No Tobacco Day
Sachida Rao, Nausori
Tuesday, May 31 will be observed as World No Tobacco Day.
The theme is ‘Get ready for plain packaging’. Tobacco industry indeed contributes to the economy of the country. But one must not forget that it is also contributing hugely on the increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The choice is between health and wealth. Select wisely.
Lautoka Bus Station
Apenisa Nainoka, Nadi
As a daily bus passenger from Nadi to Lautoka I would like to express my concern about the inadequate space at the Lautoka Bus Station.
The population of Lautoka continues to increase annually year by year; even the number of vehicles on our roads has increased as well.
I feel that the current Lautoka bus station needs an extension. To date it can only accommodate 10 buses while the others park where they can.
Chaudhry comments
Dr Sushil Sharma, Lautoka
In reference to Simon Hazelman’s very distasteful comments, accusing his father Mahendra Chaudhry for the actions of his 40 or 50 year old son, I strongly feel that he owes an apology to Mr Chaudhry Senior.
Simon Hazelman of Savusavu said (Letter to the Editor FS 27/05/16): “Mahendra Chaudhry should first try and take control of his son before trying to get involved in anything to do with our nation. Rajendra has been relentless through social media about everything and anything that is going on in Fiji. How can Mahendra have a say in national issues when his son continuously uses vulgar words and comments about our nation?”
Mr Chaudhry Senior is not responsible for any action or inactions of another individual which was not commissioned by him, notwithstanding the fact that the person is his own son.
Given this we also note that Mr Chaudhry Junior is not a child in care of his father, but an adult – and a lawyer at that – fully responsible and culpable for his own actions.
In my opinion I had hoped that people like Simon Hazelman who write often in these columns, would have a sense of integrity and intelligence, not to blame an innocent person.
Whatever people say, we all have to fully understand that Mr Chaudhry Senior has a record of very distinguished service to our nation. As a human being he has done a lot for Fijians in his lifetime as a public servant, politician and laymen.
The fact that one may not be a political supporter to his or any other person’s party is no excuse for us — as a people – all interested in nation building to attack people in this manner without any provocation.
I myself did not vote Labour in 2014; however as Ben Ryan so eloquently said recently: “The standard you walk past is the standard you become.” This is a motto I also follow.
Normally I stay quiet about mundane matters, but I felt that on this occasion Mr Simon Hazelman had overstepped his mark by a mile, and should be stopped in his tracks – with an apology through these columns to Mr Chaudhry Senior.
iTaukei matters
Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori
Amenatave Yaconisau attacks the Fiji Sun for printing articles he claims are mischievous and untrue regarding iTaukei tradition and culture without stating a single fact to back his claim (FS 26/5).
Yet he choose not to criticise the Fiji Times which printed my same articles titled “GCC’s future” and “Fiji beyond the GCC”
Amenatave states that only traditional spokespersons from a vanua, yasana, matanitu, etc. can state the truth on the history, culture and tradition of that area.
If we are to apply Amenatave’s theory then Dr Rusiate Nayacakalou’s book, “Leadership in Fiji” is a sham because it was written by someone from Draubuta in Tokatoka. Even though he is our first iTaukei and Pacific islander PhD graduate, according to Amenatave’s theory he is not supposed to know anything about other vanua and yasana in Fiji apart from those on Tokatoka and Draubuta alone.
Isa, my father’s close friend Paula Qareti would unfortunately fall into this category as well and his great knowledge on iTaukei language may now be invalidated by Amenatave.
This would also discredit all published work on Pacific and International journals by my friend Professor Paddy Nunn who has spent half his life doing research and archaeological digs around Fiji including tracing the movement of the “Lapita people”.
According to Amenatave’s theory, only if Paddy was an iTaukei from those areas he wrote about then his publications would be valid, considering that almost all written work on Fijian history including our culture and tradition recorded over a hundred years ago were done by Europeans. This would make all our recorded history invalid.
