Born in Majheri Patan, Pokhara
Khadak Raj Paudel
खड्कराज पौडेल
Also known as Ganesh Paudel
Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Prime Minister Balendra Shah's cabinet; novelist and translator
Currently Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal
About
Khadak Raj Paudel also goes by the name Ganesh Paudel. He built a career as a writer before entering politics. He published the novel Paitala. He also published a Nepali translation of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
In the March 2026 general election, he was elected to parliament from Kaski 1, his home constituency, the area and its voters that he represents, around Pokhara. He was then appointed Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s cabinet.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1979-10-02
- Birthplace
- Majheri Patan, Pokhara, Nepal
- Profession
- Politician, Writer, Translator
- Current role
- Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
Government of Nepal · since 2026-03-27
Member of the House of Representatives
Federal Parliament of Nepal · since 2026-03-27
Education
Tribhuvan University
BA, English Literature
Pokhara University
MBA
Career & life timeline
- 1979-10-02
- 2017
Published the novel Paitala
- 2020
Published Musa Munus, a Nepali translation of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
- 2026-03
Elected to the House of Representatives from Kaski 1 and appointed Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
Organizations & affiliations
- Rastriya Swatantra Party
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06