Road conditions

Neelz Singh,

Lami

Wet weather or not, Public Works Department (PWD) was better in fact when it comes to road patching or grading.

Now contractors are worse than PWD, when it comes to upgrading or patching or return job on the road they have just fixed one week ago. Locals were doing a better job before contractors were given the tender in the name of expatriates.

There are too many bosses roaming with the 4×4 in the road business and not much work done and some jobs have been pending for years. New roads fixed turn into pot holes in a couple of weeks of project and return job again.

A question to FRA is, are they surveying or checking the quality when road job is finished or completed by the contractors or everything is on paper and paychecks are instantly ready.

The capital invested in road for the budget put aside by the Government can make a new cement road that can last for 20 or more years rather than you know what happened. The case is too many bosses; too many pot holes.

Local government

Suresh Chand,

Nadi

The municipal elections will be called once the local government reform is done. This is according to reports in the media.

The sooner it is held, the better it is for all in the country. Ratepayers would be very happy if the election is conducted tomorrow.

It is because with elections returns democracy, transparency and accountability not to mention ratepayers’ ease of accessibility and say in the development of their respective towns.

When an elected council returns, the financial burden paying the special administrators will stop.

If that happens, the country saves approximately $400,000 to $450,000 annually. For a country like Fiji, this is a huge saving.

The savings can be given to the poor townships as grants. I see changes already taking place in some council where there are no special administrators.

Lautoka, Ba and Tavua don’t have any special administrator from 2014. This a good start but I believe it should be standardised across the board.

Let the chief executive officer  alone manage their respective towns and cities like the three municipalities mentioned above until elections are held. I hope my suggestion is taken on board for the good of our beloved nation.

Chaudhry’s hypocrisy

Abendra Ram Tahal,

California, USA.

The Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry’s criticism of Speaker of the House, Dr Jiko Luveni’s impartiality during his submissions on the Parliament Powers and Privileges Bill 2016 before the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights exposes his hypocrisy.

Dr Luveni has been and proved to be the best Speaker, Fiji has ever seen. Her impartiality, fairness, integrity, professionalism, experiences etc. is something every citizen should be proud of and inspired by!

Mr Chaudhry’s criticism of Dr Luveni doesn’t hold any water and more so like showing light to the sun.

Surprisingly, Mr Chaudhry was a great supporter of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama Government’s policies when he was the Minister for Finance, yet it should not be a surprise to lot of people of his change of opinions today with his track records of changing his positions for his benefits and one time supporting Sitiveni Rabuka in one election period.

Mr Chaudhry lost credibility during the last general election where his leadership cost the party when they were unable to win a single seat in the parliament.

There is no denial that Mr Chaudhry was among some great people who fought and revitalise Master Awards for sugar cane farmers yet he also politicised the biggest farmers biggest organisation the National Farmers Union and benefited greatly personally from it.

When farmers were going through tough times with the industry, Mr Chaudhry was drawing big salaries from the union.

Also he was rewarding high profile jobs like the Sugar Cane Growers Council, chief executive officer to his friends like Grish Maharaj, who was only a teacher without any sugar industry experiences.

Mr Chaudhry also appointed his son, Rajendra Chaudhry who had no political or managerial experience what so ever to Secretary to the high office of the Prime Minister and brushing aside so many highly educated and experienced Fiji Labour Party hard working members.

People have lost faith and trust in FLP just because of Mr Chaudhry’s dictatorial style of leadership.

No one has held the same title in any organisations for so long in history.

Mr Chaudhry has a habit of dividing and politicising the organisations.

At one time he was drawing three salaries as General Secretary of FPSA, Secretary of National Farmers Union and MP at the same time.

I totally agree with the Speaker, Dr. Luveni that Mr Chaudhry is trying his best to gain the attention and manipulate the poor farmers and grassroots people for the next election.

The only way for Fiji Labour Party’s any good future, if there is any left is for Mr Chaudhry to resign immediately from the leadership and hold a the party’s General Meeting to elect a new leader.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Thumbs up for PM

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,

Delta, BC, Canada

Thank you Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for the wise and patriotic decision to keep our current national flag, the noble banner blue.

This great decision should come with forgiveness to all Fijians who went overboard with their comments on social media, in the dailies and around the grog bowl.

Looks like all Fijians will be having a dual celebration next week, our first Olympic gold medal ever and the decision not to change our national flag.

Vinaka PM and let’s celebrate Fiji!

Tribute to sevens gladiators

Afiz Mohammed, Suva

Each one of you is simply a hero!

You have brought the gold medal from Rio.

You’re the BEST, you have proved it so, you have brought the gold from Rio.

You’re number one, no one can say no.

You have brought the gold from Rio.

The final was tough, but you trounced the trio

And proudly brought the gold from Rio.

You made Fiji proud and united it further more.

With the first Olympic win and gold from Rio.

Salute and cheers to big Ben Ryan and much more

For winning world championship and gold from Rio.

A true Fijian!

Flying the Fijian flag

Param Singh , Navua

Once again Fijians would be flying their flags for our 7s rugby Rio Gold victory celebrations as they join in the activities in Nadi and Suva.

On the same token the burning issue of our flag change has been wiped out of our memory.

A national flag symbolises the spirit of patriotism, pride, unity, love for the nation and together we strive towards building a united nation in which our future lies.

We must ensure our young respect and love the national flag and to build future generations imbued with a strong sense of patriotism and national pride as one nation as recently displayed the world over on Fiji’s Rio rugby win.

Fiji is Fiji

Ashneel J Prasad , Auckland, NZ

No matter where you live in the world, once you reach Fiji, the heart knows what was missing.

Home is home, no matter how many years you live abroad.

The air, the people, the roads, the love, and the Bulas, everything becomes much better in Fiji.

Ben and the Boys

Sukha Singh, Labasa

I think Ben Ryan and the Sevens team not only won the “first gold medal” they saved our “Fiji Flag”. I am not sure I could be right.

Sad reality

Suresh Chand, Nadi

The Hibiscus Festival is marred every year by the rain.

It is rather unfortunate as you can neither stop the rain nor shift the mother of all festivals away from Suva.

It is a sad reality.

Methodist Church Deaconess

Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva

I fully endorse the sentiments raised by Nemani Delaibatiki in his article titled ‘Methodist Leader Breaks New Ground In Deaconess Pay Call’ (FS 17/8) where the issue of deaconess pay was raised.

Definitely, we need to treat our Methodist deaconesses well.

Being vital cogs in the wheel of the church as Mr Delaibatiki says couldn’t  be anymore true.

Our deaconesses and talatala (priests) for that matter are servants of God and the church are paying  them peanuts and expect them to perform and increasing the demands on the vocation, though they are servants of Christ who own everything as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23.

I know that the secret to service to God is lowliness, but that doesn’t mean the Methodist church pays them low wages.

I understand the men of the cloth enjoy  considerable power  and enjoy a large measure of trust in the vanua they serve, but we have to reward them well too.

They are playing an important role to save souls and act as the first of line of defence to social ills.

As shown to us in this article, deaconesses are paid well below the national minimum wages mandated by the Government of $2.30 cents/hour which would give them an annual salary of $5,000.

They are also subject to the cost of living adjustments of this country and they don’t roam the desert anymore like John the Baptist eating wild berries and dressed in sheep furs. Be that as it may, I’m glad that the Methodist Church of Fiji president Reverend Tevita Banivanua is reviewing the deaconesses’ salaries.

I also thank this newspaper for raising this long forgotten anomaly that needs rectification.

Their employment rights need not be violated and I call upon the Minister for Labour to make an order in the government Gazzette to form  a wages council for religious employees in Fiji.

Early childhood education

Arun Prasad, Nausori

I applaud the Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for recognising the salient work of the Early Childhood Education teachers and noting the fact that these teachers “have been underpaid for years” [F/S 16/8].

I am positive that very soon these ECE teachers would be put on a structured scale and start earning a decent salary.

We must recognise the fact that teachers are at the core of quality education. These teachers, and all other teachers, require a genuine supportive working environment for teachers, including attractive working conditions, continuous professional development and specialised training in addressing diverse student population.

The goal of having an educated society is achievable.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

7s legends

Epeli Rabua, Suva

Ben ‘the Lion’ Ryan and his Olympic Champion Fiji 7s team have attained legendary status in Rio, the world and in Fiji. Going forth, they can be mentioned in the same whispered breath with the world’s and Fiji’s first living 7s legend – the mercurial, Waisale Serevi!

We have known long before Rio that Fijians were the greatest exponents of rugby’s shortened version, the 7s.

And have made the game as beautiful as our 2016 Olympic hosts play their soccer.

The flamboyancy, the uncanny silky skills imbued at birth, the upholding of our steadfast Christian faith, the rock-hard defensive tackles – and all this, done with a huge Fijian smile knowing, that we not only enjoy this game but love every minute of it!

This Fijian 7s Olympic gold medal team with their coach, Ben Ryan, have now earned their right, to not only stand beside but play alongside the world’s greatest 7s player, Waisale Serevi and showpiece their 7s rugby with the gods.

Fiji, the rugby and Olympic worlds are indebted to His ‘Small’ Highness – Waisale Serevi.

He was the legendary 7s wizard who first cast his magic on the 7s pitch the world over and so enthralled the masses, that the Olympic Committee had to have him endorse rugby, the 7s version of it, back into the Olympics after 64 years!

As we bask in history and the glorious golden victory of our new 7s legends, we thank and ask our Good Lord to bless all of them including Waisale Serevi, their families and Fiji.

Ben Ryan

Utiko Nabunobuno, Lautoka

A lot has been said recently about our now renowned 7s coach leaving Fiji Rugby. Some have said that he is starting to distance himself from Fiji Rugby after the Rio gold triumph, now that his market value has increased dramatically.

With all due respect to the gentleman, if we look at it from another angle, I think that it was not him who raised Fiji 7s rugby profile, but rather it was Fiji 7s that raised Ben Ryan’s profile.

