Elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS63, Chemical Engineering from Dresden University, GBNF) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE72).
Sad to lose an accomplished “Rescue Team Leader”.
Sad Event
It occurred on February 15, 2013.
Squadron Leader Dr. Rimon Than (Ko Yi Htet), elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS 63, RUBC) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE 72) from Wales, passed away during a mountaineering training in Scotland due to an avalanche. He is a squadron leader in Royal Air Force (RAF) and also a doctor and an experienced mountain climber.
Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than were in Yangon at the time. They had to fly back to Wales to attend the funeral service with military honors.
Maung Maung Kyi was my classmate at St. Paul’s High School and I.Sc.(A). We rowed together at RUBC. He studied Chemical Engineering (Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, Germany. He was a best man at our wedding.
Visit to Wales
In 2017, we visited UK.
My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, GBNF) drove us to Wales to visit Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than at their new home Ogmore-by-the-sea.
Maung Maung Kyi
Updates
Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun (MRCP, Former Associate Dean of OxfordUniversity) was a victim of Covid-19 and the lax Guidelines of NIH. He passed away on April 13, 2020. The news and TV coverage about the sad story led to reevaluation of procedures and support for NIH doctors and staff combating Covid.
Maung Maung Kyi passed away peacefully in November 2024. His younger sisters — Dr. Kyi Kyi Hla, Daw Khin Thitsar and Dr. Khin Sabai — performed Soon Kwyay Dana for the 1st Anniversary of Maung Maung Kyi’s demise.
Soon Kyway
Memories
Khin Sabai, Khin May Than & Mg Mg Kyi Top Matriculates from SPHS 1963SPHS Std VIII (A) Mg Mg Kyi 1 Mg Mg Kyi 2
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).
It is rendered as Training or Practice. The Myanmar call it Theik-kha.
Three Sikkha
Buddhist studies describe three Sikkha
Sila (Morality)
Samadhi (Concentration)
Panna (Wisdom)
Pali Sikkha
Mahagandayone Sayadaw (Ashin Janakabhivamsa) authored several texts including Pali Sikkha (Practice using Pali words and phrases).
Mahagandayone Sayadaw
Tharmanay Kyaw Sayadaw (U Dhammika) wrote and taught Paritta Seik-kha (Practice using words and phrases from the eleven suttas) in both Myanmar and English. Sayadaw’s objective is to help people (outside Myanmar who do not have time to study Pali grammar) to read and understand Pali texts such as the Protective Suttas and Dhammapada.
Before the advent of digital cameras and smart phones, it was not simple and cheap to take photos (let alone process them).
Black & White Photos
In my younger days, I had a Box Camera, and later Yashica Mat.
Unlike my uncle and a cousin brother who are experts in developing films (in a dark room), I had to pay 25 to 50 pyas per print at a Studio (e.g. Ahuja).
Photographers
Later, there emerged freelance & professional photographers (e.g. Maung Maung Nhyat & his brothers, Dat Pone San Aung, Dhatu Kyaw Lynn, Maung Maung Soe).
Only those who won contracts had permission to take official photos at the Convocations. It was not compulsory to take and pay for the photos. Some, who did not order the photos, found their photos being displayed as examples of “Do not walk like this” and similar fun messages.
Captions
During our younger days, SPHS had Annual Photo Shoots.
A Group Photo cost One Kyat (without Captions) and K 1.50 (with Captions).
It is not easy to identify people in photos without captions.
In most FB Groups, there are individual photos and group photos (e.g. fresher welcome, farewell, graduation, newspaper clippings). Only a fraction has captions and dates.
Some photos serve as a reminder of those that are Gone But Not Forgotten (GBNF).
Color Photos
In the early days, Color photos had to be sent abroad for processing.
Our wedding photos in 1973 were taken with the color film bought by my elder brother during his trip overseas. The film was sent (for processing ) to a friend who was studying in Australia.
The color photos fade over time.
Advances in Technology
Kodak (an Industry Leader in Film Technology) went bankrupt.
Most phones have one or more cameras. Even children can take reasonably good photos. The photos can be edited (e.g. crop, color-adjusted).
Warning : Some unscrupulous people have doctored photos and presented them as evidence of news.
Htein Win
It took a long time for him to publish books about the Dark Moments in Burma.
First Book
Book 1Book 2
Took photos of the U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin mostly from a saya’s house in the Main Campus. Gave photos to some friends and to an organization overseas (for storage).
With the Pwint Linn era, he was able to get back the archived photos from overseas. Managed to get articles from some of the participants in the Ah Yay Ah Khin. He published the book about the Ah Yay Ah Khin.
Ko Khin Maung Zaw bought a copy of the book from Myanmar and then mailed it to me.
Second Book
In November 2019. I was invited to attend the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay. Met Ko Htein Win who had a book stall at the Festival. He gave me an autographed copy of the book about 8-8-88.
Ma Ma Mi (Daw Khin Khin Latt) is from Sagaing. She wanted Saya Chit (Dr. Chit Swe) to be a Yahan (temporary monk) at a monastery in Sagaing Hills. Some monastery compounds are named after the towns in Irrawaddy Delta.
Ko Myint Oo and I offered to be temporary monks with Saya Chit.
Ordination
There are two phases to become a monk :
(a) Novitiation (ရှင်ပြု Shin Pyu) or “Lower Ordination” to become a “Ko Yin” (ကိုရင် novice)
(b) “Thane Wyn” or “Higher Ordination” in a Sima (သိမ် Thane) to become an Upazin ဥပဇင်း
At least five monks are needed to conduct the “Higher Ordination”.
In Yangon, the ceremony takes 15 – 30 minutes.
The final part is an Exhortation by the Preceptor. As Mentor to the newly ordained monk, the Preceptor shares his knowledge and gives advice.
When the Preceptor learned that Saya Chit is a renowned Professor and the Founder/Director of UCC, he gave “extra” attention by exhorting for “close to three hours”. Sayadaw enjoyed illuminating Saya Chit.
Since I could barely squat, I was “offered” a pillow to rest my knees and I was allowed to “kneel down” on the pillow.
Tourist Guide for a day
After a week of monk hood, we returned to our lay life sans (without) our hair.
Ko Myint Oo is a social animal. He knew two Guides from “Tourist Burma”. At least one of them was new. They had a reasonably tough assignment. They had to guide an American student (in his senior year at a New York University) trying to write a first-hand report about the Buddhist artifacts in Mandalay and Sagaing.
The Guides requested help from Ko Myint Oo. Ko Myint Oo shunted and in a moment I became a volunteer tourist guide explaining (to the best of my knowledge) Buddhism & rites and rituals.
The Metallurgy Department was established in 1954 with the assistance of contract staff from India. Mr. H.S. Shastri was the first head of department and Mr. A.C. Agrawal was an assistant lecturer.
I was awarded a government scholarship to study Metallurgy at Lehigh University in 1954, when I was a second year student of Civil Engineering in Rangoon. (Incidentally, it was at Lehigh that I first met Sayas U Aung Khin and U Pu.) I returned home in 1957 after completing my bachelor’s degree and joined the department as assistant lecturer. Saya U Saw Pru joined the department as an assistant lecturer in 1958.
I was awarded a Colombo Plan Fellowship in 1959 for further studies at the University or Queensland, Australia, and came back in 1961 after finishing my master’s degree. I was promoted to lectureship in 1962.
Saya U Than Tin joined the department in 1960 and left for U.S. after a few years. There were visiting lecturers from U.S.S.R., namely, Mr. Charlichev from 1961 to 1963 and Mr. Chalpanov from 1963 to 1965.
Sayas U Aung Hla Tun, U Pe Win and Dr. Khin Maung Win joined the department in 1965, 1966 and 1967 respectively. There were also part-time teaching staff from time to time from UBARI, such as U Khin Maung and U Nyunt.
I left the department in 1968 to go to Australia.
The continuing history of the Metallurgy Department after 1968 can best be written by Saya U Aung Hla Tun.
Editor’s Notes in 2019 :
Taught Materials and Processes in our 2nd BE class in 1964.
Head of the Metallurgy Department
Wrote memories of Saya Allen Htay in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”
GBNF
In response to my request, several sayas (Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Aung Khin, U Thit and U Myo Myint Sein) wrote about the history of their departments. The articles appear in the CD supplement of the HMEE-2012 book
HlaMin 