 |
 |
| Home | Back | Next | Guest Book |
 |
MIN KO NAING "Conqueror of Kings" |
 |
Min Ko Naing's real name is Paw Oo Htun. He was born in October 1962 in Rangoon as the third of five children of U Tun Lwin and Daw Hla Kyi.
Min Ko Naing grew up in a family interested in arts and politics, and he inherited both of these traits. Though Paw Oo Tun's father was never actively involved in anti-government politics he had a strong political awareness. Thus, he and his family members kept themselves apart from Burmese Socialist Programme Party [BSPP] activities. |
 |
Min Ko Naing's father was a painter and a musician. He taught arts and painting at his home in South Okkalapa, a satellite town outside Rangoon, and his family also ran a shop out of their house.
Min Ko Naing was a popular student at Thengangyun State High School No 2, where he studied until he passed the matriculation exam. "He was the jollytype and was loved by his friends," recalled Moe Thee Zun, one of his close friends. (note: Moe Thee Zun, whose name means June hail storm, was another prominent student leader during the 1988 uprising.) |
 |
Min Ko Naing was popular at school festivals, debates and singing contests. Friends and colleagues frequently visited his house, because he made friends feel relaxed and happy. One of his friends recalled: "He has a great sense of humor. He is also very kind, generous, and open-minded."
After passing the matriculation exam in 1984-85, he joined the Botataung Regional College in Rangoon, where he majored in Zoology. He spent two years in Botataung College before continuing on at the Rangoon Arts and Science University [RASU]. |
 |
Min Ko Naing was an active member of the RASU arts club. He loved reading, drawing and writing poems. Several of his poems and short stories have been printed in privately owned magazines. He also loved drawing cartoons, especially satirical ones.
At the same time, Min Ko Naing was already serious about politics when most students his age were only thinking about school and fun. Moe Thee Zun remembers that even before 1988, "Our conversations went beyond the usual topics of poems and cartoons, and we began to talk about politics and the country's future." |