He accepted the coaching job, even when he knew FRU could not pay him the right amount, because he knew that it was his only chance of tasting glory this time. If he had coached any other team, whether it be New Zealand or Great Britain, his team would not have been on the winning podium.

Like it or not, it was Fiji’s destiny to win the Rio gold, whether Serevi, Tietjens, or Ryan was coach. It is no doubt Ryan has helped us win back-to-back series titles, plus the gold in Rio.

However, Fijians are known to be the best 7s rugby players the world over, and the fact that majority of the 7s rugby powerhouses and top rugby competitions in the world boast Fijian athletes as among its best players, is a testament to that fact. We are the best 7s team in the world, and we have won so many sevens titles in the past before the introduction of the World Seven Series.

It is indeed true that rugby made the tiny dot Fiji shine like a star on the world map, but it was our brand of entertaining, unorthodox play that put rugby on to the world stage, and finally on to the Olympics.

Fittingly, it is the Fijian players playing that day that took the evolution of rugby and the Olympics to a whole new level.

So, if Ben wants to go, convey to him our appreciations, and fare him well. The world will always be mesmerised by Fijian rugby, with or without him.

Long live Fijian Rugby!!

B.O.G

Sachida Rao, Nausori

I am quite sure Fiji FA is anticipating a successful B.O.G after the success of Fiji FACT. It was success in terms of gate takings.

Here are some areas that the organisers should look into and probably improve for the patrons.

Have more food stalls to avoid the sale of cheap snacks or junk food. This was common during the Fiji FACT.

There is a need to have the public address system for pavilion B and of course the flood lights to be tested and a stand by option planned and placed because Ratu Cakobau Park has a good history of lights going off.

What happened?

Suresh Chand, Nadi

Here in the West for a few years now, mangoes are not fruiting like before. Observing, you know what I mean.

I wonder why it is like this.

Opening a bank account

Sukha Singh, Labasa

Why do you have to take your child to a Justice of Peace to certify that you are the father of the child?

Why can’t they open an account using a birth certificate and the TIN number?

The question here is how does the JP know that the child is yours?

Good moral moments

Samuela Kailawadoko

Nadi

There were some good moral moments in the Olympics – Fiji’s game against Japan when one of my favourite players Lomano Lemeki hugged Oscar and bowed for a moment together after their loss.

The Right reverend W.J Carey, one of the earliest English Barbarians said; “Rugby is a game for gentlemen in all classes,but for no bad sportsmen in any class.”

An elder remarked  when he saw and heard them singing ‘we have overcome’ eda sa qaqa – he had been watching sevens when Fiji played, never before heard a hymn being sung to captivated  viewers.

The medal presentation; our boys kneeling to receive their medals and “obo”.

This were some very captivating moments that had important connections to us in Fiji and the Pacific.

To me this was a magnificent emblem, symbolising the worldwide fellowship of the Fijian men’s 7s team. Who else could have a team song such as this ;

‘Eda  sa qaqa

 Ena vuku ni dra

 Ki na nona vosa

 Eda sa qaqa

We have overcome

By the blood of the lamb

And the word of the lord

We have overcome ‘

Welcome home Fiji 7s team , Welcome home.

Golden path

Dhirendra Prasad

Lautoka

The Olympic Gold medal is a symbol of unity and an insignia of hard work with a positive attitude.

This should become the habitual pathway of the citizens of this small and beloved country.

With the smallness, which is normally considered a factor of impediment of progress, has been negated by our determined team of rugby 7s.

They have proven that nothing is impossible if there is perseverance and determination.

The team has in fact shown the nation that now is the time to take care of the environment and the upkeep of the country.

The heights they have taken our beloved nation needs to be maintained in terms of cleanliness, road usage with common sense, personal health and all the other ills of our society.

Our team was fast and furious on the field which teaches us to be time conscious with patience and attack to defend our identity through the guidance of the respected leaders.

The team has also sent a message for our leaders to be focussed with a plan for progress and not to be swayed by influential factors in decision making.

Stick to the plan no matter the challenges that may come during the course of preparation.

This win should be enough to increase greater awareness in all Fijians to have a sense of pride for our nation not only for the purpose of showing pride, but a genuine desire to make our beloved nation a real heaven on earth.

We already have golden beaches, golden relationships with the outside world, golden diversity and golden opportunities for all.

Keep your distance from opportunists and people full of vengeance.

God bless our beloved nation and may we prosper with a golden heart.

Remember that the path to gold is and has never been easy and one needs to be focussed and courageous along the path.

Try Canada

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa

Delta, BC, Canada

It is disheartening to read in the media that the seasonal workers scheme with Australia has been stagnated, after 200 jobs that were supposed to come our way was given to another Pacific nation.

Last year 133 Fijians took part in the programme but so far this year, only 26 have worked in the scheme.

It is suspected that because of the negative media reports by some Fijians who were part of the seasonal work programme last year, that we are paying its consequence this year.

My advice is to try Canada if Australia plays hard to get.

Last week, when our Fiji 7s team won gold in Rio, I and over 1000 workers were picking blueberries on the biggest Blueberry farm in BC, Canada called Golden Eagle.

It is amazing to see the different contractors with their bus load of pickers totalling 1040 workers come to pick just one small portion of this huge farm.

I believe that if Canada allows Fiji to be part of its seasonal work, Fijians will come out here in big numbers as we have both seasonal agricultural and seasonal fish processing, among others.

We prayed for Fiji’s first ever gold medal in the history of the Olympic Games and it was answered in style.

Individually, seasonal work is very important to some Fijian households and if we unite in prayer, God will remove the Australian stagnation and will open Canada and other nations to us.

Coin and stamp?

Ram Bajekal

Suva

Good time for a commemorative stamp and coin to celebrate the Rio Gold?

Church mobile app

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa

Delta, BC, Canada

It is great to read that the Methodist Church in Fiji is working on a smart phone application to have the content of its hymn book, catechism and other church resources available on Google Play Store.

My church has the SDA Church hymnal available online in English, but not the iTaukei one.

It is true that not everybody takes their hymn books or Bibles everywhere they go, but the phone is not only becoming a tool of communication and social media, but its become a tool for everything.

I smile when I think of its negative impact, as this will allow mobile addicts to have their mobiles in their hands during church service and instead of listening to the preacher – their minds are glued to their phones.

The phone needs to be turned on to access the hymnal and it is human nature to be answering text messages and phone calls when it comes through.

With all the pop ups that appears in our mobile phones, one will have a temptation gadget on hand, which could be used by the devil to get the mind and ear blocked from hearing the message from God being preached.

Church members should remember that God is with His people when they meet to fellowship and worship Him, and it is very disrespectful to God and His messenger of the day when the body is there, but the mind is somewhere else.

Sai Satya Sai Baba Foundation

Tukai Lagonilakeba

Nadi

Thank you and Dhanyavaad to Shri Satya Sai Baba religious organisation through their Sai Prema Foundation for its gracious humanitarian initiative in helping Fijians access medical help through their Health on Wheels programme to the greater Suva and Nausori area.

It is a great visionary sensible community project spearheaded by a great friend Mahendra Tappoo and his kind hearted brother.

From their humble hardworking beginnings in the hills of the Nadroga/Navosa province Mahen, Suresh and Kanti Tappoo together with his other brothers have been giving back contributing selflessly to our Fijian communities through their many business successes.

This is a of great national interest and I do hope our College of Honours from his Excellency the President’s Office will on behalf of all Fijians from our Republic will bestow upon the chairman of this organisation a medal from the order of Fiji to recognition and to honour their humanitarian religious contribution for the betterment and good health of our Fijian nationals.

Poor Show in Rio

Sandeep Kaushal Reddy,

Suva

Below is my opinion on the Fiji Men’s U23 Football team’s performance in Rio Olympics.

Now that the Fiji U23 Mens Football team is back from Brazil after bagging a generous amount of goals from other teams in its pool, it remains to be seen which direction football will take in the country.

Firstly to put it bluntly, it was a very poor show from the boys at the tournament. We were just there to make up the numbers and act as practice matches for other teams in the group. It was an embarrassment for our country in terms of football. The question which we should be asking ourselves is where are we going wrong?

The simple and most important mantra of football is to maintain possession. This is evident from all the professional leagues and international competitions.

Watching the three matches Fiji played in Brazil showed that we are still stuck to the “Fiji Style of Soccer” which dictates that backs to kick possession into opposition territory and expect strikers to create miracles and score goals. In its first game against Korea, Fiji did not create more than three passes in the first half.

The problem is that we are so accustomed to playing this style of soccer locally at all levels that it comes naturally to the players. We get to see this every time in the local league and the three major tournaments.

The mentality of football here is to win at all cost and we make the ‘beautiful game’ look very ugly. The three tournaments we have in Fiji are all hyped up as ‘festive atmosphere’ and we see the same format of kicking high and long balls.

The players play for the crowd and it just all becomes ‘bazaar soccer’. The team management and coaches look for players on ‘name’ and do their best to win just for a piece of silverware.

Do we see any teams play football like we see in overseas league competitions where they keep possession, string together passes, build play from the back and create goal scoring opportunities?

It is even beautiful to watch and easy to follow for people who may not understand football. However in Fiji you see coaches shouting from the sidelines, players aimlessly kicking away possession, inaccurate passing and players concentrating more on tackling opposition players rather than playing the ball.

It is just outright frustrating and boring to watch local football. Because all the teams play a same style of football there are no real lessons learnt on what we are doing wrong. It is only when we are exposed to international competitions then we realise that there is so much to learn to develop football in Fiji to competitive levels.

Believe me, even if we by some miracle bring a World Cup winning coach for our national team, we will never improve unless there is a complete overhaul to our playing style beginning at grassroots level.

In addition, the FFA needs to accept and listen to critics rather than resting on their laurels of past success and searching for that pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Go online and watch the harsh scrutiny of England Football by former players and coaches after their dismal performance at Euro 2016.

We need to stop the habit of using words such as good exposure, lack of experience and the like, every time the national side receives a thrashing and makes a mockery of football in Fiji.

