I’m a Fortunate Man

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

I never thought I was so lucky
To be born in a Burmese family
That was happy and healthy
We’re all fed well and held dearly.

(The Mahamuni Buddha in Mandalay)

Because, I heard people are starving in Burma
Old people are begging in the streets for hunger
Some in Rangoon are drinking rice water
School children sell anything or beg in there.

(Dr Maung Maung Nyo & Dr Nan Ommar at

Flower Show in Canberra, Australia)

In our days, parents sent us to school every day
They fed us, clothed us and called on us always
My father used to give extra money and material
Whenever I topped the class or won prizes special
I had a happy and care free student life celestial
I thus reached the levels of premedical and medical.

(The Rangoon General Hospital belonging to

our Medical College, Rangoon)

Medical course was difficult and highly competitive
Some did not get admission, some hit and missed
Others were expelled by the 3-F system for their failures
I was fortunate to have passed examination every year
Monetary support was also not a problem for me either
I held premedical scholarship throughout student career.

(Convocation Hall of the University of Rangoon)

I knew some of my friends left the premedical course
They followed general arts and science degrees most
They entered government service or trade their parents chose
Some could not even join the university in remorse.

(Victims of Cyclone Nargis Waiting for Food and Money)

Parents’ economy was important for a student’s success
I remember poor Ma Tin Hla committed suicide
For lack of financial support in her educational quest
It was in 1955 premedical intermediate class of our batch
I also met one medical student doing the same at second MB
He was an orphan supported by friends and in dire poverty.

(Karen Refugees Arriving by Boat in Thailand)

The medical course was long and laborious
Many love and literary stories surrounded us
I remember a few left the medical school
For unrequited love or examination blues
I was fortunate I escaped those two
Yet, I was involved in literary and social pulls.

(Elephants Guarding the Gate to Thanbuddhay Pagoda)

I was commissioned as soon as I graduated
I did not have to wait for assess or to be vetted
I was posted to a big hospital with amenities attached
Nothing was impossible for me as my duty was reported
Not like others waiting for posting or looking for living
It’s much worse today as registration is on hold or pending.

(Thanbuddhay Pagoda in Monywa)

When people were looking for opportunity to go abroad
I was lucky I was offered state scholarship I sought
Not one, but two that I could choose, ponder and plot
I chose for a higher degree in London the best I thought.

(Tower Bridge, London, England)

I worked with devotion and diligence after my Ph.D.
I have taught and trained many undergraduates and PGs
I have much satisfaction in fulfilling the need of my country
It’s not like some who devoted for themselves and their family
Yes, I know they have more opulence, more money and luxury
But, I enjoy more satisfaction, peace of mind and body.

( Our Family in South Coast, Australia)

Being a Buddhist helps me too
I can soothe my self to be cool
I pay respects to Three Gems daily
I send loving kindness to every body
I know I’m nothing on scrutiny
I look forward to next life without worry.

(The Buddha Allaying Fear and Preaching First Sermon)

If I were to be born again as human
I wish I be born again in Burmese land
Well fed, well educated and a strong man
Capable of clothing and feeding fellow human
Educating and liberating them from poverty
I’ll be a brick in building a prosperous democratic country.

(The Ananda Temple Built by King Kyanzittha Denoting a

Prosperous and Peaceful Country that was once Burma)

When I look back to my family life
I have ups and downs on both sides
I have been very sentimental and romantic
I have suffered a bit and enjoyed a bit
But, my wife is wise and quite supportive
Our daughters are sincere and sympathetic
Nothing in us is unsavory or secretive
So, I say I’m fortunate to live.

(Buddha Healing a Sick Monk with Attending Shin Ananda)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
01.12.2008 (original)

In Memory of Bhamo (Bamaw) Tin Aung

Uncle Bhamo Tin AungThat I Have Met
By Pho Than (Ludu)

Translated by Dr Maung Maung Nyo

At the age of ten years
I visited the Rangoon Prison enclosure
I met Uncle Bhamo Tin Aung with my father
He was my hero, then that of a primary student
He was “Prince of Prison” after Independence;

(The Late Bhamo Tin Aung)

He writes the novels, Great Rebel and Mother
(I’ve not read them at that juncture)
By just hearing about him I admired
Now, in prison I was meeting him in person there
Beside him were...
Shwe Dah
Moe Hein
Maung Ne Win
Linyone Maung Maung
Sun-Nyunt-Oo U Hla Khin
All established writers!

