Saya U Tin Htut (M60) donated K10 lakhs to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation on January 3rd, 2017.
Saya U Moe Aung accepted the donation.
Present at the ceremony were several Executive Committee members of SDYF. Photo (L to R) : Sayama Daw Khin Sandar Tun, U Hla Min, U Wynn Htain Oo, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya U Moe Aung (Patron, SDYF), U Myint Pe and U Tin Latt
September and October 2017
Sayagyi U Ba Than
M75U Ba Than
M75
M75 paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on September 25, 2017.
H.E. U Win Khaing, U Tin Soe, U Than Po, U Hla Win, U Ye Lin Oo, U Zaw Min … attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayagyi.
The group handed over garawa birthday gifts of K750000, USD$350 and SGD$300 to sayagyi.
69ers
69ers
The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017.
U Aung Min, U Tin Shein (Chinlon), … attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayagyi.
The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.
Sayagyi usually performs dana with the “garawa” money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.
Sayagyi has supported various charitable associations (for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people, “Nar Ye” …).
On or around October 2 every year, Sayagyi offered “soon kwyay” at a monastery.
Soon kwyay was held on October 2, 2017 at YAW SAYADAW’s monastery. It was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.
Update
Sayagyi U Ba Than, Ko Win Khaing (M75) and Ko Than Po (M75) are GBNF
Thura Thant Zin : RUBC Gold; RU Hockey; Past President, BASES; Organizer, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Thura
Phyo Wai Win : RUBC Gold; RU Hockey
All Uni Hockey
Electrical
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) : RU Hockey; RIT Rowing; ex-UCC; RIT Alumni International; SPZP-2000 Organizer; Designed & implemented First ex-rit web site; Microsoft alum
Khin Maung Zaw visiting San Francisco
Myat Thein (Adam Khan) : RIT Rowing; RU Hockey
Wynn Myint Aung (GBNF) : ex-UCC; Aerospace / Federal Aviation
The first year students were divided into four sections : A, B, C and D. Most students of Sections A & B had passed Matriculation with Pure Science. Most from Sections C & D had passed with either Science & Arts Combination or Pure Arts. There were some late joiners to RIT.
Male students from districts and states were boarded in hostels, in the ground floor rooms of B, D and E Blocks and “Inlay Hall” in Thamaing.
A building named “G Hall” was assigned to board female students from districts and states. Local female students who applied were also allowed to board in G Hall.
Engineering was not considered appropriate livelihood for women. Hence, there were only a few female students studying Engineering before our intake. With the new system, there was an influx of girls. It was quite a pleasant feast to the seniors who were not used to seeing those many female students. So when our ‘64 intake started attending classes, it was a thrill for the senior students to watch a great number of female students strolling in the corridors, coming in and out of class rooms,in canteen, in the food shops, in the library and everywhere on the campus grounds. We were also thrilled to get in company with a lot of female classmates. (It was exciting for me to have female classmates as I [Ohn Khine] was sent to all boys school, St. Peter’s High School in Mandalay since Kindergarten till I matriculated in 1964.) It is fair to note that the girls were somewhat intimidated and somewhat amused by the loud remarks of a few rowdy students or even feeling stared at while having to move from one classroom to another. Girls spent time during breaks in an area of a corridor surrounded by shaded blinds which was known as LCR (Ladies’ Common Room) where the day students usually ate home-brought snacks and rest. Ladies residing at G Hall would have lunch at the canteen and were able to rest in their rooms. The first LCR was a little room on the third floor before a section of the corridor on the third floor was made as the LCR before the start of our 2nd year at RIT. When the bell rang for the next class, it was customary to peek through the blinds to check whether the boys had gone inside the theatre for the timid girls to come out of the LCR.
Outstanding athletes from our class
The list was compiled by Ko Ohn Khine. Comments were provided by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday. Organization / presentation (with corrections) was done by Ko Hla Min
Badminton
Tommy Shwe (GBNF)
Kyi Kyi Sein
Basketball
Tin Aung (E)
Tin Aye (M)
Kevin Law
Soe Aung (Auto)
Body Building / Weightlifting
Than Htike (M)
Boxing
Maung Maung Thaw (E)
Chinlon
Soe Tint (C)
Mya Daung (M, GBNF)
Football / Soccer
Sai Thein Maung (C)
Khin Maung Lay (Mutu, M)
Win Zaw (A)
Myint Sein (Ja Pu Sein, GBNF)
Kenneth (Khin Maung Shwe, GBNF)
Htun Myint (M)
Hla Kyi
Sai Aung San (Met)
Judo / Aikido
Sein Myo (C)
Kyaw Soe Win
Soe Aung (Auto)
Thaung Lwin (M)
Soe Myint (Agri)
Sai Loke Khan (Mn)
Rowing
Htein Win (M)
Aung Lwin (Jaspar Wu) (C)
Swimming / Water Polo
Peter Pe (GNBF)
Htein Win (M)
Win Aung (M)
Mg Mg Swe (M) (5)
Ma Tin Tin Myint (Ch)
Tennis
Aung Kyaw Soe (James Than) (Ep)
Khin Mg Shwe (Ep)
Wai Lwin (Agri)
Rosie Tin Maung (Ch)
Track and Field
Sai Thein Maung (C)
Shein Kee Gae (GBNF)
Saw Mg Mg Htwe
Oo Myint (Mn)
Win Naing
Lei Lei Chit (Ch)
Nan Kham Ing (A)
Maung Maung Thaw (E)
UTC Marksman
Tan Yu Beng (Benny) (M) Let Pyaunk Tat Thar, twice, both UTC 1st & 2nd yr.