Fijians have been playing football for more than a century now and are we not concerned that in all those years there have been almost no improvements?

One just needs to compare our international rankings over the years to realise this. No amount of money spent on getting people from abroad will fix this.

It is for all stakeholders and people passionate about football in Fiji to come together as one and take football to new heights which all Fijians can be proud of.

Unfortunately there is no easy fix.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Western celebration

Maria Koto

Namaka, Nadi.

Victorious celebration started here in the West, Nadi to be exact.

It would’ve been better if the Olympians took our famous Bula bus from the Airport to Prince Charles Park, this way, we will have a better glimpse of our gold gladiators, rather than trying to see them in the high tinted buses.

Also, if other centres could be given a chance to celebrate in their own way and timing.

Grand celebration

Kirti Patel

Lautoka

Ohh how wonderful the Rio gold celebration was. Such a big crowd that too with full strength. Just marvellous.

August 22 was a very jolly day where once again the whole Fiji came together. Seeing so many of them on streets and at the celebration at Prince Charles Park itself was simply very emotional moment. I have never seen people carrying so many of Fiji flags before.

From little ones to elderly citizens, all were there. Ohh just how wonderful.

Just one thing, to take into consideration of the little ones and  the weather, I think the celebration should have ended a bit earlier, however I guess the excitement and content feeling didn’t give people the reason to complain.

Let’s just hope everyone reached home safe and sound.

It’s time for our heroes to have some rest and think about their future plans. By the way, the speech by Ben Ryan and the team captain Osea Kolinisau was awesome. Vinaka. May God bless.

Olympic record

Simon Hazelman

Savusavu

Not only did our golden 7s team achieve Olympic glory, but they also set Olympic records.

Fijian 7s team was the only team to win all their games scoring 160 points in total – the most by any team! The grand final score of 43-7 now holds the record for most points and most points difference of 36.

A record that will stand the test of time!

Golden opportunity

Sukha Singh

Labasa

It was so nice, the Gold medal celebrations, but we missed a golden opportunity to reward each and everyone that went to Rio to represent Fiji.

At least a $100 check for everyone. The biggest gift is not the money, but knowing that the country appreciated your efforts .

Anyway congratulations to everyone for being in the Olympics

Sensitivity

Amenatave Yaconisau

53 Palm Drive Delainavesi

The degree of sensitivity of the media, especially this newspaper, in communicating ideas is impressive.

Of course there are other functions of the media such as profit making and entertaining  readers and it does not allow itself to be pulled in other directions by media authorities

Even when this newspaper does not agree with some views, but it prints them regardless without ignorance. It does not manipulate ideas to suit its own agenda .

It is a very important  source of information network. Keep it up.

Sugar industry

Joe smith

Pacific Harbour

We appreciate the Minister for Sugar Industry’s efforts to boost our ailing sugar output especially along the Rakiraki/Lautoka areas.

Similarly we appreciate the Tourism Minister’s initiatives to promote tourism developments between Lautoka to Tavua along the coastal areas.

I would suggest Investment Fiji also co-ordinate with investors and direct their focus along these untapped coastal zone.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Victorious 7s team

 Ala Naqiri

Nadi

Befitting celebrations and rejoicing awaits at the homes, villages and towns the individual boy’s hail from with the exception of the nationwide welcoming celebration that was held here in Nadi and in Suva.

Vinaka  vakalevu  Coach Ben Ryan and your jubilant team.

Perseverance, Persistence, diligence, determination and hard work paid off.

What a terrific season this has been!

Congratulations!  You went for the gold and bagged it home!

Give honour where it is due

Yudah Wakolo

Suva

The Great Ben Ryan deserves an honourary Award from Her Royal Highness the Queen of England.

He can be knighted as “Sir” Benjamin Ryan. Mr Ryan has done the nations proud for Fiji and the British Crown.

His eloquent sacrifice in coaching our champion Fiji 7s rugby team to win the many International Sevens titles and lately the historical Olympic seven gold medals, given the limitations in terms of resources, financial, technical and personnel, was a genius achievement.

Compared to other well-known rugby nations which have huge financial backing, advanced technical equipment and a reasonable number of well-educated players to pick the best from, this British son was able to do exactly  what was required of him.

Both our Fiji 7s team and the British 7s team created history on the same Olympic field, same turf, same final and same thirty minutes.

It’s just that our Fiji side won the gold and the British won the silver. Fiji has rightly awarded him with the highest honorary award “Companion of the Order of Fiji”.

Mr Ryan’s achievement was a prophecy fulfilled. During this historical medal presentations HRH Princess Anne garlanded our sevens gladiators with the gold medals and our Fiji Olympic Committee member garlanded the historical British 7s team with silver medals. This was a historical exchange of respect and honour which symbolises our continued adoration for the British crown and vice versa.

Fiji as a republic is still indebted to the British Crown for the many leadership achievements that has seen our beloved nation elevated from the dark days to the light of civilisation.

While we are celebrating our historical gold medal win from the Rio Olympics we at the same time buried and mourning our political differences that has taken the crown to the wire in the recent past.

We as a nation have so far been made redundant from our membership of the Commonwealth of Nations under the crown.                   We may have defaulted and crossed many forbidden lines in our relationship with the crown due to our rise to political maturity, however we still maintained our diplomatic relationship with all the member nations of the Commonwealth.

We are still using the Fiji colonial flag that depicts the crown, we still maintained our national anthem, we still maintained the crown symbol in our security forces hats to name a few.

I apologise on our behalf to the British crown for our immature actions for not following the acceptable protocol of change for the better.

In the recent past we can witness some members of the British Royal family touring our neighboring Pacific nations, sparing Fiji.

While we do not wish to interfere in the busy schedule of the royal family in avoiding Fiji, it just maybe the right time is to come and it is now that they include Fiji in their scheduled royal tours.

Mr Ryan as a divinely gifted British son has brought our two sister nations together in both our teams’ historical win in Rio Olympics. He has set a sports leadership legacy that will go down in both Fijian and British history while at the same time possibly forcing his name into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Mr Ryan’s traditional show of respect to the President of Fiji after receiving his honourary award was the culmination of years of unbreakable alliance and solidarity to our former colonist master and the crown.

By rewarding Mr Ryan with a knighted “Sir” title from HRH the Queen of England surely will confirm our reciprocal offer of respect, patriotism, unity, tolerance which is a learning curve in our strive for acceptance and recognition under the crown.

While we return all the Glory to our Almighty Creator our salute of respect goes to the British crown.

Privacy

Amenatave Yaconisau

Suva

I am afraid the rights to privacy as enshrined in section 24 of the Constitution has been badly compromised by TV One news.

Even when people have not been convicted and sentenced, TV One continues to violate people’s rights to privacy by publishing their names and offences for information. This is a defamatory act.

I thought people are innocent until proven guilty.  It’s quite unnecessary to limit this right.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Thank you Ministry of Education

Jokapeci Qalo-Qiolevu

Naitasiri

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Minister of Education and all his hardworking staff members for making available on their website past years’ exam papers as well as answers and Examiners Reports for external exams.

I am not sure how long this has been available because I’ve just found out after downloading my daughter’s Year 10 Commerce paper over the weekend. Nevertheless I am very grateful for this wonderful initiative.

These are very valuable tools for both our children and us as parents.

It will definitely enable us to assist our children more effectively with revision this term.

God bless and keep up the awesome work you are doing MOE!!    

Team Fiji

Arun Prasad

Dilkusha

Firstly, I wish to commend Fiji Sun for keeping Fijians posted, during the Rio Olympics via its colourful pictures and apt narrations of the various sports. Vinaka.

I was overwhelmed with the Prime Minister’s address during the celebrations on Monday 22/8/2016.

I request Fijians to read his address F/S 23/8 if you have missed it.

I wish to take my cue from his comments “But some people simply weren’t team players.”

I ask the various Ministers, are you a team player?

If yes, bravo! If not, it’s time to get our “act together”.

He goes on to say: “So Team Fiji is starting to play as it should – giving everyone on a level playing field a go and as we score more points for our nation, we are determined to continue to leave no one behind.

“We are taking the marginalised, the elderly, the sick and the disabled with us.”

Perfect. Toso Viti!

Whilst we are celebrating the great rugby victory in the Olympics, and why not, can I request the Government to also take the new teacher recruits, who are marginalised on board too?

Can the Government honour them by giving them their rightful graduate salary of $21,438.00 rather than $12,360.00?

Can we put them on a “level playing field” with their fellow colleagues, please?

 Ryan the man

Samuela Kailawadoko

Nadi

It is a small wonder if the Englishman, Ben Ryan had been credited to give our ‘noble banner blue’ longevity; dignified by the famous victory against Great Britain in the final of the Olympics rugby sevens final in Rio.

The many thousands who watched witnessed the Noble Banner Blue at every rugby sevens game with the patriotism and passion from the Fijian fans.

Our people flew our nation’s colours with pride; the colour and the insignia of the flag are known the world over.

Peni Raiyani has salvaged our long association with GB.

Perhaps the most significant factor which may account for the flag to stay was the satisfactory finals of the rugby sevens at the Olympics.

An elder commented: ‘If I die tomorrow; I will let every Fijian who has passed on [God bless their soul] know that the Fiji sevens team has won the gold medal and the current Fiji flag has stayed’.

Ben Ryan

Amenatave Yaconisau

Suva

Those two stooges under the coconut tree are absolutely true that ‘Ryan leaves big shoes to be filled’ (Editorial Cartoon by Paul Dorin; FS 24/8).

I’m sure they are not star gazers but mused audience who are also confused of what the future may bring to our sevens team.

It’s certainly not an earthquake but the stampeding of people who celebrated with our gladiators.

I think the shoes are for someone who knows Ryan’s level of performance.

For me its either Chris Cracknell, Osea Kolinisau or Nacanieli Cawanibuka or a combination of them.

The other option is to get Mike Friday over.

Certainly Ben has done many mighty works for Fijian sevens.

