HlaMin

Blog

  • SPHS Archives

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    High School Sayas
    SPHS54
    VII D 1959 – 60
    U Kyaw Sein
    U San Thein
    U Aye

    Salim Dawoodjee

    • Currently lives in Canada
    • His brother (also Paulian) has passed away
    1957 Std V GCE

    Bertram Si Oo

    • He attended De La Salle Twante and St. Paul’s High School.
    • He was Physical Training Instructor and Assistant Soccer Coach.
    • He later completed Dip Ed and became a Class / Subject teacher.
    • Before his death, he gave his manuscripts and photos to his son Ronald.
    • A few of his children have psssed away.
    • His spouse Rosie Samuel is alive and well. She will be 97 years old.
    BSO 1
    BSO 2
    BSO 3
    BSO 4
    BSO 5
    BSO 6
    BSO 7
    BSO 8
    BSO 9
    BSO 10
    BSO 11
    BSO 12
    BSO 13
    BSO 14
    BSO 15
    BSO 16
    BSO 17

    BSO 18
    BSO 19
    BSO 20

  • First in Burma

    by Hla Min

    Update : May 2026

    Pre-war စစ်ကြို

    U Kyaw Myint

    U Kyaw Myint ဦးကျော်မြင့်

    • Matriculated from Government High School with Distinction in all subjects
    • Former Supreme Court Justice
    • Chair of Tribunal to try ဂဠုန်ဦးစော Galon U Saw
    • Dean of Law
    • Head of Law Firm
    • Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote a series of articles about his father

    U Ba Khin ဦးဘခင်

    U Ba Khin
    • Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School; First in the whole of Burma
    • First native Auditor General
    • Headed four Government Departments
    • ဝိပဿနာ တရားပြ Vipassana Teacher (of Ledi Lineage)
    • His mentor : Saya Thet
    • His mentee : S N Goenka

    1951 – 1965

    • George Chapman (St. Paul’s) — 1951
    • Nyunt Tin ညွန့်တင် (St. Paul’s) — 1952
    • Hla Shwe လှရွှေ (Yegyaw Methodist) — 1953
    • Koon Yin Chu (St. Paul’s) — 1954
    • Lily Hwang (Methodist English) — 1955
    • Ye Myint ရဲမြင့် (St. Peter’s) — 1956
    • Htin Kyaw ထင်ကျော် (Sacred Heart) — 1957
    Dr. Soe Win
    • Soe Win စိုးဝင်း (St. Paul’s) — 1958
    • Frankie Ohn အုန်း (St. Paul’s) — 1959
    • Austin Kyan (English Methodist) — 1960
    • Lina Ong (English Methodist) — 1961
    SPHS63
    • Khin Maung Uခင်မောင်ဦး (St. Paul’s) — 1963
    • Cherry Hlaing လှိုင် (St. John’s Convent) & Lyn Aung Thet လင်းအောင်သက် (English Methodist)— 1964
    Bernard Khaw
    • Bernard Khaw (St. Paul’s) — 1965

    အထွေထွေ General

    First ရတဲ့ ကျောင်းများ Schools

    • St. Paul’s High School — Prewar, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1965
    • English Methodist — 1954, 1960, 1961, 1964
    • ရေကျော် Yegyaw Methodist — 1953
    • St. Peter’s — 1955
    • Sacred Heart — 1956
    • St. John’s Convent — 1964
    • Government High School — Prewar

    ဘာသာရပ် / Profession

    • Architecture – 1954
    • Audit – Prewar
    • Chemical Engineering – 1965
    • Chemistry – 1958, 1965
    • Law – Prewar
    • Medicine / Surgery – 1952, 1955, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964
    • Physics – 1953, 1956, 1959
    • Unspecified – 1951

    1964

    • New Education System ပညာရေးစနစ်သစ်
    • တက္ကသိုလ်ဝင်ခွင့် အတွက် ILA စသုံး

    1965

    • ကျောင်းများ ပြည်သူပိုင်သိမ်း Nationalization of schools on April 1

    Updates

    • Some are GBNF. They include U Kyaw Myint, U Ba Khin, Dr. Nyunt Tin, Dr. Ye Myint & Dr. Lina Ong.
    • SPHS has a Roll of Honor. It is on display at the SPHS Museum.
    Roll of Honor

  • Min Oo

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Highlights

    • Alias : Kenneth Khine
    • Parents : U Kyaw Khine (Railways) & Daw Khin Lay (Advocate)
    • SPHS classmate in Std VIIIA, IXA and XA. He was among the youngest, but also the brightest.
    • We were in different sections in the lower classes.
    VIII A
    Min Oo (Seated left)

    Matric Exam in 1963

    • SPHS had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
    • All received Collegiate Scholarships with a monthly stipend of 75 Kyats (net 60 Kyats after the school fees).
    • Min Oo stood 2nd in Burma. He chose to study Maths.

