=======================================================================
Update (August 29, 2004)
=======================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
Just came back from the first weekend meditation retreat held at
the new Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California.
Some emails that I received earlier.
=====================================================================
GBNF: Ko Aung Myint
by Saya Dr. Myo Khin (Civil)
=====================================================================
I am sorrry to inform that, Paulian Ko Aung Myint (Freddy Mg Mg) B.E
(EP) passed away in Rangoon.
Ko Aung Myint was mostly known a (Lu Pyan Daw) Padamya Aung Myint.
=====================================================================
Feedback: Saya U Sein Shan's health
by Ko Daniel Tint Lwin (Mech)
=====================================================================
I am glad to inform you that Saya U Sein Shan is now back in Myanmar
after his operation in Bangkok. He is recuperating well at home and he
is now able speak well and walk with the help of a supporter.
=====================================================================
Yangon-2004
by Ko Zaw Min
=====================================================================
Date - 15th August, 2004. (Sunday)
1a) The venue of "Saya Puzaw Pwe event" is defined at "Myanmar
Convention Centre" Mindhama Road" as confirmed before.
1b) The venue of "Dinner Event" is changed to "Dusit Inya Lake Resort
(Inya Lake Hotel), Lake Side Lawn" due to the space constraint at
former Sedona Hotel Ball room. The new venue will enable more than 1000
pax to attend the dinner. The stage is to be placed at the lake side
for the entertainment program. U Than Win (Total) will assist to set up
the stage.
2. Sponsorship levels:
a) Multi sponsor, b) Outstanding sponsor award. c) Diamond d) Emerald
e) Gold f) Sapphire g) Ruby h) Jade i) Pearl
3. Define the minimum age of invited Sayas as 58 years instead of 60
years. Rationale: Sayas who will be retiring soon will be included and
also compensate for 2 years wait until the next PZP (2006). More
importantly as the event is held in Yangon for the first time, we wish
to commemorate with as much Sayas to be paid homage as possible.
The list of Sayas will be reviewed by the following members:
Dr. Soe Thein (Civil), U Lin (Mechanical)
U Pyi Soe (Electrical) Daw Mya Mya Oo (Chemical)
Dr. Naw Mu Mu Aye (Textile) Col. Nyan Tun U (Metallurgical)
Dr. Hla Than (Architecture)
4. Tentative entertainment program:
a) Opening song (traditional song)
b) PZP 2004 theme song (to be newly written )
c) Variety of programmes: Songs (Single / Group), Dances (Single), Tein
Dance, Magic shows. These programs will be performed by celebrities and
others alumni.
d) Anyein performance by Singapore artistes.
e) Final Group song to be participated by all.
5. Memento gift will be sold at the event and before event. The
expenses are born by U Ko Ko Gyi and Group. U Than Win (Total) will
also present T_ shirt sample at next meeting.
6. Mini gathering of each discipline by their own program (not
concerned with the main Saya Puzaw Pwe committee).
7. Address book to be preparared from fund receipt books (160 receipt
books were taken by committee members, 26 were taken sent to the
Singapore committee.)
8. According to the Singapore committee, 300+ persons plan to take part
in the Puzaw Pwe (2004) event at Yangon.
9. After the Puzaw Pwe event, there will be a meeting for the next
Puzaw Pwe (2006) venue and the program of conveying flag to the host
country representative will be at the dinner event.
10. The next meeting will take place on the 19th September, 2004
(Sunday).
=======================================================================
Singapore alums and Yangon-2004
by Ko Aung Mon
=======================================================================
I sincerely hope, by this time now, you might have heard that 2004
Saya Puzaw Pwe is scheduled to have on Dec 26, 2004 (Sunday) in Yangon.
There will be two events (at least to my current knowledge; as I am
yet not aware of individual department's mini Saya Puzaw Pwe):- Saya
Puzaw Pwe, in the morning at Myanmar Convention Centre (a newly built,
near 10th mile, near High Way Depot) and Reunion Dinner in the evening
at Dusit Inya Lake Hotel (upgraded former Inya Lake Hotel).
The official website for 2004 Saya Puzaw Pwe and correct and updated
information are at
http://www.SayaPZPYgn.com. (which can be also accessed through
http://ex-ritsingapore.itgo.com.)
Please see the meeting minutes at that website for further information.
