A summary was published in the Magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ICST.
Founders
Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe founded Universities’ Computer Center with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min, and Saya U Ko Ko Lay
They led TOSS (Team Of System Specialists), which assisted the computerization of government departments and organizations.
Dr. Chit Swe
Dr. Chit Swe
My mentor at UCC
Alumnus of Mandalay University; Imperial College, London University; University of Glasgow; University of Liverpool
Head of Maths Department at the Institute of Economics when he proposed the UCC project
Became Professor of Maths at RASU and Founder-Director of UCC
Retired as Rector of RASU
Continued teaching and supervising research in Thailand and Australia.
Passed away in Sydney Australia in late 2019.
Obituary
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing
My mentor at RIT & UCC
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in the whole of Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship
In the RU Convocation in 1958, he won two medals: one for highest score for combined I.Sc. (A) and I.Sc.(B), and another for joint highest score for Mathematics in combined I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
While attending classes at the Faculty of Engineering, he was awarded a Government Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
In 1964, he joined EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer.
Helped with the UCC Project. In April 1971, Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
M.Sc. (CS) from University of Southampton, UK
Wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” in a computer magazine in Myanmar. It was re-posted in “Mandalay Gazette”
Retired from UN after working on UN projects in several countries.
In July 2020, he gave an interview to MASTAA.
U Myo Min
U Myo Min
Matriculated as a top student from SPHS in 1958.
Won a Gold medal in 1960 for standing first among the I.Com students.
Won another Gold medal in 1962 for standing first among the B.Com (Accounting) students.
Chartered Account
Worked for IBM UK
Returned to Burma
Joined UCC as Manager of Applications
Masters in System Engineering from the University of Lancaster, UK
Later worked in Singapore and USA
U Ko Ko Lay
U Ko Ko Lay
Classmate of U Soe Paing at SPHS and Stanford University.
While attending classes at the Faculty of Engineering, he was awarded a Government Scholarship to study BSCE and MSCE at Stanford University.
Joined PWD as an assistant engineer.
Dr. Chit Swe & U Soe Paing recruited him to help with the UCC project.
In April 1971, Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Operations Division
Masters in System Engineering from the University of Lancaster, UK
Later served as Manager for Scientific Applications at UCC, Professor of Computer Science at DCS, and Professor of Information Systems at ICST.
To coordinate with SPZP-2012 organizers, I visited Yangon in March & December.
March 2012
Host / Transportation : U Ohn Khine (M70) & U Saw Lin (C71, GBNF); Met U Aung (C70), Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71), U Khin Maung Myint (ChE71)
Dinner by U Saw Lin
Preparations for HMEE and SPZP-2012
Received preview copy of RIT Selected Cartoons fom U Saw Lin
Mini-gathering at U Zau Lai (EP69)’s house; Last meeting with U Aung Thu Yein (EC69, GBNF)
Aung Thu Yein
Monthly 69er gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si
Temporary monk at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
December2012
SPZP-2012
True “Home Coming” at Gyogone Campus; Thanks to HE U Aye Myint; SPZP-2012
Dinner & Entertainment at MICT Park
Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012
Limited reprint of 23 RIT Annual Magazines
History of Myanmar Engineering Education : HMEE Book & CD Supplement
Selected RIT Cartoons
Exhibits : Cartoon Box, Photos and Paintings
Guest : M72 Gathering; C75 Gathering; Old Paulians’ Gathering
2015
Trip to East Coast (USA) and Canada; See “July 2015” post
Windsor, Canada
RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles; Thanks to Aung Myint Oo (EC84, ex-UCC) & Thida Khin (ex-UCC) for arranging the trip
LA Reunion
2016
All-day SPZP-2016 at Gyogone Campus
Free food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Entertainment : Two Stages
Cartoon Pamphlet
Bagyee U Myo Myint donated proceeds from the sale of his Paintings
Bagyee Exhibit
Received “Collection of Swel Daw Kabyars” by Saya U Moe Aung, Saya U Aung Myaing, Saya U Nyunt Htay, U Win Myint, U Toe Aung
Book of Poems
2017
Trip to England and Wales : Dr. Khin Tun & spouse Winmar showed us around; They took us to Ogmore-by-the-sea to see my childhood friend Maung Maung Kyi.
