RIT69ers had a mini-gathering at Kruwa Nam Tip Thai Food Restaurant at Pho Sein road on 21st December 2003.
Standing : Yee Pin (Maung Maung Kaung, M, GBNF), Win Lwin (M), Maung Maung (E), Win Maung (E), Sein Tun (M), Kyaw Zin (E), Thein Swe (E, GBNF), Ye Gaung (M), Khin Maung Gyi (M, GBNF), Myint Maung (E), Maung Shwe (E)
Sitting : Tin Maung Aye (M), Myint Thein (Kabar, M, GBNF) Htay Aung (M), Dickie (M, GBNF), Myint Thein (David, M), Aung Min (M), Zaw Lai (E)
Update
Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF) was an organizer of the 69er group. He passed away in Yangon after undergoing medical checkup in Singapore and India.
Kabar (Myint Thein)
Win Naing (Dickie, GBNF) represented RIT in Rowing. He passed away in Singapore.
Dicky Tan (Win Naing)
Maung Maung Kaung (Yee Pin, GBNF) did business mostly in Dawei. His spouse passed away in 2020. He passed away in 2021. Both succumbed to Covid.
Yee Pin (Maung Maung Kaung)
Thein Swe (GBNF) was RIT Luyechun in 3rd BE. He annotated the EE69 Group Photo. He passed away in Yangon in 2021.He earlier lost his spouse Dolly Sein.
Thein Swe (rightmost)
Khin Maung Gyi (GBNF) passed away in Yangon in 2021.
Khin Maung Gyi
Zau Lai has his business in Myitkyina. He drives 1000+ miles to attend selected gatherings in Yangon. He is a proud Great Grand Father.
Zau Lai
Kyaw Zin, Tin Maung Aye, Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Than Myaing, Sein Tin, Myo Nyunt, Kyaw Min Thein, Thein Swe (GBNF) & Aung Myint travel abroad (e.g. Australia, Singapore, UK, USA, New Zealand) to spend quality time with their children.
Myint Maung (Bu) is one of the youngest in the class. He played Volleyball for RIT EE. He is still an eligible bachelor.
Aung Min and Ko Shwe are core members of the 69er HCF (Health Care Fund). They also organize the monthly breakfast gatherings. There are ad hoc gatherings to welcome 69ers visiting from overseas.
Aung Min (Right)
Many have given up competitive sports & hobbies : hiking & mountaineering (Win Lwin), volleyball (Maung Maung, Myint Maung), swimming (Htay Aung, Sein Myint, Win Maung), accordion (Tin Maung Aye)
At the recent gathering, Aung Gyi Shwe (GBNF) could not remember Toby (Tobias Kittim Ku, GBNF) and attributed the incident to forgetting his glasses or having a senior moment. Both passed away in 2021.
[Special in 1924] Eligible B.Sc. graduates are admitted to the “accelerated” program (3 year course)
[Common in the old system] Students who passed the I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science) with Science Option and scored 50+ points in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are admitted to the four year course.
Short-lived in the Old system
Eligible students who passed the Matriculation are admitted to the “special” six year course.
Due to resources (logistics …), the students were transferred” before they graduated to the “default” program.
November 1964
Three batches of students were admitted to RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) under the then new Education System.
200 (or so) students joined the first ever 3rd BE Class. Most of them completed their I.Sc.(B) with the Science Option
320 (or so) students joined the first ever 2nd BE Class. Most of them completed their I.Sc.(A) with the Science Option
450 (or so) students joined the first ever 1st BE Class. Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA) system was used for admission. There were students with (a) all Science (b) all Arts (c) Hybrid
Regional College Era
After finishing two years at a Regional College, eligible students were admitted to 3rd BE classes.
I had a wonderful time in Myanmar in Janaury and February, 2018.
5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for ICST/UCSY
Paid respect to Saya U Soe Paing
Paid respect to Saya U Moe Aung
Last rites at Ye Way for Ko Aung Moung (M73)
Guest lecture at UCSY
Guest lecture at MARB
Guest lectures at private monk university
Monthly meeting of 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
RITAA meeting (includes Opening Ceremony of Teacher’s Corner
Discussion with Ko Wynn Htain Oo and Sayama Daw Thida
69er breakfast gathering organized by Ko Shwe (EP69)
Birthday celebration by Ko Tin Mg Aye (M69)
Birthday soon kway by Ko Kyaw Win (SPHS63, Germany) for Uzin Victor Aung Chaw
UCC lunch gathering hosted by Ko Soe Myint and Ko Sein Myint
Gatherings with relatives
Meeting old friends
ICST
The 5th Acariya PuZaw Pwe of ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon) was held in January 2018.
Former students from UCC (Universities’ Computer Center), DCS (Department of Computer Science) and ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) requested me to attend the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY.
San Yin Myint (Samanta), one of the organizers for the Pu Zaw Pwe, is a niece of Saya U Win Kyaing (GBNF) and a cousin of Ko Maurice Chee, M75.
