Social entrepreneur Mahabir Pun, who has been fundraising for the operation of the National Innovation Centre, has announced the donation of his land worth Rs32 million for the purpose.

Several plots of land that he owns in Majhthana of Kaski district measure 27 ropanis in total. Pun, a pioneer in wireless internet technology, made the announcement on his Facebook page after the government paid no heed to his repeated requests for fund. The centre was set up four years ago to “tap the talent and creativity of innovative people and scientists in Nepal”.

“I am encouraged by the support of the people,” he told the Post. “The land can be utilised either by selling it for cash or for building infrastructure for the centre.”

Pun’s mother lives in a house in Chitwan gifted by her brother while his wife and two daughters live in a rented apartment in Pokhara. The land is the only property of the Magsaysay award winner.

The non-profit organisation aims to create a database for “innovative knowledge, technology transfer and promotion and commercialisation of innovations”.

Pun won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for connecting villages of Myagdi district through wireless technology. He introduced e-learning and telemedicine in the areas where there was no telephone service.

“We have focused our works on improving the lives of the rural people, with emphasis on education, capacity-building and income generation,” said Pun. “I am trying to show the way to the community.”