In our younger days, tears would not fall easily even when one is forsaken by a lover.
Later, even when one’s parents passed away (especially untimely), one sensed grief and might shed a few tears.
A few years back (in April, 2013) we told the workers (masons, carpenters, painters …) not to bring their lunch boxes the following day, since we would be offering requisites (robes, medicine, Nawakama, Soon) and that they would have Dan Bauk (Birayani).
The next day, the workers brought their lunch boxes as usual.
Asked “Why?”
They replied, “We want to take back Dan Bauk to feed our children, who have never eaten such delicacy.”
My heart ached (thinking of the hard lives of the workers and their families).
Tears were ready to roll down. (There were Tears of Sorrow followed by Tears of Joy – appreciating the metta and cetana of parents.)
Note for the revised article: Should we substitute Dan Bauk with Two Eggs?
Editor’s Notes
Due to the pandemic, the former Rice Bowl of Asia is facing food shortage.
Due to misdirected policies, the purchasing power of Burmese Currency has declined.
Thanks to Ko Htoo and Ko Hta, many starving families have temporary relief in the form of Food Coupons (e.g by Mg Mar Ga, Shwe Zin Ma and their supporters).
I earlier translated Saya’s article about the K1000 (gratitude gift) by his mother-in-law to purchase a bowl of Khauk Swe.
Feedback
Saya U Moe Aung wrote :
Dear Ko Hla Min
As a matter of fact, I really cherished the article you’ve rendered into English recently. By the way, DanBauk is Briyani or, Birayani, as per your usage above?
Excellent rendition, cheers!!
Tekkatho Moe WarBook Present from Tekkatho Moe War
An academic year usually spans two years. e.g. 1968 – 1969 academic year
To save space and time, I use the end year instead of the start year and end year e.g. Class of 1969 (or simply Class of 69)
Early Days at Rangoon University
The Faculty of Engineering accepted students who had completed I.Sc. (two years of Intermediate of Science) with the “Pure Science” option with reasonable marks.
The engineering classes are named 1st year of Engineering to Final (4th year of Engineering).
There were no Instructors. There were Assistant Lecturers, Lecturers and Professors. They are “Gazetted Officers”.
Saya U Ba Hli, first native Dean of Engineering, proposed the Twinning Program between the Faculty of Engineering and prestigious universities in the USA.
U Ba Hli (Right)
Some engineering students (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Maung Maung Than, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Soe Paing) applied for States Scholarship before graduation. They joined the Faculty upon their return to Burma.
Some engineering students (e.g. U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Allen Htay, Dr. San Hla Aung, U San Tun) joined the faculty upon graduation. They were selected to do post-graduate studies in the USA.
Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Professor Emeritus, WIU) e-mailed me a copy of the “Burmese state scholars in the USA ’54”. There were about 400 state scholars including Saya U Sein Hlaing and Saya U Tin Swe.
Sports
The Halls (e.g. Prome) would aggressively seek outstanding athletes (footballers, tennis players, rowers, …).
U Chan Tha is Past Captain and Gold of RUBC Gold. He was Captain of the Prome Hall Soccer Team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for two consecutive years. Saya U Tin Swe was a member of that victorious team.
New Education System in 1964
The Rangoon University was reorganized into RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University) and several Institutes (Economics, Education, Engineering, Medicine …).
Burma Institute of Technology (BIT) was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). U Yone Mo, Dean of BIT, became the Rector of RIT.
Matriculates were admitted to the 1st BE class using the controversial ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate).
Those who had passed I.Sc.(A) examination were admitted to the 2nd BE class based on the total marks.
Those who had passed I.Sc.(B) examination were admitted to the 3rd BE class (equivalent to the Old 1st Year Engineering class).
The position for Instructors was created. It meant, most sayas have to wait to become Assistant Lecturers.
Memories
Ko Benny Tan (M70) lent me a copy of the “RIT Handbook” for 1966 – 67. I published the list of permanent and part-time sayas and sayamas in one of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” updates.
Saya U Moe Aung (EE) has old copies of “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung” and RIT Annual magazines. He served as Chief Editor for both publications.
Saya Charlie Kaw (Tex, GBNF) brought to USA projects of his final year students.
Terms Some terms (e.g. Class, Intake, HCF) that are used in my posts are defined and elaborated.
Language The are natural languages and programming languages. In our student days, there were only a handful of programming languages. It is important to understand and master concepts.
Meaning Some words have multiple meanings. Meanings change over usage and time. A harmless word in American English might have bad connotation in British English, and vice-versa.
Vocabulary It is advantageous to have a good vocabulary. One may listen to a podcast (e.g. Merriam Webster’s Word of the day).
Luyechun The Ministry of Education ran the “Outstanding Students” program from the Summer of 1964 to 1988.
Class
The term generally refers to the year of graduation.
The Class of 69 refers to the alumni from the academic year 1968 – 69, who graduated in 1969. The Class of 69++ will also include some alumni who took “sabbatical” (“waso”) and graduated a year or two later.