    Language expert

    • Grapevine says that he was reading a German book before entering the hall to take the Matric exam
    • Scored distinctions in English, Maths, Physics & Chemistry

    Mathematics Genius

    • A Tuition Saya challenged his students. “Ask your teachers to solve the problem. I will give you free tuition if you can provide the correct answer.”
      One student asked Min Oo, who was playing cards. Min Oo scribbled the answer during the card game. The Tuition Saya was unhappy; he broke his promise to give the student free tuition.
    • U Aung Sein (Retired Associate Professor of Maths) saw Min Oo get out of the Tutorial classes after a few minutes and yet had perfect score. Saya decided to give challenging questions for a Tutorial. Min Oo took longer time than the easier Tutorials, but most of the other students could not get a passing grade.

    Luyechun Student & Staff

    • Selected Tekkatho Luyechun in the summer of 1965. We attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
    Inlay Luyechun (Min Oo — Seated Right)
    • He joined RASU Maths Dept. He was chosen as Staff for the Tekkatho Luyechun camp.
    • As a multiple Luyechun from IM(1), Ko Khin Maung U was present at two camps with Min Oo. Ko KMU remembers Min Oo with a cigar trying to look like a Saya.

    Career

    • Doctorate of Maths from University of Bonn, Germany
    • Professor Emeritus, McMasters University in Canada; Voluntarily retired in 2015.
    • Was Visiting Professor in selected US Universities.

    Micro-reunion

    • After retirement, he visited Silicon Valley frequently to see his daughter.
    • A few years back, we had a lunch gathering in the SF Bay Area.

    Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) wrote :

    Yes – Min Oo is the brightest. Proud to be his class mate. SPHS VIA group photo Min Oo also Khin Mg U sitting.

    VI(A) SPHS
    Article by Tin Aung Lwin

    Posts

    • Luyechun
    • Mathematics
    • Scholarship
    • SPHS

  • Science Scholar

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Tin Aung Lwin

    • Scored 100% in the သင်္ချာချွန် exam.
    • Saya U Po Thon (Director of Education & Author of High School Maths Texts) recommended Dr. Nyi Nyi to recruit Tin Aung Lwin as a Science Scholar.
    • He had published a book based on his blogs.
    • In a recent blog, he shared his memories about Saya U Aung Sein, Dr. Min Oo and Dr. Zaw Win.

    Science Scholarship

    In the old education system, there were minimal requirements to attend courses at the University.

    Among those who stood First in Burma, Dr. Soe Win (Matric 58) chose to study Chemistry and Dr. Hla Tin Ngwe (Frankie Ohn, Matric 59) chose to study Physics. Sayagyi U Ba Khin chose to work and later became Head of four Departments and a renowned Vipassana Teacher.

    The disruption took in several forms (a) the use of the controversial ILA system (b) competition to enter professional courses (c) discrimination of those who are not 3-NRC.

    The “Science Scholarship” (SS) program was introduced to lure brilliant students to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

    Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi, then Deputy Minister of Education, “promised” that SS holders will be sent for further studies (may be even before they graduate).

    Twenty Scholarships were reserved for each discipline, but they were never filled due to lack of student interest.

    For the first batch, there were four Science Scholars for Maths (including Ko Tin Aung Lwin & Ko Win Naing) and two for Physics (including Ko Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing).

    For the second batch, Zaw Win (Second in Burma in 1970) was Science Scholar for Maths.

    There were two more batches.

    Silver Lining

    Reality struck.

    There were few scholarships for the Ministry of Education.

    But, there’s a silver lining in every cloud. Some SS scholars gained wealth and fame as Tuition Sayas.

