We took “Yupa Beda” (Physics in Burmese) in the first ever HSF (High School Final) Only examination in 1962.
The text was authored by Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha and Saya U San Tha Aung.
Chu Pu Thein (SPHS) scored the highest marks in “Yupa Beda”. After matriculation, he left to study in Europe probably due to the 3 NRC rule.
Physics (Matriculation)
We took “Physics” (in English) in the first ever Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
One of the texts was by Sen and Gupta.
SPHS Library had reference books, e.g. Sears and Zemansky
Dr. Khin Maung U scored “only” 99. Grapevine says that the examiners reluctantly took away a point from his perfect score. He stood First in Burma and scored 299/300 in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. He worked as a Medical Researcher and Professor. He retired from FDA.
Examination Systems
My elder brother and his friends had to sit for the HSF and Matriculation (Combined) examination.
After passing the examination, they were admitted to the Intermediate College (e.g. Yankin College) of Rangoon University.
Unfortunately, we had to sit for separate HSF and Matriculation examinations.
We took the subjects for the HSF examination in Burmese (except for English).
We took the subjects for the Matriculation examination in English (except for Burma),
We lost one year in the process, but learned some “Translation”.
For the record, we had to take four Government examinations: the last 7th Standard examination in March 1960 the first 9th Standard (HSF only) examination in March 1962 (which was nullified citing leakage of exam questions) and again in August 1962 the Matriculation only examination in May 1963
Top Matriculates who pursued Physics
Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, Yegyaw Methodist 1953), First in Burma
Dr. Than Myint (Harry Wang, SPHS 1956), Joint Third in Burma
Dr. Htin Kyaw (Sacred Heart 1957), First in Burma
Dr. Htin Aung (Sacred Heart 1957), Sixth in Burma
Robert Sein (SPHS58), Second in Burma
Dr. Frankie Ohn (Hla Ngwe Tin, SPHS59), First in Burma
Saya Kha (Dr. Maung Maung Kha)
He studied in UK for his Ph.D. in Meteorological Physics.
Worked for a while in Meteorology Department.
Joined Physics Department of Rangoon University.
He served as Professor and later as Rector of Rangoon University, RASU and Universities’ Distance Learning.
Accomplished violinist. He and Saya U Ba Kyi sang “Only Two Darling” (rendition of “Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin Hte” in English).
Attended RUBC Regattas and handed over Trophies (during my tenure at RUBC as Treasurer, Vice Captain and emcee/announcer).
His family members and former colleagues and students (Saya U Oo Khin Maung, Sayama Daw Thida, …) celebrated Saya’s Centennial with fund raising concerts and commemorative magazine.
U San Tha Aung
Received A.M (Physics) from Harvard University.
Served as Director of Higher Education.
Passed away after returning from an inspection tour.
Co-author of Saya Kha for Physics Texts in Burmese and English for use in High School.
Dr. Tin Aung
Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung studied in USA for their doctorates. Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung moved to the USA.
Saya Dr. Tin Aung taught the longest at RU and served as Professor.
He was elected as a Patron of the “Saya’s Association” during 8-8-88 movement. He left that day for an education mission to the USA. Upon his return, Saya was “asked to retire” by the higher authorities.
Kan Soe Kan Kaung Sayas
In the late 60’s, several Physics sayas were selected to study in the Soviet Nation and other East Bloc nations. They were not in high spirits. They were surprised to learn that they would eventually study in UK. Grapevine says that four Burmese state scholars in GDR (German Democratic Republic, then East Germany) led protests in front of the Burmese Embassy denouncing BSPP and the government. The higher authorities were alarmed and probably concluded that it was safer to send scholars to UK. According to Saya U Thein Tan (Civil), he was selected to study in the USSR, but did not get visa (due to the political climate at that time). He ended up studying at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
My Physics Teachers
Saya Beatson (at SPHS) Became Uzin after retirement
Mehm Than Thaung (Maurice Tun Thaung, RUBC Gold) in I.Sc.(A) Retired as Rector of Universities’ Distance Learning
Daw Khin Khin Su in I.Sc.(A)
Daw Nyein in 2nd BE Passed away at 100+ years young
Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce) in 2nd BE. Passed away in Singapore within a few months of her husband Saya U Thein Lwin (EE)
Miscellaneous
U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, SPHS59, RUBC Gold) Recruited students and sayas (Dr. Htin Kyaw & Dr. Htin Aung [twins], …) to join RUBC.