The gratitude and humility demonstrated by this man will be hard to find in a coach.  The trust he has earned from the people of Fiji is unequalled.

He has had many people smile after the destruction of Tropicla Cyclone Winston

Go with our good wishes and blessings Ben.

Outdated festivals

Ashneel Prasad

Auckland, NZ

I think festivals are getting outdated in Fiji now. People are bored of the same old rides and stalls.

Festivals are a thing of the past now. They need more excitement. I might suggest getting an actual circus company in Fiji; clowns, acrobats, jugglers and more.

Now that sounds like a prospective money-maker. Get them to tour Fiji’s major centres and see how it thrills the people.

I urge investors to put their money in circuses, haunted house ploys or amusements arcades, not some boring old festivals.

The Gold song

Sukha Singh

Labasa

I was just wondering why the song Bring the gold from Rio doesn’t have any Hindi lyrics in it. Then I realised that the Hindi word for Gold is a swear word in iTaukei.

I wonder if Dr Paul Geraghty can do something about this problem. By the way, so good to have the most famous sports’ stars in Labasa. Especially for Osea Kolinisau to come to his mother’s island of Vanua Levu.

For those who do not know, his mother is from Nakalou Village, Labasa. This celebration is the first time I like being just a part of the crowd.

What is Ben’s worth?

Timoci Gaunavinaka

Nausori

Now that the dust has settled in Rio and we have showcased our talents to the world claiming that first gold for rugby since 1924, we now ponder on Ben’s decision whether to go or stay.

Where do we go to from here? It is easy to say that we have talent and we will again produce players of this calibre. It is easy to say we can bring a coach who can match Ben Ryan. But to achieve that will be no easy task.

We must not forget that despite all these talents we had, we were humiliated in the last two rugby sevens world cups.

We lost in Hong Kong five years in a row from 1985 to 1989 and a few more years after that. We have never won a Commonwealth Games rugby sevens gold medal and out of the 17 years of IRB series, we have only won 2 under Ben Ryan.

Ben has received over 20 offers from nations with money to burn and realistically there is no doubt that they are in the seven digit category. Now, Fiji must ask, what is Ben Ryan’s worth to us? What is the true value of this ginger haired Englishman?

What happened in Rio shattered the structure of the sporting world order. Never in the history of the Olympics has a tiny island nation inflicted such a huge humiliation and showed wide disparity in talents between gold and silver against a genuine Olympic Games overall contender and economic super power (Great Britain).

Usain Bolt won all his three gold medals by fractions of seconds over the silver medallist winners.

The USA Dream Team (basketball) beat Serbia in the final by 96-66 or about 145 per cent more points.

But Fiji beat Great Britain by 614 per cent (43/7) more points in a sport that is more physical than running and more vigorous than basketball to win gold.

My earlier letters in this column before Rio predicting that the Fijians will bomb Rio, that we will hit the bullseye and that Ryan will create his own legacy all came true.

That was no prophecy, but just pure analytical thinking.

Our tourism sector has spent millions of dollars every year to market Fiji. And here comes Ryan and his boys who sold Fiji to the world twenty times more in just three days.

He has instilled discipline and consistency to our sevens rugby which Fiji lacked for decades. This has tremendously increased the value and marketability of our local players.

It is ridiculous to categorise our sevens rugby as just a sport. It will be like putting tin, iron and gold in the same basket and saying that they are all of equal value because they are all metals.

Rugby sevens is our crown jewel and must be treated as such.

This is why I disagree with all of those who say that we cannot afford to pay Ryan, and his assistants what they deserve. In fact we just lack the will to do so. The justifications are all there plain and clear.

Whatever decision Ben makes Fiji must respect. But let us hope that he will take that consultancy offer in Hollywood for a few months in the making of a blockbuster movie regarding our humble beginnings and our road to gold.

If that happens, it will market Fiji more than 10 times compared to our gold from Rio.

Captain Osea Kolinisau correctly summed it up when he said, “Ben, we will always be indebted to you”.

Hard work pays

Joji O Toronibau

Tunuloa

I read with interest on (22.08.16 Monday FT) one of Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa’s letter on the seasonal workers development in Australia and the flourishing scheme in British Columbia, Canada.

To Mr Vakaliwaliwa, you have seen the opening, but for us here as rural dwellers we were all in dire straits despite trying.

Under-18 Deans trophy

For any breath of hope your enlightenment would be most paramount please.

For the first time ever in the history of the Deans Trophy competition, the trophy travelled from Viti Levu to the North just for us here to have a quick peak on the priceless wares and how the Queen Victoria School Under-18 team won it despite their isolation and being dispersed to their adopted schools.

Anyhow, we had a quite a moving celebration here in Labasa as the President of Parents, Teachers Association from Suva, Roko Alipate brought the Deans trophy to us here in the North culminating with Rio 7s celebration today (yesterday).

Only in the North, a 44-gallon drum was carried in the middle of the street by a single gentleman with a woman seen beating. Imagine as the parade procession from the Y corner proceeded towards town the beating of the drum came exactly from the opposite. What a day! What a joyous scene.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Special memories

Floyd Robinson

Suva

The heavens opened around midday on Monday allowing rain to pour in Funafuti, Tuvalu.

As thousands packed the streets of Suva to join in celebrations welcoming our victorious sevens rugby team, a small Fijian community gathered at Samu’s place in Tuvalu to enjoy a meal, cake and some grog.                        Definitely a Fiji flag was put in place and a big screen was available as they watched replays of the gladiators’ games in Rio.

Master Morgan Simmons was definitely a proud man as two of his former students (Ravouvou and Taliga) took to the field in Rio.

Several Fijian teachers from the outer islands were in Funafuti since it was the school holidays and they were there to celebrate as well.

Thanks to supplies from Lami Kava, our fellow men and women in Funafuti have had the opportunity to enjoy that lovely muddy water.

With the presence of a few beautiful Fijian teachers from the outer island and the presence of a cute Tongan doctor, our men braved the night doing the lose and taki.

Unfortunately, the motivation and talanoa sessions somehow went a little quiet once these ladies departed early, much to the dismay of some of our enthusiastic men.

Like one Kai Nakelo whispered into my ears ‘for your eyes only’.

All in all, despite being thousands of miles away from home, rugby will continue to play a special part in our lives, but for now the memories of Rio is a class above the rest.

Graduate quality

Ashneil Deo

Suva

900 more graduates have been churned out of the University of the South Pacific in its second graduation of the year.

There were similar massive numbers in the first graduation ceremony at the beginning of the year from our three esteemed universities and an estimated 1000 plus awaiting graduation from Fiji National University and the University of Fiji.

Is there some kind of competition going on with the quantity of graduates that Fiji can produce in comparison to India, China, United Kingdom or the United States? As someone involved in recruitment, I have noticed that while the quantity keeps increasing, the quality is worsening.

Congrats to the graduates! As a prospective employer, I hope that you are worth the paper that was handed to you by these universities.

Sports pension

Satish Nakched

Suva

As we are basking in glory after the wonderfull  7s rugby win in Rio, I think  it would be an ideal time to reflect and fast forward the current  scenario to about 20 years ahead.                    I believe at that era, this huge achievement would probably be forgotten and our heroes will be just another person down the street.

Probably their livelihood might be a struggle and the survival will be a mammoth task, which I pray never happens.

I suggest that the Sports Ministry sets up a mechanism and a criteria system where any sporting personnel with an outstanding achievement be recognised and be given a life time pension.

They have done more than their share of promoting the country in the global arena and the financial spinoffs will exceed any marketing promotion strategies.

The gladiators’ efforts must be recognised and rewarded accordingly.

During the late 70s when the then local boxing hero Sakaraia Ve fought, the country came to standstill. He was our Muhammed Ali and all were glued to the only mode of information dissemination system which was the radio.

The next morning, if you are not early you will miss out on the newspaper.

The boxer was so popular because of his world rating that it was very difficult for him to walk down the streets in Suva and Levuka. The national treasure had no government welfare scheme, but was instead taxed heavily. The former champion now resides in an informal settlement.

There is a need to create such a legislation to value the extraordinary sports living legends’ contribution to the country and look after them also in their lateryears.

Medicine scare

Tomasi Boginiso

Nasinu

A diabetic patient went to the Makoi Health Centre to seek medical attention for a boil on Tuesday and was prescribed by the doctor to have an injection for the next five days and when requesting for a diabetic tablet it was not available.

And when attending the fourth day of his injection to our surprise all patients after 9am had to get  the injection medicine from  the chemist which costed around $4 and  only then you could you be treated.

The nurses at the dressing room stated that they did not know when there would be supplies.

The diabetic person with one leg had to walk to the chemist with around another four people in their 70s who were in a similar scenario.

The nurses at the Makoi Health Centre weren’t enjoying work that could be seen with their customer relations’ attitude. Firstly they should be looking at the condition of the patient and then making relevant decisions which could make him or her comfortable.

Hope the relevant authorities are aware of the medicine shortage and also look into the nurses’ attitude especially towards the senior citizens of Fiji.

Time to move on

Wise Muavono

Lautoka

People are so engrossed for my mate Ben Ryan to remain as 7s coach even though he has decided to move on. Come on Fiji, enough already.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

One outing

Sukha Singh,

Labasa

One outing at the Olympics and the scoring skills of most districts has improved tremendously.

But the best way to remember our Under-23 team is to add the scores we were given by Korea, Mexico and Germany; 8+5+10 =23 then minus one; it becomes Under-23.

If you want to improve soccer you have to bring back club soccer. The Fiji Football Association you have killed club soccer with your national league and the tournaments.

Give honour where it’s due

Amenatave Yaconisau,

Delainavesi

I agree with Yudah Wakolo’s letter on the above topic (FS 25/8) that Ben Ryan ‘deserves to be knighted by the Queen of England’ maybe for masterminding the fall of the Great Britain Team.

He has done so many mighty things for Fiji 7s and definitely he is a very popular gentleman amongst our midst.

Someone said that rugby was invented in Britain. There could not be a stronger evidence than the 7s final in Rio including the medal ceremony. Even South Africa the Bronze medallist has some British touch.

