Category: Language

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Preview

• Dreams
  Jules Verne was a dreamer. Many of his dreams became reality.
• Oral & Written History
  Several sayas have passed away. A few have memory loss. We should at least have Oral History.

• Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
  After submitting sample articles, I was accepted as a contributing author.

• Blog
  It stands for a web log. There are platforms for posting blogs.
• Contributors
  Several sayas, alumni & friends submitted news, photos and articles for my Newsletter and Website.

Dreams

Jules Verne

He dreamed of traveling

• to the Moon and back
• in a hot air balloon
• in a submarine 20000 leagues under the sea
• to the center of the earth
• around the world in 80 days (a remarkable feat for his time)

He inspired people to transform most of his dreams into reality.

Apollo

• In his book, Jules Verne sent three men from a Cape in Florida to orbit the moon, return safely to earth. He used a powerful cannon to achieve the velocity to escape the earth’s atmosphere.
• A century later — in December 1968 — Apollo 8 with Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill Anders made Verne’s dream a reality. The space ship was launched from Cape Canaveral (later renamed Cape Kennedy), which is within striking distance of the spot chosen by Jules Verne.
• In July 1969, Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon.
• When President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, “Before this decade is out, we will send men to the moon and then bring them back safely to earth”, there was no substantial plan to support his dream.
• Verner von Braun, a German rocket scientist (who was captured by the Allied Forces as a Prisoner of War), and his team were given a “level of trust” to work on the NASA project.
• It would need baby steps : Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects to have one, two and three astronauts to man the space ships.
• For the Apollo project, it was not clear how to implement the important phase of bringing the astronauts safely back to the earth. e.g. How can a direct hit to the moon cause a safe return to earth?
• Folklore said that one engineer scribbled on his lunch bag a “spider” landing on the moon and returning. His dream resulted in the design of the “Lunar Module”. The rest is history.

Take away

• If you can dream, others can fulfill [your dream].

My dream two decades ago

• I dreamed that I would be able to get the sayas and alumni get reconnected electronically and physically.
• In 1999, we established the RIT Alumni Newsletter and the RIT web site (with the expertise of U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, web master)).
• In October 2000, with the help of sponsors and volunteers, the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in San Francisco, California, USA.

• Seven SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe’s) have been held : SPZP-2000 (in the US), SPZP-2002 (in Singapore), SPZP-2004 (in Yangon), SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 (in Singapore), SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 (in Yangon). Due to pandemic, SPZP-2000 was canceled.

My recent dream

My recent dream was to get as many contributors and volunteers to compile an informal story of

• Our beloved land
• Our ancestors
• Our mentors
• Pioneers and prime movers (e.g. those who helped build the “Rice Bowl of Asia”)
• Laggards and culprits (e.g. those who dragged Burma into the Least Developing Country status)
• Unsung heroes (e.g. who tried to overcome the “Adhamma Era” and rebuild the nation into former glory)

U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :

Dreaming and creating inspiration for others to be able to fulfill your dreams are two different animals, if you will, by themselves.

I, like many others, have dreams but we do not have your dedication. perseverance and drive to inspire others.

As I have said many times here, my hats off to you, I am very proud to be considered your friend, and informal pupil.

And to your significant other to take care of you/look after you and your sons while you would be deep into these projects. Please convey my regards to Ma Sein Yie.

Oral and Written History

• There were some Sayas that were over 90. H Num Kok (C), U Soe Khaw (Mining), U Ba Toke (Maths), U Min Wun (C) and U Ba Than (M) have passed away.
• The leading Thet Kyee sayas include U Tin U (C), U Aung Khin (M), Dr. Aung Gyi (Rector, C) and U Myo Myint Sein (A).
• Many of our sayas are in their 80s.
• While they still have high energy and keen memory, we need volunteers to either formally interview them or to record the conversations.
• They can become the artifacts of the Oral History section of an engineering library (preferably the YTU Library).
• There can also be a section to archive the Written History.

