Balen Shah (Nepali: बालेन्द्र शाह) is a Nepalese rapper, structural engineer, and politician. He is currently serving as the 15th mayor of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.
Early life and education
Balen Shah was born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu, Nepal. He attended V.S Niketan Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu for his high school education. He then went on to study structural engineering at the White House Institute of Science and Technology, where he graduated in 2013. He then went on to earn a master’s degree in structural engineering from the Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belgaum, India.
Career
Balen Shah began his career as a rapper in the early 2010s. He quickly became one of the most popular rappers in Nepal, known for his freestyle rap battles and his social commentary. He also released several albums and singles, including the hit song “Aaina”. In addition to his music career, Shah also worked as a structural engineer. He founded his own company, Balen Consulting & Construction Pvt Ltd., in 2016.
Political career
In 2022, Balen Shah announced his candidacy for the mayor of Kathmandu as an independent candidate. He ran on a platform of change and reform, promising to address the city’s problems such as waste management, traffic congestion, and corruption. Shah’s campaign was successful, and he was elected mayor on May 26, 2022. He is the first independent candidate to be elected mayor of Kathmandu.
Personal life
Balen Shah is married to Savita Kafle. They have one son together.
Legacy
Balen Shah is a popular and controversial figure in Nepal. He is praised by some for his honesty and his commitment to change. However, he is also criticized by others for his lack of experience and his outspokenness. Regardless of his critics, Shah is a force to be reckoned with in Nepali politics. He is a symbol of hope for many young people who are tired of the old guard and are looking for change.
Balen Shah is a controversial figure, but he is also a popular one. He is seen by many as a symbol of hope for a new generation of Nepali leaders. He is young, energetic, and unafraid to speak his mind. He is also a successful businessman and a talented rapper.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Balen Shah. However, he is a force to be reckoned with in Nepali politics. He is a symbol of hope for many young people who are tired of the old guard and are looking for change.
How he became mayor
Balen Shah’s victory in the 2022 Kathmandu mayoral election was a surprise to many. He was an independent candidate running against two well-funded and well-connected candidates from the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist). However, Shah’s campaign was successful because he was able to connect with voters on a personal level. He spoke to their concerns about the city’s problems and promised to bring about change. He also ran a clean campaign, free of corruption and scandal.
Shah’s victory was a sign of the growing dissatisfaction with the traditional political parties in Nepal. Voters were looking for someone who was not part of the establishment and who would bring about real change. Shah was able to fill that void, and he is now the mayor of Kathmandu.
Since winning the mayoral election in May 2022, Balen Shah has taken on a number of initiatives to address the problems facing Kathmandu. Here are some of his most notable accomplishments:
- Reducing traffic congestion: Shah has launched a number of initiatives to reduce traffic congestion in Kathmandu, including banning the use of old and polluting vehicles, creating new bus routes, and expanding the city’s public transportation system.
- Improving waste management: Shah has also taken steps to improve waste management in Kathmandu. He has ordered the closure of illegal landfills and has launched a campaign to encourage people to segregate their waste.
- Restoring historical sites: Shah has also pledged to restore Kathmandu’s historical sites, which have been neglected for years. He has already begun work on restoring the Patan Durbar Square, one of the most important historical sites in Nepal.
- Providing free education: Shah has also promised to provide free education to all children in Kathmandu. He has already started working on this initiative by providing free textbooks and uniforms to students in the city.
These are just some of the accomplishments of Balen Shah since winning the mayoral election. He has made a significant impact on Kathmandu in a short period of time, and he is likely to continue to make a difference in the city in the years to come.
Here are some of the challenges that Balen Shah faces as the mayor of Kathmandu:
- Corruption: Kathmandu is a city with a long history of corruption. Shah has pledged to fight corruption, but he will face a difficult task in doing so.
- Lack of resources: Kathmandu is a poor city with limited resources. Shah will need to find ways to fund his initiatives without raising taxes or increasing the city’s debt.
- Political opposition: Shah is a popular figure, but he also has his critics. He will need to build a consensus among the various political parties in Kathmandu in order to be successful.
Despite these challenges, Balen Shah has made a promising start as the mayor of Kathmandu. He is a young, energetic, and innovative leader who is determined to make a difference in the city. He has the potential to be a transformative figure in Nepali politics.
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Recent controversy
In June 2023, Balen Shah sparked controversy when he threatened to ban the screening of the Hindi film “Adipurush” in Nepal. The film, which is based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, has been criticized by some for its portrayal of Sita as a princess from India. Shah argued that the film was disrespectful to Nepali culture and that it should not be shown in the country.
