" Pun dedicates Magsaysay award to mother, birthplace "
BIRENDRANAGAR (CHITWAN), Aug 2 - Immediately after Mahabir Pun came to know that he had bagged the most coveted prize of Asia, he left for Chitwan on Tuesday. Without bothering to inform his friends and well-wishers in Kathmandu about the cancellation of pre-scheduled meetings, 52-year-old Pun, one of the winners of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2007, left for Chitwan to visit his 80-year-old mother Purbi Pun.
"Love from anyone is important for me. But the affection I get from my mother is something special that helps me attain the pinnacle of success," Pun, winner of the award, which is regarded as Nobel Prize of Asia, expressed in a sentimental tone.
"Wherever I go, I believe I am always with my mother. That faith helps me achieve my mission," he told The Kathmandu Post, adding, "So, I quietly left Kathmandu canceling all my meetings with some VIPs without prior notice."
Upon arrival at Birendranagar VDC of Chitwan on Tuesday evening, Pun stated he was not much interested in estimating the importance of the award. "But, it will certainly help fulfill the dreams of my mother and my birthplace, Myagdi," he added.
Myagdi is the land where he is learning many things about communication, agriculture, farming and tourism, according to him. "I have not lost so far. I am learning and winning simultaneously," he added. His octogenarian mother, Purbi, said, "I am really glad to see my son on television."
Pun explained that sentimental attachment with the birthplace ties him to Myagdi, while his mother's affection draws him to Chitwan. The Pun family has been staying in Chitwan for the last 40 years.
On completion of his Masters' degree in the United States, he taught for 12 years in Chitwan. After that he left for Myagdi to serve at his birthplace, Ramche village.
"Three things are essential for the development of a remote place - education, communication and finance," he said, adding communication is needed to disseminate education and finance is the backbone for supporting the development of both these things.
Currently, he has been running several projects in Ramche, Sikha, Histan and Ghara VDCs in Myagdi jointly with local communities.
However, Myagdi, is not the only destination of his mission. Rather, he has prepared development plans for 17 other remote districts.
When asked how would utilize the money he will receive in Manila on August 31? He was quick to reply, "This is the prize for the villagers of Myagdi. I wish to spend it on information technology. However, I will do whatever they command me to do. Let's see, what they want."
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