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Update (January 5, 2004)
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Dear Sayas and Colleagues,

The Third RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe successfully took
place in Yangon on December 26, 2004.

Several mini-reunions and SPZP (by Metallurgury, Civil, Mechanical,
...) took place at various dates at the RIT Assembly Hall [home of
"Gita Seezar" and "Swe Dar Yeik Ah Nyeint", and achariya (ah-sa-ri-ya)
pu zaw pwes].

Since most sayas are located in Myanmar and/or old to travel to far
away places, the two leading contenders for SPZP 2006 are Yangon and
Singapore. For details, see the meeting minutes sent out by Ko Win
Khaing (Secretary, Organizing Committee for Yangon 2004 SPZP).

Saya Allen Htay and Ko Myo Khin have sent e-mails regarding future
Grand Reunions and SPZP.

-====================================================================
Ko Win Khaing (Yangon)
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The meeting for "Venue of SPZP 2006" was held on 26 Dec, 2004 at
MCC. The minutes of the meeting [in PDF form] is attached FYI.

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Ko Zaw Aung (Singapore)
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News about the Venue for SPZP 2006 has been posted at
http://www.mingalaronline.com/exrit/2004/

For news about the recent devastating Tsunami and how to help the
victims, see
http://www.mingalaronline.com/tsunami.htm

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Saya Allen Htay (California, USA)
President, RIT Alumni International
=====================================================================

May I suggest Penang, Malaysia, for your consideration as a possible
venue for SPZP 2006.

Points in its favor are: (1) Penang has historically close
relations with Myanmar, (2) There is a large Myanmar community there,
(3) It is close to major communications/transportation centers such as
Singapore, Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur, so that air fares will be
competitive, (4) Close proximity to Myanmar means more Myanmar
Engineers will be able to travel and participate, and (5) It is located
in one of Myanmar's ASEAN neighbors. Besides, Penang sounds
interesting, and it is a new location.

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Saya Dr. Myo Khin (Japan)
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A Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe has two purposes. It is a great
occasion to pay respect to our mentors/benefactors and also for us to
meet.

The North American group of RIT alumni [in October 2000] generously
offered the 2nd meet to be held in Singapore. The Singapore oragnizers
[in December 2002] offered the 3rd meet to be held in Yangon.

My suggestion is to convene along with the odd and even year wise.
[For example, we may have a Reunion and SPZP outside of Myanmar in the
odd year, and a Grand Reunion and SPZP inside Myanmar in the even
year.] So we will always have the alumni meet somewhere around the
world every year. After attending the First one in SFO I thought that
I will be able to join every meet, but with the schedules and the year
ending works I was not able to do so.

=====================================================================
U Tin Htoon (Arch 60)
temporarily in India
====================================================================

I arrived Dhammagiri to join a (30) day course yesterday and I am
settled down. Today [January 2, 2005] is day zero and the course starts
tomorrow.

Kindly stop sending emails to me till Februray 7, 2005.
Happy New Year!

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Miscellaneous: TBSA News
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Sayadaw U Silananda, Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California,
USA was offered one of the highest religious title, "Abhidaja Agga Maha
Saddhamma Jotika Dhaja" by the Myanmar government for his long foreign
missionary work.

Sayadaw is currently traveling in India on pilgrimage.

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A weekend retreat for January 2005 begins on Friday evening (January
7, 2005) and end on Sunday evening (January 9, 2005).

---------------------------------------------------------------------

U Myat Swe (brother of Saya U Myat Thwin (ChE) and brother-in-law of
Saya U Maung Maung (ChE)) and their friends will be offering a
soon-kway on Sunday January 16, 2005 in memory of Dr. Daw Myat Cho, who
passed away recently [while undergoing medical treatment]. May she rest
in peace.

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Miscellaneous: Sad ex-ucc news
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Ko Aung, husband of Ma Thet Htar Su (ex-ucc), passed away on Dec 5,
2004. They have an 8 year old daughter and a 6 year old son.

Ma San Yu Hlaing (ex-ucc), Ma Swe Swe Than (ex-ucc), Ma Kyin Kyin
Htay (ex-ucc), Ko Soe Naing (Sonny, ex-rit, ex-ucc), ... are collecting
funds to send to the bereaved family members.

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That's all for now.

With metta,
Hla Min