Bikram Shrestha is a well-known and respected figure in Nepal’s fast changing digital landscape as well as its financial sector. He has dedicated his life and profession for over 25 years to the goal of transforming the internet into a place that is inclusive, powerful, and accessible to all people in Nepal. His specialization is at the nexus of two important domains: online activism and traditional banking. Bikram has been a key player in Nepal’s continuous digital transformation by deftly fusing his extensive knowledge of finance with his intense passion for digital technology. His work helped in the improvement of the nation’s financial systems and promoted greater digital inclusion, ensuring that everyone may take use of the opportunities provided by the internet, regardless of whether they live in a big metropolitan or a small town. Bikram has set the foundation for a sustainable digital future that prioritizes innovation, equity, and community involvement in addition to helping to create a more connected Nepal. His leadership continues to encourage people all throughout the country to recognize technology as a vehicle for positive change in society and the economy.
The Beginning: A Young Hetauda Dreamer
Hetauda, a town in Nepal, is where Bikram’s story with the internet began when he was just a teenager. He took the risk of founding Hetauda’s first Internet service provider (ISP) in 1999 when he was just 19 years old. At this time, the majority of people in Nepal were still unfamiliar with the internet. In the future, Bikram says “I will never forget the day a local tailor saw the internet for the first time.” It was a small but significant moment. His eyes glowed with excitement. It was like unlocking the entire globe, not just logging on to the internet. Bikram saw in that short moment the internet’s actual potential as a gateway to fresh knowledge and opportunities, not just as a tool. His life’s work to make the internet accessible to all Nepalis, regardless of their language or place of residence, was given life by it.
Taking the Lead for Nepal on the International Internet Stage
Bikram has surpassed Hetauda in his passion and determination. At ICANN, the international body in charge of overseeing the internet’s domain name system the mechanism that allows us to locate websites by their names he proudly represents Nepal today. As part of his position, Bikram ensures that Nepal’s particular needs and opinions are heard in significant global debates that influence how the internet functions for all users.Bikram Shrestha is convinced that everyone in Nepal, regardless of where people reside or what language they speak, the internet should be a secure, friendly, and really helpful place. The internet, in his opinion, is much more than a collection of networks or technology; it is an essential lifeline that brings back distant family members, enables small enterprises to expand their customer base, and contributes to the conservation of Nepal’s different communities’ rich cultural legacy.“Every rule or policy we create online has a direct impact on real people,” he frequently tells others around him, a straightforward but powerful truth. These are not invisible ideas or distant ideas; they are the grandchildren in distant districts who read the news and communicate with their loved ones in their native tongues, the businessmen in working Kathmandu who use digital platforms to sell their goods to the world, and the students in isolated mountain villages who depend on the internet to access education and knowledge.
For Bikram, the goal of keeping the internet accessible, safe, and inclusive is based on compassion and understanding. For him, the internet serves as a bridge that connects people who may otherwise be left behind and offers them chances, hope, and connection. His daily work is motivated by this human-centered approach, which encourages him to support laws and technological advancements that safeguard users, promote confidence, and honor Nepal’s distinct cultural character. According to him, the internet is about people’s lives, their goals, and their capacity for success in a world that is becoming more and more digital it is not simply about bits and data.
Fighting for Nepal to Have a Safer Internet
Internet security is one of the main issues Bikram has handled. He addressed a global audience at ICANN 74, a significant ICANN meeting in June 2022, about the threats posed by cyberattacks such as virus and phishing that risk Nepal’s expanding digital environment. He told a heartwarming tale: “A village shopkeeper nearly lost all of her savings due to an internet hoax. Trust plays a crucial role in Nepal. A single attack can destroy years of work.” Because of Bikram’s work, ICANN is now focusing more on offering security solutions that meet the requirements of underdeveloped nations like Nepal. His efforts contribute to the protection of people’s finances, information, and peace as Nepal adopts new technologies.
Bringing Nepal’s Languages to the Internet
There are many different languages and cultures in Nepal. A vital component of identity is language, whether it be Nepali, Maithili, Newari, or many others. But because English has long dominated the internet, many Nepalese find it difficult to fully engage online. In an effort to overcome this, Bikram has advocated for Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), which enable the writing of website addresses in local scripts.
He explains this with great warmth
“Imagine a child in a remote village typing a website address in Nepali script. That’s not just about access; it’s about feeling like you truly belong on the internet.”
At ICANN, Bikram Shrestha has been an active and consistent supporter of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) since 2019. He has worked hard to encourage the adoption and broad use of IDNs in Nepal. He recognizes that language is the foundation of culture, identity, and belonging and is more than just a tool for communication. Bikram is contributing to the development of an internet that accurately represents Nepal’s rich cultural legacy and linguistic variety by supporting IDNs, which enable website addresses to be written in Nepali and other regional scripts.His efforts to ensure that the digital world is not a closed-off area where English is the only language spoken, but rather a friendly setting where everyone, from rural populations to urban professionals, can use the language they are most comfortable with to browse the web. By facilitating the full participation of millions of Nepalese in the digital age, Bikram is promoting a sense of pride, inclusivity, and unity throughout the country.
A Vision That Goes Beyond Technology
Bikram Shrestha’s passionate idea that technology should assist people rather than dominate them is what really sets his work apart. He is aware that there is a real person with hopes, dreams, and daily challenges behind every online connection. Kindness, patience, and a sincere desire to create an environment where everyone may thrive are hallmarks of his leadership.
By working hard and having a clear vision, Bikram is helping Nepal in not just keeping up with the digital world but also reshaping it to respect its people, languages, and culture. His narrative serves as a reminder that even one individual may pave the way for a better, more connected future for everyone if they are passionate and determined.