HlaMin

Tag: Talk

  • English Study 3 (Talk)

    English Study 3 (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Judson

    Video Broadcast on January 24, 2021

    Thesaurus

    • Roget’s Thesaurus
      Original : Organized as 1000 Topics
    • Thesaurus
      Dictionary form : Alphabetical Order
    • Visual Thesaurus

    Thanks to my Parents and Uncles

    • Classics Illustrated
    • Junior Classics Illustrated
    • Look and Learn
    • How and Why
    • Stories / Tales
      Aesop’s Fables
      Grimm Brothers
      …
    • Pears’ Cyclopedia
    • Encyclopedia Britannica
    • Five Minute Biographies
    • Readers’ Digest (Magazine and Books)
    • Comics
    • Cartoons
  • Early Scholars To UK (Talk)

    Early Scholars To UK (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 18, 2021

    Dr. Hla Myint

    Dr. Hla Myint
    • Studied for Doctorate in Economics in the UK
    • Became Professor and Head of Economics Department
    • Retired as Rector of the University of Rangoon
    • Continued as Researcher, Scholar and Administrator in UK.
    • There is an Economic Theory with Saya’s name.

    Dr. Tha Hla

    Dr. Tha Hla
    • Studied for Doctorate in Geology in the UK
    • Became Professor and Head of Geology Department
    • Retired as Rector of the University of Rangoon
    • Served as UN Advisor in several countries (e.g. France) and settled in Thailand.
    • There are several anecdotes about Saya.
    • When an AFPFL minister protested the States Scholarship for his mentee Dr. Nyi Nyi, Saya did not back out.
      He pushed the nomination through during a period when the minister was away.
    • Saya is highly regarded for “Leader by Example“
      Saya calmly convinced the students and crowd (following the agitator Ajala) to disperse
    • Director Thar Du was unhappy when Saya (as Member of the Movie Censor Board) recommended some parts of the movie to be revised.
      Thar Du was surprised and delighted when Saya voted the same movie for an Academy Award.
      Saya explained that the two roles required different consideration.
    • During his stay in Thailand (while waiting for a US visa), Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) was recommended by Dr. Tha Hla to be a proof reader for the Nation newspaper.
    • He hosted people with different backgrounds and beliefs and helped them if needed. Saya offered guests (including U Tin Maung Nyunt) his collection of Whiskey and drinks. He had two recommendations :
      “Do not spoil Whiskey by adding water or soda.”
      “You can drink Ah Yet (liquor), but never let Ah Yet drink you.”

    Dr. Maung Maung Kha

    Dr. Mg Mg Kha
    • I have written several posts about Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha.
      Dr. Oke Soe Kha provided photos and information about his parents Saya Kha and Sayama Daw Ruby.
    • Studied for Doctorate in Metereological Physics in the UK
    • In the early days, the Physics Department was run with the experts from Meteorology Department.
    • Became Professor and Head of Physics Department
    • Served as Rector of the University of Rangoon, Rangoon Arts and Science University (RASU) and University Distance Learning
    • He is the longest tenured Rector in RU and its descendant Universities
    • Shwe Ku May Hnin remembered Saya Kha’s smile when a student (from the Social and Reading Club) asked him, “Saya, will you continue the tradition of Di Tha Par Mauk Kha Saya giving away his beautiful daughters to brilliant students?”.
    • A member of the RU Centennial group remembered Saya Kha’s smile and forgiveness when he was inadvertently hit by a student (who had to take classes at Workers’ College and come to the Main Campus for practical sessions).
      The young Physics sayas U Thein Aung (Micky) and U Thein Htut scolded the offender and his companions for not knowing Sayagyi.
    • Per Dr. Alvin Oak Soe Kha, his father is the Rector with the longest tenure and is known for his kindness and compassion.
      He also enjoyed seeing his father played the violin and sang songs together with the renowned artist Saya U Ba Kyi.
      “Only Two” (English translation of “Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin Hte” by Saya U Ba Kyi) was a hit at the RU Annupyinnya Ah Thinn.