H Num Kok (GBNF)

• He taught Engineering Drawing to Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Wun.
• He taught Soil Mechanics to the younger Sayas.
• He served as President of the RIT Track & Field Association with U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68) as Secretary and U Myo Nyunt (C69) as Joint Secretary.
• He served as Line Judge at the RUBC Regattas along with Saya U Sein Win (GBNF) and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung.
• He was loved by his former students. They showed up at the Welcome Party in Yangon for Saya a few years ago. Saya took home the banner of the event to his home in Portland, Oregon, USA.
• He worked full-time until he turned 80.
• He was reasonably healthy in his early 90s.
• He passed away at the age of 98.

U Soe Khaw (GBNF)

• He was Part-time Lecturer & Head of Mining Engineering at BOC College.
• U Soon Sein succeeded him as full-time saya and Head of the Department.
• He worked for the Ministry of Mining before heading out for overseas assignment.
• After retirement from the United Nations, he migrated to the USA.
• He was actively involved in selected monasteries in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF), Saya Dr. San Lin (C62) and I had a Lunch gathering with him. The gathering ended near to a Dinner gathering. The three sayas shared their memories.
• He was healthy physically and mentally before his beloved spouse’s demise.
• A few years later, he passed away.
• He is a cousin of Dr. Htut Saing (Harry, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC, GBNF).

U Ba Toke (GBNF)

• He is a Phwa Bet Taw of the University of Rangoon and the First RU Students’ Strike in December 1920.

• His life journey had been recorded and published by his former student Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Maung Thin Char) with the help of Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khine (daughter of Arzani Mahn Ba Khine).
• During my visits to Yangon, I paid respect to Saya. He gave me autographed copy of the book.
• He was an athlete. He played soccer in his younger days. He headed the Burmese team to Tokyo Olympics.
• He used to walk every weekend with his younger Dhamma friends to Shwe Dagon Pagoda.
• At the subsequent visits, I found the decline of his health but not his mental acumen.
• Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 the day after the RU Centennial, and several days short of his birthday on December 26.

U Tin U

• He gave an interview for HMEE-2012 Project.
• When the Rangoon University reopened in 1946 (after the war), he attended RU along with Dr. Pe Nyun & Dr. Pe Thein.
• Most of his former classmates are GBNF.
• He is the Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC.
• He represented RUBC in the 1948 Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein & U Khin Maung Wint.
• He opened the RUBC Centennial Celebrations in December 2023.
• He is Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club. He played golf until his early 80s.
• He still enjoys the evenings sitting in the lawn and enjoying Scotch Whiskey.

U Ba Than (GBNF)

• He passed away in early 2024.
• His elder brother Saya U Tin U (96 years) is still strong and active.
• Some thought that their longevity is due to their genes. Sadly, their father passed away in his 60s after raising nine successful sons and daughters.
• Until a period before his demise, Saya remembered most of his former students well.
• Several students have seen his photo albums. Many photos were given to MES for display and to HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) for display in the book and the supplemental CD.
• He is a proud sponsor of the History project along with U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and U Thaw Kaung (former Chief Librarian of the Rangoon University Central Library).
• He donated almost all of the Garawa money that he received from the SPZPs and his former students.

U Aung Khin

• After retirement as Professor & Head of Mechanical Engineering, he moved to Canada.
• He still plays Tennis & Golf.
• He does not want to fly long distances.
• He is spending quality time with his children and grand children.
• Ivan Lee (M69) organized two trips to visit Windsor, Canada and pay respect to Saya.

Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun & U Maung Maung Than

• Dr. Aung Gyi is healthy except for some hearing loss. He attended most SPZPs and Reunions held in the USA, Singapore and Myanmar. He wrote several articles for the RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
• Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun (GBNF) and U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) were the initial group of Engineering students sent to study at the prestigious Universities in the USA under the “Twinning Program”.
• For some time, U Min Wun (GBNF) could not travel far as he has to take care of his beloved spouse with some health problems. His former students from Myanmar paid respect to Saya in Los Angeles. They also brought Garawa money from the various Civil gatherings in Myanmar. Sadly, he passed away a year ago.
• U Maung Maung Than (GBNF) served as Chair of the RIT Sports Council during our days. He played Chinlon. He is also a musician.

