Kava drinking age
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
Mr Ritesh Kumar, the chairperson for the Suva Market Vendors Association, has made a submission where the age should be 25 years before anyone can partake in the consumption of kava.
I believe, if we all give our views, it will be 18 and over, while those who do not drink kava will call for a total ban.
Yaqona, kava, grog or whatever name you want to call it has been branded as our national drink and to me we cannot call it our national brew if only those of a certain age are allowed to drink it.
I suggest that we forget about regulating a legal consumption age but to continue to talk to our young people and all grog consumers to be temperate in all things.
It is human nature that when something is regulated to be enjoyed only by people above a certain age, those below will find their own private session as well.
Awareness of the elders
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu
I recently applaud the Albinism Awareness and with this awareness for the elders what a great initiative.
The awareness has always been part of the Fijian culture and is still very much alive in our villages. Saying this, presently during meal times we are still seated according to the age – the elders are still seated at the top end of the table, likewise in family meetings the elders always seat up front. In our churches especially in the Methodist Church the elders are allocated special seats in the front row. During a yaqona session the elders always drink first. There are even times when the elders are in a talanoa session we the younger ones can say we cannot fit in well in their conversation.
In our villages they are respected and cared for, still. This is because of the way they were raised in a family. With almost nothing to access in the past life everything seems to be at the doorstep for many of them now.
Moving to urban areas they are still respected. Inside a public transport, public seating areas like hospitals, banks, bus stations, etc. There are those who still care for our elders.
The most uncaring and disrespectful people I’d say are those who move their elderly parents to a care home.
The Minister of Women, Rosy Akbar, has been vocal on this issue and I believe many in Fiji will agree with her.
They don’t have much to live up to but to love and care for them as they have shown us. I was caught by surprise when the minister said our elders have been completely forgotten by their families. I just can’t believe it.
I hope the awareness will shake up some human sense. And if there are people who are always keeping their distance from the elders I believe this would be the best opportunity to welcome the elders back to the society.
For those who show love and care for our elders our God Almighty will never forget you. God bless the elders.
Fuel stations
Simon Hazelman, Savusavu
There is a high operational standard for fuel stations in Fiji.
However, many stations have slipped away from these strict regulations. The lack of compliance control by authorities is a real worry.
Here in Savusavu the three town fuel stations need to check compliance to make sure there is no disaster waiting to happen.
The lack of awareness by those businesses stationed in and around these stations also needs attention.
No double standards, but strict compliance is required from all those in authority.
I will not be surprised if disaster strikes some day soon!
Tariff cuts on imported clothing
Utiko Nabunobuno, Lautoka
I beg to differ on the opinion of Consumer Council of Fiji (last week) regarding the lowering of tariffs for imported clothing in a bid to access quality clothing and related services to the public.
On one hand we are trying to promote Fijian-Made products, and on the other we are trying to make it easy for imported products to be cheaply available, therefore indirectly reducing demand on locally produced goods.
It is not surprising to enter any random supermarket or store and see that imported products are far less expensive than the Fijian-Made ones.
We understand that big overseas companies have greater economies of scale compared to our local producers, but how do we protect local production to sustain the livelihoods of the majority of the Fijian population?
We need Government to tighten its fiscal policies on goods and services that can be or are being produced locally.
Fiji 7s
Amrit Singh, Nausori
As our Vodafone Fijian 7s team continues their preparation for Rio one issue still bothers me.
Can our 7s team compete against Samoa and South Africa if we face them at the tournament.
Africa and Samoa have beaten our team in recent tournaments with high scores as well. I think we need to better our defence strategy. Fiji is number one in the World Sevens Series but we are number one with errors per game and defence is weak.
The Olympics is a venue where any team can prevail and therefore will do anything to win gold. Our team should be well organised in defence and ball handling.
I wish our 7s champions all the best in Rio.
Teachers behaviour
Herleen Emily Kumar, Nadi
As a student, I have noticed that some teachers do not appreciate a child’s success or achievement.
I believe as teachers their responsibility is to encourage a child to achieve more. I am not trying to point the finger on any teacher nor am I going against the teaching system here in Fiji. In one bag of potatoes, there may be some rotten ones.
What I am trying to point out is that a child will be more than happy to receive a word of appreciation from their teachers. It’s just the thought of being considerate because at the end of the day, a teacher’s act/teaching will determine a child’s future.
Vinaka
Wise Muavono, Lautoka
Vinaka, Vodafone Flying Fijians. Areh, go Fiji, go.
Soccer standards
Sukha Singh, Labasa
It only took Suva three games to improve their scoring skills.
I am just wondering, why only score six goals in the last game?