Volleyball
Kyaw Sein (M)
Salai Myo Myint (C)
Additional Information by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday
Sai Thein Maung (C), was a great RIT goalkeeper for 6 years. He also won gold medals in 100 meters and Hop Step and Jump in the Inter Institute track and field competition almost every year.
Tin Tin Myint (Emma) (Ch) bravely competed in the inter-institute swimming meet. I believe she also practiced throwing the Javelin and played volleyball.
Khin Mg Shwe (Ep) won the “Novice” tennis competition at RIT. He represented RIT in the 2nd year and we cheered him as he played a nationally known played from RASU (at the courts across from the Universities football field) during our 2nd yr at RIT.
My good friend Tan Yu Beng (Benny, M) took the best marksman trophy at both 1st and 2nd yr UTC camps. He competed against not only RIT but UTC students from RASU, Institute of Medicine, and Institute of Economics.
Hla Kyi (nickname Sut Kaw) played center right back for RIT selected football team. Most RIT students that watched the game between RIT and Loke Thar during our first year will remember the flying kick he took at the head of the left winger of Loke Thar when Myint Sein (M) GBNF and that left winger got into a fracas. The Universities team coach Saya Nyein, who was the referee for this game, promptly told Hla Kyi to leave the field.
There were also unsung heroes (e.g. The RIT B football team). I did not know about them until the third year, when Sai Aung San, my room mate for that year, told me about it. He was the goalkeeper, Yan Shin played in the back line and Kyaw Min Aung was the reserve goalkeeper.
Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins from our class
Ko Myint Swe Win (M): Mandolin virtuoso, vocalist. Participated in every concert and pwe
Ma Mo Mo Yi (E) : Announcer
Ma Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint) (Ch) : Myanmar Dance
Ma Tin Myint Oo (Rosie Tin Maung) (Ch) acted as “Tha Gyar Min သိကြားမင်း in the musical performance of the song “Sanda Kein Na Yi”. Vocalist and instrument (Don Minn) by Ko Yu Swan (M 68).
George Ko Ko Gyi (Ch) played the part of Ten Headed Ogre (Dat Tha Gi Ri) in the short opera of Chasing the Deer (Rammayana play)
Ko Than Myint (M) : Vocalist & All-round instrument player
Ko Soe Aung (Auto) : Clarinet
Ko Tin Win (Texile) : Burmese Harp (Don Minn)
Ko Aung Myint (a) “Thaman Kyar Ko Myint” (Mn) starred in the “Thaman Kyar သမန်းကျား” movie
Ko Than Win (Tex), spouse of Ko Myint’s cousin, wrote the story of “Thaman Kyar”.
UTC (Universities’ Training Corps)
Some of us entered the UTC.
We had two camps the first year we were at RIT : Summer camp at KyeDaw, Toungoo; October camp at Meikthila.
First UTC Camp
At the Toungoo camp, our platoon was the only RIT platoon stationed with RASU students. So we were 30 or so RIT students among 500 plus RASU students at the 10th Buregt. The main body of RIT students were at a little school. They were the lucky ones. They had the instructors from UTC in charge while we at the 10th Buregt. were assigned a grouchy sadistic corporal from the regular infantry to drive us. He has a mustache so we nicknamed him “Nga Khu”. Ko Win Htut (C), Ko Khin Mg Lay (M), Ahmed Soorma (Ch), Ko Kyaw Min Aung, John Krasu, Ko Htwe Myint (C), Ko Htain Win (M, Chauk Pe) were among those in this platoon.
It was here that Ko Htwe Myint got his nickname “Bo Hmu” because of the military bags he had on him.
