Ode to the Shan

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

I have a soft spot for Shan since my teenage
I met a Shan girl in my seventh grade
She was tall, smiling, sweet, suave and great
We became close friends and tried to date.

( A Shan Couple)

We never became lovers
We were still youngsters
She was 2 year senior I learned
We parted on the best of terms.

(A Scene of Shan State)

My mother told me of the Shan people
Who lived in the upper reaches of Chindwin River
Like Minking, Mawlight, Khamti, Thongdut and Tamu
They were simple, sweet, friendly, helpful and sincere

(Map Showing Shan Towns in Upper Chindwin)

Then, I learned Burmese history
Many Burmese kings had Shan ancestry
After Pagan was sacked by the Mongol army
Three Shan brothers ruled the country.

( A Map of Shan (Tai) Speaking People)

Burmese history classically begins with Tagaung era
Tagaung was situated in the Shan Desa or area
Legends had it that it was the seat of Shan rulers
Even the name PyuSaoHti denotes Pyu, Shan and Bamar.

Sagaing, Pinya, Inwa were established by Shan kings
Athinkhaya, Thihathu and Thadominbya outstanding
Mingyi Swa Saw Ke was a Shan prince in the beginning
He was elected to rule Burma as the Ava’s king.

(Buffalo Ride in Shan Land)

Actually, there is a tragic side to the Shan in history
King Anawrahta married SaoMonHla from Mao territory
She was banished from Pagan due to jealous conspiracy
She built Shwe Sa Yan Cedi in remembrance to the King
I felt sad on seeing Shwe Sar Yan and “Earring Fall Stream”
Her earring had no black magic but Buddha’s relic sheen.

Many wise Burmese kings nurtured Shan-Bamar Friendship
Mingyi Yan-Naung killed Tho Han Bwa for being evil misfit
He disdained kingship and gave it to Hsipaw Saopha, a Shan
He thus maintained the important Shan-Bamar peace in return.

Kings Bayintnaung, Alaungpaya paid importance to Shan
They gave them oath of loyalty and autonomous run
Since then Shan Sao Phas were loyal to Burmese kingdom
Nyaungshwe Saopha thought retaking captive Thibaw King
From conquering British in an ambush by a lightning swing
It was discouraged for peace and harmony in the region.

(President Sao Shwe Theik on First Independence Day)

During Colonial Days, British divided Shan from Burmese
The cordial relations and warm feelings were frozen indeed
They thought of leaving Shan and frontier areas out of reach
From independence and freedom Bogyoke AungSan preached
Foresight of Aung San and Shan leaders broke their squeeze
The Panglong Conference made it possible for us free in peace
We succeeded electing Sao Shwe Theik first president in need.

(A Shan Couple of Burma)

I have been to the Shan State as a medical officer
I was welcome in the south and north of the area
Shan were peaceful, poor and peasants uninsured
Only Sao Phas and some were stately and secure
But, they did not live like Maha Rajas of India
They were Buddhist Bamar in thought and behaviour
Saw Phas and sons had lived in the Burmese Courts earlier
They liked and encouraged Burmese arts and culture
Only General Ne Win confiscated authority of the Sao Phas
He did also for the properties of Bamas and others
As we all suffered under Ne Win’s Socialism and Dogma
No one can blame Burmese for troubles of present Burma.

(A Shan Dancer)

I like the Shan for their belief and behavior
They are smooth, simple and sincere
They talk the truth even if it hurts them later
They do not know pretexts and Maya
They share their food to all visitors
I have tried Khaw Mont, Mohnyin-chin and Soontan
Dried Shan Peboke (soybean crusts) pickled pork ad librum
It enticed you to eat like hungry crows and ravens in sum.

(Shan Ahlu, a Novitiation Ceremony Procession)

Shan are liberal in marriage
They consent to all for the bondage
If a person is genuine to take their daughters
They hand over them to all suitors
Chinese, Indians, Burmans or other foreigners
We all have single Bamars marrying there.

(Shan Traditional Dance, Keinari-Keinara)

Shan State is thinly populated
There is only about six million inhabited
Plenty of resources remain to be exploited
Gold, silver, gems, platinum and graphite
Forests and hydro power supplement the site.

