Ivan Lee (M69) invited several 69ers to get together at his house in New Jersey around June-July of 2015. U Aung Myint and U Sein Tin could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.
Fred Thetgyi (M69)
Lives in Philadelphia
Joined the 2015 mini-reunion
Drove most of the 1800+ mile trip in Ivan’s Mercedes
Except when his batteries went out, he took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) took the photo.
Phil 1Phil 2Phil 3Phil 4Phil 5Phil 6Phil 7Phil 8Phil 9
New Jersey
Main Host : Ivan
Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint
Ivan took us on a short trip to New York
Ivan showed us around New Jersey
For several years, Ivan had hosted the RIT-UCC Gathering with Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Soe Paing as Guests of Honor.
Photo shows two Sayas and six 69ers — Fred, TAG, HM, Alice, Toung / Tom and Ivan
New Jersey
Niagara Falls
On the way to Canada
Took photos from the US side & the Canada side
Niagara Fall
Windsor, Canada
Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin
Saya patiently waited for our arrival.
Saya let me and my spouse spend the night in his Guest room. Ivan and Fred stayed at a motel.
Saya prepared Mohinga and Ah Kyaw for breakfast.
He gave us mementos.
U Aung KhinSaya U Aung Khin Memento
Toronto
Brief sight seeing
Saya Des Rodgers had earlier invited to drop by his house, but our schedule did not have slack time.
Napean, Canada
Host: Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
Saya drove us around Toronto
We spent two nights at Saya’s house.
Dr. Aung Gyi
Took a quick trip to Thousand Islands. Ma Ma Emma bought a gift for my Myee
Thousand Islands
Shrewberry, Massachussetts
Hosts : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
Since they were renovating their home, U TAG hosted us at a hotel.
Visit MIT & Harvard University
U TAGDinner
Trumbull, Connecticut
Hosts : U Toung (Tom, EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
Visit Yale University
Visit Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton
Ko ToungPlace frequented by young Bill Clinton
Philadelphia
Hosts : Fred Thetgyi (M69) & Eunice
Dropped by to see Fred’s elder sister
Visit Pake Forge and Liberty Bell;
Visit my last remaining uncle U Thein Han in Maryland
9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
It has 30 days.
Events
November1
It is “All Saints Day”. It is preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).
Sunday following Halloween
DST (Daylight Savings Time) requires resetting the clock according to “Spring forward. Fall back.” Currently, DST is set back in Fall (Autumn) on the Sunday following Halloween.
November 8
It is the Anniversary of my beloved parents.
My beloved parents
November 11
Three generations chose November 11 for their Wedding or Reception
Dr. and Mrs. Chan Taik
Daughter Margaret Chan Taik and Dr. Myo Tint
Granddaughter Ma Kay and Soe Min Oo (both EC 93)
November 22
John F Kennedy (President of the United States) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
Conspiracy Theory about his assassination survives.
A few days earlier, President Kennedy gave his speech in Hoston, Texas : “Before this decade is out, we will send men on the moon and bring them safely back to earth.”
Tazaungdaing
It often falls around November.
Kathein robe offering often take place in early November. It must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).
Veterans Day
November 11 is celebrated as Veterans Day in the USA.
It is celebrated as Armistice Day in the UK and France.
A hundred years ago, Truce was called between the Allied Forces and Germany. The Truce occurred at 11 AM, marking the event with three 11s.
WWI (First World War) ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.
US Elections
The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels.
The Presidential Elections occur every four years.
The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. One third of Senators are elected every two years.
Local races for Elections and Resolutions are held every year.
Senators serve six year terms. To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.
Commercialization of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some start their Black Friday early.
Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
6th month of the old Roman calendar had 30 days. It was renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar and was given an extra day.
August is the 8th month of the Gregorian Calendar. It has 31 days.
Special Days
August 8
8-8-88 Start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
8-8-08 Beijing Olympics
August 13
Sayadaw U Silananda (Rector, IMBTU) passed away on August 13, 2005
My father-in-law passed away five decades ago.
GBNF in August
My spouse lost four of her family members in August.
Her father passed away in his mid-50s.
Her mother passed away in her late-80s.
Her elder brother passed away in his early 50s.
Her nephew passed away in his mid-30s.
Sayadaw U Silananda
Rector, IMBTU Chief Resident Sayadaw of Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California
Sayadaw passed away in his late-70s on August 13, 2005
I was Master of Ceremonies at Sayadaw’s Memorial Service.
I was Committee Member and Contributing Editor for “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda” Book.
Accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, President, TBSA) carrying the box of Sayadaw’s ashes to be scattered from a yacht into the waters near Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
TBSA
Birthdays in August
Several birthdays in my extended family.
Eldest sister
Younger sister
Grand daughter
Me
Several cousins
Birthday Soon Kwyay in 2016
In August 2016, U Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay for me at the Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California.
The sayas and alumni presented me an Appreciation award.
