I was fortunate to be an organizer for the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwes.
The first SPZP was held in San Francisco, California, USA in 2000.
The Singapore alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2002, 2007 and 2010.
The Myanmar alumni hosted the SPZPs in 2004, 2012 and 2016. The next SPZP scheduled for December 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic.
The precious memories are shared by alumni — young and old, far and near, weak and strong — via pictures, anecdotes, poems (in both Burmese and English).
SPZP Organizers
Sharing is Caring
There are many Subject Matter Experts (SME) in the group. They can share their knowledge, experience and wisdom.
Sayas and Sayamas Retired, Semi-retired, Active
Family members of Sayas and Sayamas Children, Grand children and Great grandchildren
Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins Cartoonists Composers Dancers (Minthas, Minthamees) Journalists Lu Shwin Daws Musicians Vocalists Zat Sayas
Athletes Burma Selected University Selected Selection for Halls, Disciplines and Classes
Authors
Bloggers
Organizers and/or Executive Committee Members Annual Dinner Associations Magazine Social and Reading Club Student Union
U Tin Shwe (EE) hosted the Dec 2022 Gathering at Royal Rose Restaurant.
U Tin Shwe
Attendees
Zau Lai (Myitkyina) attended the gathering along with 27 members.
About 30 – 40 members regularly attended the Gatherings before the pandemic, and much more were present at 30th, 40th and 50th (Golden Jubilee) Anniversaries.
Some pledged to attend the 60th Anniversary and beyond.
Status
120 members are GBNF.
Oldest : U Tin Maung (87 years)
Young Ones : 75+ years
Several have Medical problems with varying degrees.
Ashin Pannagavesaka is an Itinerant Bikkhu and an avid photographer.
A few (e.g TAG, Albert) are still working happily.
TAG recently sang ဘဝသံသရာ in the MASTAA zoom meeting.
Subtitle : The Philosophical Psychology of Buddhism
By Sayadaw Rewata Dhamma
Completed : 2004
Last book by Sayadaw
Publisher: Triple Gems Publication
The book is intended for all serious students of the Abhidhamma.
It serves as supplement to Bhikkhu Bodhi’s book “A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma”, and treats various important aspect in more detail – in articular the process of consciousness and matter.
Preface by Sayadaw U Silanandabhivama, Rector of the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon
Acknowledgement by Sayadaw Dr. Ottaranyana, Birmingham Buddhist Vihara, UK
Introduction
Chapter I : CONSCIOUSNESS AND ITS FACTORS
CHAPTER II : PROCESS CONSIOUSNESS (CITTA VITHI)
CHAPTER III : MIND-DOOR COGNITIVE PROCESS (MANODVARA VITHI)
CHAPTER IV : ABSORPTION JAVANA IN THE MIND-DOOR PROCESS (APPANA JAVANAVARA MANODVARA VITHI)
Before, during and after SPZP-2012, Saya U Moe Aung floated the idea of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation to help alumni (past, present and future) and to take care of the health of eligible sayas and sayamas.
U Khin Maung Tun (T78) not only seconded the idea but showed his commitment by donating and or pledging Kyat 1500+ Lakhs for SDYF.
President of SDYF
Major donor not only for SDYF, but for the Alumni Association
Donated for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016
Sponsored Entertainment Program for SPZPs & SDYF events
Provided Eye Care for eligible RIT sayas and sayama
Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Attended Alumni Gathering in San Francisco Bay Area.
Sang a song with Saya U Moe Aung (Patron of SDYF) at SPZP-2016
Also sang the SDYF theme song with the SDYF members
The SDYF theme song is not a transformation of one of Saya’s poems. It was the outcome of a completely new composition. Ko Than Po (M75, Zat Sayagyi) helped with the music injection.
As SDYF President, he hosted meetings with lunch & entertainment
Expressed his desire to retire after a couple of terms, but the EC members politely declined.
USA Trip
U Khin Maung Tun and his spouse attended the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, and the Dinner gathering in San Francisco to welcome Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & visitors from Yangon.
Gathering at sea food restaurant to welcome Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
Gave me a “Htet Linn” bag with indigenous medicine and an MP3 player loaded with dhamma talks.
He and his family provided “Eye Care” for eligible sayas and sayamas. They balance of the Eye Care Fund has been transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Health Care & Financial Aid
The eligibility rules may change depending on the availability of funds, and the number of eligible sayas and sayamas.
SDYF provides medical checkup, but currently it can offer a limited amount (e.g. 4 – 5 Lakhs) of medical expenses per saya per annum.
When a Saya or Sayama passes away, SDYF offers 2 Lakh Kyats to the bereaved family.
SDYF offers 4 Lakh Kyats to eligible sayas and sayamas
for Hospitalization
for frequent medical check ups
for severe loss of mobility
SDYF also considers case-by-case for sayas and sayamas needing financial assistance for health care.
Medical Check up in 2018
SDYF provided medical check up for sayas aged 60 and above.
May Nge and Sayas
The program started on Nov 6, 2018 at Grand Hantha Hospital.
Kudos to May Nge and group for their volunteer services.
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu to the young donors.
Khin Htay Lin and May Nge
Khin Htay Lin and May Nge
Khin Htay Lin (EC93)
She is a Director of Grand Hantha Hospital. She donated (or offered a discount) 25% of the expenses for the medical checkup of eligible RIT sayas and sayamas.
