In the lower classes, he was in Section (C). I was in Section (D).
Stood 13th in the whole of Burma in the Matric exam of 1963.
Won Collegiate Scholarship. Only 40 of the 100 scholarship awards were given to students from private schools.
SPHS had five in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the top Twenty. Khin Maung U (1st), Min Oo (2nd), Myo San (Freddie, 3rd), Nyunt Wai (Victor, 4th), Thein Wai (5th), Hla Min (7th), Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny, 9th), Maung Maung Kyi (11th), Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, 13th), Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, 17th).
Has a soft heart.
Before the Matric exam, he read several subjects to Nyunt Wai (Victor), who was sick & could not study. Brownie could take credit for Victor’s success. Victor stood 4th in Burma & became medical professor in IM & Malaysia.
Dr. Nyunt Wai wrote :
Being my best friend since standard IV, I could write volumes about him. For now only two points: (1) my friend was called “ANyo”(Brownie) because he had much darker complexion compared with his elder brother (very fair complexion); this contrast repeated in the case of his two sons; (2) the brown brothers passed away years ahead of their fairer counterparts.
University Days
We attended the last ever I.Sc.(A) at Leik Khone in 1963. We took the Science Option.
After a long closure citing Security Concerns following the July 7th Anniversary, a new Education System was established in November 1964.
Admitted to the first ever 2nd BE at the Gyogone Campus.
Chose Electrical Engineering as Major & EC (Electrical Communications) as Option.
EE69
Played Soccer and Tennis
ATY 3
Learned to smoke — trying to fend off mosquitoes in the RIT rest rooms.
Learned social drinking from his classmates (e.g “Robert” Win Boh) after the last paper of the RIT final exam.
After Graduation
One of 13 EC Graduates
Had a successful career at MOC/Schlumberger, & several foreign assignments.
Became a heavy smoker & drinker. Felt lonely after the loss of spouse & eldest son.
Had minor & not-so-minor health problems.
Quit drinking & smoking for some time, but he still felt the urge.
Last Meeting (in March 2012)
I visited Yangon to take part in preparations for SPZP-2012 (scheduled for December).
Zaw Lai came to see me. We decided to surprise Brownie. He trusted people. He did not lock his house. He closed the gate & boarded Zaw Lai’s car.
Zaw Lai coaxed him to take a couple of drinks.
That dinner at Zaw Lai’s apartment would be remembered as Brownie’s farewell.
Brownie did not show up at the 69er breakfast gathering at Royal Rose. The gathering was cut short when we learned that Brownie was in ICU and that the 69er HCF organizers would go to see him.
Kyaw Zin took Win Lwin, Khin Maung Bo & me to the ICU. Brownie’s son, who is a medical doctor, said that Brownie was not ready for another operation. We left with samvegha that he could very well be No 61 (on Aung Min’s GBNF list). Win Lwin told me to meditate and also “do something for yourself”.
I spent several days at the Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung as a monk. Sayadaw U Wara (ChE70) was my preceptor.
During that period, Brownie remained unconsciousness and he finally succumbed.
My 69er friends notified Brownie’s demise to my siblings, but requested not to notify me at the monastery. They did not want to disrupt my meditation practice.
May Brownie be able to share my merits.
Ah Hmya, ah hmya, ah hmya.
Updates
Samvegha
Three Scholarship winners from SPHS63 — Brownie, Freddie & Maung Maung Kyi — are GBNF
Five EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Brownie, Chit Tin, Oo Kyaw Hla & Sai Aik Yee — are GBNF
128 69ers (over 40% of the Class) are GBNF. The GBNF list is maintained by Aung Min (M69) & team
Several RIT EE Sayas — U Kyaw Tun, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way & U Nyi Nyi — are GBNF. For SPZP-2010, I wrote “A Sad & Short Clip : EE Sayas”. Two sayas — U Thein Lwin & U Nyi Nyi — have passed away since the article was published.
In the 1961 – 62 Academic Year, the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University moved to the Gyogone Campus.
It was named Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).
Sayas & Sayamas
U Yone Mo served as Dean.
U Sein Hla served as Registrar.
Newly minted sayas & sayamas include U Aung Soe (C), U Maung Maung Win (M), Daw Tin Tin Ohn (T) & Daw Julie Han
Matriculation & HSF
In 1961, the last Matric & High School Final exam took place. Those who pass the exam could attend the University.