  • Sayadaws

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    Neikbeinda Sayadaw

    နိဗ္ဗိန္ဒဆရာတော်

    Neikbeinda Sayadaw
    Three Seikkhas

    Taung dan thathana pyu

    တောင်တန်းသာသနာပြုဆရာတော်

    Sixth Buddhist Council

    Five Sayadaws

    Maha Thera Ledi Sayadaw U Nyana Daza

    • Prolific writer, an outstanding lecturer, and a teacher of teachers
    • Lay people in Burma were not known to teach Vipassana meditation
    • The Ledi tradition has a lineage of Vipassa teachers who are not ordained monks:
      Sayagyi U Thet,
      Sayagyi U Ba Khin,
      Sayagyi S. N. t

    Mingun Jetawun Sayadaw U Narada (1868 – 1955)

    • Credited as one of the major revivers of Vipassana meditation
    • Went to one Mingun Sayadaw, who presumably had studied meditation under Thee Gon Sayadaw, and asked for guidance.
      Was told to study Sattipattha (from the Scriptures) deeply and then practice meditation
    • Prominent disciples : Mahasi Sayadaw and Taung Pulu Sayadaw

    Sayadaw U Thittila (1896-1997)

    U Thittila
    • Did missionary work in UK
    • Came back to Burma and taught at the Pali Department for several years before continuing his missionary work abroad
    • Lectured in 25+ countries (including US, UK, France)
    • Ovadacariya to Sanagha Maya Nayaka, trustees of renowned pagodas
    • Outstanding teacher and writer
    • Played an important role in reviving Buddhism in India and propagating the study of Abhidhamma
    • Very modest; rarely talked about his many achievements
    • Patamagyaw scholar of all Burma (1918) : selected from among 5000 candidates
    • Panyattisasanahita (1923) : among the 4 out of 150 entrants who passed the toughest monastic examination
    • Studied Sanskrit in India; English in India and England
    • Translated Vibhanga (second of the seven Adbhidhamma texts) from Pali to English : published by the Pali Text Society in 1969 under the title of The Book of Analysis

    Mahagandaryone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa

    Mahagandayone Sayadaw
    • Wrote several books in Pali and Burmese
    • Several of his students including Thamane Kyaw Sayadaw and U Hla Myint are teaching “Pali Sikkha (Training)” to lay persons without overwhelming with Pali Grammar

    Mahasi Sayadaw U Sobhana

    Sixth Buddhist Council
    Mahasi & Mingun Sayadaws
    Mahasi Sayadaw
    • Renowned Meditation Master and author
    • Served as Questioner at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at Kaba Aye, Rangoon, Burma
    • Chief Resident Monk of Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha
    • Mentees : Sayadaws U Pandita, U Kundala, U Janabhivamsa and many meditation teachers

    Panditarama Sayadaw U Pandita

    U Pandita
    • Senior disciple of Mahasi Sayadawgyi
    • Renowned Meditation Master and author
    • Succeeded Mahasi Sayadaw U Sobhana at Sasana Yeiktha
    • Established Panditarama

    Saddhamaransi Sayadaw U Kundala

    • Senior disciple of Mahasi Sayadawgyi
    • Outstanding meditation teacher
    • Made Dhamma Duta missions abroad (until his health forced him to stop going on long, tedious trips).
    • His biography (which covers to the age of 85) and his works can be found in http://www.saddhamaransi.org/

    Chanmyay Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa

    Ledi Sayadaw
    • Practiced vipassana meditation with the instruction of Mahasi Sayadawgyi in 1953-54
    • Served as Palipatiwisodhaka (editor of Pali scriptures) at the Sixth Buddhist Council.
    • Meditation teacher at the Sasana Yeiktha from 1967 – 1977.
    • Member of Mahasi Sayadaw’s Dhamma Dhuta Mission to Europe and US in 1978 – 80
    • Established the Chanmyay Yeiktha Buddhist Meditation Center in Myanmar
      chanmyay.org
      Branches in several countries (e.g. US, Singapore, Australia)

    Mingun Tipitaka Sayadaw Ashin Vicittathara

    Two Sayadaws at Sixth Buddhist Council
    • The Guinness Book of World Records listed Sayadaw as having an outstanding memory — the best at that time [in 1954].
    • Served as the Chief Reciter (a la Ashin Upali and Ashin Ananda at the First Buddhist Council) at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma from 1954 – 1956.
    • Could memorize, recall, and give exposition on 8027 pages of the Buddhist Scriptures known as Tipitaka [“Three Baskets”] :
      Vinaya – Rules of monastic conduct
      Sutta – Buddha’s discourses
      Abhidhamma – Ultimate reality)

    Mogok Sayadaw U Vimala (1899 – 1962)

    Mogok Sayadaw
    • Renowned Vipassana meditation master
    • 500 (or more) audio tapes of Sayadaw’s recordings have been transcribed into books (some e-books), and CDs
      Available at the Mogok Vipassana Meditation Centers
    • Featured in “Yahanda Hnit Poke Ko Htoo Myar” book by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing

    Dhammananda Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa

    U Silananda
    U Silananda
    • External examiner for the Pali Department
    • Rector of ITBMU
    • Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara
    • Spiritual Advisor of several monasteries and meditation centers
    • Wrote books in Pali, Burmese and English
    • Served as Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Myanmar Dictionary for the Sixth Buddhist Council.