(Detailed Map of Shan State)

Actually, Shan and Burmans are inseparable
There is a saying telling the invaluable,
“If Shan is pure he has Bamar blood
If Bamar is pure he has Shan stuff!”

Burmese history starts with Tagaung
Meaning a ferry town, a Shan word all along;
The last king of Burma was called Thibaw (Hsipaw)
His mother was a Shan princess born in a Hau
She married King Mindon of all
What else do you wish to recall?

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
1.11.2008 (original)

Ode to My Native Monywa

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

(Monywa Than-Buddhe Cedi)

My heart leaps up when I heard the word, Monywa
It was so when I was a youngster
It was so when I became a doctor
It’s still so when I’m an old professor
It will be so when I breathe my last breath over
Because my life has been covered with her; I was born in Monwya!

(Chindwin River)

Monywa is a busy town on the east bank of Chindwin
It’s the business centre of the Chindwin region
It’s next to Mandalay in population and importance
It has all the trappings of a city of significance
It’s indeed headquarters of North-West Command of Army

It’s seat of Monywa University, technical colleges and industry.

(Inside Monywa )

Monywa had only one high school when I started school there
It has now more than twelve to accommodate the scholars
There was no technical college in those old days
It has now Government Technical Institute and Computer College
There is a weaving school and domestic science college up to date
Hostels and hospitals are also provided for the people’s sake
Two hundred bedded Monywa Divisional Hospital looks great
It has necessary physicians and surgeons of superior grade.

(Map showing Location of Monywa)

Monywa was small when I was a school boy there
I could finish one round around Monywa in one hour
I mean by riding bicycle that was then popular
Now, motor bikes, scooters and auto cars abound
Monywa roads are filled with such vehicles aplomb
Pedestrians have to be careful when walking in town
Lest they be run over by the speeding vehicles around
The town has increased in size several times now
It'll take more than two hours to complete a bicycle round

(Chindwin River with Motor Boats)

Monywa was in existence since the early days of Pyu we have
Pho-Win-Taung and Shwe-Ba-Taung were such habitats
Caves, Buddha statues and relics of Pyu bear witness to that
Nyaung-Kan men prove existence of early Homo in Monywa
Even habitat of early primates is located in Pondaung Ponnya
Yes, indeed, Monywa is rich with relics of early homos in Burma.

(Pho-Wun-Taung and ShweBa -Taung)

Historically Monywa was mentioned in epigraphs of Pagan era
It was a Kha-Rein or district controlling other villages in the area
King Kyanzittha was born in the west of Monywa at Pareima
We can still see epigraphic evidence of his early saga
Burmans have lived continuously in Monywa with success
It has provided men, materials and morals to Burma' progress.

(King Kyanzittha Statue in Pagan Ananda Pagoda)

Maha Bandoola is a well-known General of Konbaung era
He defeated the Assamese, Manipuris and British in Panwar
Lack of morale and modern equipment led to his death
He gave his life willingly at Danubyu Fortress
Whole country wept and even the British said his praise
He was really a military genius and a great patriot so brave.

(Maha Bandoola in th Museum at Danubyu Fortress)

My grandmother told me of Bandoola’s personal side
He was honest, unassuming and forthright
When he came to Ahlone as Mayor of the City
Many people thronged and talked about his regality
But, a ragged poor man said he was none other than Nga-Yit
His childhood friend as poor and as naughty as he is
Bandoola’s retinues bundled and brought the man to him
Bandoola said what this man said was true and genuine
The man was his old chum and he embraced him
Then Bandoola gave him valuable things as gift
People of Ahlon, Monywa loved Bandoola for it.

(Maha Bandoola Statue)

Once Bandoola was visiting his old village, Nga-pa-yin
His first wife was born in this village together with him
She was angry, shouting, calling names and beating
Villagers flocked around it and watched without intervention
Then, he came out smiling and said, ”I was beaten by my wife”
“Why? Sir”, people asked in disbelief as he was Bomin (General)
“Well, she did not like my taking another wife in Nan Dwin!”
It was a sheer case of honesty and simple fact of his life!

