HlaMin

Blog

  • Pearl In My Heart

    by Hla Min & Tekkatho Moe War

    Updated : June 2025

    Saya Moe

    Saya U Moe Aung & Hla Min
    • In February 2015, Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) gave me an autographed copy of his book.
    Autographed copy
    Cover
    Musings by Tekkatho Moe War and Maung Sein Win (Padeegone)

    Updates

    • Saya is feeling the effects of Jara & Byadi.
    • He still writes articles & kabyars daily.
    • Saya authored or co-authored several books.
    Book 1
    Book 2
    Book 3

    Posts

    • Kabyar
    • Poem
    • Publications
    • Tekkatho Moe War
  • Memories of U Tin Htut

    Memories of U Tin Htut

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Brief Bio

    • Alumnus of SPHS, RU Faculty of Engineering, Birmingham University & German University
    • Joined Mechanical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer after graduating in 1960
    • His parents needed help to run their business. He complied. Three family members — his father U Chit Maung, his eldest brother U Sein Tin and saya — were taken into custody for several months.
    • After completing his Waso at Insein, he rejoined Mechanical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer. New Sayas had to join as Instructors.
    • Taught Industrial Management. Earlier, the subject was taught by Visiting Lecturers from Faculty of Social Science & Institute of Economics.

    Rowing

    • Past Captain & Gold of RUBC
    • Won Senior Novices twice : as Rower and as Cox of the All Paulian Crew with Tun Shein (Willie), Than Nyun (George), M Hla Min (Moosajee) & Sao Hso Holm (Sawbwa Lay)
    • Served as Administrator of YUBC for several years

    USA

    • Joined Northrop and also helped several alumni to join the company
    • Took Sabbatical to work for UN
    • Founded BASES with U Tin Htway (M59) and U Tun Tin (David, GBNF). He is a Past President.
    • Financial Controller for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
    • Helped with SPZP-2000 held in San Francisco.
    • Came to SF Bay Area to attend RIT gatherings and to have family reunion with his sisters.
    • Hosted me at his new house. Took me to BASES Dinner and La Puente Monastery the following day (where there was a Soon Kwyay followed by Literary Talks).

    Donations

    • K100 lakhs to YTU Library Modernization Project
    • K10 lakhs to SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
    • Donated to All Mechanical Gathering

    Memories

    • SPZP-2000
    SPZP-2000
    • 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
    2015 Reunion in Los Angeles
    2015 Reunion in Los Angeles
    • Donations
    Donation
    U Tin Htut and U Wynn Htain Oo
    U Tin Htut
    • Singapore
    U Tin Htut, U Mg Mg Win, Dr. Tin Win & U Aung Myint
    U Tin Htut in Singapore
    U Tin Htut in Singapore
    • New Zealand
    U Tin Htut in NZ
    • SF Bay Area
    U Tin Htut in SF Bay Area
    • RUBC Golds
    RUBC Past Captains and/or Gold

    Posts

    • BASES
    • RIT Sayas
    • RUBC
    • SPZP
  • Dr. Aung Gyi

    Dr. Aung Gyi

    by Dr. Aung Gyi & Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Former Rector, RIT

    DAG

    Nativity

    Born from my parents U Ba Pu and Daw Aye Kyi in Namtu, Northern Shan States, Burma.

    Education

    Matriculated in 1949 from Myoma High School in Rangoon.

    After passing the 1st year engineering, BOC College of Engineering, Rangoon University in 1952, went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass., USA as a State scholar to join the second year engineering classes there.

    Was in Dean’s list during the studies in MIT; and obtained B.S.(Civil Engineering) in 1955 and M.S.(Civil Engineering) in 1956.

    Work

    After working as a junior engineer in Tippetts- Abbett-MacCarthy- Stratton Engineers, New York and Green Engineering Co., Boston for a year, returned to Burma in 1957.

    Joined the Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University as an Assistant Lecturer.

    Promoted to Lecturer and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering in 1958.

    Marriage

    Got married to Daw Mya Mya Mue in 1959. (Have a daughter and a son and two grand children from daughter who all live in Canada now.)

    Doctorate

    Went to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Colombo Plan Scholarship in 1963 for further studies. Obtained Ph.D (Civil Engineering) specializing in structural engineering in 1965 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

    Promotions

    Returned to Burma in 1965 and promoted to Professor and Head of Civil Engineering Department in 1966.

    Promoted to Rector of Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1971.