    In April of 1979, Mahasi Sayadawgi made a Dhamma Duta mission to the US. At the request of the devotees, Sayadawgyi agreed to leave behind Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa and Sayadaw U Kelasa as “trail blazers” for the promulgation, preservation, and the promotion of Sasana.

    There were no Burmese Buddhist monasteries and/or temples, but the Sayadaws were determined to sacrifice their blissful lives back in their homeland to do whatever they can to do the Sasana work.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is taya-oo-2002-a.jpg
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is taya-oo-2002-b.jpg

  • October 2017

    by Hla Min

    Update : May 2026

    69ers

    The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017. U Aung Min organized the visit.

    Sayagyi’s birthday is October 2.

    U Ba Than

    The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayargyi. The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.

    Sayagyi U Ba Than

    Sayagyi usually performs dana with the Garawa money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.

    Sayagyi has supported various charitable associations for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people and “Nar Ye” . They include

    • Little Sisters for the Poor
    • U Hla Tun Foundation
    • Jivitadana ဇီဝိတဒါန
    • Hnin Si Gone Bo Bwa Yeik Tha နှင်းဆီကုန်းဘိုးဘွားရိပ်သာ
    • Mary Chapman
    • Kyaw Thu Nar Ye (နာရေး အဖွဲ့)
    • Medical Clinics

    On his Birthday every year, Sayagyi offers “soon kwyay” ဆွမ်းကျွေး at Yaw Sayadaw’s monastery.

    The Soon kwyay held on October 2, 2017 was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.

    Updates

    • During the pandemic, physical gatherings were put on hold. Celebrations were done virtually, e.g via Zoom
    • U Tin Htoon compiled a Photo Album for Sayagyi’s 90th birthday in 2020.
    U Ba Than
    • Sayagyi passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.

    Posts

    • B (Names)
    • Dana
    • Engineering Library
    • Garawa
    • HMEE
    • Mechanical Engineering

  • Mechanical 69ers

    by Hla Min

    Update : May 2026

    Major Gatherings of 69ers

    • 30th Anniversary in 1999
    • 40th Anniversary in 2009
    • Golden Jubilee of Admission to RIT in 2014
    • Golden Jubilee of Graduation in 2019

    40th Anniversary Gathering

    in 2009

    Group photos were taken at the gathering. Several sayas and alumni in the Mech Group photo are now GBNF.

    2009
    • Saya S. Kyaw Aye
    • Saya S. Arya
    • Saya U Soe Lwin
    • Saya U Han Tun
    • Yi Pinn (Maung Maung Kaung)
    • Soe Win
    • Myint Sein
    • Khin Maung Gyi
    • Thein Maung
    • Chit Pe
    • Aye Lwin
    • Myint Thein (Kabar)
    • Tin Tun

    Aung Min

    Aung Min
    • Chair, 69er Health Care Fund
      Maintains the 69er GBNF List
    • Organizer, 69er Gatherings
    • Organizer, Paying respect to Saya U Ba Than around Saya’s birthday (October 2nd).
    • Photo taken at a gathering with Fred Thetgyi (M69)

    Aung Myint

    Dicky, Danny, Aung Myint, Nay Win
    • Taught at RIT and Singapore Polytechnic
    • After retirement, resided mostly in New Zealand

    Aye Lwin (GBNF)

    Mehm Aye Chan, Sein Tun, Aye Lwin, Htay Aung, Tin Htut
    • Secretary, RIT Annual Magazine
    • Secretary, RIT Mechanical Engineering Association
    • Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles

    Charlie Aung (Chit Aung)

    • MEHS Alumnus
    • Brother : Stanley Aung (EE63)
    • Not active

    Chit Pe (GBNF)

    • Succumbed to COVID

    Chit Po Po (GBNF)

    Chit Po Po
    • Rowed for RIT
    • Harpist

    Daniel (Tint Lwin)

    Daniel
    • MEHS Alumnus
    • Postgrad studies in Canada
    • Retired as Associate Professor from NTU
    • Attended SPZPs starting with SPZP-2000 in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
    • Organizer & Entertainer, Singapore Gatherings : SPZP, Thingyan
    • Guitarist & Vocalist

