From a civil engineer cum rapper, Balendra Shah popularly known as Balen Shah has now become an overnight sensation as the beacon of hope for Nepal’s youth. His blend of creativity and activism with practical expertise propelled him from the music scene to the mayor’s office to inspire a new generation to believe in change and innovation.
One of the biggest moments came about when Balen Shah won the mayoral election, and in no time, he turned out to be a ray of hope amongst the youth. Many Nepali people started believing that he could be one of their potential future Prime Ministers.
It was due to his craze many other independent candidates in local-level elections got a boost and most importantly RSP led by Rabi Lamichhane was able to secure 21 seats in the Lower House following his craze and the belief for the new and independent candidate over traditional old parties.
Analysing Balen’s tenure
This whole new style of political behaviour stirred up the inspiration in many, especially those who were looking for some change. However, the continuous irritation to people has been his philosophy of making decisions and then going on to inform others. Although that is exciting energy and a flood of ideas, it remains to be seen whether this kind of independent approach would work on larger and more complex challenges in national governance.
Whether Balen Shah deserves the attention he is getting is a matter of debate. For many, especially the youth, he signifies a shift from traditional politics. People also applaud him for focusing on vital issues such as cleanliness, taking stern action against the land grabbers, and making government meetings transparent. His effort to reshape education in government schools and the effectiveness of government hospitals for the poor moved many. But, more than for any other reason, with his blend of being a civil engineer and a rapper, Balen is especially in touch with ordinary people; with his candid ideas, he has become some kind of flag of hope for the tired political class.
Not everyone, however, is convinced. Some say that his confrontational style and difficulties in working with the central government delay certain projects. His decisions to remove the underground shops without giving proper compensation and his response to the recent floods in Kathmandu have been questionable. The dire condition of the Teku River is evident to it. Although his ideas sound fresh, many feel that they have not been put into practice as smoothly as anticipated. Balen has indeed brought new energy into Nepali politics, but whether he lives up to the hype remains yet to be seen.
So far, the tenure of Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has been bold yet tumultuous. Some of the orders that he issued, for instance, an infrastructure ambulance service and improving conditions in public toilets, have already received major setbacks. For example, the announcement of the infrastructure ambulance service saw very poor implementation, while the decision to remove unauthorised shops without due compensation met with a storm of protests.
While his efforts to internationalise festivals like Tihar and Indra Jatra showed great vision during his election campaign, no visible steps have been taken in this direction so far. If he has been working on this quietly behind the scenes, that would be promising, but on the surface, there has not been any noticeable progress.
Similarly, the much-publicised plan to make Kathmandu a 24-hour city and develop efficient public transport is running behind schedule, with several raising questions about its effectiveness and practical viability. Second, the manner Balen handled the recent floods left much to be desired; his leadership during the rescue operation in his city was criticised as ineffective and disorganised.
However, probably the most urgent issue which has not seen much daylight under Balen’s stewardship is the issue of waste management. His confronting style of tackling the entrenched system has won him allies and critics in equal measure, with public dissatisfaction palpable at times when such decisions were reached without research or public consultation. Despite these barriers, Balen’s tenure so far means a fresh take has been given to the leadership of Kathmandu. This is where his real test of political character lies in this case: knowing how he will overcome such obstacles and making his vision translate into a lasting impact on the city.
Change in the lives of Kathmandu residents
During his tenure as Mayor, Balen Shah has had several commendable aspects that have brought in much-needed optimism for change in the capital city. He has been working diligently, as promised in his election manifesto, to bring a change in the lives of the Kathmandu residents, especially the underserved population.
His most outstanding efforts toward making government schools and hospitals more effective for poor citizens have been highlighted through a focus on giving better services to those who need them most. Balen has never been intimidated to make bold decisions, even as an independent candidate in the metro, asserting independence while challenging the entrenched systems.
He has also initiated live public meetings so that transparency can be ensured, and people get more easy access to the office of the mayor. His dedication to preserving and revitalising Newa culture and elevating traditional festivals to new heights is truly commendable.
His initiative to rename chowks and alleys with their original Newa names is especially appreciated. His commitment to transforming education in government schools is also a significant and impactful step forward. The ambulance service he has established through the 102 hotline has become a lifesaver for many residents in the valley and has even been a great support for those coming from other districts for treatment.
Balen Shah took a bold step in rescuing child labourers from a Member of Parliament’s home associated with the Prime Minister’s party, an action that drew widespread praise. This move highlighted his commitment to justice, even in the face of criticism, as he openly challenged KP Oli for defending those involved. This act resonated deeply with the public, amplifying the admiration and growing craze around Balen, especially among youth and advocates for change in Nepal’s political landscape.
One drawback during Balen’s tenure is that he could not coordinate with the central government due to either his own or the inherent corruption in the central government is unknown. As a result of this lack of coordination, some of his work is not able to function smoothly.
Be that as it may, his stewardship has brought in a host of changes, including a new impetus on cleanliness and reclaiming government land from the clutches of powerful mafias. In so doing, he instilled a ray of hope among many Nepalis that real change is possible. Balen’s stint in office has redefined the strength of an independent candidate and the role of the mayor himself, and this sets a certain precedent for future leadership.
His work has found international recognition and constant questioning of effectiveness by the central government raised him as a voice for change and progress. Aggressive reforms seemed to have struck the right chord in the hearts of people tired of ineffective governance and catapulted him as a beacon of change in Kathmandu.
In the good fight, while over-supporting Balen Shah may not be healthy without considering his challenges; there is no doubt that he has truly inspired many youths. His rise is a clear symbolic statement that old monopolies and traditional ways of working can be challenged and may even be annihilated to nothing. Balen proves that educated youth and active citizens can make a difference in society, and his path is a guiding light to the hope of a new-idea-driven, transparent, and accountable future.
