jhapa . Balendra Shah (Balen), the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has been featured in TIME Magazine’s prestigious list of 100 rising stars for 2023, titled “TIME100 Next.” In the list released by the magazine, he has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential emerging leaders.
TIME Magazine interpreted Balen Shah’s rise as a potent challenge to traditional political powers. The magazine highlighted his election as the Mayor of Kathmandu as an independent candidate through youth movements and alternative politics.
The report praised the steps taken by Shah, who comes from an engineering background, to improve waste management, enhance public services, and maintain urban order since taking office. According to TIME’s analysis, his campaigns for the protection of public property and the removal of unauthorized structures have significantly impacted national politics as well.
Furthermore, the report mentions that his effective use of social media and youth-centric election campaigning played a crucial role in establishing his prominence. Every year, TIME Magazine includes emerging personalities active in various fields worldwide in this list. This marks the first time a political leader from Nepal has been represented in this category, elevating the global profile of Nepal’s youth leadership.