We slept on a long bamboo platform, next to each other. We had to stand guard duty at night, one hour each and sign off on the duty sheet. If our duty hour fell on 8pm-9pm, it was great. If it were from 1pm to 2pm, it was the graveyard hour. One time, my duty was from 1pm to 2pm, Ko Khin Mg Lay (M), who slept next to me was from 12-1pm. He tried to wake me up to give the duty sheet but I refused to get up since I was so sleepy. He finally said “Min Tar Wun You Mea So Yin Ngar Ate Pi”. I finally got up and took over the duty sheet. Standing guard duty during graveyard hours had its benefits. I saw the Big Dipper, Khun Na Sin Kyea, turn and point its tail upwards. (Khun Na Sin Kyea Pyong ah mee thoung, than goun chain tho youk.)
We had to get up at 5pm and run PT, guzzle a cup of tea and swallow down bein moun at 6.30am. At 7am, we were on the parade ground doing marching drills. One time, our sadistic corporal made us run for 45 minutes with our rifles in our hands because he was unhappy with our performance. That event also brought out the best in the RASU students. When the whistle blew for a 10 minute break, in a rare display of camaraderie, some RASU students came over with water for us to drink.
Lunch was a little meat dish and great Pe Hin.
In the afternoons, we had to go to a Phone Gyi Kyaung about half a mile away so that we can sit in the shade while we were taught small arms. We were not allowed to use the water in the well at the Kyaung, so four persons from each platoon had to take 2 Ye Oes full of water. Although it meant carrying the heavy Ye Oe, in addition to my rifle, I always volunteered for that duty since we got to leave about 20 minutes earlier for the Phone Gyi Kyaung. That way, we got to rest and enjoy the tranquility of the Kyaung Win before the rest of the students arrived and the lessons started. I remember laying under the trees while waiting for the rest to come over, looking at the Toddy (Htan) trees and wondering if King Tabinshwethi had one time spent his days near this place drinking Htan Ye .
I remember the incident about Ko Win Htut being punished harshly one time. I don’t remember exactly what it was about. We all know that Ko Win Htut liked to have fun and his happy go lucky come attitude got him into trouble with our party pooper instructor Nga Khu. He was ordered to jump from a squatting position while having his rifle held above his head until he fell exhausted. After 3 weeks, training was ending and we decided to give the Corporal a longyi as present and all of us Ka Daw to him. For the first time, tears rolled down this tough Corporal’s cheeks.
The next day was the graduation parade. It was a proud moment for all RIT students when Tan Yu Beng (Benny) (M), stepped up to receive the award for Let Pyaunt Tat Thar, standing first in marksmanship among 800 UTC students from all Institutes and RASU.
Second UTC Camp
To attend the second UTC camp, we left for Meikthila on the 3rd week of September. The train travel ed at night, but we had trouble sleeping on the train. We were sent to the 3rd BATD. Beautiful barracks with wood flooring. But horror of horrors. Hundreds of bed bugs came out from between the wooden planks. That night, there was no way I could sleep with the bugs biting me. so, even though there was a slight drizzle of rain falling, I decided to sleep on the ground outside. Since I did not get any sleep the night before, I slept through the morning PT before waking up. Ko Khin Mg Lay told me that the instructor came to kick me while I was sleeping in the morning, but I just kept on sleeping. The instructor was overheard saying something like “Mway Pauk Tay Mae” before walking away. My official place in the barracks was next to Ko Sein Win (EC). Ko Sein Win was very neat and had the best prepped bed for daily inspection. Next to him, mine looked like crap. Points were given daily for how good you had prepared your bed. Ko Sein Win always got the best comments and mine was in the pits. Actually I did not sleep a single night in my bed place. I used my blanket as a cot by tying it to two posts out in the veranda and slept there.
Life at Meikthila camp was more pleasant than Toungoo camp. For one thing, all of us RIT 1st year students were in one company. We had our share of funny incidents. One day, the RSM of UTC chided all of us for soiling the side of the toilet holes in the outhouses. His words were, “Nya Kya Ah Pauk Te Te Ko Min Doe Win Aung Htet Naing Dae. De Louk Ah Pauk Gyi Kya Win Aung Ma Par Naing Bu.”
As it happened, that evening, the RSM was kicking the ball to the goal and it went wide. Bohmu Htwe Myint shouted “De Louk Gyi Dae Ah Pouk Win Aung Ma Kan Naing Bu Lar?” The RSM walked away with his head bowed.
Sometimes, we drove the instructors hopping mad. One time the instructor told us “Ngar So Dar Lite So”. In one voice, we all shouted “Ngar So Dar Lite So”.
After two weeks, we were told to give our kit bags to be taken by truck to Taung Pulu, while we would have to march 18 miles to that place the next day. Without a kit bag, no blanket to make my cot, I spent the night just walking around in the veranda since it was raining outside and there was no way I could sleep inside with the bed bugs. The next day we marched to Taung Pulu, carrying our rifles. It was tough for me since I did not sleep a wink the night before. The sun was beating down on us the whole day. Where was the rain when we needed it? Worse was the rocky road made of Gawoon rocks. It made the nails in my boots hurt my feet. I must have pulled out over half a dozen nails from each boot.