    UNESCO

    Left Burma to join UNESCO as Programme Specialist in Applied Sciences in 1977 in Unesco Regional Office in New Delhi, India.

    IDRC

    Migrated to Ottawa, Canada to join the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canadian Research funding Agency in Ottawa as an Associate Director in 1981.

    Was then assigned to IDRC Regional Office in Singapore as Principal Program Officer from 1989 to 1992.

    Was transferred to IDRC Regional Office in New Delhi as Principal Program Officer in 1992.

    Was promoted to Regional Representative for IDRC Regional Office in New Delhi in 1995.

    Retired from IDRC in June 1997 and now settled down in Nepean, Ontario, Canada with wife.

    I look forward to seeing you all soon.

    With Metta,
    Aung Gyi

    Updates (by Hla Min)

    Welcome dinner for SPZP-2000
    • U Thein Aung (Met72, Saya) was Associate Editor for the commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000. He compiled the biographies of the sayas and sayamas attending SPZP-2000. He also served as co-emcee.
    • Saya has four grandchildren.
    • I was a guest on two occasions (around SPZPs) hosted by Ko Wai Lwin in Yangon (a) one for Ma Ma Emma’s birthday (b) another for welcoming Sayagyi DAG and other sayas at U Nyan Tun U’s residence.
    • Met Saya during his trips to California
    Asian Heritage Museum
    • We spent a few nights at Ivan’s house. Saya & Ma Ma were also there to attend the RIT-UCC gathering hosted by Ivan
    NJ Gathering
    • Ko Ivan, Ko Fred, my spouse and I stayed at Saya’s house for two nights in 2015. Thanks.
    Saya’s house
  • Whirlwind Trip

    Whirlwind Trip

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    • In July 2015, Ivan Lee (M69) invited us to stay at his home in New Jersey. Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma were also invited to spend a few days before going back to Canada.
    • Conversation with Sayagyi and Ivan was interesting. Ivan had an expensive hearing aid, but he did not use it. So, several questions and answers had to be repeated.
    • Ivan took us to selected places in New Jersey & New York. We saw a victory parade of the victorious US women soccer team.
    • Ivan hosted the RIT-UCC gathering at his house.
    • Ivan asked Fred to join us in the whirl wind tour of Canada and US East Coast.
    • Ivan provided his car (Mercedes) & gas for the trip.
      Fred drove most of the trip.
    • Stopped at Buffalo & Niagara Falls before heading to Windsor.
    Niagara

    Visit to Canada

    Windsor

    Windsor 1
    Windsor 2
    • We arrived at the house of Sayagyi U Aung Khin a few hours late. Sayagyi was calm and smiling. We had a brief conversation before Ivan and Fred left for a nearby hotel.
      Sayagyi graciously let my spouse and I spend the night in his guest room.
    • Sayagyi prepared Mohinga and Ah Kyaw for breakfast for all of us.
    • We paid respect to Sayagyi.
    • He asked us to choose a souvenir from Windsor.

    Ottawa

    • We went to Ontario, but did not have the time to visit Saya Des.
    • We drove around and headed to Napean (in Ottawa Province) to visit Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma.
    DAG 1
    • Sayagyi shared his memories and jokes.
    • We all stayed at Sayagyi’s house.
    • Sayagyi showed us around Ottawa.
    DAG 2
    • He then took us to a Thousand Islands for a boat trip.

    Massachusetts

    TAG 1
    • On the way back, we visited Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) and Daw Khin Maw Maw in Massachusetts.
    • They live about 50 miles from Boston.
    • Since they were renovating their house, they put us up at a hotel.
    TAG 2
    • We visited MIT, Harvard and selected places in the area.

    Connecticut

    Toung 1
    • The next leg took us to Trumbull, Connecticut. U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint hosted us.
    Toung 2
    • They took us to see Yale and a restaurant where Bill Clinton used to hang out.

    Rest of the Stay

    • Then, it was “Home Sweet Home” for Ivan.

    Side Trip

    • Fred later took us to see his second sister in Philadelphia.
      Sad to note that Ma Kathleen passed away recently in November, 2021.
    • We stayed at Fred’s house.
    • He showed us around. We bought souvenir coins from Liberty Bell.
    • He drove us to Maryland to see my lone remaining uncle.
    • Then, we headed back to New Jersey.