May I also request you to have a quick look at their meeting minutes
(4) which can be downloaded at
http://www.sayapzpygn.com/FourthMeetingMeetingminutesforSayaPuzawPwe.pdf
There is also a travel package being arranged for ex-RIT in Singapore
(Air Ticket, Hotel Accomodation & Dinner Ticket) for 2004 Saya Puzaw
Pwe. Please contact U Tin Lin, U Nyan Win Shwe, Ko Wynn Khai Htay, Ko
Aung Kyaw Thaike or myself for timely / updated information.
I would appreciate much if you could kindly update your friends for the
above upcoming events. I am assured you of sharing the latest
information I may have in future and please do not hesitate to let me
know should you would like me to drop your email address in future
corresspondences.
=====================================================================
Feedback: My trip to Yangon
by Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma)
=====================================================================
I went and stayed in Yangon for 10 days. It rained all the time. The
opening greeting at any house was 'slowly, don't fall down'. My
father could hardly foucus one minute. His eyes were rolling and his
lower lip was fallen. It was a pitiful sight. He has one nurse, and two
maids looking after him. He was definitely sinking and counting the
days. Two days after he recovered and was almost normal. Last trip in
Dec I stayed in my sister's downtown apartment. Everyday I would bring
for him curries and food stuff for him to eat. This trip I bought for
him biscuits from Marks and Spencers, [golden puffs]. One thing is he
still can eat a fair amount. I was coming back
in 4 days, but I decided to prolong my stay to 10 days. I tell myself I
would give him 10 days of my life before he dies. Might as well on 5th
day he had a terrible relapse. He was trying to cough off the flame
from chest with great difficulties. It would go on hours. I thought may
be " this is it." I called the Doctor and said "in
Singapore we have Nabilisers, but I do not know the conditions in Ygn,
anyway please come and see the patient and do whatever necessary".
When I came back I thought he would either be in hospital or worse. I
was amazed to see him recovered.Every morning I would buy Monhinga 10
serving for the whole family, the next day he could eat one plateful.
So I bought again Kyazanhinga for lunch. He finished all. I was happy
to see him eat. The Doctor gave him a new drug and increased his normal
medicine. After 3 days he had a relapse again. I came back with a very
heavy heart.
I visited a lot of my freinds' parents during my stay. Saya
U Ba Than's mother is still very hale and hearty. Her daughter had
gone for 20 days retreat and the old lady was staying with about 5
attendents. [It'ss good to be old in Ygn]. Mya Mya Nwe's [Che 70]
father has a pace maker in his heart and still very much alive. MMN and
all the children take good care of him. He has one Doctor daughter in
UK and another Doctor son in S. Africa. I call sadhu [thadu] to them
for taking good care of their father.
Saya U Sein Shan is not feeling well. He came from Bkk. He said
he could hardly sit, not to say about walking.
So this was my journey. It could have been better but this is
still my journey nothing more nothing less. It must be a lonely feeling
to die especially when your flesh and blood is not around. Well we all
live with our choices in life.
=====================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min
=====================================================================
Update (August 20, 2004)
=====================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
E-mails that I received some time back. And, some general news.
=====================================================================
GBNF: Saya U Kyaw Thein (Civil)
by Saya Allen Htay
=====================================================================
Dear Ko Hla Min:
Saya U Kyaw Thein taught us Machine Drawing class in our 1st Year B.
Sc. (Eng.) during academic year 19554-55 in the old B.O.C. College
Building of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Rangoon and
when Professor T. Ba Hli was the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.
Us here meaning myself Allen Htay, Ko San Hla Aung, Ko Htin Paw, Ko Ba
Nyunt, Ko Win Thein among others, who later became Assistant Lecturers,
Lecturers, and Professors at one time or another and later earned
Master's degrees and doctorates in Engineering from top universities
around the world.
I am very fond of Saya U Kyaw Thein. He abruptly disappeared from our
sight in our 2nd Year and reappeared suddenly in our life when he
joined the Civil Engineering Department of the newly constituted
Rangoon Institute of Technology in Gyogon. By then he had a stint with
the Canadian engineering team for construction of new road bridge
across Pazundaung Chaung. We were delighted to have the Saya among us;
us this time meaning myself Allen Htay, Ko San Hla Aung, and Ko Win
Thein, who have also joined the Department. I suspect Saya U Aung Gyi
and Saya U Min Wun are instrumental in bringing Saya U Kyaw Thein back
to teaching, after reading today the Obituary written by Saya U Min
Wun. I learned only today that Saya U Kyaw Thein's disappearance in our
2nd Year has to do with his State Scholarship to study at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I also learned that he was in
the company of the greats.