    Other Scholars

    • Dr. Po Aye studied Meteorology
      Retired as Director General of Meteorology and Hydrology
    • U Pe Maung Tin
      Pali and Myanmar Scholar
    • ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa)
      Khit San Sar Pay co-founder
    • U Thein Han (Zawgyi)
      Khit San Sar Pay co-founder
    • U Wun (Minthuwun)
      Khit San Sar Pay co-founder
    • Dr. Hla Phay
    • U Tet Tut
  • Fortune Telling (Talk)

    Fortune Telling (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on October 9, 2020

    Bedin

    • Myanmar Astrology (variants)
    • Let Yoe Bedin
    • Let Sann Bedin

    Numerology (variants)

    • Single digit (1 to 9)
      Numbers reduced to a single digit
    • Two digits
      e.g day of month
    • Superstition / Bias
      e.g 13 for unlucky

    Predictions based on stories

    • Mahosada
    • Janaka
    • Sticks used at Chinese and Vietnamese temples

    Zodiac Signs

    • Chinese Zodiac (12 animals)
    • Western Zodiac
      Aries, Taurus …
    • Eastern Zodiac
      Meiktha …

    Miscellaneous

    • Precession of the equinoxes
    • Tarot
    • Crystal Ball
    • Tea Leaves
    • Ah Yu Daw Mingalar
    • Inga Weikza
    • Names
    YouTube
  • November (Talk)

    November (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on November 21, 2020

    Nov means 9

    • 9th month of old Roman Calendar
    • 11th month of Gregorian Calendar

    November 1919

    • Truce declared for First World War (WWI)
    • Nov 11, 11:11 AM
    • Armistice Day
    • Veteran’s Day (USA)

    November 1963

    President John F Kennedy

    • “Men on the Moon” speech at Rice University in Houston, Texas
    • Assassination on November 22 at Dallas, Texas
    • Books, Movies about JFK

    Thanksgiving

    Fourth Thursday

    • Dinner
    • Family gathering

    Black Friday

    • Discount for shopping

    Cyber Monday

    • Discount for online shopping

    Commercialization

    • Extended period for shopping

    US Election

    Second Tuesday of November

    Yearly :

    • Local

    Every two years :

    • House of Representatives
    • One third of Senators

    Every four years

    • President
    • Inauguration on Jan 20 the following year

    November 2019

    • Gatherings in Singapore and Yangon
    • Panelist at 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay

    November 2020

    • Wrote “Countdown to RU Centennial” posts
    • Complete 100+ Daily Videos
    • Complete 2500+ articles in Personal Web Site
    5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival
    Videos
  • Virus (Talk)

    Virus (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 1, 2021

    Basics

    • Virus is a Pathogen
      Other Pathogens : Bacteria, Fungi, Worm …
      Studied in Microbiology
    • RNA (Type of nucleic acid with a single strand)
      Studied in Genetics
    • Virus may be Symbiotic or Parasitic
      Not all viruses are harmful
    • Need a host cell to multiply
    • Methods of transmission
      via animals and insects
      (some) human-to-human
      bodily contact
      air borne (time and distance may vary)
    • May cause damage to cells and organs
    • May mutate
      e.g. new flu shots every year

    Coronavirus

    • Shaped like a Corona (“Crown” of Sun)
    • Human Coronavirus found around 1955
    • Different kinds of impact : from mild to severe (deadly)
    • Common cold (mildest)
    • Flu (may cause aches and pains)
    • SARS : Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (mortality rate around 9%)
    • MERS : Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (mortality rate around 35%)
    • HIV (Weaken immune system)

    COVID-19

    • Health Organizations agreed to not to use names attributing “place of origin”
    • COVID-19 stands for COrona VIrus Disease (found in) 2019
    • The disease is caused by the virus named SARS-Cov-2
    • The death rate (currently around 2 to 3%) is less than that of SARS and MERS, but the infection rate is higher (partly because the patients may not show symptoms of the disease and unknowingly act as “carriers”)
    • New strains were found in December 2020

    Miscellaneous

    • The initial “outbreak” was not reported factually to the world.
    • Some organizations and groups generated myths (e.g. It’s just another brand of Flu)
      and unreliable treatment (e.g. take disinfectants).
    • The misinformation and disinformation may have caused undesirable deaths.
    • The deadly impact was downplayed
      e.g. reports say NO human-to-human transmission
      A few said that the disease would go away naturally soon!
    • Some countries were not prepared
      e.g. lack of PPE for doctors and nurses in UK (which was then focusing on Brexit rather than the pandemic)
    • Dr. Peter Tun (MRCP, Former Associate Dean of Oxford University) was an early victim. He reported about lack of PPE in his ward, but was ignored due to the “lax” HHE guidelines at the time. He succumbed to COVID-19 on April 13, 2020. Ultimately, his death caused a “review” for better “policies” to benefit other doctors and nurses. He would become the first to receive FRCP posthumously form the Royal College of Physicians,
    • It took a long time to figure out the symptoms.
    • The first round of vaccinations for COVID-19 has been completed in UK, USA and Canada.
    • Tests are being conducted to see if the vaccines are effective for the newer strains.
    • Based on the priority (e.g. Tiers) and logistics, many will have to wait for their turn.
    Youtube