    Thanks to our hosts for the memorable trip

    • Sayagyi U Aung Khin
    • Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
    • Ivan
    • Fred
    • U TAG
    • Ko Toung
  • Elections

    Elections

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    1960 Election

    U Nu
    • Pyidaungsu Party won. U Nu became Prime Minister of the Union of Burma for the Third and Last time.
    • Several military officers (who used power to support the Losing Party) were purged.
    • The 17 man Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat on March 2, 1962. According to Kyemon U Thaung, six of them did not have access to high level information / decision.
    • Burma lost its hard fought Independence.

    Sham Elections

    • During the BSPP era, there were Sham Elections. Mostly single candidate nominated by BSPP. Voters had to choose White (Yes) or Black (No).
    • During one BSPP Convention, the then Number One did not get the Top Vote. A purge followed. Those suspected of “Election Fraud” were criminalized with ludicrous charges. The MI Chief and his followers became extremely powerful. Eventually they were detained or dismissed.
    • Jump Promotions and Purges led to many Toadies. e.g a Commander who baby sit the grand kids of his Boss.

    Past Elections

    • In September 1988 General Saw Maung took over. He promised to hold free and fair elections and that the soldiers will return to the Barracks.
      Citing medical reasons, he was forced out & replaced by a Ruthless Dictator.
    • The National League for Democracy won the 1990 Elections. The results were nullified. The majority of elected representatives were detained.
    • The military rule — accompanied by Nepotism, Cronyism & Terrorism — established a hand crafted Constitution in 2008 to ensure impunity for their Crimes and an unfair advantage to the past, present & future Thugs.
    • 2010 Election was virtually uncontested. Some Toadies helped the military by posing as Opposition.
    • 2015 and 2020 Elections were won convincingly by NLD (National League for Democracy).
  • Trip to Canada & East Coast (2015)

    Trip to Canada & East Coast (2015)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Invitation

    • Ivan Lee (M69) invited us — U Aung Myint (Saya, M69), U Sein Tin (Omega, M69) and I — to get together at his house in New Jersey preferably in May-June of 2015.
    • U Aung Myint & U Sein Tin had visited him on previous occasions. They could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.

    Fred

    • Frederick Thetgyi (M69) joined the 2015 mini-reunion.
    • He drove most of the 1800+ mile trip. Ivan provided his Mercedes & gas.
    • Except for the rare occasion where his batteries went out (and had to be replaced), Fred took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
    • He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) offered to take the photo.

    Memories

    The photos can be grouped by location

    New Jersey

    NJ
    • Host: Ivan
    • Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint

    Niagara Falls

    Niagara
    • On the way to Canada
    • Taken on both the US side and the Canada side

    Windsor, Canada

    Windsor
    Windsor 2
    • Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin

    Toronto, Canada

    • Brief sight seeing

    Ottawa, Canada

    DAG
    • Host : Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
    • Quick trip to Thousand Islands

    Massachusetts

    TAG
    • Host : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC 69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
    • Visit MIT & Harvard University

    Connecticut

    Conn 1
    Conn 3
    • Host : U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
    • Visit Yale University
    • Ate at Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton

    Philadelphia

    • Host : Fred & and Eunice
    • Visit Pake Forge & Liberty Bell

    Maryland

    Uncle
    • Visit my uncle U Thein Han & family

    Posts

    • 69er
    • Reunion
    • Visits

  • Parody

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    I Love You Because (Parody by Hla Min)

    • Many years ago, I wrote a parody.
    • “I love you because” (sung by Jim Reeves) was a hit played by Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS).
    • I wrote a light version of the song.
    • I did not have a Home Minister at that time to edit or veto it.

    I love you because (Lyrics)

    I love you
    because you always stand dear
    every time I opened up the door
    You’re always there
    to help me eat my jam dear
    I love you more
    because you never snore.

    No matter
    When you’re sleeping or awake dear
    You’re pretty
    as the craters on the moon
    I love you
    every minute of the hour dear
    Because you said
    You’d cry
    beside my tomb

    I love you
    because my pocket’s lighter
    every time you shop
    around the town
    I love you
    because you’re a great fighter
    But you promised
    you would never
    knock me down

    Take These Chains (Parody by Hla Min)

    • “Take these chains” was a song that was played often by BBS.
    • Thamankyar Ko Myint (Mn70) sang a Burmese song using the tune.
    • I tried to parody the song.

