During one my of visits, I hosted a Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si တော်ဝင်နှင်းဆီ
Ko Win Maung provided the ride.
At the time, Uzin Aung Chaw (C69) was visiting Yangon. He became a monk after retirement and spent several vassa (Rainy Season Retreat) in Sagaing Hills. Uzin later moved to Thonegwa in the Irrawaddy Delta region.
Ko Win Thein Zaw (Wai Lu, Min69) took Optional Burmese in High School. He was an MP in the Pyithu Hluttaw in charge of Mining and related areas. He surprised us at the gathering.
Ko Shwe, Ko Sein Myint, Ko Myat Soe Lwin, Ko Kyi Win, Ko Win Maung and Ko Myint Maung were my EE classmates.
Ko Shwe was a Treasurer of the 69er HCF and the EE 69er HCF.
Ko Sein Myint is a major donor to both funds. He and Ko Win Maung represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo and Rowing.
Ko Myint Maung played Volleyball for RIT EE along with Saw Edison, Ko Maung Maung and Ko Aye Thein.
Ko Kyi Win taught selected subjects for seafarers.
She and her spouse Ko Khin Maung Myint (ChE72) are Organizers of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65. Rosie said that Saya U Khin Aung Kyi strongly recommended her to accept Ko Khin Maung Myint.
Bilingual author
Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
She posted a photo taken at the birthday of Than Than Yi (T71, GBNF, USA).
Birthday of Than Than Yi
Three young sayamas
Three ChE Sayamas
Tin May Soe (ChE70) : She lost her older brothers Ko Myat Soe (C) and Ko Myint Soe (C)
Khin Swe Aye (Winnie Tun, ChE70) : Her older brother Ko Win Maung (“Lake”) is a 69er, who represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo and Rowing. Her spouse Ko Ohn Khine (M70) gave me rides to attend SPZP and HMEE meetings
Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, May Tin, ChE70, Singapore) : She co-founded Dana Sri Lanka (DSL). She is a Model-turned-MaeDaw. She was a swimmer and Minthamee. She and her spouse Don Min Saya Ko Yu Swan (M68) hold Pon Chan Chan gatherings.
The trio are seen at a Chemical Engineering gathering.
Thynn Thynn Khaing (Janet Aung, EP70, USA)
Janet
She was treasured by young sayas and alumni.
She retired from UN in New York.
She is a proud Grandma.
Her father U Soe Aung (EE48) was Chief Engineer at PWD.
Ma Than Yi (Maubin Ma Shwe Than, EP71)
Ma Than Yi
She served as Editor for Hlyat Sit Sar Saung published by RIT Electrical Engineering Association. Ko Sann Oo (EP67) was also an Editor. They share the passion for writing & publishing and became love birds.
Her short story was translated into English and published in the WPD (Working People’s Daily).
She blogged about her RIT & G Hall days and also published the book.
She loves “Ma Ma Wa Wa Hla Hla Hta Ka”
Ma Than Yi & Dr. Sann Oo reprinted the Sciene Fiction by Journal Kyaw Tint Swe (Ko Sann Oo’s father). They published a Sci-Fi book by their grandson William. They hosted a dinner at Kone Myint Tha for Saya U Soe Paing, Ko Ohn Khine and me. They gave a tour of their “East & West Parami Hospital” to me and my spouse, and hosted lunch at a Rakkhine cuisine.
Rosy Tin Maung (Tin Myint Oo, May Lin Set Hmu, M70)
Rosy Tin Maung
She is a bilingual author, poet, and vocalist.
She performed at SPZPs.
She wrote for the Golden Jubilee Magazine for the Intake of 64.
She attended Computer courses at UCC.
Nan Khin Nwe (Intake of 83, M92)
Nan Khin Nwe
She lost three years when RIT closed for three years citing Security Concerns.
She is an organizer and fund raiser for SPZP, SDYF, Alumni Association, her class & group. Her group donated to hospitals and various charities.
Memories
Music and Dance Gala
Several Belles perform at RIT events.
Inter-Institute Fours Winning Crew
RIT crew won the Inter-Institute Fours Trophy.
Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thinn
The Ah Thinn organized Musical evenings and Trips.
Htee Yein at Rangoon University Golden JubileeTazaungdaing
The G-Hall Thu’s offrrrd candles for Tazaungdaing.
Tin Tin Thida SweLyo Kyin Sein (Mabel, Basketball)Intake of 64 and 65First female ChE graduateMya Than Win (Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint Minthamee)
In November 1964, G-Hall was assigned to female engineering students.
There has been two Reunions of G-Hall Thu.
Poems and articles were compiled and published for the Second G-Hall Thu Reunion.
First GatheringPosterGathering
Photos
by Daw Tin Aye (C73)
G Hall Thu 1G Hall Thu 2G Hall Thu 3G Hall Thu 4G Hall Thu 5
Photos by Daw Pwint Than (EP71)
Daw Pwint Than (EP71) received a dhamma book as a gift prize from a younger alumni.
She thanks the young energetic “Nyi Ma Nge Myar” for helping organize the memorable get together with the old (former Hall Tutors, classmates) and the new.
Value of a number in positional notation depends upon the Base or Radix.
In the Decimal system (Base Ten), 1001 has a value of a thousand and one.
In the Binary system (Base Two), 1001 has a value of 9.
Folklore
“One Thousand and One Nights” (also known as Arabian Nights) is from the Arabic Folklore.
Scheherazade told 1001 stories to defer her death.
Numerical Palindrome
A palindrome reads the same forward and backward.
101, 1001 and 123454321 are numerical Palindromes.
Ramanujan and the Beauty of numbers
Ramanujan was highly interested in Mathematics and ignored other subjects in College.
Ended up as an employee in a post office. Bold enough to send his handwritten notes to Professor Hardy (Cambridge University), who sponsored him.
Ramanujan later fell gravely ill. Professor Hardy went to see him in a hospital. He supposedly told Ramanujan that he rode a taxi cab with 1729 on its license.
Ramanujan replied, “That is an interesting number. It is the smallest number that can be represented as the sum of two cubes in two ways.”
1729 = 729 + 1000 = 9*9*9 + 10*10*10
1729 = 1 + 1728 = 1*1*1 + 12*12*12
Ramanujan’s works are still being studied and refined by Mathematicians.
8th month of the old Roman calendar. Oct means Eight.
10th month of the Gregorian calendar.
It has 31 days.
October 1
Dr. Aung Gyi
Dr. Aung Gyi’s birthday
U Myo Myint Sein
U Myo Myint Sein’s birthday
October 2
U Ba Than
U Ba Than’s birthday. Says offered soon dana for his birthday on or around October 2 at Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung. Sayas, former students and friends were invited to the soon kway. 69ers usually offered Garawa at Sayagyi’s place on or around his birthday.
Mini-gathering put on hold due to pandemic in 2020 & 2021. Zoom meetings were held on sayas’s birthday.
In 2020, Saya received 90th Birthday Present. Photo Album Book was compiled by U Tin Htoon and U Htaik San (Henry Kao). DHL Delivery was paid by Saya U Tin Htut
In 2021, Saya received a Photo Card present by U Tin Htoon
October 5
International Teachers’ Day
Celebrated annually since October 5, 1994
Some countries have local Teachers’ Day
Halloween
October 31 (i.e. the day before “All Saint’s Day” which falls on November 1).
Celebrated with “Trick or Treat” by the children and optional “Halloween Costume Party” by young and old adults.
End of Buddhist Lent
Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut usually falls in October.
Phaung daw-u festival (in Inle Lake) is held on the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut.
Deepavali / Diwali
Celebrated by the Hindus around October.
Known as the “Festival of Lights”.
October Revolution
Due to differences in Julian & Gregorian calendars, the Bolshevik Revolution is wrongly referred to as the “October Revolution”.
Festivals
Ocktoberfest is a festival held in October.
The Annual Pumpkin Festival with the bragging rights to the “heaviest” Pumpkin is held along Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. The traffic is really bad in the area for most of October. The 7-mile strip takes an hour or more during the Festival period.