2018
ICST/UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe : Transportation by Saw Yan Naing
Posted “Memories of UCC” series
Trip to Bagan : Phyu Phyu Kyaw sponsored the trip
2019
Sojourn in Singapore & Malaysia : Thanks to Ko Zaw Tun & Ma Kyu, Silver & Ma Nu, Ko Ye & Pale, and alumni of UCC & ICST
Gatherings : 69ers, Class of M73, UCC
Fifth Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay : Thanks to KK
RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta
Golden Jubilee of Graduation of the 69ers : Organized by the Great Aung Min & team
ICST/UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe : Transportation by Mar Mar Soe
Gatherings : UCC, Paulians, Veda
Guest : Class of 72 Gatherings
2020
PSA (Professional Speakers’ Association)
Guest : 2020 PSA Tour to Upper Myanmar
Restriction : Stay at home
Virtual : RU Centennial
Updates
Several — Dr. Khin Tun, U Maung Maung Kyi, U Aung Myint, Dr. Kyaw Thein — are GBNF.
Due to pandemic, there were restrictions (e.g proof of vaccination & travel insurance in some countries). 18 former classmates — including Han Sein, Yi Pinn, Khin Maung Gyi, Tobias — succumbed to Covid.
I wrote an article on the Burmese Calendar for the BAPS Newsletter.
Months
January
First month of Gregorian Calendar
Named after Janus, two-faced God (symbolic to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new year)
Jan 1 : New Year’s Day
Jan 4 : Independence Day in Myanmar
Martin Luther King’s Day in US
Sometimes : Lunar New Year
February
Second month of the Gregorian Calendar
Has 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year
My poem for Union Day Supplement in WPD
Burma/Myanmar
February 12 : Pyidaungsu Nay (Union Day) is a public holiday in the Union of Burma. Commemorates the signing of the Pinlong Sar Choke (Panglong Agreement) on February 12, 1947.
February 13 : Bogyoke Aung San was born on February 13, 1915. Named Htain Lin. Changed the name to rhyme with that of Aung Than (elder brother). Centennial celebrations for Bogyoke were held in 2015. Feb 13 is also as Khalay Myar Nay (Children’s Day).
Tabodwe Festival (Occasional)
The Full Moon of Tabodwe often falls in February. Two celebrations are held.
Htamane Pwe (Sticky Rice Festival)
Ovada Partimauk Day (Exhortation)
USA
February 14 : Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday, but many people send greeting cards and presents.
Presidents’ Day : In the early days, there were two holidays. One to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and another to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Later a single holiday in February to honor all US Presidents was proposed. Some states continue to celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.
Canada
“Family Day” (holiday) is observed on the 2nd Monday of February in Ontario.
Family Day is observed on the 3rd Monday of February in British Columbia.
LunarNew Year
Some countries (including China and Vietnam) observe the Lunar Year.
Lunar New Year occurs at the end of January or the beginning of February. The date is not fixed in the Gregorian Calendar.
It fell in February in 2018 and 2019.
Days
February is the shortest month in the year with 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year.
A common year has 365 days, while a Solar year has 365.2422 days.
A year which is not a Century year is a Leap Year if it is divisible by 4. The discrepancy of .9688 days is rounded up to a day.
A year which is a Century year is a Leap Year if it is divisible by 400. This ensures that there are 97 leap years in four centuries.
February had 30 days, but one day each was transferred to July (honoring Julius Caesar) and August (honoring Augustus Caesar) to have 31 days in those months (worthy of Roman Emperors). February was left with 28 days.
Ripley’s “Believe it or not” illustrated a grave stone which had February 30.