Intake
The term generally refers to the year when the group was admitted to RIT, YIT, or YTU.
Most from the 1st BE Intake of 64 graduated in 1970. Most from the 1st BE Intake of 65 graduated in 1971. The Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 has held Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for nearly two decades.
Some Intakes unfortunately lost three years of their schooling, since the institute was “closed” for three years (from 1988 to 1990).
Burma Institute of Technology (BIT)
The engineering school moved to the Gyogone Campus in 1961. BIT was still under the aegis of Rangoon University. U Yone Mo was Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.
Note: AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) might have been dubbed SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) School of Engineering (or equivalent).
Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)
BIT was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1964.
The intention was to have Mandalay Institute of Technology and more.
Under the then New Education System, RIT became an independent Institute along with other professional Institutes. Rangoon University was renamed as RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University)
I am not sure why it was not renamed as BIT (Rangoon Campus) a la IIT [Indian Institute of Technology]
Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT)
Another name change occurred to be in line with the Naming Policy to refrain from using names from the Colonial Era.
Note: The Naming Policy did NOT have a grandfather clause. Some “old” books could not be re-published without the name changes. For example, “Trials in Burma” was forced to be re-titled “Trials in Myanmar”.
Yangon Technological University (YTU)
There was another name change to YTU.
It may be to sound similar to NTU in Singapore.
Swel Daw Yeik
It is a synonym for RIT and the engineering schools preceding and succeeding it. The term became established at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Rangoon University in 1970, when the Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shins of RIT took part as “Swel Daw Yeik Troupe [Ah Nyeint]”.
During the Adhamma Era, Swel Daw Bins were razed from the so-called “Tha Bone Kyaung” (which is a disparaging term to describe “Thamudaya Kyaung”).
With the dawning of the “Pwint Linn Era”, 50 Swel Daw Bins were planted to commemorate the Shwe YaDu in 2014.
There are many artifacts with “Swel Daw Yeik” in their name and spirit. They include : Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
Health Care Fund (HCF)
There are several HCFs. They include :
Steeve and Helen Kay Heath Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
U Khin Maung Tun’s Family’s Eye-care for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
SDYF which now also handles to two funds described above
Class-wide HCFs (e.g. Class of 69, Class of 70 & 71, Class of 72, and Intake of 83)
There has been some changes with to the Health Care of Sayas and Sayamas.
Hospitalization still has the highest priority
Case-by-case consideration for sayas and sayamas who have to visit clinics frequently
Eligible sayas and sayamas (age 60+) can have Annual medical check ups
If funds are available, spouses of eligible sayas and sayamas can also have Annual medical check ups.
Alumni Association of RIT/YIT/YTU (RITAA)
The Association has provided SAYA’S CORNER. Tea and coffee are served.
Life membership dues is K60000.
The Association is coordinating the “Library Modernization Project”
Languages
There are natural languages (e.g. English, French, German) and programming languages (e.g. Java, Scala).
Context
Noam Chomsky, a famous linguist, defined the Chomsky Hierarchy for languages and grammars.
Natural languages are usually Context Sensitive. A word often has multiple meanings based on the context.
Most programming languages are Context Free.
Language
A language has
Syntax : rules for forming well defined constructs Sample syntax : A sentence is a sequence of (a) Subject (b) Verb (c) Object.
Semantics : meaning
Pragmatics : usage
We had to study English Grammar books (e.g. Wren and Martin) and Myanmar Thaddar မြန်မာသဒ္ဒါby U Pe Maung Tin.
The Burmese language has a structure similar to the Japanese language, but has a structure quite different to the English language.
Kyundaw Kyaung Thoe Thwa Thee (in Burmese) ကျွန်တော်ကျောင်းသို့သွားသည်
I School To Go (word for word translation into English is not correct).
I Go To School (slightly different structure is needed for the correct translation).
Meaning
The meaning of words can change with time.
In the early days, a computer is a person who computes (e.g. tables for firing artillery). Even in some NASA projects, astronauts ask expert mathematicians (including a black female) to compute trajectories to check against the calculations made by electronic computers in the space capsule.
Also, a compiler is a person who compiles data (e.g. historical data).
During our UCC days, several computer books were ordered through the Trade Corporation (and related departments). Some one sent a book “Compiler Construction for Digital Computers” to the Ministry of Construction, and another book “The Anatomy of a Compiler” to the Institute of Medicine.
iPad and iPhone are designed and manufactured by Apple.
The trademark iPad belongs to Fujitsu. Former colleagues of mine worked on Fujitsu’s Intelligent Pad (iPad). The trademark was transferred to Apple.
The trademark iPhone belongs to Cisco, which experimented with “Internet Phone” (or equivalent). The trademark was transferred to Apple.
Vocabulary
Children are not shy and tend to pick up words — often in multiple languages — quickly and easily.
As people grow older, most tend to live within their comfort zone.
Such people probably add only 10 – 20 new words a year.
Effort
To expand or refine one’s vocabulary, one must take extra effort.