U Kyaw Myint (Director, DHE) Fellow Guest Speaker at the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in 1988 Has a Foundation named after him
U Tin Oo Hlaing and U Kaung Nyunt served as Principals of College
U Kyaw Mya Thein retired as Pro-Rector from ICST.
Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win became Registrar of RASU.
U Saw Hlaing, U Kin Sein, and Mehm Than Thaung transferred to the administrative positions user the Ministry of Education.
U Hlwan Moe and U Tha Hlaing succeeded Sayamagyi Daw Nyein as Head of RIT Physics.
He is a classmate of U Tin Htoon and U Aung Kyee Myint.
He is a fellow artist of U Paw Oo Thet and Director Win Pe.
He loves Classical Music and Modern Art.
He directed the movie “Hna Ma Let Shawt Nay Lay Dawt”. The movie was hard to appreciate by most Burmese. Grapevine says that some foreigners tried to purchase the movie.
Another movie produced by Daw Khin Mar Lar (spouse of Collegian Nay Win) was traditional
U Naung Tun Lwin (M75, GBNF)
He directed several movies.
He is a classmate of Daw Mar Mar Yee, U Hla Myint Thein (Maurice), …
Thamankyar
U Aung Myint (Min70) and U Than Win (T70) are close friends and cousin brothers-in-law.
The former became known as “Thamankyar Ko Myint”.
Thamankyar Ko Myint
The latter wrote the script for the movie “Thamankyar”.
The movie was directed by A1 Than Htut and A1 Thein Htut (twin brothers).
Grapevine says that there are the reincarnation of two Japanese pilots.
The movie was produced by the studio of U Nyi Pu, Ko Myint’s grand uncle.
U Nyi Pu is considered to be the first Burmese movie actor.
Myanmar Ah Swe / A1
Daw Khin Myint, A1 U Tin Nwe, U Nyi Pu, U Maung Maung Soe (U Tin Pe), A1 U Tin Maung (winner of two Academy awards) and their extended family members had several film companies.
Notes
According to Ko San Lin (M87), YIT/YTU produced some movie stars including the following :
Ko Htin Lin , B.E (EP)1993 batch (aka) Dway ( GBNF )
Ko Aye Thein , B.E (EC) 1987 batch (aka) Min Oo.
Feedback
Aung Win (C87) wrote : Pyi Ti Oo also is an actor. Civil.
Nang Khaming (A70) wrote : Most of the people did’nt like the movie Hna ma let shawt nay lay dawt because of no dialog in the movie except ‘ pea pyout’. Mostly can’t appreciate that kind of movie,but I like that movie and appreciate .
Wint Khin Zaw (A79) wrote : Architect UKMY must be too advanced for the period. I think he directed another movie called Ba Hman Ba Zan Akyaung which was appreciated a bit more by some audience.
Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69) wrote : Today, 21-04-2018 happens to be Thamankyar Ko Myint’s 71st birthday! Happy birthday, Ko Myint
Many Myths have been debunked, but they still appear in posts.
Do not share Myths without verifying them first.
U E Maung is not Bagyi Aung
A post wrongly said Professor U E Maung was “Bagyi Aung”. It was liked and/or shared by thousands of readers even after U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) had given TEDx InyaLake talk about his mother (Daw Khin Saw Mu), father (ICS U Ba Tint), his Bagyi (ICS U Tin Tut) and Minthuwun (Saya U Wun). U Nay Oke mentioned that the four main characters in “Bagyi Aung Nyar De” have all passed away.
The three younger sisters were in the charge of ICS U Tin Tut especially during the school / university holidays.