I agree with him that we owe it to the British for our civilisation, including health, education and even religion that justifies the pointing up gesture.

Make no mistake, the British will be always be our friends as the PM said, but it must not be painted that we have shunned the British crown in our recent relations.

In fact it has gotten better with more of our boys recruited into the British Army. During the World War II the British Naval industry named mid-size frigates ‘Fiji Class’ and one even named HMS Fiji, but was sunk by German Focke-Wulf fighters during the Battle for Crete.

But we are also an independent sovereign nation and we have every right to do our own thing within international laws in an hegemonistic manner without apologising for our acts.

We must move away from this type of post-colonial submission and dependence at any cost. Such attitudes will only resurrect old class system and enslavement

Disney Moana recordings

Joan McGoon,

Nadi

Not only have we struck ‘gold’ in the Olympics (sporting arena) but we have also struck gold in the Performing Arts arena.

Hard work, perseverance and determination has led to two of the Pacific’s leading Performing Arts groups to be selected for ‘recordings’ for Disney’s first Polynesian cartoon, Moana.

Thousands from around the world auditioned for the lead voice of Moana and this went to Auli’i Cravalho, who was actually discovered singing at a charity event and had initially not bothered auditioning due to the number of auditions on Youtube.

However, her love for singing and inspiring others led her to being discovered.

Pasifika Voices, the University of the South Pacific’s resident artists, have a vision of inspiring every and any one with their soulful, beautiful voices.

Popular in the capital city for their performances at community and charity events, they inspire and uplift the spirits of everyone who come into contact with their music and dance.

To meet world class standards, fun auditions are held every so often amongst the members in dance and vocals. Recent performances before European royalty (Queen of Norway) and now, Disney’s new Polynesian royalty, Moana, have been rewarding for the group in terms of recognition and travel.

But also rewarding is the inspiration of others having inspired them to continue with their natural talents and gifting, regardless of life’s harshest realities.

All the best to this aspiring and inspiring group of talented individuals and to Tevaka, also the other Pacific Island performing arts group used for the Moana recordings.

May our infusion of cultures and love for the arts bridge us to each other and to the rest of the world.

Canada seasonal work

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa

Delta, BC, Canada

My heart goes out to old boy Joji Toronibau and other Fijians who have contacted me regarding seasonal work in Canada, in response to my numerous letters in this column (FS 27/8).

For the record, my Recruitment License issued by the Ministry of Employment has not been renewed and I believe this is because of their allegation, that I brought a group of Fijians out here last year on a WX-1 Worker Visa without following the conditions in my Recruitment License.

It is sad that the Ministry of Employment did not do its due diligence and have used my $20,000 bond deposit to get my group back to Fiji, but most of us are still here and the ministry is suddenly mum and have not responded to my emails.

I have been urging the Fijian Government to try Canada as there is a lot of work available out here and not enough workers, including its seasonal work.

Negotiations on a government-to-government level could lead to Fijians coming out here in numbers with open work permits.

As it is, despite the allegations by the Ministry of Employment that I have a WX-1 Worker Visa, I and the group are not allowed to work and I am currently picking blueberries because the contractors are desperate for workers and farmers want their crops harvested.

The blueberry picking season is from June to September and is currently slowing down and I am urging Fijians who are able to come out this way next year, to be part of the blueberry seasonal work.

I am able to line up Fijians for blueberry picking here, but one has to first apply for a Canadian visa and one easy way is to apply to watch the Vancouver Sevens in March next year.

If the Ministry of Employment has made a breakthrough by then, it should be good news for all Fijians.

But if not, then Plan B is to get a Canadian visa and do blueberry picking, which will recoup all your travelling expenses in the first month, while the rest of your work time is just extra money.

Rich men drink

Floyd Robinson,

Suva

Is kava becoming a rich men drink?

Well, with prices close to a $100 per kilogram, one could claim that’s it’s no longer cheap.

Sugar grant

Ashneil Deo,

Suva

The European Union through one of the regional organisations has allocated millions to assist sugar cane farmers.

Unfortunately, cane farmers in the Tavua and Ba corridors that I have spoken with have never received any assistance to date. I have personally visited and spoken with a lot of cane farmers in Koronubu, Vaqia, Vunisamaloa, Korovutu, Moto, Tagitagi, Natawa, Matalevu, Yasiyasi, Davota and Rabulu to name a few during cyclone Winston relief distribution.

For the sake of transparency and accountability, can the media question EU and the aid distribution agency where the allocated funds have been used to date?

All the big allocations for the sugar industry seem not to be trickling down to the grassroots people who were identified as the intended recipient of the grants.

Hopefully, the alternative livelihood initiative has not turned into an alternative diversion initiative.

Make-up artists in Fiji

Maria Koto

Namaka.

Don’t we have capable make-up artists here in Fiji??

It’s really sad to read in our dailies that we are having a Fiji Fashion Week with our locals showcasing their designs and yet we have to hire a company from overseas to assist our models with their Make-Up.

We should give our artists a chance and offer them the role for exposure and who knows it can also be a platform into new ventures.

Zebra crossing

Narayan Reddy,

Suva

Thank you Fiji Roads Authority for removing the zebra crossing at Vakabale Street and others in the city of Lautoka.

I do appreciate your hard work and finally agreeing with the people of Lautoka about the danger of zebra crossing on a bend.

On the same note I am wondering how much did it cost on marking those crossings and then removing them.

My Government gives taxpayers’ money to you (FRA) so please be mindful on how you spend that money.

TVET

Tukai Lagonilakeba,

Nadi

Technical Vocational Educational Training [TVET] is solution oriented; it must be promoted and encouraged throughout Fiji including our regional small Island economies for our very economic survival to safeguard us from our bigger brothers and competitors in the skilled labour market they successfully dominate.

The conversion of some schools for the introduction of our Fijian Technical colleges is a very positive move in the right direction; it is visionary, futuristic, mature and patriotic in profoundly protecting the country’s various economic long term interests for its people.

The Government must be commended through its Minister for Education and educational reformist Dr Reddy for implementing a long term solution to solving an issue that has been our country’s woes for the many past years.

Skilled labour shortage is a result of the brain drain or skilled migration; it is a problem that does not discriminate us from many other countries as people are always on the move migrating in looking for greener pastures, a change and better opportunities as they put it but we must always stand ready to counter positively and bridge the gap through TVET institutions etc.

Our Government’s TVET introduction is a very bold statement and it challenges our very fabric of society’s youths and encourages parents to utilise this great government initiative for their child’s benefit and the hosting of our governments World TVET conference at the GPH is a very positive leap and credit.

It is a bonus, very encouraging, inspirational and I applaud Government on placing special emphasis on these two very critical and specific human resources development areas for its citizens which they have implemented through its Ministry of Education policy, the Early Childhood Education [ECE] and TVET respectively.  Sau ka Rreki Viti (clap with joy Fiji) !!!.

Thank you Indonesia

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,

Delta, BC, Canada

Thank you Indonesia and the Indonesian Defence Task Force for completing Phase 1 of the repair work at Queen Victoria School, Matavatucou in Tailevu.

The Opposition had spewed venom in Parliament before the repairs commenced and I hope they will learn a lesson or two from the Good Samaritan work done by the Indonesian Government in QVS.

The Victorian family is grateful for the new look and from the photos in the dailies, a special bond has formed among the students, staff and those who live nearby with the Indonesian soldiers.

From a perspective of an old boy, it seems that Winston was a blessing in disguise for the school.

The QVS blue now stands out and the repairs have turned the school into a beautiful new one.

I remember seeing the QVS Chapel last year with its blue roof from out at sea and I am just wondering how the whole school will look like today.

All thanks to the Indonesian government and with the U18 winning the Deans Trophy, is just icing on the cake.

To the students, study hard and do your best to pass with flying colors in the coming exams.

To the old boys and the Victorian family, God bless you for your continuous support.

To the Indonesian government, Vinaka vakalevu. You have taught us Christians that the milk of human kindness surpasses politics and religion.

Expose ideas

Timoci Gaunavinaka,

Nausori.

A few years back I suggested on this column what I will again propose now.

While Government is fully commended for various reforms it has done in our education system, I believe that a huge number of our people today still lack exposure in various fields of opportunities and ideas.

This may confine our progress in whatever we do to obsolete, traditional or conventional methods while the developed world moves far ahead.

Imagine, if we can go to any DVD shop and purchase a disc that is in the English,  iTaukei or Hindustani language explaining in detail with practical examples,  how we can start a commercial farm.

There is a disc specifically for chicken farming, one for piggery, one for duck farming, one for goat farming and a separate one for cattle farming.

There could be separate discs for various vegetables, root crops, fruits and even fish farming taking into consideration our different seasons and soil types.

We can show this on TV but not everyone is free to watch it at the same time. In DVD format, our people can choose what to watch, rewind and replay and learn at their own pace and time.

There could be discs detailing how to start a small canteen, one on handicraft, one on food stalls and the basic principles of business. It must show interviews of people who are already successful in such ventures explaining every nitty gritty detail on how it is done; the licences necessary and where and how they may be obtained.

A separate disc on how to start an eco-tourism business explaining various legislation you must abide by, environment impact assessments, finer details on how such business must  be managed and interviews of those who have successfully done it in Yasawa, the Coral Coast and other parts of Fiji.

There can be a disc on how to raise our children in the different stages of their lives. This may cover home work, road safety, drugs and its impacts, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and sexually  transmitted diseases and the troubles they will get into if they do this or that.

It should also cover how they can learn how to swim and various sports and their pros and cons.

There are dozens more things we can add to this list, and they may not be only applicable in Fiji but through-out our Pacific region.  This can eventually become a fully-fledged industry on its own.

The Fiji Audio and Visual Commission may look into this and put in more additions and improvements to things suggested above and lay out a structure for such productions.

But please, do not sell these discs at extra ordinary prices which people can’t afford and therefore defeat the purpose of its development.

$3 or $4 per disc would be reasonable.

