A music idol in his early 20s and then an engineer, Balen, 33, next won an upset victory as mayor of Nepal’s capital, inspiring a wave of young politicians. Now, he’s tearing down parts of the city.
In Himalayan Buddhism, the religious roles of nuns have long been restricted by rules and customs. But one sect is changing that, mixing meditation with martial arts and environmental activism.
Nepal’s best and brightest have been recruited while young to fight for Britain for over 200 years, with their pay and pensions a fraction of their fellow British soldiers’ for much of that time.