March
First month of old Roman Calendar
Third month of Gregorian Calendar
Mar 2 : Peasant’s Day was moved from Jan 1 in order to celebrate the Coup D’eat
Phone Maw Day
Burma’s Human Rights Day (celebrated by Berkeley)
Mar 27 : Resistance Day was renamed as Armed Forces Day
First Day of Spring : Persian New Year
April
Second month of old Roman Calendar
Fourth month of Gregorian Calendar
Thingyan : Three or four days of Water Festival
Myanmar New Year
The deadline for filing taxes in the USA is around mid-April
May
Third month of old Roman Calendar
Fifth month of Gregorian Calendar
May 1 : May Day in some countries
May 5 : Cinco de Mayo
Mother’s Day in the US
June
Fourth month old Roman Calendar
Sixth month of Gregorian Calendar
Jun 6 : D Day
Jun 6 : Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khinn
Father’s Day in the US
July
Fifth month of old Roman calendar; Had 30 days
Renamed July in honor of Emperor Julius Caesar and was given an extra day
Seventh month of Gregorian Calendar; Has 31 days
My beloved father was born on 1st July
Jul 4 : Independence Day in the US
Jul 7 : Students’ protest that was brutally crushed
Jul 8 : Demolition of the Rangoon University Student’s Union
Jul 19 : Arzani Nay
Apollo 11 landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon in July 1969. Neil Armstrong (Mission Commander) & Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) stepped on the Moon. They set up the US Flag. They collected lunar rock samples. Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot) circled around the Moon and waited for the return of the Lunar Module.
My poem “Men on the Moon” was forwarded by USIS to NASA.
The poem was published in the Guardian Daily.
Dark day in July 1947
Nine Arzanis — seven Ministers, a Secretary and a body guard — were gunned down on July 19, 1947. Eight perished that day. Sao San Htun succumbed a day later.
Bogyoke Aung San
Thakin Mya
Deedoke U Ba Cho
Mahn Ba Khine
Mong Pawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun (passed away in the hospital on July 20, 1947)
U Ba Win
U Razak
ICS U Ohn Maung
Yebaw Maung Htwe
There are books & documentaries on the “unsolved mystery”.
Two dark days in July 1962
According to the newspapers, 17 died on July 7, 1962.
Ko Aung Khin, who was stuck by a stray bullet as he was returning home from Rangoon University Boat Club, was listed as the 17th victim.
The revered Student Union was demolished on July 8, 1962.
The celebration of the 7th July in the following year (1963) ended with the closure of Universities (with the exception of Medical & Engineering).
August
Sixth month of old Roman calendar; Had 30 days
Renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar and was given an extra day.
Eighth month of the Gregorian Calendar; Haas 31 days.
8-8-88 : start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
Anniversaries
There are several birthdays in my extended family.
Two sisters, my grand daughter, several cousins and I are August born.
In August 2016, 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.
Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa passed away on August 13 in 2005.
Three of my in-laws : Father-in-law, Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law passed away in August.
Daw Mu Mu Kin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58)), U Myint Swe (EP74, NorCal RITAA) and U Thein Naing (Patrick, La Phet Yay Waing member) are also August born.
One of them hosts an August-born Birthday Party. In August 2018, Patrick and Mie Mie hosted a lunch gathering for the August born at Moss Beach Distillery. They also presented a book for us.
Is 8 lucky?
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.
The event was inspired in part by numerologists who remembered the historic event (about Mingyi Yan Naung) in 888 Burmese Era and 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).
September
Seventh month of old calendar. “Sept” means Seven.
Ninth month of Gregorian calendar.
Crushed the hopes of Multi-party Democracy in 1988
Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
October
Eighth month of old calendar. “Oct” means Eight
Tenth month of Gregorian calendar
Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent (Thadinkyut)
“Deepavali” or “Diwali” celebrations are celebrated around October. Known as the “Festival of Lights”.
“Halloween” occurs every year on October 31 (the day before “All Saint’s Day”). Celebrated with “Trick or Treat” by children & optional “Halloween Costume Party” by adults.
Due to differences in the calendars, the Bolshevik Revolution is [wrongly] referred to as the “October Revolution”.
Ocktoberfest is a festival held in October.
The Annual Pumpkin Festival with the bragging rights to the “heaviest” Pumpkin is held along Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. The traffic is really bad in the area for most of October. The 7-mile strip takes an hour or more during the Festival period.
Dr. Aung Gyi’s birthday is October 1.
U Ba Than’s birthday is October 2. Sayas, former students & friends are invited to his soon kway. 69ers usually offer Garawa at Sayagyi’s place (Winner Inn).
November
Ninth month of old calendar. “Nov” means nine.
Eleventh month of Gregorian calendar.
Anniversary of my beloved parents
Tazaundaing often fall around November
Kathein robe offering often take place in early November. Must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut.
