There are many unsung volunteers for the RIT-related projects
Bagyee MyatMyo Myint
U Myo Myint (M73) is a retired Deputy Director General of Burma Railways.
He donated in cash and kind to RIT-related activities, Saya Pu Zaw Pwes, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)and YTU Library Modernization Project. His contributions include
Pon Tus of sayas and sayamas
Pon Tus of selected alumni (e.g. WHO)
Paintings for exhibition and sale
Design of covers for RIT Annual Magazines
Cover and cartoons for Swel Daw Yeik Magazines
U Saw Linn (C71, GBNF)
Core Organizer for SPZP-2012 Headed the Planning, Publications, Logistics and Security committees
Reprinted limited copies for the 23+ RIT Annual Magazines
Served as the Chief Editor and Publisher of the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012
His daughter graciously complied his father’s request to carry as much as possible out of the 90 remaining magazines. 45 were air lifted to Singapore.
Swel Daw
Several sayas wondered what happened to the Swel Daw Bins, which provided Swel Daw Yeik to the engineering students. How did they perish?
During the Adhamma Era, the Swel Daw Bins were decimated.
However virtual Swel Daw Yeik lie sdeep in the heart of the engineering sayas and students and will live on forever.
RIT-related artifacts include
Swel Daw Yeik Troupe & Ah Nyeint
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
50 Swel Daw Bins were planted for the Shwe YaDu (Golden Jubilee) celebrations in 2014.
Living Proof
U Saw Linn (C71, GBNF) had a kidney transplant, and had been to ICU at least thrice.
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) has a hip replacement surgery several years ago.
U Myint Pe (M72) had a Stage-3 cancer.
I met them on RIT Alumni Facebook Pages before I met them face to face at the SPZP-2012 Main Organizing Committee meetings.
Their health problems did not prevent them from working feverishly to repay their metta and cetana to their mentors, and to ensure that their former classmates and school mates will have wonderful reunions and flash backs to the good old days.
The three alumni are living proof that Swel Daw Yeik (RIT) Spirit is alive and well.
Volunteers for SPZP-2012
U Ohn Khine (M 70)
U Saw Linn (C 71, GBNF)
Daw Hla Thi (Tex 72)
U Aung Myo Khin (M 71)
Daw Pyone Pyone Oo (C 79)
U Myo Myint (M 72)
U Myint Soe (Pet 72)
U Ko Ko Gyi (C 73)
U Aung Moung (M 73, GBNF)
U Nyunt Htay (Met 73)
U Toe Maung (C 74)
Daw San San (C 79)
U Win Khaing (M 75)
U Than Win (Pet 75)
U Htay Maung (M 75)
U Tin Tun Aung (M 75)
U Than Po (M 75)
Daw Khin Saw Mu (EP 74)
U Zaw Min (M 75)
U Hla Win (M 75)
U Myint Aung ( 78)
U Win Htay (M 78)
U Myint Wai (A 79)
Daw Hla Htay Aung (A 79)
U Soe Myint (Min 83)
U Aung Win (C 84)
U Win Khaing Moe (EE 84)
U Aung Kyi Soe (M 85)
Daw Kyi Kyi Pyone (M 86)
U Kyaw Hlaing (M 86)
U Tin Maung Naing (M 87)
U Tin Oo (M 87)
U Myint Naing (EE 91)
U Zaw Naing (EE 96)
EC78
Ko Zarni Tun (EC78) is an Executive Committee member of RITAA. He was also Vice President of Old Johnian Association.
Ko Sit Nyein (EC78) is the boss of Sigma Cable.
Ko Zarni arranged a meeting with Ko Sit Nyein, Ko Wynn Htain Oo, Ko San Kyu, Ko Aung Khine, and Ko Zeya Moe Lay about YTU Library project.
Ko Sit Nyein pledged to help in everyone possible (e.g. donate some items, provide some items at base cost).
The discussion noted that most “temporary” solutions (due to lack of funds) remain “temporary” for a long time (may be permanently). Young alumni will work with the Ah Ko Gyis to make YTU Library a success.
Most have Cataracts removed from one or both eyes. A few had Full or Partial transplant of the Cornea. Some had Retina Tear repaired. Glaucoma and several other factors can cause impaired Vision.
Saya U Ba Toke played soccer and was active in the RU Sports Council. In his 70s and early 80s, Saya took weekly walks from his house to the Shwe Dagon pagoda. Aging gradually restricted Saya’s mobility, hearing and eye sight. Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day following the RU Centennial), but a few days short of his Centennial Birthday.