    David (Myint Thein)

    David
    • Alumnus of St. Columban’s High School, Bhamo
    • RUBC member (Cox: Dicky / Win Naing)
    • MOGE

    Dicky Tan (Win Naing, GBNF)

    Dicky
    • Represented RIT in Rowing
    • Passed away in Singapore

    Frederick Thetgyi

    Fred, Ivan
    • Moved to Philadelphia, USA
    • Attended RIT-UCC Gatherings in New Jersey
    • Drove most of the trip to Canada and East Coast of USA (organized by Ivan)
    • President of MASTAA
    • Was lucky to have a Lung Transplant

    Hla Kyaing

    • Represented RIT in Swimming and Water Polo
    • Had a consulting / contracting firm in the SF Bay Area

    Htay Aung

    Htay Aung
    • Burma Selected in Water Polo (1969 SEAP Games)
    • Secretary, RIT Swimming and Water Polo; Gold medal for 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m & Crosslake
    • Spouse: Than Than (Asian Games Champion Sprinter)

    Ivan Lee (Khin Maung Oo)

    Fred, Ivan
    • Life time Platinum for Bridge
    • Major Donor, 69er Health Care Fund
    • Golden Sponsor, SPZP-2000 and SPZP-2007
    • Host, RIT-UCC Gatherings in New Jersey
    • Founder & Past CEO, MASTAA
    • Organized two trips to Canada to pay respect to Saya U Aung Khin and Saya Dr. Aung Gyi

    Kenny Wong

    • Alumnus of MEHS; 6th in Burma in Matric of 1963
    • Moved to California. Worked briefly in Malaysia as Engineer and Missionary

    Khin Maung Aye

    • Retired from Army
    • Pen name: Maung Hmutt

    Khin Maung Gyi (GBNF)

    • Succumbed to Covid

    Khin Maung Lay

    • Need info

    Khin Maung Tin

    • Taught at RIT & Maritime University

    Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret)

    • Represented RIT in Track and Field
    • RIT Luyechun
    • Spouse : Kyi Win (Chan Nyein)

    Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF)

    Kyaw Nyunt
    • Member of RIT Tennis Team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy
    • Patron, ex-Irrigation Welfare

    Kyi Win (Chan Nyein)

    • Spouse : Khin Than Myint Tin

    Kyin Lwin (GBNF)

    • Need info

    Mehm Aye Chan (Ohn Maung)

    • Taught at RIT
    • Seafarer
    • Company/Agency for Seafarers
    • For his 80th birthday, hosted the 69er Breakfast Gathering and donated K10 Lakhs to 69er HCF

    Myat San

    • Need info

    Myint Aung (GBNF)

    • Nickname: Minthagyi

    Myint Sein (GBNF)

    Myint Sein
    • Member, RIT Badminton Team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy

    Myint Swe

    • Need info

    Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF)

    Kabar
    • Organizer, 69er HCF

    Nay Win (GBNF)

    • Alumnus of PPBRS and MEHS
    • Taught at a Polytechnic in Singapore

    Saw Law La Htwe

    • Need info

    Sein Tun

    • Seafarer

    Sein Win

    • Need info

    Soe Win

    • Need info

    Than Hlaing

    • Need info

    Than Myaing

    • Musician (Violin)

    Thein Maung (GBNF)

    • Succumbed to Covid

    Tin Aung Win (Oscar)

    • Organizer, HIC Zoom Meeting
    • Moderator, RIT Updates
    • Photo taken at Graduation with his father

    Tin Htut (Harry)

    • Pen name : Mon Yu
    • Hobbies : Music, Tai Chi

    Tin Htut

    • Seafarer

    Tin Maung Aye

    • Accordion

    Tin Maung Lay (GBNF)

    • Moved to California
    • Worked for assignments in Middle East

    Tin Myint (John T Lee, GBNF)

    • Luyechun for 4th BE
    • RIT Table Tennis
    • Spouse : Lyo Kyin Sein (Mabel)
    Danny & Tin Myint

    Tin Shein

    • Represented RIT in Chinlon

    Tin Tun (GBNF)

    • Old Paulian (SPHS63)
    • Secretary, RIT Thaing Association
    • Taught to seafarers
    Than Win & Tin Tun

    Walter (Ngwe Soe)

    • UTC
    • Guitarist

    Win Htein (GBNF)

    • Helped run his family business (e.g trucking)

    Win Lwin

    • Secretary, RIT Hiking and Mountaineering Association
    • Represented RIT in the All Institutes Expedition to Sarameti
    Win Lwin

    Ye Kaung

    • Need info

    Yi Pinn (Maung Maung Kaung, GBNF)

    Yi Pinn
    • Entrepreneur in Dawei
    • Spouse succumbed to Covid
    • A year later, he succumbed to Covid

    GBNF

    69er GBNF

    Update

    • The GBNF list now has 141 members
    • Some M69ers are Octogenarians.