November 1st is “All Saints Day”. Preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).
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.
The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels. (a) Presidential Elections occur every four years. (b) Mid-term elections occur every two years. House of Representatives serve two year terms. (c) Senators serve six year terms. To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some companies start their “Black Friday” early in November.
Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
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.
First World War officially ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.
Elections in the US (Local races & Resolutions every year, House of Representatives every two years, One third of Senators every two years, President every four years)
Nov 22 : JFK assassinated (Conspiracy Theory survives)
Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the US
December
Tenth month of old Calendar. “Dec” means Ten.
Twelfth & last month of Gregorian Calendar
U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn : dark day in the history of Burma
Cambridge University Home club of Sir Arthur Eggar
RBC (Rangoon Boat Club) Exclusive for Europeans and Anglo-Burmese
RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) : Founded in 1923 by Sir Arthur Eggar (Law Professor, RU); He pledged one-third of his salary for the Clubs operation; He donated a Challenge Cup (Pewter and brooches) for the Senior Novices. U Nyo’ s donation to RU Estate helped build the RUBC Club House; U Nyo donated a Challenge Cup (for the Inter-Club Eights)
RUBC
Defense Services Rowing Club Initially from Burma Navy
Marine Youth (Ye Gyaung Lu Nge)
Regattas
Rag Regatta : One day event; Finalists for the Novices race are seeded for Monsoon Regatta
Monsoon Regatta
Annual Regatta
Inter-Varsity, e.g. CURC
ARAE, e.g. Calcutta, Colombo
FEARA, e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore
Challenge Cups
President’s Cup : for Inter-Club Coxed Eights
Prime Minister’s Cup : for Inter-Club Coxed Fours
Commemorative Publications
40th Anniversary Issue (in 1963) : Sithu U Tin, U Po Zon & U Tin Htoon
90th Anniversary Issue (in 2013) : U Tin Htoon (Chair), U Myo Myint (Vice Chair), U Htaik San (Henry, Secretary), U Hla Min (Contributing Editor) …
Sir Arthur’s Autobiography : Reprint funded by selected Old Members
RUBC Old Members
They are fondly known as Old Crocs (or Crocodiles).
When RUBC was destroyed due to the ravages of war, the Old Crocs rebuilt the Club and provided physical, financial and spiritual support to the members to compete against the best from neighboring countries.
During our younger days, there is an “Old Members Race” at the Monsoon and Annual Regattas. The contestants range from young Old Members to the iconic Past Champions.
The Old Crocs have their mini-reunions where ever possible. They also share memories of the precious photos (e.g. of U Chan Tha, Jimmy Saw Lwin, …)
U San Maung(Gerald, GBNF)
Past Secretary & RUBC Gold
Club Coach — He would find time from his work as Production Manager of “Amotha Yoke Shin”, and come down to RUBC to mentor the members (especially the aspiring Golds). He would mandate “fixed tub” practice for the members.
Dr. Htut Saing (Harry, GBNF)
Past Captain & Gold of RUBC
ARAE Champion twice
Won Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta with Tin Htoon (A60)
Won Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours in the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo with Tin Htoon (A60), Sunny Teng, Victor Htun Shein (GBNF) and Sein Htoon (M63, Cox)
Usually rowed as Box on the RUBC crews. As an exception, he served as Timing Stroke and Coach for the RUBC Eights in 1962. Win Kyi (RUBC Gold, son of Miss Hong) rowed as No. (7). There were seven new Golds in that crew : Myo Tin (William Hone), Htain Linn & Mehm Myo Thaung (Maurice) for the Stroke side, Myo Myint (EC67), Oung Kyaing & Thein Aung (Micky Tan) for the Bow side and Tin Aung (Victor Wu, Cox).
Dr. Pe Nyun (Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) and Dr. Htut Saing were Pediatric surgeons at the Rangoon Children Hospital. They operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San.
Continued working and teaching in Hong Kong. He became Patron of the Hong Kong Rowing and Sailing Club. He would fully support the RUBC crews competing in the FEARA Regatta in Hong Kong.