We finally made it to Taung Pulu in the evening. We were given rice to cook for ourselves and were assigned 4 persons to a tent. That night, there was a tremendous storm. Water gushed into the tents. The next day, someone told me that everyone was sitting in their tents except me. He said I was asleep with my head in the mud. I did remember waking up during the storm, looking up at my tent mates who were sitting, and going back to sleep.The next day, we were told to move into a Zayat on a hill. It was so crowded in the Zayat, I refused to sleep there. Instead, I went up the Phaya Yin Pyin and slept alone on the brickwork with a blanket tucked around my body to prevent the winds from blowing it away.
Time came for graduation and our Tan Yu Beng (Benny, M) again got the Let Pyaunk Tat Tar award.
Ko Win Htut, I and others that I don’t remember, took a bus to Mandalay from Meikthila. We arrived in Mandalay, near 33rd and Zeygyo (84th) around 6 pm. Ko Win Htut was home since his house was around the corner. For myself and a couple of others, we just kept on walking towards the direction of the clock tower, hoping we would run into something. It was seeming more and more likely we might have to sleep on someone else’S doorstep.
Then, we saw a jeep come down 84th street and stop. It was a MMTA taxi with Saw Mg Mg Htwe sitting in the front seat! (MMTA stood for Maymyo-Mandalay Taxi Association).
He told us that he figured there might still be some UTC students that wanted to go to Maymyo coming this way and had asked the taxi driver to drive along 84th street before turning towards “A” road to take the car out of Mandalay to the Maymyo road.
The academic year started around October 9th for our final year. Ko Aye Win Hlaing (“La La”, Abel, EP 65 intake), picked me up at the central train station, and took me to his home for dinner. Afterwards, he drove me to the RIT hostels. I had again applied for hostel accommodation paired with Ko Cho Aye (M). We got lucky and were assigned single rooms at F Block, which had bathrooms attached. That was great. No more going to the common bathrooms or showers. I was in F-10 and Ko Cho Aye was in F-9. Sai Aung San (Met) my room mate from 3rd year and Sai Maung Lin (Ag) were in F-1 and F-2.
Rowing
At the Boat Club, Ko Aung Lwin (Jasper, C) got me to be accepted as a “Half Green”. No more rowing wooden tubs for me. I had now advanced to the “Shells”, after doing the required Clinker outings. Ko Aung Lwin told me he was putting me on the RIT Eights crew. We set out to do a practice run, I was assigned position number 6, on the stroke side. George Htoon Pay (Aung Tun Oo, M, 65 intake), was the Cox that guided the boat and shouted out commands. The distance for the Eights competition was 2000 meters, the distance from the University Boat club to Dubern beach. We rowed out to Dubern Beach and from there, rowed back as if we were in competition with another boat. Half way back, I began to tire and did not put enough power into my strokes. The Cox, who was watching, yelled out “Number 6”. I tried to put power into my strokes but soon slacked off again. “Number 6” the Cox yelled again.
The next day, we were to compete against RASU as part of the Inter-Institute competition. Ko Aung Lwin (C) told me he was putting me into reserves. That was the closest thing at RIT that I came to achieving something in sports. Unfortunately, due to my own fault, I did not get the chance to represent RIT.
In rowing, you were supposed to put the oar into the water at right angles to the water surface. If you put the oar at another angle with the water surface, the oar would slice into the water, unbalancing the boat. We called it “Dip Yike”(or “Catch Crab”). Normally, it could happen if you get very tired and could not control your oar, or if for some reason you were not paying attention. If somebody did a “Dip Yike” during competition, the boat would become temporarily unbalanced and lose momentum. In most cases, your boat was almost sure to lose the race if that happened.
Ko Aung Lwin (C) was right to replace me. I did not have the stamina to go the distance. The irony was that my replacement, an experienced “Full Green”, did a “Dip Yike” at the very start of the race against RASU. The RIT boat was left standing at the starting place while the RASU crew rowed away to victory. For a “Dip Yike” to happen at the very first stroke, that person, my replacement, must not have been paying any attention.
In the second half of the year, I teamed up with 65 intake students on a “Fours”. I was in the number 2 position, stroke side. The distance for the “Fours” competition was 1000 meters. We were in competition against a “Fours” crew from RASU for the Monsoon regatta. It was not an Inter-Institute competition. It just happened that all of us were from RIT and the other crew from RASU. We were leading by a boat length when we were about 150 meters from the finish line. We heard clapping and shouts of “RIT” “RIT”. It was a female “Eights” crew from the Inst of Economics, sitting in their boat and cheering us. Suddenly, our boat shook and shuddered as one of us had a “Dip Yike”. We lost the race. After the race, our Number 3, on the bow side, told me he turned to look to see who were clapping and cheering and dipped his oar improperly, causing the “Dip Yike”.
