Category: Concept

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Kha Lay ခလေး

In Burmese, it means child.
Kha Lay Ba Wa means childhood. The days of the innocent childhood became a theme of the song composed by Sai Kham Leik and sung by Sai Htee Saing. We had a Kha Lay Ah Thinn (Children’s Club).

Kindness

Random acts of kindness may be reciprocated even by seemingly bad people.
My father volunteered at a “Bain Phut Ah Thin” for rehabilitating opium addicts. He gave a rehabilitated addict some money to pay for the fare back home. It was an act of random kindness.
During the Second World War, my parents and his siblings decided to take refuge at Neikbeinda Hills in Prome. My father sent his assistant ahead of him. Unfortunately, the assistant encountered a group of bandits. He pleaded the bandits not to take away his saya’s possessions. When the bandit leader learned that the saya was my father, he decided to guard the assistant on the way to the Neikbeinda Hills.
The leader also offered a surprise gift — a box of condensed milk — for my father.

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

NorCal RITAA 2024

Life Savers

Kyaw Win’s Birthday Gathering

Paulian Mountaineers

Old Paulians’ Association

RIT Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in Oct 2000

Award from Toastmasters International

Appreciation Awards

Souvenirs

Dr. Khin Maung U & Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai

Maung Maung Kyi

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

In our younger days

Our grand parents & parents had workers who were non-Buddhists. They gave us sweets (for Diwali), dan bauk (for Id) and presents (for Christmas).

During our younger days, we had classmates who professed different religions. We lived in perfect harmony.

Christians

Saya U Pe Maung Tin

• He was a Christian, but he helped with the translation of Buddhist texts.
• Translated the two sermons (Dhammacakka and Anatta Lekkhana Sutta) into English at the request of U Tha Win (who published the two sermons in Pali, Burmese and English).

Teacher Kywe (PPBRS)

• Karen Christian teacher who transformed me into a “life long learner”
• My mother asked me to pay respect to her every year.

Rev. Bernard Taylor

• SPHS classmate
• Missionary to the Philippines
• After retirement, came back to Myanmar

Rev. Edwin David

• SPHS classmate
• GBNF
• Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral

Steeve Kay (EC70)

• Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs
• Donated $200000+ to RIT-related activities
• GBNF

Benny Tan

• Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs
• Co-chair, SPZP-2000

SPZP

• Several RIT alumni are Christians, who embrace SPZPs.
• The term Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was chosen over Saya Ga Daw Pwe (which had religious connotation) so that all students can pay back the metta and cetana of their mentors.

Sikhs

D. S. Saluja

• Classmate at SPHS, I.Sc(A) & 2nd BE
• Left RIT to form “Rama Enterprise” in Bangkok with his elder brother
• Had a mini-reunion twice : the last time in April 2024

A. S. Soni

• SPHS classmate

RIT alumni

• Surinder Singh (EE69er) — Australia
• Uttam Singh (M71) — NASA
• Meenu Singh (ChE72) — CS Prof
• Jagjit Singh (EE73) — UIUC

Muslims

Arzani U Razak

• Early Graduate of National College
• Principal of National School in Mandalay
• Was nominated by several Sayadaws to be Education Minister in Bogyoke Aung San’s Cabinet
• Sons : U Tin Myint (RUBC, MOC), U Hla Kyi (helped solve the foundation problem at Shwe Dagon)

U Raschid

• Student Leader for RUSU and Ba Ka Tha
• Minister

U Khin Maung Latt

• Minister
• Sons : Khin Maung Gyi (RIT English), Khin Maung Lay (Principal, ILO Training School)

U Pe Khin

• Diplomat
• Negotiator at Pin Lon Conference

Bohmu Ba Shin

• Burma Historical Commission

Paulians

• Edward Hla Shwe I and II

RIT Alumni

• Saya Allen Htay (C58) : President of RIT Alumni International; SPZP-2000 Organizer

• U Khin Maung Lay (T68) : Past President of BASES; Organizer & emcee for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles

• U Thein Ngwe (Ko Thein Tokyo, ChE76) : Co-founder of RITAJsent
• RIT Muslim students in 1971

Men on the Moon

For the last stanza of my poem “Men on the Moon”, I wrote

“Are we not brothers here on earth?
So let us all unite.
There will be heaven here on earth
If we all cease to fight”.

Updates

• Several conflicts in the world due to extremists
• Discrimination in some places

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Believe it or not

Ripley’s “Believe it or not” named U Khanti Kyauksar (inscriptions) of the Fifth Buddhist Council (Synod) held in Mandalay as the “Largest Book” in the world.

Guinness Book of World Records

The Guinness Book of World Records listed Tipitakadara Sayadaw Ashin Vicittathara as having a phenomenal — the best at that time in 1954.

In the First Buddhist Council, Ashin Upali served as the Reciter of Vinaya (Rules of monastic conduct). Ashin Ananda served as the Reciter of Sutta (Buddha’s Discourses) and Abhidhamma (Ultimate Reality).