In our younger days, we learn from a Reader’s Digest section “It pays to increase your word power” by Wilfred Funk, co-compiler of a dictionary.
We read Vocabulary Books which cover a lesson a day for three to six weeks. We also get tested along the way.
With the rise of Broadcasting and Internet, it is much easier to grow one’s vocabulary.
We can
subscribe to Merriam Webster for “Word of the Day”.
listen to “Word for the Wise” by NPR (National Public Radio).
use “Visual Dictionary” and “Visual Thesaurus”.
Lu Ye Chun
Beginning
The Lu Ye Chun (Outstanding Student) Program was established in 1964.
Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Lu Ye Chun Camp.
The Lu Ye Chuns include
Ko Win Aung (M70)
Ma Pwint Than (EP71)
Ko Kyaw Zaw (EP72)
Ko Win Myint (UCC)
Extension
The Lu Ye Chun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes.
There were three Camps (a) Inlay Camp for high school and university students (b) Ngapali Camp for middle school students (c) Rangoon “Combined” Camp
Inlay Lu Ye Chun
Inlay 1965 aInlay 1965 bInlay 1965 cInlay 1965 d
I was selected as RIT Lu Ye Chun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).
Grapevine says that a 3rd BE student had schedule conflicts to attend the Lu Ye Camp.
As a senior student, Ko Sein Shwe was given one Bar. I received three Stripes. Margaret received two Stripes.
Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U and Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry) were selected as Lu Ye Chun for IM(1).
Ko Soe Aung (IM2, elder brother of Ko Soe Myint [UCC], Ko Aung Kyee Myint (Agri), Ko Tun Naung (BDS), Ko Min Oo (Mathematics), Ko Ye Myint (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein (Physics), Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were Lu Ye Chun for their respective disciplines.
Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint, Ko Aung Win, Uttam Singh, and Ma Pwint Than. They joined RIT.
Others include : Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt, Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, and Nelson Kaw.
Multiple Lu Ye Chun
Some were selected Lu Ye Chun for two or more years. They include
Dr. Khin Maung U
Dr. Thynn Thynn Lin
Dr. Pe Thet Khin
Camp Staff
In the beginning some officials from “Lu Nge Ye Yar” လူငဇယ့်ရေးရာ served as Camp Commander and staff (for Logistics).
Selected University teachers (e.g. Dr. Daw May May Yi, Daw Po) and High School teachers (e.g. U Aung Gyi, U Khin Aung) were assigned to manage the Lu Ye Chun students. Some (e.g. U Than Tun Aung Hlaing, U Khin Maung Htwe) were chosen to lead some activities (e.g. Volleyball).
A medical doctor (e.g. Naing Tint San) was assigned to take care of the health of the Camp attendees.
Later, Sayagyis (e.g. U Ba Toke) served as Camp Commander.
Visiting Lecturers
U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and Dr. Nyi Nyi are among the Visiting Lecturers for our Inlay Camp.
In 1988, I was invited to be a Visiting Lecturer at the Ngapali Camp along with Saya U Kyaw Myint (Physics, DHE).
End
The Lu Ye Chun Program ended in 1988.
Reunion
A few years back, a formal Reunion of Luyechuns from 1965 – 1988 took place.
I met Saya Ko Aung Win at Yangon SPZP.
I had phone contact with Dr. Uttam Singh (known as Uttam S Gill, NASA).
I had a surprise reunion with Ko Win Myint at the dinner hosted by Ko Wai Lwin and Ko Nyan Tun U for Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and selected sayas attending the SPZP in Yangon. Ko Wai Lwin invited Ko Ohn Khine and me to attend the gathering.
Bogyoke Win Myint was then Deputy Minister of Construction. He told me that he was inspired by Ko Sein Shwe to join RIT and that he had published some books.
Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Saya U Thilawunta (also fondly known as “Mon Sayadaw”) built the first pagoda in the USA on the Alleghany Mountains.
The American devotee, who permitted the pagoda to be constructed on his land, passed away.
Grapevine says that there were plans to contact the current owners to ask permission to renovate the pagoda or to relocate the pagoda.
Later pagodas include the ones at Kaba Aye Taung Pulu monastery in Boulder Creek, California.
Pagoda in USA
Food For Thought
Listening, evaluation and feedback are important for effective communication.
The salutations are context and culture dependent.
A visiting Professor from Germany wanted to be addressed as “Professor Doctor”.
Saya Allen Htay told us that he could not use “Mr” during his stay in Netherlands. He was asked to use “Ingr” (based on his profession).
Grapevine says that the early surgeons in the UK were not necessarily doctors, and so they did not force people to address them as Dr.
Some overuse the “Like” button in Facebook. It is puzzling to see many Likes in an Obituary posting.
One should be aware of “opt-in” versus “opt-out” options.
Malicious software industry is responsible for losses (in down time, data corruption, identity theft, …) in the billions. The penalty of offenders is “peanuts” compared to drug dealers in most countries.
“To err is human. To forgive divine.” I like another version. “To err is human. To really goof, use a computer.”