Saya U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, SPHS59, Physics, RASU), who was running the Boat club, brought a Laung Hle. The Laung Hle had a leak and he had it repaired. Ko Myo Khin (C, one yr senior in 64), asked for permission to take the Laung Hle out for a trial. He recruited me, Ko Yit Moe (C65 intake) and two others from RIT and the five of us rowed the Laung Hle out to the center of the lake. A Laung Hle is difficult to keep in balance, but probably due to the fact that there were only 5 of us, it glided in the water smoothly and in perfect balance. Unfortunately, the leak had not been repaired properly and the Laung Hle started to sink. We could here a big “Wah Ha Ha Ha” from the people looking at us from the Boat club, jeering at us when the Laung Hle sank. Luckily, a rescue row boat came out from the nearby Yacht club and threw us a line. They towed the Laung Hle to the Yatch club side, across the water from the University boat club while we swam along beside the towed Laung Hle. It was dark when we reached land and had to walk around to get back to the Boat club.
Track and Field & Some Rum
I also had another Kauk Yoe Mee project. I tried to compete in the 400 meters race at RIT. In the heats, I ran for 300 meters looking at the heels of the great RIT athlete Ko Mg Mg Thaw (EP). After 300 meters, my stamina gave out. Sayagyi U Mg Mg Than (T, President of RIT Track and Field association) commented that I was able to run only 300 meters since I had only trained to run 300 meters during practice. I was supposed to run 500 meters in practice if I wanted to compete in the 400 meters.
Although my efforts came to nought, Sayagyi U Mg Mg Than invited me to a cocktail party that he was giving for the RIT Track and Field athletes at his house. Ko Yit Moe (C 65 intake), Ko Oo Myint (Mn), Ko Zaw Win (M or Mn) were there. Female athletes, Ma Nang Kam Ing (A), Ma Lei Lei Chit (Ch) were probably there together with Ma Nyunt Nyunt Shwe (E, from Moulmein, about 3 years junior).
For the first time in my life, I had a hard drink (Rum). I had drunk only beer before. After the party, I was walking back to the hostels with Ko Yit Moe when he started to stagger. I put my left arm around his waist, put his right arm around my neck and grasped it with my right hand. We walked like that until we reached D Block, Ko Yit Moe’s home Block. He could not climb up the stairs so I lifted him up in my arms and carried him all the way up to the 3rd floor and put him on his bed. Coming back to my room in F Block, someone told me Ko Oo Myint (Mn) was getting loud and boisterous in front of the main RIT building. Since we had drank together, I somehow felt responsible and went there, but found that Ko Zaw Win (?) had used reverse psychology to calm Ko Oo Myint (Mn) down without incident.
Study Hard
During our final year, all of us studied hard. We knew that we must learn as much as possible about the subjects that were taught in our final year so that we may be able to work without any problem after we graduated. In addition, Ko Win Thein (EP, GBNF) and I would go to “Ava House” bookstore on Sule Pagoda road and scrounged around for good technical books. I managed to get my hands on a good book. It was about industrial controls, which I found to be very helpful when I started working.
Doing these extra studies also created a disappointment for me. I had bought a book from the central book shop titled, “Principles of Automatic Controls” and had gone through all the problems in it. There was, however, one problem that I could not solve. It was about a Motor- Generator Control set up. We had been taught the “Ward – Leonard Motor Generator Control System” by Sayagyi U Tin Swe in RIT. This set up was different. I passed over it thinking it was not relevant since we were not taught that type of system. Got an unpleasant surprise at the finals when this exact problem was asked. That turned out to be the only problem I could not solve for that subject. I felt like a person that had a winning lottery ticket and did not know about it.
No time for relaxation
After the last day of the finals, I thought of relaxing with my friends for a few days before leaving. That was not to be.
My eldest brother Saya U Myo Min (Geology Dept. ,RASU) showed up that very evening and told me to pack up and leave immediately. Perhaps he was afraid that I might again be falsely accused of stirring up trouble, like at the time of the unexpected school closing in December 1969 when someone made a false report to the school authorities that I was going around the hostels stirring up the students. He gave me money to rent a Bo Bo Aung (higher priced taxi). Ko Cho Aye (M) helped put all my belongings on it. So it was with great sadness that I bade my final good bye to the RIT Hostels that had been my home away from home for the past 5 plus years.
Conclusion
I have no regrets for the way I had spent my time at RIT. Not studying much during my first two-three years, getting involved in one activity after another, being a “Jack of all trades and Master of none” in sports. The only thing I regretted doing was that incident where I got physical with the student from the 66 intake, which I wished I had never done.