Besides Bandoola, Monywa has produced many eminent soldiers
Moyway Letwe-Naw-Rahta was the Sage General of Alaungpaya
Twinthin U Tun Nyo was King Bodwa-Phaya’s master and minister
Kinwun Mingyi U Kaung was Mindon’s and Thibaw’s Chief Minister
He was first Burmese minister to visit England and Europe
Hlaythin Atwin Wun followed his footsteps bearing heavy load.

(Kinwun Mingyi U Kaung)

On scholarly side, Monywa excels with many learned monks
Maungdaung, Monyway and Ledi Sayadaws were in fore front
Followed by Mohnyin Sayadaw, U Wisara and U Ottama
Mohnyin Sayadaw built Thanbuddhe cedi in II World War
U Wisara fasted for Sangha rights against British Colonisers
U Ottma propagated Buddhist Sasana to frontier areas
Other Sayadaws teach Vipassana following Ledi Ovada
Monywa has Pali Universities and monasteries for Sasana.

On laymen side, many prominent scholars have lived in Monywa
Even Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing, GOM of Burma, lived here
Thein Pe Myint was the most celebrated writer from Monywa
Lin Yone Maung Maung and yours sincerely followed after
Budalin Chit Lay, Thanlamye Yu Lwin were famous poets in Burma
Many other literati may be mentioned in Who’s Who in Monywa.

It was said both “red and white” people abound in Monywa
Meaning ‘Reds’ were Communist or leftist followers
“Whites” meant ordinary people or rightist politicians
We may add “Black” as “Ba Ba Black Sheep” in any profession
I can name Thein Pe Myint, U Ba Nyein as leftists
U Aung Pe, Oway U Nyo Mya, U Soe Tin as rightists.

In the post-war student movement, Monywa was well-known
Ko Gyi and Ko Lay brothers of Monywa were RU student leaders
They belonged to Democratic Students Organisation of bygone
They were defeated by Progressive Students and became traders
Since then, only the image of leftist Monywa students has grown
Like AntMaung, AungShin, TinShwe, ChitTheinOo MaungCho etc.

Literally, Monywa is a fertile field of famous literati
Sayagyi Minthuwun said it together with Taungdwingyi
Yes, “Beginning with Bode, Ending with Bode” was almost heresy
Was said by Maungdaung U Bode, Sayadaw of Bagyidaw
Most learned Pali Scholar in British Empire was Ledi Sayadaw
Ledi Pandita U Maung Gyi was famous writer and editor
Ledi U Kawvida was the celebrated poet
Many budding poets and writers augur well in effect.

(Caricature of Thein Pe Myint on his Book)

During student days we took pride talking about Monywathas
Famous in Buddhist Sasana, literal world, military or civil matter
Like Ledi Sayadaw, Ledi Pandita, Bandoola, Thein Pe Myint etc.
They were our role models for our own purpose and for Burma
Sschools teachers of Monywa really performed with cetana

Producing many authors, engineers, generals, doctors etc
Who are patriotic and seek for the betterment of Burma
They do not dismiss doldrums and escape for their advancement
They love Burma and believe it deserves a better government.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
30.10.2008 (original)

The Magnificent Mandalay

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

(Mandalay Fort and Moat)

The word, "Mandalay" enchants me
Since my early childhood entity
My father told me of its fame
He said it has grandeur and game.

(Mandalay Palace)

So, I was glad to go and study in Mandalay
When I was awarded premedical scholar's pay
To begin a scholastic career away from home
I would become a doctor in shortened course alone.

I attended the No. 1 State High School
With zeal, determination and hope full
Excellent teaching with discipline was its rule
Fun and frivolities were furnished sparingly few.

We studied for five days a week
Every subject was taught in English
Except, of course, sport and Burmese
We had to study hard without a hitch.

On Sundays and holidays we toured
To nearby places around Mandalay
By riding bicycles led by our teachers
They looked after us explaining on the way.

(Mandalay Fort, Moat and Mandalay Hill)

We visited the Mandalay fort and palace
The old Mandalay city was a show case
Filled with artifacts of Burmese culture and grace
The “ten flowers” made us proud of our race!

(Mandalay Palace, Newly Built)

Yankin Hill was so near
Yet, so few had visited there
It was cool inside the cave
Marble statues were marvelous to gaze.