ICS U Ba Tint was U Tin Tut’s deputy.
Dr. Htin Aung is not Bagyi Aung
The earlier wrong version said that Dr. Htin Aung was Bagyi Aung.
At least the names share “Aung”.
ICS U Tin Tut is Bagyi Aung
U Tin Tut
The knowledge was a family secret, but it was later known by close friends.
U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) gave a TEDx InyaLake talk on the subject.
In the US, second Sunday of May is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
For multi-generational families, it would also be Grandmother’s Day and Great Grandmother’s Day as well.
U Hla Min, spouse and two grandchildren
Some countries and cultures celebrate “Mother’s Day” on a different day. In Myanmar, it is celebrated on the Full Moon Day of Pyatho.
The first words that most people learn in their lives include the following and their variants. Mum, Mummy, Mom, Mommy, Mah Mah, May May, …
We extend the term Mother to our schools (e.g. Alma Mater) and our country (e.g. Motherland).
In idiomatic usage, Mother is “the hand that rocked the cradle”.
Mother’s unbounded love is honored in many real-life stories (e.g. “Toe Aye” ship wreck).
The following song has been recorded by many artists.
I have reprinted a sample verse. The verses may have variations.
M-O-T-H-E-R (song)
M is for the Mercy she possesses (Variant: Million things she gave me)
O means Only that she’s growing Old (Variant : that I Owe her all I owe)
T is for her Tender sweet caresses (Variant : for the Tears she shed to save me)
H is for her Heart of purest gold (Variant: her Hand that touch and hold)
E means Everything she’s done to save me
R means Right and Right she’ll always be
Put them all together
They spell MOTHER
A word that means a world to me
My Beloved Mother
My beloved mother
I would like to acknowledge my beloved mother. When we were young, she would wake up before her housemaids at 4 a.m. to prepare breakfast for us. She supervised our homework when we were in primary and middle school. She bought us cameras (e.g. Yashica and Kodak), bicycles (e.g. Rayleigh and Hercules), scooter (e.g. Silver Pigeon), cars (e.g. Datsun and Dodge Jeep), two typewriters (e.g. Remington for English, Olympia for Burmese), musical instruments (e.g. guitar, harmonica), comics (e.g. Beano, Dandy, Topper, Beezer), Classics Illustrated and Junior Classics Illustrated, “How and Why” series, “Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan” (Burmese Encyclopedia), Reader’s Digest and other periodicals, to name a few.
Although my parents were devout Buddhists, they sent their children to SPHS (St. Pauls’s High School) and SJC (St. John’s Convent) — run by the Roman Catholic missionaries — to get a good education.
The seeds that were sown by my beloved parents have bloomed allowing me to pay back to my alma mater and my community.
I have served as
Organizer, SPZP-2000
Chief Editor of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and Editor of several other newsletters (BAPS Newsletter, Dhammananda Newsletter)
Contributor to the Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklife and Folklore (published by ABC CLIO)
Burmese Language expert for a course developed by the National Foreign Language Center, University of Maryland (College Park)
Docent at Computer History Museum
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) at Toastmasters International
Translator/interpreter at meditation retreats (e.g. at Tathagata Mediatation Center)
Editor of books and magazines Homage to Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa Collection of dhamma talks by Sayadaw U Silananda Three books by Sayadaw U Jotalankara 90th Anniversary Issue of RUBC.YUBC) Bawa and Dhamma Cetana Thi Thar Kan
Without my mother’s exhortation “Eyes have you and you see not, Ears have you and you hear not, …”, and “Any thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well”, I would not be here today.
There are two forms of Myanmar / Burmese language.
Myanmar Sagar (Oral / spoken)
Myanmar Sar (Written)
Alphabet
The Alphabet has 33 Eik Khaya (loosely rendered as letter or character).
Grouping
There are several groups (Wagga) of five letters.