October 2000
The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) was held in October 2000.
I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post Reunion” (news & articles) for SPZP-2000 in my Newsletter and the ex-rit.org website.
I wrote a poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE”. It was published in the Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”.
Newsletter
October 2021
In October 2021, Covid-19 vaccines were offered. Many had at least one dose. Some had two or three doses (including Booster). However, there were mutations & variations of Covid spreading around the globe.
Phaungdaw-u
Working People’s Daily (WPD) used to publish Supplements.
I wrote “Phaungdaw-u Festival” poem for the Thadinkyut Supplement.
Phaung Daw-u Festival (Poem by Hla Min)
Phaung Daw-u, oh Burma’s grandeur Can truly make our hearts sublime Its mystic charm and rhyme-less splendor Have firmly stood the test of time
It lies deep in the heart of people It gives them courage and inspiration No wonder this festival has no equal It promises joy and veneration
On board the r so scintillating Stood the four images of Lord Buddha For the Noble Truth are we vindicating? What lies deep under the completed tour?
But one statue was left behind Because in writings we do find That should it ever leave the shrine There will be thunder and storm Thus a happy reunion on the morn of the full moon of Thadinkyut
From floating islands the leg rowers came To take part in the race With their muscular frame, with might and main Their oars flashing at a rapid pace
Festivities last all night long Dances to the company of ozi and gong Oh, prayers that fill the cool evening air May loving kindness prevail everywhere
Shortest month. It has 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year.
Burma/Myanmar
February 12
Pyidaungsu Nay (ပြည်ထောင်စုနေ့ Union Day) is a public holiday in the Union of Burma. It commemorates the signing of the Pinlong Sar Choke (ပင်လုံစာချုပ် Panglong Agreement) on February 12, 1947.
Poem
Wrote a poem “Our Unity” with the pen name Maung Hlaing Phyo for publication in the Working People’s Daily. Received K15 for the poem.
February 13
Bogyoke Aung San was born on February 13, 1915.
Zartar name : Htain Lin
Changed name to rhyme with that of Aung Than (his elder brother).
Centennial celebrations for Bogyoke were held in 2015.
February 13 is also as Khalay Myar Nay (Children’s Day).
Tabodwe Festival
The Full Moon of Tabodwe often falls in February. Two celebrations are held.
Htamane Pwe (ထမနဲပွဲ Sticky Rice Festival)
Ovada Partimauk Day (ဩဝါဒပါတိမောက်Exhortation)
USA
February 14
Valentine’s Day (Chit Thu Myar Nay ချစ်သူများနေ့) is not a public holiday
Many people send greeting cards and presents.
Presidents’ Day
In the early days, there were two holidays. One to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Another to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
Later a single holiday in February to honor all US Presidents was proposed.
Some states continue to celebrate the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.
Canada
“Family Day” (holiday) is observed on the 2nd Monday of February in Ontario.
Family Day is observed on the 3rd Monday of February in British Columbia.
Lunar New Year
Some countries (including China and Vietnam) observe the Lunar Year.
Lunar Calendar is based on the Chinese Zodiac consisting of Twelve signs staring with Rat and ending with Pig.
Lunar New Year occurs at the end of January or the beginning of February. The date is not fixed in the Gregorian Calendar.
Our Unity (Poem)
My poem was published in WPD (Working People’s Daily)
Wanted her daughters — Hazel, Olive & May — to have experience like her at the Inya Hall.
Hazel & May spent a year at Inya Hall as room mates. Olive had to stay at the Hall for medical students.
Fund raiser
Danced three roles in the fund raiser for the Tekkatho Dhammayone. Her cousin Saya U Lu Pe Win (Pali and Kyauksar Scholar) directed the play. The rehearsal was assisted by U Nyi Pu (First male actor in a Burmese movie).
Play
Was honored at the Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe (Paying homage to the elders) held at the Tekkatho Dhammayone.
Her account was published in the Golden Jubilee Sar Saung of Inya Hall.
A1 Film
Myanmar Ah Swe Film evolved into A1 Film.
A1 U Tin Nwe & his family are known as Producers, Directors & Actors.
