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From a civil engineer to rapper to the mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra Shah popularly known as Balen, has now become 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 in believing in change and innovation. 

When Balen won the mayoral election, many Nepalis people started believing that he could be one of their potential future prime ministers. His widespread popularity encouraged independent candidates to contest for political office. Most importantly the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by Rabi Lamichhane was able to secure 21 seats in the Lower House of Federal Parliament. Although this is exciting, it remains to be seen whether this kind of independent approach would work on larger and more complex challenges in national governance. 

Whether Balen deserves the attention he is getting is a matter of debate. For many, especially the youths, 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 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 frustrated citizens. 

Not everyone, however, is convinced. Some say that his confrontational style and difficulties in working with the central government delay certain projects. Although his ideas sound fresh, many feel that they have not been put into practice as smoothly as anticipated.

So far, Mayor Balen has been bold in his action, but his tenure has been tumultuous. Some of the orders that he issued after entering office, such as infrastructure ambulance service and improving conditions in public toilets, have hit major setbacks. His efforts to internationalize festivals like Tihar and Indra Jatra during his election campaign also showed great vision, but no visible steps have been taken in this direction. Similarly, the much-publicized plan to make Kathmandu a 24-hour city and develop efficient public transport is running behind schedule, which has led many to question its viability. The way Balen handled the recent floods also left much to be desired. His leadership during the rescue operation in his city was criticized as ineffective and disorganized. 

However, probably the most urgent issue which has not seen much daylight under Balen’s stewardship is the issue of waste management. His confrontational 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 approach to the leadership of Kathmandu. 

Balen’s real test as a leader will be proven if he overcomes bureaucratic and political obstacles to make his vision for Kathmandu a reality. 

During his tenure as mayor, Balen has had a number of 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 hesitant to make bold decisions. 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 revitalizing Newari culture and elevating traditional festivals to new heights is truly commendable. His initiative to rename chowks and alleys with their original Newari names is especially appreciated. His commitment to transforming education in government schools is also a significant and impactful step forward. The ambulance service he established through the 102 hotline has become a lifesaver for many.

Balen took a bold step in rescuing child laborers 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 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for defending those involved. This act resonated deeply with the public, amplifying the admiration and growing craze around Balen.

One drawback during Balen’s tenure is that he could not coordinate with the central government. Whether this situation is due to his own attitude or the inherent corruption in the central government is unknown. But be that as it may, Balen’s 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. 

While the wave of Balen’s gutsy position in actions has drawn a massive following, his political perspective needs to be taken up for critical scrutiny. Overwhelming, unquestioning support sometimes paves the way for authoritarianism, as was seen in Nepal’s past with King Mahendra. Once adored by the grassroots level, Mahendra eventually took on authoritarian rule. This is similar to setting a precedent where blind adoration may allow a leader, through vigorous public support, to make decisions unchecked and edge toward a more dictatorial style. It is balanced support, rooted in constructive criticism, that Nepal needs from its people in order for leaders like Balen to take the country toward accountability and a democratic way forward. 

In the good fight, while over-supporting Balen 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 young people and active citizens can make a difference in society.

HIV/AIDS, a global health crisis, continues to impact millions of lives worldwide. While significant strides have been made in prevention, treatment, and care, the disease remains a pressing issue, particularly in developing countries. In Nepal, a nation grappling with various social and economic challenges, HIV/AIDS poses a significant threat to public health. ApEx spoke to three people to find out what they think needs to be done to tackle this issue. 

Shreya Ganeju, 19

By now we all know that AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease. It’s caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that weakens the immune system. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. In a country like Nepal, AIDS is an important topic. Many people are involved in sex trade for their livelihoods. There’s unprotected sex with multiple partners and that has resulted in AIDS becoming quite prevalent. The thing is that AIDS is stigmatized and people hesitate to talk about it. We need more awareness on the importance of safe sex and also access to good healthcare facilities to reduce HIV transmission.