HMEE Projects

• For the HMEE-2012 Project, we requested the former Heads of the Engineering Departments to write about the history of their departments. The book was published in December 2012.

• The HMEE-2018 Project was established to revise the book published by HMEE-2012 and to provide additional material for the planned two-volume book. However, it did not run into completion partly because of the demise of Saya U Aung Hla Tun and partly because of the calamities.

Sense of urgency

• Several sayas have passed away and some sayas have declining physical and mental heath.
• We sense that the window for having a comprehensive Written History and Oral History is shrinking.
• There is still some time to learn from our sayas and their contemporaries about the different facets of Myanmar Engineering Education.
• Their stories can become gems for the Archives.
• MEC, MES and RIT Alumni Association can help with the project.

Written History

Several sayas wrote articles and/or notes for

• “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” & updates
• Swel Daw Yeik Sar Sarsaung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010
• Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu (2014) & SPZP-2016
• RIT Annual Magazines
• RUESU Annual Magazines
• Departmental Magazines (Mechanical, Electrical …)
• Set Hmu Thadinzin
• Trivia posts
• Blogs by Sayas & Alumni

The articles can become artifacts of the Written History section of an engineering library (preferably the YTU Library).

Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife

• Nine of my articles appear in the Encyclopedia.
• The three-volume book was published by ABC-CLIO in 2011. The book was sold for $275.
• I received a book for completing eight articles according to the agreement and $10 (for the additional article).
• Burmese Americans are covered in Pages 127 to 178 of Volume One.
• The Editors decided to merge two of my articles with other authors. Unfortunately, an error introduced by my co-author. On page 150, he mentioned July 22 (instead of July 19) as Martyrs’ Day. The merged article unfortunately was not sent to me for review. The Editors promise to correct the error in subsequent editions.
• Folk tales (as told by Saya Dr. Htin Aung and Ludu U Hla) are part of the Folklore.
• To read my articles on-line, you should go to “Google Books” and then search “Hla Min“.

Blog

Diary, journal, log, and blog (web log) are ways and means to record one’s experience and thoughts.

Blogging is fun. One can just write down one’s thoughts without caring for academic integrity or historical precision. One does not have to write comprehensive reports. Several readers (mostly SMEs or Subject Matter Experts) point out errors (typos, discrepancies).

Not all media and social media are created equal. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, Facebook is a great way to get connected and reconnected (with long lost friends), but it requires time and energy to navigate the “rolling” and “revolving” posts.

I blog in my Facebook page and then share it with one or more FB pages (mainly “RIT Update”). As time and energy permit, I archive the posts along with the relevant feedback to

hlamin.com (my paid web site)

One does not need an account to read my posts on the web sites.

If you search “Hla Min” on the web, it will return (a) a former colonel (b) a former minister (c) an educator (d) some medical tests & results on HLA (e) some of my works

If you specify “RIT” or “TBSA”, the search engine will return my writings in the Newsletters.

If you go to “Google Books”, then you can find my articles for “Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife”.

On the long run, I hope to post “more complete treatment” of topics. As Dr. Nyunt Wai commented, it is a necessary, important and time consuming step to transform my raw materials into a form presentable as an e-book or printed book. I need volunteers to realize my dream and wishes (of an amateur historian, story teller and life long learner) before my reasonably good memory starts to fade away.