I had the wonderful experience of meeting Saya again in December 2002,
in Singapore, at the 2nd ex-RIT Reunion and Saya Puzaw Pwe held at the
Royal Hotel. I was coming down to the Lobby by elevator and when the
elevator door opened, there in front of me was Saya waiting with his
colleagues and friends to take the elevator up. I shouted out: "Saya U
Kyaw Thein, Saya UKyaw Thein!", out of great happiness at the
unexpected good luck, and we spontaneously hugged each other and did
not let go for some time. Saya seemed overwhelmed with great emotion,
meeting these wayward sons coming so close to home, but not daring to
come home yet, to honor their teachers who are advanced in age, their
profession, their culture, and the land that fed and the institutions
that shaped them.
Those of us who organized the First ex-RIT Reunion and Saya Puzaw Pwe,
held in San Francisco in 2000, are gratified to know that our teachers
lived through to see the results of our efforts and have participated
in it. Saya U Kyaw Thein is one of my ideal Engineer/Teachers: An
Engineer's engineer he know his subject through and through, in
practice and in theory, does not mind if students argue with him - but
don't expect to win, and a family man who does not shun family
responsibilities - witness: a wife and children to prove. An engineer
who has practiced in his field, an undaunted teacher in the class room,
a friend outside of the class, and a husband and father at home. I
believe it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said: Be anything you want, but
first be a human being. We love our Saya precisely because he
was first a human being, a very good human being.
May the soul of Saya U Kyaw Thein find repose in his next existence,
and look down upon the actions of his students in his past life with
admiration and approval.
=====================================================================
Yangon-2004
by Ko Win Khaing
=====================================================================
The PZP 2004 meeting , held on 15th August, 2004 at the International
Business Centre at Yangon, was attended by more than 30 members of
Organizing Commitee and invited guests. The items discussed include:
1) Change of Dinner event venue - Due to the space constraint for
dinner event at the Sedona Hotel (Max-700 pax), we have decided to move
the Dinner event to the "Dusit Inya Lake Hotel". This will enable more
than 1000 pax to join the dinner.It will be held at the "Lakeside Lawn"
and will include the entertainment program in open air.
2) Invited sayas age will be minimum 58 years instead of 60 years. This
decision was made to include those sayas who will be retiring soon and
also to compensate for the 2 years wait until the next PZP 2006. More
importantly, as the event is held in Yangon for the first time, we want
to commenmorate with as much sayas to be honoured as possible.
3) The entertainment program will be as follows:
- YIT commenmorative song (traditional)
- PZP 2004 Theme song (to be newly written)
- Variety of programs/song/dance/Yein/magic performed by celebrities
and others associated with YIT
- Anyein performance by Singapore artistes
- Final song to be sung by all
======================================================================
Alum News: Ko Win Boh (Robert, EC 69, Australia)
======================================================================
I was in USA for Three Weeks in July '04 to attend the Conference at
Orlando, Florida.
I have met some old friends in East Coast & contacted some in
California (e.g Jeffery Kamdar = Tun Aung / Edward Tai = Kyaw Sint /
Tin Maung Lay / George (Hara) Kyaw, etc.)
Would like to contact Ko Tun Aung Gyaw, Saya U Soe Paing, La La,
George Htoon Pay, ...
======================================================================a
Miscellaneous
======================================================================
Two Summer Youth Dhamma classes -- one for children under 14, and
another for youths under 18 - were conducted at Tathagata Meditation
Center (TMC), San Jose, CA.
Summer Youth Dhamma classes were also conducted at Mettananda
Vihara, Central Fremont, CA.
Aye-Thet Scholarship examination was held at Dhammananda Vihara,
Half Moon Bay, CA on August 15, 2004. Weekend meditation retreat will
be held at Dhammananda Vihara on August 28 and 29. For details, see
http://www.tbsa.org
U Tin Htoon is translating a dhamma book by Aung San Myo Mogok
Sayadaw.
======================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min
=====================================================================
Update (August 3, 2004)
=====================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
Saya U Htin Paw was one of the first alums to forward me the sad
news about Saya U Kyaw Thein. He also promptly donated K500000 for the
medical fund. See Saya U Kyaw Thein's web site (by Saya Dr. Soe Thein
and colleagues) for details.
