I Am 68 (Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

I Am 68 (Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

I was born on July 21, 1939
It was in good British time
My parent lived in style
They travel, they buy and dine.

My birth place was Monywa
A busy town in Upper Burma
Education was revered there
Politics and patriotism flourished together.

Monywa has a tradition of elders
Many great men were born there
Let Wel Nawrahta of King Alaungphaya era
Seinda Kyaw Thu and Maha Bandoola et cetera.

Yes, Kyansittha was also born in Pareinma
Now a small village west of Chindwin River
Old pagodas, inscriptions and landmarks still persist
Monywa has produced many generals and academics.

Ledi Sayadaw was brilliant
Ledi Pandita U Maung Gyi was his dependent
Thein Pe Myint was also prominent
I’m a follower and their student.

I have schooled in Monywa
Number 1 State High School was my alma mater
Then, I went to Mandalay to fare better
I attended the premedical class there.

I attended the Rangoon University
Mandalay Hall was my residency
I was happy and reached maturity
I never forget its fraternity.

I trained in Medicine as a speciality
Both in Mandalay and Rangoon faculties
My performance was satisfactory
I graduated one year after 1960.

I have been in the army
I saw many diseases plenty
I tried hard to be trendy
I intended to go for further study.
I was chosen for a Ph.D.
I went to England very early
I did research in neuroanatomy
I was awarded the degree eventually.

I returned from England
With a Ph.D. (London)
It was the beginning of my curriculum vitae
I did my best in every way.

I also studied in USA
For medical education in modern way
“Americans are different”, I would say
They are innovative as always.

I have taught, researched and wrote
For the people of my abode
So that they would cope
With modern way of living, I hope.

I have served my country for 37 years
Out of love for my brethren, it’s clear
Burma and her people are still dear to me
I would do so again if the need be.

I am 68 years old today
My friends congratulated me and hailed
They say, “Happy Birthday”
They cheer me all the way.

My daughters call me from far away,
“Happy Birthday, Pe Pe”, they say
”Many more to come! Darling Ye”,
It is from the heart of their May May.

What more a man can wish
Every thing you need is accomplished
You have lived a useful life
You should really be delighted.

A man is born in a day
He just lives to play
On a certain day he will also die
He is just marking time.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo (21.7.2007)

19th July 1947

19th July 1947
(19.7.47)

Inside the golden Burma
An internal event occurred
Due to crooked, crazy and cunning plotters
(Oh, Bogyoke) You died in shallow water.

On scrutinizing the cause of killing instance
It was within a year after Japanese resistance
We are clandestinely marching for independence
We are working en masse for deliverance.

How wild the impure bred are!
Cruel and cunning were their agenda
They murdered hero and helpers
For them to enter rapidly Nat-Pyi (Deva-Plane)
All the dead were honorable heroic Saki
We pray for more to be.

I explained what have happened
Time has passed and event dampened
It occurred on 19th July 1947
On repeated scrutiny, I found then
My memory goes right inside the liver organ
It’s never to be forgotten.

Myawaddy Ye Goung
(Independence Struggle Medal First Class)
July 1959

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
17.7.2007
(From U Khin Aung”s Who killed Aung San ? in Burmese,2004)

How Do We Love Thee, Bogyoke?

How Do We Love Thee, Bogyoke?

"How do I love thee
Let me count the ways (wee)"
That's how Browning began her poetry
I also like to say that way in this rhapsody.

Bogyoke, you died on 19th July
But, you never die in our memory file
You still shine in our thought
Guiding us in every thing we sought.

You showed us to be honest
You urged us to try our best
To work everything ourselves lest
We would be left behind.

You did not pretend to be wise
But, every one knew you're nice
You liked us to be well socially
You exhorted us to be good morally.

Bogyoke, you sacrificed for us
You’re equal to any hero of the earth
Washington, Lincoln, Nehru and Rizal plus
You surpassed them with your sacrifices thus.

You were a student leader
Were they, the world leaders?
You fought the Imperialist and Fascists one after another
Did the world leaders fight similar wars?

You had lived a simple life
Did the world leaders live like that?
You left behind a family as sacrifice
Did the world leaders have such a tragic life?

You surpassed all of them in glory
Let this be known to our progeny
It should be recorded in history
Bogyoke, how do we love thee?

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
16.7.2007
(In Commemoration of the Martyrs' Day, 19th July)

The Unforgettable 19th July

The Unforgettable 19th July

19th July is a day
I can’t forget any way
It was in nineteen forty seven
Bogyoke was murdered with his men.

They were murdered mercilessly
When they were in session helplessly
They were sitting ducks really
Murderers killed them gleefully.

They had plan for independence
That would be regained soon hence
There were schemes for good governance
That would uplift the people by deliverance.

