Category: Event

Before the pandemic, NorCal RITAA used to have quarterly Face-to-face meetings.

The photos were taken at a meeting hosted by Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Chair of BOD (Board of Directors).

U Myat Htoo plays the piano and ukulele. He wrote a parody “Lost Neikban Bohn (RIT)”.

Mechanical Pu Zaw Pwe in 2018

• Some Sayas are now GBNF
  Saya S. Arya
  Saya U Soe Lwin

December gathering at Sein Hlyan in 2018

• Hosts : December born
  U Tha Tun
  U Ye Lwin (Percy)
  U Nyunt Shwe
  Sai Thein Maung (RIT Goalkeeper & Sprint Champion)
  U Zaw Win (Textile)
  Daw Lily Tha
  
• Attendees
  include Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma, Singapore)

Ko Khin Maung Than wrote :

ဒီေန႔ Sein Hlyan mini-gathering မွာေပါ့ ။

ဒီတပါတ္လူအင္အားနည္းတယ္ကြယ္။

ေဟာမဲ႔ေျပာမ့ဲ Khin Maung Myint ကလည္းေရာက္မလာ

။ေနျပည္ေတာ္ဇြတ္လိုက္မ်ားကလည္းေရာက္မလာေတာ့ ပြဲမစညမဘူးေပါ့ ။

UCC Ah Hlu

• Saya U Soe Paing and Daw Saw Yu Tint
• U Thein Oo and Daw Than Than Tint
• U Myint Swe
• Daw Tin Moe Wai
• Daw Myint Myint Thein

Old Paulians’ Gathering

• U Kyaw Wynn
• U La Min
• U Aung Kyaw Myint (Eddie)
• Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank)
• Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor, Host)
• Dr. Nyan Taw (Dicky)

My cousin Daw Myint Thwe was celebrating her birthday on July 19, 1947 when the sad news were announced. The birthday celebration was put on hold.

Arzanis

Time (or rather a clock) stood still at 10:37 AM on July 19, 1947.

Seven Cabinet Ministers led by Bogoke Aung San, a Cabinet Secretary and a body guard were mercilessly gunned down. Eight perished on July 19, 1947. Mongpawn Sawbwa passed away on July 20, 1947.

• Bogyoke Aung San
• Thakin Mya
• Deedok U Ba Cho
• Mahn Ba Khine
• Sao San Htun (Mongpawn Sawbwa)
• U Ba Win
• U Razak
• ICS U Ohn Maung
• Yebaw Ko Htwe

There were several politicians named “U Mya”. Thakin Mya was a leader of an AFPFL faction. He was a “Minister without Portfolio” and was regarded as an unofficial Deputy Prime Minister.

U Razak and his body guard Yebaw Ko Htwe received their last rites according to their faith.

The remaining seven were honored at the Jubilee Hall before being moved to Arzani Gon near Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

In our younger days, we walked to Shwe Dagon Pagoda on Saturdays.

Martyrs’ Mausoleum

We would occasionally stop by at the “Arzani Beikman” (Martyrs’ Mausoleum). Nine Oke Gu’s were on display. Four each flanked Bogyoke’s Oke Gu.

We noticed that there were two tombs in the vicinity: one for U Tin Tut and one for Bo Sein Hman. Only recently did I learn about the “Empty Tomb” of U Tin Tut, Bagyee of Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint.

Lucky Ones?

Two ministers (U Tin Tut and U Kyaw Nyein) did not attend the meeting. on July 19, 1947.

According to “Phaw Kaung Ba Nyunt”, he could not find U Nu (Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies) at his office.

A few ministers (such as Pagan U Ba Gyan and U Aung Zan Wai) who were seated at the “far side” of the meeting table escaped.

U Ba Gyan is the elder brother of U Ba Shan (Secretary of the Mathematics Curriculum Committee, and father of Ko Boe Ba Shan [ex-UCC]).

U Aung Zan Wai was a signer of the Panlong Agreement.

Some Relatives

Ma Nge (Nge Ma Ma Than, ex-UCC, daughter of U Aung Than) lost two uncles : U Ba Win and Bogyoke Aung San.

Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing (Maths) lost her father Mahn Ba Khaing.

Ma Khin Myint Cho lost her grand father Deedoke U Ba Cho. She invited us to a soon kwyay on one Arzani Nay.

Saya U Tin Maung Thein (EE62) lost his father U Ohn Maung. Bogyoke asked U Ohn Maung for a presentation after the Cabinet Meeting.

U Tin Myint (GBBF) and U Hla Kyi (sons of U Razak) were RUBC members.

MongPawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun died in the hospital on July 20, 1947. San Hso Holm (“Sawbwa Lay”, his son, was an Old Paulian, an RUBC Green and winner of the Senior Novices crew coxed by Saya U Tin Htut, a scholar (English Honors (First Class) and two Law degrees), and an excellent writer. The Sawbwas requested his legal services. He was detained on March 2, 1962. After serving in the Education Ministry, he and his family migrated to Australia. His wife (sister of Saya Sao Kan Gyi) published an “autobiography”.

