Kathmandu, Sept. 22 -- Soon after being recommended as the minister for education, science and technology, Mahabir Pun took to Facebook asking people not to congratulate him.

Known for his blunt remarks, he wrote: "Please don't call me a minister. If you really want to, call me the scrap scientist minister."

Pun, who has spent decades promoting innovation in Nepal, founded the National Innovation Centre in 2012 and has worked in fields ranging from drones and biomedical research to agriculture and education. During the Covid-19 pandemic, his centre helped repair malfunctioning ventilators when hospitals faced shortages.

Born in 1955 in Nagi, Myagdi, Pun studied locally until grade seven before moving to Chitwan. After teaching for 12 y...