Founder & Director of “Myanmar Ah Than” (Burma Broadcasting Service).
Has a son (Ko Wint Khin Zaw) and four daughters.
U Thein Han / Zaw Gyi
U Thein Han
Co-founder of the “Khit San Sar Pay”
Literary Award Winner
Laureate Poet
Succeeded U Khin Zaw as Chief Librarian of Rangoon University
U Thaw Kaung
U Thaw Kaung
Succeeded U Thein Han as Chief Librarian of Rangoon University
He and Saya U Ba Than (M) were the early supporters of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project. He provided access to the library archives for Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and his team to compile an early draft for the HMEE-2012 book.
Libraries
Universities and Colleges around the world usually maintain libraries and offer cross-loans for rare books and documents.
There are Public Libraries and Private Libraries.
Before the Internet, most libraries use the Dewey Decimal System for cataloging books. Since the distribution of the books is not uniform, some books have several decimal digits following the original three digit category.
ISBN is used by major publishers. A Stanford University Arts Professor wanted to use “The Illustrated History of Buddhism ” by Ashin Janakabhivamsa (Taung Myo Sayadaw) and illustrated by Saya U Ba Kyi. Since the book did not have an ISBN, the book could not be ordered and sold through the University Book Store.
The Library of Congress has a large collection of books. It also has a section for books from Asian countries. The books in the Burma Collection are cataloged using phonetic transcription of the Burmese title.
U Win Pe (Maung Swan Yi) served as Secretary of the Burmese Curriculum and later studied Library Science. He wrote an article in Myanmar Gazette about collecting Burmese books for access via the New York libraries and the Library of Congress.
It is rendered as Training or Practice.The Myanmar call it Theik-kha.
Three Sikkha
Buddhist studies describe three Sikkha
Sila (Morality)
Samadhi (Concentration)
Panna (Wisdom)
Pali Sikkha
Mahagandayone Sayadaw (Ashin Janakabhivamsa) authored several texts including Pali Sikkha (Practice using Pali words and phrases).
Mahagandayone Sayadaw
Tharmanay Kyaw Sayadaw (U Dhammika) wrote and taught Paritta Seik-kha (Practice using words and phrases from the eleven suttas) in both Myanmar and English. Sayadaw’s objective is to help people (outside Myanmar who do not have time to study Pali grammar) to read and understand Pali texts such as the Protective Suttas and Dhammapada.
In most parts of the world, December 31st is celebrated as New Year’s Eve. In the Times Square in New York, many tourists wait for the count down to the New Year.
January 1st is celebrated as the start of the New Year. For many, it is a holiday.
Peasants’ Day
In the early days, Burma celebrated January 1st as Peasants’ Day. It was a holiday.
The Revolutionary Council staged a Coup D’etat on March 2, 1962. The BSPP government moved Peasants’ Day to March 2nd.
Birthdays
Saya U Than Lwin (Eric Lwin, my cousin uncle, GBNF) celebrated his birthday on January 1st.
Ye Than
For several years, U Ye Than (Winner Inn, son of my cousin brother Sayagyi U Ba Than) has celebrated his birthday on January 1st with a Soon Kyway.
Had a wonderful time in Myanmar in Janaury and February, 2018.
5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for ICST/UCSY
Paid respect to Saya U Soe Paing
Paid respect to Saya U Moe Aung
Last rites at Ye Way for Ko Aung Moung (M73)
Guest lecture at UCSY
Guest lecture at MARB
Guest lectures at private monk university
Monthly meeting of 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
RITAA meeting (includes Opening Ceremony of Teacher’s Corner
Discussion with Ko Wynn Htain Oo and Sayama Daw Thida
69er breakfast gathering organized by Ko Shwe (EP69)
Birthday celebration by Ko Tin Mg Aye (M69)
Birthday soon kway by Ko Kyaw Win (SPHS63, Germany) for Uzin Victor Aung Chaw
UCC lunch gathering hosted by Ko Soe Myint and Ko Sein Myint
Gatherings with relatives
Meeting old friends
ICST
The 5th Acariya PuZaw Pwe of ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon) was held in January 2018.
Former students from UCC (Universities’ Computer Center), DCS (Department of Computer Science) and ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) requested me to attend the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY.
San Yin Myint (Samanta), one of the organizers for the Pu Zaw Pwe, is a niece of Saya U Win Kyaing (GBNF) and a cousin of Ko Maurice Chee, M75.