Imagine what this exposure would do to Fijians if we watch these discs showing people and places expose their various ideas and things we can do to improve our lives instead of watching “Archana”, “Shortland Street”, “Merlin”, “The Bold and Beautiful” and etc.

Unemployment is a concern in Fiji today, but it is not a result of lack of potential and opportunities or lack of resources.

It is a result of a lack of ideas, guidance and exposure.

Next elections

Amenatave Yaconisau,

Suva

I entirely agree with your ‘My say’ article by Nemani Delaibatiki (FS 28/8) that the next general election will be more intense than the first one.

True indeed!  The big challenge then for the opposition party will be on policy matters where they are contradictory.

They obviously have their own preferences and would take a lot of effort for trade off or self cancellation.

Just to merely have a conspiratorial coalition is pointless.

Similarly, it’s also questionable if they will gain votes by joining together given these policy differences.

It doesn’t pay joining together, if they can’t iron out these differences.

It’s just foolhardy.

The values of followers are competely different and it may prove counterproductive in the end.

The SODELPA promotes purely one ethnic policy and class politics, National Federation Party  and Fiji Labour Party are more towards the more favoured multi-racial and working class makeup along the lines of sugarcane farmers who recently had good consultations with the Prime Minister on the Sugar industry bills.

It certainly is not a matter to rejoice for followers to watch their emperors try to compromise issues that they hold dear in their hearts.

It certainly is a hard task and most followers resent it.

This could be a thing that dissolves the opposition’s unity.

I also agree with Mr Delaibatiki that there are a lot of disunity and internal disagreement within the SODELPA rank and file concerning policy issues and leadership splitting the youth wing and vanua.

I wonder whether the opposition will survive through these difficulties even without the trade unions support.

Who would trust a crocodile to teach his children how to swim? I wouldn’t.

Yaca’s gold

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,

Delta, BC, Canada

All Fijians who have “Savenaca” as their first name would like to thank Team Fiji Chef de mission Cathy Wong for working hard behind the scenes to get a gold medal for our ‘yaca’, Fiji Sevens Olympian Savenaca Rawaca.

Vinaka vakalevu Ms Wong for going that extra mile, which certainly paid off, that not only our yaca is over the moon, but his family, village and I believe the whole of Fiji.

Your name and what you have done will be remembered for a long time, as every time Rawaca looks at his gold medal, he will remember your name, Ms Wong, the woman whose initiative and boldness led to the issue of 13 gold medals and not the normal twelve to the winning Fiji Sevens team in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Fiji will really be the way the world should be, if we all have the same attitude of taking the extra mile to help and putting a smile on others.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Golden path

The Olympic Gold medal is a symbol of unity and an insignia of hard work with a positive attitude.

This should become the habitual pathway of the citizens of this small and beloved country.

With the smallness, which is normally considered a factor of impediment of progress, has been negated by our determined team of rugby 7s.

They have proven that nothing is impossible if there is perseverance and determination.

The team has in fact shown the nation that now is the time to take care of the environment and the upkeep of the country.

The heights they have taken our beloved nation needs to be maintained in terms of cleanliness, road usage with common sense, personal health and all the other ills of our society.

Our team was fast and furious on the field which teaches us to be time conscious with patience and attack to defend our identity through the guidance of the respected leaders.

The team has also sent a message for our leaders to be focussed with a plan for progress and not to be swayed by influential factors in decision making.

Stick to the plan no matter the challenges that may come during the course of preparation.

This win should be enough to increase greater awareness in all Fijians to have a sense of pride for our nation not only for the purpose of showing pride, but a genuine desire to make our beloved nation a real heaven on earth.

We already have golden beaches, golden relationships with the outside world, golden diversity and golden opportunities for all.

Keep your distance from opportunists and people full of vengeance.

God bless our beloved nation and may we prosper with a golden heart.

Remember that the path to gold is and has never been easy and one needs to be focussed and courageous along the path.

DHIRENDRA PRASAD, Lautoka

Mr Prasad will receive a Micromax phone from Courts (Fiji) Limited.

Wives, partners, parents

Apete Marayawa

Tauvegavega, Ba

The “Road to Rio” a journey started four years ago is now at the end.

It is with great pride and appreciation that we witnessed the welcome of Team Fiji back Home at Prince Charles Park then at the ANZ Stadium.

One thing that stood out were the various people and organisations that were publicly acknowledged and thanked for their contributions.

There were their fellow athletes, the management, the sponsors, the Government, the private sector and the wider public for their varied contributions both great and small.

In all these acknowledgements I would like to thank another group: the wives, partners and parents… their immediate family.

Upon Team Fiji’s triumphant return they were welcomed by Fiji publicly and while the public support was overwhelmingly amazing, it is returning home, back to where they started, to finally share their achievements with those they love that makes it all worthwhile.

After all, their sacrifice is a sacrifice shared. This group are the ones that truly understand the sacrifices made, enjoying the good times and bravely facing the difficult ones.

Immense acknowledgement and appreciation is also warranted for their contribution and their acceptance to share what they were part of with the rest of us mere mortals.

It is this group of wives, partners and parents that were their first supporters and it is this group that are the last to spend time with our conquering heroes.

This group has had to; put weddings on hold, struggle looking after children, giving birth, celebrating birthdays alone, taking care of the mundane everyday worries, not to mention the separation, so our heroes could focus on being the best that they can be.

And they are the best in the world!

Though I cannot thank you all individually, your contribution is greatly appreciated. Levu vinaka for all for your sacrifice.

I pray you be abundantly blessed and may you finally get to enjoy the quality time you so richly deserve.

Our security forces

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

To our Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto and our Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, the people of this nation all owe our gratitude to your fine leadership in ensuring that our monumental national 7s celebrations at both Nadi’s Prince Charles Park and Suva’s ANZ Stadium were both crime free and safe despite another rumoured false prophecy.

It boosts confidence, well co-ordinated and professionally executed when one can see the presence of our security forces in civilian clothes and in uniform respectively moving around ensuring all is well.

Both the security forces are always subjected to many unfair, baseless and biased finger pointing from being constantly scrutinised by the general public.

This does not always realistically reflect on the professionalism involved and obligation to the oath in their service delivery through the execution of your duty that many of us Fijian critics have failed to appreciate from time to time.

Many Fijians do not realistically realise, recognise and appreciate what happens behind the scene to guarantee the safety and security of our nation and its people. Many take it for granted until something drastic happens.

Great job and well done, vinaka vakalevu to our former immediate past Minister for Defence Timoci Lesi Natuva for the good leadership Sir.

Passengers sleeping in the washroom

Tomasi Boginiso,

Nasinu.

The appalling pictures of passengers sleeping in the washroom of the Lomaiviti Princess III has caught the owners by surprise.

And reaction to the issue, the owners seems to take a superior attitude. Firstly reported, the owners claim that it shows the cleanliness of the washroom and their second reaction was that someone is trying to blackmail them. I find these reactions very disappointing as they try and be on the winning side of every wrongdoing.

With their advice of parents not caring about their kids who were sleeping in the washroom, the fact is that passengers in the washroom were not only kids, but there were adults and even teenagers that were in the picture.

The relevant authorities need to look at the number of passengers that the ship is allowed to carry with the number the company is allowing for a particular trip.

There are rumours that passengers don’t only sleep in the washroom but also on the alleys, in the cafeteria, they even sleep on the tables and on walkways and passages.

Shipping service

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,

Delta, BC, Canada

Gounder Shipping is in the news after pictures of a child sleeping on the floor of the Lomaiviti Princess III was posted on social media (FS 31/8).

Of course George Goundar will be upset and will come up with the usual excuses that he is doing a good service to Fijians travelling out to the islands and that parents should be blamed.

I have seen passengers sleeping on the floor and passages, but this is the first picture of someone sleeping in the washroom.

The million dollar question is: “Why?”

No Fijian sleeps at home in a seat that is upright or reclined and that is how Goundar Shipping expects passengers to sleep in during their night voyages.

So people will automatically look for a space on the floor to stretch out and sleep soundly.

Also this problem gets worse when the ship is full and people will sleep in the washroom floor if it is nice and clean.

My advice to Mr Goundar is to make trips during the day as no one will be sleeping or get more seats that could recline comfortably where passengers do not look for empty floor space.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Freedom and Freebies

Hartley Robinson,

Labasa

Need for freedom and not freebies, says  Sitiveni Rabuka

This is excellent advice to hear from someone with so much experience on the above two; freedom and freebies.

Hearts of gold

Joan McGoon, Nadi

The simple, kind and free service of Suva’s hair-dresser, Semisi Qalica, continues to display the ‘hearts of gold’ that Fijians are famous for.

We are simple people who can live with much and live with almost nothing at all, yet our acts of service continue to change the lives of those we come into contact with.

As Mr Qalica offers free hair-cuts to the homeless in the capital city, he continues to restore dignity stripped away from those that fate hasn’t exactly been kind to.

Restoring the dignity of others transforms them as we see the recipients of the free hair-cuts start to look human again. And I’m sure, start to ‘feel’ human again too.

Mr Qalica is probably being transformed himself. While others may deem this ‘unfair’ as these acts are free and a waste of resources and time, others look at it as a way of restoring dignity and humanity once again to those who need it the most.

We do not need to wait for relief organisations to turn up and do the job that we as a community must do in our own ‘Jerusalem.’

This is worth more than gold.

Bati ni Tanoa

Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu

I use to love this programme when it started but as it went on I seem to lose interest due to the fact that the programme is now about presenters only teasing one another for their own laughter and not for the public to do the laughing.

There are less jokes or none on certain programmes. When the programme started the public use to share the jokes, but now there are no jokes to share.

Maybe it’s business that they are to promote other programmes that they appear on or the tours that they are involved in, but the home audience adores them with what they are good at, but it seems they have been there for too long or the yaqona has shown its effect or they are being told what to do.

Please make the Bati ni Tanoa our favourite again. They are good and could be even better.

