Bhawani reunion
Prameeta Chand, Suva
As a former student it gives me immense pleasure to learn that the old scholars association of Bhawani Dayal Arya College is organising a reunion in Auckland, New Zealand, at India Gate Hall, Epsom, on Saturday 25th June 2016.
The purpose and the mission are to re-connect with former school mates and also to raise funds for the current needy students. Old scholars are travelling from various corners of the world for this inaugural meeting.
For this very special occasion they have invited their former distinguished Principal, Dewan Chand, under whose leadership many positive changes were seen. He introduced the text book bank scheme, computer laboratory, new havan room (prayer) and injected the spirit of competition in all facets of college life. Regular leadership training with the help of Apex Club of Nasinu was a successful project. It produced many fine leaders over the years. Mr Chand is remembered for his public speaking skills and the ability to motivate others. Apart from examination results the college also excelled in sports and other extra-curricular activities.
I wish the old scholars association and Mr Chand every success in their endeavours in Auckland.
May God bless the family of Bhawani Dayal Arya College in years to come!
Loloma streetlights
Rocky Sahay, Tavua
For more than three months after Tropical Cyclone Winston about 50 per cent of the street lights in Tavua Town were out of order. There are five street lights along Loloma Street alone. Nothing has been done by the authorities concerned.
When I enquired at Tavua Town Council about the lights they said the contractors are getting materials from overseas and it will take time.
Nothing has been done so far and nobody knows when the materials will arrive.
I hereby humbly request the concerned authorities to fix the lights before any mishap to any of the residents. For the time being, I am thinking of hanging a kerosene lamp at Loloma Street.
Budget to the people first
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
The Opposition Finance spokesperson claims the 2016-2017 Budget is politically motivated having more politics than economics, while the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation has labelled it as “a very balanced document” (FS 23/6).
The Opposition Finance spokesperson said that the budget was very limited focus on investment.
He has forgotten that the Fijian people are still on the recovery and rebuilding mode after the devastation of Severe Cyclone Winston and any reasonable thinking Government would invest in getting its people back on track to revive the economy.
Maybe when they get into power, they will have more investments in their budget while Fijians are in poverty and struggling to survive daily.
He further alleges that Fijians were affected by Government’s 2016 Budget where the Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic food items from zero rate to nine per cent.
Again TC Winston is to be blamed for the current struggles, as low income earners were happy with the 2016 Budget because Government had invested and helped households with free education, text books, bus fares and other goodies.
As for the debt piling up, I believe and trust in the A-G whom I have observed to be a very smart person; if he could reduce our debt in the years before the General Elections in 2014, I believe he can orchestrate the nations’ finances to bring down our debt level once we Fijians are up and running again on our own two feet.
Tourism chairman
Josaia Rayawa, Savusavu
CEO Fiji Airways Andre Viljoen’s recent appointment as Chairman of Tourism Fiji is a great move.
Synergising the work of the national airline and the National Tourist office is critical now, more than ever. In this process, however, I do hope that the contribution of other airlines to Fiji will also be considered in cooperative marketing efforts with our national tourist office.
Welcome Andre. Vinaka, Truman for your efforts. I am sure it was not an easy role to balance over the last few years. All the best!
Hayne critics
Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi
There will always be negative and positive armchair critics perfectly well placed or misplaced to discourage or to motivate one.
But the good of it all is to prove them wrong. No one knows your capability best except you Jarryd.
Most of those critics don’t even know your upbringing and background like most of us do, this is probably the only time in your life where you will be able to be given a chance to participate in the world’s largest and greatest sporting event so please Jared close your ears to the outside world and compete for your place in our final 13-men Fijian 7s team for Rio and show them.
Someone said to me last week that he must be out of his mind to leave behind a lucrative NFL sporting deal in America, but that is exactly the stuff he is made of; unpredictable I would say.
I am personally convinced you will make the cut as your current and past sporting history and achievements speak volumes of your resilient character. Your other rugby league playing buddy, Semi Radradra, is in the country for a well earned break and Ben might want to have a look at him joining the team’s training camp at Pacific Harbour.
It is my fervent wish that our Minister for Defence and Immigration, Timoci Lesi Natuva, grant Jarryd Hayne a Fijian passport and his Dual Fiji Citizenship Certification after the gold medal presentation at the Rio Olympics.
This is all about giving Ben Ryan the best available pool of talented Fijian 7s players to pick from in his quest for our first Fijian Olympic gold medal. What a way to send Ben off in his last assignment for his now adopted country oops, sorry two Rio gold medals. Don’t forget the unpredictable Tanivula coached Fijiana 7s Team, “Vucukia Tai, Hakwasia Viti”.
Vegetable price
Amrit Singh, Nausori
One may argue that vegetable prices are high. A bundle of ‘moda’ or ‘choraiya’ cost $2, English cabbage $5 per head, and some radio announcers I heard talking said that two chillies cost $2 at the Nausori Market.
Well we need vegetables to keep our internal system operational and to stay healthy. But why do people argue about vegetable prices?
If lamb chops costs $18 or fish $30 and chicken $16 people still buy them and nobody argues about its prices.
We should also think about the farmers and how they toil in this rogue weather that Fiji is facing currently.
Life cannot be sustained without vegetables; meat is just a want, not a need. Our local farmers toil hard to grow vegetables to feed our nation.
Please support local produce, buy more vegetables, buy Fijian produce and stop arguing about the vegetable price because when you waste $18 on lamb chops or fish the next time. Remember you can buy at least five days of vegetables with that $18 you spent to feed your family once with meat.
Think about the vegetable price the next time you buy meat.
Greens are rather cheap with much nutritional value.
Extended hours
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu
The removal of laws that prohibit businesses from opening for extended hours is not only a boost for the private sector.
The budget announcement also encouraged mums and dads to earn extra by getting two jobs. What will happen to those who still can’t find work? Will they be affected or are we making the rich richer and the poor poorer?
The extended hours will be encouraging teenagers to roam around more at night, which leads to drugs and crime.
Unfortunate weekend
Floyd Robinson, Nasinu
Was it an unfortunate weekend for Samoan rugby?
After controlling much of the first half against the Vodafone Flying Fijians which just could not get their act together on Saturday, all seemed to crumble for them once their ace kicker did not return to the rugby paddock in the second half.
The Flying Fijians stamped their authority when Patrick Osborne weaved his way through a small gap, smiling all the way to the try line. His smile went as far as Lau.
In terms of 7s rugby, just when one thought another Pacific nation would qualify for Rio Olympics the opposite happened. To most fans disbelief, the Spanish side created a major upset by overpowering a much fancied Samoan side. Well, all in all if a team does not win or draw, unfortunate results arise.
Police vehicles
Narayan Reddy, Lautoka
Good to know that the Police force received 33 new vehicles to help reduce crime.
My only worry is when the public are told that the Police vehicles don’t have enough fuel when they are called and crime reported. Hope that’s not an excuse this time around!
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