Radha Lama, 29

AIDS is a disease which can be transferred through blood and even breastfeeding. But you don’t get it by shaking hands, sharing food, or hugging someone who has the infection. It can prove to be fatal as your immune system becomes weak due to the infection and it leads to other issues in the body. But I feel there is limited knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS and that also results in the spread of the disease. There should be more campaigns and programs to make people understand what it actually is and how it can be prevented. 

Sangita Kunwar, 54

AIDS is mainly a sexually transmitted disease and so it should be quite easy to prevent it. But that’s not the case here in Nepal. The death rate is still high and I think that is largely because people are unaware about all the other ways you can get it. You can be infected through infected blood, sharing needles, and breastfeeding as well. So apart from the focus on protected sexual intercourse, people should also be made aware about the other ways in which they need to safeguard themselves. 

When I first learned about H through a mutual friend, I had a strange intuition that he wouldn’t stay in Nepal for long. He seemed like someone just passing through—a fleeting presence. It was only a matter of time, I thought. Our first meeting happened on the quiet streets of Ratna Chowk. After hours of staring at a screen, I had stepped out for a break, craving a change of scenery. That’s when I met H. I introduced myself, and he did the same. At the time, the introductions felt like a mere formality, even unnecessary.

Now, years later, when I look back on that moment, it fills me with a deep sense of sadness for H. The confidence with which he said he was planning to go to Australia was sublime. Now I find it amusing to have assumed that the first encounter with H was also going to be the last. Over the years, H and I have celebrated countless birthdays together, made plans for weekends, and even acted as hosts, inviting our friends over to the nightclubs in Lakeside. So much has changed between the day we met and today—from his dream country to the paths I’ve chosen in my education. I don’t know why, but despite so many differences, we are similar in some ways.

In 2018, the year we met, I was doing my bachelor’s in IT, and H was taking IELTS classes. H’s room was just a five-minute walk from the flat where I stayed. One day, when we met for a walk in the evening, H proposed that I go to his room after finishing our usual rounds. There was no harm, I thought, and followed him into the narrow alley. Little did I know that the dark streets leading to his room were ominous.

‘Hell’ was the first word that came to my mind upon seeing the room that housed as many as four other boys—three of whom I already knew from playing cricket. If I weren’t visiting his room for the first time, I would’ve immediately labeled their accommodation as ‘hell.’ Coughing and dodging the smoke emanating from the thin sticks of cigarettes, I reached the far corner of the room, where a table and a plastic chair were lined up against the peeling wall. When I looked at H, he flashed me a rabbit-like smile, a gesture kindly coaxing me to hold a cigarette.

“I don’t smoke,” I said loudly enough to startle everyone. Only H seemed disappointed at my revelation, and at the time, I couldn’t make out why there were deep folds between his brows. Later, when someone lying in the bed informed me that H was a chain smoker, he got provoked by the statement and pulled out a stick from the packet of Surya, the rabbit smile once again restored on his big, round face. I had accustomed myself to the raw smell of smoke, though my nose was already burning. When I looked out the window, I realized I had stayed longer than I had meant to. But the boys in the room, along with H, had assumed I would be staying for the night. So, when I told them I was leaving, their faces fell, and I ended up staying for the sake of my new friendship.

There were enough beds, so I guessed no one had to sleep on the cold, hard floor. But I still remember that no one slept that night—not even in the beds. Talks about life ensued. I bought my favorite wine for myself, and the boys got their own drinks. The landlord who lived upstairs either had to be deaf or lenient, for he didn’t interfere even when the voices boomed deafeningly loud. It’s not in me to open up so easily, but that night, I ended up saying so many things I thought I would never share with anyone.

When it was H’s turn, he looked around at everyone, searching their faces, but no one seemed attentive at all. Then his eyes locked with mine. A friend sitting next to me glanced at me and remarked, “You are today’s victim. H is going to recount the same story for like a hundredth time.”  