New Mausoleum

The “attempted massacre of Chung Doo Wan and his party” was carried out by three North Korean agents.

One set of bombs did not go off and thus spared the lives of the Burmese contingent. U Soe Minn (son of Dr. Tha Minn — dentist in our younger days) was on duty as Deputy Director of Myanmar Ah Than TV. He was hit by shrapnel, but he survived. The award winning Kyemon reporter, who “switched” duties, was killed.

• The “new” Arzani Beikman would not have a roof.
• The nine tombs would be transformed into a monolithic “Gu”.
• The families of the fallen leaders (e.g. Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khine) would not be invited to State functions and dinners.
• Top tier leaders are no longer mandated to attend Arzani Day. Second tier leaders would show up as a token of respect for the fallen leaders.
• The public would have little or no access to the ceremonies.

Trust

Did Bogyoke trust his people too much?

Reports that 200 Bren Guns were stolen from COD (Central Ordinance Depot) did not move the administration to beef up security at the Secretariat (Ah Twin Wun Yone).

In contrast, the former No. 1 would have three (or more) layers of security personnel. He would not eat anything that has not been tasted by his loyal chef.

Dots

There are some other dots that need to be connected. There are some rumors that need to be substantiated.

Galon U Saw

U Saw was a former Prime Minister of Burma. He prefixed his name with “Galon” to display his high esteem for Saya San and the Galon Troup.

During the Second World War, he was detained in Uganda. A head reader supposedly cautioned U Saw that “every person he had met with that kind of head ended up in the gallows”.

U Saw has hopes and inspirations to return to power in Burma. He presumably had the covert support of some Conservative Party leaders and members who disliked Bogyoke Aung San.

U Saw was hit in or near the eye by a sharpshooter (supposedly Yangon Ba Swe). This caused U Saw to hold a grudge against Bogyoke and AFPFL.

Smuggled Guns

Around 2007, several Classified Documents in the UK passed the moratorium period.

Those documents became a basis of the BBC Documentary “Who really killed Aung San?”

According to those documents, the British smuggled Captain Vivian, the man who gave U Saw 200 Bren guns and then misinformed the press that he had died in action. Captain Vivian “died naturally sometime ago in his native Wales”.

The Martyrs died from Sten Gun shots. The cache of Bren Guns were found in U Saw’s compound. The weapons added intrigue.

Books and Articles

The old newspapers cover Arzani Nay in somewhat detail.

Bogyoke’s body guards include Natmauk Phone Kyaw (writer) and Bo Tun Hla (Tekkatho Nay Win, writer and actor).

I used to read the articles by Tekkatho Nay Win.

Dr. Maung Maung wrote a book on the Trial.

A few years back, I read the book “Who killed Aung San?” by Kin Oung (former Naval Officer living in Australia). His father U Tun Hla Oung “arrested” Galon U Saw and his father-in-law U Thaung Sein (as Secretary of Insein Prison) “kept watch of” U Saw so that U Saw and his team can be “tried” by a Special Tribunal headed by U Kyaw Myint (father of Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint).

At one time, the public was “barred” from paying respect, and those who tried were detained.

I did not have a chance to read the revised versions of the book.

I also saw the BBC’s production titled, “Who really killed Aung San?”

Grudge?

Several noted that the then Number One never attended the ceremonies. A few hinted that he was a member of the Thakin Ba Sein faction of AFPFL and had some “grudges” for those from the Thakin Mya faction. He was supposedly having fun with the Derby every July in UK.

1960

Matriculation

• The Brothers at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) were disappointed when the Paulians could not take the top positions in the Matriculation examination in 1960.
• Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint lost by a mark each to Austin Kyan (Myint Htoo), “Sanjay” Nyan Win, Arthur Hla Maung, a Chinese girl and Marie Nyunt. He only claimed the sixth spot.
• Many Paulians won the Collegiate Scholarship award.
  They include U Thaung Lwin, U Myo Myint, U Than Htut, and Dr. Myint Tun.

[Per TOKM] : There was a Chinese girl in the 4th position. Could not recall her name. Unfortunately she could not attend university due to the citizen status of her parents and she left Burma.

Guinea Pigs

• We took the last Government examination for Seventh Standard.
• We would become Guinea Pigs for the changes in the Education System.
  We had to take the first HSF Only examination in 1962 in Burmese.
  We had to take the first Matriculation Only examination in 1963 in English.
  We had to take the last I.Sc.(A) examination.
  We had to attend the first ever 2nd BE at RIT.
  Our group is unique to have studied five years at RIT. Those senior to us studied four years after completing their I.Sc.(B). Those junior to use studied six years starting from 1st B.E.