Dr. Thein Toe and Dr. Htut Saing
Reunions
U Tin U, U Maung Maung Than Tun, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Dr. Than Nyunt (George), U Tin Htoon, Dr. Donald Chan, U Tun Shein (Willie), U Tun Aung (George), U Sein Htoon, Dr. Tin Wa, U Myo Myint, U Thura Thant Zin, U Htaik San (Henry), and several Old Crocs attended Regattas (especially the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC).
Most of them contributed articles, photos and financial support for printing the commemorative issue, and for reprinting Sir Aurthur Eggar’s biography.
Sad to note that there was some disjoint between the really young members (who are busy with the competitions) and the really Old Members (especially who travel from abroad to attend the events).
My Journey
Senior Novices Runner-up (in 1963) Myint Soe (Willie Soe Maung, Stroke, GBNF) Kyaw Wynn (3) Hla Min (2) Maung Maung Kyi (Bow) Myint Thein (Cox)
Honorary Treasurer (1964 – 65)
Vice Captain (1965 – 66)
Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue (in 2013) Prelude for each section Three articles
Donated for reprint of Sir Arthur’s Autobiography
Memories of RUBC Series in YUBC Old Members Facebook Group
The Burmese version of the Book was published by YMBA (Young Men’s Buddhist Association) in 1951.
Mahagandayone Sayadaw
YMBA requested Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa to write a brief “History of Buddhism” and Artist Saya U Ba Kyi to provide illustrations.
U Ba Kyi observed eight precepts for 45 days before undertaking the project.
In 1953, U Ba Kyi gained international reputation.
In 1954, YMBA published an addendum (English translation of Sayadaw’s text in Burmese) for readers who are not conversant in Burmese.
TBSA
Illustrated History of Buddhism
Dhammananda Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa sought permission from YMBA to reprint the book with descriptions in both Burmese/Myanmar and English.
In 1994, the book was printed and published in the US and was distributed by TBSA (Theravada Buddhist Society of America).
Several books were left. Some were handed as prizes for the successful participants of the “Summer Dhamma Class / Camp”.
Missed Opportunity
An Arts professor from Stanford University expressed desire to use “The Illustrated History of Buddhism” as a text for his course provided the book can be “ordered” from the University Book Shop.
Since the book was meant for dhamma dana, the book had no ISBN (International Standard Book Number) that is used by book shops.
Miscellaneous
There have been some requests to reprint the book.
There are probably newer reprints of the book and/or PDF version of Saya U Ba Kyi’s drawings.
U Ba Kyi
Saya translated a verse of the song “Hna yauk hte nay gin de” while invigilating an examination at the Institute of Education.
Dr. Maung Maung Kha used to accompany Saya U Ba Kyi’s vocals with his violin at the functions (mostly at Rangoon University Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin).
Translation of Burmese Song နှစ်ယောက်ထဲနေချင်တယ်
Darling Only two we will live dear On the high crest Of the Mount Everest And the Sahara Desert Driest without water To the North Pole May be freezing cold Where the sun will never never grow With all my heart and soul Only two darling We will go
I wrote an article on the Burmese Calendar for the BAPS Newsletter.
Article
January
First month of the Gregorian Calendar
Named after Janus, two-faced God (symbolic to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new year)
Jan 1 : New Year’s Day
Jan 4 : Independence Day in Myanmar
Martin Luther King’s Day in US
Sometimes : Lunar New Year
February
Second month of the Gregorian Calendar
Has 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year
My poem for Union Day Supplement in WPD
Burma/Myanmar
February 12
Pyidaungsu Nay (ပြည်ထောင်စုနေ့ Union Day) is a public holiday in the Union of Burma. It commemorates the signing of the Pinlong Sar Choke (ပင်လုံစာချုပ် Panglong Agreement) on February 12, 1947. February 13
Bogyoke Aung San was born on February 13, 1915. He was named Htain Lin. He later changed the name to rhyme with that of Aung Than (his elder brother). Arzani U Ba Win is their eldest brother. Centennial celebrations for Bogyoke were held in 2015. February 13 is also as Khalay Myar Nay (ခလေးများနေ့ Children’s Day).
Tabodwe Festival (Sometimes)
The Full Moon of Tabodwe တပို့တွဲ often falls in February. Two celebrations are held.