Sayagyi U Min Wun also reminisces about the good old days with
Sayagyi U Kyaw Thein [and others] at MIT and RIT.
=====================================================================
Saya U Kyaw Thein's web page
Saya U Htin Paw (Elec)
=====================================================================
Dear Ko Hla Min:
All particulars are given on the Saya U Kyaw Thein website, including
telephone No.
http://www.mba-mm.com/ukyawthein/
Ananta Metta
Maung Paw
=====================================================================
GBNF: Saya U Kyaw Thein
Saya U Min Wun (Civil)
=====================================================================
Dear Ko Hla Min:
I was shocked by the sad news of Sayagyi U Kyaw Thein’s passing away.
During my final year at M.I.T. in 1955 U Kyaw Thein was admitted to
M.I.T. as a Burmese State Scholar and we were struggling together to
complete assignments in Fluid Mechanics and Soil Mechanics Labs.
We shared apartments on Marlborough Avenue in Boston with U Khin Aung
Kyi, U Aung Gyi, U Sein Hlaing, Percy Lao, U Aung Kywe, U Kyaw Than,
and U Mya Maung. During weekends we often cooked Burmese dishes and Dr.
Ba Hli (Graduate Student at M.I.T.), Sayagyi U Ba Toke, Sayagyi U Net,
and Sayagyi U San The Aung (all studying at Harvard University) joined
us for lunch.
U Kyaw Thein was recruited from Construction Corporation to teach
Structural Engineering at R.I.T. when graduate courses in Structural
Engineering were introduced in the Department of Civil Engineering. He
was a good lecturer, popular, respected, and well liked by his pupils
and fellow teachers. He was really a "Jolly Good" fellow.
In December 2004 we were celebrating R.I.T. Re-union and Sayapuzawpwe
in Singapore. We had a good time reminiscing about our good old days as
students at M.I.T. and as Faculty members at R.I.T.
I remember U Kyaw Thein as a good fellow citizen, always cheerful and
willing to help and render advice. We discussed about Buddhist teaching
on "How To Die" by Sayadaw U Nyan Not Thara of Pali Tet Ka Tho (Ka Ba
Aye Pagoda Compound). I’m sure U Kyaw Thein knew "How To Die" and had
attained a peaceful abode.
Please convey my heartfelt sorrow and deepest sympathy to Daw Mi Mi
Sein and family on the demise of Sayagyi U Kyaw Thein, my classmate at
M.I.T. and my close colleague at R.I.T. for many years.
We’ll all miss Sayagyi U Kyaw Thein.
With Metta.
Min Wun
=====================================================================
Feedback
Htay Htay Than
=====================================================================
Saya U Hla Min,
I'd like to contribute US$15 to Saya U Kyaw Thein's family. Could you
help me to send it to the destination if I send the check to you?
thanks in advance!
Saw Win Aung & Htay Htay Than
======================================================================
Saya U Kyaw Thein's Medical Fund
Ko Aung Kyaw Thaike
=====================================================================
Dear Sayas/Sayamas/Brothers/Sisters/Friends
Last week, we had transfered S$750,000 to Dr Soe Thein for Sayagyi U
Kyaw Thein's Medical Fund and Funeral in first contribution. We are now
collecting and receiving some more amount for Sayagyi's family, it will
be transfered soon. We will inform all of you in detail balancing and
donor list on later date.
Thanks and Regards;
Aung Kyaw Thaike
Civil 91
=====================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min
======================================================================
Update (August 2, 2004)
======================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
Feedback from Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (Civil) and Ko Dennis Mackey.
======================================================================
From Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
======================================================================
Dear Ko Hla Min,
It is with deepest sadness that I learned this morning of Sayagyi U
Kyaw Thein's passing away. U Kyaw Thein was a very close colleague of
mine and I have wonderful memories of him. He had lived a life full of
kind, generous, and meritorious deeds.
I join his family in their sorrow for having lost a dear husband,
father, and grand father, and pray that he would reach a higher abode
in his next existence.
Could you please have my condolences conveyed somehow to Daw Mi Mi
Sein (Mrs. Kyaw Thein) and family? I also wonder if you happen to know
her phone number.
With metta,
San Hla Aung
======================================================================
From Ko Dennis Mackey (NZ)
======================================================================
Correction to my previous email re: Daw Nwe Nwe Nyo:
She has moved to Upper Hutt, and not Lower Hutt.