Sevens rugby questions

Floyd Robinson, Suva

Given Fiji’s performance at the finals of rugby 7s at the 2016 Rio Olympics, there are a number of questions arising.

Firstly, has this taken the standard or the class of 7s to another level? Obviously other national coaches will want to better this record come 2017. Does this signify the alarm bells calling for a resignation of the New Zealand Sevens Coach?

Gordon Tietjens won almost every tournament including World Cups and Commonwealth Games, but to manage a New Zealand side which lost two pool games and the lost at the quarter finals may not go down well with some Kiwi fans, especially their national women’s rugby side team that won silver.

Has the performance of our national side had an impact on tourism in Fiji?

Whatever one’s views, the Uprising Beach Resort has more reason to be proud of hosting the Olympic gold medallists.

How and what did it take Ben Ryan and his team to deliver perhaps the best ever performance to date of a Fiji sevens team?

Whatever one’s views, one can be sure that it’s still taking time for the nation to really believe the performance by the national sevens team?

3/82 basic recruit personnel

Isireli Bolaniveimau,

Lautoka

With reference to Republic of the Fiji Military Forces 3/82 basic recruits personnel as from the outset figuratively, the number 3/82 symbolises the third in-take of military troops in 1982.

Whenever I come across the initial syndicate RFMF or QEB (Queen Elizabeth Baracks) , my first impression instantly flashes back to the first time that I was selected to joined more than 100 young men, in our early 20s, ear marked as budding soldiers, to be part of the overseas peacekeepers – namely the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) Sinai.

Realistically though, there were three platoons and I was part of the second platoon with a lone Fijian of Indian descent from Labasa who later join the Police Force before running his own business in Lautoka.

Moreover, most of our RFMF 3/82 basic recruits personnel still holding senior positions while others joined the TF (territorial force). The rest of us had retired, not forgetting those who had passed on.

However it would be remiss of me if I did not include those specialist instructors who worked tirelessly 24/7 moulding and instilling in us a disciplinarian lifestyle.

If not for their commitment and dedication, most of us 3/82 members would not have tasted the prosperity of life.

In retrospect, the RFMF 3/82 basic recruit personnel is probably the very first one to implement and organise a reunion for all three platoons; the first of its kind.

Last and not least, we were very fortunate to be  under the commander Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the former President of Fiji.

In a nut shell, a friend in need is a friend indeed and it takes more than one colour to make a rainbow and more than one player to make one team.

The 3/82 basic recruit personnel had all stood together.

We all share the same hopes and fears, joys and sorrow and the truth is that God measures us all by His standards.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Destination Fiji

Simon Hazelman,

Savusavu

Recently, an Australian family group of 54 held a wedding at an island resort in the Mamanucas. They had booked for a five nights’ stay and planned the wedding a year in advance.

To their horror, upon arrival, not only was the resort in a shocking state, but they quickly came to realise that several pictures depicted on the resort’s website did not appear as advertised!

To make matters worse, general service was astoundingly poor and there was no presence of senior management throughout their stay.

The experience for these prominent business owners, many of whom own pubs, clubs and dining areas in Sydney, has left a very bitter taste for Fijian tourism in general, so much so that the majority of them have vowed never to return!

Now we all know that the majority of properties out in the Mamanucas is nowhere near as bad as this, but the damage this particular resort has caused will certainly put a dent on Fiji’s tourism marketing efforts.

Fiji tourism is merely a speck compared to other tourism destinations worldwide and such inconsistencies are not helping to bridge the gap!

The question that needs to be asked is how can we take control of the handful of poorly managed resorts and hotels that continue to advertise falsely and have poor to no good general service?

For Fijian tourism to benefit as a whole, a high consistent standard of general service must exist as a whole!

Letting the inconsistent few go, is allowing damage to Destination Fiji!

Congratulations Lautoka

Ashneel J Prasad , Auckland, NZ

Congratulations Lautoka soccer team for winning the Battle of the Giants tournament.

Congratulations to the coach, players, their families and mostly the fans. It comes as a pleasant surprise that my home team should win the B.O.G after 31 years. Being a hardcore Lautoka team fan, I couldn’t be any happier.

Having said that, in my opinion all the teams played a bazaar level of soccer. And then people wonder why Fiji soccer never improves. Nevertheless, Ganna power eh?

Soccer standard

Wise Muavono,

Lautoka

FFA will you ever improve the standard of soccer in the country ?

It is becoming a joke.

Liberty of the press

Amenatave Yaconisau,

Suva

Comments made by one of the major media outlets that it shall maintain the liberty of the press. Nothing could be further from the truth.

But it depends on the motive and purpose it criticises and the way it presents itself to the public.

Whether it maintains justice and integrity is another issue.

It does not have much competition and they have all the means to disseminate as they want.

There are many things that we need to manage otherwise we’ll do it for us to make it more acceptable.

I’m not anti-media, but it just needs to tone down people’s opinions that agitates communities and religion.

Mother Teresa

Samuela Kailawadoko, Nadi

Mother Teresa of Calcutta to become a Saint F/S September 4 – “For me to be a saint”, writes Thomas Mertons in New Seeds of Contemplation; “means to be myself.”

Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and discovering my true self. He continues; trees and animals have no problem.

God makes them what they are without consulting them, and they are perfectly satisfied.

With us it is different. God leaves us free to be whatever we like. We can be ourselves or not.

Therefore, there is only one problem in which all existence, my peace and my happiness depends on, to discover myself in discovering God.

If I find Him, I will find myself and when I find myself I will find him.

Mother Teresa wanted to not only do something beautiful for God, she wanted to be something beautiful for God.

LTA scam

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada

It is good to read that two Land Transport Authority officers have been given leave while the authority investigates the scam involving LTA officers accepting money to issue a driving licence to applicants who want the easy way out (FS 4/8).

We also read that driving school instructors are involved as it is their connection with the LTA driving test officers which opens the door for these sorts of cases of corruption.

I laughed when I read on Thursday, a 17-year-old female learner, who had passed both her written and practical driving tests, was rejected by the senior official in charge because she was too young and too short.

It is good that the learner went to the Police as these are the type of situations corrupt officers in power use to demand money etc, if the applicant is desperate to receive a driving licence.

The Police, in saying that this was not the first case, calls for a thorough investigation of LTA, which means that all who have been asked to pay money and those who actually paid should voluntarily come forward to help out in the investigation.

Vinaka Nakelo

Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu

The vanua of the Rara o Nakelo has once again proved themselves for the traditional ceremony they performed at the welcoming of our 7s heroes from Rio at the National Stadium in Suva.

It is the second occasion for the vanua of Nakelo, firstly the welcoming ceremonies for the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key earlier this year and now to this occasion.

They might not have the favour of Ben Ryan being a kai Nakelo, but they were the first to give him such an offer.

While the vanua of Serua offered him a piece of land, the vanua of Nakelo offered a taste of their delicacy the “Sovu ni Borete”,  which Ben had to try and feel what a real  Fijian is like.

The vanua of Nakelo are well known for their normal speaking, but of a different meaning and content that could get people from elsewhere confused.

The tikina of Nakelo consist of 13 villages, Nauluvatu, Namuka, Waikete, Naluna, Vutuvo, Nakaulevu, Muana, Visama, Tumavia, Vadra, Nasilai, Vaturua and Naimalavau.

Vinaka vakalevu Nakelo na veiqaravi. (Thank you Nakelo for the service.)

Lautoka’s non-stop celebrations

 Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

The Sugar City of Lautoka has 30 more reasons to celebrate after they defeated Labasa to claim to the INKK Mobile Battle of the Gains (B.O.G.) It certainly has been a long wait and Lautoka fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Congratulations to the Lautoka team and one hopes that this will inspire young and upcoming players in Lautoka. Meanwhile, has there been a black out over the weekend. The men in black from the soccer crazy town of Ba somehow bombed out early in the tournament. Perhaps the cold weather in Nausori was not to their liking. All in all, celebrations due in Lautoka.

Pollution

 Neelz Singh, Lami

A pollutant is a waste material that pollutes air, water or soil. Three factors determine the severity of a pollutant: its chemical nature, the concentration and the persistence.

There are many forms of pollution which are neither good for environment or for the habitat. Disposal of rubbish on land ends up on the river and sea.

Massive amounts of plastic bag, bottles, old shoes, electrical appliances and many more are found in water.

Our marine life, are in danger because of humans creating and then discarding material things without any regrets.

Try to reduce, re-use, and re-cycle as much as possible from your house-hold, and teach your children to do the right thing. Put your rubbish in the bin not in the creek or river. Vinaka

Good sportsmanship plea

Sachida Rao, Nausori

Congratulations to the Lautoka soccer team for winning the INKK Mobile B.O.G. Full credit to the Labasa soccer team for displaying well-constructed and skilful soccer.

Scoring 17 goals in a tournament speaks for itself. We all know that only one team will come out victorious. And it’s for the team that is able to capitalise with opportunities that  will have an edge.

There is no way one can say that Labasa did not play well. It is a matter of time and the position of the player and the ball.

The combination of the three worked for Lautoka, thus, they became the winners.

However, I would like to comment on the level of remarks made during the soccer talkback show.

Some callers were ridiculing, belittling and openly condemning other districts. It is all fair to cheer ones team but it is totally incorrect to rubbish others.

Rivalry is positive but any hatred is against sportsmanship. Do remember that winning a tournament is not the end.

There needs to be a good build up of a national team.

To all the soccer fans, could we have some degree of sportsmanship for the coming IDC? Cheer your team but don’t write off others.

Once again congratulations to Lautoka and better luck to Labasa in the coming IDC.

Lessons from Lautoka’s win

Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

Lautoka a team of new and some interim officials, new coach, some new players and Singh’s Rental as a sponsor has done wonders and won the INKK Mobile B.O.G. for its supporters.

It’s a big lesson for all soccer districts and the Fiji Football Association. We need young people with new ideas to lift the standard of Fiji soccer.

For so many years we have had the same people run soccer associations, playing the same old players without results.

The only excuse we are given was that we learnt a lot from playing.