Friends
Daw Mu Mu Khin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay)
U Myint Swe (EP74, NorCal RITAA)
U Thein Naing (Patrick, La Phet Yay Waing member)
They are August-born and also hosted Birthday Parties.
Lunch Gathering in 2018
In August 2018, U Patrick (Thein Naing) and Daw Mie Mie hosted a lunch gathering for the August born at Moss Beach Distillery.
They gave me a best-seller book “The Greater Journey (Americans in Paris)” as birthday present.
Daw Mie Mie translated several short stories of Ah Myothar Pyinnya Wun U Po Kyar. She plans to publish them as a book.
Is 8 lucky or unlucky?
8-8-88 (August 8, 1988) and the following days mark the hope and then despair of the people longing for the end of the Adhamma Era.
Grapevine says that the event was inspired in part by numerologists who remembered the historic event (about Mingyi Yan Naung) in 888 Burmese Era. They extrapolated the magic of No. 8 from three 8’s to four 8’s.
Most Chinese think that the number 8 is lucky.
For example, Beijing Olympics was opened on 8-8-08 (August 8, 2008).
3rd month of the Gregorian Calendar and has 31 days.
First month of the old Roman Calendar.
Events
Taw Hlan Yay Nay
The resistance against the Fascist regime started on March 27, 1945. March 27 is celebrated as Taw Hlan Yay Nay (Resistance Day).
Coup d’etat
The Union of Burma lost Democracy on March 2, 1962. The 17-man Revolutionary Council led by General Ne Win staged Coup D’etat. Many were detained. They include Mahn Win Maung, President of the Union of Burma; U Nu, Prime Minister; Shan Sawbwas / Saophalongs
Phone Maw & Soe Naing
Ko Phone Maw (5th year RIT student and Lanzin Lu Nge) was hit by a stray bullet on March 13, 1988.
Phone Maw 1Phone Maw 2
Ko Soe Naing and Ko Myint Oo were also hit and hospitalized in not-so-humane conditions. Ko Soe Naing succumbed to the gun shot wounds. Ko Myint Oo survived.
March 13 was declared as “Burma Human Rights Day” and “Phone Maw and Soe Naing Nay”.
During the Pwint Linn Era, requisites were offered in memory of Ko Phone Maw and Ko Soe Naing.
Founding member and first Prime Minister of Israel.
Awarded an honorary degree from Rangoon University.
Diamond Jubilee
RU Diamond Jubilee 1995
The RU Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1995.
Dr. Soe Win (IFL), Daw May Saw Lwin (Chemistry), Ko Aung Mon (YIT) and Ko Nyi Thet Lwin (IM1) were staying in the Main Campus, but affiliated with four different Universities and institutes
First Day Cover and Stamps
First Day Cover (RU Diamond Jubilee)50 Pyas Stamp (RU Diamond Jubilee)Two Kyats Stamp (RU Diamond Jubilee)
RIT is known for its cartoonists in general and “Cartoon Box” in particular.
Ko Myint Pe (M72) co-founded “Cartoon Box”. The Patrons were Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (C64, “Phone Ko”, Vietnam Cartoons) and Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69, “Kyant Ba Hone”, GBNF).
Khin Maung Phone KoAung Myint
Aw Pi Kyeh (“Mann Bei”) served as Secretary of RIT Cartoonists Association and later as President of Myanmar Cartoonists Association.
The cartoonists compiled a special issue of “Selected RIT Cartoons” for SPZP-2012. They also published Cartoon Brochures for Shwe YaDu in 2014 and SPP-2016.
Chancellor
The Rangoon University Act of 1920 stated that roles of the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor.
The Prime Minister of the Union of Burma is also the Chancellor of Rangoon University.
The road leading to the RU Convocation Hall is called the Chancellor Road.
College, Council (RU Act of 1920)Chancellor (RU Act of 1920)
Prime Minister U Nu gave the Chancellor’s speech at the Convocation of Rangoon University in November / December 1961.
Chancellor Speech (1961)
For a period (especially citing Insecurity), the gates to the Chancellor Road were closed or closely guarded.
The Yar Pyae Ak Kyo (Pre-RU Centennial) began in December, 2019.
Some of the RU Centennial events for took place at the Convocation Hall, Recreation Center and the Universities’ Central Library.
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, there were often restrictions. Some events were recorded in the Campus, and broadcast later via Myanmar Ah Than.
Chancellor Road
Coup
Coup d’etat by the 17-man Revolutionary Council took place on March 2, 1962.
Commodore Than Pe (President of RUBC) was appointed Minister of Health and Education. He passed away shortly afterwards.
Colonel Hla Han succeeded Commodore Than Pe as Minister of Health and Education. He became Chair of the Rangoon University Council.
Col. Hla Han
Chou En Lai
The Chinese Prime Minister visited Burma and took part in the ThingyanFestival.
Chou En Lai
Convocation
The Convocation is mostly held at the Convocation Hall.
Exceptions include the ad hoc Convocation ceremonies at Kyaikkasan and Aung San Stadium.
