Mahabir Pun: A relentless innovator suddenly becomes minister

Raman Paudel,Kathmandu, Sept. 23: “Please, don’t call me to congratulate, and don’t call me ‘Minister.’ Instead, you can refer to me as Kabadi (Scrap) Mantri. If you have specific ideas and an action plan that can be implemented within five months, please send them to me via WhatsApp,” wrote Mahabir Pun, newly appointed Minister for Education, Science and Technology, on his Facebook page Monday morning.

Mahabir Pun, widely known as a local Nepali scientist, took oath of office and secrecy as the Minister for Education, Science, and Technology on Monday.

A man with a down-to-earth personality, Pun has been operating National Innovation Centre in Kirtipur that has produced hundreds of pieces of scientific equipment for daily use in agriculture.

When Pun was appointed as Minister, many of his followers were quite excited. However, Pun urged people not to call him ‘Minister’ and not to congratulate him.

An engineering graduate from a U.S.  university, Pun had recently been selling his book by singing songs and dancing on the street. Some people laughed at him, but many appreciated his efforts to raise funds for the National Innovation Centre, his dream project.

As chairman of the Centre, Pun toured most districts in Nepal to market his book, aimed at raising funds to invest in innovation.

Pun stated that he has raised millions for his Innovation Centre through book sales.

In the meantime, Pun faces criticism for his unmanaged lifestyle and book-selling methods. At the same time, many people appreciate his determination to sustain the Innovation Centre, especially since the government did not provide any support.

After taking the oath of office, Pun was asked whether he would continue selling books and what his plans were.

He stated that he had not yet made any plans, as his appointment as Minister was unexpected. Instead, he intends to hold consultation with experts and act accordingly.

Young age of Minister Pun

Pun is originally from Nagi village in the Myagdi district. He was born on January 22, 1955. After passing Grade 7, his family migrated to Chitwan because books and other educational materials were not available in his village. He continued his education in Chitwan.

After completing his SLC, he moved to Kathmandu and enrolled at Amrit Science Campus. After completing I. SC., he returned to Chitwan to teach at a school.

After teaching for 13 long years, Pun gained admission to the University of Nebraska in the U.S., where he completed his postgraduate studies in engineering.

Pun said that during his time in the U.S., he was never interested in staying there. Instead, he wanted to return to Nepal and begin meaningful work.

In 1994, Pun returned to his village of Nagi in Myagdi and encouraged villagers to engage in tree planting, as well as make essential improvements in education, health, and agriculture.

In 2002, he created a local communication network using wireless technology in Nagi village, which eventually earned him the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.

After years of efforts, Pun established the National Innovation Centre in 2012. Through this centre, he has developed various types of equipment and sold them to rural areas in Nepal.

However, in recent years, the Innovation Centre has been facing severe financial difficulties. 

As a result, he wrote a book titled Mahabir Pun: Memories, Dreams and a Continuous Journey, which he sold across the country to raise funds for the centre.

The book became a bestseller, earning millions of rupees. Pun donated all of the income from the book to the Innovation Centre. He even sold some of his awards to fund the centre.