(Aerial View of Yankin Hill)

We rode to Mei-U Taung or hill
It was farther in the north east
The road was rugged and dusty
Our bicycles suffered strains and squeaks.

(Burma's Tiger)

The place was barren with bush
We could imagine Me-U being pushed
By Shwe-Phyin-Nge, the zealous admirer
He killed her for unrequited love by his tiger.

(Nats or Spirits like Me-U)

We met a few rebels at that time
They were holding their carbines
But they did not give us trouble
They knew we were students assemble.

(Taung Byone Nat/Spirit Pwe)

We also enjoyed the Taung Byone festival

It was held like a Western carnival

Men, women and children all became jovial

They drank, they danced and became spiritual.

(Shwe Sar Yan Cedi)

We even rode to Shwe Sar-Yan Cedi
It was sixteen miles away uphill
It was situated on the west bank of Dutthawaddy
We missed King Anawrahtar and Sao Mon Hla Devi.

(Myit-nge River or Dutthawaddy)

One Sunday morning we rode to Mingun Bell
We had to keep our bicycles in a Ta-Nga-Tel (fisherman’s hut)
As it was located on the west bank of Irrawaddy
We had to catch a ferry and we were very hungry.

Our teacher negotiated with an old fisherman
He and his wife kindly cooked for us eleven
They gave us rice, tomato “Pun-Htway” and chicken
We ate copiously with heads down like hungry ravens.

We slept in the Mingun monastery
It was cold from wind from the Irrawaddy
But the monks provided us with their robes
We huddled together until awoke.

Next day, we visited the Mingun Bell
We were amazed by its size and weight
Five fives Visses of brass metal, they tell
“Min Phyu Hman Hman Pyaw” indicates.

(Mingun Bell, World's Greatest)

We climbed the unfinished Mingun Cedi
It was just a heap of red bricks entirely
It had cracks and crooked course to the top
If finished, it would be the biggest Cedi lord .

(Mingun Pagoda, the Unfinished Cedi))

It was Monday and we rushed back to Mandalay
We arrived at the school gate after 10 AM
It was closed by then as always
The Head Mistress opened it with reprimand.

“Misfortune never comes alone”
We went to Maymyo in two buses
It was a picnic for two classes
Pyin-Oo-Lwin was well shown.

But, while playing Shan O-Si or drum
Some students were in overt enthusiasm
They punctured one leather tympanum
We had to pay compensation at maximum!

We frequented Mandalay Hill often
Whenever there was festivity on hand
We climbed with song and dance on ascend
We were happy to be in line with local trend.

We visited Tada-U Inwa region
That was the seat of many Burmese kings
Legends abound for Thado Minbya to Sinbyushin
I saluted those famous kings with attention.

Sagaing is a sedate sagacious city
It has pagodas and rest houses so many
It provides solace for monks and men meditating
Nuns and women were also found contemplating.

Kyauk-Se was also a silent scenic site
We visited by train in early morning light
Saya Khin-Maung-Nyo’s uncle was delighted
He provided us breakfast, bicycles and brave guides.

(Webu Sayadaw)

We ascended the Kyauk-Se Hill,
Paid homage to Buddhas and Phongyis
Kowtowed Webu Sayadaw in person with piety
It was a meritorious trip so worthy.

Kyauk-Se is famous for its strategic position
It’s located in the central irrigated region
Gordon Luce took it as the place of Burmans’ origin
His hypothesis attracted much discussion and derision.

Inside Mandalay we missed nothing really
We enjoyed Pwe-Htaing tea and Saturday music
When Myo-Ma troupe entertained us melodiously
Myo-Ma Nyein’s songs were just terrific.

As regards movies and entertainments
We were regular cinema attendants
Win-Lite, Myo-Gon-Yaung we frequented
Ma-Soe-Yein and Shwe-Taik were also supplemented.

Mandalay was famous for Burmese drama and dance

We watched Anyein and Zat Pwe from October to March

Free food was offered to every one at the festivals of pagodas

I can never forget the Cetana of Mandalayers.

(Zegyo Market)

Ze-Gyo or “cheap market” is also visited often
It’s the place for buying clothes, books and other items
The sale girls were so sweet, cultured and courtesan
We had to control and suppressed our sentiments.