Linguists and phonologists refer to the groups as
Gutturals (Ka group)
Palatels (Sa group)
Cerebrals (Ta-ta-lin-chaik group)
Dentals (Ta group)
Labials (Pa group)
The first group (known as “Ka” wag [or wagga]) consists of Ka (Ka gyi), Kha (Kha Gway), Ga (Ga Nge), Ga (Ga Gyi) and Nga. Note that the 3rd and 4th members have the same sound.
Basic Rules
There are some basic rules for “Pa Sint” (where one letter is placed on top of the other).
One rule says “Eik Khaya Tu, Wag Tu Sint”. It means the two letters forming a “Pa Sint” must be the same, or from the same group. So, it is a “No No” to have a Ka on top of Sa.
Another rule says, “Even for letters within a group, the ordering must be preserved”. So, Ka can be put on top of Kha, but not the other way. Also, Ga Nge can be put on top of Ga Gyi, but not the other way.
Byee and Thara
Ah is used as a Byee (Consonant) and sometimes as a Thara (Vowel).
A Burmese word can be formed with a Byee and one or more Thara.
Typewriter Keyboard
When the Burmese Keyboard was implemented for a typewriter (e.g. Olympia), the keys are labeled Red (keys that prevent the shifting of the carriage to type Thara) and Black (keys that signal the completion of the word and allows the carriage to advance).
Word Processing
The early Burmese word processing systems use
transliteration (e.g. on Apple Macintosh computers)
Thara before Byee (as in the typewriter)
Byee followed by Thara (which requires processing to delimit the words and to have a canonical ordering for representation).
Issues
The Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe published two major revisions for spelling. It forced publishers to use “Tit” instead of “Ta” (without exception) with a fine of ten pyas for each “violation”. Scholars pointed out the ancient pagoda had “Bo Ta Htaung” and not “Bo Tit Htaung” in its inscriptions, but the group who wanted to please Number One prevailed.
There was a rush to implement Burmese type faces and type fonts. The implementations did not have consensus and did not address compliance (e.g. with Unicode). They led to the incompatibility issues in the current computer systems, smart phones and devices.
Short Messaging Systems inadvertently degraded the spelling prowess.
Their motto : “Anything that’s worth doing is worth doing well“.
My mother would scold me lightly by saying “Eyes have you and you see not. Ears have you and you hear not.”
She would tell the story of Robert Bruce and the spider, and remind us “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.”
RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
Motto : “Row Till You Are Dead.”
The background story is covered in Sir Arthur Eggar’s autobiography and in the commemorative issues for the 40th and 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC.
RUBC members are used to the shout “Give her a ten” during a race (especially near the finish line), and also at the Close of the Awards Presentation at the Regatta.
After a long day, in the tradition of RUBC, I shout, “Give her a ten”. 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 -1 followed by EASY OARS.
Companies
The motto may change over time.
International Business Machines (IBM)’s slogan was “Think“.
General Electric (GE)’s claim to fame was “Built to last.“
There are two forms of Myanmar / Burmese language.
Myanmar Sagar (Oral / spoken)
Myanmar Sar (Written)
Alphabet
The Alphabet has 33 Eik Khaya (loosely rendered as letter or character).
Grouping
There are several groups (Wagga) of five letters.
Linguists and phonologists refer to the groups as
Gutturals (Ka group)
Palatels (Sa group)
Cerebrals (Ta-ta-lin-chaik group)
Dentals (Ta group)
Labials (Pa group)
The first group (known as “Ka” wag [or wagga]) consists of Ka (Ka gyi), Kha (Kha Gway), Ga (Ga Nge), Ga (Ga Gyi) and Nga. Note that the 3rd and 4th members have the same sound.
Basic Rules
There are some basic rules for “Pa Sint” (where one letter is placed on top of the other).
One rule says “Eik Khaya Tu, Wag Tu Sint”. It means the two letters forming a “Pa Sint” must be the same, or from the same group. So, it is a “No No” to have a Ka on top of Sa.
Another rule says, “Even for letters within a group, the ordering must be preserved”. So, Ka can be put on top of Kha, but not the other way. Also, Ga Nge can be put on top of Ga Gyi, but not the other way.