In the Sixth Buddhist Council held at KabaAye (World Peace) Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma from 1954 – 1956 Ashin Vicittathara served as the Reciter of Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma. He also recited the selected Commentaries.

Sayadaw could memorize, recall, and give exposition on 8000+ pages of the Buddhist Scriptures known as Tipitaka [“Three Baskets”] : Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma at the second to fifth Tipitakadara examinations. He passed with distinction in both oral and written parts.

Sayadaw served as an examiner for the first Tipikadara examination. Sir U Thwin requested him to take the examination. The rest is history.

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Daw Khin Khin Htwe / Aunty Flora

• Taught at RU Psychology Department
• Retired as Librarian from US Library of Congress; managed the Burma Collection
• Passed away in 2026
• Spouse : U Thein Han, former Systems Engineer at IBM Burma

At Ma Cherry’s Wedding Reception

• U Tin U and Dr. Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt married in May 1957

• Picture shows Aunts, Sisters and Cousins of U Tin U

Double First Cousins

Children of U Chan Sein (maternal uncle) and Daw Cheng Kim (paternal aunt)

• U Tin U (GBNF) — passed away at 96
• U Ba Than (GBNF) — passed away at 94
• Dr. Daw Win Hlaing / Ruby (GBNF) — passed away at 94
• Daw Myint Thwe / Betty (GBNF) — passed away at 91
• Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF) — passed away at 85
• U Tin Htoon (A60) — Architect; Rowing & Sailing Champion
• U Myo Min (B. Com, CA) — UCC co-founder; Principal of Seagate and Connors
• U Thaung Lwin (EC66) — IBM Burma; Chartered Semi; RUBC Captain & Gold
• Daw Cho Cho Hlaing (Chem, German Diploma) — CRO

Two Brothers

Tin U & Ba Than

Five RUBC Captains

U Tin U

• BSCE from Oregon State
• MSCE from Yale
• Structural & Construction Engineer / Director
• Part-time Lecturer, Civil Engineering
• Past Captain & Gold, RUBC
• Past Captain, RGC
• Sons : Dr. Peter Khin Tun, Dr. Ye Myint
• Daughter : Aye Aye Khin
• Five grandchildren
• Two great grandchildren

U Ba Than

• 1947 — Collegiate Scholarship Winner
• 1949 — Gold medalist for Highest Marks in Intermediate Exams
• B. Sc (Special) in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London University
• Joined RU Faculty as Assistant Lecturer
• M. Sc in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London University
• Promoted to Lecturer
• Retired as Professor and Head
• Spouse : Daw Mya Mya
• One Son — runs Winner Inn
• Two Grandchildren

Dr. Daw Win Hlaing / Ruby

• MBBS
• Moved to Germany
• Spouse : Dr. Henri B
• Sons : Martin, Christoph
• Daughter : Kim
• Two grandchildren

Daw Myint Thwe / Betty

• B. Com
• Moved to Sydney, Australia
• Spouse : Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Sc. D in EE from MIT)
• Sons : Tha Hlaing, Min Thet Tun
• Daughter : Tin Tin Hlaing
• Two grandchildren

Dr. Myo Tint

• Third in Burma in 1952 Matric
• MBBS
• Worked in Burma & Malaysia
• Past Captain & Gold, RUBC; Won prizes by rowing on both Stroke side and Bow side, and as Cox
• Spouse : Daw Mya Khine
• Son : Khin Soe
• Daughters : Kaythi, Pyone
• Five grandchildren
• Succumbed to Covid at JICA hospital

U Tin Htoon

• Architect of Thiri Pyitsaya Hotel in Bagan, Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore
• Rowing : RUBC Captain & Gold; ARAE Champion in 1958 & 1960
• Organizer : Goenka projects; Triple Gems Publication
• Spouse : Daw Khin Than Aye
• Sons : Kyaw-Thu Myat, Myo Kyawswar
• One grandson

U Myo Min

• Gold medal for Highest marks in I. Com in 1960
• Gold medal for Highest marks in B. Com in 1962
• Chartered Accountant, UK
• Systems Analyst, IBM UK
• Co-founder & Manager of Applications Division, UCC
• Masters in Systems Engineering, Lancaster University, UK
• Lecturer, Nang yan Technical Institute, Singapore
• Principal, Seagate and Connors
• Spouse : Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung
• Son : Moe Thant
• Daughter : Thanda

U Thaung Lwin

• 1960 : 17th in Burma; Collegiate Scholarship Winner
• 1966 : Top student in B.E (EC)
• Engineer, IBM Burma
• Moved to Singapore
• Chartered Semi
• Spouse : Gracia

Daw Cho Cho Hlaing

• Chemistry
• German Diploma
• CRO

Paternal cousins

• Six sons, Three daughters — 1st aunt
• One son, Three daughters — 2nd uncle
• Three daughters — 3rd uncle