Ze-Gyo Clock Tower was the centre of Mandalay
It was also the center of our universe
We could go from it to any place in every way
We used to go to Yone-Daw Gyi for food stuffs.

We also visited Mahamuni Pagoda
We paid homage on arrival here

We also showed obeisance when exam near

Burmans are fond of relying on Buddha.

It's the most famous pagoda in Upper Burma

Prince Shwedaung brought it over Arakan Yoma

It belonged to the Arakanese before it was here

We can still see brass Arakanese soldiers near.

(Entrance to Mahamuni Pagoda)

We have a saying,” Mandalay people excel in speech”
Yes, they are sweet and polite indeed
They speak standard colloquial Burmese
We learn from them to be civil and sweet.

(Mahamuni Buddha Statue)

I learned a lot from Mandalay
Not only school lessons, discipline and morality
But also culture, language, speech and civility
It thus made me a patriot in all categories.

(The Last King and Queeen of Burma)

Mandalay is really a magnificent place
It befits the fame of the last royal palace
It tells us all its myths and magnificent grace
I owe a debt of gratitude so significant and suave!

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
29.10.2008 (original)

On My Road to Mandalay

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo)

(Two Elephants in front of Tham-Buddhey Cedi)

Kipling composed “On the Road to Mandalay”
When the British Empire was in its hey days
It became very popular in the world
British soldiers sang it during the Second World War
When they reentered Burma chasing the Japs Fascists
It was a victory song for the returning British!

(River Cruise)

"Come you back, you British soldier;come you back to Mandalay!"

Come you back to Mandalay,

Where the old Flotilla lay:

Can't you 'ear their paddles chunkin' from Rangoon to Mandalay?

On the road to Mandalay,

Where the flyin'-fishes play,

An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!

My Road to Mandalay is different
It was the beginning of a student
On his way towards a boarding resident
From Monywa to Mandalay sequence
At the age of thirteen years
He began a scholastic career.

(Monywa Countryside)

It was in June 1953
When flowers and fruits festooned the trees
Rain fell often and flies were flying free
They fed on foods fulfilling their own spree
Students were beginning their new session
So was I to begin a premedical stipend.

(Bawdi Tahtaung Monywa)

Five of us left Monywa one early morning
The sun was on the horizon shining

We rode a bus full of passengers plying
Between Monywa and Mandalay locations
Daring the dacoits and dangerous detonations
That was rampart during those days of insurrection.

The road was bumpy and bending
The bus was moving eerily never ending
Dirt and dust covered our heads blending
With sweat drenching our bodies
Flies and fetid smell of foods made us uneasy
It was really a memorable journey.

Vendors flocked to our bus at every stop
They sold boiled eggs on pan and water in pots
Some shouted fried sparrows and snipe sports
They must sell something to earn money of sort
That would feed their family on the spot
Life was so rugged and raw to survive in this lot.

We passed Mon-Yway, Chaung-U and Allakappa
They were famous since the early days of Burma
They were the famous cities of Pyu and early Myanmar
They were the abodes of our forefathers
Mon-Yway was the seat of sages in the Konbaung era
Chaung-U for Faringis and Allakappa was Pyu arena.

When we passed Ye-Po-Sar
People were afraid of robbers
Many road side robberies took place here
They were committed by nearby villagers
This time nothing untoward happened
We were so fortunate then.

We alighted from the bus at Myin-Mu town
We were going to board a steamer down
Then, we would go upstream dreaming
Breathing fresh air and enjoying the riverside scenes
That mighty Irrawaddy River furnished us clean
You can never enjoy that anywhere else akin.

(Sagaing Hills)

We saw silhouette of Sagaing hills
Dotted with white pagodas and gilted Htis
On the back drop of green trees
So scenic and sagacious to see
Good for poor suffering people to flee
They can get peace of mind there free.

(Sagaing Hills)

We slept in Sagaing jetty that night
Unable to steer to Mandalay on hindsight
The steamer’s staff told us of their plight
So we took shower and marched we might
We did a good sight seeing of Sagaing
We thought we did it right and enjoyed.

When the sun had risen in the east
With fresh food and clean water at least
We sailed again from Sagaing upstream
It was exhilarating to see the sun gleaming
Against the white pagodas and sparkling river
Where sea gulls whirled and dolphins dithered
Passengers offered food to fish and birds together
We arrived at Gau-Wein jetty a few hours later.

