Rabindra Raja Shahi
Promptly capitalizing on his long-awaited arrival at Gaighat during his nationwide tour, I took a snapshot with a lone lodestar in a galaxy of dim or flickering stars—a Nepali Gandhi and Tolstoy, exuding the aroma of ‘plain living and high thinking.’ The apple of the eye for the common masses, the heartthrob of the younger generation, and firmly grounded at the zenith of the popularity graph across the country
Mahabir Pun, a scientist, scholar, writer, teacher, social activist and visionary social entrepreneur-all combined in one-is a multi-dimensional genius known and recognized more in the international arena than in his own country. Very endeared among his professors during his student life at University of Nebraska at Kearne, he made a come-back to Nepal- after his graduation from the university- with a resolute mission to bail the country out of the morass of abysmal backwardness and poverty by being involved in innovation, invention and research, and by retaining the talented, innovative and creative young students in the country itself and making them develop different types of products and services to be commercialized in the market. This is all meant for the economic development of Nepal.
He introduced wireless computer technologies to the remote areas of the Himalayas so as to develop them; designed income generation programs like jam making, paper making, cheese making, yak farming, fish farming, vegetable farming, and bee keeping to deliver economic possibilities; built community – run schools to improve the quality of education, bring job opportunities to the villagers to have economic security, and curb migration to urban centers as well as abroad.
He realized that the most important step a country must take to achieve economic prosperity and self-reliance is to retain its talented and innovative human capital, support them in becoming entrepreneurs, and, in the long run, reduce Nepal’s trade deficit. All the developed countries like the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Israel, South Korea and others have done so which Nepal must do if it wants to become prosperous. It calls for giving topmost priority for research and innovation, and investing huge amount of money for nurturing its innovative citizen for economic development. With this realization, Mahabir Pun came to establish National Innovation Centre. Now, it is running well, and being funded and managed and supported by people and communities for their own benefit.
Recognizing his outstanding works and stellar contributions to the upliftment of remote mountain villages, he has been awarded by the Asoka Foundation, the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation, University of Nebraska, Global Ideas Bank- a clear evidence that he is our true and true-blue national hero!
Now, he is geared up to resuscitate and rejuvenate Birgunj Agriculture Equipment Factory which has so far lay in operational due largely to Nepal government’s inaction, apathy and indecision. The factory is the backbone to farming fraternity in Nepal with agriculture being the mainstay of the country’s economic prosperity. With no amount of his appeal and requests producing any effect on the successive Nepalese governments, he then, by mustering up his courage and making a bold decision, undertook the responsibility on his own- pretty much like Ekalavya in the Mahabharatian episode-to revive the factory and bring it back to full operation.
For the accomplishment of this mega mission and objective, he is day and night working single-handedly and single- mindedly to raise funds by selling his own autobiographical books to interested public at different cities and places. And, people are spontaneously coming forward to forthwith lend their helping hands to him by buying his books and encouraging him with ready gladness. According to him, all the proceeds received through the sale of his books will go to the repair and maintenance of the factory’s old and worn- out machines. So, general public are supporting him with their open heart, but rulers are unaffected and unmoved; by implication, all the political top brasses are pretending not to have known about Mahabir’s solo herculean efforts. They are callously and cruelly ignoring him. What rogues they are! They are rascals, they are idiots, and they are buggers.
In my opinion, Mahabir Pun is one of Nepal’s greatest scientists, with the expertise and capability to develop advanced technological innovations if provided with adequate funding and resources by the government. His talent is being wasted by the government by not harnessing his inherent potential. Despite the rank in difference of the government, he is showing undaunted courage and unwavering commitment in his drive towards the revival of the said factory. In such a background, we derive multiple lessons- the lessons of the zeal to be devoted for the sake of societal good by standing firm especially in any adverse situations, unremitting perseverance, and fighting with a never-die-spirit for the accomplishment of a noble cause.
Exceedingly worried about the nation. A determination to do something worthwhile from his own side. A personality that surrendered all he has at his disposal, yet is sorely neglected by the state! Definitely, his is an exemplary personality—a fount of inspiration to all of us. By honoring his incomparable contribution, we, too, have to maintain positive thinking and an active role for the upliftment of our society. High with Mahabir Pun the Great! A towering personage of the campaign for a nation’s development!
In the final analysis, let’s wish and pray such an ill-starred day never ever came in this land of ours when a writer had to walk about selling his books in order to operate an important industry for the nation! Let the government not be unworthy and worthless and visionless to such an ignominious extent!
(Rabindra Raja Shahi is an Associate Professor Triyuga Janata Multiple Campus, Gaighat, Udayapur)