(Ludu U Hla, Writer, Journalist, social Activist)

Flags of white doves were flying
Myat Lay, Mar Mar Aye and Yi Lay were singing
Their songs were strong and sweet
They are demanding for internal peace
Also for world peace ;

(Popular and Progressive Vocalist Mar Mar Aye)

Their voices were loud and clear
The majority of people also were here
People included arriving in our home at this juncture...

(Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing, GOM of Burma)

Sayagyi Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing
Retired Brigadier-General Kyaw Zaw
Physician Dr Sin Pho
Writer and Poet Dagon Taryar

(Brigadier Kyaw Zaw)

Then author of the book Civil War,
Who was given a long-term prison sentence, my Uncle
Bhamo Tin Aung, the invincible indomitable writer!
For an important matter
They were now traveling together.


(Dagon Taryar, Writer, Poet, Peace Activist)

The next time I met him
It was not a pleasant thing
An island surrounded by water on all sides
Where heroes sacrificed their lives
He was found with Mya Than Tint
Parachutist Bo Ohn Maung, Saya Rajan
Yebaw Khin Maung Myint ;

(Ludu Daw Ah Mar, Wife of Ludu U Hla)

Old Uncle Thakhin Khin Aung
There were leaders, heroes
Ordinary comrades like this fellow
Fire wood cutters, fishermen
Cobblers and handy men
They were singing and shouting slogans
Eating coconuts and waging hunger strike often
It was lucky they did not die in the mayhems
They were saved from death
They returned home just intact.

(Cocos Island, remote, Dark and Bleak)

On meeting my Uncle
I was meeting a special person who was capable
Endowed with loving kindness and loyalty
Sila or morality and integrity
Full of knowledge and bravery
That was what I believed sincerely.


(Insein Prison Aerial View)

But, one day in my vision
Darker than the dark prison
More isolated than a remote island
Uncle went to an invisible hinterland
He went alone in this sojourn
Without any companion or clone
No! No! It should not be so alone;

At Yeway Cemetery stands
Shan, Bamar, Kachin, Karen
Indian, Chinese, all ethnic groups and clans
Venerable Buddhist monks came
Christian nuns acclaimed
Undertakers of cemetery, Subarajas
Undertakers of literati, publishers
Even the Bodaws or Guru Astrologers
His comrades-in-arms and colleague writers
People of all sorts, his admirers, adorers
In short those who knew values and valour
Came singing hymns and ringing bells
Bouquets of bright red roses adorned well
Uncle enjoyed a beautiful death to tell;
Untimely death, I would say;
But, if death comes to me one day
I wish I die like him a hero’s way!

Pho Than (Ludu) on 30th Anniversary of

Bhamo Tin Aung’s Death (October 23, 1978)
Translated by Dr Maung Maung Nyo (29.11.2008)

My First Love Burmese Beauty

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

My heart leaped up when I first saw her
She’s a Burmese beauty in princess posture
Sweet, secretive and smiling like Mona Lisa
Wears a royal silk Htami and Engyi in splendor
Looks at you coyly and enchantingly with enigma
I was captivated capriciously in the first encounter.

Actually it was the portrait of Sao Ohn Nyunt
Drawn by Sir Gerald Kelly of Royal Arts Institute
She was introduced to him by a friend in London
When she accompanied her brother in law to England
Who was the Sawbwa of Hsipaw before World War II
He was attending Britain- Burma Parley for British Rule.

Sir Gerald Kelly sketched several while she posed
About fourteen at first, but more as painting closed
He painted about thirty pictures in oil in several poses
He sold them one by one on reprints and canvas modes
Ultimately the selling surpassed a million mark in copies
It’s now the most famous painted beauty that is worthy.

Yes, I saw her portrait first in Glasgow then in London
Later I found it in New York, Washington and Michigan
Recently I saw it in Kuala Lumpur and Sydney in tandem
Now I read about her on the Internet Website of a Shan.

It gives me great pleasure and pride as a true Burman
More so as I saw photo of her self and portrait on stand
Unbelievable ultimate utmost upbeat unending bangs
I felt them in my heart, in my head and in my hands!

(Sao Ohn Nyunt in Portrait and in Person)

The article was written by one Mr P Basset of Australia

He met her whil he was serving as diplomat in Burma

He and his wife cherished her portrait as treasure

They gave her dinner and got autograph on the picture

I really salute them for their love of art and real beauty

Bassetts, Sir Gerald Kelly and Sao Ohn Nyunt made history

We Burmese should take national pride as rare opportunity!