Htamane Pwe (ထမနဲပွဲ Sticky Rice Festival)
Ovada Partimauk Day (ဩဝါဒပါမောက် Exhortation)
USA
February 14
Valentine’s Day (Chit Thu Myar Nay ချစ်သူများနေ့) is not a public holiday, but many people send greeting cards and presents.
Presidents’ Day
In the early days, there were two holidays. One to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and another to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Later a single holiday in February to honor all US Presidents was proposed. Some states continue to celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.
Canada
“Family Day” (holiday) is observed on the 2nd Monday of February in Ontario.
Family Day is observed on the 3rd Monday of February in British Columbia.
LunarNew Year
Some countries (e.g China and Vietnam) observe the Lunar Year.
The Lunar New Year occurs at the end of January or the beginning of February. The date is not fixed in the Gregorian Calendar.
It fell in February in 2018 and 2019.
Days
February is the shortest month in the year with 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year.
A common year has 365 days, while a Solar year has 365.2422 days.
A year which is not a Century year is a Leap Year if it is divisible by 4. The discrepancy of .9688 days is rounded up to a day.
A year which is a Century year is a Leap Year if it is divisible by 400. This ensures that there are 97 leap years in four centuries.
February supposedly had 30 days, but one day each was transferred to July (honoring Julius Caesar) and August (honoring Augustus Caesar) to have 31 days in those months (worthy of Roman Emperors). February was left with 28 days.
Ripley’s “Believe it or not” illustrated a grave stone which had February 30.
March
First month of the old Roman Calendar
Third month of the Gregorian Calendar
Mar 2 : Peasant’s Day တောင်သူလယ်သမားနေ့ was moved from Jan 1 in order to celebrate the Coup D’eat
Phone Maw Day
Burma’s Human Rights Day (celebrated by Berkeley)
Mar 27 : Resistance Day was renamed as Armed Forces Day
First Day of Spring : Persian New Year
April
Second month of the old Roman Calendar
Fourth month of the Gregorian Calendar
Thingyan : Three or four days of Water Festival
Myanmar New Year
The deadline for filing taxes in the USA is around mid-April
May
Third month of the old Roman Calendar
Fifth month of the Gregorian Calendar
May 1 : May Day in some countries
May 5 : Cinco de Mayo
Mother’s Day in the US
June
Fourth month of the old Roman Calendar
Sixth month of the Gregorian Calendar
Jun 6 : D Day
Jun 6 : Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khinn အလုပ်သမားအရေးအခင်း
Father’s Day in the US
July
Fifth month of the old Roman calendar Had 30 days
Renamed July in honor of Emperor Julius Caesar and was given an extra day
Seventh month of the Gregorian Calendar Has 31 days
My beloved father was born on 1st July.
Jul 4 : Independence Day in the US
Jul 7 : Students’ protest that was brutally crushed
Jul 8 : Demolition of the Rangoon University Student’s Union
Jul 19 : Arzani Nay အာဇာနည်နေ့
Apollo 11 landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon in July 1969. Neil Armstrong (Mission Commander) and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) stepped on the Moon. They set up the US Flag. They collected lunar rock samples. Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot) circled around the Moon and waited for the return of the Lunar Module.
Poem
My poem “Men on the Moon” was forwarded by Mr. Hall (USIS) to NASA.
The poem was published in the Guardian Daily.
Dark day in July 1947
Nine Arzanees — seven Ministers, one Secretary and a body guard — were gunned down on July 19, 1947. Eight perished that day. Sao San Htun succumbed a day later.
Bogyoke Aung San
Thakin Mya
Deedoke U Ba Cho (Grandfather of Dr. Khin Hla Cho & Daw Khin Myint Cho)
Mahn Ba Khine (Father of Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khine)
Mong Pawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun (passed away in the hospital on July 20, 1947)
U Ba Win (Elder brother of Boyoke, Father of Dr. Sein Win)
U Razak (Father of U Tin Myint & U Hla Kyi)
ICS U Ohn Maung (father of Saya U Tin Maung Thein)
Yebaw Maung Htwe
There are books & documentaries on the “unsolved mystery”.
Two dark days in July 1962
According to the newspapers, 17 died on July 7, 1962.
Ko Aung Khin, who was stuck by a stray bullet as he was returning home from Rangoon University Boat Club, was listed as the 17th victim.