    Take these chains (Lyrics)

    Take these chains from my legs and set me free
    And the rope that ties me to this tree
    If you really pity me
    let me drink a glass of Zee
    Take these chains from my legs and set me free

    I’m charged with murder of a tiny, little flea
    “Cruel” said the judge and he would not hear my plea.
    So, if you really pity me
    let me sip a cup of tea
    Take these chains from my legs and set me free

    Take this scarf from my eyes and let me see
    If your waist still measures twenty three
    When I’m free I’ll marry you
    Even barrel shape will do
    Take these chains from my legs and set me free

    Lost Neikban RIT (Parody by U Myat Htoo)

    U Myat Htoo
    Lost Neikban
    • U Myat Htoo wrote a parody on “Pyauk Sone Nay Thaw Neikban Bon” (the song by Sai Kham Leik and Sai Htee Saing).
    • Played the Ukelele and sang the song at the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, and at NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner.
  • Min Oo (SPHS63)

    Min Oo (SPHS63)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Highlights

    • Alias : Kenneth Khine
    • Parents : U Kyaw Khine (Railways) & Daw Khin Lay (Advocate)
    • SPHS classmate in Std VIIIA, IXA and XA. He was among the youngest, but also the brightest.
    • We were in different sections in the lower classes.
    VIII A
    Min Oo (Seated left)

    Matric Exam in 1963

    • SPHS had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
    • All received Collegiate Scholarships with a monthly stipend of 75 Kyats (net 60 Kyats after the school fees).
    • Min Oo stood 2nd in Burma. He chose to study Maths.

    Language expert

    • Grapevine says that he was reading a German book before entering the hall to take the Matric exam
    • Scored distinctions in English, Maths, Physics & Chemistry

    Mathematics Genius

    • A Tuition Saya challenged his students. “Ask your teachers to solve the problem. I will give you free tuition if you can provide the correct answer.”
      One student asked Min Oo, who was playing cards. Min Oo scribbled the answer during the card game. The Tuition Saya was unhappy; he broke his promise to give the student free tuition.
    • U Aung Sein (Retired Associate Professor of Maths) saw Min Oo get out of the Tutorial classes after a few minutes and yet had perfect score. Saya decided to give challenging questions for a Tutorial. Min Oo took longer time than the easier Tutorials, but most of the other students could not get a passing grade.

    Luyechun Student & Staff

    • Selected Tekkatho Luyechun in the summer of 1965. We attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
    Inlay Luyechun (Min Oo — Seated Right)
    • He joined RASU Maths Dept. He was chosen as Staff for the Tekkatho Luyechun camp.
    • As a multiple Luyechun from IM(1), Ko Khin Maung U was present at two camps with Min Oo. Ko KMU remembers Min Oo with a cigar trying to look like a Saya.

    Career

    • Two doctorates in Maths from Germany
    • Professor Emeritus, McMasters University in Canada; Voluntarily retired in 2015.
    • Was Visiting Professor in selected US Universities.

    Micro-reunion

    • After retirement, he visited Silicon Valley frequently to see his daughter.
    • A few years back, we had a lunch gathering in the SF Bay Area.

    Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) wrote :

    Yes – Min Oo is the brightest. Proud to be his class mate. SPHS VIA group photo Min Oo also Khin Mg U sitting.

    VI(A) SPHS

    Posts

    • Luyechun
    • Mathematics
    • Scholarship
    • SPHS
  • Saw Lin (C71)

    Saw Lin (C71)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Highlights

    • Secretary, RIT Civil Engineering Association; Predecessors — U Hla Myint Thein (C69), U Myo Khin (C70); Successor — U Ko Ko Gyi (C72)
    Secretaries, RIT Civil Engineering Association
    • Graduated with Civil Engineering in 1971
    U & Mrs. Saw Lin
    • Retired MD, Kyay Ni project
    U Saw Lin & Dr. San Hla Aung

    SPZP-2012

    SPZP Meeting
    • Logistics
    • Security
    • Publications
    U Moe Aung and U Saw Lin
    • Chief Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
    Swel Daw Yeik Magazine Committee
    • Reprinted 23 RIT Annual Magazines
    • Hosted tour to selected sayas

    Reunion

    • Sayas
    • Alumni
    Civil Engineering Sayas and Alumni

    MES

    • VP
    • Editor & Publisher, Tech Magazine

    Memories

    • Gave me rides during my visit to Yangon in March & December 2012
    • Gave a welcome dinner at Feel restaurant for me and gave me an autographed copy of RIT Cartoons
    RIT Cartoons
    Welcome dinner

    Attendees : U Hla Min (EC69), U Ohn Khine (M70), Saya U Aung (C70), U Saw Lin (C71), Rosie Mai Khin Nyunt (ChE71), U Khin Maung Myint (ChE71)