Some graduates had to wait a few years to attend their Convocation.
Convocation HallConvocation 196363 – 64 – 65 at KyaikkasanConvocation 1977
Collegian
He was known as “Pa Pu”, “Nay Dun” and “Nay Win (B.A.)”.
Joined the Navy before attending RU.
Represented RU and Burma in Soccer.
U Chin Sein auditioned him for the leading role of Collegian (movie based on Zawana’s novel). He became known as “Collegian Nay Win”.
Collegian Nay Win
Cross Lake
Swimmers participate in the Cross Lake event held in the Inya Lakes.
The 2000 yard course runs from Dubern Beach to RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club).
Nyunt Nyunt Tin posted a photo of her Gold Medal.
From RIT, the winners included Htay Aung (M69, Burma Selected for Water Polo)
Bogyoke Aung San 1Bogyoke Aung San 2Bogyoke Aung San 3
Attended Rangoon University and received B.A.
Took Law classes for a year before deciding to engage full time in politics.
Active in the RU Student Union. Served in various capacities (e.g. Secretary in his early days).
Chief Editor of Oway Magazine Expelled for not disclosing the author of “Hell Hound At Large”. His expulsion led to the RU Students’ Strike.
Hell Hound At Large
Translated “Invictus” for Oway Magazine. Reprinted in the RU Golden Jubilee Magazine.
Translation of Invictus
Brutally shot by assassins on 19th July, 1947.
19 July
Bo Aung Kyaw
Bo Aung Kyaw
Victim of the police brutality.
He was posthumously named “Bo Aung Kyaw”.
Sparks Street was renamed “Bo Aung Kyaw Street”.
The following is an article which was first published by Naganiand reprinted in Oway Magazine.
Bo Aung Kyaw
Ba Maung (Sports Officer)
Ba Maung
Under the then new Education System, Sports Officers were appointed for the various Universities and Institutes.
He was Soccer Selected for Burma. Sports Officer for RASU.
Other sports officers included U Thet Win (Diving) for the Institute of Economics and U Maung Maung (Soccer) for Rangoon Institute of Technology.
Badminton
RIT Badminton 1RIT Badminton 2
Saya U Yone Moe (Rector, GBNF)
Saya U Maung Maung Than (Chair, RIT Sports Council, GBNF)
Saya U Thein Lwin (President, RIT Badminton, GBNF)
Sai Kham Pan (Burma Selected, EP69), Ko Myint Sein (M69), Bishnu Shahi (EE69er) and team won the Inter-Institute Trophy
Sai Kham Pan
Sai Kham Pan was Burma Champion in Men’s Doubles and No. (2) in Men’s Singles behind Kyi Nyunt
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) wrote :
There was another national-level badminton player from Textile, couple – if not more, junior to me. He also ran marathons. Unfortunately his name escaped me at this time. We used to hang out together at Sports Officer Ko Maung Maung’s office in those days.
Bagyee Wai Soe & Bagyi Kan Thein
Bagyee Wai Zoe Bagyi Kan Thein
Recreation Center hosted several indoor sports events.
There was a shop that sold post cards and paintings (e.g. by Bagyee Wai Soe)
There was a barber shop opened by Bagyee Kan Thein (an employee of the RU Students Union Building)
B.Com
Bachelor degree offered by the Department of Commerce
The department was under the Faculty of Social Science, which became the Institute of Economics in 1964.
The RU Centennial Pages had photos of Commerce grads.
B Com 1B Com 2
BIT Social and Reading Club
BIT Social and Reading Club
Saya U San Tun (M59) won Gold Medal and joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer. He received Masters from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the USA.
Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer. Taught at BIT (Burma Institute of Technology) in the Gyogone Campus.
Served as Hall Tutor and as a member of the BIT Social and Reading Club.
Botany
The following is a Badge for the Botany Department at the University of Rangoon.
Botany Badge
Burmese-English Dictionary
Judson’s Burmese-English Dictionary
Reverend Judson and team compiled two dictionaries : Burmese- English Dictionary English-Burmese Dictionary
They also translated the Bible into Burmese
Burmese Calendar
Burmese Calendar
Wrote about the Burmese Calendar in the BAPS (Burmese American Professional Society) Newsletter, where I served as Contributing Editor.
Posted enhanced versions of the article in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and my web site hlamin.com
Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70)
Benny and Angelina Tan
Received the “Let Phount Tat Thar” (Sharpshooter) award twice at UTC (University Training Corps).
After graduating with Mechanical Engineering in 1970, he moved to the USA.
Masters from University of California at Berkeley.
Had successful careers as a Professional Engineer and as an Entrepreneur.
After handing over Tan Enterprise to his son, he is enjoying world wide travel (when granted permission by his six grand children).
Founding member of RIT Alumni International which hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in San Francisco in October 2000. Designed the SPZP-2000 Banner and Mementos.
Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs along with Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, GBNF).
His spouse Angelina was his personal Xerographic copier in his RIT days.
HlaMin 