His first nickname at the Institute of Economics was “Bo Gyoke” because he had his hair cut like Bogyoke Aung San.
He would get involved in lots of activities thereby earning a second nickname “Bo Shoke” (One who gets his hands wet in things that are of no concern to him).
Brilliant and talented student
He would explain the formal lectures to his fellow students. The turn out to his “free tuition” was larger than that at the regular classes given by the sayas.
Institute of Economics to UCC
Joined Commerce Department at the Institute of Economics as Tutor.
When UCC was formed, it needed people with diverse skills. U Mya Thein and U Thein Oo transferred to UCC. They became Business Application Programmer / Analyst. They went for further studies in the United Kingdom.
Business Applications Manager
U Myo Min was the first Business Applications Manager.
I succeeded him.
U Mya Thein succeeded me.
Brilliant and Outspoken
Had a vast array of General Knowledge.
Read books on Religion, Medicine, and Engineering.
Taught at UCC and IE
Lectured at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University.
He was outspoken. During a visit to UCC, the ministers and deputy ministers were standing and waiting for U San Yu. He entered the room and shouted, “Sit down”. All complied. What a surprise!
Like Father, Like Son
One day his father came to UCC carrying a bunch of bananas. He asked U Tun Kywe, an army veteran serving as security, the office of Saya U Myo Min.
When he found out Saya was not much older than Bo Shoke, he went downstairs and then gave the bananas to U Tun Kywe.
Like father, like son.
Controller
It seemed like sayas and colleagues could not control him.
Finally, someone appeared. His sister-in-law was capable of controlling him.
EDUCATION B.S., Mining Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, U.S.A. 1950
Honors: Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. M.S., Mining
Engineering, Missouri School of Mines, University of Missouri, Rolla,
Missouri 1952.
EXPERIENCE 1953 – 1964 Service with the
Ministry of Mines, Govt of Burma. Entry as Asst. Inspector of Mines,
then promoted to Inspector, Chief Inspector, Director of Mines, and
Deputy Dir. General PMDC 1954 – 1955 As Visiting Lecturer taught Mining Courses at the BOC Engineering College, Rangoon University **
1971 – 1984 Service with United Nations ESCAP in Bangkok as Economic
Affairs Officer (P-4) and rising to Chief of Mineral Resources Section
(p-5).
Note: (**) In 1954, BOC Engineering College campus
was located south of the Rangoon University estate between Prome Hall
and the Teachers Training College on Prome Road. It consisted of modest
single storied buildings. In addition to degree courses in Civil,
Electrical and Mechanical engineering, Mining courses were offered for
the first time during that year. At Dean Sayagyi Tan Ba Hli’s
request, Ministry of Mines assigned me as part time Lecturer to teach
Mining Engineering courses. U Soon Sein was later transferred from the
Mines Department to the University and taught mining courses full time.
Warm regards, U Soe Khaw
Editor’s Note:
Saya U Soe Khaw passed away about two years ago at the tender age of 90+ He is a cousin of Sayama Sheila Saing (RIT English) and Dr. Harry Saing (ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960).
Each count down refreshes my memory of the days I studied at RIT. I would like to share three which are dear to me.
We had to write a Burmese essay on “Khit Thit Ahloo” at one of Saya U Kyaw Hlaing’s classes. Most of us wrote accusingly about the pakhathana types in the cities contrasted against the purportedly more sincere ones in towns and villages. The winning essay was written on donating blood. I have since learnt a lifelong lesson and understanding of generosity.
On the lighter side of learning, I recall engineering drawing which was taught in the huts. We had to draw plans, elevations and side views of intricately shaped blocks. The concepts of hidden lines was explained using the analogy of an attractive girl wearing tight fitting and loose fitting attire.
What sticks most in my mind – my life – is Saya U Sein Shan’s introduction to calculus. He very simply stated that hair grows so we have it cut say every month. It still grows in a day but we hardly notice the growth. It must therefore grow every hour … every minute … every second. Let’s call this change dx and the time interval dt. So we have dx/dt which is fundamental to very small scale quantum physics and also to very large scale planetary systems. 30 years later this simple concept of dx/dt (x being any variable) I have come to realize, is also awareness attained by intense contemplation, concentration and meditation.
The training and education we received from all our Sayas and Sayamas at RIT is indeed second to none. I can say this with certainty because I have also studied at other universities.
Was asked to help with the “Burmese Conversation” course (e.g. for training in the US).
Pre-deceased by Ko Lynn Maung (elder son) and Khin Aye Thet (younger daughter).
Dr. Khin Nyo Thet (elder daughter, GBNF), Dr. Lynn Aung Thet (younger son) and grand children attended the funeral service.
Attendees include Daw Mu Mu Kin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay) Saya U Tin Htut Benny Tan Charlie and Diana Tseng Dr. Tin Wa.
Donations were given to Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) for “Aye-Thet Scholarship” Fund that was founded 20+ years ago in memory of Khin Aye Thet to support the Summer Youth Dhamma Classes
It amazes us that books (and even a book chapter) can change a person’s life.
Salvatore Cioffi was working as a Chemist in the USA.
He was from a devout Catholic family, and his elder brother was a Priest.
He received a book present from his supervisor for Christmas.