The controversy led to a debate about the role of India in Nepali culture. Some people argued that the film was a harmless piece of entertainment, while others argued that it was a deliberate attempt to erase Nepali culture. The controversy also raised questions about the power of the mayor of Kathmandu and the role of the federal government in regulating the film industry.
Response from the government
The government of Nepal responded to the controversy by saying that it would not ban the film. However, the government did say that it would review the film to see if it violated any laws. The government also said that it would create a committee to study the issue of cultural appropriation in Nepal.
Other controversies
In addition to the controversy surrounding the film “Adipurush”, Balen Shah has also been involved in other controversies. In July 2022, he was criticized for displaying a map of Greater Nepal at his office. Greater Nepal is a historical term for a larger Nepal that includes parts of India and China. The display of the map was seen by some as a provocation to India and China.
Shah has also been criticized for his outspokenness. He has been known to make controversial statements about a variety of topics, including religion, politics, and culture. His outspokenness has made him a polarizing figure in Nepal.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the film “Adipurush” is a reminder of the complex relationship between Nepal and India. The two countries share a long history and a common culture, but they also have different political systems and different cultural values. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of the mayor of Kathmandu and the power of the federal government in regulating the film industry. It remains to be seen how the government of Nepal will address these issues.
Balen Shah, the mayor of Kathmandu, placed a map of Greater Nepal in his office. Greater Nepal is a historical term for a larger Nepal that includes parts of India and China. The display of the map was seen by some as a provocation to India and China.
Shah has defended his decision, saying that he is simply trying to raise awareness of Nepal’s history and culture. He has also said that he does not support any kind of military action to reclaim the lost territories.
The display of the map has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised Shah for his courage, while others have criticized him for stirring up tensions between Nepal and its neighbors.
The issue of Greater Nepal is a complex one. There is no easy answer to the question of whether or not Nepal should reclaim the lost territories. However, the display of the map by Balen Shah has certainly sparked a debate about Nepal’s history and its future.
Here are some of the arguments for and against the idea of Greater Nepal:
Arguments in favor of Greater Nepal:
- Nepal is a historically and culturally united land. The territories that are now part of India and China were once part of Nepal.
- The people living in these territories are ethnically and linguistically Nepali.
- The display of the map by Balen Shah has shown that there is a strong public support for Greater Nepal.
Arguments against Greater Nepal:
- The territories that are now part of India and China have been independent for centuries.
- The people living in these territories have their own distinct cultures and identities.
- Reclaiming these territories would be a costly and bloody war.
- It would damage Nepal’s relations with its neighbors.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to reclaim the lost territories is up to the people of Nepal. However, the display of the map by Balen Shah has certainly sparked a debate about Nepal’s history and its future.
Balen Shah is a young, charismatic, and energetic leader who is determined to change Kathmandu for the better. He has a long road ahead of him, but he has the potential to make a real difference in the city.
FAQ’s
Here are the answers to your questions about Balen Shah:
- Total vote: Balen Shah won the 2022 Kathmandu mayoral election with 61,767 votes, defeating Nepali Congress candidate Sirjana Singh and CPN (UML) candidate Keshav Sthapit.
- Cast: Balen Shah is from the Newar ethnic group.
- Father’s name: Balen Shah’s father’s name is Yubaraj Shah.
- Wife’s education: Balen Shah’s wife, Savita Kafle, is a doctor.
- Net worth: Balen Shah’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million.
Here are some additional details about Balen Shah:
- He was born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- He attended V.S Niketan Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu for his high school education.
- He then went on to study structural engineering at the White House Institute of Science and Technology, where he graduated in 2013.
- He then went on to earn a master’s degree in structural engineering from the Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belgaum, India.
- He began his career as a rapper in the early 2010s.
- He quickly became one of the most popular rappers in Nepal, known for his freestyle rap battles and his social commentary.
- He also released several albums and singles, including the hit song “Aaina”.
- In addition to his music career, Shah also worked as a structural engineer. He founded his own company, Balen Consulting & Construction Pvt Ltd., in 2016.
- In 2022, Balen Shah announced his candidacy for the mayor of Kathmandu as an independent candidate.
- He ran on a platform of change and reform, promising to address the city’s problems such as waste management, traffic congestion, and corruption.
- Shah’s campaign was successful, and he was elected mayor on May 26, 2022. He is the first independent candidate to be elected mayor of Kathmandu.
- Balen Shah is a popular and controversial figure in Nepal. He is praised by some for his honesty and his commitment to change. However, he is also criticized by others for his lack of experience and his outspokenness. Regardless of his critics, Shah is a force to be reckoned with in Nepali politics. He is a symbol of hope for many young people who are tired of the old guard and are looking for change.
