#107: Will Balen govern better than he raps?

Nepal held its historic election on March 5, and today, on March 27 , former Kathmandu mayor/rapper/structural engineer, 35-year-old Balendra Shah aka Balen will be sworn in as the country’s prime minister, marking a generational break. #MillennialRepresent.In this episode, we speak with journalist/researcher/urban studies graduate/rap music को ज्ञाता friend Nikita Tripathi for some chunaab chirfaar and discuss our hopes for a new Nepal.We hope the new guard—overwhelmingly male (and as populist as they come) — which has promised a “Nepal 2.0,” will respect the constitution, mend its old ways by ensuring equitable and meaningful representation by making room for more women and people from marginalised to thrive in national politics. Also, please less theatrics and more work and room for dialogue. We hope the geruwa effect from across the border doesn’t last beyond Balen’s swearing in ceremony. #SecularismFTWOnly then, will the Nepal’s fifty percent population (the Kylies, the sailis, the mailis et all ) might consider forgiving Balen for his not so savage verses about “sundress to undress to fundraise” 🙃🙃 IYKYK!—---Read and subscribe to our newsletter Cold Takes by Boju Bajai https://bojubajai.substack.com/p/take....Boju Bajai regularly works with reporters and researchers to bring compelling audio stories that center and amplify women’s experiences. If you would like to support our work, please consider being our patron here: ⁠ www.patreon.com/bojubajai⁠ Follow us @bojubajai on all social media platforms.instagram.com/bojubajaifacebook.com/bojubajai Find Boju Bajai wherever you get podcasts!Music credit:Boju Bajai theme music: FlekkeSavage by Balen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wk82ZJg0xE Cover photo: Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Nepal/comments/1s3ycgb/stop_treating_balen_like_a_god/—----------------------------