In 1962, there were separate exams for Matric & HSF. Those who pass HSF had to take the Matric exam in order to attend the University.
2nd SEAP Games
RU athletes in 2nd SEAP Games
In December 1961, Burma hosted the 2nd South East Asian Peninsular Games.
Burma placed First (according to the Tally of Medals) in the Games. Burma was dominant in Track & Field, Swimming & Diving (to name a few).
About 20 students Rangoon University represented Burma in the Games. Several won Gold Medals : Tun Mra (4 x 100 meters relay), Soe Mra (Pole Vault), Kyaw Han (Volleyball), Richard Yu Khin (Yachting).
Ko Richard (GBNF) provided the group photo. He also wrote about the swimming training with Ko Tin Maung Ni under a Japanese coach.
Met Ko Tun Mra, Ko Khin Maung Latt & Ko Tin Myint (GBNF) at the RUBC/YUBC Annual Regatta in December 2019. Ko Tun Mra mentioned that he, Ko Kyaw Mra (GBNF), Ko Soe Mra & Ko Tun Naung represented Burma in the first SEAP Games held in Bangkok in 1959.
1962
Coup d’etat
On March 2, 1962, a 17-member Revolutionary Council staged a Coup d’etat. Sao Shwe Thaik’s son was killed.
Mahn Win Maung (President), U Nu (Prime Minister), U Myint Thein (Chief Justice), several high ranking officers & Sawbwas were imprisoned.
U Myint Thein was among the first to be detained and the last to be released. He was given only a part day off to attend the last journey of his spouse Daw Phwa Hmi (pioneer Burmese female barrister).
Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung had been selected to succeed Mahn Win Maung as the President, but the Coup ended the democratic parliamentary system.
Sama Duwa Sin Wa Naung
HSF Exam
The HSF exam results for Rangoon Division was annulled claiming a leakage of exam questions.
The students had to retake the HSF exam in August, 1962.
Dark Days in July
There were two Dark Days.
Student protesters faced indiscriminate shooting on July 7, 1962. The newspapers & Myanmar Ah Than said that there were 17 victims.
Ko Aung Khin who was killed by a stray bullet on his way back from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road was listed as the 17th casualty.
On July 8, 1962, the revered RU Student Union Building was demolished.
1963
Matric Exam
SPHS63 Scholarship Winners
Most exams were held in March. However, the Matric exam in 1963 was held in May.
St. Paul’s High School had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
Anniversary of 7th July
In July 1963, the first Anniversary of 7th July 1962 was celebrated with posters, pamphlets & magazines.
Some time later, the higher authorities announced the closure of most schools except the Faculty of Medicine & the Faculty of Engineering.
Rangoon University Boat Club
Dinner to celebrate the RUBC 40th Anniversary
Annual Regatta was canceled citing security reasons.
Sithu U Tin (President) decided not to cancel the Dinner commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC by Sit Arthur Eggar (Law Professor).
1964
Scholarship for USSR & East Bloc
Soviet Union and East Bloc nations offered scholarships for undergraduates & graduates.
Some classmates (who were concerned about how long the schools will close) applied & were accepted.
Maung Maung Kyi studied Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp & Paper) at Dresden University, GDR.
New Education System
Shwe YaDu
Enacted in November 1964
The reorganization saw former Faculties as independent Institutes with their own Rector and Registrar. The remaining faculties of Rangoon University became Rangoon Arts & Science University (RASU).
Under the new Education system, BIT became Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). It had autonomy. U Yone Mo served as Rector. U Soe Thein (former student leader) served as Registrar.
Matriculates were admitted to the fresher classes at the Universities & Institutes using Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA).
The marks for each subject were converted to an ILA score (1 – 20). Those who have a balanced score can have a higher ILA than someone who has high marks in most subjects but a low score in one subject.
There were name changes to the degrees offered, e.g B.E instead of B.Sc.(Engg)
Majors were introduced.
LL.B was offered.
Luyechun
The program was initiated in the Summer of 1964.
Outstanding students from middle school and high school was chosen as Luyechun. They were sent to the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Win Aung (TTC) and Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw) were some High School Luyechuns.
1965
Nationalization
On April 1, 1965 private schools were nationalized.
St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) became No. 6 Botathaung State High School.
Methodist English High School (MEHS) became No. 1 Dagon State High School.
Luyechun Camps
Inlay Luyechun
The Luyechun program was extended to students of Universities & Institutes in the summer of 1965.