U Nyi Pu founded Maha Weikzardo Film.
U Tin Pe (Maung Maung Soe) founded Maung Maung Soe Film.
A1 U Tin Maung acted alongside May Shin and other lead female actors before becoming a Director/Actor.
Daw Khin Myint’s son U Tin Yu & son-in-law U Mya Maung are Director & Producer.
Feedback
Thit Yine (alumnus of Yegyaw Methodist) wrote : Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong) stood First in the Matriculation examination of 1953 from Yegyaw Methodist, and that his class mate Ohn Khin stood Second. Yegyaw Methodist was well known before the Nationalization of schools.
Thit Yine and Ko Ko shared the names of sayas (e.g. U Aung Myint, U Khin Zaw, U Ko Lay) who taught in the late 50s and early 60s.
Po Shwe Kyu wrote : Credit to Saya Hla Min as being the most prolific writer in this group, and his archives and chronicles will be of greatest help to coming generations. Drs. Hla Shwe & Tin Maung returned to Burma around 1962-63. I don’t know Dr Hla Shwe but Dr. Tin Maung also resided at the Chummery during my short stay there. Chummery is a “Saya Lu Pyo Saung”.
Myo Thaik wrote : Sayama Daw Khin Aye passed away last year. His cousin uncle Dr. Myint Thein won a Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in Chemistry in the I.Sc. examination, and later became the first Myanmar to received Ph.D in Nuclear Chemistry in the USA. He is currently staying with his son in Texas. He also wrote about “A Che A Nay Kaung” and “Ma Khan Chin Seik” that led him and his uncle cousin Dr. Win Naing to pursue their dreams to have doctorates.
Myo Thaik wrote : Dr. Hla Shwe is Emeritus Professor, East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvannia, and then moved to California.
First in Burma
I knew that several SPHS students stood First in Burma in the Matric exam. They include
U Ba Khin (Vipassana teacher, first native Auditor General)
George Chapman (SPHS51)
Dr. Nyunt Tin (SPHS52)
Koon Yin Chu (Phillip, SPHS54)
Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58)
Dr. Frankie Ohn (SPHS59
Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS63)
Bernard Khaw (SPHS65)
I was aware that students from other schools also scored Top in the some years.
St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay
Methodist English High School (MEHS)
St. John’s Convent
Yegyaw Mthodist
Sacred Heart
Thanks to those who provided additional info and/or corrections
GBNF & Tone Kyaw
I have to be very careful in specifying persons as GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
There are at least three Tone Kyaw (person believed to have died) including me.
When my name sake CO U Hla Min (Chief Operator at UCC, who appeared healthier than me) passed away in his mid-30s, two Training Departments (from Co-op and Trade) inquired UCC where they could send a “Lwan Thu Pann Kway” (wreath) for me. My former class mate Moe Hein (Ajala with an extremely loud voice) was surprised when he saw me at the Kyandaw Cemetery. He said, “I have taken a day off to come here. I wondered why your brother did not tell that you had passed away.” I became a Tone Kyaw.
U Han Sein (C69, Ah Pho Gyi) was sentenced to 20 years for his alleged involvement in 8-8-88. His classmates, who were organizing the 30th Reunion of Graduation, inadvertently listed him as GBNF. He became a Tone Kyaw. He was released after 16 years (with the Amnesty Proclamation), but sadly, his family had been broken. He recently celebrated his 10 years of regained freedom.
When Dr. Tin Hlaing (Marine Technology) passed away in Singapore, some RIT inadvertently sent condolences to Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63), who became a Tone Kyaw.
Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo Kun Yeik Kho
The song was first recorded as a “Dat Pya” at Myanmar Ah Than (Burma Broadcasting Service). It was first sung by U Mya Thein and group. U Thet Lwin received 100 Kyats for his composition, and he treated his fellow Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins.
In a TV interview, Saya played the song.
The song has been sung in many events including the SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) of RIT Alumni.
The Singapore “Pon Chan Chan Group” led by Don Min U Yu Swan recorded the song.
The song was also sung at the Ceremony on December 1, 2019 to kick off the RU Centennial.
