NIUG - Indreni / Introduction Section

[ Nepal Internet Users Group Logo ]

To serve a larger group of people in search of information who do not have access to the Internet or for whom the option was too expensive, NIUG introduced INDRENI, a free intranet service. This public intranet service was a pioneering initiative and is/was the only one of its kind providing access to information at no cost till date.

The Nepali Intranet, popularly known as 'Indreni', meaning rainbow in Nepali, was funded by ICIMOD through the Electronic Networking Project. INDRENI was established in 1998 as a platform for on-line information sharing and publishing, as well as for indigenous Research & Development in Nepal. It offers a low-cost alternative to the Internet and has the potential to reach the masses. Small businesses, students, and individuals can benefit from this low cost option. It also provides Nepali IT professionals with a platform through which new ideas can be researched and developed. 'Indreni' aims to change the Nepali IT scenario in the country in the long run. It is a new way of providing information and is in itself, a unique endeavor.

Indreni has been providing valuable services by linking organizations and building up knowledge societies. Resource can be shared in a cost effective manner. The vision of Indreni is to become the 'On-line Learning Center / Library' - enabling organizations to learn from experiences and have access to the latest information.

An added benefit will be the promotion of the IT role in the development process. This has special relevance as the development of the IT Sector can act as a catalyst for the overall economic growth of Nepal.

Local information on local issues and concerns is available on Indreni which is housed locally at NIUG premises. Indreni is not linked directly to the global Internet.

[ Indreni - the Nepali Intranet screen shot ]
- Indreni - the Nepali Intranet screen shot -

However, the method of accessing information is similar to that of accessing information on the Internet. The same tools are used for browsing and searching. Information is stored on Web pages in Web Sites, and you can navigate to different pages using hyperlinks.

Until April 1999, NIUG will be piloting the concept and technology on a limited basis within the Kathmandu. The Indreni system is being developed as a one-stop comprehensive information store for everyone. It aims to provide a platform through which information is published and made available on varied topics like business, environment, development, and education. The idea is to develop various centers of information throughout Nepal through the implementation of an Intranet in each district, to connect these centers to establish a nationwide network of information publishing, and ultimately to connect this information structure to the Internet. Thus information from the ground up would for once be published and shared.

Indreni will create an electronic provision for basic information as well. This means there will be a publicly accessible infrastructure; a knowledge base that can be used by all concerned in furthering the development of the country. The knowledge base, facilitated by the electronic searching and indexing capabilities, would provide users with valuable information in access to information on work carried out by NGOs and INGOs. Public inputs would add value to the information. The knowledge available publicly could fill the vacuum that exists and also bridge the information gap. At present, 'Indreni' has promoted the idea of a ground-up approach to information production. At the same time a lot needs to be done to completely redefine the information flow. It will take a lot more time to achieve this, but a good start has been made.

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