I was selected as RIT Luyechun along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ma Khin Than Myint Tin, and Ko Zaw Min. We were sent to the newly opened Inlay Khaung Daing Camp was added.
The Rangoon Combined Camp was the meeting point for those from Ngapali Camp and Inlay Camp.
Clinical Reviewer and Senior Medical Officer at U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Assistant Professor and Physician at Johns Hopkins University
Associate Professor, Physician at Hahnemann University Hospital
Head, Clinical Research Division at Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health
Clinical demonstrator at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)
Demonstrator, Dept. of Pharmacology at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)
Highlights
Matric 1963
SPHS63OPA DinnerRoll of Honor
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963. Stood First in Burma with 100 marks in Maths & Chemistry and 99 points (after a point deduction in review) in Physics. He had Distinction in English in HSF, Matric and I.Sc.(A).
IM(1)
Stood First in every class.
Multiple Luyechun
Postgrad
Due to policy changes for sending State Scholars, he had to do M.Sc. (Med Sc)
Received MD from UNSW.
Completed Fellowships
Activities
Writes KMU Medical Research Reports
Gawpaka at a monastery in Maryland
Wrote and translated articles on Dhamma
Interpreter for Dhamma Talks & Meditation Retreat. Compiled & edited an early version of Abdhidhamma by Dr. Nandamalabhivansa.
Abhidhamma
His spouse Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Amy) was also a top student in Matric & IM(1). She did DCH.
They have a son and two daughters. Nilar (eldest) is a medical doctor in the USA.
KMU, NNW & young Nilar
Feedback
Dr. Nyan Taw wrote : Our batch Khin Maung U (SPHS 63) to be proud of !
Eddie Shein wrote : Proud of you, Dr. Khin Maung U. I always remember your very good signs of ambitions and success lines on your palms.
Wai Aung wrote : I am proud of you Ko Khin Maung U. You are a genius. Glad you made it to the top.
Ye Htut wrote : Sayar U is my teacher- mentor who was just like a swan who laid a golden egg daily for me when I worked under him at RGH and DMR in 1970s. I never had a day that I did not learn a new lesson or knowledge from him when we were together.
Dr. Khin Maung U wrote : Thank you Johnny (U Hla Min) for your kind portrayal, and to all who commented with support and friendship. I am so fortunate to have good friends throughout St. Paul’s HS and Medical School and also during post-graduate clinical work, and to have good students during my teaching years in IM (1), all of whom helped and supported me in many ways. With some time available in my retirement, I came upon an idea. As a service to medical education in Myanmar, I would post recently published medical articles (not readily available in Myanmar) that friends and colleagues in the medical profession may find useful or applicable to medical care or public health of people in Myanmar. In all these medical posts, I preceded with a simplified summary of the medical journal article so that non-medical persons who read these posts can also understand and be able to apply for their own health care. I hope this activity will provide useful medical or educational information to all who read my medical posts.
Mayrose Wong wrote : Wonderful and Genius Doctor, truly and caring classmate, doing meritorious deeds for Dhamma and Sanghas. He is Awesome.
Eiei Tan wrote : Could not agree more, my dear friend May Rose. We are all extremely proud to be his classmates. He certainly is awesome & ingenious !!!
Kyaw Myint Malia wrote : You make all of us Burmese proud. I was fortunate to meet you again while you were preparing for your MD at the University of NSW where I was an Anatomy tutor. You are my kalyana-mitra truly. Regards to Amy.
Tin Tin Hla wrote : Proud of you and your family.
Kyi Maung wrote: How genius you are ko kmu. I’m always proud of u. I used to tell others that I’m from ko Khin Maung U ‘s batch.
Tin Myint wrote : Proud of you Ko U. You stood Whole of Burma 1st in Matriculation from St Pauls High School.
Ngwe Tun wrote : On behalf of old Paulians, l am proud of you Ko Khin Maung U.
Helped Civil Engg grads from Myanmar get internship and/or job in Japan
In 2017, Saya and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73) donated K100 Lakhs to the YTU Modernization Project.
Donation
He had a Stroke.
Praying for a speedy recovery.
Dr. Myo Khin wrote :
Dear U Hla Min, Thank you very much for your kind and favorable phrases for my donation to the RIT library. This is the token of my feeling to my home university. Up till now I have helped around 50 grads from RIT and other TUs in Myanmar with respectable engineering jobs in Japan. Moreover this is totally free of any charges or obligations. Only one request I made is “please try hard and prove yourself” and this will lead to the next recruitment for your juniors back in Myanmar.