Maternal cousins

• Two sons — eldest aunt
• Two sons, one daughter — 2nd aunt
• One son — 3rd aunt
• Four sons, One daughter — 4th aunt
• Six sons, Three daughters — 1st uncle
• One son, Three daughters — 2nd uncle
• Two sons — 4th uncle

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Sayadaws

Sayas

UCC Alumni in Singapore

Garawa by 69ers

Htee Yein ထီးယိမ်း

• 1970 Rangoon University Golden Jubilee
• Performers from Rangoon Institute of Technology
• With colorful umbrellas

Award in memory of U Ba Toke

• Saya U Ba Toke was Professor of Mathematics at RASU and RIT
• He was Associate Dean at Assumption University in Bangkok

SF Bay Area Retirees

• Saya U San Tun / Sain Fone Wong (M59)
• Saya U Maung Maung / George Chan (ChE66

New Jersey

Lyn Swe Aye

Win Latt

RIT

Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay

RIT Elec Engg

Singapore

Reading, UK

SPHS63

Paulian Mountaineers

Old Paulians’ Association

RIT69ers

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

• Smart is an adjective.
• Smarter and Smartest are the comparative and superlative forms.

Conventional and Unconventional Wisdom

• Thomas Edison said, “Success is due to 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration”.
• Newer thinking : “Work smarter. Not harder.”

General

ဝတ်စား နေထိုင် လုပ်ကိုင် ဆောင်ရွက် ရာတွင် သေသပ် / သေချာ လျှင် Smart စမတ်ကျသည် ဟုဖေါ်ပြတတ်ပါသည်။

SMART Goals

SMART is an acronym for setting Objectives.

• S : Specific တိကျ
• M : Measurable တိုင်းနိုင်
• A : Achievable / Achievable ပြီးမြောက်နိုင် / ရနိုင်
• R : Realistic / Relevant အမှန်မြင် / အသုံးတဲ့
• T : Time-bounded / Timely အချိန်ကန့်သတ် / အချိန်မီ

SMARTER (which extends SMART) is a lesser used acronym.

Smart Card and Devices

• I worked for a Defense Contractor.
  My assignment was at DMDC (Defense Manpower Data Center).
  Every employee and contractor was issued a Smart Card, which has a processor and memory to hold Biometrics (e.g. fingerprint), Photo ID, and Cryptographic Keys.
  One has to use a Smart Card to (a) enter specified areas of the building (b) logging on to a computer system.
  Smart cards were not cheap at that time, and there were limitations in the resources (e.g. memory on the card)
• Smart devices (e.g. smart phones) are ubiquitous.
• Smart cars (e.g. driver-less) are available.
• Smart Car / Autonomous vehicles
• Smart Monitors

SMART Group of Companies

• Founded by KK (Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing) about 25 years ago
• Started with Technical Services
• Currently 7 companies in the group

SMART Sar Pay / Publishing

• published several award winning books
• latest : reprint of Maung Aung Mon (U Win Aung Gyi)’s collection of short stories from the 1950s : to celebrate RU Centennial

SMART Media

• Talk shows
• Interviews
• Documentary

• Sponsor for 5th ILF (Irrawaddy Literary Festival) in November 2019
• Diamond Sponsor for PSA 2020 Tour to six (or so) cities in Upper Myanmar in January 2020

U Aung Myaing added:

Work smarter. Not harder. ဆိုတာနဲ့ပတ်သက်ပြီး ကျနော့်အမြင်ကို လက်တွေ့ ဥပမာနဲ့ ပြောချင်ပါတယ်။

လုပ်ဖေါ်ကိုင်ဘက် ၂ ယောက်။
တစ်ယောက်က တချိန်လုံး အလုပ်ရှုပ်နေတယ်။ သူ့ KPI ( Key Performance indicators) ထဲမှာ ပါတဲ့ အလုပ်တွေကို အဓိကပြီးမြောက်အောင်မလုပ်ဘဲ ကိုယ်စိတ်ဝင်စားရင်ဖိလုပ် မဝင်စားရင် တော်ရုံတန်ရုံလုပ်။ နှစ်ကုန်လို့ KPI ကို assess လုပ်တဲ့အခါကျတော့ ပြီးတာပြီး လိုတာလိုနဲ့ score ကောင်းကောင်းမရဘူး။

ကျန်တစ်ယောက်ကတော့ KPI ကို အကျအနပြင်တယ်။ အပေါ်က approval ရပြီဆိုတော့ အဲဒီ KPI ထဲက အလုပ်တွေကို ပီပီပြင်ပြင်လုပ်တယ်။ both hard and smart, but not as hard as the first one.
နှစ်ကုန်တော့ scores ကောင်းကောင်းရတယ်။

သူတို့နှစ်ယောက်က
hard က မတိမ်းမယိမ်းဘဲ။
Smart ကတော်တော်ကွာသွားတယ်။

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo Tekkatho

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