KATHMANDU, September 14: Balendra Shah (Balen), the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), has achieved global recognition by earning a coveted spot on Time magazine's prestigious ‘2023 Time 100 Next’ list. Shah's inclusion in this list acknowledges him as one of the 100 emerging leaders recognized by the world-famous publication.

Furthermore, Mayor Shah is a regular feature on Time magazine's "year hundred" list, a compilation of influential individuals highlighted by the publication each year.

In the 2023 edition of the Time 100 Next list, Mayor Shah has secured an impressive 15th ranking among Emerging Leaders. Time magazine, known for its annual recognition of influential people, has chosen to spotlight Mayor Shah's significant contributions to various fields, including health, environment, sports, business, politics, and art.

In particular, the magazine discusses Mayor Shah's unexpected victory in the last local level elections and credits his remarkable achievement to his adept use of social media to address voters' concerns, creating what they refer to as the 'Balen effect.'

Mayor Balen's recognition in Time magazine's 2023 list further highlights his growing impact on both the local and global stages.