(Gau-Wein Jetty)

It was a memorable day in my life
I had landed upon Mandalay dyke
A new life had dawned on me
I must fulfill it as it should be
From now on I must strive to become a doctor
I must study hard and stay healthy over
During my student era to upset any error
I did try that and I fulfilled it with ardor
You can now see me as a doctor and professor.

(Maha Bandoola Statue)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
28.10.2008 (original)

The Happiest Day in My Life

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

(Gautama Buddha Inside Tham-Buddhey Cedi)

Introduction

Every body has many happy days in his or her life. One of those happy days may be the most remarkable and hence the happiest. I have many happy days in my life and I remember some of those days are very remarkable. But there is a day I feel happiest since it changed my education, nay my career and life.

(Tham-Buddhey Cedi )

A Memorable Day in May

(Scenic Chindwin River)

It was a day in May in Monywa. It was terribly hot as there was no rain and the sun was bright and blistering. I was playing with my younger brothers in front of my house. I still remember I was wearing a silk Longyi (Sarong) to keep me cool and my mother was doing house chores inside the house. Suddenly, a forty year-old man riding a bicycle suddenly stopped just near me. He was Saya U Ba Yin, my English teacher at the number 1 State High School. He greeted me saying,
” Maung Nyo, how are you doing? I have good news for you”.
I replied him,” Oh, Saya, Thank you. I’m well. How are you too, Sir?” in English as he taught me English.
He said,” You have been selected as a premedical student and you have to go to Mandalay in June when the schools reopened.”
“Oh, thank you, Saya. I’m very happy to hear that. Who else were selected? Sir”
“Bo Htwar, Mya Maung, Ba Lin and Tin Aung. You may tell the news to them”.
So saying he rode his bicycle again and pushed off to his house situated in the east of our house, about a mile away.

(Google Map of Monywa)

Sharing the Joy with Mother

I stopped playing and entered the house where my mother was busy with her chore and speaking to her younger sister. I said,
“Mother, I have good news to tell you. I have been selected as a premedical student. I must go to Mandalay when the school season starts in June!.”
“Really, it’s good, son. Tell your father when he comes back from the office.”
“Yes, mother.”
Then, I changed dress, took my bicycle and rode to the homes of Ba Lin, Mya Maung and Bo Htwar. They all were also very happy to hear the good news. I could not tell Tin Aung as he lived in Kalewa, a town about 200 miles away in Upper Chindwin reachable only by boat at that time. He just came to Monywa to attend the school during school season as a boarding student.

Background to the Good News

It was just after the end of 7th standard scholarship examination. I sat for it together with 14 students from our class as our school, the Number 1 State High School, was the only high school in Monywa at the time and only our colleagues passed the selection examination held in December of the previous year after the first test in October. Students from other middle schools did not succeed. I stood second in the selection examination and many teachers thought I would be successful in the scholarship examination too. I was very good in English, Burmese and mathematics and Saya U Ba Yin, our class master and English teacher, was very fond of me. So, he came to tell me the good news on that day as soon as he knew it.

Actually, I was a very playful student at first, mixing and joking with classmates all the time although I studied regularly at night and I attended the classes regularly. Besides, I scored high marks in successive class tests since the kindergarten gaining first place in each class. My teachers said I was bright as I enjoyed double promotions from KG to first standard, then to 3rd standard and then to 5th standard.

My Good Academic Record

To be exact after passing the 3rd standard with first position in the class I was transferred from the primary school of U Tha Kyin Primary School at North Kadoh Quarter to the No. 1 State High School, the old Buddhist High School of Monywa, situated to the east end of the town, about 2 or 3 miles away from our house. My father attended this high school as well as the famous Burmese writers Thein Pe Myint, O’ Way U Nyo Mya, ICS U Ba Nyein, ICS U Soe Tin etc. It has a good reputation for producing good leaders in education, economics, politics and other professions.

I was involved in many kinds of activities such as sport, library, writing in wall papers, painting etc. at the high school. Some of my paintings were shown by the school arts committee on independence days. So, my success in the scholarship examination was expected, but to hear the news definitely and suddenly was exciting and it was a great thriller!

