Before IBM, Microcomputer was made in Nepal
“In Nepal on 1970’s decade, the computer was made, knowing this thing you may wonder how. In Computer Hardware of building, world-famous company, IBM made computer with microchips in 1989. However, before two years ago in Nepal, such computer was already made. The manufacturer of that computer Mr. Shakya is showing that computer today also to, too many people.
However, in those days Apple and IBM were struggling for manufacturing of computer, but now they are famous all around the world today, as well as they are enriched with property worth billions. ”
Though, has stepped on the age of 70 years, Computer Scientist Muni Bahadur Shakya is enthusiastic like 25-year-old youth. During the special time he gave us for interview, he was in home busy in Auto Repairing. In his young age, he used to sleep only for three hours and rest of the time he used to spend in study and manufacturing the parts of the computer and till today he sleeps for 6 hours only. The person who was born in 1942 in a common community of Patan is right now the first scientist to invent computer in Nepal. However, Shakya’s talent and contribution couldn’t be able to identify by his own country.
In Nepal on 1970’s decade, the computer was made, knowing this thing you may wonder how. In Computer Hardware of building, world-famous company, IBM made computer with microchips in 1989. However, before two years ago in Nepal, such computer was already made.
The manufacturer of that computer Mr. Shakya is showing that computer today also to, too many people. However, in those days Apple and IBM were struggling for manufacturing of computer, but now they are famous all around the world today, as well as they are enriched with property worth billions. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, just started struggling in world of computer hardware and software then. Today, they have become the world’s wealthiest person and billions of heart pounds for them. However, Muni Bahadur is not being able to introduce himself to his own country.
Through, the state is not able to appreciate the skills of Shakya; he never gave up. For the information technology sector, he is Nepal’s history and a strong southpaw. Though the government was not able to appreciate his talents, he never felt criticized. It’s not that, world media didn’t inform about his computer manufacturing and contribution. He says, ‘I made a computer in 1979, knowing that Japan, China, and other countries’ media featured me and broadcasted the news.” Taking his issue, Nepal and much other foreign press have made a half dozen documentary as well.
In 1980, when the world has just started developing computers, Nepal had already got the person who can manufacture computer. For building a computer and its parts, Shakya established a company named Pioneer Hi-Tech in 1985. The computer parts and materials that the company produced has made his two houses full. He said showing his home, ‘Look, these house has become a factory, but still, the govt has not done any support for its promotion.” The computers that he developed in those days was worth millions of rupees had been confined to a room as a museum piece. However, the current generation is limited to a portable computer, tablet, and smartphone. Computer parts which he manufactured costs billions of rupees, which was not even on sale in all kinds of shops. Not only that but he has made more than a dozen computer hardware and software products.
“In 1980, when world has just started developing computers, Nepal had already got the person who can manufacture computer. For building computer and its parts, Shakya established a company named Pioneer Hi-Tech in 1985. The computer parts and materials that company manufactured, has made his 2 houses full.”
Radio Nepal took total one hour interview and broadcast about his manufacturing of computers. At that time, listening to his interview, Prime Ministers used to call him and praise him for his wonderful work and asked him to display that computer. In front of Prime Minister, specific peoples and the professors of Tribhuwan University, he displayed how a computer can easily add the numbers in a very short time period. Seeing that, everyone were amazed, but still they didn’t show any interest to support and expand his work.
In those days, saying the computer will be developed in Nepal would be like a story, he told himself.
He has manufactured more than a dozen hardware and software products. He also developed software with which work done in one computer, can be seen by more than 200 machines. Like that, he also developed a network which operates on Devanagari Script. The interesting technologies that Shakya developed were Robert, security equipment, and many other computer devices. A brain of the computer, Buffalo computer, supercomputer, Nepali Robots, and green computer are some of the first samples he developed in the field of technology. Meanwhile, he developed a ‘Green Computer’ which consumes less power. Through this computer places including Kalikot and other districts, Telemedicine was being conducted.
In 1986, Shakya introduced an amazing system through which all the spoken things can be written on the computer. Nowadays this trend is prevalent, but now in today’s mobile computing world, Nepali people can find it amusing. Experiencing this system, he said, “When he used to say water, the tank used to throw the litters out of the water.” Perhaps, In Nepal’s education sector there used to be no teaching about micro-computers. However, the system which he made using micro-controllers worked with racism. Selling many of these products in the market, he couldn’t earn much money.
“He also developed a software with which a work done in one computer, can be seen by more than 200 computers. Like that, he also developed a computer which works on Devanagari Script. The interesting technologies that Shakya developed were Robert, security equipment, and many other computer devices. A brain of the computer, Buffalo computer, supercomputer, Nepali Robots and green computer are some of excellent samples he developed in the field of technology.”
