Than Tun; I would say this much, Bogyoke Aung San (13 February 1915 - 19 July 1947)
The Communist Party encouraged the students to take an active part in Myanma fight for freedom. The Socialist Party did the same. We had had so many problems like getting back the requisitioned regarding school buildings, procuring all necessary textbooks providing and qualified teachers. In trying to solve these problems, the two groups disagreed and quarreled often. Bogyoke wanted us to work together. He sent for us and started the discussion with his usual curtness "Say what? "Sein Mya Maung, my counterpart and myself vied with each other to establish our own points that he shout "Get out". He said only two words for each of the opening and closing of our discussion. Than Tun; I would say this much, Ludu U Hla (17 January 1910 - 7 August 1982)
From the first time I met him, I took him as my own brother. I know he knew that. And it explains why I did not call him 'Uncle' as everybody else. He was a kind of man who would help without being asked. He was always kind and helpful and he did not expect any civility from me. He knew my type. When he was in dead - bed I was near him, but not too close, and saw the agonies of death that he suffered. Daw Ama warned me not to show my presence to him. In dead throes, he would not notice me. She had her own reasons ( See Ama 'Our Saya Than Tun'. Felicitation Copy 1998,105 - 107). She was correct.
Than Tun; I would say this much, Kyaw Yin ( 7 December 1916 - 30 March 1969)
On 1 October 1965, both of us reported for duty at Mandalay University; he for Rector and me Professor. When rendered into Myanma, Rector is Chief of Professors (Pamaukkha Gyoke) and I disagree with this translation. A professor is at the top of his line and he recognizes no one above him. U E Maung (27 September 1903 - 1 February 1986) did the translation and no one had the courage to correct him. His brother-in-law Dr Htin Aung (1908 - 10 May 1978) was the first person to be called (Pamaukkha Gyoke - Chief of Professors. In my opinion, a rector is an administrator and certainly not a chief or super professor.
When Kyaw Yin was hospitalized and was in a state of stupor, he said, "Than Tun, go ahead with your Ph. D. programme". He encouraged me greatly to accept Ph.D. candidates in history. It was in 1969. It failed. Now, nearly thirty years later, we are on Ph. D. programme again and we felt that the calibre of candidates does not come up to the mark.
