Hazel Kyaw Zaw has posted some more messages from her mother’s autograph (from 1939). It reinforced the concept of “Six degrees of separation” (in the early days) and “Four (or less) degrees of separation” (in the Internet age). Many of her mother’s friends had children who became schoolmates (some senior, a few classmates and some junior) of Hazel.
Hazel invited me to a mini-gathering with Saya Dr. Soe Win, Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin, and her friends. We met again at the lunch given by Saya and Sayama to celebrate their 49th Anniversary.
Several sayas — Two U Khin Zaw (one from Mathematics and one from Chemistry), U Kyaw (Geography, Principal), Daw Khin Aye, Dr. Aung Myint, Dr. Tin Win (Alan), U Aung Zaw (UCC) — taught at Worker’s College.
Saya U Kyaw (Principal, Worker’s College) is the father of Ko Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw, SPHS63) and Ma San San Kyaw (UCC). During my visits to Yangon, Dr. Kyaw Min (SPHS65) would take to me the OPA mini-gatherings where Ko Harry is the de facto senior / leader. Recently, the group donated to the Molecular Laboratory Workforce and Mobile Swab Collection Team (for COVID-19 testing) of DMR.
U Khin Zaw (Chemistry) has shared his memories (good, bad, funny, sad) about the school, teachers, friends and the decline of the Education System.
Even in the early days, several sayas (including Sayagyi U Ba Toke) told the story of a star athlete who spelled KAWPHY for COFFEE and failed the interview even though he was guaranteed a pass if he could get one letter correct.
There are several poets and writers.
- Min Oo wrote a long kabyar covering events and activities during his stay at RU.
- Yadanar Thu posted some kabyars that she had published for the reunions and Pu Zaw Pwes.
- Than Than Mu recounted her memories as a student at Education, and later as “Sar Sit Sayama”.
Some posted mementos. They include an old post card and a key chain that were bought at a store inside the Recreation Center.
A few attended the make-shift Convocation at the Kyaikkasan Ground.
Those who graduated in 1962 attended the Convocation at Kyaikkasan in 1963.
Some refused to attend because the Convocation held outside the Campus.
There were some who had to wait for several years after graduation to attend the Convocation. They were then married and had to beg for extra tickets for the family members (spouse, children, in-laws).
Some wrote about their friends who were scared of Practical examination and Viva, and how some fellow students helped them.
Many early members taught or studied Chemistry.
A reason may be that the group was founded by Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin and U Aung Mon, who are sons of Saya Dr. Soe Win and Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin.
The membership is quite diverse.
Sayama Daw Khin May (English) is one of the recent GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten). Her siblings/relatives include Sayama Daw Phwa Yin (Former Head of English), Saya U Tin Lwin (Pali) and Sayama Daw Sein Sein (Registrar, Director).
The GBNF has grown. Some recent casualties include U Myat Hla Sein (Movie Technology) and Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char).
Suggestion
There are 1000+ posts and many of them has invaluable photos.
There are tens of thousands of posts.
It’ll be nice if the photos can be organized into albums with relevant titles. It will help if the group or some sponsors decide to compile the posts into digital and printed books to commemorate the Centennial of the University of Rangoon in 2020. It will be an excellent pay back to the alma mater and the mentors.
I created albums in the group last year, but have not updated them. Some photos need to have proper credits (especially if they are to be used in publications).