(Mr Basset who Met and Wrote about Sao Ohn Nyunt)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
28.11.1008 (original)

The Burmese Diaspora

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

Nowadays Burmese stay everywhere
They are found all over the world
In UK, North America, Europe and Australia
Many more in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia
From there they go back and forth to Burma.

(Burmese Monks Studying at Nalanda, India)

It’s like a cow tethered by rope to a pole
It winds round and round the central core
It seems walking or running away with a lasso
Still it cannot go beyond the reaches of its hold
Their birth in Burma is rooted in their marrows.

(Burmese Activists Protesting in India)

Some have left Burma a long time ago
They have cut their links completely so
Their children are Burmese no more
Yet they have to claim Burmese also
They are expatriates in countries cold.

(Burmese Exiles at Large)

The Burmese form a colony in each country
They seek and speak one another for company
The natives are loath to mix with them closely
There is an invisible racial barrier separating really
Only a few succeeded in breaking down the hostility.

(Burmese Refugee Graduates in Indiana, USA)

Apart from work and good pay
There is not much to say why they stay
“Oh! Children have good future”, they say
They are satisfied and soothed that way
A lady doctor complained from Wales
She was even denied hair cut on pay.

(Burmese Charity Dance in UK)

Husbands play golf and gossip to while away
Wives rot in the house or hop malls all day
Children undergo social experiments as plays
They excel, succeed or sustain in their own way
Parents come to know when they fail in the fray.

(Burmese Monks Accepting Swan in Australia)

Burmese are boisterous and patriotic by nature
Any event will make them talk to one another
Especially when a natural disaster strikes Burma
Some donate money, some material, still some others
A few will organise relief campaigns at leisure.

(Burmese Activists in Tokyo, Japan)

Burma-born Burmese are most vocal
Especially those who have left on personal
That they love Burma more than the original
They shout and donate more to be theatrical
I say, “Sadu, Sadu, Sadu” for their deeds so vocal.

(May Day Celebrations by Burmese in Malaysia)

Some claim they are more Burmese and patriotic
As they earn more money to send donations quick
To the poor people in the poor country that is pathetic
Than the subservient and sincere simple Burmese
Who work inside the country like silly silent sheep!

(Padaung Beauty as Tourist Attraction in Thailand)

Blaming one another is easy
Claiming more point is cheeky
What is needed is coordination and unity
Burmese are noted for friendliness and informality
But, forging unity for sustained activity is an infamy.

(Miss Burma in Miss USA Contest in California)

Individually, Burmese are good to each other
They are ready to make friends without usher
They can speak, they can share food and they stay together
But, they cannot form a company or union for long ever
Histories of split or breakups in parties and societies abound there
We should take lessons from that and work closer and better.

(Burmese Protesters in Singapore)

General Aung San had succeeded in uniting the Diaspora
He led the “thirty comrades” to Japan and back in Burma
He recruited Burmese in Siam and Japan to join his movement
Ko Saung (Bo Than Tin) in Japan joined as one recruitment
Bo Yan Naung in Thailand volunteered as a lieutenant
Others enlisted as other ranks, ordinary soldiers and attendants
Still others took part as guides, cooks, interpreters and informants
Richer Burmese donated their wealth and supplied requirements.

( O' Way Magazine Editor Aung San and Nyo Mya sitting

in Left and Right centre in front row)

On his way to London for independence negotiation
Many Burmese in India and England supported his mission
Dora Than Aye in New Delhi helped him with broadcasting
James Barrington,ICS, polished his English speaking
Bo Tun Hla, an Anglo-Burman, officiated as his ADC
General Aung San was successful politically and socially.

(General Aung San,

Leader of Thirty Comrades)

When U Nu went abroad to fight against General Ne Win
He was followed by many prominent Burmese from within
But, he was supported only by few Burmese Diaspora crews
I remember his taking a taxi in Tokyo was a world’s news
In New York, he had to rely on his old friend U Thant for clues
Thant was then Secretary-General of the United Nations too
How could U Nu succeed in his fight against Ne Win’s Rule?

(Bo Kyaw Zaw, One of Thirty Comrades,

Retired from Brigadier-General Post)

There are some Burmese who live abroad
Solely to work for the Burma’s cause
Like Bo-Kyaw-Zaw, Aung-Zaw, intellectuals’ lot
Sacrificing their lives, luxuries and comfort
They are emulating Aung-San in his plot
To gain any support from abroad for their cause
I salute and wish them for their success they sought.

