Nepal sits precariously along a highly active seismic zone, yet decades of mismanaged urban planning have left our cities and administrative centers dangerously congested. Open spaces for public safety and emergency response are scarce, and much of our infrastructure prioritizes pomp over functionality. The 2015 earthquake was a tragic reminder: thousands of lives were lost, countless families displaced, and communities devastated. These calamities highlighted one clear truth-our urban design and disaster preparedness have been reactive at best, often negligent at worst.
Under a future two-thirds majority government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, Nepal has a historic opportunity to reimagine urban spaces, emergency preparedness, education, governance, and even the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Urban congestion and the case for open spaces
Take Sighadurbar, the heart of Nepal's administration. Historically, its vast grounds provided breathing space, gardens, and open areas behind offices-essential not only for aesthetics but for emergency evacuation. Yet over the past 35 years, countless buildings have been crammed into these areas, severely limiting open spaces and reducing the capacity for disaster relief operations.
Consider the Supreme Court building. Nearly $60–70 million were allocated for its construction, yet it lacks harmony with Nepal's architectural heritage. Why not draw inspiration from Patan Durbar Square, a centuries-old example of functional yet aesthetically harmonious design? Today, AG office blocks the view from Jangidada, interfering with the heritage and even the facade of Sighadurbar-is this legal? Beyond aesthetics, the inefficiency is staggering: a single AG office building occupies space equivalent to four ministries running on their current budgets.
Similarly, the Police Headquarters sprawls over multiple buildings without open zones for helicopters, relief vehicles, or emergency staging areas. This is emblematic of a broader failure: urban planning prioritizes prestige and bureaucracy over public safety, functionality, and forward-looking design.
VVIP movement: Chaos under the guise of protection
Nepal's VVIP movement protocols further exacerbate inefficiency. Honking sirens, flashing lights, and motorcades create chaos in cities rather than ensuring safety. These loud, visible displays may be intended to demonstrate authority, but they often make VVIPs easier targets and disrupt daily life. In countries such as Luxembourg or Iceland, VVIP movements are discreet, relying on intelligence, planning, and limited public visibility to enhance safety. Nepal must adopt these global best practices.
Education: The undervalued cornerstone of development
Education in Nepal suffers from systemic neglect. In countries like the United Kingdom, bright students are encouraged to become teachers, offered competitive salaries, leave, and respect. The rationale is clear: high-quality teachers improve learning outcomes and strengthen society. In Nepal, however, underqualified third-division staff are often assigned to teach subjects they barely understand, undermining the potential of the next generation.
Historically, students walked hours to reach schools. Today, schools are more widely distributed, but declining enrollment and teacher shortages force educators to teach multiple subjects outside their specialization. Sociology teachers may teach mathematics or science simply because no one else is available. Many schools now face mergers, forcing students to travel even further, repeating the cycle of neglect and inefficiency.
A forward-looking government under Prime Minister Balen could revolutionize education by ensuring skilled teachers, adequate infrastructure, and digital integration. Schools must be resourced, incentivized, and staffed to equip students for a modern economy while preserving cultural identity.
Disaster preparedness: Lessons ignored
Nepal's urban and infrastructure planning has repeatedly ignored seismic risk. Open spaces, emergency corridors, heliports, and rapid-response facilities are often absent. Clearing areas such as the Police Academy, Rajdal Gan, and other occupied lands would provide essential zones for evacuation and disaster relief. Cities must be designed to absorb shocks, not amplify danger.
The 2015 earthquake demonstrated the consequences of neglect. Future governments, especially with a strong majority under Prime Minister Balen, must prioritize functional urban planning that safeguards lives over bureaucratic prestige.
Digital and physical infrastructure: A missed opportunity
Nepal has the potential to leapfrog technologically but has historically missed opportunities. I personally coordinated efforts to bring Starlink to Nepal and prepared to communicate directly with Elon Musk. Yet the KP Oli government sidelined the project, citing concerns about militarization or supposed Chinese opposition. In reality, the government seemed more concerned with Meta-related projects than national modernization.
Starlink could have provided high-speed internet across Nepal's cities and remote hills, minimizing the need for towers and cables while modernizing infrastructure efficiently. The time has come to embrace technology as a backbone for development, connectivity, and economic growth.
