Balendra Shah, 35, a former rapper and composer who currently serves as the Mayor of Kathmandu, attends Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu in Nepal on September 6, 2025.
The political changes in neighbouring Nepal seem to have an Indian connection.
Balendra Shah, or ‘Balen Dai’, who is considered a front-runner for the post of prime minister, studied in Karnataka before becoming the Mayor of Kathmandu. The Greater Nepal campaigner, who claims that five north Indian States be returned to Nepal, has been critical of some policies of the government of India. Ironically, he travelled to India for his higher studies. He lived in India for over two years.
The 35-year-old politician pursued an M. Tech course in structural engineering at Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology in Bengaluru. He completed the course in 2016, according to Harish Bendigeri, special officer, VTU.
The college was then affiliated to VTU, Belagavi. It is now affiliated to the Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore.
Balen Dai, who is a pop musician, had studied BE from Himalayan Whitehouse International College in Kathmandu.
Published – September 12, 2025 10:13 am IST