Contributors

• Saya U Aung Khin
• Saya U Ba Than (GBNF)
• Saya Dr. Aung Gyi
• Saya U Min Wun (GBNF)
• U Aw Taik Maw (C54)
• Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
• Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58)
• Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF)
• Saya U Myo Myint Sein (A58)
• U Tin Htoon (A60)
• Saya U Maung Maung Win (M61)
• Saya Mao Toon Siong (M62)
• Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
• Saya U Moe Aung (EE63)
• U Myint Khine (Norman, C63)
• Saya Des Rodgers
• Saya U Khin
• Sayama Daw Khin Saw Tint (GBNF)
• Saya Dr. Nyo Win (M65)
• U Than Tun (A65, GBNF)
• Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF)
• U Myo Myint (EC67)
• Saya U Myat Htoo (C68)
• U Hla Min (EC69)
• U Aung Min (M69)
• U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69)
• Benny Tan (M70)
• U Ohn Khine (M70)
• U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70)
• Daw Than Yi (EP70)
• Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (ChE71)
• Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72)
• Saya U Thein Aung (Met72)
• U Wynn Htain Oo (M72)
• U Myint Pe (M72)
• Dr. Myint Thein (M73)
• U Myo Myint (M73)
• Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73)
• U Myint Thein (M74)
• Maurice Chee (M75)
• U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EP76)
• U Htay Aung (Victor, EE80)
• Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS60)
• Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63)
• Dr. Nyunt Wai (SPHS63)
• Several posted for “Once upon a time at RIT”

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

Sayings

There is a saying, “Speech is silver. Silence golden.”

It does not mean that we should stay silent all the time.

If one does not have meaningful things to say, it is better to remain silent rather than rambling or engaging in frivolous talk.

Duration of speech

• The length of a speech varies.
• President Abraham Lincoln was requested to give a “few appropriate remarks” at Gettysburg. His address consisted of ten sentences. It was delivered in less than two minutes (which was not long enough for the official photographer to record the historic moment).
• Typically, Elevator speeches last 30 – 45 seconds, Impromptu Speech (e.g. Table Topics) last 1 – 2 minutes, Prepared Speeches last 5 – 7 minutes, TED talks lastless than 18 minutes), Keynote speeches last 45 – 60 minutes with Q&A.

Message

• It is usually more important than the messenger.
• The speaker should provide a “take away” or an “action item”.

Training / Aids

• I had a book of the 40+ speeches given by notable people (e.g. Winston Churchill).
• Rotary Club, Kiwani’s Club and Toastmasters International provide guidance and training for communication (Public Speaking and Leadership).
• I am a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).

Speeches

• Inaugural address by Abraham Lincoln
• John F Kennedy’s speech about Moon Mission
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is known for “The Last Lecture”, where a Professor presents to an audience (e.g. those present for his forthcoming Retirement). Randy Pausch, who was diagnosed with Cancer, gave an up-lifting “The Last Lecture”. It can be viewed on You Tube. It has also been made into a book.
• Steve Jobs gave a Commencement Speech at Stanford University. It can be viewed on the Internet. In three parts, he connected the dots (e.g. taking a Calligraphy course to the aesthetic Font designs on Apple Computers.

Posts

• 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival
• My Educational Videos
• Public Speaking
• Toastmaster’s Journey
• YMCA

by Hla Min

Updated : May 2026

• Also known as HCA
• Some use the term “In the zone”

My Moments of HCA

RUBC (2013)

• Contributing Editor for the Commemorative issue of the RUBC 90th Anniversary Magazine
• Proposed to write Prelude for each section
• HCA lasted less than an hour. I completed the Prelude for all sections.

UCC and ICST (Jan 2018)

• Attended the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST as a Member of Generation Zero
• Later gave a guest lecture at UCSY (University of Computer Studies in Yangon).
• In my desire to pay back to UCC, I wrote 30+ posts on “Memories of UCC” in three days of HCA.
• Phyu Phyu Kyaw (my former student) told me that I should not be spending too much time in Yangon reminiscing about UCC. She asked, “Would you like to have a two-night three-day vacation at Bagan?”

Sharing Knowledge / Experience (2018 – Present)

• After I came back to the USA, I decided to share my memories with my sayas and alumni.
• My spouse told me that we should pay back to our beloved land, our ancestors and our mentors.

• Started posting “Trivia” to my Facebook friends. Then opened up to the General Public.
• Started revising and archiving in my web site: hlamin.com
• Posted on selected Facebook Pages : RIT Updates, Myanmar, Memories and Fun with Learning
• I am a
  “Jack of All Trades, and Master of Some”,
  Mini-Dictionary,
  Micro-Google,
  Life long learner,
  Distinguished Toastmaster,
  Amateur historian (former Docent of the Computer History Museum),
  “Sar Pay Chit Thu စာပေချစ်သူ” : freelance writer, editor & translator,
  Volunteer for alumni, religious & social organizations.
• Depending on my HCA, I have written and/or updated dozens of posts daily.

by Hla Min

Updated : Apr 2026

There are several ways to classify learning.