Updates
After treatment & rehab, he recovered from the Stroke reported in the post.
Seated : U Soe Paing, U Thein Lwin (GBNF), U Tin Swe (GBNF), U Sein Hlaing (Professor, GBNF), U Kyaw Tun (GBNF), U Sein Win (GBNF), U San Tint (GBNF)
Standing : U Soe Min (GBNF), U Chin Way (GBNF), U Win Tin, U Ba Myint, U Nyi Nyi (GBNF), U Moe Aung, U Sein Maung
Studying abroad : U Myo Kyi, U Ba Lwin, U Tin Maung Thein
Absentee: U Khine Oo
U Myo KyiU Ba LwinU Tin Mg Thein
Associated Article
I wrote “A short and sad clip : EE Sayas” for the commemorative issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2010. Saya U Moe Aung suggested the title of my article.
Sayagyis & senior sayas
Source : Saya U Myo Kyi (EE59)
U Moe AungSPZP
1. U Kyaw Tun 1950 – 1971 (started teaching at BOC College)
C Ping Lee
2. U C Ping Lee 1950 – 1952 3. U Sein Hlaing 1954 – 1986 4. U Tin Swe 1954 – 1998 5. Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Part time) 1959 6. U Htin Paw 1958 – 1959 7. U Ba Nyunt 1958 – 1959 8. Dr. A. E. Guile (Colombo Plan) 1959 – 1960 9. U Myo Kyi 1959 – 2002 10. Dr. Ba Lwin 1959 – 1994 11. U L. Tin Htun 1959 – 1960 12. Teoh Chin Koon 1959 – 1960 13. U Sein Win 1960 – 1994 14. Dr. San Tint 1961 – 2002 15. Mr. Zagarosky (Russian) 1962 – 1963 16. Dr. Ba Myint 1963 – 2000 17. U Sein Maung 1963 – 1994 18. U Khine Oo 1963 – 1996 19. Dr. Win Tin 1963 – 1990 20. U Moe Aung 1963 – 1990 21. U Chin Way 1963 – 1968 22. U Soe Min 1963 – 1965 23. U Nyi Nyi 1963 – 1965 24. U Thein Lwin 1964 – 1972 25. U Soe Paing 1964 – 1971 26. U Tin Maung Thein 1965 – 1990 27. U Tin Shwe (Ashin Wi thu ta) 1966 – 1996 28. Daw Mya Mya Than 1968 – 2003 29. U Than Lwin 1970 – 1994 30. U Kyaw Lwin 1970 – 1991 31. U Tin Win 1972 – 1980 32. U Thein Dan 1973 – 1997 33. U Khin Soe 1973 – 1982 34. Daw Khin Aye Win 1973 – 2009 35. Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee 1973 – 2000 36. U Kyaw Aung (U Kyin Phyuu) 1973 – 37. U Aung Than (U Ah Chun) 1973 – 2004 38. Daw Khin Swe Oo 1974 – 2002 39. U Clement Sadhana 1976 – 2010 40. Daw Than Than Win 1976 – 2012 41. Daw Khin Tint 1981 – 2008 42. U Myint Oo 1982 – 1990 43. Daw Khin Ma Ma Soe 1982 – 2008
U Sein MaungU Ba Myint U Khine OoU Soe PaingDaw Mya Mya ThanU Thein DanU Tin Win U Ko Ko KyiDaw Khin Aye Win
Editor’s Notes
U Kyaw Naing (Sin Gwan, EC70) is GBNF.
U Ko Ko Kyi (EC72) later worked in Malaysia and Canada.
More EE Sayas (Electronics and Power)
U Win Khaing Moe
U Maung Maung Latt
Daw Lei Lei Yee
Daw Khin Sandar Tun
Daw Khin Lay Wai
Daw Zin Mar Oo
Daw Khaing Khaing Kyaw
Daw Thazin Phyu
Daw Myint Myint Lwin
Daw Lei Lei Win
Daw Thidar Than (1)
Daw Mya Mya Aye
Daw Myint Myint Than
Daw Tin Tin Naing
Daw Sint Sint Win
Daw Thandar Naing
Daw Khin Swe Lwin
Daw Myint Myint Mon
Daw Nilar Aung
U Zaw Min Naing
Daw Moe Nilar
Daw Khin Moe Yee
Daw Kaythi Khaing
Daw Ah Tar Mon
Daw Ni Ni Thein Htay Pe
Daw Thidar Than (2)
U Thein Htay
U Tun Oo
Daw Aye Aye Mar
Daw Ni Ni Win
Daw San Myint Yee
U Aung Naing
Daw Naing Naing Maw
U Ananda
Daw Lei Lei Sein
Daw Min Min Myat
Daw Thi Thi Soe
Daw Mar Mar Lwin
Daw Su Myat Htut
Daw Win Lein Aye
Daw Han Thu Lwin
Daw Yin Yin Htwe
Daw Naing Naing Win
Daw Khin Kyu Kyu Win
Daw Cho Cho Aung
Daw Tin Tin Aye
Daw Ni Mar Nwe Aung
Daw Ei Ei Khin
Daw Kyaaw Khin
U Zaw Min Aung
Daw Aye Thinn Naing
Daw Nwe Ni Aye
U Soe Naing
Daw Phyu Phyu Moe
Daw Marlar Kyaw
Daw Aye Aye Thinn
EE Association (1965 – 66)
EE Association for 1965-66
Seated : Ma Pwint Than, Ma Yi Yi Aung, U Sein Win (Vice President), U Kyaw Tun (President), Ko Shwe Win (Secretary), Ma Mya Mya Than, Ma Mo Mo Yi
Middle row : Ko Thein Swe, Ko Soe Than, U Sein Maung (Auditor), U Soe Paing, U San Tint, U Moe Aung (Treasurer), U Thein Lwin, U Soe Min
Last row : Ko Nyunt Pe, Ko Ye Win, Mehm Ye Win, Ko Kyaw Swe Win, Ko Hla Min, Ko Myo Myint, Ko Hla Thaung, Ko Aung Khin, Ko Soe Win, Ko Tin Than
I served as a EC member.
Hlyat Sit Sar Saung (1965 – 66)
Seated : Ma Mo Mo Yi, Ma Than Yi (Associate Editor), U Moe Aung (Chief Editor), U Kyaw Tun (Patron), Ko Ye Win (Secretary), Ma Yi Yi Aung
Standing : Ko Sann Oo (Associate Editor), Ko Thein Tun, Ko Hla Min, Ko Myo Myint (Associate Editor), Ko Soe Tha, Ko Soe Win, Mehm Ye Win
I served as a member.
Saya U Sein Win (GBNF)
Younger brother of Dr. Tin U (Medical Superintendent, Rangoon Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Saw Lwin.
Top student at the University of Michigan.
His friends called him “Khone Swa Khone Swa” referring to his brisk walking style.
Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
When EE Department was reorganized, he served as Professor of EP.
Saya is an absent minded Professor. He married late. One day, he drove Sayagadaw to Bogyoke Market. He taught (or discussed with) his students for quite some time and almost forgot to pick up Sayagadaw. There are variations on this anecdote regarding the place (e.g. Hledan Zay).
He served as Technical Advisor for UCC. He worked closely with U Win Htein (Purdue University, EE at PWD, GBNF) for the design & maintenance of the Electrical Systems (including Motor Alternator, Diesel Generator, Air conditioning) at UCC.
Line Judge at the RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) Regattas.
President, RIT Swimming Association; He stays fit by swimming regularly (even when he was visiting Singapore on a business trip).
He has a vast knowledge. Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) remembers Saya U Sein Win discussing about Civil Engineering and other subjects.
Updates
Several senior sayas — U Kyaw Tun, C Ping Lee, U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Sein Win, U Thein Lwin, Dr. San Tint, U Soe Min, U Chin Way, U Nyi Nyi, U Tin Shwe, Daw Mya Mya Than, U Kyaw Naing, U Kyaw Lwin, Daw Nyunt Nyunt Yee, U Khin Soe — are GBNF.
Some — U Moe Aung, U Tin Win, U Thein Dan — have medical problems.
Registrar, Rangoon University Helped the establishment of RC (Recreation Center)
Former Warden, Prome Hall known for excellent Soccer teams
Later moved to Bagan Road Residence
After retirement from RU, he was offered lucrative job as Consultant in several countries. He opted to stay in Burma and found IFL (Institute of Foreign Languages).