  • Audio Book (Talk)

    Audio Book (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 27, 2021

    Books

    • Regular Print
    • Large Print
    • Braille
    • e-Book
    • Audio Book
    • Special hardware and software to “scan and read” books

    Audio Books

    • Some may be available from Public Libraries
      Early : CDs
    • Some may require “Subscription”
      For downloading
    • Some may be offered at Discount in a Bundle
      Podcasts
      Book summaries
      Books
      e.g. Premium Subscription to Blinkist

    Listeners’ Heaven

    https://www.facebook.com/listenersheaven

    • Established in November 2020
    • Facebook Group
    • Provides “Subscription”
    • Offerings
      Win Pe
      Minthuwun
      Zat Kyee Hse Bwe
      Selected Novels
      Overview of selected “hot” topics
    Talks
  • New Year (Talk)

    New Year (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Hla Min

    Video Broadcast on December 17, 2020

    Traditional

    • New Year’s Eve on December 31
      Bringing in the New Year (with celebration)
      Dropping the Ball in Times Square in New York
    • New Year on January 1
      Holiday in some countries
    • January is named as after Janus (Two faced God)
      Symbolically, one face looks back at the outgoing year and another face looks at the incoming year
    • In the early days, Burma celebrated January 1 as “Peasants’ Day“
    • Later, Peasants’ Day was moved to March 2

    Others

    • Old Roman Calendar starts with March.
    • Persian New Year falls on or around March 21
      “First Day of Spring” celebrations
    • Myanmar celebrates “Thingyan” on or around April 13 for three (or sometimes four) days.
      The Myanmar New Year falls Thingyan.
    • Thailand celebrated “Songkram” (equivalent of Thingyan)
    • Both words derive from Pali and Sanskrit words meaning “Change”.
    • Cula Thingyan (Small Change) occurs every month when the Sun in the Geocentric model moves to another Zodiac Sign.
    • Maha Thingyan (Big Change) occurs every year when the Sun has moved through all twelve signs.
    • The Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) around the end of January or the start of February.
    • The Vietnamese celebrate Tet (equivalent of Chinese New Year)
    • The festivities may last a week (or more)
    • Karen New Year (Kayin Hnit Ku)
    • Special events
      New Year in 2000 (to usher the New Millennium)
    Talks
  • MahaGandayone Sayadaw & U Ba Kyi (Talk)

    MahaGandayone Sayadaw & U Ba Kyi (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 5, 2010

    U Hla Min

    Illustrated History of Buddhism

    YMBA

    • The Burmese version of the Book was published by YMBA (Young Men’s Buddhist Association) in 1951.
    • YMBA requested Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa မဟာဂန္ဓာရုံဆရာတော်အရှင်ဇနကာဘိဝံသto write a brief “History of Buddhism” and Artist Saya U Ba Kyi to provide illustrations.
    • Saya U Ba Kyi observed eight precepts for 45 days before undertaking the project.
    • In 1953, Saya U Ba Kyi gained international reputation.
    • In 1954, YMBA later published an addendum (English translation of Sayadaw’s text in Burmese) for readers who are not conversant in Burmese.

    TBSA

    • Dhammananda Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa ဦးသီလာနန္ဒာဘိဝံသ sought permission from YMBA to reprint the book with descriptions in both Burmese/Myanmar and English.
    • In 1994, the book was printed and published in the US and was distributed by TBSA (Theravada Buddhist Society of America).
    • Several books were left.
      Some were handed as prizes for the successful participants of the “Summer Dhamma Class / Camp”.

    Missed Opportunity

    • An Arts professor from Stanford University expressed desire to use “The Illustrated History of Buddhism” as a text for his course provided the book can be “ordered” from the University Book Shop.
    • Since the book was meant for dhamma dana, the book had no ISBN (International Standard Book Number) that is used by book shops.

    Miscellaneous

    • There have been some requests to reprint the book.
    • There are probably newer reprints of the book and/or PDF version of Saya U Ba Kyi’s drawings.

    U Ba Kyi

    • Saya translated a verse of the song “Hna yauk hte nay gin de” while invigilating an examination at the Institute of Education.
    • Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha used to accompany Saya U Ba Kyi’s vocals with his violin at the functions (mostly at Rangoon University Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin).