    • Took me to SPZP meeting; Gave me dinner on the way back; Learned about his medical conditions & dietary restrictions

    Health

    U Saw Lin, Spouse, Brother, Daughter & Doctor
    • He had operations about a decade ago
    • After SPZP-2012 his health declined.
    • He was admitted to ICU a couple of times.
    • He passed away in 2014
    Obituary

    Posts

    • Civil Engineering
    • MES
    • Publications
    • SPZP

  • Belles

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Female Engineering Students

    • In the old Education System, there were only a handful of female Engineering students
    • The first batch of five female students graduated in 1961.
      Four were from Textile : Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin), Julie Han (later Dr.), Yin Yin Kyi and Mi Mi Lay. Pauline Reynolds was the first female Chemical Engineering graduate.
    Julie Han
    Pauline Reynolds
    • In 1962, Khin Than Nwe (Margaret, Tex) was the lone female engineering graduate.
    Khin Than Nwe
    • Ma Ni Ni Thwin, Ma Khin Thein Yi, Ma Tin Myint, Ma Pyi Aye, Ma Khin Khin Kyu, Nancy Hla Aung, Maywaddy Tun Tun, Ma Yi Yi Aung, Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Nyunt Nyunt Zaw, Ma Cho are grads from 1963 – 68.
    Nancy & Yi Yi Aung
    • The new Education System saw more female students.
    • There were about 45 female students in the 1st BE intake in 1964, and about 30 female students in the 2nd BE intake in 1964. G-Hall accepted most female students.
    • There were more in the 1st BE intake in 1965.
    Archi

    Ushers at RIT Graduation

    Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71)
    Editor for “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine”
    Organizer for Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65

    • We all served as ushers at the Graduation Dinner in late 1966.
    • Graduation took place at RIT as well as the Dinner, at “aw bar lan” area.
    Ushers

    Right to Left

    • Sandi Hlaing — Ch 66 intake
    • Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) — Ch 65 intake
    • Nila Mya Aung — M 64 intake
    • Jessie Htwe — M 66 intake
    • Annie Ba Htaw — Tex65 intake
    • Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk) Ch 66 intake (UK)
    • Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint) — Ch 64 intake (Singapore)
    • Than Than Yi (GBNF) Tex 65 intake (my best friend who passed away in Sept 2013, USA)
    • Phyu Phyu Latt (Christine Latt) — Ar – 64 intake (Australia)
    • Min Thet Mon (Pamela Myo Min) — Ar -64 intake

    Tazaungdaing Festival

    Photo provided by Daw Tin Aye (C73).
    Initially took Mechanical Engineering and helped with “Set Hmu Thadin Zin” (founded by U Win Thein).
    Played Volley for Civil Engineering
    Volunteered for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016

    Annotation : Daw Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71)

    Right to Left

    • Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk, Ch 66-72, UK)
    • Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, Ch 64-70, Singapore)
    • Hla Hla Aye (She was as a cover girl at one of the “Shay Tho Sar Saung”, and inside the Sar Saung had an article about RIT activities with photos. I kept that Sar Saung, but unfortunately (after so many years) now I only have a page left with a photo taken at the Chemistry lab, which included Ma Khin Myat Swe (spouse of Saya U Moe Aung), Henry Koe, my spouse Ko Khin Mg Miynt and myself).
    • Tin Aye (C )
    • Nelly Khin Myo Win (GBNF) (Ch 65-71, Mandalay)
    • Could be Margaret Yi (Ch 65)

    All are from G -Hall at one of the Tha Din Gyut or Da Saung Taing Pwe at Shwe Dagon Pagoda, organized by G -Hall.

    Reunions

    Daw Pwint Than

    Daw Pwint Than and Daw Cho Cho Tin
    • Selected High School Luyechun from Loikaw twice : Ngapali Camp in the Summer of 1964 and Inlay Camp in the Summer of 1965.
    • Graduated with Electrical Power in 1971.
    • Joined EPC.
    • Spouse : U Htun Aung (EP, Intake of 1964)

    Daw Cho Cho Tin

    Five Belles
    • Pen name : Ma Sandar
    • Award winning author / novelist
    • Sample hit : “G Hall Thu”
    • Graduated with Architecture in 1971.
    • Spouse : U San Maung (A, intake of 1964)

    Daw Than Yi

    • Maubin Ma Shwe Than

    Rosie Gyi

    • Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Magazine

    Rosie Tin Maung

    • Vocalist
    • Bilingual Author

    SPZP

    • Attendees
    Belles 1