An interesting fact on "noon" the salt

 

The word “noon” (or very similar forms like nun / noone / loon) for “salt” appears mainly across Indo-Aryan languages of the northern Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Here are the key languages where salt is commonly called noon (or a close variant):

Languages using “noon” for salt

• Kashmiri – noon (very common; e.g., noon chai = salted tea 🫖)
• Punjabi – noon
• Dogri – noon
• Saraiki – noon
• Hindko – noon
• Pahari (various Western Pahari dialects) – noon
• Potohari – noon

Closely related variants

These are slightly modified but from the same root:

• Sindhi – loon
• Gujarati – loon
• Rajasthani (many dialects) – loon
• Marwari – loon

Contrast with other major Indian languages

Different roots are used instead:

• Hindi / Urdu – namak
• Bengali – lobon
• Marathi – mith
• Tamil – uppu
• Telugu – uppu
• Kannada – uppu

Why so many “noon / loon” forms?

They come from an old Indo-Aryan linguistic root (related to Sanskrit lavaṇa), which evolved differently across western and north-western regions—producing noon / loon forms there, while namak (from Persian influence) became dominant in Hindi–Urdu.

Origin of the word Nepal (Nepal - Etymology)

When I started looking for the origin of the word Nepal and looking for the answer of the question how Nepal got its name, I have come across some interesting facts and articles. One of the article I have found in www.kathmandupost.com (Date: September 1, 2015), it has solved most of my query and though it says that they themselves have taken the article from some school curriculum. Here is the article:

"Title: Here are 5 interesting theories about how Nepal got its name!

Over the course of its history, Nepal has been known by names, such as The Land of Truth, The Land of Solitary Meditation and Penance. It is only in this current Iron Age that it is known as Nepal. So when did Nepal become Nepal? Who coined this name?

There are many theories out there. Here are five interesting ones we found:

1. Nepal was ruled by kings of the Gopal dynasty. They were known as ‘Nepa’. Hence the name Nepal
2. In Tibetan Language ‘Ne’ means home and ‘pal’ means ‘wool’. Sheep were reared in Kathmandu Valley once upon a time. Hence Nepal- the land of the wool.
3. In Newari language ‘Ne’ means ‘centre’ and ‘pa’ means country. So Nepal is a country situated in the centre!
4. There was once a sage called ‘Ne’ who lived along the banks of Bagmati and Bishnumati river. He was the only advisor to the king hence. The ruler was so impressed by him, he name the entire kingdom ‘Nepal’
5. ‘Ne’ means ‘holy’ and ‘pal’ means cave in Lepcha’s dialect. Nepal is a holy place- the centre of pilgrimage of Hindus and Buddists. It was called a ‘holy cave’; hence Nepal.

What theory convinces you the most? What did we miss out? Know another theory?

Source: The information has been collected from the curriculum taught at schools in Nepal"

Interestingly they have left a question mark at the end. So, I have decided to decode it in my way and try to present best way possible answer.

Here my answer is point no. 3 that is in Newari "Ne" means centre and "Pa" means country.

# I want to make a clear disclaimer that I am neither denying the existence of Gopal King with the Nepa nor a sage who lived in Kathmandu valley with the name "Ne". In fact I have researched and found that these all facts are mentioned in some old manuscripts. So its there.

So, here is my take on the theory that why Nepal is actually originated from Newari.

Note1: I guess by now it must have been clear that in earlier times Nepal was exclusively used for present day Kathmandu valley. Nepal is also alternatively used for Newar also.