I have made intentional and unintentional errors. Thanks to my colleagues, friends and readers for catching and correcting them.
Word processors also introduce some errors by correcting legal Burmese words and names. e.g. “Nwe” becomes “New” when auto-corrected. A work around is to add such words to a private dictionary for use by the word processor.
Without analysis of context, a program cannot decide whether you meant “goal” (objective) or “gaol” (alternative spelling for jail).
Inconsistencies are not easy to detect. For example, if I write about Saya U Shwe Hlaing for two posts : “Names — Shwe” and “Names — Hlaing”, the contents may not be exactly the same. I use FB for convenience (e.g. getting rapid feedback), but it is not designed for cross-referencing posts.
When I am not sure about an alumnus’s year of graduation or discipline, I use X for “unknown or unsure”. Most of the time, I get corrected by the readers.
There is no “hard and fast” rule for including or excluding names in my posts. The coverage may not be uniform for the names mentioned. My posts are not complete for “Who’s who in Burma and Myanmar?”
I am not consistent in tagging friends in my posts.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
One of the issues with Burmese names, is that there are more than one way to spell it in English, like Tun vs Htun. We used to have two ထွန်းအောင်ကျော် (I left U/Ko on purpose of clarity not for the lack of respect). One spells his name as Tun Aung Gyaw; the other as Htun Aung Kyaw. Hence they are been distinguished as TAG and HAK.
I used to have a god-grandmother here in US in the early days – she passed some years back, may her soul RIP. We, myself and U Min Maung (EP68), jokingly told her to make sure she spelled our name MAUNG in her will. Khin Mg Zaw may not be the same as Khin Maung Zaw in legalese.
First RIT Alumni Website
Posted in 1999 by Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, M75)
As the Treasurer of the Bay Area RIT Alumni Group, I am pleased to announce the names of financial supporters whose donations have been helpful in taking care of the RIT Alumni web site maintenance.
Saya U Nyo Win (a) Kim Chen (M65) US$ 120
Saya Allen Htay (C58) US$ 120
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) US$ 120
Saya U Thein Aung (a) James Wu (Met72) US$ 120
U Benny Tan (M70) US$ 120
U Maurice Chee (M75) US$ 120
U Gordon Kaung (M83) US$120
Saya K. C. Chiu (a) Dr. Tin Aung (ChE63) US$ 120
Saya George Chan (a) U Maung Maung (ChE66) US$ 120
U Hla Min (EC69) US$ 120
U Daniel Tint Lwin (M69, Singapore) US$ 100
U Ivan Lee (a) U Khin Maung Oo (M69, New Jersey) US$ 360
Saya U Soe Paing (EE,), Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69) US$ 120
Note: –
Saya U K. C. Chiu’s donation included U Htin Paw (EE58), Mr. Patrick Chin (M70), and U Kyi Kong Tham (C63)
U Hla Min’s donation included S$50 donated by Saya U Aung Myint (M69, Singapore Polytechnic)
Webmaster’s Note :
The hard cost of hosting the RIT Alumni website with a hosting company is US24.95 per month. This costs does not include time and efforts put in by various people. The initial set up and programming effort took about five to six weekends, remember we do have day jobs. It takes an average of three to ten hours a week for routine content maintenance and program enhancements.
Editor’s Note:
U Khin Maung Zaw designed and maintained the web site. He was then working four 10-hour days and spent nights and weekends to get the sayas and alumni connected virtually and later physically at SPZP-2000. He was one of the eligible bachelors. He was then employed by Microsoft. He also found his true love and set up a loving family. It was a loss for RIT Alumni International.
He is now retired and is providing feedback on my posts.
Professor Robert W (Bob) Floyd (June 8, 1936 – September 25, 2001)
He received his BA at the age of 17, and another BS in 1958 (working and studying part time) from the University of Chicago.
He taught and researched at two prestigious universities : Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Stanford University.
He was recommended to by Professor Donald Ervin Knuth (winner of Grace Murray Hopper Award, and ACM Turing Award) to become the Chairman, Department of Computer Science, Stanford University.
Knuth said, “any of the papers he had written could be taken as a doctoral dissertation “. Floyd’s pioneering papers included graph algorithms, compiling techniques, tree data structures, and proof of program correctness.
He supervised several doctoral students.
He was also awarded the prestigious ACM Turing Award, which is considered the Nobel Prize in Computing.
His biography, citation for the ACM Turing Award and the Award Lecture can be read from the ACM web site.
Silicon Valley
In the early days of computing, manufacturers of magnetic devices (core memory, tapes, disks and drums) than silicon [dioxide based] devices. Some said that “Magnetic Valley” might be a more appropriated name than “Silicon Valley”.
Several factors are attributed to the birth and the culture of Silicon Valley.
Professor [later Dean] Frederick Terman joined Stanford University instead of the more established ones in the East because of his health. He is known for (a) encouraging his students such as Hewlett, Packard and the Varian brothers to become entrepreneurs (b) leasing land owned by the University to the fledgling companies (c) making agreements with the companies to hire his students and/or send employees to attend courses at the University.
