What makes the US, Germany, Japan, Korea and China, among other countries, successful and draw envy of the world? The short answer is: technology. They have integrated virtually every sector including agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, communication and development into technology. Agricultural productivity has surged when technology dramatically enhanced seed quality, saving countless people from starvation. Development of construction technology has paved way for the building of earthquake-resistant skyscrapers. Innovation in engine technology is what has made travel to and from any corner of the world a matter of hours.

The average life expectancy of people around the world has more than doubled in last 50 years or so, thanks to the advancement in healthcare technology. In light of these facts, it would be fair to say that technology is not just a great enabler whose power to transform the society, country and the world as a whole is arguably unparalleled, but also a solution potent enough to cure great many ills afflicting mankind. Of all the technologies serving mankind, perhaps none is as all-encompassing as internet. This is so because the use of internet has become so widespread that it literally underpins every human endeavour. Banks use it for inter-banking and customer-related services. Ships and airplanes use it for navigation. Students do so for studying online courses. Professionals make use of it to excel in their respective fields and to enhance their productivity. And the list can go on.

When the raging coronavirus pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home order came into effect, people turned to internet to continue their businesses. Be it academic institutions running virtual classes or employees working online to earn their livelihoods from their homes, internet has helped and will continue to help countless people in myriad ways. Internet is now central to our workspace and integral to our lives. Its penetration in Nepal has now reached around 83 per cent, according to the news report of this daily the other day. This is good news and bodes well for the country at a time when the work-from-home culture is increasingly becoming a new normal.

Payment of utility bills, dissemination of critical information and services are getting more effective and efficient. Good governance is another critically important sphere where internet has continued to make its presence felt. Nonetheless, it has also its downsides. The proliferation of pornography and instances of cyberbullying threaten to reverse the achievements made with the use of advanced technology. The number of people addicted to social media and other websites squandering their valuable time and resources hints at its dark sides as they are prone to be misled by fake information.

However, there is no denying that benefits of internet outweigh its disadvantages. So, upgrading the efficiency and capacity of internet infrastructure all across the country should feature among the government’s top priorities. Many consumers have complained about the high fees of internet subscription, which needs to be addressed. When more and more people work from home employing internet, they no longer have to travel to and from the office. This might result in less traffic jams, less pollution and saving of fuels. Therefore, easy access to internet can serve the twin goals of protecting the environment, time and resources.