At that times, big companies and government organization and government organizations with the thought that computers cannot do anything, didn’t use to buy computer system. However, Shakya made the computer system which were more efficient and cheap than the computers brought from abroad. Meanwhile, he has experience of selling computer worth 85 thousand rupees to the Ministry of Finance in 1 986. Though Nepali’s disagrees, many foreign organizations and individuals who have bought his products. One of the organization linked with UN has purchased five hundred computer with Shakya.
For reaching to this mode of life, Shakya has worked and studied very hard. Because of his hard work and research Shakya has got this successful. As a saying -a plant with smooth-leaf can grow, since a very early age, Shakya was very much interested in studies. In 1965, Tejila Shakya graduated in Radio Electronics course from India. Likewise, he did C. Engineering from Britain in 1972. After the engineering course from India when he came back to Nepal, from 1969 to the other five years, he has worked as a chief technician in Radio Nepal. In the term of doing the job in 1975 BS Shakya has worked in National News Agency (RSS) for a few years. The situation couldn’t stop him from doing his work. He spent a year in France to study in 1978. While staying in France and the United States, he has praised their new technology developments. As a result, returning in his land Nepal, using the microchips Shakya manufactured computer and surprised many people.
“In last Baisakh 20, on the occasion of ICT day, Computer Association of Nepal honored Shakya with “ICT Business Excellence Award 2012′. It is an honor from the president with a special interest, this moment was a great pleasure for him. His office is filled with certificates. Seeing more than two dozen honor certificates my heart leaped with joy. “
He also has a bitter experience of getting criticized by the leaders of Nepal saying, Can a computer be manufactured in Nepal? Once when Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, he asked for 5% discount for making computer labs and importing equipment from abroad, but he didn’t showed any interest in it. Shakya takes this event, still fresh. Remembering then finance minister’s quotes Shakya shares his experience. “If this provision is provided then all Nepali will start working in the computer sector then were all how remittances will come from abroad, so don’t ask for such nonsense demand,” this way Shakya got an answer. Instead of saying, in what capacity we can build technology to pull the world economy, here government is trying to discourage him. May be because of this only, Shakya has got no interest in politics.
He gets irritated of current political situation. In meeting with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, he has showed rays of hope to Shakya. Dr. PM during the meeting. Bhattarai is very helpful and the possibility that the Shakya. If the government gave the permission then, the wasted park of Banepa can be made IT factory, said Shakya.
The Government couldn’t even send the Jeewan Jal costing only 10 rupees in Karnali region, hundreds of people lost their lives prematurely, remembering this tragedy only Shakya manufactured Green Computer plans to launch telemedicine. With this Plan, in Kalikot, and some districts he was able to save thousands of lives, his heart fills with jot hearts filled with joy remembering this. Showing Green computer and telemedicine room he said ‘This is my next ambitious plan. “This movement of saving immediate death of people in the rural zone of Nepal, his mind gets relieved. If talking about satisfaction then a human should never get satisfied. Still having thoughts of doing more new and good work Shakya has never got satisfied. However, he has often become sad and sometimes pleased. Life is full of suffering and happiness, all things combine to borrow the experience, and he became stronger.
“After the engineering course from India when he came back to Nepal, from 1969 to other five years he has worked as a chief technician in Radio Nepal. In the term of doing job in 1975 BS Shakya has worked in National News Agency (RSS) for a few years. The job couldn’t stop him from doing his work.”
“When someone criticizes the work done by somebody at that time Shakya gets deeply hurt. Many times, the leader of Nepal and others took his production lightly. But Shakya never stopped working hard. Hard work has given many proclamations to him. The honor given by media is much greater, says Shakya. Shakya who developed Devanagari script got a special honor from RONASH. Similarly, two years ago the ICT Association of Nepal was also honored him. In the last Baisakh 20, on the occasion of ICT day, Computer Association of Nepal honored Shakya with “ICT Business Excellence Award 2012′. It is an honor from a president with particular interest; this moment was a great pleasure for him. His office is filled with certificates. They see more than 2 dozen honor certificates my heart leaped with joy.
In life, he has visited America more than twenty times. Bringing the things that he learned in a foreign country to Nepal, and he has shown a possibility in the world of computers at the time. The husband of 2 wives & father of three sons & daughters. He has not got enough of youth age.
Though he didn’t wanted to tell his age, he mentioned that he was born on 2nd September. He feels that, he is a proud father whose two sons are working in the reputed IT companies of America. He has got many other dreams to fulfil. The person, who developed computer in Nepal, Mr. Shakya feels that there is possibility of great future ahead. The person who never take back steps said that if he get the support from the government then still he can do many inventions in IT sector. Though country’s situation made him feel low, he said from heart, “Maybe, I was born before the time of Nepal.”