Upper Hutt city is about 25 minutes' drive from Wellington, the capital
city of New Zealand.
She is a staff member of Upper Hutt City Council. Please see the
link below where her name appears under "Engineering Asset Manager",
the position she was promoted to recently:
http://www.upperhuttcity.com/Council_info/Council_Guide_CouncilStaff.asp
======================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min
=====================================================================
Update (August 1, 2004)
=====================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
In the early days, ex-rit's registered their names, year of
graduation, major, ..., and optionally an e-mail address in the Alumni
database of http://www.ex-rit.org
The information may be quite out of date, especially the e-mail
addresses. The reasons vary: change of ISPs, change of employment
status, retirement, ...
Due to increasing virus and spam, some alums request us not to make
their e-mail addresses public.
======================================================================
From New Zealand
Ko Dennis Mackey (Civil 73, ex-ucc)
======================================================================
Many thanks for your email updates.
I phoned Daw Nwe Nwe Nyo (Civil 72) to convey her the sad news about
Saya U Kyaw Thein. She asked me to give you her new email address
nwenwe@paradise.net.nz as she has moved to Lower Hutt near the capital
city (Wellington) of New Zealand. Her old email address in your
database is: nyod@akcity.govt.nz , so please replace this with her new
address.
On behalf of us here in NZ, Daw Nwe Nwe Nyo will phone her friend in
Singapore to arrange donation for Saya UKT.
=====================================================================
Miscellaneous: Looking for U Hla Zan (Civil 72)
request forwarded by Saya U Htin Paw
=====================================================================
Hi Alumni!
U Thein Soe and Sayama Daw Swan Tee (both Civil 1972) is looking for
their classmate U Hla Zan (Civil 1972) from New York, USA. Please help
them to get contact with him. Please reply me to if you can get U Hla
Zan's email, telephone or address and I will forward it to U Thein Soe
and Sayama Daw Swan Tee.
U Thein Soe and Sayama Daw Swan Tee contact no. is[Tel (951) 524203]
best regard
Dr Soe Thein Civil 1975 Yangon Myanmar
======================================================================
Miscellaneous: BAPS
Networking is important
======================================================================
Ko Maurice Chee (Mech 75) is the President of BAPS. BAPS recently
held career seminars. In addition to several sayas (Saya U Aung Khin,
Saya Allen Htay, Dr. Christopher Lee, Saya U Nyo Win, Saya U Thein
Aung), Ko Benny Tan (Mech 70, ex-President, BAPS), Ko Maurice, Ko
Daniel Maung (son of Saya Mao Toon Siong, Mech), Ko Joanthan Shu (son
of Ko Aung Khin, Mech 70), Ko Ricky Chen, ..., served as speakers
and/or panelists.
James who attended BAPS career seminars, gets the job at Marvell.
San San, who brought James, wrote:
As Maurice said "Networking works". Thanks to BAPS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Several companies appreciate the knowledge and hardwork of the
Burmese/Myanmar professionals. A sample request is shown below.
Dear Daniel Maung [co-webmaster of http://www.bapsusa.org]
We are a civil (geotehnical) engineering consulting firm in Orange
County, CA seeking a field engineer/geologist to perform subsurface
investigation for civil engineering projects throughout California.
Could you please pass this information to engineers/geologists from
Burma who are interested in the position? Perhaps you and Saya Allen
Htay could help us locate some young energetic individuals with a
hardworking attitude.
Job Title: Field/Lab Technician
Job Description: Plan site investigation, perform soil drilling and
logging, soil testing in lab, some CAD works.
Job Location: Fountain Valley (Orange County), CA
Education Requirements: B.S in geology or related field (can be from
Burma)
Work Experience: Performed similar tasks for a minimum of two years
Interested persons are encouraged to contact me at h.law@earthmech.com
or call me at (714) 751-3826. Thank you very much for your help.
Sincerely,
Hubert Law
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Daniel Maung
I'm pleased to inform you that one of my friends, Mr. Tint Naing Than
(Geologist) from Tracy, CA was successful in personal interview for
above mention job position at Mr. Hubert Law's office in Orange County.
Mr. Tint will report for duty on August 14th. He would like to
introduce BAPS and BASES in LA. I'll provide him with some information
and contact e-mail addresses in LA and San Fran.
We thank you (and BAPS) very much for sharing the information about
above mentioned position.
Best regards
Soe Win ('77 Mech)
Fremont, CA
=====================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min