Byee and Thara
Ah is used as a Byee (Consonant) and sometimes as a Thara (Vowel).
A Burmese word can be formed with a Byee and one or more Thara.
Typewriter Keyboard
When the Burmese Keyboard was implemented for a typewriter (e.g. Olympia), the keys are labeled Red (keys that prevent the shifting of the carriage to type Thara) and Black (keys that signal the completion of the word and allows the carriage to advance).
Word Processing
The early Burmese word processing systems use
transliteration (e.g. on Apple Macintosh computers)
Thara before Byee (as in the typewriter)
Byee followed by Thara (which requires processing to delimit the words and to have a canonical ordering for representation).
Issues
The Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe published two major revisions for spelling. It forced publishers to use “Tit” instead of “Ta” (without exception) with a fine of ten pyas for each “violation”. Scholars pointed out the ancient pagoda had “Bo Ta Htaung” and not “Bo Tit Htaung” in its inscriptions, but the group who wanted to please Number One prevailed.
There was a rush to implement Burmese type faces and type fonts. The implementations did not have consensus and did not address compliance (e.g. with Unicode). They led to the incompatibility issues in the current computer systems, smart phones and devices.
Short Messaging Systems inadvertently degraded the spelling prowess.
Mangala is usually rendered as Auspices or Blessings. Myanmar call it Mingalar
Mangala Sutta describes 38 Blessings, which are related to both Loki (mundane) and Lokotra (supramundane). First of the 11 Suttas covered in Paritta Pali / Protective Verses.
For lay persons
U Thu Kha wrote a book discussing the Mangala Sutta (using lay people’s terms).
At PPBRS, we had to study “Mingalar Kabyar” (poem) by Saya Dagon U Tun Myint. Received a Thermos flask for successfully reciting the Kabyar.
Cartoon U Pe Thein illustrated the 38 Blessings.
Highest Blessing
From Paritta Pali and Protective Suttas by Sayadaw U Silananda
Not to associate with fools, to associate with the wise and to honor those who are worth of honor.
To live in a suitable place, to have done meritorious deeds in the past, and to keep one’s mind and body in a proper way.
To have much learning, to be skilled in crafts, to be well-trained in moral conduct and to have speech that is well-spoken.
Caring for one’s mother and father, supporting one’s spouse and children and having work that causes no confusion.
Giving, practice of what is good, support of one’s relatives and blameless actions.
Abstention from evil in mind, abstention from evil in body and speech, abstention from intoxicants and non-negligence in meritorious acts.
Respectfulness, humbleness, contentment, gratitude and listening to the Dhamma on suitable occasions.
Practice that consumes evil states, a noble life, seeing the Noble Truths and realization of Nibbana.
The mind of a person (an Arahant) who is confronted with worldly conditions does not flutter, is sorrowless, stainless and secure.
Having fulfilled such things as these, beings are invincible everywhere and happiness everywhere.
Thanks to Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (MEHS57), Saya Dr. Soe Win (SPHS58), Dr. Tin Wa (SPHS57, brother of Dr. Frankie Ohn, SPHS59), Dr. Swe Khin Tun and Bernard Khaw for providing the details of the 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963 and 1965 Matriculates.
The ILA system was employed for 1964 and 1965. Along with the 3-NRC rule, the definition of “Top Matriculates” changed.
Matriculation (1951 – 1965)
I had posted about “First in Burma in the Matriculation examination from 1951 – 1965. There were a few missing items (e.g. for 1955).
This morning at the Hta Pa Na Peik Ceremony at Sae Taw Win 2 Dhamma Center in Sebastapol, California, Sayama Daw Tin Tin Maw (Chemistry) told me that her elder sister Lily Hwang (MEHS55) stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1955.
Earlier, Thit Yine commented that Boon Chiong (Dr. Hla Shwe, Yegyaw Methodist) stood First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1953.
The following is the updated list of “Top Students in Burma”. There are a few items still missing.