Four Pillars of Learning

• Learning to know — both formal (via schooling) and informal (via senses)
• Learning to do — both formal (via a mentor or supervisor) and informal
• Learning to be — e.g. a professional (doctor, engineer, scientist, public speaker)
• Learning to live — e.g. a happy and fruitful life (with peace and tranquility)

Types

There is meta-learning and efficient learning (e.g. Learning how to learn).

For AI (artificial intelligence), there is Machine Learning (which may be supervised or unsupervised) and Deep Learning (from large sets of data).

Rote learning is not very effective. An effective technique is to perform repetitions (or revisions) at specified intervals.

Lifelong Learner

by Hla Min

Updated : Apr 2026

• Shwe YaDu Lann (Poem and Translation)
  Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung) wrote a poem for the RIT Shwe YaDu (Golden Jubilee). I translated the poem into English.
• Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife (Article)
  Nine of my articles were published in Volume One of the Encyclopedia. 23 Asian American Groups were featured in the three-volume Encyclopedia.
• The (Hidden) Power of Kabyar (Poem and Translation)
  Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung) wrote a poem for “Kabyar Nay” (Poem Day). I translated the poem into English.
• To the Shwe Duo (Poem and Translation)
  Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung) wrote a poem in memory of Saya U Tin Shwe (EP66) and Saya U Hla Shwe (T69), who passed away within a few months of each other. I translated the poem into English.
• To ease Nostalgia / “Lwann Pyay Aung (Poem and Translation)
  Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73) composed an excellent poem for SPZP-2012. I translated the poem into English.
• Names (Article)
  I have presented several speeches on Names at “Toastmasters International”. I have also written articles on naming conventions, common names, pen names and meaning of names.

Shwe YaDu Lann

Translation by U Hla Min

Shwe YaDu Lann
Let it be rough [but it’s tough]. Flowers are blossoming again.
Fear not the summer
Care not the rain [drops]
or the thick fogs & darkness
or if winter’s not true to its form

Shwe YaDu Lann
Let it be rough. No gentle stream flowing
Fear not high winds
Care not dense clouds
Topsy turvy [come what may]
Can paddle upstream
With strong mind & conviction
Place where heroes [Thu Ye Kaungs] are produced.

Swel Daw Myaing Dann
Shwe YaDu Lann
is a start [of a journey]
To raise the Banner loftily
to the skies, to the Zenith
displaying our thitsar (vow of truth and integrity)

HLA MIN (Editor, Newsletter Updates, USA)

Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife

• Nine of my articles appear in the Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife (AAFF).
• The three-volume book was published by ABC-CLIO in 2011. At the beginning, the book was sold for $275.
• I received a book (for completing eight articles according to the agreement) and $10 (for the additional article).
• Burmese Americans are covered in Pages 127 to 178 of Volume One.
• The Editors decided to merge two of my articles with other authors.
• Unfortunately, an error introduced by my co-author. On page 150, he mentioned July 22 (instead of July 19) as Martyrs’ Day. The merged article unfortunately was not sent to me for review. The Editors promise to correct the error in subsequent editions.
• Folk tales (as told by Saya Dr. Htin Aung and Ludu U Hla) are part of the Folklore.
• To read my articles on-line, you should go to “Google Books” and then search “Hla Min“.