When Saya U Moe Aung encountered problem with his knee during a trip to Upper Burma to attend Ah Hlu of a Khamee Khamet, he composed a poem on “Stationary & Movement” with philosophical musings about Life, Illness and Death. A surgery relieved Saya from the use of wheel chair, but as a high school goalkeeper he values Mobility, Agility & Strength.
Sayagadaw appreciated Saya U Moe Aung’s “Poem Gift” on her birthday.
Bagyee Myat Myo Myint gave “Pon Tu” of the then Marla Hall Thu as a birthday present for his beloved spouse.
Ko Aung Min (M69) used the term Vitamin F in an invitation to the 69er Annual Dinner and Entertainment.
Saya U Moe Aungwrote :
Actually, before suffering from knee pain, I had cataract removed from my left eye some 30 or so years back (couldn’t recall which year) and then from my right eye after a lapse of about 10 years. But, I was lucky, so to speak, that up till the present, haven’t yet encountered any problem whatsoever except the need to change the power lens for a better viewing focus.
U Aung Min(M69) wrote :
I had right eye cornea transplantation 19 years ago, but unsuccessful . Again cataract removal on left eye It’s OK up to now.
There are various ways to classify schools. They include
English School
Vernacular School
Anglo-Vernacular School
Boys’ School
Girls’ School
Monastic School
Missionary School
National School
Municipal School
Government School
Private School
Primary School
Middle School
High School
De La Salle Schools
The following schools were founded by the De La Salle Brothers (an Order in the Catholic Church).
Sr. Patrick’s HS (Moulmein)
St. Paul’s HS (Rangoon)
St. Peter’s HS (Mandalay)
St. Albert’s HS (Maymyo)
St. Joseph’s HS (Loikaw)
St. Columban’s HS (Bhamo)
De La Salle School (Twante)
Old Paulians
The early Paulians include ICS U Tin Tut, Dr. Ba Han, Dr. Ba Maw, U Chan Htoon, and U Ba Khin.
RIT Sayas who attended SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) include
U Tin Htut
U Soe Paing
U Htun Aung Kyaw
U Myint Soe (GBNF)
U Ohn Maung (Anthony Sein)
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Myo Khin
RIT Alumni who attended SPHS include
U Sein Htoon (M63, RUBC Captain and Gold)
U Myint Khine (Norman Khine, C63, Boxing, Soccer, Track and Field, Rowing)
U Thaung Lwin (EC66, RUBC Captain and Gold)
U Myo Myint (EC67, RUBC Gold)
U Than Htut (M67, RUBC Gold)
U Sein Shwe (M67, Luchechun, Dobat, Harmonica)
Dr. Thein Tun (EP67)
U Kyaw Kyaw (Christopher Sein, C67)
U Aung Khin (EP68)
U Tin Nwe (Milton Sein, C68)
Several from the Class of 69 U Hla Min, U Chit Po Po (GBNF), U “Cowboy” Tin Nwe (GBNF), Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor), U Ngwe Tun, U Than Win, U Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung), U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, GBNF), U Than Htay
Several from the Class of 70 U La Min, U “Pauk Si” Hla Min (GBNF)
Several from the Class of 71 U Myint Thin (GBNF), U Myint Toe, U Bo Bo Oo (Oscar), U Wunna Sithu).
B.O.B (Brothers’ Old Boys)
Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Raymond Sein, A58, President of Ru Con-Bro Association)
David Myint Thein (M69, St. Columban’s)
U Ohn Khine (M70, St. Peter’s)
U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70, St. Albert’s)
Saw Maung Maung Htwe (Class of 70, St. Albert’s)
U Kyaw Thu (Dennis Mackey, C73, St. Patrick’s)
MEHS Alumni
RIT Sayas who attended MEHS (Methodist English High School) include
Albert and Tin Mg Aye were room-mates. Both are အႏုပညာရွင္. Both of them look much younger than the rest of us as we all can see in the picture. So we all must sing songs especially like Albert always do. Cheers!
Ko Tin Maung Aye replied: Thanks , Ko Zau Lai (Actor of Kachin State). You also look young and handsome.
Albert Kyaw Min replied : We always remember our Great friend Zau Lai the Great.I never forget whenever I sang he is the one who accompanied with me together with David Myint Thein.
