Crest and social responsibility
Rakesh Chandra, Nasinu
Thanks a lot to the Honorable Minister for Education and his staff for putting a stop to Crest Chicken’s ‘Cool Stuff for Schools’ promotion.
The claim that Crest Chicken is fulfilling its corporate social responsibility (CSR) through the promotion is very hollow.
The ministry should also ensure that no approvals for such promotions are ever granted in the future. The corporate sector should understand that our children are not marketing tools for them.
Let’s be proactive in the future against such gimmicks.
Team Rio
Shad Alfaz Ali, Navua
It surprised me how quickly Jarryd Hayne had become the face of the Vodafone Fijian 7s squad.
He has been dominating the front and back pages of the newspapers recently. Everything seemed to be about Jarryd Hayne’s selection instead of the World Rugby Seven Series champions.
While I am a fan of the Hayne plane, I feel the ‘Road to Gold” campaign is not at all about Hayne, it’s about our team –preparing to launch Fiji’s first realistic attempt towards winning an Olympic gold medal. The transition to 7s proved to be a hill too steep to climb for the code-hopping Hayne who has also had a stint with NFL and NRL.
Meanwhile, it’s sad to learn about the hospitalisation of Pio Tuwai. Let’s hope and pray that he recovers and makes the cut. Counting down to the team announcement on Saturday, I would love to see the following named in the 13-member squad.
Forwards: Nakarawa, Nayacalevu, Kunatani, Veremalua, Domolailai and Pio Tuwai (Viliame Mata)
Backs: Osea, Tuisova, Rawaca, Ravouvou, Nasilasila, and Seremaia Tuwai.
Jarryd Hayne
Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva
I was truly touched by the emotions and goodwill expressed for Jarryd Hayne from Fijian rugby fans (Viti FM 12-2pm 12/7)
It just shows the emotions of Fijian fans are always with the underdogs no matter what. That’s endurance and fortitude. His show of appreciation of Ben Ryan’s decision is really a reflection of true humility to differ without resentment. There will be more to follow him soon. I don’t envy Ben for doing the job, to tell rugby greats they don’t fit his bill.
My good wishes to Hayne and I am sure he has been directed for better things. He’ll be sorely missed in the camp.
Good luck, champ! Well remember you in Rio.
All heroes
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
Jarryd Hayne and all our Vodafone Fijian 7s stars that will be dropped by coach Ben Ryan when the final 13 players are named should not lose hope, for you are all heroes in our hearts.
You all deserve a standing ovation for all your sacrifices in the grueling training you went through, but missed out as Ben Ryan chose the 13 players, he knows will fit in well with his game plan for the Rio Olympic gold.
This week, we will know who the final 13 Vodafone Fiji Sevens team will be and we all hope and pray that all the hard work will create history for Fiji in winning its first Olympic games medal ever!
To all the members of the Vodafone Fijian 7s squad, keep your group photos framed as a souvenir because if the final 12 creates history, you should be remembered in the years to come as part of the squad who went through hell but did not make the final team.
To Jarryd Hayne and all the boys who did not make the final cut, Fijians thank you for your sacrifices and efforts and as mentioned above, you are all heroes in our hearts.
May God bless you and the final Vodafone Fiji 7s team.
Go Fiji, go!
Nadi Hospital
Ronnie Chang, Nadi
Allow me to give due credit, rather belatedly, to the hard working doctors and nurses at the Nadi Hospital.
Additionally, to highlight in these columns, some deficiencies, I personally observed.
In early February this year I suffered an acute exacerbated attack of asthma, a dreaded illness. Upon my arrival at the A&E Department I was attended to immediately and with a greater degree of professionalism. I am forever thankful I was stabilised more than an hour later.
I was, however, horrified to be told I couldn’t be admitted to the Paying Ward because this section of the Hospital had already been “closed” some 18-months, at that point in time. There was simply no choice for me but to go the Men’s Medical Ward. There are five cubicles here, 21 beds, one shower with no ventilation, three toilets out of which two were ventilated.
Understandably, patients come from all walks of life. Some have the poorest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. I “died” a million times having to use these facilities. Indeed, I was humbled and humiliated.
For the record, I was fortunate enough to be accommodated in the hospital’s Paying Ward back in September 2008. This section was found to be badly run down and in greatest need of repair and maintenance.
Sadly, eight years down the line the solar hot water systems did not work. Some leaking taps were not repaired. Some power points did not have electricity supply. Broken glass panes to several doors were not repaired four years following aftermath Nature’s wrath in 2012.
Nadi is poised to become Fiji’s next city come 2017. My attempts to raise these deficiencies to the Minister of Health met with lukewarm responses following Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston and the massive floods that followed later.
I left several messages to this effect.
For, and on before all citizens of Nadi I raise this issue. I fear for all our visitors and foreigners who may need urgent medical attention and admission to the Paying Ward if repairs here are still not carried out. Why?
May I again offer my belated sincere thanks and appreciation to all the hardworking doctors and nurses for the professionally sterling efforts that go un-noticed without a word of thanks. Their work is at times done under trying circumstances. Nadi Hospital is at most hopelessly under-staffed.
I noted on one October 2015 day, three doctors attended to no less then 537 out-patients. Doctors, at times, do not have time for morning tea or afternoon tea, let alone decent lunch break. Is there a major problem with the hospital’s administration?
There is definite room for improvement. Has the Board of Visitors become non-existent? Answers, in good faith, please as in my retirement years, some of us “true kai Nadi” deserve some comfort in our latter years in life before we are called by our Heavenly Father from our Earthly pilgrimage.
Police, bus fare
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu
A Police officer has always been waived in by the bus drivers as they enter and there is nothing wrong with that, but there are drivers who demand fares which the officers are always ready to pay.
The drivers also feel comfortable with a Police Officer in uniform in the bus. Even the passengers feel the same with the presence of a Police Officer on board. For anyone to complain about this issue I find it very irrelevant because the more the Police officers are visible the better it would be for the public.
Sexual offences
Neelz Singh, Lami
What a disgraceful and non-respected headlines once we hear or read about. Cases of rape, sexual violence and abuse are skyrocketing. Perpetrators encounter sexual offence on multiple grounds and taking advantages of this situation of vulnerable underage girls, women employees, and children. Company boss taking advantage of their employees, and now our woman and children are not even safe in public buses.
Victims, who are abused or sexually assaulted, molested, or raped, are minors. What’s wrong with our society?
What can be the cause of sexually active perpetrators? What measures can be taken? How can this matter be addressed? Any suggestion readers?
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