KATHMANDU, JULY 2
Two local levels mayors namely KMC Mayor Balendra Shah aka Balen Shah and Dharan Sub-Metropolis Mayor Harka Raj Rai aka Harka Smapang of Nepal have not only acquired local fame but have been able to garner global recognition through their diligent work and contributions to the social causes.
KMC has been elected as member of the Board of Directors (BOD) of the World Association of the Major Metropolises based in Barcelona, Spain, while mayor of Dharan sub-metropolis, Sunsari, Koshi, has bagged appreciation certificate from the World Book of Records, London.
"KMC has been elected member of the Board of Directors of the World Association of the Major Metropolises, (Metropolis) for the 2024- 2026 term of office," said Sudarshan Bhattarai- Chief of International Relation Secretariat at KMC.
"It is an honour for our organisation to have Kathmandu among its members and particularly to have it among the most active members of the Association which is part of our governing bodies."
"The Board of Directors of Metropolis is a key management body of the Association, responsible for carrying out the guidelines set by the General Assembly of members. The Board meets several times a year to approve all decisions necessary for the development of strategic orientations and for the growth and achievement of Metropolis' mission," reads the letter sent to KMC Mayor Balendra Shah by Metropolis Secretariat General on 22 June 2023.
It also states that, "The 2024-2026 mandate, which will start in January 2024, looks like a promising mandate, guided by an ambitious Strategic Action Plan and many opportunities for growth to improve the quality of life in metropolises around the world and to raise the voice of cities."
It further states, "I would like to propose a short meeting with your team to provide you with more information about your role, to learn about your institution's priorities for the coming years and to find ways to connect them with Metropolis' strategic directions, thus creating a joint work agenda that we can implement together during the term of your statutory role in Metropolis."
It has also invited KMC for a meeting with Ms Bianca Mozer, Statutory Affairs Officer of Metropolis. Likewise, Hark Sampang, mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City, has also been appreciated by the World Book of Records, London.
Mayor Sampang has been appreciated for promoting this volunteerism culture and succeeded in bringing drinking water from the Kokaha River to Dharan by pulling 42 kilometres of pipe in 98 days.
The World Book of Records, London has issued a certificate of Recognition to the mayor of Dharan, Sunsari, Koshi, Nepal. "To appreciate your contribution in espousing social causes and promoting volunteerism culture along with bringing Kokaha drinking water to Dharan," reads the certificate.
The certificate of Recognition was handed over to Mayor Harka Smapang at a ceremony organised in the assembly hall of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City on Friday.
After receiving the certificate, Mayor Hark Sampang was delighted and said that he worked for people and not for honour, but this appreciation had increased his zeal to work more.
"I want to share this honour with all volunteers! They deserve as much as I do!,"posted Sampang on his official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, netizens have criticised the government of Nepal and appreciate the efforts of both mayor's. Netizens have shared that political cadres are blinded by their ideologies and leaders. However, these two have not only been able to win the hearts of all Nepali but other countries too.
"This man is a special gift to Nepal. His work has brought international recognition and boosted the image of the country," commented Josh B Niraula on Harka Smapang post.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 3, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
