Nepal's IT potential still remains untapped
Even the villagers in Nepal are trained to operate computers. They have been using internet for checking emails, surfing net, making international voice calls, receiving prescriptions from doctors, viewing demands of their home products abroad and learning modern and scientific agricultural technologies, etc. We imagine how prosperous our country would be if we could make use of the emerging technology as mentioned above?
However, our news media, which is called as the fourth estate of the state, needs to be serious about covering news regarding the fast growing development taking place in the field of IT. There are a number of people who buy newspapers and other publications hoping to get news, views and reviews regarding the development of science and technology and various innovations in the field of IT. But their hopes are shattered as soon as they flip through the pages of newspapers in general as they don’t find reading materials of their choice. But the pages are full of news regarding the obstruction in constitution drafting process, ongoing peace process, road blockades and almost predictable frequent general strikes which confine to their homes and leaves thousands of passengers stranded en route. There is no special and exciting news regarding the development of ICT in the country. ICT is the key element that plays a crucial role in development and drives the economy of any nation. So, I would like to urge the media to create hope among people and encourage those who have already set their feet into the industry by giving due coverage to the sector. We know very well that science is not just a subject but it is a reality that every human should accept. It tells that stone, air, water, all the physical and non-physical things we have around us should be utilized properly and at optimum level so that they help in the development of civilization and enhancing life standard of human beings simultaneously being aware of the adverse impacts of such developments and innovations
Science not only develops human lives and civil society but also contributes lot to nation building process. Its innovative ideas and technologies also determine the socio-economic condition of any nation. Proper transformation of efficient technology in keeping with the demands and soil nature at the grassroots level has the potential to transform a nation.
Irrespective of criticism from others, I always feel proud of taking birth in Nepal. Nepal is a beautiful country with geographical miracle. Within a small strip of land there are three extraordinary and joyful regions viz. Tarai, Hills, and the Himalayas. This geographical structure offers an immense potential in many ways. The Tarai is the grain basket of Nepal which is also a fertile land for industry and commerce. The hilly region has the potential of farming tea, coffee, citrus fruits, and medicinal herbs among others. The majestic Himalayas offer us the opportunities to attract foreigners for mountaineering, sightseeing and filming. Transfer of technology to the villages can help the marginalized and underprivileged society to uplift their standard of living and bring them out of depravity and to provide educational opportunity among others.
If we see the progress made in telecommunications and IT sectors in this decade, makes us optimistic of the future. We have witnessed an unexpected growth in the cellular mobile phone and wireless technology over the years which has enabled us to remain connected with the outer world and be in touch with our kith and kinds and business partners within the country. The use of telemedicine, internet connections, telephone services and laptop computers in the hands of poor children from the remoter parts of the country has not only helped people to live a better life, but has also created hope among the new generation. Mr Mahabir Pun introduced wireless network for internet connectivity in Myagdi from Pokhara. Later on his initiation lead to the network in most of the districts of western region which provided an opportunity for the poor people to avail medical facilities through internet and get connected with their families and friends abroad. Mr Pun was awarded the Roman Magsaysay Prize in 2007 in recognition of his pioneer work. The award is also known as the Nobel Peace Prize of Asia. At present, Nepal Wireless Networking Project supervised by Mr Pun has been successfully extended from Pokhara to Myagdi, Myagdi to Baglung, Baglung to Gulmi, Pokhara to Jomsom, Kathmandu to Trishuli, Kathmandu to Dolakha, and Kathmandu to Makwanpur . These networks have been utilized for schools’ e-library, telemedicine, social and economic purpose, VOIP, e-education, skill development training, etc.
Then the network is successful in linking Trishuli, Myagdi, Dolakha, Jomsom, Pharping from Kathmandu Model Hospital being a cluster for telemedicine. Thanks to this project, patients in Trishuli, Myagdi, Dolakha, Jomsom are being treated and prescribed by the doctors at Kathmandu Model Hospital and Nepal Medical College. An hour and half of live presentation is conducted every morning between Kathmandu Model Hospital and Dolakha Hospital in order to update the practitioners at Dolakha Hospital It has saved life during an emergency and time and money of the poor people living in the fringe of the society.
Besides the untiring effort of Nepal Wireless Networking Project, the Government also seems very active in exploring the possibilities and opportunities in IT. The IT Park in Kavre is controlled and monitored by High Level Commission for Information Technology (HLCIT), an apex body formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister with a view to providing crucial strategic direction and helping formulate appropriate policy responses for the development of ICT in the country as well as harnessing these technologies to meet key development challenges including those relating to governance reform and catalyzing economic growth for poverty reduction.
In the mid of 2009, IBM (International Business Machine) and HLCIT formed an active body called OTRC (Open Technology Resource Center) with the teams of researchers to perform research on the need of the nation and growing up IT. Their present task is to digitize the draft of the constitution and make them transparent and accessible to the public with domain name www.data.gov They are working on it by the name Democracy 2.0. They have been successful in localizing disaster management tool, SAHANA (the tool that has been successfully implemented during disaster at HAITI) from the vary platform. The OTRC has planned to continue research in telemedicine, tele-education, etc every year with the help of 14 researchers.
In addition to value added performance of OTRC in research, the HLCIT seems active in coordinating and facilitating the formulation of requisite policy responses in order to facilitate ePayment, eCommerce for Small and Medium Enterprises in Nepal. Presently, HLCIT is hosting Government Enterprise Architecture (a fast track which will be responsible for integrating support and services delivered to the public by various ministries and various government agencies lined up including revenues and taxation department with the help of single window national URL), a project under E-Governance Master plan with the help of technical expertise from an International Consultancy, Price Water House Coopers.
Similarly, other active bodies like Computer Association of Nepal, National Information Technology Centre, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Information and Communications and IT Professional Forum are among other pool of ITcrates who have been contributing to the growth of IT sector in Nepal tremendously.
Nevertheless, we cannot keep quiet without praising the value add performance of ITES, BPOs and IT Companies in Nepal, who have been adding up the revenues to the government and equally an employment opportunities to IT graduates within the nation and offshored high end human resources from abroad , that has really got the huge potential of transforming into GSOs( Global Software Organization) and. Government seems paving strategical direction for bringing the eBusiness of these real IT sector contributors under single window system inorder to welcome enormous volume of IT services in Nepal from MNC( Multi National Corporations) with the promotion of business process standardization, quality and business maturity model in their inhouse development as well as at the enterprise level.
The IT industry is sure to progress in the days to come and play a catalytic role in transforming Nepal into a prosperous nation. Therefore, I would like to request the media particularly the news media to accord priority to this sector and give some space in their respective media to protect and promote the knowledge-based industry, knowledge based society and resource poor country like Nepal.
By: Er. Krishna Pandey