How I Studied to Get the Scholarship

During my 6th standard U Than Aung, minister for education in the U Nu’s AFPFL government, came to Monywa and to our class accompanied by high officials and U Tha Din, our Head Master. As he was an old teacher himself, he asked questions related to our town, school and history of Burma. I ventured to stand up and answered his questions correctly. He said,” You are very smart. What do you expect in the future?”
I said,” I look forward to gaining scholarship prizes to pursue my study, Sir.”
He replied,” Yes, we’re introducing 7th standard scholarship from the next year and those who gain it will have the opportunity to go to premedical class in Rangoon and Mandalay to become doctors in a shorter time than normal. You all must try if you wish to become good doctors. What is your name, student?”
“My name is Maung Nyo, Sir.”

Since then I had studied regularly from 6.30 Pm to 10.30 Pm every day. I reduced my play time and extra-curricular activities. So, my class performance improved appreciably. I stood firt at the final 6th standard examination and the school awarded me on the opening day of my 7th standard class. I also won Burmese essay competition of the Monywa District on the United Nations Day on 14th October. So, I was regarded as a good student academically in the school. So, no wonder many people expected me to clinch the 7th standard scholarship award.

On the Road to Mandalay

(Map Showing Monywa, Mandalay, Rangoon etc.)

My elder brother U Hla Than accompanied us 4 premedical students from Monywa to Mandalay in June 1953 to join the premedical class at No.1 State High School, Mandalay. One selected student Kan Nyunt did not follow us. It was 1953 and there was no train service between Monywa and Mandalay.So, we had to take a bus from Monywa to Myinmu.The bus was a converted lorry and the road was bumpy and dusty. It took most of the day from early morning to noon. At Myinmu we boarded a steamer fromPakokku to Mandalay. The trip lasted the whole day so that we arrived at Gau-Wein jetty on the next morning.

We were given a hostel to live and we had to attend the Special Premedical Class opened at the Number 1 State High School in Mandalay for two years. There were 46 students selected from Upper Burma. All the students were given a stipend each to attend the class, but only a few gained scholarship prize too. I was awarded both the stipend and scholarship prizes for two years until I passed the premedical matriculation examination with distinction in physics. I got the highest marks in the whole of Burma in that examination where about 200 students sat for from Rangoon (Yangon), Bassein (Pathein), Moulmein (Mawlamyaing) and Akyab (Sittwe) besides from Mandalay.

(Mandalay Fort and Moat)

Special Premedical Matriculation Examination

In that examination only about 40 students passed in the first division whereas about 100 students passed from the ordinary division. Those who passed from the First Division were allowed to proceed to the Special Intermediate Class at the Rangoon University for one year after which they joined the Medical College where they studied for 5 years to become doctors. Those who passed from the Ordinary Division were allowed to proceed to Intermediate Science Class Part A and Part B for two years before joining the medical college that took 5 years also. So, I saved one year to become a medical doctor.

As a matter of fact, I graduated Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
(M.B., B.S.) of the University of Rangoon in March 1961 at the age of 21 years only.

Colonel Balakrishnn, Commanding Officer of the Base Military Hospital at Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) told me," You are too young to be a doctor" when I reported him for duty in 1961.


(Rangoon Medical College)

Conclusion

I still feel that the day in which I heard the good news from Saya U Ba Yin that I won the premedical scholarship prize was one of the happiest days in my life. It changed my world of education, my career plan and my whole life because it saved me from the troubles of choosing the career and subject combination at the university when I passed the matriculation and also that it determined my habit of regular study since high school. Besides, I was very early introduced to hostel life in Mandalay and Rangoon to learn about communal college living with exposure to adult life, extracurricular outings and experience that were so beneficial to my later life and work.

(Seal of Burma Medical Association)

If I had not taken the premedical course at Mandalay, I might have chosen other subject combinations apart from medicine and I might have wandered in other lives, some political and some mundane, that may not make me as I am now, a doctor, a professor, a sex educationist and a reform-minded progressive writer.

I therefore regard that day when U Ba Yin told me of my success at the 7th standard scholarship examination as one of the happiest days or happiest day in my life.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

27.10.2008