In a high-pitched voice that didn’t sound the slightest bit gentle, H blabbered on about what he thought was the worst story of his life—a breakup with his girlfriend, who had cheated on him with someone else. The others had started finding the story funny because of the repetition, but I genuinely felt bad for H that night. As for me, I didn’t share stories of my love affairs or childhood but something deeper: life, its complexities, and how time treats it. Unlike H’s story, everyone listened to my wisdom, perhaps because it was being delivered for the first time. I knew that, just like H’s story, my wisdom would also suffer from a lack of audience someday.

Now, it has been eight years since that sleepless night. H has most probably faced eight rejections from the foreign embassy. And with how he goes about his life, I’m not surprised at all. He is still trying to flee abroad, his every attempt futile, feeble, to the point that no one takes him seriously these days. At first, it was Australia, then the UK, then Malta, Croatia...

On the other hand, I have upgraded from bachelor’s to master’s, but now if someone asks me what subjects I studied in my bachelor’s, I certainly can’t name them. I don’t even know their applications. I studied, worked hard for the exams, even passed with flying colors. But the results, the theories I studied in my bachelor’s degree have never once come to use. And I’m not the only one bearing the brunt of disillusionment. There are regrets. If only my college had connected me to the industry! If only I had chosen some other subjects! But then, everyone lives with their own regrets; I’m no exception.

Even today, I go to university aimlessly, just to listen to the graying professors, hopeful that their monologues might morph me into a slightly better human, an informed professional. The odds are low, the uselessness of my degree apparent, even translucent. Even H mocked me for diverging from a technical background to a business degree.

“MBA is the most reputed degree, and it’s good for people coming from a technical background,” I tried to sound sensible, but he just showed his teeth. Even he knew I wasn’t convinced by my own statement.

Talking about H, I don’t know what country he is eyeing now, because I have lost interest in keeping track of it. Even though we meet regularly, I have stopped asking about his process, which is always underway. Nevertheless, for the last eight years, we often go out at night on weekends, and sometimes it’s just us—H and me.

H said in our last meeting that he will be gone to Chitwan for over a month, so we have been drafting a plan to celebrate his farewell—a farewell so trifling that it doesn’t even deserve to be celebrated. But all we need is an excuse.

Next week, in the quiet of Lakeside, at some rooftop café, we will be toasting for the umpteenth time—me sipping my favorite wine and H his usual drinks. In between our sips, we will ceremoniously talk about the first night we drank together. About the absurd ideas, the revelations, and the friends—some already in foreign lands, some married, and one other dead who hung himself in a hotel room.

Migration has long been a defining feature of Nepal’s socio-economic landscape, with rural populations moving to cities in search of better opportunities. Urban areas offering better infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other amenities, have always attracted individuals from villages. However, migration trends in recent years indicate a growing number of people being compelled to leave their homes due to increasingly challenging circumstances, primarily driven by natural disasters. The devastating impacts of climate change, including frequent floods and landslides, are forcing rural families to seek refuge elsewhere.

Nepal’s agriculture sector employs about 60 percent of the population, yet most farmers struggle with poverty, unable to earn enough to sustain a decent standard of living. Their dependence on subsistence farming makes them vulnerable to even minor disruptions. Agriculture in Nepal heavily relies on weather patterns, which can either boost or destroy harvests. While this year’s timely monsoon allowed farmers to sow paddy in time, inconsistent weather patterns over the years have left them uncertain about future harvests. Although Nepal ranks 128th in global carbon emissions, it is alarmingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, placing fourth in global rankings of climate risk. This disproportionality has placed the livelihoods of millions of farmers at risk, as erratic weather patterns disrupt agricultural yields.

Floods and landslides, exacerbated by climate change, inflict significant damage on Nepal’s economy and agricultural sector every year. In October 2024, heavy rains caused catastrophic floods, with two days of rainfall exceeding annual averages. This deluge submerged paddy fields across the country, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 6bn in agricultural commodities. Landslides compounded the devastation, blocking roads and leaving perishable goods to rot. Farmers now face uncertainty about whether the affected fields will be cultivable in the future. The October floods, like many other disasters, have pushed countless families closer to displacement.

