From rapper to PM: The remarkable journey of Balen

KATHMANDU, March 27: Today, almost every Nepali knows the name Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen. Elected as the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City as an independent candidate in 2022, Balen is set to take on the powerful role of Nepal’s Prime Minister today.

Renowned for his courage and willingness to take risks, Balen scored a stunning victory even in the electoral stronghold of CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, defeating him by a margin of 49,614 votes. He had already made headlines by defeating experienced mayoral candidates Keshav Sthapit and Sirjana Singh. Out of 106,372 votes cast, Balen secured an impressive 68,348.

Balen has become a popular and distinctive figure in contemporary Nepali politics. Coming from an engineering background, he carved a name for himself not just through music and social media, but by connecting deeply with the youth, laying the groundwork for his rise to national leadership. With a focus on transparency, good governance, and urban development, he represents a fresh and modern style of leadership. Known for his calm and quiet demeanor, he often says in official programs: “I am not a talker; I am a doer.”

Early life and family

Born on April 27, 1990, in Naradevi, Kathmandu, Balen spent his childhood in the same neighborhood. He attended Jaljala Secondary School, showing curiosity and analytical thinking from an early age. His father, Dr Ramnarayan Shah, was an Ayurvedic doctor at Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital, and the family later moved to Gairigau, Tinkune. Raised with love and care by his parents, Balen grew up alongside his elder brother Kaushal and his sister.

He is married to Sabina Kafle, a nurse and model working in public health, and the couple has one daughter. His ancestral home is in Ekdara Rural Municipality-2, Mahottari, which now houses a local administrative office.

Education

Balen completed his early schooling at Jaljala Secondary School in Naradevi and higher secondary education at VS Niketan, Tinkune. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Himalayan White House College and a master’s in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India. By 2006, he had attended eight different schools. From a young age, he was inquisitive, persistent, and unafraid to take on challenges.

Political journey

Politically aware from childhood, Balen developed a keen sense of societal issues as early as Grade 9. He sees his love for hip-hop music as a form of social commentary. His political focus centers on development, transparency, and bringing positive change to society and the nation.

Balen credits his political guidance to Narsingh Byanjankar, who taught him how to engage with people and maintain relationships, even with opponents.

By running as an independent candidate in the Kathmandu mayoral election, Balen earned the public’s trust and is now on the path to becoming Nepal’s Prime Minister. As he and his team prepare to take on executive responsibilities, all eyes are on the new chapter of leadership he is set to write.