Career and Entrepreneurship: Mahabir Pun | Class 11 English

The text highlights the inspiring journey of Mahabir Pun, a Magsaysay Award winner and a pioneer of wireless technology in rural Nepal. After returning from the US, Pun chose to serve his remote village, Nangi, rather than pursuing a lucrative corporate career. 

He is best known for the Nepal Wireless Networking Project, which connected Himalayan villages to the internet, providing access to e-learning, healthcare, and communication.

Pun's philosophy emphasizes that for a nation to prosper, it must foster a culture of innovation. Through his leadership at the National Innovation Center (NIC), he advocates for keeping talented youth in Nepal by providing them with a support system to turn creative ideas into reality. 

This unit serves as a blueprint for young entrepreneurs wanting to make a social impact.

👉 Also Read: NEB Class 11 English New Syllabus All Chapter Notes

Ways with Words

A. Find the words from the text which mean the following:

• Comfortable: Making you feel physically relaxed; pleasant to wear, sit on, etc.

• Graduated: Having a degree from the university.

• Independently: Without being connected with or influenced by something or by each other.

• Innovation: The introduction of new things, ideas, or ways of doing something.

• Acquainted: Familiar with something, having read, seen, or experienced it.

• Entrepreneur: A person who makes money by starting or running businesses, especially when this involves taking financial risks.

• Platform: An opportunity or a place for somebody to express their opinions publicly or make progress.

• Utilize: To use something, especially for a practical purpose.

B. Write the plural forms of the following nouns:

Comprehension

Answer the following questions:

a. How did Mahabir Pun begin his lifelong journey in Nepal after coming back from the US?

After returning from the US with a degree, Pun began his journey by volunteering as a teacher in his home village of Nangi in the Myagdi district. He dedicated himself to helping the local community establish a high school.

b. Why didn't he want to work for other companies in the US or in Nepal?

He rejected corporate jobs because he wanted to work independently and do something meaningful on his own. He preferred creating social value for human beings over pursuing a "so-called" better living through a standard paycheck.

c. Why did he involve in innovation?

He involved himself in innovation as a practical way to find solutions for the everyday problems faced by rural communities, such as the lack of communication and education.

d. What are the income-generating programmes that he helped to start?

He initiated several local ventures including Yak farming, cheese and jam production, paper making, beekeeping, vegetable farming, handicraft production, and building camping grounds for trekkers.

e. Whose support is Pun getting to proceed with his campaign?

Mahabir Pun primarily relies on the support and participation of the local communities and volunteers to proceed with his social and innovative campaigns.

f. How have the developed countries become prosperous?

Developed nations have achieved prosperity by giving top priority to research and innovation. They invest massive amounts of capital and resources into these fields to drive economic growth.

g. How can we keep the most talented and innovative people in Nepal?

We can retain talent by creating a "sound solid atmosphere" and a robust support system. Providing resources and a peaceful environment allows creative minds to work on their projects within the country.

Critical Thinking

a. Pun says, “We do not have a culture of innovation that encourages young people to be innovative and creative.” Do you agree with him? Explain.

An innovation culture is part of the corporate and social framework that determines how much creativity is supported by leadership. It is the decisive factor for any successful advancement. Unfortunately, I agree with Pun’s assessment. In Nepal, the development process is slow because our education system remains largely focused on theoretical classroom learning and rote memorization.

Innovative thinking is often sidelined. Thousands of students leave the country annually because industrialized nations offer the research-based education and investment that Nepal lacks. Our social culture often discourages taking risks, leading young people to believe there are no possibilities for growth at home. To change this, as Pun suggests, we must shift our focus from being consumers of technology to being creators.

b. What qualities does an individual need to become an entrepreneur?

Becoming an entrepreneur requires more than just a creative idea; it requires a specific set of attributes and abilities. Firstly, a successful entrepreneur must have vision—the ability to see a product or service's potential success before it even exists.

Secondly, perseverance is essential. The path to starting a business is filled with difficulties like cash flow issues and management hurdles. One must have the grit to never give up when faced with deadlines or failures. Discipline and time management are also key; an entrepreneur must know when to work hard and when to delegate tasks effectively to maximize profit. Lastly, they must possess a sense of grace and leadership that earns the respect of their peers and competitors. By combining hard work with a love for the task, an individual can overcome the risks and become a successful entrepreneur.

Grammar: Tense & Been/Gone

E. Use the correct tense of the verbs in brackets:

a. I don’t know where Muna is. Have you seen her?

b. Janak wasn’t very well last week.

c. Last night I lost my keys. So I stayed in my friend’s home.

d. I have lost my keys. Can you help me look for them?

e. I have known Jamuna for three years. We still meet once a month.

f. She lived in Sikkim when she was a child.

g. A: What’s wrong? B: I have broken a glass.

h. A: When did you arrive? B: At 10 pm last night.

i. How long have you known Sarmila for?

j. This is the first time I have driven a car.

F. Use been or gone:

a. I’ve never been to Japan. (Visit and return)

b. Kalpana has gone to Korea. She may come back next year. (Still there)

c. A: Where’s Rachana? B: She has gone to the shops. (Still there)

d. Harina was here earlier but I think she has gone now. (Left the place)

e. Have you ever been to London? (Past visit)