Spouse : Dr. Daw Phay who was close to Dr. Daw Yin May and helped deliver Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (Johnny Kyaw Myint), U Htin Kyaw (Peter Wun) and several others.
Children : Dr. Marie Yu Khin (Medical doctor in Australia, GBNF) Dr. Richard Yu Khin (Economist in USA, GBNF) …
Richard Yu Khin
Highlights
Matriculated from MEHS in 1961
Also passed GCE
Represented Rangoon University & Burma in 1961 SEAP Games held in Rangoon. Teamed up with U Maung Maung Lwin (Jamie, Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club, Olympian weightlifter, Publisher) to win a Gold Medal in Yachting.
Left RU before graduation to pursue studies in the USA.
Doctorate in Economics from Yale University.
Lived in Dallas, Texas.
Had two Facebook pages : one for Personal, another for Sailing
Now GBNF
Contributions
Shared a photo of the Rangoon University Athletes who represented Burma in the Second SEAP Games held in Rangoon in December 1961.
Commented on my post on Swimming. A Japanese coach trained selected swimmers led by Tin Maung Ni and including Richard Yu Khin.
Commented on my post on Matriculates. Provided information about top MEHS matriculates.
Posted about former sayas and students of MEHS.
Posted a photo of Pagan and Sagaing Road residents. Children of U Yu Khin, U Wun (Minthuwun), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Myo Min (English Professor) became Ph.Ds, medical doctors and professors.
Richard Yu Khin’s Post (in 2018)
If you have spare time visit “Hla Min” Facebook page which provides excellent & amazing historical information of my generation. I have for years been trying to find information about Ko Ba Min who kindly met me at the helicopter landing site when I arrived at Berkeley, California in August 1963. I was trying to decide whether to attend UC-Berkeley or Yale. I stayed a week in Berkeley, 4 days at the International House and 3 days at Ko Ba Min’s apartment because I became home-sick. Every one there told me to choose Yale. Ko Ba Min then was studying for a Master’s degree in Mathematics at UC-Berkeley. I have often wondered what happened to Ko Ba Min. On “Hla Min” website I found out Ko Ba Min returned to Burma to teach Mathematics and Astronomy and then resigned for medical reasons. Thank you for that information. During my teenage years Ko Ba Min and Peter Kyaw Sein would frequently visit Pagan Road to view the belles of our neighborhood.
____
At Berkeley I met Dr. U Myint (later Economic Advisor to President Thein Sein) who was preparing to defend his PhD dissertation and a Burma state scholar studying for PhD in physics or chemistry. Miss Cobb who is a friend of my aunt when she attended UC-Berkeley in 1950 took me on a tour of San Francisco. She told me to visit her cousin who was the Chaplain at Yale University. Reverend Coffin later became leader of the anti-Vietnam War movement in USA.
Comments
Oak Soe Kha wrote : Lived at Pagan Road as well, opposite Richard’s house. We are childhood friends, hanging out in the University campus. My father (Dr. Maung Maung Kha) and uncle Yu Khin worked close together. Apart from us, U Aung Khin (Chemistry), U Ba Nyunt (Chit Doke Kha, History) were residents of Pagan Road also. Professor U Myo Min (English) lived on Sagaing Road, as did Dr. Htin Aung (Rector) and not Pagan Road.
Ko Ba Min matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He studied Maths and Astronomy at University of California at Berkeley. After returning from USA, he stayed with his brother in the Port Commissioner Quarters in Windermere Crescent (off Inya Road). Played records (such as Peter, Paul and Mary; Joan Baez) that he brought back from the USA. He taught at Rangoon University and Mandalay University. When he was transferred to Myitkyina College, he resigned citing his health. He ran a shop in Zay Cho. Japanese tourists were surprised and delighted to find out that Ko Ba Min studied with their professor at Berkeley. They took photos of Ko Ba Min to show to their professor.
U Kyaw Sein is an early graduate from Rangoon University (in 1928). He served as Chief Engineer of National Housing Board. Children : Peter Kyaw Sein (GBNF), Victor Kyaw Sein, Ruby Kyaw Sein …
Updates
Some RU Students who represented Burma at the 2nd SEAP Games are GBNF. They include Kyaw Mra and Richard Yu Khin.
Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie, spouse of Marie) passed away in Australia.
February has 28 days in a common year, and 29 days in a leap year.
April, June, September and November have 30 days.
January, March, July, August, October and December have 31 days.
January : 31
February : 28 (or 29) February is the shortest month in the year with 28 days in a Common Year and 29 days in a Leap Year.
March : 31
April : 30
May : 31
June : 30
July : 31
August : 31
September : 30
October : 31
November : 30
December : 31
Days in a year
A common year has 365 days, while a Solar year has 365.2422 days.
A year which is not a Century year is a Leap Year if it is divisible by 4. The discrepancy of .9688 days is rounded up to a day.
A year which is a Century year is a Leap Year if it is divisible by 400. This ensures that there are 97 leap years in four centuries.
Grapevine
February initially had 30 days, but one day each was transferred to July (honoring Julius Caesar) and August (honoring Augustus Caesar) to have 31 days in those months (worthy of Roman Emperors).
February was left with 28 days.
Ripley’s “Believe it or not” illustrated a grave stone which had February 30.
Special Days
We were aware of
Father’s Day
Mother’s Day
Labor Day
Christmas
Easter
Thanksgiving
Independence Day
Presidents’ Day
Valentine’s Day
Differences
For a long time, we were not aware that some special events are celebrated on different days (depending on the country and religious order).
Most Christian denominations celebrate according to the Gregorian Calendar.
The Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas and Easter according to the old calendars (e.g. Julian).
The Theravada Buddhists celebrate the Full Moon Day of Kason as the “Thrice Blessed Day”.
The Mahayana celebrate the events (Birth, Enlightenment, Maha Parinibbana) on dates different from those of Theravada Buddhists.
Some Thoughts
We later learn about
Kabyar (Poem) Nay
Myat Saya (Teacher) Nay
Secretary Day
Friend Day
Pi Day
Some wonder why there is no Grandfather’s Day, Grandmother’s Day or Grandparent’s Day.
Holidays
Not all special days and events are holidays.
Even among holidays, there are Public Holidays, State Holidays, and Bank Holidays.
There may be good reasons (social, commercial) for having the designated days.
Thanksgiving
For us, every day is Thanksgiving (time to repay to our parents and mentors for their unbounded love and care).
Adeline Hpyu Hpyu Aung wrote :
Yes Saya. We should be thanking God, Parents and teachers everyday, without them we will not be who we are.
KMZ wrote :
My left brain at times over-analyzed many of these days.
Many of these holidays are the work of “Holiday Industrial Complex”.
As Ma Adelyne Hpyu Hpyu Aung posted, some of these days like Mothers’ Day/Fathers’ Day should be 365 days a year, not necessarily just the designated day a year.
Believe it nor not there also is a ‘National Splurge Day’ which is June 18th. US Congress eventually passed a law to stop creating those days.
AD stands for Anno Domini / “In the year of our Lord”
Also known as CE (Common Era)
Usually differs from the Burmese Era by 638 Note : Burmese New Year falls in mid-April. So, the Gregorian year will span two Burmese years.
BC
BC stands for “Before Christ“
BE / ME
Burmese / Myanmar Era
Started off with Sasana Era
Now differs by 1182 due to “Thet ka rit phyo” (adjustment by two Kings who believed in the astrological “kain khan” sayings)
SE
SE stands for Sasana Era Sasana is usually rendered as “Dispensation of Buddha”
SE is reckoned from Maha Parinibbana (Death of Lord Buddha)
In the mid 1950s, the Sixth Buddhist Council was held at the Kaba Aye (World Peace) Pagoda to celebrate the 2500 year of the Sasana Era.
Sample Conversions
Suppose the Burmese Era is 1382 BE, then Sasana Era = 1382 + 1182 = 2564 and Common Era = 1382 + 638 = 2020
Note:
January, February, March and early April of 2020 AD will correspond to 1381 BE. The latter part of April, and May to December of 2020 AD will correspond to 1382 BE.
USA hosted the FirstRIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
The Celebrations kicked off with an Informal “Welcome” Dinner / Gathering” at a Sea Food Restaurant. The Main event was the Reunion and SPZP at Embassy Suites Hotel near San Francisco International Airport. The Family event was the “Farewell” Lunch / Gathering at a High School.
Donors
Saya Allen Htay‘s article, “Can you spare US$500 and more?” was a major factor for having Donors — large and small — for SPZP-2000.
There were Five Golden Sponsors. Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California) Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70, Northern California) Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey) David Ko (U Tin Myint, GBNF, M67, Northern California) U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)
SPZP-2000 Organizers
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, web master) copied the names/tags from the very first posting from his album.
