Dream

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Jules Verne

He dreamed of traveling

• to the Moon and back
• in a hot air balloon
• in a submarine 20000 leagues under the sea
• to the center of the earth
• around the world in 80 days (a remarkable feat for his time)

He inspired people to transform most of his wishes into reality.

• He sent three men from a Cape in Florida to orbit the moon, and returned them safely to earth.
• A century later — around Christmas of 1968 — Apollo 8 with Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill Anders made Verne’s dream a reality. The space ship was launched from Cape Canaveral (later renamed Cape Kennedy), which is within striking distance of the spot chosen by Vernes.
• In July 1969, Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon.

• When President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, “Before this decade is out, we will send men to the moon and then bring them back safely to earth”, there was no substantial plan to support his dream.
• Wernher von Braun, a German rocket scientist, and his team were given a “level of trust” to work on the NASA project.
• It would need baby steps : Mercury, Gemini & Apollo projects to have one, two and three astronauts to man the space ships.
• It was not clear how to implement the important phase. e.g. How can a direct hit to the moon cause a safe return to earth? Folklore said that an engineer scribbled on his lunch bag a “spider” landing on the moon and returning. His dream resulted in the design of the Lunar Module. The rest is history.
• The take away is that “If you can dream, others can fulfill [your dream].”

My Early Dream

• My dream — more than two decades ago — was to get the sayas and alumni get reconnected electronically (virtually) and physically (face-to-face).
• In 1999, we founded the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and ex-rit.org website.
• With the help of countless sponsors and volunteers, the First RIT Grand Reuion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP) was held in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.

• Seven SPZPs have been held
  USA in 2000, Singapore in 2002, 2007 and 2010, Yangon in 2004, 2012, 2016.
• SPZP-2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic.

My Recent Dream

• It was to compile and publish a story of our beloved land, our ancestors, mentors prime movers; those who helped build the “Rice Bowl of Asia”; those who dragged it to LDC (Least Developing Country) status; unsung heroes who tried to overcome the “Adhamma Era” and rebuild the nation into former glory.
• I have written numerous articles / posts.
• 2500+ posts can now be read from my web site — hlamin.com
• I have broadcast 220+ educational videos.
• We request Volunteers (paid or unpaid), Subject Matter Experts, Editors, Proofreaders, Presentation Gurus, Sponsors, Contributors & Supporters to help implement my Dream.
• @hmin3664

U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :

Dreaming and creating inspiration for others to be able to fulfill your dreams are two different animals, if you will, by themselves. I, like many others, have dreams but we do not have your dedication, perseverance and drive to inspire others,

As I have said many times here, my hats off to you, I am very proud to be considered your friend, and informal pupil. And to your significant other (Ma Sein Yie) to take care of you/look after you and your sons while you would be deep into these projects. Please convey my regards to your family members