy Deuta, Ghorepani is my village. Spent a year of my childhood there. Wonderful place to be .

haha looks like we are relatives ...what does your first name start with Poon-Hill ?

yo are my new hero mahabir pun. you are doing exactly what i've always wanted to do. don't worry i'd still do what i've wanted to do and continue your work in work.

This is Ramesh Tilija what about you Mr Hill ...dont tell me you are Faith Hill

महावीर पुन लाई बधाई छ!!!

Official - 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Announced:

The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) today announced that this year seven individuals from China, India, Korea, Nepal, and the Philippines will receive Asia's premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The Awardees are:

Mr. Jovito R. Salonga, from the Philippines, for Government Service. He is being recognized for "the exemplary integrity and substance of his long public career in service to democracy and good government in the Philippines."

Rev. Kim Sun-tae, from Korea, for Public Service. He is being honored for "his inspiring ministry of hope and practical assistance to his fellow blind and visually impaired citizens in South Korea. "

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."

Mr. Tang Xiyang, from China, for Peace and International Understanding. He is being honored for "guiding China to meet its mounting environmental crisis by heeding the lessons of its global neighbors and the timeless wisdom of nature itself."

Mr. Palagummi Sainath, from India, for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts. He is being recognized for "his passionate commitment as a journalist to restore the rural poor to India's national consciousness."

Mr. Chen Guangcheng, from China, for Emergent Leadership. He is being honored for "his irrepressible passion for justice in leading ordinary Chinese citizens to assert their legitimate rights under the law."

Mr. Chung To, from China, for Emergent Leadership. He is being recognized for "his proactive and compassionate response to AIDS in China and to the needs of its most vulnerable victims."

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.

"The Magsaysay awardees of 2007," says RMAF President Carmencita T. Abella, "are truly moving Asia forward through their remarkable and selfless service to their respective societies. Working in different countries on diverse issues of poverty, prejudice, politics and the planet's future, these seven individuals nevertheless share an uncommon faith in the tremendous potential of people and social institutions. They share as well an indomitable will and persistence to tap into this potential and thus create greater, and lasting, good. Mobilizing many others to join their efforts, their accomplishments bring us reassuring news of progress, justice, generosity, reform, and hope. In a world grown increasingly fragmented and cynical, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation is uniquely privileged to be the bearer of such inspiring news from Asia. "

http://www.rmaf.org.ph/index.php

जननी जन्म भुमी जन्म दाता आमाको सदै माया गर्ने महाबिर दाई जन्म दिने आमा लाई जती माया गर्नु हुन्छ जन्मभुमिलाई पनि त्यती नै माया गर्नु हुदोरहेछ उहाको मात्रित्व र जन्मभुमी प्रतिको अर्पन र समर्पन हामी सबै ले आत्मसाथ गर्नु पर्छ हामीले उहाको पाठ सिक्नु पर्छ गाउबस्तिहरु मा रोइरहेका अँखाहरु मा हर्सित मुहारको उज्यालो दिप सल्काउन हामी सबै उहाको पछी पछी आ आफ्नो ठाउँ बाट लाग्नु पर्छ प्रक्रिती ले सजाएको हाम्रो मुलुक लाई अझ नेट्वोर्क ले सजाएर आफ्नै नेपालएे पनको मुलुक निर्माण गर्नु पर्छ उहाको देश प्रतिको माया हामी कसैले भुल्नु हुँदैन किनभने उहाले देश र जनतालाई माया गर्नु हुदोरहेछ यदी उहाले देश र जनता लाई माया नगरने भए को भए आजको महाबिर अंेरिकाको डलर ले महाबिर होइन महासेठ भएर अंेरिकामा बिलासी जिबन बिताइ रहेको पाउने थियौ तर उहा त महासेठ होइन महाबिर भएर गाउ गाउमा उज्यालो छर्दै गरीब र अशिक्षा सँग लडिरहनु भएको छ उहा लडाईंमा हामीले पनि साथ दिनु पर्छ तब मात्रा उहाको बिजय सम्भब छ|

WOW Great

hats up to you

Congrats to Mahavir Pun! You deserved this recognition!
You are one of my ideals after Dr.Gurung(Harka) and Dr.Ruit!

SexyDeuta, NO i am not Faith Hill...wouldn't mind being her husband for a day though. E-mail me at mpun1@bigred.unl.edu, am a grad student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.