Program outline:
• Initiated in 1997 by Mahabir Pun to bring modern communications to his remote village of Nangi
• Only difficulties – no power, no phone connections, no computer knowledge
• Internet publicity including BBC articles attracted offers of technical assistance from around the world
• A radio network was established with home-made aerials in trees to collect a signal beamed from Pokhara
• The network is now providing world access to 50 villages – see www.nepalwireless.net
• Mahabir has been recognized for his initiative with international awards including Ashoka Fellowship, the Ramon Magsaysay Prize and an Honorary PhD
from the University of Nebraska
Why its needed:
• Rural villages in Nepal have traditionally been isolated, with little communication with the outside world
• Internet access would provide development opportunities – think of the Indian software industry
• Early benefits included remote yak herders in the high mountains being able to communicate with their families by email
• Recent applications of the network have included:
- transmission of weather monitoring of the air route from Pokhara to Jomsom
- monitoring of glacial lakes to allow flood warnings in the event of failure due to global warming
How to help: Cash donation or suitable equipment Click here to donate or here to contact us.