The oft-told story is about William Shockley (Nobel Prize winner for co-inventing the transistor) and his decision to set up “Shockley Labs”. He was brilliant but not so good at nurturing his employees. This led the “Traitorous Eight (including Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore)” to join Fairchild semiconductors. Noyce and Moore later co-founded Intel (Integrated Electronics) with Andy Grove. The ability to move around companies is a good aspect of the Silicon Valley culture.
The entrepreneurship (initiated by Professor Terman) lives on. Yahoo, Google and several other companies were founded by Stanford alumni.
Some pointed out Harvard, MIT, and Cornell produced early computers (e.g. Mark I) and disciplines (e.g. Time sharing system, AI Lab, Computer Graphics, Machine Vision). Their alumni also founded computer companies (e.g. DEC).
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint wrote a series of articles about his father U Kyaw Myint and his siblings.
U Kyaw Myint matriculated from “Government High School”. His elder brother U Tin Tut attended St. Paul’s.
U Kyaw Myint also helped with the education of his siblings : U Myint Thein, Daw Khin Myint Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu.
Ms. Hong Kong & Family
Ms. Amelia Kyi was known as “Miss Hong Kong” not because she was a Beauty Queen.
She was from Hong Kong. She married the maternal uncle of Dr. Tin Wa and came to Burma.
She taught English at St. Paul’s High School. She also gave private tuition to her relatives (e.g. Diana Tseng) and neighbors.
She was our English teacher in Standards VI (D) and VII(D) at St. Paul’s High School. She used “the Carrot and the Stick”.
She would give weekly tests and fine 50 pyas if one failed, but reward 50 pyas if one excelled in the tests. My daily pocket money was 25 pyas, so I had no choice but to study hard.
She had three sons. The eldest became a monk. U Win Kyi was RUBC Gold. He worked for Sports and Physical Education Department. U Min Kyi was RUBC Green. He was a pilot for UBA/BAC. I saw U Win Kyi & U Min Kyi at RUBC. They were contemporaries of my brother and cousins.
At the 2019 RUBC Annual Regatta, I met Naymyo Thura. He is RUBC Gold. He is the son of U Win Kyi and grandson of Ms Hong Kong. His mother Daw Julie Yang taught at SPHS. He said that he would like to save the SPHS photos.
Calendar
A solar calendar is based on the orbit of the earth around the sun. Typically, it takes 365.2422 solar days to complete the orbit.
A leap year attempts to adjust the calendar by adding an extra day every four years.
A lunar calendar is based on the orbit of the moon around the earth. Typically, it takes 29.6 days to complete a cycle.
A luni-solar calendar is a hybrid calendar that uses lunar month and solar year.
The Burmese use a Luni-Solar-Socio-Religious Calendar. It is used for social and religious events.
There are 12 lunar months with a total of 355 days in a Common Burmese Year.
There is a difference of 10 days with a Common Year in the Gregorian Calendar.
An inter-calary month named “Second Waso ဒုတိယဝါဆို” is usually added every three years to sync again with the Solar Calendar. It is known as “Wah Htutt ဝါထပ်”. If needed, an additional day is added to Nayon in “Wah Gyi Htutt ဝါကြီးထပ်”.
Some other Luni-Solar Calendars (e.g. used by the Chinese) also have 12 months in a year. They add an extra month in the year in which the Lunar and Solar Calendars are synchronized.
The Chinese New Year may therefore occur in late January or early February.
October & Thadinkyut
“Oct” stands for 8. October was the 8th month in the old Roman Calendar.
In the Gregorian Calendar, October is the 10th month.
In the old Roman Calendar, September, October, November and December were the 7th, 8th, 9thand 10th months as indicated by the prefixes. In the Gregorian Calendar, they are 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th months of the year.
The Thadinkyut Festival often falls in October.
The Phaungdaw-u festival in Inlay Lake is held around the Full Moon of Thadinkyut. I wrote a poem “Phaungdaw-u Festival” for the Thadinkyut Supplement.
Four events related to Thadinkyut : Thadinkyut Lightning Festival, Abhidhamma Day, Pa Wa Ya Na (Monks ask for forgiveness of unintentional wrong doing), Soon San Sein Laung Pway (Mass offering of requisites to the monks)
History
Dr. Kyaw Thet (GBNF)
Studied in UK
Taught in Burma and as Visiting Professor in the USA
Spouse : Daw Khin Khin Gyi (GBNF) taught History at Rangoon University and a US College
Children : Lyn Maung Thet (GBNF), Dr. Khin Nyo Thet (MEHS63, GBNF), Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS64), Khin Aye Thet (GBNF)
Dr. Khin Nyo Thet & spouse Dr. Lyn Swe Aye established the “Aye-Thet Scholarship” in Khin Aye Thet’e memory. Prizes are awarded to successful participants at the Summer Dhamma Camp at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay. Sponsors from Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) and donors helped run the Camp.