    Darling
    Only two we will live dear
    On the high crest
    Of the Mount Everest
    And the Sahara Desert
    Driest without water
    To the North Pole
    May be freezing cold
    Where the sun will never never grow
    With all my heart and soul
    Only two darling We will go

  • SEAP Games (Talk)

    SEAP Games (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 26, 2021

    SEAP (South East Asia Peninsular) Games

    1st SEAP Games

    • Thailand hosted the inaugural event at Bangkok in 1959
    • Burmese athletes include
      Tin Maung Ni & team (Swimming), Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra and Tun Naung (Track and Field), Tun Aung & Victor Pe Win (Tennis), Boxing,
      Weightlifting …

    2nd SEAP Games

    • Burma hosted the event at Rangoon in December 1961.
    • Aung San Stadium was the main venue for Track & Field and Soccer. Volleyball, Basketball and Gymnastics were competed indoors.
    • Swimming, Diving and Water Polo contests were held at the National Swimming Pool on U Wisara Road.
    • Dean U Yu Khin was Chairman of the Sports Promotion Committee.
    • U Tin Maung Swe was Secretary of the Sports Promotion Committee.
    • Dr. Ko Ko Lay was Chairman of the University Sports Council.

    University Students who represented Burma in the Games

    • Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra, Soe Mra and Tun Naung (Athletics)
    • Maung Hla and Thida (Badminton)
    • Nyan Min (Basketball)
    • Derek Lynsdale and Aye Kyaw (Swimming)
    • Mao Toon Siong and C. Say Eng (Table Tennis)
    • Joe Ba Maung, Than Lwin and Mu Mu Khin (Tennis)
    • Kyaw Han (Volleyball)
    • Myo Nyunt (Weightlifting)
    • Richard Yu Khin (Yachting)

    Athletics

    In Track and Field, Burma placed first in the medal standings. Tun Mra won a Gold in the 4×100 m relay with Soe Aung (Burma Champion) as anchor. Kyaw Mra won Silver in the Hurdles. Soe Mra won Gold in the Pole Vault. Tun Mra, Kyaw Mra and Soe Mra are the sons of U Shwe Mra. Kyaw Mra would later serve as National Coach.

    Swimming

    In Swimming, Burma placed first in the medal standings. Tin Maung Ni won 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4×100 medley relay. His team mates won the other events. Aye Kyaw (cousin of Dr. Hla Yee Yee) and Derek Lynsdale represented Burma in swimming.

    Tennis

    Joe Ba Maung was the National Singles Champion in Tennis. He and Than Lwin were the National Doubles Champion. Than Lwin would succeed Joe Ba Maung as the Singles Champion. Mu Mu Khin (Daphne Tha Dok) was the Ladies Champion, She later married Than Lwin.

    Table Tennis

    Mao Toon Siong was Burma Champion for Singles and Doubles in Table Tennis. He later served as National Coach.

    Volleyball

    Kyaw Han won the Gold as a member of the Burma Selected Team

    Yachting

    Richard Yu Khin won Gold in Yachting.

    Miscellaneous

    • The member nations include Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
    • Burma hosted the 2nd Games (in 1961) and the 5th Games (in 1969)
    • In the later period, SEAP Games gave way to SEA Games
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is seap-2.jpg
  • New Year (Talk)

    New Year (Talk)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    Hla Min

    Video Broadcast on December 17, 2020

    Traditional

    • New Year’s Eve on December 31
      Bringing in the New Year (with celebration)
      Dropping the Ball in Times Square in New York
    • New Year on January 1
      Holiday in some countries
    • January is named as after Janus (Two faced God)
      Symbolically, one face looks back at the outgoing year and another face looks at the incoming year
    • In the early days, Burma celebrated January 1 as “Peasants’ Day“
    • Later, Peasants’ Day was moved to March 2

    Others

    • Old Roman Calendar starts with March.
    • Persian New Year falls on or around March 21
      “First Day of Spring” celebrations
    • Myanmar celebrate Thingyan on or around April 13 for three (or four) days. Myanmar New Year follows Thingyan.
    • Thailand celebrate Songkram (equivalent of Thingyan)
    • Both words derive from Pali and Sanskrit words meaning “Change”.
    • Cula Thingyan (Small Change) occurs every month when the Sun in the Geocentric model moves to another Zodiac Sign.
    • Maha Thingyan (Big Change) occurs every year when the Sun has moved through all twelve signs.
    • Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) around the end of January or the start of February.
    • Vietnamese celebrate Tet (equivalent of Chinese New Year)
    • Festivities may last a week (or more)
    • Karen New Year (ကရင် နှစ်သစ်ကူး)
    • Special events
      New Year in 2000 (to usher the New Millennium)

    Updates

    There are 220+ talks.

    YouTube