The (Hidden) Power of Kabyar

Translation by U Hla Min

Kabyar is animate
But [it’s life is] not just a [fleeting] morn

Kabyar is a weapon
But not for destroying the world

Kabyar is key
For liberation and independence
But not devoid of principles [and morals]

Kabyar has power
Hidden but efficient & effective
Like sharp-pointed spear-head
Can thrust into [the heart of] a power-maniac
Cause trembling, shivering, throbbing & anguished pain

Poem in Burmese by Tekkatho Moe War (Saya U Moe Aung)

To the Shwe Duo

Translation
by U Hla Min

in memory of “Shwe Duo” : Saya U Tin Shwe (EP66) and Saya U Hla Shwe (T69)

“TO THE SHWE DUO”
by Tekkatho Moe War

SHWE duo
Blossom in unison
Disappear together
Free from complaint
Even with thin breath
Showed mark [of courage and wisdom]
Never wavered …
Pressed by burden
At the awaited turn [of journey’s end]
Body — inheritance [from previous lives]
Succumbs [to failing health]
Yet, “Wei-nyin” is fresh, alive and hovering.

To ease Nostalgia

Poem by U Nyunt Htay

Saya U Nyunt Htay (Met73) is a distinguished poet. He is Chief Editor and/or Publisher of Myanmar Mudita. He composed an excellent poem for SPZP-2012.

Translation by U Hla Min

One cannot forget the history and sweet memories of one’s alma mater, and one feels that most alumni — near and far — still yearn for the good old days.

In front of A Hall, B Hall [C, D, E, F, Halls] friends would tease and prank, yet do no harm. They do not care to find weaknesses in others, and will remain loyal friends. In front of Uttra (North or G) Hall — usually in the evenings — aspiring Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins serenade with love songs aided by guitars, harmonicas and violins.

Hear the bells in Building One, Two [Three] ringing once more. Many rush to the classrooms [some spend time on the corridors to enjoy the belles go by]. At night, some “count the numbers” (perhaps playing cards, or actually studying and doing home work).

RIT students do not feel outnumbered by RASU [with Burma selected] or Eco at any kind of sports [soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming, water polo …]. RIT has staunch loud-voiced fans [like “Ajala” Moe Hein].

Assembly Hall hosted not just presentations and debates. It also is the home of Geeta See Sar [Musical Evening Extravaganza] with outstanding musicians, composers, vocalists and dancers. Swel Daw Yeik Troupe and Ah Nyeint, Pyazat, … melt our hearts.

Cartoon Box [former telephone kiosk] nurtured many cartoonists to share their humor, satire and ideas with the readers searching for Sacca (Truth).

Aw Bar Lann (precious memories to the graduates attending the graduation ceremony) is known not also for applause but also for the tongue-in-cheek comments and unruly claps and shouts to the unwary treading the Lann.

“Nwe Aye”, “Aung Theik Pan”, “Kan Thar Ya”, “U Chit” …

Memories from those who spend six years or more.

As the examinations near, most try their best [by borrowing books and notes from their friends, by attending crash sessions] to pass the hurdle. On the desks are notes [not neat and tidy] scattered all over. Times and systems change, but most RITians are able to decide the essentials (“Ah Hnit”) from the inessentials (“Ah Kar”).

Swel Daw Yeik

One can never forget the history and [priceless] memories.

Names

Overview

• Before the advent of MRI and Ultra Sound, some people prepare a set of 14 names for the forthcoming : 7 names for a boy (one for each day of the week) and 7 names for a girl (ditto).
• Some prefer to have a formal naming ceremony a specified number of days after the birth of a child.

• Names may have meaning and/or a historical background.
• For example, “Pyke Tin” means “left on a net”.  The mother of Saya Dr. Pyke Tin presumably had problems (e.g. miscarriage), so she performed a “Yadana” to catch Saya with a net.
• I have a cousin aunt named “Pyke Mi” meaning “caught on a net”.
• Ko Ko, Nyi Nyi, Maung Maung, Maung Gyi, Maung Lay, Ma Gyi, Ma Nge are some names based on the order of birth.

• There may be name changes.  For example, Bogyoke Aung San was named “Htain Lin”, but he changed him name to “Aung San” to rhyme with “Aung Than” (his elder brother).
• A new name is given in some social (e.g. Coronation of a King or Queen) and religious (e.g. Higher Ordination) events.

Burma/Myanmar has a sizable number of race and ethnicity.

The following are some prefixes of my sayas, sayamas and friends.