Strategic national proposals for Nepal
To secure a resilient and prosperous future, Nepal must pursue bold, strategic initiatives:
1. North–South Fast Tracks – Construct five major 6–8 lane corridors connecting Dipayal, Surkhet, Pokhara/Mustang, Kathmandu, and Damak to Indian seaports (Kolkata, Visakhapatnam) and the Asian Highway network. Integrate airbases and cable car systems while preserving trees and minimizing ecological impact.
2. Global Financial & Data Hubs – Create tax-free zones for international data centers and banks with long-term legal guarantees. Allow free investment flows, repatriation of profits, and transparency to attract global capital.
3. Buffer Zones for People & Wildlife – Protect Himalayan ecosystems while supporting highland communities with healthcare, education, eco-tourism, and medicinal plant cultivation. Wildlife-human interactions provide critical lessons. In regions such as Manaslu, wild animals approach villages without fear because local highlanders do not harm them. Sacred and cultural prohibitions against hunting create a sense of trust. Shepherds, farmers, and highlanders coexist peacefully with wildlife because animals recognize humans as non-threatening-a model for harmonious coexistence that extends beyond ecology into urban design and community planning.
4. Pragmatic Alliances – Prioritize partnerships with nations that align culturally and economically. Outdated alliances and indecisive diplomacy have historically hindered Nepal's progress.
5. Gurkha Legacy – Rebrand globally as a symbol of discipline, defense, and cultural pride. Historical achievements can be leveraged for training, partnerships, and international recognition.
6. Global Tech Partnerships – Collaborate with innovators like Elon Musk, advance Starlink, and modernize both digital and physical infrastructure to improve connectivity, governance, and disaster management.
Wildlife and highland communities: A model for coexistence
The interaction between humans and wildlife in Nepal's highlands provides valuable insights for broader policy. In Manaslu and other protected regions, animals approach settlements because they perceive humans as non-threatening. Highlanders follow strict cultural and religious norms, prohibiting hunting or killing, and respect sacred landscapes. This trust allows for safe interaction and coexistence.
It is a profound lesson for Nepal: ethical stewardship, respect for culture, and the thoughtful use of space can reduce conflict and enhance resilience. Similarly, urban spaces, disaster zones, and public planning should reflect these principles, creating environments where people and nature can coexist safely and productively.
Acknowledging contributions to governance and social causes
I have personally contributed to national causes that often went unrecognized:
• I was the first and only MP to resign from parliament, announcing this on September 23, 2025 (Gen Z Day) and submitting my resignation via email on September 24. Surprisingly, no one from Gen Z or political circles acknowledged this milestone.
• I protested when the then government filed impeachment proceedings against PM Susheela Katki's brother, standing up for justice alongside her and her husband during Ganeshman Singh's Rashtriya Janajagaran Movement, which opposed our own party's internal corruption.
• I successfully intervened to bring Karma Rapke back from a Chinese jail, a diplomatic achievement that neither the President of Nepal nor the Prime Minister formally acknowledged.
• I advocated for farmers, submitted bills, and personally evacuated women unable to give birth in remote areas like Manaslu-efforts ignored by government officials.
• I challenged fake rescue operations in parliament, highlighting corruption and inefficiency, though recognition never followed.
Acknowledgment of such efforts may be absent, but they reflect a commitment to justice, public service, and integrity-qualities that a strong government under Prime Minister Balen can institutionalize.
A call for bold leadership under Balen
A future two-thirds majority government led by Balen can finally implement policies Nepal has long needed. Open urban spaces, disaster-ready infrastructure, high-quality education, and ethical governance are achievable goals. Technology can transform connectivity; strategic partnerships can enhance trade and security; wildlife conservation and cultural respect can model coexistence; and a reimagined education system can equip Nepal's youth for global competition.
Nepal is poised for transformation. By reclaiming urban spaces for public safety, rethinking VVIP protocols, modernizing infrastructure, incentivizing quality teaching, and learning from the highlands' model of human-wildlife coexistence, the nation can emerge resilient, equitable, and globally respected.
Prime Minister Balen's leadership represents a historic opportunity to move beyond short-term convenience and displays of power. By implementing thoughtful planning, strategic infrastructure, and ethical governance, Nepal can not only recover lost ground but leap forward into a future defined by resilience, prosperity, and justice.
The time to act is now. Open spaces, safety, innovation, and integrity are not optional-they are essential. Nepal's next chapter can be written by a government that values long-term vision over fleeting prestige, a government led by leaders like Balen, ready to embrace transformative change.
