Author: Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)

Thank you very much to all of you (Organizing members and the participants) for the unforgettable grand event “SPZP and RIT Reunion 2000” at San Francisco.

Let me express the most exciting moment for me at the event. Earlier, I have learned from your “Countdown to the Reunion” articles that there were some questions about the agenda, especially about the Saya Ga Daw Pwe which is a tradition/practice for the Buddhists. Later the organizing committee members arranged it as an optional for the attendees.

On that great evening of October 28, I arrived just in time from the other hall into the main hall to participate in my most anticipated moment. I jumped into the event from behind the other participants. For a few seconds, all of us struggled willingly with joy for a tiny spot to pay homage to our Sayagyis. Each of us did it successfully in a thrilling moment. To pay homage all my Sayagyis together in this place and time was an extraordinary opportunity for all of us. It does not matter for me – their religion – whether they directly taught me, indirectly, or did not – whether I have seen them before or not. Sayas are Sayas. Whoever they were/are. There is no problem. Our Sayas and Sayamas have done a grand – unparalleled accomplishments to our Mother “Rangoon Institute of Technology”, to our Mother Country , and to our lives.

One more special excitement for me was, I noticed that there were non-Buddhists not only on the stage among the Sayas but also on the floor among the engineers who were proudly paying homage with strong eagerness to our Sayagyis. Immediately after we paid homage, I saw many of us ‘Great Engineers’, some with tears of joy, bowing their heads, rushed to the Sayagyis sitting on the stage, touched, and held their Saya’s hands with excitement. I guessed that some of these fore-rushers were in their 60’s and trembling with exultation. I learned that SPZP is not only for young engineers.

The event was very enthusiastic and swift. [Let me say,] it was also a little chaotic and informal. However, this kind of chaotic atmosphere was the real unforgettable “Unique Essence” of our once-in-a-life-time SPZP and Reunion, 2000.

With Respect,
Ba Thein, Atlanta

• “Ba Thein, Atlanta” is the pen name of Dr. Myint Thein (M73), who studied at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
• On the eve, we had an informal gathering at an “all you can Japanese, Korean and Chinese buffet”. We saw some of our Sayas (e.g. Dr. San Hla Aung) revering their Sayas (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi).

• At the Reunion dinner (Main Event) and the Family Picnic the following day, we saw more instances. Saya U Khin Aung Kyi paying respect to his Sayas — U Ba Toke (Maths) and U Num Kok (Civil) — is awesome and inspiring.

• Earlier I received e-mails telling me the difference of Asian and Western cultures, e.g. how one calls one’s professors by their first name, and hinting that “it would be awkward for non-Asian spouses to witness/understand the SPZP”.
  Fortunately, we did not hear any complaints at the event.

Appreciation

We appreciate the cetana of the following alumni who felt that the RIT Alumni International should have activities beyond the First ever RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.

They are honored as “Golden Sponsors” of SPZP-2000.

• Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California)
  Donated $1000 initially and later gave an additional $1800.

• Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey)
  Donated $1200 for the General Fund of RIT Alumni International (and for SPZP-2000).
  Earlier donated $360 for one year’s operating expense of the ex-rit.or web site

• David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67, Northern California)
  Donated $1000 for SPZP-2000
  

• Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng, M70)
  Donated in cash and kind.
  Designed the memorabilia (Banner, Mug, Calculator/Clock and Tee-shirt).
  Since he had gift shops, he obtained most of the memorabilia from his vendors at discount prices.
  

• U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
  Donated a Round-trip ticket to Myanmar
  By popular acclaim, the ticket was given to Sayagyi U Ba Toke.

Update

Steeve Kay

• Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs.
• Established the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas. In 2019, the balance of the Fund was handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
• Donated $200,000+ over the years to RIT-related activities.
• He is now GBNF.

Ivan Lee

• Hosted the annual RIT-UCC Gathering in New Jersey
• Golden Sponsor for SPZP-2007
  Sponsored ayama Naw Mu Mu Aye to attend the SPZP

David Ko

• Donated US $3000 to SPZP-2012
• Sponsored Dinner Tables at NorCal RITAA Dinner
• He is now GBNF.

Benny Tan

• Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs

• For SPZP-2000, Ko Benny used Steeve’s donation as seed money to raise funds.
  He designed memorabilia to give to sayas, sayamas and selected organizers / volunteers.
  Some memorabilia were put on sale for attendees at SPZP-2000.

U Maung Maung Than

• Could not attend SPZP-2000, but he comunicated with Saya Allen Htay
• Supported Saya Dr. Tin Win’s “Run LA Marathon to raise fund for SPZP-2007”

Sponsors for Sayagyi U Ba Toke

• U Maung Maung Than donated the round trip ticket
• U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) hosted Sayagyi U Ba Toke and his son U Ye Myint (EP72) at his then new house in Hayward, California.
• Saya Allen Htay, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Mao Toon Siong and several sayas and alumni took care of Sayagyi’s stay.