May Nge (May Thet Hlaing)
She is the lead volunteer for the noble task
U Kyaw Sein (M65)
SDYF will provide Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, Singapore) K4 Lakhs annually to take care of his health.
For 2018, Ko Kyaw Moe (M 2001) donated to bring up the total to S$400.
U Ohn Maung (ChE68)
SDYF will provide Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68, Singapore) K4 Lakhs annually to take care of his health.
Pre-AGM Meeting in 2018
In 2018 (before the AGM meeting) SDYF Meeting was hosted by U Khin Maung Tun (President) with a sumptuous meal.
U Tin Latt’s food donation became “take out” by the attendees.
Discussed preparations for the AGM of SDYF
Passed resolution to spend K50 lakhs for the medical check up of eligible sayas and sayas
Discussed the provisional financial support for use in presenting research papers overseas.
Discussed the “Total Care” program for eligible sayas and sayamas
U Maung Maung Than (M81) donated K5 lakhs to SDYF.
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) received a present (special drinks) from the President.
Rangoon University Engineering Students’ Union is separate from Rangoon University Students’ Union (RUSU).
It published seven Annual Magazines.
Magazine for 1952 – 53
U Aw Taik Moh (C54) was a member of the Magazine Committee for 1952-53.
The scanned pages show some sayas.
U Ba Hli
U Ba Hli was the first native Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University. He proposed the “Twinning Program” with the prestigious universities in the USA.
Sayas 1
U Aung Hla was Professor of Mathematics.
C. Ping Lee (Old Paulian) was Lecturer in Electrical Engineering. He is the father or Dr. Win Aung (M62).
Sayas 2
U Sein Hlaing was Assistant Lecturer in Electrical Engineering.
H Num Kok was Assistant Lecturer in Civil Engineering. He is a saya of our sayas (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi)
U Hla Tin was Assistant Lecturer in Civil Engineering.
B. Aung Gyaw was Workshop Superintendent.
There were visiting Professors (e.g from MIT).
Professor Murray Horwood recommended brilliant Burmese Engineering Students to study at MIT.
On October 2, 2008, the former students of Sayagyi U Ba Than (Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering) was honored with a special Birthday & Garawa ceremony.
Retired from a University in Wagga Wagga, Australia.
Wrote a letter for SPZP-2000
Requested Australian agencies to help YTU.
RIT Auto Club
RIT Auto Club
He and U Maung Maung Win managed the Club.
Ko Hla Oo and fellow members of the RIT Auto Club bade farewell to Saya U Myo Win. There were 25 or so members. The group provided a receipt for the gathering.
Receipt
I reported the event in RIT Alumni Newsletter, RIT Updates group and my web site hlamin.com
Several shared the Receipts photo for nostalgia & the good old times when one Pound was traded for 13 Kyats and one US Dollar was traded for 5 – 6 Kyats. Some wanted to show the “Believe it or not” item to the younger generation.
RIT69ers’ mini get-together gathering at Kruwa Nam Tip Thai Food Restaurant at Phosein road on 21st December 2003.
Standing :
Yi Pinn (M), Win Lwin (M), Maung Maung (E), Win Maung (E), Sein Tun (M), Kyaw Zin (E), Thein Swe (E), Ye Gaung (M), Khin Maung Gyi (M), Myint Maung (E), Maung Swe (E),
Seated :
Tin Maung Aye (M), Myint Thein (Kabar, M), Htay Aung (M), Dickie (M), Myint Thein (David, M), Aung Min (M), Zaw Lai (E).
69ers
Yee Pinn (Maung Maung Kaung, GBNF) lost his wife to COVID-19 in 2020. He passed away in 2021.
Win Lwin : Secretary of RIT Hiking & Mountaineering Association. He and Cho Aye (M70, GBNF) represented RIT for the All Universities and Institutes Trip to climb Mount Victoria.
Sa Maung Maung played Volleyball for RIT EE. He served as Joint Treasurer of the RIT EE69er HCF (Health Care Fund). He recently lost his wife.
Win Maung (“Lake”) represented RIT in Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo. After retirement as Aviation Engineer, he ran his family business in Bago.
Sein Tun Worked at Sea for some time
Kyaw Zin Spent time between Sydney and Yangon
Thein Swe (GBNF) was RIT Luyechun for 3rd BE. He lost his wife Dolly Sein a few years back. He passed away in 2021.
Ye Gaung
Khin Maung Gyi (GBNF) passed away in 2021 due to Covid.
Myint Maung (Bu) played Volleyball for RIT EE. He is among the youngest in the Class. He is an Eligible Bachelor.
Maung Shwe served as Treasurer for 69er HCF and EE69er HCF.
Tin Maung Aye played Accordion for RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Athin. He co-hosted a breakfast gathering with January born : Uzin Bobby and Alice Saw Yu Tint.
Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF) passed away a few years back.
Htay Aung represented Burma in 1969 SEAP Games as Water Polo Selected. Served as Secretary of RIT Swimming. Represented RIT in Swimming and Water Polo
Win Naing (Dickie, GBNF) represented RIT in Rowing. Passed away in Singapore a few years ago
Myint Thein (David) is an alumnus of St. Columban’s High School in Bhamo.
Aung Min is the Chair of 69er HCF and Core Organizer of 69er Gatherings.
Zaw Lai (Duwa) spends time between Myitkyina and Yangon.
Over 40% from the Class of 69 are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