In August 2024, a flash flood triggered by the rupture of the Chomuche glacier devastated the village of Thame in Solukhumbu district. All 55 households were affected, with homes, livestock, and agricultural land swept away. The villagers were forced to relocate, illustrating the stark challenges posed by Nepal’s 21 “potentially dangerous” glaciers. A single glacial outburst can trigger widespread floods and landslides, destroying crops, washing away nutrient-rich topsoil, and compromising irrigation. As glacial melts accelerate, the loss of fertile soil—a critical resource for agriculture—leaves farmers unable to sustain their livelihoods, forcing them to abandon farming altogether and seek alternative occupations.

The Tarai region, often referred to as Nepal’s agricultural basket, is particularly affected by climate change. This fertile plain produces over a third of Nepal’s food, but prolonged droughts and erratic monsoons are reducing its productivity. Over 80 percent of the region’s rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, but recent years have seen more intense rains and extended dry spells. According to a 2019 study published in the Global Scientific Journal, winter rainfall in districts like Chitwan, Rautahat, and Kailali has decreased by 51 percent. This has forced communities to drill deeper for water, further depleting the water table. Prolonged droughts have also intensified social conflicts over natural resources, as reported by the Overseas Development Institute in 2017.

The escalating frequency of natural disasters has led to a sharp increase in internal displacement. According to the Global Report on Internal Displacement (2021), 48,000 people were displaced in Nepal between June and September 2020. By 2023, this number had more than doubled to 110,000. Most displaced individuals are farmers and daily wage laborers who are disproportionately affected by climate-induced disasters. Unlike other professions, farming is acutely sensitive to environmental changes, leaving those dependent on it highly vulnerable. Limited financial resources and the high costs of rehabilitation often make it impossible for displaced farmers to return to their previous livelihoods.

Globally, climate change has displaced millions, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reporting 21.5m climate-related displacements annually since 2010. In 2022 alone, climate disasters displaced 36.2m people, a number projected to double by 2050 according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The ongoing crisis in Syria serves as a cautionary tale. Once a fertile agricultural hub, Syria now faces severe droughts and resource depletion. Farmers there must now drill over 700 meters to find water, compared to just 60–70 meters previously. This environmental degradation displaced over 2m farmers by 2013 and continues to fuel conflicts, creating conditions where refugees are reluctant to return even if the war ends.

In Nepal, the drying of water resources has reached alarming levels. Studies conducted by RWSSP-WN (2004–2014) revealed that 50% of water sources in Tanahun district dried up during this period. Similarly, a 2017 study in Melamchi reported a 30 percent decline in local spring water volume over the previous decade. This trend is observed nationwide, raising concerns about water availability for both drinking and irrigation. In 2024, residents of Sarlahi district walked for 23 days to Kathmandu to protest the severe water crisis. Their plight underscores the growing urgency of addressing water scarcity before it becomes unmanageable.

Nepal’s farmers are already grappling with climate-induced challenges such as floods, landslides, and droughts, but the situation is likely to worsen with the emergence of new threats like pest outbreaks and crop diseases. Rising global temperatures alter growing conditions, potentially leading to widespread crop failures in regions that were once highly productive. With their economic resilience already stretched thin, Nepali farmers are ill-equipped to adapt to these mounting challenges. Consequently, many will be forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods, seeking work in urban areas or abroad.

The effects of climate change are not just environmental—they have profound social and economic implications. As Nepal faces increasing displacement, resource conflicts, and food insecurity, urgent action is needed to mitigate the impact of climate change. Comprehensive policies that address both immediate and long-term needs are essential to protect vulnerable communities. Strengthening agricultural infrastructure, diversifying livelihoods, and improving disaster preparedness can help build resilience. Without these measures, the cycle of displacement and economic hardship will only deepen, threatening the stability and sustainability of Nepal’s rural communities.