The revered RU Student Union was demolished on July 8, 1962.
The celebration of the 7th July in the following year (1963) ended with the closure of Universities — with the exception of the Faculties of Medical and Engineering.
August
Sixth month of the old Roman calendar Had 30 days
Renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar and was given an extra day.
Eighth month of the Gregorian Calendar, and it has 31 days.
8-8-88 : start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
Anniversaries
There are several birthdays in my family.
Two sisters, my grand daughter, several cousins and I are August born.
Aug 2016 at HMB
In August 2016, Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay မွေးနေ့ ဆွမ်းကျွေး for me at the Dhammananda Vihara ဓမ္မာနန္ဒဝိဟာရ in Half Moon Bay, California. The sayas and alumni presented me an Appreciation award.
Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa passed away on August 13, 2005.
Three of my in-laws : Father-in-law, Mother-in-law & Brother-in-law passed away in August.
Daw Mu Mu Kin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay (C58)), U Myint Swe (EP74, NorCal RITAA) and U Thein Naing (Patrick, La Phet Yay Waing member) are also August born.
Party for August born
One of them hosts an August-born Birthday Party. In August 2018, U Patrick (Thein Naing) and Daw Mie Mie hosted a lunch gathering for the August born at Moss Beach Distillery. They also presented a book for us.
Is 8 lucky?
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 and 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).
September
Seventh month of the old calendar. “Sept” means Seven.
Ninth month of the Gregorian calendar. It has 30 days.
Crushed the hopes of Multi-party Democracy in 1988
Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
October
Eighth month of the old Roman calendar. “Oct” means Eight
Tenth month of the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days.
Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent (Thadinkyut သီတင်းကျွတ်)
“Deepavali” or “Diwali” celebrations are also celebrated around October. It is known as the “Festival of Lights”.
“Halloween” occurs every year on October 31 (i.e. the day before “All Saint’s Day” which falls on November 1). It is celebrated with “Trick or Treat” by the children and optional “Halloween Costume Party” by young & old adults.
Due to differences in the calendars, the Bolshevik Revolution is wrongly referred to as the “October Revolution”.
Ocktoberfest is a festival held in October.
The Annual Pumpkin Festival with the bragging rights to the “heaviest” Pumpkin is held along Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. The traffic is really bad in the area for most of October. The 7-mile strip takes an hour or more during the Festival period.
Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi’s birthday is October 1.
Sayagyi U Ba Than offers soon dana for his birthday on October 2. Sayas, former students and friends are invited to the soon kway. The Class of 69 usually offers Garawa at Sayagyi’s place (Winner Inn).
November
Ninth month of the old Roman calendar. “Nov” means nine.
Eleventh month of the Gregorian calendar. It has 30 days.
Anniversary of my beloved parents
Tazaundaing often fall around November
Kathein ကထိန် robe offering often take place in early November. Must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).
November 1st is “All Saints Day”. Preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).
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.
The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels. (a) The Presidential Elections occur every four years. (b) The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. (c) Senators serve six year terms. To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some companies start their “Black Friday” early in November.
Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
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.
First World War officially ended a year later with the controversial Versailles Treaty.
Elections in the US (Local races every year, House of Representatives every two years, One third of Senators every two years, President every four years)
Nov 22 : JFK assassinated (Conspiracy Theory survives)
Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the US
December
Tenth month of the old Roman Calendar. “Dec” means Ten.
Twelfth & last month of the Gregorian Calendar. It has 31 days.
U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn ဦးသန့်အရေးအခင်း dark day in the history of Burma
When Rangoon University was established in December 1920, it had the Department of Law.
U May Aung served as the first Professor.
U May Aung
U May Aung
U May Aung (Barrister-at-law, LL.D) served as Professor of Law from 1920 -1922.
Rakkhine national
Later became Home Minister
Father of Daw Mya Sein (Scholar).
Sir Arthur Eggar
Sir Arthur Eggar
Law Professor (1923 – 1937)
Earlier : Lecturer in the Maths Department at Rangoon College, and Legal Advisor in the Middle East
Founded Rangoon University Boat Club in 1923. Elected as Life President.
Pledged a third of his salary for the operation of RUBC.
Wrote autobiography (in three installments) for the Guardian Magazine in the mid 50s.