Lyn Aung Thet and Cherry Hlaing were tied for the highest marks in the Matric exam of 1964. Cherry won the tie breaker with a perfect ILA score. Both were selected Tekkatho Luyechun from IM(1).
Lyn Aung Thet led the IM (1) Swimming & Water Polo team (which won Inter-Institute Trophy). He is also good at Tennis and Chess.
U Ba Nyunt (GBNF)
Known for his song “Chit Dukkha” ချစ်ဒုက္ခ
History Professor
Children : Win Nyunt, Tin Tin Oo, Win Oo, Aung Moe, Kyi Shwin
Bohmu Ba Shin (GBNF)
Bohmu & later Colonel
Head of the Burma Historical Commission
Spouse : Sayama
Children : Dr. Nyan Htain (Texas), Daughter (Australia)
Dr. Than Tun
Dr. Than Tun
Professor at Mandalay & Rangoon University
Visiting Professor in Japan and Northern Illinois University (NIU)
Was a vocal critic of sayas being asked to do extra work not related to sudies and research
First met Saya as a Char Taik. My uncle Saya U Than Lwin (GBNF) introduced him at the Recreation Center.
His son-in-law attended classes at UCC.
Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt
He wanted to be a diplomat. While waiting to sit for the examinations, he joined the History Department. The Professor asked him — with full confidence — to be a relieving saya for him. The rest is history.
Even after retirement as Director General, he continued teaching.
Due to the war, the celebrations for RU took place much later than 1945.
RIT Newsletter was published in 1999 and the Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 2024.
Golden Jubilee (50 years)
RU Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1970.
RIT Golden Jubilee (Shwe YaDu) was celebrated in 2014.
Diamond Jubilee (75 years)
First Day CoverRU Diamond Jubilee
RU Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1995.
Centennial (100 years)
SPHS celebrated the Centennial in 1960.
RU Centennial celebrations started in November 2020. Yah Pyay Ah Kyo celebrations kicked off on December 1, 2019 and continued throughout 2020
Sesquicentennial (150 years)
SPHS celebrated the Sesquicentennial in 2010.
Miscellaneous
Bicentennial (200 years)
Tricentennial (300 years)
Millennium (1000 years)
Three Events in December 1920
Rangoon University
Rangoon University Act of 1920 was enacted on December 1, 1920.
The Act established Rangoon University with Rangoon College and Judson College as constituent colleges.
First RU Student Strike
The Strikevto protest the Act took place of December 5, 1920 (two days earlier than planned because the news leaked to the higher authorities).
The senior students requested the junior students not to strike. When their request was not complied, 11 senior students decided to the strike as leaders.
The Burmese date — 10th Waning Day of Tazaungmon — is celebrated as Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay.
The strike led to the establishment of Ah Myotha Kyaung (National School) and Ah Myotha Kaw Leik (National College).
U Po Kya served as Ah MyothaPyinnyaWun. He is a distinguished author.
Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing served as Principal of Ah Myotha Kaw Leik.
Saya U Ba Toke
U Ba Toke
He’s is a Phwa Bet Taw of RU and the first RU Students’ Strike.
Professor of Mathematics, Rangoon University
Rector of MASU
Professor of Mathematics, Rangoon Institute of Technology
Associate Dean, Assumption University, Bangkok
Publications
Former EC members of the RU Ka Laung Ah Thinn (1958 – 1962) including Daw Kyu Kyu Thin and Saya U Moe Aung (Tekaktho Moe War) published a “Collection of Kabyars” and a commemorative Magazine in February 2020.
Several books, Sar Saungs and Magazines were published for the RU Centennial Celebrations.
Early Sayas
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Saya Kha Hall
Doctorate in Meteorological Physics from UK
Worked briefly at Meteorology Department
Transferred to RU Physics Department
Interim Dean of Engineering
Longest tenure among Rectors of RU
Hobby : Music / Violin
Former students celebrated Saya’s Yar Pyi
“Saya Kha Hall”
U San Tha Aung
U San Tha Aung
Studied Masters at Harvard University
Senior Lecturer, Physics
Co-authored High School Yupa Beda texts with Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Director General of Higher Education
Passed away after returning from an inspection tour
Dr. Nyi Nyi
He was a mentee of Dr. Tha Hla.
A Minister protested against Dr. Tha Hla’s nomination of Dr. Nyi Nyi’s scholarship citing his ideology. Dr. Tha Hla managed to push through the nomination during the Minister’s absence.
