Photo Courtesy: Ashmita Kunwar

Mahabir Pun is a man with incredible proficiency. His remarkable work in the fields of rural development in the mountainous regions of Nepal is commendable and his reputation precedes him as one of the greatest innovators and entrepreneurs of Nepal. On April 22nd, 2016, the DeerExpress club invited Dr. Pun to share his work experience among the students of DWIT. Dr. Pun addressed the enthusiastic audience by sharing inspirational quotes and life experiences along with his sizable achievements.

Mahabir Pun is working for the development of remote villages in the mountainous regions of Nepal. He  focuses on rural development by finding ways to help people improve their quality of life, health and education. He claimed that he’s doing the same thing like other GOs/NGOs, but approaching the problem with a different perspective has assisted him in being successful in the long run.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited whereas imagination embraces the entire world opening limitless possibilities”. – Dr. Mahabir Pun.

Mahabir Pun has created several jobs for the local people of remote Myagdi district and several other mountainous districts. He has created employment by establishing small-scale industries like Yak Farm, Bee Keeping, Grapes Plantation, “Kodo” plantation for generating local wines etc. He has also conducted afforestation programs and claims to have planted 1.2 million trees by planting 50-60 trees every year. He has established several guest houses in the trekking sector which he claims will be “Zero-carbon-emission” environment-friendly. The guest houses will be powered by a 50 KW Hydro Power project which is being built. Mahabir Pun has also established a restaurant in Thamel, Kathmandu with the motive of making it a hang-out place for sharing ideas.

Mr. Pun has also done a remarkable work in developing Information Technology for the rural sectors of Nepal. He bought several custom-made computers by assembling used parts and then distributed the computers to the rural schools. He established a router in 2002, connecting Myagdi and Pokhara wirelessly. The antenna used for the routers were hand-made with the collective efforts of several volunteers from different countries. After establishing the internet, Mr. Pun organized several training programs and provided the ‘e-learning’ materials in Nepali language.

Concluding his speech, Dr. Mahabir Pun shared a quote from Dhirubhai Ambani:

“If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs”.

He motivated the audience to challenge themselves by being innovative and imaginative. He requested the audience to have strong will by suggesting us to "do things your way, no matter what others say”.