I had entered RIT as a wild eyed teenager, just becoming 17 years of age the month I entered, and now I was leaving as a mature grown man.
The life I had at RIT was very memorable. In my eyes, I can still see the Sayas, the Sayamas and our friends as they were then. The laughter that we had together is still echoing in my ears. It is a part of my memory that will remain with me until the sun sets on my life.
Ko Wai Lwin hosted two gatherings for Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Daw Emma. Saya attended SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016 in Yangon.
The first was in 2013 (a few days after SPZP-2012).
The second was in 2016.
Jan 2013
He hosted a Birthday Gathering for Daw Emma Gyi.
Daw Emma Gyi’s birthday in Jan 2013
Dec 2016
In 2016, Ko Wai Lwin hosted a dinner for the Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and several other sayas at Ko Nyan Tun U’s residence.
Ko Nyan Tun U, Ko Khin Maung Kyaw, Ko Ye Chit Pe, Ko Ohn Khine and Ko Tun Aung are retired. Ko Kyaw Lwin and Ko Win Myint were in charge of the Ministry of Construction.
Ko Win Myint (later Bogyoke) was a 10th standard Luyechun at the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in 1965. Ko Win Myint said that Ko Sein Shwe (M67, 4th year Luyechun from RIT, group leader and musician) inspired him to join RIT. Ko Win Myint has published some books.
Ma Pwint Than, spouse of Ko Htun Aung (“Aung Daung”), was also a 10th standard Luyechun. Later, at SPZP-2016, I met Ko Htun Aung, his close friend Ko Hmaing (author, GBNF) and Ma Pwint Than at the gallery of the famous Bagyee Saya Ko Myo Myint.
She and her spouse Ko Khin Maung Myint (ChE72) are Organizers of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65. Rosie said that Saya U Khin Aung Kyi strongly recommended her to accept Ko Khin Maung Myint.
Bilingual author
Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
She posted a photo taken at the birthday of Than Than Yi (T71, GBNF, USA).
Birthday of Than Than Yi
Three young sayamas
Three ChE Sayamas
Tin May Soe (ChE70) : She lost her older brothers Ko Myat Soe (C) and Ko Myint Soe (C)
Khin Swe Aye (Winnie Tun, ChE70) : Her older brother Ko Win Maung (“Lake”) is a 69er, who represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo and Rowing. Her spouse Ko Ohn Khine (M70) gave me rides to attend SPZP and HMEE meetings
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, May Tin, ChE70, Singapore) : She co-founded Dana Sri Lanka (DSL). She is a Model-turned-MaeDaw. She was a swimmer and Minthamee. She and her spouse Don Min Saya Ko Yu Swan (M68) hold Pon Chan Chan gatherings.
The trio are seen at a Chemical Engineering gathering.
Thynn Thynn Khaing (Janet Aung, EP70, USA)
Janet
She was treasured by young sayas and alumni.
She retired from UN in New York.
She is a proud Grandma.
Her father U Soe Aung (EE48) was Chief Engineer at PWD.
Ma Than Yi (Maubin Ma Shwe Than, EP71)
Ma Than Yi
She served as Editor for Hlyat Sit Sar Saung published by RIT Electrical Engineering Association. Ko Sann Oo (EP67) was also an Editor. They share the passion for writing & publishing and became love birds.
Her short story was translated into English and published in the WPD (Working People’s Daily).
She blogged about her RIT & G Hall days and also published the book.
She loves “Ma Ma Wa Wa Hla Hla Hta Ka”
Ma Than Yi & Dr. Sann Oo reprinted the Sciene Fiction by Journal Kyaw Tint Swe (Ko Sann Oo’s father). They published a Sci-Fi book by their grandson William. They hosted a dinner at Kone Myint Tha for Saya U Soe Paing, Ko Ohn Khine and me. They gave a tour of their “East & West Parami Hospital” to me and my spouse, and hosted lunch at a Rakkhine cuisine.
Rosy Tin Maung (Tin Myint Oo, May Lin Set Hmu, M70)
Rosy Tin Maung
She is a bilingual author, poet, and vocalist.
She performed at SPZPs.
She wrote for the Golden Jubilee Magazine for the Intake of 64.
She attended Computer courses at UCC.
Nan Khin Nwe (Intake of 83, M92)
Nan Khin Nwe
She lost three years when RIT closed for three years citing Security Concerns.
She is an organizer and fund raiser for SPZP, SDYF, Alumni Association, her class & group. Her group donated to hospitals and various charities.
Memories
Music and Dance Gala
Several Belles perform at RIT events.
Inter-Institute Fours Winning Crew
RIT crew won the Inter-Institute Fours Trophy.
Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thinn
The Ah Thinn organized Musical evenings and Trips.
Htee Yein at Rangoon University Golden JubileeTazaungdaing
The G-Hall Thu’s offrrrd candles for Tazaungdaing.
Tin Tin Thida SweLyo Kyin Sein (Mabel, Basketball)Intake of 64 and 65First female ChE graduateMya Than Win (Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint Minthamee)
Wanted her daughters — Hazel, Olive & May — to have experience like her at the Inya Hall.
Hazel & May spent a year at Inya Hall as room mates. Olive had to stay at the Hall for medical students.
Fund raiser
Danced three roles in the fund raiser for the Tekkatho Dhammayone. Her cousin Saya U Lu Pe Win (Pali and Kyauksar Scholar) directed the play. The rehearsal was assisted by U Nyi Pu (First male actor in a Burmese movie).
Play
Was honored at the Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe (Paying homage to the elders) held at the Tekkatho Dhammayone.
Her account was published in the Golden Jubilee Sar Saung of Inya Hall.
A1 Film
Myanmar Ah Swe Film evolved into A1 Film.
A1 U Tin Nwe & his family are known as Producers, Directors & Actors.
U Nyi Pu founded Maha Weikzardo Film.
U Tin Pe (Maung Maung Soe) founded Maung Maung Soe Film.
A1 U Tin Maung acted alongside May Shin and other lead female actors before becoming a Director/Actor.
Daw Khin Myint’s son U Tin Yu & son-in-law U Mya Maung are Director & Producer.
Feedback
Thit Yine (alumnus of Yegyaw Methodist) wrote : Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong) stood First in the Matriculation examination of 1953 from Yegyaw Methodist, and that his class mate Ohn Khin stood Second. Yegyaw Methodist was well known before the Nationalization of schools.
Thit Yine and Ko Ko shared the names of sayas (e.g. U Aung Myint, U Khin Zaw, U Ko Lay) who taught in the late 50s and early 60s.
Po Shwe Kyu wrote : Credit to Saya Hla Min as being the most prolific writer in this group, and his archives and chronicles will be of greatest help to coming generations. Drs. Hla Shwe & Tin Maung returned to Burma around 1962-63. I don’t know Dr Hla Shwe but Dr. Tin Maung also resided at the Chummery during my short stay there. Chummery is a “Saya Lu Pyo Saung”.
Myo Thaik wrote : Sayama Daw Khin Aye passed away last year. His cousin uncle Dr. Myint Thein won a Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in Chemistry in the I.Sc. examination, and later became the first Myanmar to received Ph.D in Nuclear Chemistry in the USA. He is currently staying with his son in Texas. He also wrote about “A Che A Nay Kaung” and “Ma Khan Chin Seik” that led him and his uncle cousin Dr. Win Naing to pursue their dreams to have doctorates.
Myo Thaik wrote : Dr. Hla Shwe is Emeritus Professor, East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvannia, and then moved to California.
First in Burma
I knew that several SPHS students stood First in Burma in the Matric exam. They include
U Ba Khin (Vipassana teacher, first native Auditor General)
George Chapman (SPHS51)
Dr. Nyunt Tin (SPHS52)
Koon Yin Chu (Phillip, SPHS54)
Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58)
Dr. Frankie Ohn (SPHS59
Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63)
Bernard Khaw (SPHS65)
I was aware that students from other schools also scored Top in the some years.
St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay
Methodist English High School (MEHS)
St. John’s Convent
Yegyaw Mthodist
Sacred Heart
Thanks to those who provided additional info and/or corrections
GBNF & Tone Kyaw
I have to be very careful in specifying persons as GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
There are at least three Tone Kyaw (person believed to have died) including me.
When my name sake CO U Hla Min (Chief Operator at UCC, who appeared healthier than me) passed away in his mid-30s, two Training Departments (from Co-op and Trade) inquired UCC where they could send a “Lwan Thu Pann Kway” (wreath) for me. My former class mate Moe Hein (Ajala with an extremely loud voice) was surprised when he saw me at the Kyandaw Cemetery. He said, “I have taken a day off to come here. I wondered why your brother did not tell that you had passed away.” I became a Tone Kyaw.
U Han Sein (C69, Ah Pho Gyi) was sentenced to 20 years for his alleged involvement in 8-8-88. His classmates, who were organizing the 30th Reunion of Graduation, inadvertently listed him as GBNF. He became a Tone Kyaw. He was released after 16 years (with the Amnesty Proclamation), but sadly, his family had been broken. He recently celebrated his 10 years of regained freedom.
When Dr. Tin Hlaing (Marine Technology) passed away in Singapore, some RIT inadvertently sent condolences to Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63), who became a Tone Kyaw.
Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo Kun Yeik Kho
The song was first recorded as a “Dat Pya” at Myanmar Ah Than (Burma Broadcasting Service). It was first sung by U Mya Thein and group. U Thet Lwin received 100 Kyats for his composition, and he treated his fellow Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins.
In a TV interview, Saya played the song.
The song has been sung in many events including the SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) of RIT Alumni.
The Singapore “Pon Chan Chan Group” led by Don Min U Yu Swan recorded the song.
The song was also sung at the Ceremony on December 1, 2019 to kick off the RU Centennial.
The various versions can be listened from the Facebook Posts and You Tube.
Land marks
Thit Pope Pinn is recognized by the Yangon Heritage Society.
The tree was there even before the founding of the University of Rangoon, and it survived Cyclone Nargis.
A few readers expressed displeasure to see the wired fences and the inexplicable disappearance of landmarks.
The Convocation Hall is another land mark.
Eons ago, the Prime Minister of the Union of Burma served as Chancellor of the University of Rangoon, and also delivered “Commencement Speech” at the graduation.
I posted the program of the 1958 Convocation which listed about 30 prize winners (Gold Medals, Silver Medals and Books).
U Soe Paing, my mentor at RIT and UCC, received two Gold medals (after paying 150 Kyats for each Gold Medal, because the original endowments no longer covered the “rising cost” of Gold for the Medals). He had the highest score for I.Sc. (A) and (B) combined. He had the joint highest Maths score for I.Sc. exams — with two other students.
In 1962, Dr. Myint Tun (Henry Cho Tun) won the Gold Medal for the highest score for I.Sc.(A) and (B) combined. U Myat Thwin (ChE66) beat him by one point for the highest score in Mathematics for I.Sc.(A) and (B) combined.
Autograph
Ma Chit Swe (Hazel Kyaw Zaw’s mother) was a Junior I.A. (Intermediate of Arts) student in 1936. Hazel has posted her mother’s autograph.
Daw Hla Myint, a close friend of Hazel’s mom, wrote a lovely poem. Many were unaware of her talent. She had to leave the University before graduation to get married to U Tu Maung. Saya U Tu Myint (Winston Tu Maung) was our saya at RIT and later taught at Singapore Polytechnic until retirement. Dr. Hla Maung (Ronald Tu Maung, MEHS65) moved to the UK. Her siblings include Dr. Pe Nyun (Pediatric Surgeon, who led the operation of conjoined twins Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San), Dr. Pe Thein (Professor and Retired Minister), Daw Ivy San Pe and Daw Flora San Pe.
After attending the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi visited the SF Bay Area.
The dinner gathering at a sea food restaurant was attended by sayas and alumni. They include :
Percy Lao (part-time Saya)
Dr. San Lin (part-time Saya)
Saya U Kyi Kong Tham (C63)
Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66)
Victor Wong (King Wong, C66)
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68)
U Nyan Shein (Henry, C68)
U Hla Min (EC69)
Benny Tan (M70)
Walter Tan (M70)
Patrick Fong (C70)
Saya U Thein Aung (James, Met72)
Maurice Chee (M75)
U Aye Tun (Anthony, M76)
Daw Khin Mya Yee (Sarah, C77)
Daw San San Nyunt (Sandra, M77)
U Khin Maung Tun (T78, President, SDYF)
U Aung Kyaw (Alex Khoo, C81)
U Yu Ket (Edward Saw, EC85)
U Tin Maung Win (C86)
U Tin Oo (M86)
U Nyunt Than (M86)
Welcome back Saya U Aung Khin & Saya U San Tun
Saya UAK & UST
Saya U Kyaw Myint (M/Auto64) was then stationed in Beijing on a UN assignment. He invited his former sayas U Aung Khin and U San Tun to visit him.
After the two sayas returned from the China trip, there was a mini-gathering by the San Francisco Bay Area RIT alumni to welcome them back.
C71 in Nov 2018
The Class of C71 had the November 2018 gathering at Shwe Bei (Golden Duck) on Saya San.
C71 gathering in November 2018
The photos are posted by Daw Lily Tha.
C71 Gathering
Saya U Hla Myint Thein (C69) attended the C71 gathering since his spouse Daw Myint Myint Than is C71.
C71 Gathering
The December 2018 breakfast gathering will be hosted by U Khin Maung Chit.
C73 in Canada
DAG & Dennis
Dennis Mackey (Kyaw Thu, C73) and George Peters (C73) did their final year project at UCC. Their supervisor was Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF).
George moved to Perth, Australia. I met him at the RIT Reunion Dinner in Sydney, Australia in 2006.
Dennis moved to Auckland, New Zealand. He reported about the alumni activities in NZ along with Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF) and Stanley Saw (Myo Lwin, M71).
After retirement, Dennis moved to Canada. In late 2018, he paid respect to Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi.