HlaMin

Tag: BaThan

  • GBNF

    GBNF

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Oct 2025

    Gone But Not Forgotten

    • Conventional wisdom says, “Pyauk thor thu shar hlyin tway. Thay thor thu kyar hlyin mae.” ပျောက်သောသူ ရှာလျှင်တွေ့။ သေသောသူ ကြာလျှင်မေ့။ One may find a lost person. One tends to forget those who have passed away.
    • Unconventional wisdom says, “We should maintain GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) lists as part of the Written History of our beloved alma mater, our mentors and colleagues.”
    • We use GBNF in the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and in my Posts.
      Other posts may provide additional information for the entries in the GBNF (by period or year) posts.
    • Others use RIP (Rest in Peace), and BFHA (Bound For Higher Abode)

    First RIT Website

    U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) set up three GBNF pages on ex-RIT.org web site :

    • GBNF for sayas and sayamas
    U Ba Hli
    • GBNF for alumni
    • GBNF for spouses

    I used GBNF in the last stanza of my poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” for SPZP-2000. The poem was reprinted as the Back Cover of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2000. It was only reprinted by the Class of 69 and Combined 1st BE intake of 64 and 65.

    Poem for SPZP-2000

    GBNF for RIT Class of 69

    The GBNF list is maintained by U Aung Min (M69) and team.

    There are 138 entries in the GBNF list. About 20 succumbed to Covid.

    About 320 students entered the first ever 2nd BE in 1964. The list includes a few seniors who took sabbatical in their study and ended up as our classmates. Over 40% of our former classmates have passed away.

    69ers GBNF

    EE69ers

    There were 13 EC69ers. The following have passed away :

    • U Kyaw Soe (DCA)
    • U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, Schlumberger)
    U Aung Thu Yein
    • U Chit Tin (MOGE)
    U Chit Tin & Maung Kabar
    • U Oo Kyaw Hla (Canada)
    • Sai Aik Yee

    Several EPers are also GBNF. They include

    • Khin Maung Win (Sargalay)
    Khin Maung Win (Sargalay)
    • Thein Swe (3rd BE Luyechun)
    • Aung Gyi Shwe (Track & Field)
    • Soe Win (Basketball)
    • Khin Win (Weightlifting)
    • Abdul Rauf

    Golden Jubileees

    Due to the decline of health of 69ers, the group chose to have two Golden Jubilees : the first in 2014 to celebrate the admission to RIT, and the second in December 2019 to celebrate the graduation of most members in 1969.

    GBNF for RIT Class of 70

    U Ohn Khine (M70) reported close to 130 entries in the GBNF list of the Class of 70.

    Tommy Shwe, Cho Aye, Peter Pe and Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay) were among the Top Ten students from the class. They are now GBNF.

    Tommy Shwe
    Steeve Kay (Thaung Sein)
    Cho Aye

    Over 450 students entered the first ever 1st BE.

    GBNF from PPBRS

    Most of my sayas and sayamas from PPBRS have passed away.

    U Kyaw Zaw & Daw Khin Khin Aye

    Among my PPBRS classmates, Myo Set (son of actor Tha Gaung Gyi) was the first to pass away. He perished in a car accident. Myint Sein (Veda) and Myat Hla Sein (Movie Tech) are among the recent GBNF from PPBRS.

    Myat Hla Sein

    GBNF from SPHS

    Most of my sayas and sayamas from SPHS have passed away. Sayadaw Beatson (Physics, Boy Scouts) is still active and strong.

    SPHS Sayas

    Among my SPHS classmates, Min Thaw (Gilbert, SPHS63) is among the early ones to pass away. Dr. Myo San (Freddie), Aung Thu Yein (Brownie), Tin Tun, Maung Maung Kyi, Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi), Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung), Aung Chaw (Victor) are among the GBNF from SPHS63.

    Myo San (Freddie)
    Maung Maung Kyi
    Soon Kyaw by Kyaw Wynn

    GBNF from UCC & ICST

    Several of my sayas, colleagues and former students have passed away.

    CO Hla Min (Pauk Si) is an early GBNF from UCC. U Aung Zaw, Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, U Maung Maung Lay (Ah Ba), U Aung Myint and U Maung Maung Gyi are among the recent GBNF from UCC.

    Dr. Chit Swe & U Aung Zaw
    Dr. Tin Maung & Daw Nge Ma Ma Than
    U Maung Maung Lay & U Maung Maung Gyi
    CO U Hla Min, U Aung Myint, U Aung Zaw

    Relatives

    • Dr. “Cherry” Khin Kyi Nyunt
    U Tin U, Dr. Cherry, Peter
    • Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun
    • U Tin Tun
    • Daw “Peggy” Than Than Yee
    • Dr. Khin Yi Than
    • Daw Aye May
    • Daw Hla Hla Myint
    • Dr. Myo Tint
    Dr. Myo Tint
    • Saya U Ba Than
    U Ba Than
    • Daw “Betty” Myint Thwe
    Daw Myint Thwe
    • Saya U Tin U
    U Tin U
    • U “Charlie” Thein Han
    U Thein Han