Autobiography
Several Old Members including me reprinted his autobiography for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC. YUBC OMA has copies of Sir Arthur Eggar’s autobiography.
Dr. Ba Han
Dr. Ba Han
Alumnus of Sorbonne University
Law Professor for two terms : (1937 – 1942) and (1946 – 1950).
Rangoon University was closed for a period during the war.
Complied a dictionary.
Dictionary
Dr. Ba Maw (Adipati) is his brother. He earlier was English Lecturer at Rangoon University.
Both brothers attended De La Salle Schools.
U Kyaw Myint
U Kyaw Myint
Stood first in Burma in Matric with distinctions in all subjects from Central. He was selected by Mr. Matthew Hunter (Principal of Rangoon College) to take the Entrance exam of Calcutta University to study Medicine. He requested the Principal that he wanted to pay last respect to his mother. The Principal warned that he would be expelled if he did not take the entrance exam. He attended his mother’s last journey and was expelled from the College. Worse still, his father threatened to disown him. The Kan So Kan Kaung story of U Kyaw Myint can be read in a series of blogs by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint and re-printed in my web site hlamin.com
Served as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1950 – 1958.
Earlier served as Justice of High Court and Supreme Court, Head of the Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw and co-founder of a political party with Dr. Ba Maw. He later founded his law firm.
Has an elder brother (ICS U Tin Tut), two younger brothers (U Myint Thein & Dr. Htin Aung), and three younger sisters (Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu).
According to Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his father had full confidence in his students (e.g. Guardian U Sein Win, Sao Hso Holm, U Mya Thein).
Law Professors (for the later periods)
U Myint (1958 – 1961)
U Aung Khine (1961 – 1964)
U Hla Aung (1965 – 1971)
U Tin Ohn (1971 – 1986)
U Tin Aung Aye (1986 – 1994)
Daw Than Nwe (1994 – 2007)
Dr. Daw Khin Mar Yi (2007 – 2018)
Law Degrees
In the early days, BL (Bachelor Law) was studied as a post-graduate degree (e.g. after B.A. or B.Sc.)
Several student politicians enrolled in the program to preserve their eligibility as RU students.
Under the new Education System, LL.B was established.
It was a five year study after Matriculation.
Related posts in RU Centennial
First batch of LL.B graduates
Several other batches
Sayamas known for their beauty and teaching.
Dr. Maung Maung Kha’s daughter Daw May Thi Ka was a sayama at the Law Department before she moved to the USA. She was a core organizer and coordinator for the groups raised fund for Saya Kha’s Centennial.
Some practitioners of Law took exams for HGP and RL.
One may study Tarot cards for fun, e.g. don’t be scared if the reading says that “your house is going to be damaged”; or be happy if the reading says that “a new family member is on the way”
Some may study and practice Tarot cards for profit, e.g. professional reader/advisor
There are websites & publications for Tarot
I used to have a Tarot deck and a book. It covered a brief history, the meaning of each card, and several spreads for Tarot readings.
Tarot Deck
It consists of 78 cards
22 cards belong to the Major Arcana
56 cards belong to the Minor Arcana
The two Arcanas supposedly indicate long term versus short term events & whether an event is in control versus uncontrollable
Major Arcana
22 cards
Include Fool, Lovers, High Priest, High Priestess, Emperor, Empress, Hermit, Sun, Moon, Stars, Tower, Chariot, Tower, Strength, Judgement …
Minor Arcana
4 suits
Each suit has 14 cards : One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Page, Jack (Knight), Queen, King
Total of 56 cards in the Minor Arcana
Styles
The Tarot Decks come in different styles.
The suits may be named differently in the decks, but the underlying concepts hold.
Options
Beginners usually use the “Straight up” option (where a card may be good or bad).
With experience, one might try “Allow Reversals” (where every card has two meanings : one for upright & another for reversed).
One might also try “Consider Significators”.
Spreads
After shuffling the deck, one lays our a selected number of cards in a pattern.
One card only : Decision making for a specified problem
Three Card Spread : used to interpret the Past, Present & Future.
Celtic Cross places 7 cards in the form of a cross. The cards represent problem, influence (positive & negative) and likely outcome (and suggestion).
HlaMin 