• Sao (e.g. Saya Sao Kan Gyi, descendant of Keng Tung Sawbwa)
• Sai (e.g. Sai Kyaw Aye, broadcaster for the BBS Shan Language Program)
• Saw (e.g. Saw Edison, Karen, RIT Volleyball)
• Sa (e.g. Sa Maung Maung, Joint Treasurer, EE69er HCF)
• Duwa (e.g. Duwa Zau Lai, Myitkyina)
• Nan (e.g. Nan Khin Nwe, young and energetic fund raiser)
• Nang (e.g. Nang Khaming, RIT Track and Field)
• Naw (e.g. Naw Mu Mu Aye, Professor, Textile)
• Salai (e.g. Saya Salai Tun Than, Professor, Yezin)

In most countries, the Father’s lineage is used for the Family Name.  Long ago, in some Matriarchal society, the Mother’s lineage is used for the Family Name.       

• John Fitzgerald Kennedy (or John F. Kennedy) is the US President who proposed the Space Program to send Men to the Moon and bring them back safely to earth. His first name (or personal name) is John. His last name (or family name) is Kennedy. The middle name is Fitzgerald. The middle initial is F.  Fitz means “son of”.       
• President Harry Truman has no middle name. His middle initial is S.

• I have no middle name. So at one company, I was registered as Hla X Min (where X is a filler).       
• My name has only six letters, but it has been misspelled and mispronounced in six (or more) ways.

Prefix

A name may have a prefix.

Prefixes for

• a male Burmese name include Maung, Ko, U, and Pho.
• a female Burmese name include Ma, Daw, and Phwa.
• a Burmese monk name include Ashin, Sayadaw, Venerable and U.
• Shan names include Sao, Sai, and Nan.
• Mon names include Mehm, Min, Nai, and Mi.
• Karen (Kayin) names include Saw, Sa, Pado, and Naw.
• Kachin names include Duwa.
• Chin names include Salai.

Old Burmese passports were issued with the prefix included. This created confusion when matching names from other documents (e.g. birth certificate).

Dr. U Win was called “Hey, U (pronounced as You)” by his friends, who did not realize that “U” (pronounced as Oo) is a prefix for a Burmese name.

Suffix

A name may have a suffix.

Suffixes include

• Sr. (Senior for the father)
• Jr. (Junior for one of the sons)
• Generation number, e.g. Bill Gates is named William Gates IV
• Esq. (Esquire, used earlier in Britain)
• Degree, e.g. Freddie Ba Hli, Sc.D.
• Fellowship or Membership

Monk names

Some monks names may have “abhivamsa” or “alankara” as suffixes.

Sayadaw U Silananda the prestigious monk examination (conducted in Mandalay) before the age of 27. So, he is often referred to as U Silanandabhivamsa.

There are several distinguished Sayadaws named Ashin Janakabhivamsa.

U Neimeinda and U Siri (Thiri) passed the “Lankara” religious examinations as novices. They may suffix their names with “alankara”.

Prefix for Monk Names

• Bhikkhu
• Ashin
• Baddhanta
• Sayadaw
• Upazin or Uzin
• U
• Thera
• Maha Thera
• Venerable (in English)
• Tipitaka Dara (one who completed “Vinaya”, “Sutta”, and “Abhidhamma” exams)
• Dwee Pitaka Dara (one who completed “Vinaya” and “Sutta” examinations)

Suffix for Monk Names

Monk names may be suffixed with one or more of the following:

• Lankara (one who had passed that dhamma exam as a novice)
• [A]bhivamsa (one who had passed the “Set kyar thi ha Dhammacariya” exam before the age of 26)
• Wun tha ka (one who stood first in the special examination)
• Pa hta ma gyaw (one who stood first in the Pa hta ma pyan exam)
• Thi ro ma ni (one who finished 9 “kyans” in a single year)
• Pali Paragu (one who completed the exam in Pali)

by Hla Min

Updated : Mar 2026

Serendipity

Some inventions are attributed to Serendipity. Three notable examples are

• Discovery of X-rays
  X stands for “Unknown”. German scientist Wilhelm Rontgen discovered X-radiation (unknown type of radiation) on November 8, 1895. Other names include X-ray, Xray and Röntgen radiation.
• Discovery of Penicillin
  Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin in 1928.