(Burmese Praying for Burma in Japan)

I’m glad all expatriate Burmese love our country
Patriotism is not a monopoly or hereditary
No one race or ethnic group can own it solely
It’s the common denominator for every body
Who is born and brought up in the country;
Every citizen must uphold it eternally
You must be a patriot by word and deed visibly
It should be taken as pride by your family and progeny
Let there be more patriots in the Burmese Diaspora family!

(Laura Bush, Wife of President Bush, with Karen Refugees

in Thailand)

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
26.11.2008 (original)

An Eventful Day for Parents

Dr Maung Maung Nyo

It’s an eventful day today
Groom’s parents would come and say
Their son is ready to be engaged to our daughter
We have to accept it fitting the Burmese culture.

(Lotus in Clean Water)

My wife got up and washed early today
She cleaned and cooked in the kitchen
She had assembled Burmese delicatessens
She cooked them quickly for cool display.

(The Great Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon)

I hurried my self washing this morning
I scrubbed, shaved and showered in succession
I dressed myself modestly but in gentleman fashion
I was ready to receive varied guests even a king.

(Standing Buddha Speaking Sigalovada Sutta)

Groom’s parents were to arrive at ten thirty
But, my bride-to-be daughter rang me early
They got up late and taken sticky rice at ten
So, they would be late and come only at eleven.

(Buddha:Family Income to be Used Wisely)

So, we did things in steady and systemic fashion
Every thing was ready by ten in the morning
Mohinga soup was hot, sending smell and brewing
Monphat (rice vermicelli) was white and waiting
To be served with coriander, chili and cut boiled eggs
All the ingredients were ready on the table to be made.

Just over eleven O’ Clock they arrived
First, would-be bride and groom, then his parents
All were well dressed, smiling, sweet and radiant
They all greeted us warmly and we reciprocated.

(A Model Burmese Family; General Aung San,

Daw Khin Kyi and Baby))

The groom’s parents were first given seats
My wife and I then sat at a nearby sofa neat
Son and daughter stood at a distance and noted
We exchanged pleasantries, personal data and spoke;
I invited them to open their bid if they have any
Groom’s father frankly asked for my daughter’s hand
To be married to his son whenever our side agrees
We said we accept their request and it all depends
On the couple to set a date for marriage when
So, engagement was a success and completed then.

(Burmese Delicatessens Mohinga)

We just needed to get up and eat
That they also agreed and finished
Thus we headed to the dining table
We sat facing each other as responsible pair
Groom’s parents on one side together
Bride’s parents facing them right there
Bride and groom sat at each end of the table.

(A Bowl of Delicious Mohinga, Burmese Vermicelli in Soup)

All of us enjoyed eating Mohinga and appetisers
All the time speaking and swearing about Burma
Bride’s elder sister taking pictures with pleasure
It was a day well spent for our young daughter.

(Wedding and Engagement Flowers)

The groom’s parents left happy and heartily
They said they were glad for son’s future family
They entrusted us to look after them as the need be
They would go back to Burma after son being married.

(Our Family; MMN, NOM, YPN, ESN)

My wife was also happy for our younger daughter
She can now rest assured for her future family altogether
Like her elder daughter who is employed, 1 ½ years older
Ei is just 25 years old, but employed earlier as team leader
She gained a Master’s in computer science in Australia
Both are Masters, able to establish a successful career.

( Burmese Bride and Bridegroom)

Yupar then recited the duties of parents and children
That she learned by heart since her kindergarten
Among others, parents must wed their progeny in time
Children must look after their parents in their decline
I said, “Sadu, Sadu, Sadu” to her chimes
Her mother was also pleased and joined
It was an auspicious day today so sublime
We are grateful to our good fortune that smiles.

Dr Maung Maung Nyo
23. 11 .2008 (original)
Notes:
I. Five Duties of Parents:
(i) They restrain them from evil,
(ii) They encourage them to do good,
(iii) They train them for a profession,
(iv) They arrange a suitable marriage,
(v) At proper time they hand over their inheritance to them.
II. Five Duties f Children:
( i) Having supported me I shall support them,
(ii) I shall do their duties,
(iii) I shall keep the family tradition,
(iv) I shall make myself worthy of my inheritance,
(v) I shall offer alms in honor of my departed relatives.