Per arrangement of Samantha, Ko Saw Yan Naing came and picked me up. He is the son of Dr. Saw Naing (Leslie), a nephew of Dr. Myo Khin and a cousin of Ko Soe Lin Maung (ex-UCC).
Gave a short speech as a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”.
The SPZP was held in five batches. As a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”, I covered some milestones of the Introduction of Computers to Burma under the leadership of Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe.
Ma Nge (Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, GBNF) attended the SPZP.
ICST/UCSY published a commemorative magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of UCC. I wrote “Paying Back to My Alma Mater” (a summary of the 30+ posts about UCC) for the issue.
San Yin Myint (at SPZP-2000)
UCSY
Gave a guest lecture at UCSY a week later.
Spent 3 (or more) days of my vacation to write and post “Memories of UCC”. I also wrote an abridged version for publication in the 30th Anniversary of UCSY. They can be read at hlamin.com
UCC
Sayama Mu Mu Myint is a senior alumni of UCC and DCS. She requested her husband to drive a long way from their home to hand over the “token garawa” from an earlier “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe”.
Soe Lin Maung hosted a lunch micro-gathering (despite his busy schedule).
Ko Sein Myint (EC76, ex-UCC) and Ko Soe Myint (KSM, ex-UCC) hosted a lunch gathering at Kone Myint Tha. Ko Aung Myint (AM), Ko Win Myint (Bo Waing) and Ma Nu Nu Aung were also present. We then walked to Saya U Soe Paing’s house and paid respect to Saya (who was having a problem with his spine). Friends of Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69, MEHS 63) advised Saya to undergo a surgery in Singapore.
RIT
Met Saya U Moe Aung, Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ko Ohn Khine (M70), several members of RITAA, and 69ers.
69er Gatherings
Attended three breakfast gatherings with the 69ers.
Donated US$100 (part to 69er HCF and part to EE 69er HCF).
I hosted the gathering (mostly EE) with Uzin Aung Chaw (C) and Wei Lu (Met) as guests.
Mini-gathering hosted by me
During my visits to Myanamar, several friends gave me rides.
U Win Maung (Lake) gave a ride to three alumni:
U Myint Maung (Bu, Volleyball)
Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Victor) who came down from Sagaing Hills
Yours truly
Since it was short notice, some former classmates could not show up.
A notable exception was U Win Thein Zaw (“Wai Lu”) who came down from Nay Pyi Taw at the breakfast gathering. His spouse is a cousin of U Win Boh (Robert).
Standing:
U Shwe (Treasurer of the 69er HCF and EE 69er HCF)
U Sein Myint (Major donor of the HCFs, RIT Selected for Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo)
Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Sagaing Hills)
U Win Maung (Lake, RIT Selected for Swimming and Water Polo)
U Hla Min (Host, also donated to the HCFs)
Seated :
U Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet, Survived a fall from the ceiling)
U Win Thein Zaw (Member of Pyithu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw)
U Kyi Win (Kyaw Gyi, former sea farer, yogi)
U Myint Maung (Selected for EE Volleyball, One of the youngest 69er, Eligible bachelor)
Second Gathering
Ko Tin Maung Aye (M, Accordion) hosted a gathering to celebrate his birthday.
Third Gathering
The gathering on February 24, 2018 was to welcome Ko Win Boh (Robert) and Ko Surinder Singh — both from Australia. Unfortunately, Ko Surinder could not wrap up his trip to Upper Burma to be in time for the 69er gathering. Ko Kyaw Nyunt organized a lucky draw with presents given by Ko Frederick Thetgyi.
Trips
Tiring, but interesting and entertaining to take three trips.
Phyu Phyu Kyaw (UCC) offered to sponsor me to spend two nights at a hotel in Bagan Myo Thit. Had been a long time since I visited Bagan / Nyaung Oo.
A sayadaw asked if I would like to attend a consecration ceremony for “Lyaung Daw Mu” (Reclining Pagoda) near the bank of Mu River (in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing).
My beloved wife wanted to do dana at Hinthada for her ancestors.
Learned a lot
I learned a lot from the trips by being a “good” listener and also experiencing the conditions (infrastructure, culture, …) in different parts of Myanmar.
Cost more to take a taxi to and from the “Long distance bus station” than to travel by an air-conditioned bus.
Takes a lot longer to take the “short cut” road than to take the longer “paved” road. It’s worse if one is not aware of “unfinished” repair work on a dirt road : sharp rocks, pot holes, …
Ha Lin (Old Capital of Pyu) is a Cultural Heritage, but there are no “good” roads leading there.