Burma regained independence at a later date
On 4th of January nineteen forty eight
Its image became greater
As we enjoy the fruit of Bogyoke’s labour.

But, civil war soon broke out
Unsatisfied angry people shouted aloud
Democracy could not be brought about
A welfare state was also out.

Opportunists were waiting in the wing
Its chieftain was General Ne Win
He staged a coup from within
That prompted infightings for power grabbing.

Bo Ne Win misruled the country
He misappropriated its money
People were seething with poverty
But he lived luxuriously.

In 1988 a bright moment occurred
When people protested with fervour
Against misrule and military power
But, it was crushed with bullets and bazookas.

Yes, the army overran the protesters
They unleashed the rabid soldiers
They over-powered the opposition
Thus, four eights demonstration ended in dissolution.
Now, the people are poorer than ever
Many are scattered all over the world
They are still proactive workers
Many are still seething with anger.

Some blame independence
For bringing them to this sequence
Stating independence created all problems
It led the country to unending mayhems.

But, it’s not to blame
A lot of people have gained
In education, culture, economy and fame
”We are citizens of a free country”, they can claim.

Yes, present problems are man-made
By power maniacs
Desperate to cling to power infinitely
They want to inherit it even to their progenies.

If Bogyoke were alive today
He would be dismayed
He would fight unwholesome ways
He would lead us from astray.

Oh” I miss Bogyoke Aung San
He was the most wholesome
He had become a symbol of hope
Only his daughter can brighten our scope..

19th July is a day
I can’t forget any way
It was in nineteen forty seven
Bogyoke was murdered with his men.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
12.7.2007

The Glorious Mandalay Hall (Gon Yaung Pyaung De Mandalay Saung)

The Glorious Mandalay Hall
(Gon Yaung Pyaung De Mandalay Saung)

Not little by any standard
The Mandalay Hall has started so
It was established in 1954
It has produced so many heroes
Invincible and patriotic galore
They have served many state’s roles
It’s a brand new hall also
It’s proud to have produced so many patriotic heroes.

This is auspicious time for our country
It’s Diamond Jubilee for Rangoon University
Its students have led the country in continuity
For anti-colonial and anti-Fascist parties
They also take part in cultural and social activities
Like the intrepid and incomparable Maha Bandoola
Our Bogyoke Aung San has led Burma
For Independence and country’s welfare
We’re proud to be alumni of RU, our alma mater.

Let the new generations of RU students
Progress in all movements
We hand over our duties without resent
To dispense from our shoulders
As from elder to younger brothers
With love, loyalty and good will
We dedicate for your enjoyment and thrill.

It’s the pride of Mandalay Hall
Saya Nyein has led football
Incomparable in the history of the halls
We have won the trophies and all
It’s great to recall!

We’re successful in literature, arts and movies
Collegian ne win shone in film industries
He is famous throughout the country
It’s great to enjoy joyously
Mandalay hall is glorious really.

“To increase your longevity in years
Go and live in Mandalay with brownish water “
It was the saying of the elders
Thus Mandalay was born in Upper Burma
Full of prophesies and predictions of professors astrologers
Yadanabone is another name for Mandalay city
It’s the last abode of Kon Baung Dynasty
We miss its glory and honour its history
It’s thus great to name Mandalay Hall in celebrity.

Not little by any standard
The Mandalay Hall has started so
Was established in 1954
It has produced so many heroes
Invincible and patriotic galore
They have served many state’s roles
It’s a brand new hall also
It’s proud to have produced so many patriotic heroes.


Dr Maung Maung Nyo
9.7.2007
(Translation of own song composed on 3.11.1995)

7th July, the Day of Mourning

7th July, the Day of Mourning

I cannot forget 7th July
However much I try
Too much sorrow lies
For all to cry.

Rangoon University is a cradle of democracy
Anti-colonial movement began its infancy
In this university since 1920
Successive students strikes succeeded.
This tradition goes on in the University
With Nu’s, Aung San's and Ba Hein's in continuity
Leading the students in time for any calamity
Hoisting the peacock flag high and visibly.

On 7th July 1962
Students were demanding their rights for review
Suddenly gunshots were fired pointblank through
To the students who were demonstrating unarmed
With sinister aim of death, wounding and harm.

Many students fell dead
Some students fled helter-skelter
But G 3's and Carbines followed thereafter
They hit, maimed and slaughtered the runners
Blood overflowed like rivers
Roads and campus ground were rendered red
it was a day to mourn for the dead.

45 years have passed
But, I cannot forget the past
As regards the 7th July
I still cry for the loss of lives
That General Ne Win had taken it as sacrifice
For his ignominious BSPP socialist stride.

History has taught us
Students will pass all entails
That the righteous will prevail
They have blazed the trail
We will prevail
We shall prevail!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
7th July 2007