• 3M’s Post-it notes
  Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M, accidentally discovered a weak glue in 1968. Arthur Fry obtained permission from 3M to develop “sticky notes” in 1974.

Kekule’s Dream

• Friedrich August Kekulé, a German chemist, was searching for the structure of Benzene, which has six Carbon atoms and six Hydrogen atoms.
• In 1865, he had a day-dream where a snake’s head tried to bite its tail. Was an “Aha” moment for him. Figured out the ring shape of the Benzene molecule.
• Some use this example as the power of the subconscious mind in solving problems.

Saya Dr. Soe Win wrote :

The structure of benzene is indeed a significant discovery in the history of science.

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Class of 1972

U Thein Aung (M72) presents the differentiation with U Thein Aung (Met72).

• I am Set Hmu — Maung Thein Aung စက်မှု — မောင်သိန်းအောင် (I am Maung Thein Aung — Mechanical Engineer.)
• He is Set Hmu Maung — Thein Aung စက်မှုမောင် — သိန်းအောင် (He is Thein Aung, who won Mr. RIT award and Sa Lwei Thaing in 1968).

Transformation

During his RIT days, U Thein Aung (Met72) was “Ba La Gyi ဗလကြီး “ full of strength and prowess).

Lately, he has become “Ba Lar Gyi ဗလာကြီး” nothing notable left).

Sargalay

At a 69er gathering, Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69) greeted U Khin Maung Win (EP69, GBNF) as Sargalay (စာကလေး “sparrow”).

He replied, “I am no longer Sargalay. I have become a La Da (လဒ “vulture”).

Cartoon

Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69, Kyant Ba Hone, GBNF) drew a cartoon:

“Ah Ba, Kar Ku La Thin Char (ကာကုလသင်္ချာ Calculus) is fascinating.
If you differentiate a La Da, you get a Sargalay.
If you integrate a Sargalay, you get back a La Da.”

Palindrome

It reads the same when read forward or backward.

There are palindromes in languages, music and art.

The Pulitzer Prize winning book on Escher (Painter), Godel (Mathematician) and Bach (Composer) discusses threads that are common to Mathematics and Computer Science, Arts and Music. One such thread is a palindrome. For example, a musical composition (which is a palindrome) can be played from the front to back, and vice versa.

Palindrome #1

The earliest palindrome supposedly occurred in the Garden of Eden.
MADAM I’M ADAM and the reply EVE

Palindrome #2

Napoleon Bonaparte is the first Corsican to attend the French Military Academy. He rose to be a young General, and then an Emperor. He supposedly lamented as follows: ABLE WAS I ERE I SAW ELBA .

Palindrome #3

There were two early Canals (Suez and Panama) to shorten the sea routes. The degree of difficulty was not the same. It took meticulous planning to build the Panama Canal. It gave rise to the palindrome :
A MAN, A PLAN, PANAMA

Palindrome #4

Ashin Pannagavesaka wrote :

Parent #1: My son’s only four and he can already spell his name backwards.
Parent #2: Oh? And what’s his name?
Parent #1: Otto.

Jokes

In our younger days, there were Newton jokes. Later, there were Einstein jokes. It is possible that someone created a joke about an absent minded professor and then attributed to a famous person.

Joke #1

It was raining. Einstein took off his hat and hid it in his coat.
A student asked “Why?”
The reply : “My hat is new and can be damaged. But my head cannot be damaged by the rain.”

Joke #2

A ticket inspector boarded a train. Einstein searched for his pockets.
The inspector said, “You need not show me the ticket. You are Einstein.”
The reply : “I do not know which stop I should get down.”

Joke #3

Einstein was carrying a stack of books. He collided with a lovely student.
The books fell down.
The student collected the books and returned them to Einstein.
Einstein asked, “Which way was I going?”
The student replied, “You were going towards the school.”
Einstein felt relieved and said, “Then, I must had my lunch at home.