This is the article I have taken from wikipedia which help in further understanding:

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_people

Newar: Origin, Etymology

" The terms "Nepāl", "Newār", "Newāl" and "Nepār" are phonetically different forms of the same word, and instances of the various forms appear in texts in different times in history. Nepal is the learned (Sanskrit) form and Newar is the colloquial (Prakrit) form.^[8] A Sanskrit inscription dated to 512 in Tistung, a valley to the west of Kathmandu, contains the phrase "greetings to the Nepals" indicating that the term "Nepal" was used to refer to both the country and the people.^[9][10]

The term "Newar" or "Newa:" referring to "inhabitant of Nepal" appeared for the first time in an inscription dated 1654 in Kathmandu.^[11] Italian Jesuit priest Ippolito Desideri (1684–1733) who traveled to Nepal in 1721 has written that the natives of Nepal are called Newars.^[12] It has been suggested that "Nepal" may be a sanskritization of "Newar", or "Newar" may be a later form of "Nepal".^[13] According to another explanation, the words "Newar" and "Newari" are colloquial forms arising from the mutation of P to W, and L to R.^[14]

As a result of the phonological process of dropping the last consonant and lengthening the vowel, "Newā" for Newār or Newāl, and "Nepā" for Nepāl are used in ordinary speech."

 

Now its more or less clear that Nepal is actually used for present day Kathmandu valley, In fact the word, Newar itself is originated from the word Nepal.

Note2: Now, my second logic goes like this. It will be never ending debate that who actually Newars are ?? (But, if a person use some common sense will definitely and easily→→→ find his answer). So, lets not talk about the origin of the Newari people, but majority of you must agree that the language Newar people using now which is also called Newari bhasa has its roots to Tibetan language. Its definitely a branch of Tibeto-Burman language just like Magars, Gurung, Sherpa, Tamang, Rai, Limbu etc.

And again if you guys notice all over the Nepal (irrespective of who came to Nepal first Khas or Tibetan tribes), many names of the place, mountain, rivers are in Tibeto-Burman Language. Hence, it shows that Tibeto-Burman language was the primary language in naming or identifying the place. 

Note3: Now the question is how Nepa becomes Nepal.

Actually it goes like this:

Nepa ---> Nepali ---> Nepal

Becasue in Tibeti-Burman language when we have to say person from that particular place, 'Li' is used as suffix. Examples:

Palpa ---> Palpali

Syangja ---> Syangjali

Gwadi ----> Gwadeli

Lamjung ---> Lamjungeli

Rolpa ---> Rolpali   and so on

Hence, word Nepali come into existence and with the time Nepali and Nepal started using interchangeably as you might have read in the Wikipedia (On Newari etymology), I have mentioned above.

So, it solves all my query. Here the only concern can be raised is that I have favoured  the Tibeto-Burman language and was biased towards Sanskrit origin languages. 

However, I want to know how did you like my explanation, please do comment. Please do comment and let me know if I am missing something. Thanks

EDIT: 19th June, 2025:

This edit is very crucial as I think this is the best possible answer of the origing of the word "Nepal".

In Kirati language Kathmandu, Lalitpur & Bhaktpur has its own name. In Kirati language Kathmandu region was known as YEN, that means centre. (though we should know that Kathmandu name itself may have come much later).

What makes this fact interesting is the Newari 'Ne' word for centre is actually come from the Kirati word 'Yen'. So, we can derive two things from it. First the words 'Nepal' must credited to Kirati language. Second thing is the Newars have some or the other, has Kirati connection. We can even say that Newars are early Kirati settlers in Kathmandu valley.

One thing I didn't understand is whether this finding of mine is missed by Nepali scholars or they purposely not mentioned it. I would not be surprised because all scholars were Bahuns and hence they did not want to give credit to Janjatis.

The more interesting fact is including of Ne muni sage in it. As always they have also tried to Sanskritisized (Bahunized) this it. Many people may not agree on it. But this is what it is. 

Namaste !

 

  

Himalayas poised for a series of big earthquakes, says study (Nepal Earthquake - II)

 

The entire Himalayan arc is poised to produce a sequence of great earthquakes, and the next big quake -- of the magnitude of 8 or above -- may occur during our lifetimes, according to a study reviewing geological, historical, and geophysical data.

The human toll of such an event in the densely populated countries across the arc is likely to be unprecedented, the researchers said.

The study notes that the sequence of future Himalayan earthquakes could be similar to the great earthquakes that occurred in the twentieth century along the Aleutian subduction zone, which extends from the Gulf of Alaska to Kamchatka in Russian Far East.

The review, which appeared in the journal Seismological Research Letters in August, used basic geological principles --stratigraphic analysis, structural analysis, soils analysis, and radiocarbon analysis -- to estimate the size and timing of prehistoric earthquakes and evaluate future risk.

"The entire Himalayan arc extending from the eastern boundary of Arunachal Pradesh (India) in the east to Pakistan (in the west) has in the past been the source of great earthquakes," study author Steven G. Wesnousky told PTI.

"These earthquakes will occur again and scientifically, it would not be a surprise if the next great earthquake occurred in our lifetimes. But the resolution of our studies is at best on the order of 100 years, longer than a human lifetime," said Wesnousky, a professor of geology and seismology and director of the Center for Neotectonic Studies at the University of Nevada at Reno, US.

Seismologist Supriyo Mitra noted that the research matches previous studies.

"The research is a comprehensive review of paleoseismological studies of past Himalayan earthquakes and a forecast of the future events based on the findings," said Mitra, a professor in the department of Earth sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata.

"The Himalayan faults, as shown in the paper, are poised to produce an 8-plus magnitude earthquake. So yes, we are staring at a big one in the future. How far from now no one can tell," Mitra, who was not involved in the study, told PTI.

Prior studies have examined the rate of strain accumulation that is occurring along the Himalayan arc from satellite observations.

In the latest study, the timing and size of most recent prehistoric earthquakes were defined from geology.

The methodology directly applies geologic principles to defining the past size and timing of earthquakes recorded by sediments broken and deformed by earthquake offsets at sites along the length of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, Wesnousky said.

Satellites can help in finding the location of active earthquake faults but unable to provide any information on the past timing and size of earthquakes on those faults, he said.

"These observations taken together are telling us that sufficient strain has accumulated along virtually the entire arc to again produce great earthquakes as we observe in the geologic record," Wesnousky explained.

Major cities along and close to the Himalayan frontal thrust include Chandigarh and Dehradun in India; and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Strong and damaging shaking in such great quakes could extend southward as far as India's capital, Delhi, one of the largest cities in the world with a population of more than 11 million, Wesnousky added.

North India has witnessed many earthquakes of small magnitude in the past four months, raising popular speculation about a big one in the region.

However, he said, scientists have yet to find a systematic relationship between the occurrence of small earthquakes and the timing of greater earthquakes in the future.

"These small earthquakes are thousands of times smaller than the great earthquakes we are studying," he said.

Source: www.deccanherald.com

I had posted a similar post in 2010 and 2015 happened.

The things are still not changed, hope our government and peoples are ready for it.  

Few things I would like to change in Nepal.

Everyone love their motherland and so do I.

Except, all the positive things about Nepal there is one naked truth. Nepal is among the poorest countries in the world. Though our leaders are busy in their own nitty gitty and probably they are the one who are least bother about the country.

I have jotted down few points, that might help in developing our nation. Though I have completely no idea whether its going to happen or not, or whether someone is going to do it or not.

1. Say bye to Vikramaditya's Calender and say Hi to Jesus's calender. One of the first basic thing which I feel is that if you want to grow accept everyone is following. Without this it will be difficult for us to relate ourselves with outside world. The finest example is that in earlier times those Magars who embrace aryan culture become Chettris and they become prosperous and came under noble caste.

2. Our leaders take all the inspirations from developed countries like federalism, in short include only those rules which will  benefit you and not the country. for example why not we can go only for twin party system and not the multi-party system like US and UK. In fact, Maoist which inspired from China has only one party in its country, if I am not wrong.

So instead of dividing our country in the name of federalism we should learn the good things from other countries. The perfect example is the demand of more seats in proportional system by small parties.

