Most members enjoy swimming in the Inya Lake after they had finished rowing.
A few members do not know how to swim, but they are confident that the eights and fours will not capsize even if someone “catches a crab”. There were a few instances where the scull and the pairs tripped over, but the non-swimmers felt safe and sound by clinging to the boat.
At one time, Burmese Laungs were loaned by RUBC. They are liable to flip over more than the RUBC boats.
There were two boatmen. U Par Oo was the senior. He and his son Tin Aung sold Than Pa Ya Yay. Ko Mya Hlaing was the junior. He sold Bu Thee Kyaw. They had to maintain the Tub Pairs and Tub Fours, and make patches to the boats and oars.
Before our days, there were many boats that were imported and not so many active members.
Later, due to restrictions for foreign exchange and the increase in active members, some local boats were used for training the novices.
Zeyar Linn added :
Our times 1992-2002, Swimming was prohibited but nowadays it is part of training sessions.
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.
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.
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.
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
Rangoon University celebrated its Golden Jubilee in December 1970.
I was a volunteer for the “Zay Nay Yar Cha Htar Yay Committee” headed by Saya U Tun Hla Aung (Geography).
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (Professor, Civil Engineering) and Saya U Thet Lwin (Burmese, Institute of Economics) were Chair and Secretary of a Committee. They had a reunion as Rector and Registrar of RIT.
Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins from RIT took part in the Entertainment with Swel Daw Yeik A Nyeint, Tabin Daing A Ka & Htee Yein.
RU Golden JubileeRIT Htee Yein
There are other Golden Jubilees :
GJ of the new Education System introduced in 1964
GJ of Admission to University or Institute
RIT GJ in 2014
GJ of Graduation from University or Institute
69ers GJ in 2019
Geology
Dr. Tha Hla received his doctorate from the UK. He served as Professor of Geology Department. He retired as Rector of the University of Rangoon.
His successors include Dr. Nyi Nyi, U Ba Than Haq and Dr. Maung Thein.
Geology Sayas and Sayamas
Dr. Tha HlaDr. Nyi NyiGeology 1978Dr. Maung Thein
Geology Volleyball
Geology Volleyball
Graduation
RIT Grads
RIT 69ers
Tin Aung Win (M69) & his fatherM69 gradsA69 grads
Graduation Photos
In the early days, some quality photos had to be taken in Studios. The photo (taken at “Bayin Ma”) shows proud parents of a fresh graduate.
Grad 1
It was customary to take photos at the “Full Dress Rehearsal” and in front of the Convocation Hall.
Grad 2
Permits were issued to registered photographers to take photos during the Convocation. Maung Maung Nhyat made a fortune.
Grad 3Grad 4
GeographySayas
Geography Dept
L Dudley Stamp taught at LSE and RU.
Dr. Daw Thin Kyi was an early Burmese Sayama to receive a Doctorate from USA. An Alumnus donated Seed Money for her bust.
Dr. Daw Thin Kyi
Dr. Maung Htoo : Professor
U Kyaw : Principal, Workers’ College; Rector, Institute of Education; Father of U Myo Nyunt (Harry, OPA) & Daw San San Kyaw (UCC)
U Kyaw
U Win : Received Doctorate from USA; GIS; Water Resource
Right speech
HlaMin 