The various versions can be listened from the Facebook Posts and You Tube.
Land marks
Thit Pope Pinn is recognized by the Yangon Heritage Society.
The tree was there even before the founding of the University of Rangoon, and it survived Cyclone Nargis.
A few readers expressed displeasure to see the wired fences and the inexplicable disappearance of landmarks.
The Convocation Hall is another land mark.
Eons ago, the Prime Minister of the Union of Burma served as Chancellor of the University of Rangoon, and also delivered “Commencement Speech” at the graduation.
I posted the program of the 1958 Convocation which listed about 30 prize winners (Gold Medals, Silver Medals and Books).
U Soe Paing, my mentor at RIT and UCC, received two Gold medals (after paying 150 Kyats for each Gold Medal, because the original endowments no longer covered the “rising cost” of Gold for the Medals). He had the highest score for I.Sc. (A) and (B) combined. He had the joint highest Maths score for I.Sc. exams — with two other students.
In 1962, Dr. Myint Tun (Henry Cho Tun) won the Gold Medal for the highest score for I.Sc.(A) and (B) combined. U Myat Thwin (ChE66) beat him by one point for the highest score in Mathematics for I.Sc.(A) and (B) combined.
Autograph
Ma Chit Swe (Hazel Kyaw Zaw’s mother) was a Junior I.A. (Intermediate of Arts) student in 1936. Hazel has posted her mother’s autograph.
Daw Hla Myint, a close friend of Hazel’s mom, wrote a lovely poem. Many were unaware of her talent. She had to leave the University before graduation to get married to U Tu Maung. Saya U Tu Myint (Winston Tu Maung) was our saya at RIT and later taught at Singapore Polytechnic until retirement. Dr. Hla Maung (Ronald Tu Maung, MEHS65) moved to the UK. Her siblings include Dr. Pe Nyun (Pediatric Surgeon, who led the operation of conjoined twins Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San), Dr. Pe Thein (Professor and Retired Minister), Daw Ivy San Pe and Daw Flora San Pe.
Feb 13 : Children’s Day (Bogyoke Aung San’s birthday)
Feb 14 : Valentine’s Day
US Presidents’ Day
Occasionally : Lunar New Year
Occasionally : Full Moon Day of Tabodwe — Htamane Pwe & [Buddha’s] Exhortation Day
March
Mar 2 : Peasant’s Day was moved from Jan 1 in order to celebrate the Coup D’eat
Phone Maw Day
Burma’s Human Rights Day (celebrated by Berkeley)
Mar 27 : Resistance Day was renamed as Armed Forces Day
First Day of Spring : Persian New Year
April
Thingyan : Three or four days of Water Festival
Myanmar New Year
Thingyan Su Paung Ya Han Khan
May
May 1 : May Day in some countries
May 5 : Cinco de Mayo
Mother’s Day in the US
June
Jun 6 : D Day
Jun 6 : Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khinn
Father’s Day in the US
July
Jul 4 : Independence Day in the US
Jul 7 : Students’ protest that was brutally crushed
Jul 8 : Demolition of the Rangoon University Student’s Union
Jul 19 : Arzani Nay
Apollo 11 landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon in July 1969
My poem “Men on the Moon” was sent to NASA via USIS. A copy was published in the Guardian.
August
8-8-88 : start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
Several birthdays in my extended family
September
Crushing the hopes of Multi-party Democracy
Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
October
Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent (Thadinkyut)
“Deepavali” or “Diwali” celebrations are also celebrated around October. It is known as the “Festival of Lights”.
“Halloween” occurs every year on October 31 with “Trick or
Treat” by the children and [optional] “Halloween Costume Party” by young and old adults.
November
Elections in the US (Local races & Resolutions every year, House of Representatives every two years, One third of Senators every two years, President every four years)
Nov 22 : JFK assassinated (Conspiracy Theory survives)
Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the US
December
U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn : dark day in the history of Burma
Apollo 8 orbited the Moon in December 1968
Dec 25 : Christmas
Dec 31 : New Year’s Eve
Grapevine says that some holy days are preceded by some “fun events”.