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) has given several refresher courses on the various aspects of Electrical Power & Distribution. He also wrote articles on electrical hazards (e.g. electrocution, downed power lines).
110-120V systems pose less risk to users than 220-240V systems.
Main and auxiliary circuit breakers, proper earth connections, and using electrical devices that are certified to conform to safety regulations … can help minimize tragedies.
Saya U Htin Paw (EE58) joined UBARI upon his return from his further studies in the USA. He then transferred to Electrical Inspectorate.
The Chief Electrical Inspectors (e.g. U Aung Than) and Chief Engineers of ESB/EPC taught part-time at the engineering colleges.
Sad to hear the voice of Saya U Aye Win Kyaw recounting the “bad experience” that led to his son’s untimely death. He pleaded to the clinics and the hospitals to prioritize safety for the patients and their caretakers. Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) sent me the voice message.
Road Safety
Traffic accidents happen and often result in injury and death.
They include the following (a) fender bender (b) multi-car crash (c) car hitting pedestrians (d) head-on collision (e) tumble & roll-over …
They can be caused by (a) roads (which are designed or maintained properly) (b) drivers (not obeying traffic rules) (c) inclement weather (d) road rage (e) engine and mechanical failure (f) not land-worthy vehicles (g) unsafe tires (h) medical emergency (to the driver) …
An alumni gave a seminar on “Traffic control (e.g. how to design monitor and synchronize traffic lights).”
Many countries employ the “STOP” sign and the letters “STOP” printed on the road. Most drivers obey them. The violators are cautioned with citations.
Automobile associations and the volunteers for Public Safety give refresher courses for “Safe Driving”.
Safety of Food and Drug
FDA
Most countries have a Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
They perform tests before certifying if a food or drug is safe to take.
Water
Some departments monitor if tap water is safe to drink.
Some check if the claims for the “bottled water” are true.
Recall of products
Over the years, I have read “recall” notices
Beef and chicken products that are contaminated
Pickled tea leaves that have been prepared using “unsafe” dyes and chemicals
Toys that are unsafe for children
Concern
During a visit to Yangon, a friend took me to his favorite restaurant. He handed to the Chef the oil bottle that he had brought from home to be used in preparing the dishes. He felt that some cooking oils and cooking styles might be harmful.
Our immune systems may degrade over time.
Commercialism may overtake the health concerns.
I hope that there are no malpractices in the preparation of food (e.g. ah thoke, ah kyaw, …).
Starting from the Rangoon University Golden Jubilee in 1970, the term “Swel Daw Yeik” became a synonym for RIT and its predecessors.
Swel Daw Yeik Anyeint became a feature of the RIT gatherings such as Singapore Thingyan & SPZPs.
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung was published by Saya U Moe Aung & team to commemorate SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, and SPZP-2010 in Singapore.
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine was published to commemorate SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016 (all held at the Gyogone Campus).
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)
Before, during and after SPZP-2012, Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) had informal discussions with U Ko Ko (Hset Hmu), U Myint Pe, U Wynn Htain Oo, and several other RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins about forming Swel Daw Yeik Foundation to help alums and sayas.
U Khin Maung Tun (Htet Linn Lu Say, T78) pledged/donated K1500+ lakhs for Swel Daw Yeik Foundation. He also graciously accepted the Presidency.
Saya U Moe Aung is Patron of SYDF. Saya also leads the PR team for providing information and update.
SDYFActivities
Health CareHealth care for eligible sayas and sayamas
Financial assistance for sayas undergoing hospitalization was initially Two Lakh Kyats Increased to Four (or more) Lakhs
Sayas requiring personal aids and/or frequent trips to the medical clinics are also provided financial assistance on the need basis (with approval at a SDYF meeting)
Annual Medical Checkup Initiated by the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund” and the “U Khin Maung Tun and family Fund for vision care“ The balance of the two Funds have been transferred to SDYF
Shwe YaDu Celebrations in 2014
Physical, moral, and monetary support for the Shwe YaDu (Golden Jubilee) celebrations in December, 2014
Shwe YaDu Lann project
Planting fifty Swel Daw Bins
Shwe YaDu benches
Help to RIT
Helped SPZPs Repaying the metta and cetana of all eligible sayas and sayamas world wide
Helping young alums and passing the “RIT Spirit” to them
Repairing/replace of roofs of selected houses in the Campus
HlaMin 