Per arrangement of Samantha, Ko Saw Yan Naing came and picked me up. He is the son of Dr. Saw Naing (Leslie), a nephew of Dr. Myo Khin and a cousin of Ko Soe Lin Maung (ex-UCC).
Gave a short speech as a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”.
The SPZP was held in five batches. As a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”, I covered some milestones of the Introduction of Computers to Burma under the leadership of Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe.
Ma Nge (Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, GBNF) attended the SPZP.
ICST/UCSY published a commemorative magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of UCC. I wrote “Paying Back to My Alma Mater” (a summary of the 30+ posts about UCC) for the issue.
San Yin Myint (at SPZP-2000)
UCSY
Gave a guest lecture at UCSY a week later.
Spent 3 (or more) days of my vacation to write and post “Memories of UCC”. I also wrote an abridged version for publication in the 30th Anniversary of UCSY. They can be read at hlamin.com
UCC
Sayama Mu Mu Myint is a senior alumni of UCC and DCS. She requested her husband to drive a long way from their home to hand over the “token garawa” from an earlier “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe”.
Soe Lin Maung hosted a lunch micro-gathering (despite his busy schedule).
Ko Sein Myint (EC76, ex-UCC) and Ko Soe Myint (KSM, ex-UCC) hosted a lunch gathering at Kone Myint Tha. Ko Aung Myint (AM), Ko Win Myint (Bo Waing) and Ma Nu Nu Aung were also present. We then walked to Saya U Soe Paing’s house and paid respect to Saya (who was having a problem with his spine). Friends of Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69, MEHS 63) advised Saya to undergo a surgery in Singapore.
RIT
Met Saya U Moe Aung, Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ko Ohn Khine (M70), several members of RITAA, and 69ers.
69er Gatherings
Attended three breakfast gatherings with the 69ers.
Donated US$100 (part to 69er HCF and part to EE 69er HCF).
I hosted the gathering (mostly EE) with Uzin Aung Chaw (C) and Wei Lu (Met) as guests.
Mini-gathering hosted by me
During my visits to Myanamar, several friends gave me rides.
U Win Maung (Lake) gave a ride to three alumni:
U Myint Maung (Bu, Volleyball)
Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Victor) who came down from Sagaing Hills
Yours truly
Since it was short notice, some former classmates could not show up.
A notable exception was U Win Thein Zaw (“Wai Lu”) who came down from Nay Pyi Taw at the breakfast gathering. His spouse is a cousin of U Win Boh (Robert).
Standing:
U Shwe (Treasurer of the 69er HCF and EE 69er HCF)
U Sein Myint (Major donor of the HCFs, RIT Selected for Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo)
Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Sagaing Hills)
U Win Maung (Lake, RIT Selected for Swimming and Water Polo)
U Hla Min (Host, also donated to the HCFs)
Seated :
U Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet, Survived a fall from the ceiling)
U Win Thein Zaw (Member of Pyithu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw)
U Kyi Win (Kyaw Gyi, former sea farer, yogi)
U Myint Maung (Selected for EE Volleyball, One of the youngest 69er, Eligible bachelor)
Second Gathering
Ko Tin Maung Aye (M, Accordion) hosted a gathering to celebrate his birthday.
Third Gathering
The gathering on February 24, 2018 was to welcome Ko Win Boh (Robert) and Surinder Singh from Australia. Unfortunately, Surinder could not wrap up his trip to Upper Burma to be in time for the 69er gathering. Ko Kyaw Nyunt organized a lucky draw with presents given by Ko Frederick Thetgyi.
Trips
Tiring, but interesting and entertaining to take three trips.
Phyu Phyu Kyaw (UCC) offered to sponsor me to spend two nights at a hotel in Bagan Myo Thit. Had been a long time since I visited Bagan / Nyaung Oo.
A sayadaw asked if I would like to attend a consecration ceremony for “Lyaung Daw Mu” (Reclining Pagoda) near the bank of Mu River (in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing).
My beloved wife wanted to do dana at Hinthada for her ancestors.
Learned a lot
I learned a lot from the trips by being a “good” listener and also experiencing the conditions (infrastructure, culture, …) in different parts of Myanmar.
Cost more to take a taxi to and from the “Long distance bus station” than to travel by an air-conditioned bus.
Takes a lot longer to take the “short cut” road than to take the longer “paved” road. It’s worse if one is not aware of “unfinished” repair work on a dirt road : sharp rocks, pot holes, …
Ha Lin (Old Capital of Pyu) is a Cultural Heritage, but there are no “good” roads leading there.
Someone commented : “Most of us just make quick trips to pagodas. Several tourists hire motorbikes to explore both Old and New Bagan (and beyond). They take photos with professional cameras.”
SPHS
Kyaw Wynn (SPHS63) is cousin of Saya U Tin Htut (M) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (E).
He rowed No. (3) on the Bow side in our Senior Novice crew.