It’s about time FFA learnt a lesson from the Lautoka Football Association, its new acting president, unknown coach and many young players can win a tournament.

Thank you LFA and officials, sponsor and former players for teaching a good lesson to all Fijian soccer fans.

Lautoka port needs attention

Michael Chambers, Lautoka

I always look forward to enjoying my seafood combo at KUSIMA, my favourite kiosk at the Lautoka Port every now and then. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, I am always greeted with the couple’s smiling faces in readiness to serve.

As I sit down to enjoy my mouth-watering seafood cuisine, it is complemented with the cool sea breeze and the smell of sea water which makes me more hungry yaar!

What else can one ask for? One evening, we decided as a family to go there, only to witness a group of strangers who had turned the customers eating shed as their home. The customers’ tables and chairs were used as their beds with their clothes and bags strewn all over the place.

Unfortunately, we just had to order takeaways. Upon enquiring I found out that they were brought in to repair a boat which their village had bought three months ago.

During their stay, they have abused and vandalised the public toilets which were made for us customers to use, forcing the wharf attendants to close it.

Where do we now go to relieve ourselves?

Can the relevant authorities look into this? With their actions, they don’t realise that they are chasing customers away from the kiosk whose concerned owners also have bills, rent and wages to pay.

Action not explanation

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delanavesi

I agree entirely with Nemani Delaibatiki in his article titled ‘People more interested in needs being met’ (FS 5/9). Generally people don’t care about the debate on service delivery.

It’s very true indeed about whether service is timely or not. The majority of the electorates are not interested in the process involved and the agitating talks of parties.

Mr Delaibatiki is true that all they want is their needs met.

It’s their private economic expectation, whether it has improved or not including their income and welfare.

This influences public opinion and to have the Prime Minister providing relief to people living on the fringe of existence with barely enough to get along is very impressive.

This is certainly not politicising Government service or mass manipulation of opinion as alleged.

I hope those who were hostile will see these actions in the light of development and stability not as an opportunity to spew unwarranted venom.

Not to do it would just make Government vulnerable and susceptible to extremist propaganda with their exploitation and threats.

I hope these issues will have an effect on how people use their vote irrespective of party loyalties.

Public health system

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

Every political party over the last 40 plus years has used issues pertaining to our public health system to simply gain public support and none have made any real difference in bettering the system!

NFP has yet again placed health at the top of its agenda for the party convention at Rakiraki!

Obviously, we never had, nor do we currently, have competent professional leaders to better our public health system. For history has shown that we have failed the nation over decades!

As we did with professional, Ben Ryan, in bringing Olympic sporting Gold, we should also bring in a health professional to raise our medical standards to the appropriate level.

Yes, health should be at the top of everyone’s agenda but it should be dealt with professionally as a real need of the nation and not used as a political ploy.

Smartphones vs tents

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

To the Minister of Education – when there is no student studying in a tent, only then, I repeat, only then would it be appropriate to think of smartphones replacing text books. Sa malo!

LTA services

Naisa Tuinaceva ,  CEO,
Land Transport Authority

In response to the Letter to the Editor of Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa in the Fiji Sun on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, please be aware that our  driving test officers are honest and provide an essential service to the travelling public.

There is a saying that a few bad apples do not spoil the bunch.

Our 350-plus employees continue to perform their essential services with a high level of professionalism that ensures that every driver and every vehicle has the attention it requires.

We should all be proud of the work that Land Transport Authority provides, not indict a very hard working team.

I would ask Mr Vakaliwatiwa to visit the LTA headquarters the next  time he visits Fiji from Canada.

I think he will be pleasantly surprised in the work we are doing.

Schools corruption

Christopher Griffin ,  Perth

In its investigations of school management  corruption (FS 6 September) I hope FICAC has not forgotten the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association letter of complaint I sent it on September 29 last year.

Such investigation is long overdue.

Constitution Day holiday

Sukha Singh ,  Labasa

Hope this Constitution Day holiday can help us all love and protect our Constitution for a very, very long time.

Toso Viti toso

Apete Marayawa, Ba

Not often do events happen that have such an overwhelming effect over the whole of Fiji they become indelibly associated as a significant chapter in our short history.

At times we can even go years before events and occurrences of such magnitude happen to qualify to be added. Certainly there are the good ones and the bad; because such is life.

However 2016 has unquestionably become my favourite year.

We are three quarters of the way through the year and already two new chapters have been added to the chronicles of Fiji.

February 20, saw Fiji devastated by Cyclone Winston.

I cannot forget the look of shock people had on their faces on Sunday morning as the magnitude of the destruction became clear.

But despite significant losses what I remember even better is the way people and communities pulled together.

Neighbours despite never having spoken were checking up on each other, communities were sharing what little they had.

Fiji had become truly united as one nation of Fijians in our shared loss.

Friday 12th August, barely 6 months later Fiji was again truly united but in our jubilation: We had won gold in Rio.

As one nation we came together united in celebration.

I may just be an optimist but there is definitely a renewed sense of pride and patriotism strengthened by the bond of shared experiences, of unity.

We are finally embracing our identity as Fijians and come what may, our future looks bright.

Toso Viti Toso!

Thanks Titch

Ashneel J Prasad ,  Auckland, NZ

22 years; four Commonwealth Games gold medals; two world championship titles; 12 world series titles; one legend. Sir Gordon Teitjens. So long mate.

Smart nation

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa ,  Delta, BC, Canada

The FijiFirst Government wanted Fiji to be a smart nation and the recent announcement by the Minister of Education for the introduction of electronic tablets in schools next year (FS 7/9) means we are really serious in our venture to be smart and be on par with the world.

Students who do not have electricity will miss out but the majority will have an advantage as all the textbooks, notes, assignments, teacher’s instructions etc could be accessed on the tablet.

People will respond saying on one hand students are being encouraged to read books and now, forget the books, just stay glued and read it on your tablet.

How many of us are getting sore eyes from watching and reading the screen of our computers for a long period of time?

How many parents and guardians are currently having problems with the concentration levels of their children as they seem to have their eyes glued to their mobile phones?

What is the cost to the student to maintain the tablet every month in top ups, and replacement if it is lost or stolen?

What guarantee is there that this electronic tablet will be strictly controlled and blocked from accessing unsuitable sites?

It is good that the incentive will start with Year 12 and 13 students next year and we will actually know by then, if the tablet is an asset or a curse for some families.

Our airline – Fiji Airways

Sumanth Kumar,  Lautoka

Sometimes last month I was returning from Sydney and encountered two cabin crew members who were serving the passengers.

They really showed them they were working for the world’s friendliest airline. They were so nice to passengers immaterial if you are local or tourist. Their service with a smile was greatly appreciated by all and my two colleges who were traveling with me too.

I also give credit to the selection committee to choose people of such caliber. We all thank you for your smile and attitude Mafi Tupou and Mere Mathewsela. The CEO of Fiji Airways should reward these staff. Keep it up Mafi and Mere.

Tablet and injection

Ashneel J Prasad, Auckland, NZ

I think it’s time the teachers receive the “tablets” and the students “injection”.

From euphoria to dilemma

Norman Yee,
Nadi

Congratulations and accolades continue to flow in for Ratu Peni Raiyani, his management team and the conquering Olympians.

Oh that some coins could flow down to the others that had trained with the Olympians but had not been selected to show our gratitude for the part they played in this win!

Meanwhile it seems that Fiji is facing a dilemma of sorts.

On what basis will the Fiji Rugby Union select the new coach? Pick someone to carry on the legacy left by Ben? Someone who knows his modus operandi, his winning strategy? Or select someone totally different to take us to new heights?

As for Osea we pray he will make the right decision for the future, play a few more games before taking up the scholarship as coach. We must continue this winning streak.

We wait with bated breath.

Our prayers go with FRU, Ben and Osea to make the right decisions that will enhance the future of Fiji’s Sevens Rugby.

Noise Pollution

Neelz Singh ,
Lami

Noise pollution is an often overlooked source of environmental stress that can raise your risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease.

Noise pollution is defined by higher levels of noise from sources such as industry, people and traffic in the local environment that significantly impedes on the daily lives of residents.

In the city and towns of Fiji or even public buses loud music has been a nuisance, creating unhealthy levels of noise is pollution. This can be minimised or I urge responsible authority to look upon some shops in city and towns that play loud music and buses as well.

Sources of noise pollution include air conditioners, food vendors, construction on the street or music from bars and cars. Loud neighbors can even be considered as noise pollution.

Ivi tree hazard

Satish Nakched,

Suva

There is a very old concrete lamppost close to the land mark ivi tree at the Vodaphone Triangle in Suva.

The tree root was almost grown around the base of the lamp post and so is the upper branch that is about to encircle the upper post portion and growing into it.

I believe the lamppost would be about the same age as the ivi tree as it stood the test of time with the aided protection provided by the tree.

The lamppost is an antique itself and must have witnessed the growth of the city and the unfolding of so many historic events.

But due to the ageing factor, the said lamppost is now a huge threat to the pedestrians and the vehicles that goes past it.

The concrete portion is falling off in chunks and can cause serious injuries. The post has lost a lot of the concrete and the iron rods are now very visible and the structure looks very weak and fragile.

A slight piece of the concrete falling from such height due to the velocity is dangerous.

Just at the base of the ivi tree is a park bench and used a lot during the summer months not only by the locals, but tourist as well.

Sadly this hazard must be eliminated immediately before an event of a catastrophic nature occurs.

Freedom denied

Utiko Nabunobuno ,  Lautoka

Maybe, the announcement of the Stop Order against the Forum on Sugar organised by Dialogue Fiji was a confirmation that we don’t really have true democracy in Fiji.

It is such a sad day that we Fijians are still subjected to the existence of draconian Decrees in the presence of Parliament.

We ask, where is our Freedom of Expression? Where is the Freedom of Association??

The dream that we will be free is just but a sleepless slumber. I do not mean the freebies.

We ask the Government not of freebies, but to give us our freedom and we will pay for our necessities.

 Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj