Nepal's youngest prime minister, Balendra Shah, was sworn in on Friday, succeeding a government ousted by youth-led protests in September. At 35, Shah, known as Balen, won nearly two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives. The ceremony included traditional Hindu and Buddhist rituals, reflecting the nation's cultural heritage. Shah, a former mayor and rap artist, faces the challenge of addressing public dissatisfaction with corruption and political instability. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shah, expressing hopes for enhanced India-Nepal relations.
The timing of Shah’s oath was considered auspicious, aligning with Hindu astrological predictions. As a political outsider, Shah has the task of leading Nepal through a period of significant change and reform.
Religion and astrology play crucial roles in Nepalese culture, influencing major life events and governance decisions.