He Hosted a birthday soon kwyay gathering at Shwe Ba Saing. Offered soon to Uzin Aung Chaw (C69) and donated to Uzin’s dhamma projects. Ordered lunch for his old classmates (some of whom I have not seen since our University days). Attendees include Than Win (M69), Tin Tun (M69), Khin Maung Bo (Alan, EP69, GBNF), Aung Kyi (Arthur, “motorcycle” guy, GBNF), Aye Ngwe (Edwin, GBNF), and Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, UK).
Traffic accidents often result in injury and death.
Types of accidents
Fender bender
Multi-car crash
Head-on collision
Tumble & roll-over
Car hitting pedestrians
Causes
Accidents can be caused by
Roads which are not designed properly
Roads which are not maintained
Inclement weather
Drivers not obeying traffic rules (e.g. texting while driving)
Sleep deprived drivers
DUI : Driving under the influence of alcohol
Road rage
Engine and mechanical failure
Vehicles that are not land-worthy
Unsafe tires
Medical emergency to the driver (e.g. heart attack)
Tail gating
Practice
Many countries employ the “STOP” sign and the letters “STOP” printed on the road. The majority of drivers obey them. The minority are cautioned with citations.
Automobile associations and the volunteers for Public Safety give refresher courses for “Safe Driving”.
U Thein Tun Aung (Dennis) gave a seminar in Yangon on “Traffic control (e.g. how to design monitor and synchronize traffic lights).”
It is a myth that brain cells die as you get older.
You can get smarter up to Age 100 by reading, doing puzzles, engaging in exercise like Tai Chi, playing instruments or learning dances.
Synapses are like wires that connect brain cells and they grow by above mentioned activities. They don’t die.
Acetyl choline is important for the cognition and drugs that we are using like donepezil (Aricept) prevent breakdown of Acetyl choline and they don’t work very well.
I will mention the diet, minerals and vitamins, and herbs that will reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Phosphatidylserine. 300 mg. a day to preserve serotonin and dopamine.
Bacopa. 300 mg. a day.
Ginkgo biloba. 120 mg. twice a day. Avoid if you are taking Coumadin.
Vitamin B 12. 800 mcg. a day.
Huperzine A (Chinese Club Moss) 0.2 mg. a day.
Essential fatty acids. flaxseed oil, fish oil.
Acetyl L carnitine. 500 mg. 3 times a day.
Phosphatidylcholine in fish, egg yolk, legumes, nuts and vegetables.
Turmeric (Curcumin). Cook your curry or go to Indian restaurant.
Zinc.
Vitamin B 6, B12, Folate and Vitamin D.
Jelly fish (Apoaequorin). Prevagen is the trade name for this. 10 to 20 mg. a day.
Citicoline is for ATP production and protects against free radicals . 500 to 1000mg. a day.
Dental care like flossing, brushing and rinsing to kill P. gingivalis which causes heart attacks, stroke and dementia by way of chronic inflammation.
PPIs like omeprazole lowers zinc level and increase risk of dementia.
Inorganic copper from copper pipes in drinking water is detrimental. Measure copper level and use reverse osmosis filter to lower it.
He is the first native Professor of Pali and Burmese. He successfully proposed the opening of the Burmese Department at Rangoon University.
His works include
Translation of Visuddhimagga
The Expositor (Atthasalai)
Burmese Grammar
Glass Palace Chronicle (co-author)
U Thitthila
U Thitthila
Sayadaw did missionary work in UK. He came back to Burma and taught at the Pali Department for several years before continuing his missionary work abroad.
Sayadaw also translated for Pali Text Society (PTS).
U Shwe Zan Aung
U Shwe Zan Aung
He translated a Buddhist text for Pali Text Society (PTS).
U Aung Than
He was Pali Professor. He was also Commander of the Rangoon University Training Corps.
U Tin Lwin
Pali Professor
Also taught at IMBTU.
Co-authored the translation of Maha Buddhavamsa (Life Story of the Buddha) by Tipitaka Sayadaw U Vicittasarabhivamsa).
U Silanandabhivamsa
U SilanandaProtective Suttas
He served as Chief Compiler of the Tipitaka Pali-Myanmar Dictionary for the Sixth Buddhist Council.
Served as an external examiner for the Pali Department.
Chief Resident Monk of Dhammananda Vihara.
He wrote books in Burmese and English. “Paritta Pali & Protective Verses” was published by a Thai Devotee as a birthday present for Sayadaw.
First Rector of IMBTU
U Hoke Sein
Pali Burmese Dictionary
He spent over a decade to compile and refine the Pali-English-Burmese Dictionary. U Hoke Sein, son U Saw Hlaing, grand daughter Dr. Cherry Hlaing and two great grand children all stood first in their respective Matriculation examination.
Mr. Balwant Singh
He took Pali Honors.
He is RUBC Gold,
He was forced to retire as Commissioner of Pegu Division.
Joined the United Nations and served as a Security Expert.