3. We should discourage the foreign employment. Its like we are a handicapped nation as we are depend on other nations. Why cant we develop the resources in our own country.

 

 

Federalism in Nepal: Whom & What for?

"In Nepal, there are three types residents in the country viz An-adibasi (those who are living from immortal time), Aadibasi (indigenous caste), Aaprabasi (migrants). Brahmins, Chhetri and few Newars are Anadibasi. Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Rajbansi, Tharu and Dhimal etc are indigenous castes. Unlike, migrants are Muslims, Bengalis Marwadis, and Madhesis, who came to Nepal extending their business and trade. But, some culprit political leaders of Nepal are creating a dangerous condition of conflicts among these three groups of residents. Federalism and racism are neither issues nor solutions of Nepal. Who lives if the country's identity dies and who dies if the country's identity lives? So, our realistic issue is to assure their equal and active participation in every sector of nation building.
Maoist leaders' disguised appearance is obvious. They have used the selfish political leaders, particularly the Maoists, to destroy Nepal's dignity, unity and identity. The question of saving the nation from such pressure and conspiracy has fallen on the shoulders of patriotic Nepalese, army, security organs and constitutional heads. However, I loath even to utter the names of some non Maoists as Nepali Congress late leader Girija Prasad Koirala, leaders Sushil Koirala, Ram Chandra Poudel, Krishna Sitaula, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Narhari Acharya, UML leaders Madhav Nepal, Jhalanath, Subash Nemwang, Bamdev, Khadga Oli, Madhesi leaders Bijaya Gachedhar, Jayaprakash Gupta (Since 21 Feb.2012, he is in jail), Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra Mahato, Hridayesh Tripathi, former Panchas (royalists of the Panchayat system before democracy) Surya Bahadur Thapa, Pashupatishumsher, Lokendra Bahadur Chand and so-called civil society activists Padmaratna Tuladhar, Devendraraj Pandey, Krishna Pahadi, Krishna Khanal, Dr. Sundarmani Dixit, Subodh Pyakurel, Krishna Hauche and Khagendra Sangraula.
These groups have not carried out one work in the interest of Nepal but unnecessarily have helped in drowning this nation. Why should we talk of such characterless leaders? They have no shame whatsoever. They are traitors and foreign stooge. Under the influence of foreign economic incentive many media houses are playing with Nepal's existence. They are spreading illusions. If we are to select these criminals and put them before the book and to indict them for corruption and treason, such elements will not be born in this holy land for next thousand years.
Similarly, the well-wisher of Nepal, Hon. Harsoon Rashid, former Ambassador of Nepal from Bangladesh said that monarchy replaced by worst form of anarchy in Nepal.
It seems unlikely Nepal has historical base for adopting federal state apparatus. Since the beginning, the ethnic groups of this land have survived in natural harmony. Most of the nations in the world have unitary government. Among the countries with this system, Britain, France and Japan have carried out sustained development programs. The constitution of Japan provisions limited autonomy to local administrative officer. In France every locally elected unit is provided with the authority to monitor the centre. The citizens of Great Britain, Japan and France do not exercise less right that those exercised by citizens of countries with federal setup.' (Dr. Niranjan Adhikary, Kantipur Daily, 26, February, 2012,)
Likewise, veteran journalist Yubaraj Ghimire writes, "The royal institution was deposed under foreign support and direct involvement and without any role of the people. They have now made the national army, the Supreme Court and independent judiciary the target. Those advocating the democratic slogan of the army are supported by British, Norwegian and Danish donor agencies. They are providing economic support to isolationist forces with their paramilitary wings in Terai, Hill and mountainous regions. Those who are conspicuous in this campaign are PM Baburam Bhattarai and Constituent Assembly chief Subash Nemwang. After the royal institution, the army, judiciary, the Hindu and Buddhist religion and Nepal language will be destroyed. This is a game under which 22-24 ethnic states will be created," (30 December, 2011 Annapurna Post daily).
Jalbir Sunuwar writes in Purnajagaran weekly, "The issue of federalism is creating instability in the nation. The symptoms of disintegration can be seen in federalism. The nation is about to be divided into pieces before our very eyes. The Constitution Council members are appearing as executioners. Rajendra Mahato was born in India. He worked as a loader in Sugar factory in Parsa and as a loader in Tribhuvan airport. He took the citizenship from Sarlahi. Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra Mahato are more inclined to be a Madhesi than Nepali. These people who have entered Nepal from Bihar-India do not want to be called Nepali. Rajendra Mahato spews venom of chasing people of hilly regions to hills from Terai plain. In this way Bihari people are instigating chaos in the soil of Terai.'
The Health Minister who was Indian citizen, Rajendra Mahato and president of the Terai-based of Sadbhavana Party has been warning-'if the rights and representation of the Madhesi people are not secured in the new constitution and if the federal structure is not incorporated, the Madhesi people will be forced to launch a decisive struggle. Nepal's Terai plains are home to about half of the country's 30 million people, and the residents of the region, known as Madhesis, have long complained of discrimination by the country's hill communities.' This threatening is the voice of Indian intelligence.
The teacher of Baburam Bhattarai and other Communists a communist party the old leader Mohan Bikram Singh sheds light on his friend Raghunath Singh of Nautanhawa (Lumbini-mid-westeren Nepal) who established Madhes Communist Party in 2018 B.S in accordance with Indian C.I.D's strategy of separating Terai from Nepalese territory. He writes- 'The Madhesi people firstly forwarded the opinion of autonomous federal state with right to self determination. Such an opinion will create a situation that would threaten Nepal's national disintegration. It is Indian grand design to gradually merge all states of Nepal under the federal system into its territory. Many Indian citizens have acquired Nepalese citizenship, and increased their influence in Nepal's national politics. Ramraja Prasad Singh has publicly said that such Madhesi leaders had requested him to accept the post of President of the separate Madhes state. It is a planned attempt to increase the number of Indians acquiring Nepalese citizenship and to turn Nepal into another Fizi".
Similarly, political analyst Nhuchen Bhakta Kawan writes-'Maoist leaders Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai had once called the agreement mediated by India between Nepali Congress and the monarch in 1950 anti-nationalist. The same leaders in November 2005 agreed on 12-point pact at the behest of India to establish republic in Nepal. Maoist became the Indian instrument and took part in the uprising under Indian investment. Nepalese people are irritated with the incongruous talks and acts of Prachanda and Baburam. Prachanda and Baburam are sticking to the slogan of new Nepal and have started raising talks of merging Nepal with either China or India. How corrupted they are? Prachanda has recently said,-'I have taken billions from state treasury in name of combatants that do not exist in camps.'
An analyst Roshan Kumar Jha writes on the character of Madhesi party leaders in Madeshi Darpan-'What can Madhesi people expect from former minister Shyamsundar Gupta involved in kidnapping, Jayaprakash Gupta under corruption charge, B.P Yadav, Narmuni Rana, Gayatri Shah, Bisyandra Paswan, who sell diplomatic passports, Maoist Constituent Assembly (CA) member Indramati Yadav who steals electricity, Kiran Kumar who forces his daughter to appear for his School Leaving Certificate examination?'
It is clear how leaders like murderer Baban Thakur and CA members that beat up Chief District Officer and stagger in the streets in drunkenness in daylight are deceiving Nepali people. The foreigners have made a blunder in supporting such wrong elements. Their mistake will prove counter productive for them. Similarly scholar Surya Subedi opines-'the so-called leaders of Madesh-based parties show their agony by threatening to separate Tarai portions from Nepal. In reality, they want to hide their corrupt face from the nationalist people of Tarai.. Such traitors should be punished.'
Can we expect peace and prosperity in Nepal under such unsocial party leaders? To come to power Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala and UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal submitted to Indian advice to bring Maoist in the mainstream politics through 12-point pact. They bore Maoists on their shoulders to instigate the people's uprising in 2006. This criminal act is causation for consequences manifested in the instability of the nation. Leaders that have carried out such criminal acts are in the regime, some are outside it and barking worthlessly like mad dogs.
The question of whether to tolerate the injustices of these leaders or to save the nation against them is in front of the patriotic Nepalese. Why is Nepal Army being a spectator to this retrogression? Historically, the responsibility of saving the nation has lied with the national army. None of the armies of the world has ever remained a mute spectator whenever nations have fallen under the grip of traitors. Nepal Army must look to China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Malaysia among others to play a decisive role. Even India may side with Nepal Army for it is not only the problem of Nepal. This disease may even spread to China and India. Tomorrow this disease may spread beyond and this region may become a land of terrorists as has been witnessed in Afghanistan. Peace and stability will be lost. May such situation never arise!"