    Tone Kyaw တုံးကျော်

    One should have Samvegha (sense of urgency) after hearing the sad news. When my namesake Hla Min (Pauk Si, SPHS64, EP70) passed away in his mid-thirties, we were shocked since he seemed strong and did not wear jackets (mandated for UCC employees entering the Computer Room). He would often be seen in sport shirts. He passed away with a few months of being diagnosed with liver problem. The consultant doctor was Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS64, IM71). Ko Pauk Si was not a drinker, but other causes inflicted his liver. I became a Tone Kyaw when two government departments where I had given Guest Lectures on Computers and Applications tried to send me “Lwan Thu Pan Khwe” လွမ်းသူ့ပန်းခွေ

    U Han Sein (C69) became a Tone Kyaw when the Organizers of the 30th Anniversary of Graduation inadvertently listed him in the GBNF list of the Class of 69. The organizers were unaware that U Han Sein was detained by the authorities after the 8-8-88 event. He resurfaced two decades later with the declaration of Amnesty.

    Han Sein

    Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63) became a Tone Kyaw when his namesake Saya Dr, Tin Hlaing (formerly of Maritime Studies) passed away. Some alumni had to revoke the wrong announcement.

    Dr. Tin Hlaing
  • U Tin U & U Ba Than

    U Tin U & U Ba Than

    by Hla Min

    Update : Sept 2025

    HMEE

    Association of Engineers in Burma after World War

    • Told by Saya U Tin U — Interview for HMEE Project
    • Recorded by Saya U Ba Than
    • The Association was re-instituted about 1955-56.
    • President :
      Sayagyi U Ba Hli (Dean of Engineering, University of Rangoon, GBNF)
    • Honorary Secretary :
      Saya U Soon Sein (Professor, Mining, GBNF)
    • Honorary Treasurer :
      Saya U Tin U (Part time Lecturer, Civil)

    U Tin U

    U Tin U at SPZP-2012

    Highlights

    • Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1946.
    • Attended Rangoon University before going for studies in the USA.
    • Represented RUBC in the Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi in 1948 along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and Khin Maung Wint (Bobby).
    1948 Independence Day Regatta
    • Received BCSE from the University of Oregon and MCSE from Yale University.
    • Upon his return to Burma, he worked in the industry and taught part-time at the Civil Engineering department.
    • Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club
    • Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC

    Three Losses

    • Lost his spouse Dr. Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt in November 2019
    • Lost his elder son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) in April 2020
    • Lost his son-in-law U Tin Tun in May 2020
    U Tin U & Family
    U Tin U 3

    U Ba Than

    U Ba Than

    Highlights

    • Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947, and won the Collegiate Scholarship.
    • In 1949, he won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam.
    • RUBC Full Green
    • Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
    • Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
    • As a requirement for promotion, he did Masters at Imperial College.
    • Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
    Mech Engg Sayas
    • Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE-2012 project.
      Donated his photo albums.
      Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.

    Birthdays

    • Celebrations
    Birthday
    Soon Kyway
    • Before the pandemic, he invited colleagues and former students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
    • U Tin Htoon (A60, younger brother) compiled a Photo Album for Saya’s 90th Birthday
    U Ba Than
    • Donated all of the Garawa Money to various social & religious associations.
    • Passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
    U Ba Than & Daw Mya Mya
    U Ba Than & Family

    Updates

    • Four of the nine siblings are members of the 90+ Club like their mother.
    • U Tin U (eldest) passed away on Aug 19, 2025 — a few weeks after his 96th birthday. He was the most senior Past Captain of RUBC. He was also the oldest Yale University alumni from Burma.
    • U Ba Than (2nd oldest) passed away after his 94th birthday.
    • Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, 3rd) celebrated her 93rd birthday on Aug 31, 2025.
    • Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, 4th) passed away two months before her 91st birthday.
  • Talk — Dana

    Talk — Dana

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast

    U Ba Than

    Introduction

    • Dana stands for offering, alms, and donation. It is for Sharing and Caring.
    • Dana transcends religion and culture.

    For Buddhists

    • Dana provides opportunities to gain kusala (wholesome deeds) before, during and after the offering.
    • One can share merits when performing a Dana. One can rejoice past Dana and gain merits.
    • Dana may be performed anonymously, privately or publicly. Dana may be performed daily or on specific occasions (e.g. sabbath, birthday, anniversary).

    Dhamma Dana

    Individuals, groups and organizations offer free books and CDs covering dhamma talks. They include :

    • Dhamma Download web sites
    • Triple Gems Publications
    • Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC)

    An old saying states, “Dhamma Dana excels all Dana”.

    Double Dana

    • Sayagyi U Ba Than donates the Garwara Money that he received from the SPZPs and alumni back to Charitable Organizations.
    • During one my visits, I witnessed the donation of One Lakh Kyat each to ten organizations.
      They include : Bo Bwa Yeik Tha, Little Sisters for the Poor, School for Deaf and Dumb, School for the Blind, U Hla Tun Foundation, Nar Yay Ah Thin.

    Pyinnya Dana

    It may stand for offerings made for the advancement of education (of the people and the society).

    There are different forms of Pyinnya Dana. They include :

    • Sponsoring scholarships (e.g. NorCal RITAA provide some financial assistance to eligible YTU students with the help of RITAA.)
    • Donating to the “YTU Library Modernization”
    • Sharing of experience, knowledge and wisdom

    Health Care

    Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF) provides some financial assistance to eligible sayas and sayamas for Hospitalization and Frequent visits to the Clinic.

    Individuals and groups donated for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

    Variant strains of COVID-19 were reported in UK in December 2020 in UK; and in Japan in January 2021.

    Cash and Kind

    RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins donate to the various noble causes (e.g. SPZP, Shwe YaDu, YTU Library) in cash and kind (e.g. paintings, cartoons).

  • Winner Inn

    Winner Inn

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    • Winner Inn is run by Saya U Ba Than’s family : son Ye Than, daughter-in-law Win Mar Oo, grandson Aung Myo Myint and granddaughter Ei Khine.
    U Ba Than
    • Before the family moved to a new residential home (a little bit further down Than Lwin Road), Saya would entertain his relatives (visiting from abroad), former colleagues and students at Winner Inn.

    Gatherings

    • An informal gathering took place at Winner Inn in January 2017.
      Attendees include Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, GBNF) & Daw Win Mar, U Hla Win, U Aung Moung (GBNF), my spouse and me
    • U Aung Moung came to see Saya U Ba Than and Daw Win Mar.
      It’s a small world. Win Mar’s older brother was a childhood friend of U Aung Moung.
    • Sadly, U Aung Moung passed away in 2018.
      He was active in HMEE, SDYF and several social and religious organizations.
      Several monks arranged their own transportation to attend U Aung Moung’s last journey at Yay Way.

    Dr. Peter Khin Tun (GBNF)

    • Peter would usually come back to Yangon before January 12 to celebrate his mother Dr. Kyi Kyi Nyunt’s birthday. His father U Tin U is the elder brother of Saya U Ba Than.
    • Peter would host some celebrations (e.g. engagement party of his elder son Min Ko) at Winner Inn.
    • Sad to report that Peter was an early victim of Covid and lax UK Hospital policies about PPE. He passed away on April 13, 2020 (which was Easter Monday & start of Thingyan). The sad news is covered in BBC and some UK newspapers.
    • His spouse Win Mar recovered after two weeks of treatment at the hospital.
    • On a bright note, Peter was given awards posthumously and the UK hospital systems adopted better procedures.
  • Oct 2017

    Oct 2017

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    69ers

    The Class of 69 (mostly M69) paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Than on October 1, 2017.

    U Aung Min was the organizer.

    U Ba Than

    The group attended the birthday celebration ceremony and received blessing from sayargyi. The group handed over garawa birthday gifts that they had collected before and on the monthly breakfast gathering held earlier that day.

    Sayagyi U Ba Than

    Sayagyi usually performs dana with the Garawa money he received for his birthday and for attending the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs.

    Sayagyi has supported various charitable associations for the needy, the sick, the blind, the deaf and dumb, old people and “Nar Ye” . They include

    • Little Sisters for the Poor
    • U Hla Tun Foundation
    • Jivitadana ဇီဝိတဒါန
    • Hnin Si Gone Bo Bwa Yeik Tha နှင်းဆီကုန်းဘိုးဘွားရိပ်သာ
    • Mary Chapman
    • Kyaw Thu Nar Ye (နာရေး အဖွဲ့)
    • Medical Clinics

    On his Birthday every year, Sayagyi offers “soon kwyay” ဆွမ်းကျွေး at Yaw Sayadaw’s monastery.

    The Soon kwyay held on October 2, 2017 was attended by sayas, alumni, relatives and friends.

    Updates

    • During the pandemic, physical gatherings were put on hold. Celebrations were done virtually, e.g via Zoom
    • U Tin Htoon compiled a Photo Album for Sayagyi’s 90th birthday in 2020.
    U Ba Than
    • Sayagyi passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.

    Posts

    • B (Names)
    • Dana
    • Engineering Library
    • Garawa
    • HMEE
    • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Sayas

    Mechanical Sayas

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Mech Sayas
    • The photo was probably taken in the late 1980s.
    • There were only two Sayamas among the 40 or so Mechanical Engineering Sayas & Sayamas.

    The following sayas are GBNF

    • U Maung Maung Than
    • U Ba Than
    • U Aung Than
    • S. Arya
    • U Khin Maung
    • U Soe Lwin
    • U Kyaw Sein
    • U Tin Maung Oo
    • Dr. Chan Nyein
    • U Thein Tun Aung
    • U Hla Thwin
    • S Kyaw Aye

    Comments

    • The photo does not include U Tin Myint, Dr. Lu Aye and U Zaw Hein Kyaw — all M80. They were doing postgraduate studies in Melbourne, Australia.
    • Dr. Jesse Htwe was in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2000, but she did not attend SPZP-2000.
    • I met several Mech sayas at the SPZPs and Mech Gatherings (as Guest) in Yangon.