For the scholars working on Nepal, particularly those engaged in Newar studies, Daya Ratna Shakya is not a new name. I have known him for longer than last four decades. He is a well-known figure in the Newa community as an activist, Nepalbhasa writer, linguist, and editor of various Nepalbhasa literary magazines and journals. During this period, he has produced numerous books, and innumerable articles on matters related to the Newa civilization. He has also led various Nepalese organizations in the USA. Specifically, his contributions to Newar linguistics can be considered immensely valuable, as they investigate various aspects of Nepalbhasa, the language of Newa people. This is because he is not just a trained linguist but also a native speaker of this language.