In this case, I suggest we just delete our whole iTaukei history, call a Bose ko Viti but specifically just to tell and record “Tukuni” (Myths and Legends). With the outcome we can draw a new history book and calendar and name it after Amenatave. We can make this year, Year 0001. Instead of using BC or AD, how about we use AM for Amenatave?
In my writings, I quote archeological and scientific records, Radio carbon dating, NLFC records, VKB and named a few examples so readers may cross check my facts to see and decide for themselves. That is called transparency, not disrespect. But to try to bury these facts under the disguise of culture and tradition is deceit.
The bottom line is that Fiji is now under one constituency and our tax-payer dollar is used everywhere for the benefit of everyone. The Constitution gives us the right to be vocal anywhere on issues we value and no Amenatave will stop us from doing so.
Coaching questions
Floyd Robinson, Nasinu
With Ben Ryan, likely to depart after the Rio Olympics one wonders whether Fiji is ready for a local 7s coach.
Come to think of it under Ben Ryan’s leadership Fiji has won the World Rugby Sevens Series back to back. Players like Osea Kolinisau and Jasa Veremalua were overlooked by some previous coaches, but under Ryan’s wings one has become captain and the other scoped the DHL impact player.
Ryan’s ability to lift the standard of Fiji’s attack and defence has seen major improvements.
Well, deliberations on this question can go and on but for now one has to agree that Ryan is a class of a coach.
Real men
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
Our Prime Minister has been vocal on his stance for zero tolerance on those who abuse women and girls in Fiji.
World leaders have praised and applauded his recent speech at the first World Humanitarian Summit’s High Level Leaders Roundtable on “Women and Girls: Catalysing Action to Achieve Gender Equality.” (FS 26/5)
Despite all the warnings and awareness in Fiji and the enactment of laws for perpetrators, Fijians seem to be blind and deaf as we still have cases of domestic violence against women and girls.
Is there any way for the PM’s speech to be translated into the iTaukei and Hindi languages and played on TV or radio for all Fijians to hear and take note of?
The world leaders applauded when the PM said: “I want to make it perfectly clear what my own attitude is and that of the Government I lead. There is no justification, no excuse, for any man to inflict violence on a woman or abuse her in any way. Those who do so are cowards and criminals.”
He was again applauded towards the end of his speech when he said: “And we are saying to the men of Fiji: real men don’t mistreat women. They treat them with the respect they deserve as our wives, partners, mothers, sisters and daughters – the bedrock of our families and of our nation.”
The million dollar question that all of us Fijian men should ask is, “Am I a real man?”
Church support, poverty
Frank Shaw, Lami
I refer to a writer commenting on my article published on April 9 on the above topic. Actually my letter was more on cell phones as a cause of poverty among Fijians. I merely included church in the last paragraph because Father Kevin Barr had included it with cell phones as the two main causes of poverty among Fijians in Fiji.
The writer seems to suggest that it was my view when in actual fact it was Fr Barr’s opinion. Fr. Barr has made an exhaustive study on the causes of poverty in Fiji. (He has actually written a book on the issue).
So I believe there is no other person better qualified to make a statement on poverty in Fiji than Fr. Kevin Barr. The writer may not agree but he is entitled to his own opinion whatever its worth.
However, there is one question the writer might like to enlighten me on. Why Fiji, which has one of the highest rate of churchgoers in the world, should also have the highest crime rate?
Finally, I can assure the writer that I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth nor was I born with a silver tongue, unlike certain people who seem to know the answers to most problems.
7s support
Wise Muavono, Lautoka
Support our 7s warriors quest for gold in Rio by buying a wristband from any MH outlet. It’s only $2 and $1 will go towards achieving our first Olympic medal. Areh, Go Fiji, go.
PS: I thought twice about buying the yellow band because it only suits our friends from Suva Grammar. Hahaha!
Rio public holiday
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
Fijians deserve a public holiday should the Vodafone Fijian 7s team win gold at the Rio Olympics come August.
It is something very dear to Fijians and we would like our country to get that recognition and appreciation.
We are very eager and excited about Rio and the win will be splendid. It will make us feel like jumping up high enough to touch the sky.
I just hope some serious consideration and thought is given to this.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj