There are many Myanmar Communities around the world.
OMC
One Myanmar Community (OMC) is based in Union City, Northern California. Its main activity and fund raiser is the Annual Thingyan Festival held in May (for logistic reasons). A “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe” co-hosted by TDS (Theravada Dhamma Society) is an integral component of the Festival. There are sumptuous food and a plethora of entertainment by the young and the old, and from near and far (some from Myanmar).
Activities
OMC has helped the Myanmar Community in many ways. The following is a sample :
Fund raising for “Flood Relief” Programs in Myanmar
Co-hosting San Francisco Bay Area Literary Talks
Language Classes (Myanmar, English Japanese, Korean)
Dance Classes (e.g. by Thida Win (Moe Nat Thuzar))
Musical Evenings (e.g. by Gita Hmu Tin Ko Ko)
Fitness Program (e.g. Yoga)
Preparation Classes (DMV license, Citizenship)
Knowledge sharing (Medical insurance, Study grant)
Meeting with Myanmar Ambassador and Consul General of Los Angeles
Highlight Myanmar Culture in selected Bay Area Events (e.g. Asian Heritage)
The Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) was located in Windermere Crescent. It later moved to Prome Road. U Khin Zaw (“K”) was the founder Director. He was succeeded by his cousin and assistant U Pe Thaw.
BBS was known as “Myanmar Ah Than”. It evolved into “Myanmar Yoke Myin Than Kyar“.
There were three sessions : Morning, Noon and Night. The main programs were in Burmese. There were also programs in English and national languages (e.g. Shan)
Local Talents
The English section of BBS had a program for Local Talents. U Hla Bu (Percy Loonee), Daw Olive, Daw Allison Tun Ngwe and U Aung Thwin (Eddie) helped run the program.
A typical session is allocated 15 minutes. An individual or a group can play or sing about five songs. A typical remuneration is 45 Kyats per session.
Variety Show / Performers
Occasionally, BBS holds a Variety Show. Some performers are listed in alphabetical order;
Andrew Kong — Keyboard
Dream Makers — Reggie Ba Oo, Eddie Ba Oo, …
Immanuel Four — Phillip Po Ba, Gerald Sao …
LPJ (Love Peace and Joy) — Victor Khin Nyo, Thein Tan, …
Playboys — Thann Naing, Tommy Kyaw Naing, Kyaw Naing, …
Ricky Zaw — Steel Guitar
Shamrock Boys — Nyi Nyi and Myint Soe
Super Star — Peter Ba Thein, Han Ngwe Tun, …
TAMPS — Tin Aung, Austin Xavier, Mra Tun, Pierpont Morgan and Sydney Sann Aung)
The Wild Ones — Paw brothers, …
Victor Ohn Maung — taught several to play the guitar
Win Mra and Des Rodgers
Win Sisters — led by Joyce Win / Nwe Yin Win
Some people (e.g. Reggie Ba Oo, Thein Tan) played on more than one group.
Most groups had three Guitarists (Lead, Rhythm and Bass) and a Drummer.
Some groups feature Steel, Hawaiian and 12 String Guitars, Banjo, Percussion and Keyboard.
Several performers turned Professional during the Stereo Khit.
One may learn about Uniform Distribution in Probability and Statistics.
Some schools may mandate their students to wear uniform on specified days (and may be every day).
Bogyoke Aung San and U Thant had a debate on Uniform during their University days.
SPHS
SPHS Uniform
During our younger days, we had to perform drill at the School Sports and at the Aung San Stadium for specified events (e.g. Education Day Celebration). We had to dress up in uniform.
A uniform could specify
Short or long pants (e.g. Kakki)
Shirt (e.g. long sleeved white shirt)
Necktie — optional
Badge — optional
Coat — optional
SPHS Blazer & Badge
Burmese Dress for Males
Pasoe (or Longyi)
Taik Pon
Gaung Baung
The optional items may be worn at formal functions (e.g. Award Presentation Ceremony).
U Nu
PPBRS Concert
Sailor
Engineering College
C58
Sayagyi U Ba Hli is seen in photos wearing a uniform.
U Ba Hli
UTC
Those joining UTC (Universities’ Training Corps) are given two sets of [usually old] uniforms. Most prefer to buy or order their own.
UTC
RUBC
RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) awards Half Green, Full Green and Gold. RUBC specifies Dress Code for the award winners.
RUBC 1RUBC 2
Graduation
USA Sports
In the USA, sports team have at least two sets of uniforms: one for playing at Home, and another for playing away.
BEA (Burmese Engineers Association) and BASTS (Burmese American Science and Technology Society) merged to form BAPS (Burmese American Professional Society).
Past Presidents include Saya Dr. Nyo Win (M65), Benny Tan (M70) and Maurice Chee (M75).
There are many unsung volunteers for the RIT-related projects
Bagyee MyatMyo Myint
U Myo Myint (M73) is a retired Deputy Director General of Burma Railways.
He donated in cash and kind to RIT-related activities, Saya Pu Zaw Pwes, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF)and YTU Library Modernization Project. His contributions include
Pon Tus of sayas and sayamas
Pon Tus of selected alumni (e.g. WHO)
Paintings for exhibition and sale
Design of covers for RIT Annual Magazines
Cover and cartoons for Swel Daw Yeik Magazines
U Saw Linn (C71, GBNF)
Core Organizer for SPZP-2012 Headed the Planning, Publications, Logistics and Security committees
Reprinted limited copies for the 23+ RIT Annual Magazines
Served as the Chief Editor and Publisher of the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012
His daughter graciously complied his father’s request to carry as much as possible out of the 90 remaining magazines. 45 were air lifted to Singapore.
Swel Daw
Several sayas wondered what happened to the Swel Daw Bins, which provided Swel Daw Yeik to the engineering students. How did they perish?
During the Adhamma Era, the Swel Daw Bins were decimated.
However virtual Swel Daw Yeik lie sdeep in the heart of the engineering sayas and students and will live on forever.
RIT-related artifacts include
Swel Daw Yeik Troupe & Ah Nyeint
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
50 Swel Daw Bins were planted for the Shwe YaDu (Golden Jubilee) celebrations in 2014.
Living Proof
U Saw Linn (C71, GBNF) had a kidney transplant, and had been to ICU at least thrice.
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) has a hip replacement surgery several years ago.
U Myint Pe (M72) had a Stage-3 cancer.
I met them on RIT Alumni Facebook Pages before I met them face to face at the SPZP-2012 Main Organizing Committee meetings.
Their health problems did not prevent them from working feverishly to repay their metta and cetana to their mentors, and to ensure that their former classmates and school mates will have wonderful reunions and flash backs to the good old days.
The three alumni are living proof that Swel Daw Yeik (RIT) Spirit is alive and well.
Volunteers for SPZP-2012
U Ohn Khine (M 70)
U Saw Linn (C 71, GBNF)
Daw Hla Thi (Tex 72)
U Aung Myo Khin (M 71)
Daw Pyone Pyone Oo (C 79)
U Myo Myint (M 72)
U Myint Soe (Pet 72)
U Ko Ko Gyi (C 73)
U Aung Moung (M 73, GBNF)
U Nyunt Htay (Met 73)
U Toe Maung (C 74)
Daw San San (C 79)
U Win Khaing (M 75)
U Than Win (Pet 75)
U Htay Maung (M 75)
U Tin Tun Aung (M 75)
U Than Po (M 75)
Daw Khin Saw Mu (EP 74)
U Zaw Min (M 75)
U Hla Win (M 75)
U Myint Aung ( 78)
U Win Htay (M 78)
U Myint Wai (A 79)
Daw Hla Htay Aung (A 79)
U Soe Myint (Min 83)
U Aung Win (C 84)
U Win Khaing Moe (EE 84)
U Aung Kyi Soe (M 85)
Daw Kyi Kyi Pyone (M 86)
U Kyaw Hlaing (M 86)
U Tin Maung Naing (M 87)
U Tin Oo (M 87)
U Myint Naing (EE 91)
U Zaw Naing (EE 96)
EC78
Ko Zarni Tun (EC78) is an Executive Committee member of RITAA. He was also Vice President of Old Johnian Association.
Ko Sit Nyein (EC78) is the boss of Sigma Cable.
Ko Zarni arranged a meeting with Ko Sit Nyein, Ko Wynn Htain Oo, Ko San Kyu, Ko Aung Khine, and Ko Zeya Moe Lay about YTU Library project.
Ko Sit Nyein pledged to help in everyone possible (e.g. donate some items, provide some items at base cost).
The discussion noted that most “temporary” solutions (due to lack of funds) remain “temporary” for a long time (may be permanently). Young alumni will work with the Ah Ko Gyis to make YTU Library a success.
Albert and Tin Mg Aye were room-mates. Both are အႏုပညာရွင္. Both of them look much younger than the rest of us as we all can see in the picture. So we all must sing songs especially like Albert always do. Cheers!
Ko Tin Maung Aye replied: Thanks , Ko Zau Lai (Actor of Kachin State). You also look young and handsome.
Albert Kyaw Min replied : We always remember our Great friend Zau Lai the Great.I never forget whenever I sang he is the one who accompanied with me together with David Myint Thein.
HlaMin 