Someone commented : “Most of us just make quick trips to pagodas. Several tourists hire motorbikes to explore both Old and New Bagan (and beyond). They take photos with professional cameras.”
SPHS
Kyaw Wynn (SPHS63) is cousin of Saya U Tin Htut (M) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (E).
He rowed No. (3) on the Bow side in our Senior Novice crew.
He Hosted a birthday soon kwyay gathering at Shwe Ba Saing. Offered soon to Uzin Aung Chaw (C69) and donated to Uzin’s dhamma projects. Ordered lunch for his old classmates (some of whom I have not seen since our University days). Attendees include Ko Than Win (M69), Ko Tin Tun (M69), Ko Khin Maung Bo (Alan, EP69, GBNF), Ko Aung Kyi (Arthur, “motorcycle” guy, GBNF), Ko Aye Ngwe (Edwin), and Ko Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, UK).
Sayagyi U Ba Than lost his “right arm man” U Aung Moung (M73) in early January, 2018.
Whenever Sayagyi asked for U Aung Moung’s help, he will be at Winner Inn as fast as time and schedule permit.
I met him last year at Winner Inn. He was visiting Sayagyi U Ba Than as well as Daw Win Mar, younger sister of his childhood friend.
U Aung Moung was active in RIT-related activities and in his neighborhood monasteries. The monks voluntarily offered to take part at his final journey at Yae Wae. Actions speak louder than words.
Saya U Tun Shwe, Saya U Lin, Saya U Nyunt Htay, U Han Sein, U Tin Tun Aung, U Than Po, U Kyaw Kyaw and several alumni attended the last journey at Ye Way Crematorium/Cemetery.
Aye Win Kyaw (C70)
U Aye Win Kyaw & Madan Chand
He passed away in Pyin Oo Lwin. He earlier lost his son due to a faulty water heater system at the medical clinic (where U Aye Win Kyaw was being treated). It was a double tragedy for the family.
He taught astronomy and astrology at MARB.
Madan Chand (C70)
He was 2nd in his class. He joined the Faculty.
He moved to USA.
He passed away in Illinois.
Aung Thwin, Dr. (SPHS63)
Dr. Aung Thwin
He was a successful OG. He passed away in Southern California. He is the brother of Dr. Khin Khin Thwin (Carmen) and Daw Yee Yee Thwin (Jasmine).
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi, SPHS63)
Khin Mg Bo, Aung Kyi & Tin Tun
He passed away in Yangon.
Khin Mg Bo (Allan Saw Mg, SPHS63, EP69)
He passed away in Yangon.
Tin Tun (Phone Gyi, SPHS63, M69)
He was Joint Secretary of RIT Thaing Association. He taught Naval Architecture. He passed away in Yangon.
Myint Sein (Bobby, SPHS64)
U Myint Sein
He is an alumnus of Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS), St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) and the Institute of Economics. He is Past Principal of BARB (Burma Astro Research Bureau), Visiting Lecturer at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (in Mandalay) and Founder of Idea Astrology.
Aung Myint (Sonny, SPHS64)
He joined RIT EE as Lab Technician. He transferred to UCC as Maintainence Technician. He was promoted to Maintenance Engineer. He lost his job after filling in the 1988-related questionnaire. He gave private tuition on PLA. He passed away at his breakfast table.
Three SPHS & UCC alumni — CO U Hla Min (Pauk Si), U Maung Maung Gyi (Henry Than Htay) and U Aung Myint (Sonny) — are GBNF.
Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, C63)
U Myint Lwin
He was from the Class of 61. He took sabbatical to get married. He is a good vocalist. He passed away in California, USA.
Myint Thein (Kabar, M69)
U Myint Thein (Kabar)
He was a core organizer of the 69ers. He had medical checkup in Singapore and India, but he passed away in Yangon due to his deteriorating health. He is fondly known as Maung Kabar (a famous cartoon character of our younger days).
Chit Tin (Bo Chit, EC69)
Kabar and Chit Tin
U Chit Tin graduated in 1969 with EC (Electrical Communications). He is the third member of the group to pass away. The other two are U Kyaw Soe (EC69) and U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69).
Oo Kyaw Hla (EC69)
He passed away in Canada. He is the fourth EC69er to pass away.
Chan Nyein, Saya Dr. (M67)
Dr. Chan Nyein
He is a retired Minister of Education.
Saw Lin (C71)
U Saw Lin
He had several medical problems, but he was active as a core organizer of SPZP-2012.
