Communication and Technology and its development in Nepal

Communication is a essential structure of development. It means passing of information, instruction, knowledge, though, wisdom or idea of a person to another. In a sense, education itself is a part of communication. Nowadays there are various means of communication, also known as media, like newspapers, radio, television, satellites, telephone, telegram, fax, email, internet, postal services etc. Due to the advanced means of communication, the world is becoming smaller and smaller. People livin in different parts of world are acquainted with what is happening in other parts. We can talk to the people living in America, Japan or Australia from out home. We can watch in television what is happening in any part of world.

Compared to the advanced countries of the world, we are lagging far behind in communication system. Whatever system we have developed, these are limited to the capital city and some other major towns of the country like Pokhara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Bhairahawa etc. One of the most effective and easy accessible means of communication is the radio service for the Nepalese in the remote area. Radio Nepal was established in 1951. Today its services are available in all over the country. Due to high mountains the radio waves get disturbed and cannot be received on the other side of the mountains. For this a strong system has been installed at Kathmandu and several transmission centers have been established at Pokhara, surkhet, Dhankuta, Gauridanda and Dipayal, nowadays FM radio programs is gaining popularity not only in the Kathmandu valley but also in other major cities of the country. Kantipur FM, Hits FM, Sagarmatha FM, KATH, Annapurna FM, Koshi FM, Good News FM, Radio Madan Pokhara are amongst the popular FM bands in Nepal. Besides many communities FM programs have also been established in various parts of the country.

Nepal Television was established in 1985. It is a bit expensive compared to radio and is available in all major cities of the kingdom. Even in villages where electricity is not available, some people watch television with the help of batteries. Television transmission centers have been established in Pokhara, Palpa, Biratnagar, Ilam and Surkhet. Such centers supply the TV programs transmitted from Kathmandu to the public. These centers also give their programs in regional languages.