Served as Deputy Minister. Instrumental in establishing the then new Education System
Retired from UN
Pen name : Oak Aw
Rectors and Principals
U Hla Shwe
Rector, Mandalay Arts and Science University (MASU)
Senior Burmese Saya
U Yone Mo
Retired Chief Engineer, Burma Railways
Dean of Engineering, BIT
Rector, Rangoon Institute of Technology
Medicine
Dr. Ba Than (Institute of Medicine 1)
Dr. U E (Institute of Medicine 2)
Dr. Maung Maung Gyi (Institute of Medicine at Mandalay)
Economics
Dr. Aye Hlaing Rector, Institute of Economics Professor of Economics, Faculty of Social Science
Education
Lt. Col. San Myint Rector, Institute of Education
Dentistry
Dr. Aung Than Rector, Institute of Dentistry / Dental Medicine
Vet
U Mya Nyunt Rector, Institute of Veterinary Science
Agri
U Than Tun Rector, Institute of Agriculture
Workers
U Kyaw Principal, Workers’ College
Taunggyi
U Khin Maung Tint (Tekkatho Phone Naing) Principal, Taungyi College Distinguished author / novelist
Publications – Cartoons Comics Journals Magazines Newspapers Novels Sar Saungs
Calendar
Old Roman Calendar Ten “working” months (from March to December)
Later Roman Calendars Twelve months (from January to December)
Julian Calendar
Gregorian Calendar
Child
Khalay
Khalay Ah Thinn (Association)
Child Psychology
Piaget
Fun
Fun with Learning Facebook group
Fun with English Definitions Palindrome Tongue Twister Word Games (Crossword puzzle, Lexicon, Scrabble, Anagram, Jumbled phrase)
Fun with Mathematics Paradox Puzzles
Fun with Physics Online course
Maths
Saya U Aung Hla In 1950 – 52, Saya U Aung Hla was Dean of Arts. He was also Professor of Maths. He is an expert in music, and wrote notes for selected Burmese songs. His spouse Daw May Than is a vocalist. His son U Mya Than is a Guitarist and Pianist.
Maths Department In the early days, the Maths Department was under the Faculty of Arts. Later, Maths Department was under the Faculty of Science.
Options (offered in different periods) at Rangoon University Pure Maths Applied Maths Double Maths : Pure & Applied Triple Maths : Pure, Applied & Statistics
My Contributions
Five decades as Volunteer of various organizations and projects
26 years as Founder & Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter Silver Jubilee in 2024
Member, HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education). U Ohn Khine and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE Book in 2012
220+ Videos (on selected topics) : Broadcast in 2019 and 2020
3000+ Articles in my web site hlamin.com
Former Moderator of RU Centennial Facebook Group Overview of RU Centennial Group (Posts) Countdown to RU Centennial (Posts) Photo Essays and Photo Albums
Memories Memories of PPBRS (Private Primary Boundary Road School) Memories of SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) Memories of RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) Memories of UCC (Universities’ Computer Center)
Contributor Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
Language Expert Burmese Language Project, NFLC, University of Maryland at College Park
Contributing Editor, Dhammanda Newsletter
Contributing Editor, “Homage to U Silananda”
Contributing Editor, Souvenir Magazine for RUBC 90th Anniversary
Contributing Editor, BAPS Newsletter
Bilingual Author
Wrote and translated Poems and Articles
Interpreter, Meditation Retreats
Edited books of Sayadaws and colleagues
New Year
Gregorian Calendar January 1st
Lunar New Year aka “Chinese New Year” and “Tet” January or February
Persian New Year aka “First day of Spring” around March 21
Myanmar New Year aka “Thingyan” Mid April cf : Songkran in Thailand
Karen New Year
Bringing in the New Year Celebrations of New Year’s Eve (December 31) e.g. Dropping the ball at Times Square in New York
Olympics
Ancient Games Mount Olympus, Greece
Modern Olympic Games proposed by Pierre de Coubertin Early period : amateurs only Later : commercialized (sponsors, hosts, professional athletes …)
Summer Olympics Breaks during the World War Postponed during the Pandemic
1936 Berlin
1948 London
1952 Helsinki
1956 Melbourne
1960 Rome
1964 Tokyo
1968 Montreal
1972 Munich
1976 Montreal
1980 Moscow
1984 Los Angeles
1988 Seoul
1992 Barcelona
1996 Atlanta
2000 Sydney
2004 Athens
2008 Beijing
2012 London
2016 Rio de Janerio
2020 Scheduled for Tokyo Postponed to 2021 due to pandemic
2024 Paris
Winter Olympics
Sleep
Conventional 8 hours (for adults) more (for infants)
Could/ should vary with person e.g. my uncle slept 4 hours, but he had power naps in the day
Rationale for sleep Rest “Clean up garbage” in the brain Activities by the Subconscious (e.g. problem solving)
Sleep studies Dream Sleep Apnea (Breathing difficulties) Monitor brain (for a specified period) Effect of duration (too little, too much) Effect of rhythm (specified time to go to sleep)
Miscellaneous Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise The story of Pauk Kyaing
Thet Kyee Sayas and Alumni
Sayagyi U Ba Toke Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University in December 1920 Book about his life and achievements by Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char, GBNF) Saya of our sayas Passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day after the RU Centennial Celebrations) but a few days short of his Centennial on December 26.