  • A69er

    by Hla Min

    Update : May 2026

    Graduation

    Grad 1
    Grad 2

    Aung Khin

    Aung Khin
    • Worked in Botswana
    • After retirement, he and Tin Tin Hla (A70) moved to Seattle, Washington, USA to be near their daughters and grand children.
    • Attended 69er Golden Jubilee of Graduation on December 14, 2019 in Yangon.

    Kyaw Kyaw

    • Member of elite group who married before graduation.

    Myo Tun (Bobby)

    • Johnian
    • Studied in UK twice. During his high school days, he received BOC Scholarship to study in the UK, but the program discontinued around 1962.
    • Finished GCE. Had to take some subjects in Matric to attend Rangoon University.
    • Won essay contests as Errol Than Tun.
    • Assisted P Aung Khin (Guardian) with Supplement & Scrabble Tournament
    • Joined PWD
    • Received State Scholarship to pursue Masters in the UK.
    • After retirement, he became Ashin Pannagavesaka. He served as an editor of Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books and a dhamma librarian at the Mawlamyine Pa Auk Taw Ya. He later taught at selected monasteries. He went on dhamma dhuta missions (e.g. to Vietnam).
    Tobias Kittim Ku & Uzin Bobby Myo Tun

    Saw Tobias Kittim Ku (Tobi, GBNF)

    • Albertian
    • Sang “Kawthoolei” at RIT games
    • Attended 69er monthly breakfast gatherings.
    • Passed away due to Covid. His daughter also succumbed to Covid.

    Thet Htun

    • Moved to Taiwan.

    Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi (Olive)

    • Played chinlon with her A69 classmates
    • Spouse : U Han Zaw
    • Met them last at Lunch gathering at Crystal Jade in 2012

    Tin Maung Hla (GBNF)

    • Expert in Abhidhamma studies.
    • Although his health was failing, he attended the monthly Breakfast Gathering to bid farewell to his former classmates.
    • Per his request, his family hosted the BFG after his demise.

  • COVID

    by Hla Min

    Update : May 2026

    2019

    • Disease caused by Corona Virus
    • Discovered in Wuhan, China in 2019
    • Took a long time before it was declared to be deadly and contagious by Health Authorities around the world.

    2020

    Restrictions

    • Quarantine
    • Curfew
    • Lock down
    • Stay at home
    • Circuit breaker
    • Mask wearing
    • Social distancing

    Impact

    • Work from home
    • Online classes
    • Massive unemployment
    • Zoom (for Dana & last journey)
    • Home delivery services
    • Cancellation or downsizing of events (Olympics, Sports, SPZP)
    • Say mee toe (some detrimental)
    • Fast track clinical trials for vaccination
    • Untimely demise of front line health care workers
    • Overrun of hospitals
    • Shortage of crematorium

    2021 – 2025

    Issues Remain

    • The Origin of Covid was debated, but did not produce answers
    • Multiple waves of Covid
    • Mutations & variants
    • Some had multiple doses of Covid vaccines, but still test positive

    Relatives

    • Four relatives succumbed to Covid.
    • My cousin nephew Dr. Peter Khin Tun (MRCP, former Associate Dean of Oxford University) was an early victim of Covid. I chronicled his last days.
    Dr. Peter Khin Tun
    • Two cousins (Dr. Myo Tint & Daw Aye May) and an aunt (Daw Than Than Yi) also passed away.
    Dr. Myo Tint

    69ers

    • 18 members of the RIT Class of 1969 succumbed to Covid. Saw most of them last at the Dinner for the Golden Jubilee of 69ers Graduation.
    • Some 69ers lost their family members — spouse and/or children
    GBNF

    Covid might not go away

    • Some say that we may have to take annual Covid vaccines
    • A few do not want to take booster doses for Covid.

  • Rich Man’s Son

    by Aung Zaw & Hla Min

    Updated : May 2026

    AZ 2

    Updates

    AZ
    • U Aung Zaw taught at UCC, Asssumption University and in Sydney.
    • He is now GBNF.
    • Published two books.
    Dhamma & Bawa