Tin Swe, Saya (EE53)
He played soccer for the Prome Hall team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for two consecutive years.
H Num Kok, Saya (C)
He was a saya of our sayas. He passed away at the tender age of 98 in Oregon, USA.
Allen Htay, Saya (C58)
He a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000. Saya’s books were donated to YTU Library by Daw Mu Mu Kin. In saya’s memory, several YTU students have been provided scholarships (with the coordination of NorCal RITAA and volunteers from RITAA).
Khin Mg Myint (Shastri)
Shastri and mostly 69ers
He received the nickname due to resemblance to the Indian Prime Minister.
San Tint, Saya Dr. (EE61)
Dr. San Tint visiting Seattle
He taught at BIT, RIT and YTU. He retired as Professor of Electronic Engineering. He attended SPZP-2000 and took trips to Seattle and New York to have mini-reunion with former students.
Paulians
SPHSSPHS
Aung Khin, Aung Kyi, Aung Thu Yein, Khin Naung Bo, Maung Maung Kyi, Richard Lim and several others are GBNF.
Saw Tin, Saya Dr. (Maths)
Dr. Saw Tin
Win Naing (Dicky Tan, M69)
Win Naing (Dicky)
He passed away in Singapore. He represented RIT in Rowing.
Tin Myint (John Lee, M69)
Tin Myint (John)
He passed away in Union City, California, USA. He represented RIT in Table Tennis. He was selected RIT Luyechun for 4th BE.
Hla Shwe, Saya (T69)
Hla Shwe
He retired as Associate Professor. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
Tin Shwe, Saya (EP66)
U Tin Shwe
He taught at RIT and Assumption University in Bangkok. After retirement, he became a monk. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
Elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS63, Alumnus of Dresden University, GBNF) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE72).
Sad to lose an accomplished “Rescue Team Leader”.
Sad Event
It occurred on February 15, 2013.
Squadron Leader Dr. Rimon Than (Ko Yi Htet), elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS 63, RUBC) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE 72) from Wales, passed away during a mountaineering training in Scotland due to an avalanche. He is a squadron leader in Royal Air Force (RAF) and also a doctor and an experienced mountain climber.
Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than were in Yangon at the time. They had to fly back to Wales to attend the funeral service with military honors.
Maung Maung Kyi was my classmate at St. Paul’s High School and I.Sc.(A). We rowed together at RUBC. He studied Chemical Engineering (Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, Germany. He was a best man at our wedding.
Visit to Wales
In 2017, we visited UK.
My cousin nephew Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) drove us to Wales to visit Maung Maung Kyi and Khin May Than at their new home Ogmore-by-the-sea.
Maung Maung Kyi
Updates
Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun (MRCP, Former Associate Dean of OxfordUniversity) was a victim of Covid-19 and the lax Guidelines of NIH. He passed away on April 13, 2020. The news and TV coverage about the sad story led to reevaluation of procedures and support for NIH doctors and staff combating Covid.
Maung Maung Kyi passed away peacefully in November 2024. His younger sisters — Dr. Kyi Kyi Hla, Daw Khin Thitsar and Dr. Khin Sabai — performed Soon Kwyay Dana for the 1st Anniversary of Maung Maung Kyi’s demise.
Soon Kyway
Memories
Khin Sabai, Khin May Than & Mg Mg Kyi Top Matriculates from SPHS 1963SPHS Std VIII (A) Mg Mg Kyi 1 Mg Mg Kyi 2
intoxicating drinks and drugs that cause heedlessness
eating after mid-day (until next dawn) (a) dancing, singing, playing music, witnessing shows or entertainment (b) wearing flowers, using perfumes, beautifying with cosmetics
using high and luxurious seas and beds
Importune Moments
Being born in hell
Being born in the animal realm
Being born in the Peta realm (of ghosts or ever-hungry beings) and in the Asura realm (of demons)
Being born as a long-lived Brahma in the realms of No-Perception (Asannasatta) and No-Form (Arupaloka)
Being born as a person in a remote borderland inaccessible to monks, nuns, and lay people
Being born as a person with wrong views
Being born as a man with no intelligence to understand the Dhamma
Being born as a man with intelligence but when the Buddha has not arisen
Miscellaneous
Octave Eight notes apart
August Eighth month in the Gregorian Calendar
October Eighth month in the Old Roman Calendar
President’s Challenge Cup (RUBC) Inter-club Coxed Eights
Gallon Eight pints
Mile Eight furlongs
Sabbath includes 8th Waxing day and 8th Waning day
Right speech
HlaMin 