1951 : George Chapman (SPHS / St. Paul’s High School) : First
1952 : Dr. Nyunt Tin (SPHS) : First / FRCP / GBNF Dr. Myo Tint (TTC) : Third / MBBS
1953 : Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, Yegyaw Methodist) : First / Physics U Ohn Khin (Yegyaw Methodist) : Second
1954 : Koon Yin Chu (Phillip Chu, SPHS) : First / Architecture Dr. Tin Myo Than (TTC) : Second
1955 : Lily Hwang (MEHS / Methodist English High School) : First
1956 : Ye Myint (St. Peter’s High School) : First Thaung Tin (St. Peter’s) : Second Khin Maung Than (St. Peter’s) : Joint Third Dr. Than Myint (St. Paul’s) : Joint Third / Physics
1957 : Dr. Htin Kyaw (Hein Kyu, Sacred Heart) : First / Physics Honors Dr. Nellie Liu (MEHS) : Second Dr. Htin Aung (Hein Pu, Sacred Heart) : Sixth / Physics Honors
1958 : Dr. Soe Win (SPHS) : First / Chemistry Honors Robert Sein (SPHS) : Second / Physics Honors Myint Myint Tin (MEHS) : Third
1959 : Dr. Hla Ngwe Tin (Frankie Ohn, SPHS) : First / Physics Honors Dr. Shewan Lee (SPHS) : 2nd / Chemistry / California Institute of Technology Dr. Than Nwe Aung (SPHS) : 3rd / MBBS “Rocky” Koon Yin Chu’s younger brother : Tie 4th / Doctor Oo Oo Tha : Tie 4th / Mathematics Honors / well know private tuition teacher
1960 : Austin Kyan (MEHS) : First Dr. Nyan Win : Second Arthur Hla Maung : Third Marie Nyun : Fourth Indian lady : Fifth Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS) : Sixth
1961 : Lina Ong (MEHS) : First Dr. Robin Ban (Kyaw Win, SPHS) : Second
1962 : Need Information
1963 : Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS) : First Dr. Min Oo (SPHS) : Second / Mathematics Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San) : Third / GBNF Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt) : Fourth Dr. Thein Wai (SPHS) : Fifth Kenny Wong (MEHS) : Sixth / Mechanical Hla Min (SPHS) : Seventh / Computer Science Dr. Winnie Aung (Branch Convent) : Eighth Dr. Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, SPHS) : Ninth Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS) : Eleventh / Chemical Dr. Khin Tun (SJDBS – St. John’s Diocesan) : Twelveth Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, SPHS) : Thirteenth / Electrical Dr. Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, SPHS) : Seventeenth
1964 : Dr. Cherry Hlaing (St. John’s Convent) : First Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) : Lost tie breaker with ILA Dr. Aung Win Chiong (SPHS) : Third (in raw marks) Indian Lady : Fourth Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS) : Fifth (in raw marks)
1965 : Bernard Khaw (SPHS) : First : Retired in USA Maung Aye (SPHS) : Second : Doctorate from USA Winston Sein Maung (SPHS, GBNF) : Third Cherry Than Tin : Fourth : Moved to Singapore Dr. Yi Thway (Edwin) : Admitted to IM(1) as Roll Number (1) : Admission was based on ILA : Moved to UK Dr. Paing Soe (Freddie) : Admitted to IM(1) as Roll Number (2) : Tied in raw marks with Dr. Yi Thway : Retired as Deputy Minister of Health
Hla Min (SPHS63)
Early Matriculates
U Kyaw Myint (Bar-at-law) stood First in Burma with distinction in all subjects. He matriculated from “Government High School”.
U Ba Khin (Vipassana Teacher, Auditor General, SPHS) stood First in Burma.
Four Generations and Five Members (headed by U Hoke Sein) stood First in Burma (which is literally unbeatable). U Hoke Sein (Compiler of Pali-English-Burmese Dictionary) Son : U Saw Hlaing Grand daughter : Dr. Cherry Hlaing Two Great Grand Children