U Ba Toke
U Thein Han (96 years) Worked as Systems Engineer for IBM Burma Active doing exercises and sharing memories / posts
U Thein Han
U Tin U (96 years) Joined Rangoon University in 1946 along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and U Sein Hlaing. Former part time Lecturer at Civil Engineering Department; Oldest and Most senior among Past Captains of Rangoon University Boat Club that are still alive; Opened the RUBC Centennial Ceremony in December 2023, Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club; Lost his beloved spouse Dr. Daw Khin Nyunt, his eldest son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, MRCP, Former Associate Dean of Oxford University) and his son-in-law U Tin Tun within a few months (late 2019 to May 2020)
U Tin U
U Ba Than (94 years) Won Collegiate Scholarship in 1947; Gold Medalist for highest score in Intermediate Examinations for 1948 and 1949; Retired as Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering; Early supporter of HMEE-2012 (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) Now GBNF
U Ba Than
Other Thet Kyees Several of my sayas, sayamas, relatives and friends are 90+ years young.
Time and Motion Study Kenneth and Lillian Gilbraith
Time Management
Five minute biographies
One minute manager
Early responder within 4 or 5 minutes
Gettysburg Address less than 2 minutes
TED Talk less than 18 minutes
Toastmaster Speech typically 5 to 7 minutes
Sports Timing Records
To Err Is Human
“To err is human, but to make blunders use a computer indiscriminately.”
Some software “auto-corrects” words incorrectly.
In our younger days, there was a good Scrabble player named James Thet Wai (Proof Reader for the Guardian newspaper).
Burmese publications have language experts (Burmese, English, Pali).
Before the Internet, the production of a good book requires the expertise of editors and reviewers. Even then, some typos and discrepancies can appear. e.g A reference book described Rajiv Gandhi as the “younger” son of Indira Gandhi.
Note that articles on the Internet / Social Media — with lax reviews — can have typos and errors. An entry on Dr. Ba Than lists Dr. Aung Than as his son. Another article claimed that Prof. U E Maung was “Bagyi Aung”. One author did not know the time line / order of Arzani Nay and the assassination of ICS U Tin Tut.
It is important to check facts (especially historical dates & events) and provide correction.
YMBA
Young Men’s Buddhist Association
Illustrated History of Buddhism Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa (Author); Saya U Ba Kyi (Artist) First edition : Myanmar text Supplement : English text Reprint: Theravada Buddhist Society of America
YMCA
Young Men’s Christian Association
N. Smith — Invented Basketball
Dale Carnegie — How to win friends and influence people; How to stop worrying and start living; How to improve your diction
Dr. Ralph Smedley — Public Speaking and Leadership; Precursor to Toastmasters International
Zero
Numerals
Hindu-Arabic numeral : 0
No such Roman numeral
Miscellaneous
The Dawn of Nothing
Positional number system
0-based numbering
Nil; Null; Nothing
Often used to represent “False” in two-valued logic.
Absolute Zero (temperature)
Ground Zero
Zero in
Zoom
Lens
Photographers and Videographers often use Zoom lens for special effect.
The more we grow older the more we have to avoid “zoom camera” to our face.
Zoom In and Zoom Out
We zoom in when we want to see things in detail.
We zoom out when we need to see things in the bigger picture.
According to “Ripley’s Believe it or not”, a graveyard inscription had February 30th.
Julius Caesar’s followers took a day from February to make July (named in his honor) have 31 days instead of 30.
Augustus Caesar’s followers took a day from February to make August (named in his honor) to have 31 days instead of 30.
February became the shortest month of the calendar year with 28 days. It was given back an extra day on a leap year.
The earth takes about 365.2422 days to revolve round the sun, so the discrepancy between a solar year and the calendar year became 0.9688 day every four years (or 97 days in 4 centuries). The first correction was to designate a year divisible by 4 as a Leap Year.
In Gregorian calendar, a leap year is defined as a non-century year that is divisible by 4, and a century year that is divisible by 400. This is more accurate than the first correction.
Grandma
My mother-in-law & my sons
Latin terms for student
Alumnus : male student
Almuna : female student
Alumni : male students
Alumnae : female students
In modern usage, “alumni” applies to all students.
We sometimes use alum as a short form for alumni.
Synonym
Synonyms are words which have almost the same meaning for the given context.
Since some words have multiple meanings, one must specify the meaning associated with a synonym.
For example, Dictionary, Thesaurus, Lexicon and Vocabulary are synonyms. Their usage depends on the context. In general, Lexicon is a body of knowledge (or dictionary) of Latin and Greek. At one time, Lexicon is a card game where players create words and score points. It was superseded by Scrabble.
Antonym
Antonyms are words which have almost the opposite meaning for the given context.
Since some words have multiple meanings, one must specify the meaning associated with an antonym.
For example, Love and Hate are antonyms.
In Pali, the antonyms of Lobha (Greed), Dosa (Anger or Hatred) and Moha (Ignorance of Delusion) are Alobha (Non-greed), Adosa (Non-hatred) and Amoha (Non-ignorance or Wisdom).
A puzzle based on homonyms : “What is the difference between the Prince of Wales and a cricket ball?” The Prince of Wales is HEIR to the THRONE. A cricket ball is THROWN to the AIR.
HlaMin 