Source: http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2143/federalism-in-nepal-whom-what-for

By: Dirgha Raj Parsai

How truth has this article has. Nepali politics is an open books in itself. Shall we assume that our politicians are so dumb that they don't know about it. There was a times when maoist was there to change everything in Nepal. But where is all that commitment and guts gone. If they can throw the 200 years old Monarchy then why not this issue. Hope, this thing will never pose danger to the integrity of Nepal.

Then, how is it related to Magar. As you can clearly see that the names of the leaders excluding maoist none has a Magars. How ridiculous is this. The only thing I regret is that they have always used and used.

But, on top of that I would like to say that whosoever will try to divide Nepal, no Nepali whether it is Magar, Gurung, Chettri, Newar or Bahun, will not tolerate it.

Jai Nepal !!!!!!!

For an Awareness - Nepal Earthquake

9th Feb, 2010 – As Haiti counts the cost of last month's devastating earthquake, experts are warning of the potential for an even greater disaster in another of the world's poorest countries, Nepal.

Geologists say it is only a matter of time before a major earthquake hits Nepal's densely populated capital Kathmandu, where 2.5 million people live in cramped, poorly-built housing with little or no awareness of the dangers.

Nepal sits on the border between two huge plates that have moved together over millions of years to form the Himalayas.

Geologists believe it is at risk from an earthquake with a magnitude of around eight -- 10 times as powerful as the Haiti shock that killed more than 212,000 people.

Nepal has not suffered a major quake for decades, and expert David Petley believes the troubled country is woefully unprepared.

"From a geological perspective the risk seems to be very large indeed," said Petley, Wilson professor of hazard and risk at Britain's Durham University.

"The area to the west of Kathmandu is undergoing the processes that drive earthquakes, and there has not been a quake on that section of the fault for hundreds of years.

"The larger the time gap (between quakes) the larger the quake is going to be."

Many other major cities in the region are vulnerable to large earthquakes.

But a 2001 study by GeoHazards International, a US research group set up to reduce the human impact of natural disasters, found Kathmandu would suffer the worst losses.

Very low building standards, weak infrastructure and the fact that Kathmandu is built on the soft sediment of a former lake bed all contribute to the high risk level.

Like Port au Prince, Kathmandu is served by just one single-runway airport, but unlike the Haitian capital it has no port, and experts believe the only three roads into the city would likely be destroyed in a major quake.

A decade-long civil war and years of political instability have also taken their toll on Nepal, whose capital Kathmandu has just eight working fire engines.

Experts warn that few of the hospitals and government buildings could withstand a major quake.

"What has been made clear in Haiti is that when a quake affects the capital and government infrastructure is destroyed, organising help becomes very difficult indeed," said Petley.
 
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1876039
 
Guys, it really makes us scare, but its the biggest reality, which will come true one day. Definetely the nature is out of our control but the thing we can do is reduce the disaster by early precaution. The one thing we can definetely do is to build earthquake resistant home. To make yourself more aware..aware of silent danger...