Nepal has its ICT sixth National Day today, October 10, 2024, with a theme that focuses on the ICT embarking on secure technologies towards good governance and prosperity. In honor of this immense day in the country’s technological annual calendar, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has institutionalized multiple programs.
To ensure ICT Day is held this year, the theme selected is Secure Information Technology, Good Governance and Prosperity, alongside the government’s seeks to popularize the use of ICTs in development amidst a rise in insecurity. As the representative of the Ministry, Namgay Netra Prasad Subedi highlighted that the day is observed to advocate ICT as the enabler for the country’s growth and to talk about the measures that could be taken in regard to cyber crimes.
The organizing committee has also been prepared for the ICT Day Main Programme Committee, which is represented by the secretary of the Ministry, Krishna Bahadur Raut. This will involve general talks about the current developments in technology, workshops on security concerns in the technological world, and displays of local technological developments. The biggest highlight of the celebrations will be the honoring of personalities and institutions that have done excellent work in the popularization and growth of the ICT sector in Nepal.
Thus, the choice of the topic this year is most appropriate because the tendencies of the governments’ advanced digitalization of services and the growth of the use of technologies in all spheres of the Nepalese economy are observed. In order to ensure that citizens are able to use technologies in connecting with the government, free from fear of cyber criminals, the government of India has set its goal on secure information technology.
ICT has its roots in Nepal from 2028 BS (1971 AD) with the introduction of the computers in the country. One of the earliest achievements in the field of technology in Nepal was the formation of the computer association of Nepal CAN on the May 2/1992. Since then, Nepal has come a long way to implement digital technologies beneficial in ICT sector contributing to the Nepalese development plan.
In the past few years, Nepal has gradually set its foot forward towards embracing its vision of what it calls “Digital Nepal” in light of the National Information and Communication Technology Policy. This vision includes such provisions and actions as developing a broadband internet for rural populations, increasing computer literacy, and supporting the emergence of a vigorous technology start-up market.
However, the celebration of ICT Day came at a time when Nepal started experiencing a spurt of tech growth. Startup activity has grown significantly in the country with customer sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, and edtech. These new-generation companies are not only absorbing young people but also helping to incorporate digital solutions into the existing system of the country.
Nonetheless, as the process gets IT-enabled, the issue of security comes into the picture. The issues of the ICT security during the year’s ICT Day is One of the areas that were highlighted indicates that the government has considered this as an important factor. It has been stated that representatives of both the state and commercial organizations will contribute to the discussion on future safety measures for data storage and IT system security mechanisms.
The ICT Day celebrations also act as a form of pointer to the fact that there is more to be accomplished. However, serious challenges remain in Nepal’s digital transition including digital innovation committee split between urban and rural areas of the country, lack of skilled IT professionals, and the need to foster an environment that would support digital innovation.
Once again, Nepal remains committed to technology to foster economic prosperity and social advancement. The National ICT Day is a platform for fostering stakeholders from all sectors of the technological domain. These celebrations play the role of dialogue and communication, recognising achievements as well as addressing the challenges that contribute to shaping Nepal’s future in its digital fields.
The National ICT Day is proof that Nepal is ready and fully prepared to embrace technology as a tool for country development. Reflective on the technological advancement and the discovery of a vision of a technological future for Nepal, discussion for security, good governance & prosperity provides the comprehensive approach encompassing the information communication technology for ICT’s NSSD imperative to Nepal’s development agenda.