One of the chapters was “Dhammapada“. After reading the chapter, Samvegha crept in. He quit his job and then went on pilgrimage to the places sacred to Buddhism.
In 1925, he was ordained in Burma as a Buddhist monk named “U Lokanatha“.
He published a booklet, “Why I became a Buddhist.” He wrote, “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”
My maternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere, Rangoon).
U Lokanatha practiced Dhutanga.
He also preached and had Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon
He gave dhamma talks in Mandalay and Maymyo. Dr. Soni was a principal supporter.
He paid respect to Myingyan Sun Lun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw. The event is described in “Sun Lun Sayadaw’s Biography“.
He corresponded with B. R. Ambedkar, the Indian Dalit (“untouchables”) leader.
Ophthalmologist and Medical Superintendent of EENT Hospital
Sons : U Tin Oo, Dr. Thein Wai (SPHS1963) and U Aung Khin (SPHS63, DSA, GBNF).
Colonel Min Sein
Senior doctor in the British Administration
Spouse : Dr. Daw Yin May
Son : Dr. Thein Htut (RUBC Gold)
Daughter : Daw Tin Tin Aye
Dr. Maung Gale
Dean of the Rangoon Medical College from1959 to 1962.
Per Saya Dr. Maung Nyo, “He was our dean, very quiet and peaceful. He translated Grey’s Anatomy to Burmese and he handed over the manuscripts to Dr Norma Saw.”
Dr. Khin Maung Win
Pathologist
Director General of Medical Education
Headed the Medical Board to examine the people chosen for States Scholar.
Dr. Mohan and Dr. Daw Hnin Yee
Dr. Mohan
Dr. Khin Than Nu
Daw Khin Than Nu
According to Dr. Thein Nyunt, Sayama regularly attended the IM(1) Saya Pu Zaw Pwes as the oldest sayama.
She left to visit her son Ko Win Htut in the USA.
She passed away about three years ago. Ko Win Htut (who is an RIT alumni) gave a soon kwyay in her memory at Mettananda Vihara.
My uncle and my cousin brother would have a friendly competition to complete “Cross word puzzle” which was featured daily in an English newspaper.
Several magazines and journals also publish “Cross word puzzle”.
Complexity
There may be
Simple Cross Word Puzzle which can be completed in about 10 minutes
Hard Cross Word Puzzle which requires 30+ minutes
Challenging Cross Word Puzzle which may take a long time
Subject-specific Cross Word Puzzle
Book of Cross Word Puzzles
Entries
Some entries are easy to fill.
For example, a two-letter word for printer’s measure will usually be “en” or “em”. In printing, the width of the letter M is known as an “em”. The width of the letter N is an “en”.
A three-letter word for referee’s cousin will probably be “ump” (for umpire).
Some entries may be anagrams. Examples of anagrams for the four directions are
Some Last Names originally meant “Son of“. They include
Fitzgerald (Son of Gerald)
Johnson (Son of John)
MacDonald (Son of Donald)
McGee (Son of Gee)
O’Neal (son of Neal)
bin Laden (Son of Laden)
There are a few exceptions. Some Last Names mean
Father of
Mother of
Server / Servant of
Some Last Names originally referred to work/occupation. They include
Carpenter
Goldsmith
Rider
Smith
Thatcher
Birth place in names
Two brothers have their place of birth in their names.
Dr. Khin Maung Lin (Born in Nattalin)
Khin Maung Pun (Born in Papun)
Names in Numerology
Names are studied by astrologers, and numerologists.
One numerologist mentions the effect of changing names. Attributed the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte to his name change : from the Italian sounding Corsican last name to comply with the French spelling. Napoleon was the first Corsican to attend the French Military school and rise to be the Emperor of France.
Nicknames
There are some who are better known by their nicknames. They include
Back in the days of our parents and grand parents, one is sure to get back a misplaced item.
Ko Patrick Thein Naing remembered that his father left a hat at Rangoon Turf Club and he found it untouched on his preferred seat the next week.
In our younger days, we were delighted to know that most doors (in some parts of Yamethin) were left open at night. It was an indication of a high level of trust among people.
Later, we saw guarded windows and doors with multiple locks in most places. It indicated a deterioration of trust among people.
Decline / Erosion of Trust
Trust also eroded in the USA. In addition to the locks, there are security cameras and recording systems to deter vandalism and thefts.
In some places, car windows are broken to take away valuables in the car. Restaurants place signs “Do not leave valuables in your car”.
Around the world, more people lost trust in banking corporations and investment firms after being hit by Ponzi schemes and variants.
Authentication
The use of simple passwords has given way to longer pass phrases that are harder to crack.
Login to computer systems prefer multi-factor authentication (e.g. bio-metrics). The computer sends back a code to be used for verification. Even then, no system that has a “back door” is safe forever. It may be safe for a specified period of time.
New View
Companies track the activities of their employees. Essentially, no one is to be trusted fully in the modern age with a gazillion of malicious schemes.
A different view of trust has evolved. People check feedback (e.g. on Yelp) to decide if a product or service is trustworthy. How much does an average person trust a room-sharing service or a ride-sharing service or a “friend” on an Internet Chat?
HlaMin 