Sitting L-R: Saya U Mya Htoo (Civil 68), U Benny Tan (Yu Beng, Mech 70), Saya KC Chiu (Dr. Tin Aung, Chem 63), U Hla Min (EC 69) Editor Extraordinaire, Saya U Allen Htay (GBNF, Civil 58), Saya U Nyo Win (Dr. K H Chen, Mech 65), Saya U Tin Htut (Mech 60), Saya U Maung Maung (George, Chem 66), Daw San San Nyunt (Sandra, Mrs. Thein Aung, Mech 76)
Standing L-R: U Soe Aung (Mech 75), U Gordan Kaung (Kaung Kaung Oo, Mech 83), U Myint Swe (EP 74), U Anthony Ng (Aye Tun, Mech 76), U Mya Thwin (Phillip, EP 75), U Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, Mech 75), U Thura Thant Zin (Mech 76), Sayalay U Thein Aung (James, Met 72), U Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, GBNF, Civil 63), U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76), Daw Yi Yi Khaing (Audrey Wong, Civil 84), Daw San SanSwe (Mrs Myint Swe, EC74)
All of them, except KMZ, live in various cities across Northern and Southern California. KMZ lives in a city near Seattle, Washington State.
Publications
The Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” was published for SPZP-2000. I served as Chief Editor. Henry Lim (U Aung Myint, BAPS) and U Thein Aung (Met72) volunteered as Associate Editors. Maurice Chee (M75) served as Publisher (in addition to being Co-Chair, Working Committee; Financial Controller; Logistics Head)
It featured articles by Sayas and Alumni.
My poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” was published in the Newsletter as well as in the ex-RIT website (designed and implemented by U Khin Maung Zaw). Several sayas and alumni contributed to the two series : 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” articles and 36 “Post-Reunion” articles
SAYA PUZAW PWE Poem by Hla Min
S eems like it was only yesterday A t our alma mater in a land far away Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky
P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey U nderstand concepts, design, display, … Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day” A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay
P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet W ith memories true, fond, sweet E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete
Notes
The term “SAYA GADAW PWE” has religious connotations.
Since the SPZP-2000 organizers and attendees profess different religions, the term SAYA PUZAW PWE (meaning honoring the mentors and paying respect to them for their metta and cetana) was chosen.
GBNF means “Gone But Not Forgotten“.
As of March 1, 2024. the GBNF list for the Class of 69 is 128 (about 40%).
Of the 20 (or so) EE sayas of our RIT days, almost half are GBNF.
Singapore SPZPs
Singapore hosted SPZPs in December 2002, April 2007 and December 2010.
Saya U Moe Aung was Chair of SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010.
U Nyan Win Shwe (William, M72) chaired SPZP-2007.
Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” was published for each SPZP. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as Chief Editor.
My poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” was reprinted on the Back Cover of SPZP-2002 Sar Saung.
My poem “SWE DAW YEIK” was printed in SPZP-2007 Sar Saung. In my later writings, I use SWEL DAW (following Saya’s usage) instead of SWE DAW.
My article “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” was published in SPZP-2010 Sar Saung”.
Yangon SPZPs
Yangon hosted SPZPs in December 2004, December 2012 and December 2016.
There was a slight earthquake on the day of SPZP-2004.
A follow-up SPZP was scheduled for Yangon in December 2006, but changes in Political Climate dictated the SPZP to be rescheduled for Singapore in April 2007 (around Thingyan).
SPZP-2012 was the first to be held at the Gyogone Campus.
Thanks to H.E. U Aye Myint (EP72) for his initiative to bring back glory to our beloved alma mater, and to the sayas, sayamas, and alumni who made the “Home Coming Reunion” possible.
There were tears of joys.
On a sad note, the higher authorities transferred U Aye Myint to another Ministry before he could help the alma mater to the fullest extent.
SPZP-2012 led to the founding of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF), the Shwe YaDu Celebrations (with the planting of 50 Swel Daw Bins), and the RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association (ARITA) — to name a few.
SPZP-2016 was a FREE All Day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) at the Gyogone Campus.
Due to the pandemic, SPZP-2000 was cancelled.
Not sure if there will be a SPZP (as comprehensive as SPZP-2016) in a foreseeable future.
Jara, Byadi and Marana have hit many sayas and alumni.
HlaMin 