Kulman Ghising: The Engineer Who Lit Up Nepal and Captured Gen Z’s Trust

In a country once plagued by daily power outages that stretched up to 18 hours, one man led a quiet revolution. Kulman Ghising , an electrical engineer educated in India, stepped in as the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority in 2016 and swiftly turned the tide. Within months, the dark evenings that had become a part of Nepali life started fading. Ghising didn’t just restore electricity; he restored public faith in the possibility of good governance. Today, in a time of rising youth unrest and political turmoil, his name is being put forward by Gen Z activists as a fresh, capable face for the future of Nepal.

Ending Nepal’s Power Crisis

Before Ghising took charge, Nepal suffered one of the worst electricity shortages in South Asia. Load-shedding lasted up to 18 hours a day, disrupting homes, businesses, and essential services. But when he assumed leadership of NEA in 2016, Ghising prioritized high-demand zones and streamlined energy distribution using existing resources more efficiently. His reforms weren’t flashy, but they were effective. Within a short span, scheduled blackouts were history. This monumental achievement turned him into a national hero and a symbol of what clean, capable bureaucracy could achieve, without political drama.

The Gen Z Movement and Political Shift

Nepal's Gen Z, disillusioned with decades of corruption, violence, and political stagnation, is leading a new wave of protest and reform. What started as an online outcry over social media restrictions has turned into a broader resistance movement. While former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was initially proposed as interim PM, parts of the youth movement are now backing Ghising, calling him a nationalist and visionary leader. Critics argue Karki is over 70 and disconnected from ground realities, whereas Ghising represents a generation that demands results, not rhetoric.

A Strong India Connection

Born in 1970 in Nepal's Ramechhap district, Ghising’s formative years as an engineer were shaped in India. He completed his electrical engineering degree from the ‘Regional Institute of Technology’, Jamshedpur (now NIT Jamshedpur), on a full scholarship. He later earned a master's in Power Systems Engineering from Nepal and an MBA from Pokhara University. His experience in both countries has shaped his views on energy cooperation. In a 2024 interview with ‘The Himalayan Times’, he acknowledged India’s crucial role in cross-border electricity sharing and real-time data exchange, calling it invaluable for Nepal's energy security and growth.

Public Support and a Future in Leadership?

Though not a politician, Ghising’s popularity rivals that of top leaders in the country. Earlier this year, when his tenure at NEA ended, thousands protested his removal. This public outcry is proof of the emotional and practical impact his leadership had. Nepal's youth aren’t just demanding fresh faces; they want tested competence. And Ghising, with his track record, fits the bill. As Nepal prepares for an interim government, the question is no longer whether he can lead, but whether the political system is ready to let someone like him in.