Olympics

• Abibi Bikili (Ethopia) won the 26-mile 2-furlong Marathon barefooted at the Rome Olympics in 1960.
  He would win the Marathon at the next Olympics, but would be wearing shoes.
  He met a tragic accident, but continued to participate at the Paraplegic Games.
• Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. won the Light Heavyweight title at Rome Olympics. He turned professional and became World Heavyweight Champion for three times. He changed his name to “Mohammad Ali”. He is associated with the phrases : “I am the Greatest”, “Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee”.
• We did not have access to see Olympics live.
  We had to wait some time to to see the “Rome Olympics” documentary at the President (Thamada) Cinema. Brother Austin (SPHS) gave us a few tickets for doing well in the tests.

ARAE

RUBC team won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the ARAE (Amateur Rowing Association of the East) Regatta held in Colombo in 1960.
Harry Saing (Bow, GBNF)
Victor Htun Shein (2, GBNF)
Sunny Teng (3)
Tin Htoon (A60, Stroke)
Sein Htoon (M63, Cox)

RUBC

Senior Novice Winners
Kyin Tun (Bow)
Nyan Win (Sanjay, 2)
Micky Tan (3, GBNF)
P Chabbra (Stroke)
Frankie Ohn (Cox)

• Saya U Thein Aung (Micky, SPHS59) became RUBC Gold. He also served as Administrator.
• U Kyin Tun rowed for RIT.

1961

Matriculation

• Robin Ban (Dr. Kyaw Win, SPHS61) placed Second in the Matriculation examination in 1961.
  His classmates include Saya U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE67), Dr. Thein Tun (EP67)and U Sein Shwe (M67,Fourth BE Luyechun).
• Lina Ong (GBNF) stood First.
• It would be the last examination for the combined HSF and Matriculation examination.
• In the following years, the students have to sit
  (a) HSF [High School Final] Only
  (b) Matriculation Only.

SEAP Games

Burma hosted the Second SEAP games.

Burma dominated in several events :

• Track and Field
• Swimming and Diving
• Boxing
• Yachting

1962

Politics

• Coup D’etat took place on March 2, 1962.
• Sao Shwe Thaike’s son (Mie Mie Thaike) was a casualty, but the official reports stated that “It was a bloodless takeover”.
• A 17-man Revolutionary Council was formed.
  According to Kyemon U Thaung, seven members did not know of the decision.
  Brigadier General T. Clift (Air Force) resigned.
  Commodore Than Pe (Navy, President of RUBC) passed away.

Guinea Pigs

• We had to take the first ever HSF (High School Final) Only examination with armored cars and security forces patrolling the street.
• The examination was annulled for the Rangoon Division (claiming that the questions had been leaked).
• We had to retake the HSF Only examination.
• We were the guinea pigs of the “ever changing” Education System.
• We would be the elite group to take Government examinations four times (without ever failing) : 7th, 9th (twice), 10th

Two State Funerals

• One was for Commodore Than Pe (Navy), Revolutionary Council Member & Ta Wun Khan (Minister) of Health and Education.
  He succeeded Sir Arthur Eggar as President of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club).
• Another was for U Tin Maung Thant (“Ah Phyo Gyi”, alumni of Private Primary Boundary Road School), son of U Thant (Secretary General of the United Nations).

Two Dark Moments

• Official records said that there were 17 victims on 7th July, 1962.
• Ko Aung Khin, who was returning home from RUBC, was hit by a stray bullet.

• The Students Union was demolished on 8th July, 1962.

Ye Lay

In September 2017, Peter and Win Mar hosted us at their house in Reading. We say first hand several expertise of their younger son Ye Lay.

Peter asked Ye Lay to play music for his guests. He was the leader, guitarist, composer and vocalist of a band.

During his visit to Myanmar, he would entertain his grandma with her favorite songs (e.g. Danny Boy). He would present his grandpa with his favorite “medicine” (Scotch Whiskey). Min Sway-Tin (Peter’s cousin) would arrange Ye Lay to give lectures (e.g. Python and applications) at the Physics Department and selected places. Ye Lay would also do programming / testing in the evenings and night for a project that he was working back in the UK.

During our visit to Reading, Ye Lay had taken a break to consider his options :

• study for a second Masters (specializing in AI)
• study for a doctorate
• work as software developer and SME (Subject Matter Expert) in the UK or abroad

Peter asked Ye Lay to be my guide to visit Oxford University and to discuss with him at home and during the trip.

I called Ye Lay the other day to inquire about Win Mar’s health. He said that his mom is doing well. Ye Lay and Min Ko are staying with Win Mar. Since Min Ko had rented a flat / apartment for a couple of months, Pru visits daily from the flat.

Ye Lay remembered my chats with him. He said he had read my posts of his father’s final days (e.g. Ye Lay singing “Loch Lomond” and the trip to St. Andrew in Scotland for his second Masters degree). I requested him to archive Peter’s posts about cooking (e.g. recipes of his mother, grand uncles and grand aunts), his ancestors and photos.

Ye Lay is adding “Cloud” expertise to his repertoire. I wish him success in his endeavors.

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