Why are we left out
THE FIFA World Cup is upon us and it’ll be another four years before the next event.
Once again thousands of Fijians up North do not have the opportunity to watch the most popular event in the world.
Why are we always disadvantaged up north?
We seem to be an afterthought with everything?
We continue to read and hear about every Fijian getting equal opportunity but it is far from the fact when you compare the two main islands.
TV companies need to get their act together and work things out for the betterment of all Fijians!
Board and management need to come up with solutions that work for all.
Poor performance indeed!
Simon Hazelman
Savusavu
Freebie mentality
MY mate doing contractual work in Lautoka gave his boys lunch on the first day.
Second day, they asked again and he gave in appreciation for their good job.
When they asked on the third day, he said, “I can’t afford to give freebies”.
Isa the freebie mentality seems to be contagious.
Allen Lockington
Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Two prices
WHAT can be done to those retailers who put a sale price on the shelf when the actual price is more than what they advertised?
Well that is what actually happened when doing my shopping at the weekend when the sale price and actual price on my invoice showed two different figures.
On the shelf, it said $1.15 and my invoice said actual price was $1.35 with a discount of $0.10.
The figure may seem insignificant but to low income earners every cent can make a big difference in their budget.
I urge these retailers to be honest in their dealings.
Be fair to your customers.
Pita Soroaqali
Nadarivatu
Rugby tickets
Finally the Fiji Rugby Union has realised that ticket prices to the PNC Tests in Suva were expensive.
The ticket prices for the PNC game in Lautoka between Fiji and Tonga has been reduced and you now can expect a full house.
Despite having to watch two PNC matches for $50 in the grandstand, I still feel the ticket prices were expensive.
As a result the grandstand and embankment were not filled to capacity.
DHARMENDRA KUMAR
Rewa St, Suva
Beating hearts
IN due respect to those specialists, surgeons from Australia, who are here in the country, I pray that your lives may be as blessed as can be and know that all the lives you have made whole again are really beating hearts for you guys.
And we’re talking about 841 hearts and counting.
That sure is a lot of hearts. You guys are the best for all the good work and sacrifice saving lives, especially those young ones, who now have a new lease of life.
So may the Lord keep you and guide you all.
Thank you and vinaka vakalevu sara.
God bless your families.
Richard M. Abel
Suva
Two things stand out
Two things in The Fiji Times of June 19 stood out for me.
One, every member of the public interviewed on the Street Talk question: “What do you think of the cost of living in Fiji?”, said it was “very high” or “very expensive” and that “it’s a struggle now”.
Two, we read in ‘Social welfare focus for party’ that a political party has that as its election platform.
I would contend that should be the political platform of every political party in Fiji to ensure the poor, including the working poor, do not get left out in the country’s march to prosperity.
That’s what a caring society would always seek to do.
Rajend Naidu
Sydney, Australia
(Former assistant director of Social Welfare)
Big battle
Coach McKee wants accurate execution against the Ikale Tahi when the unbeaten Flying Fijians face the visitors at Churchill Park.
Past clashes between Tonga and Fiji have produced warfare in the battlefield and Saturday’s clash will be no exception.
Fiji defeated the Lelos to retain the PNC title. Earlier our boys had a narrow escape against Samoa.
The Tongans bulldozed their way past Samoa but found the going against Georgia tough. Hence, the encounter is going to be exciting and tough.
We should not expect the catch up rugby that our boys demonstrated against Georgia last week to carry us through.
A plan must be devised to stop the burly Tongan forwards from penetrating our defensive line.
I believe that the match is going to be decided upfront as it’s going to be a physical and mental test.
Tonga has the forwards while we are laced with a world class backline.
Toso Viti!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam
Nadawa, Nasinu
Bula festival
I wish to commend all those who have been and are behind the force running the Bula Festival in Nadi.
It is through your dedication and commitment the festival reaches its 58th anniversary without a break thus far.
If I am not wrong this is the only festival in the country which remains unbroken.
The record speaks volumes of the solidarity and unity of the people attached. Thank you for keeping the lights of the festival burning all the time.
As the burning torch is passed from one generation to another, the enthusiasm and commitment with which it is taken and carried forward is immeasurable.
All towns could learn from a good example like this one.
This year’s Bula festival is set to start rolling on July 14.
The week-long festival is a much-awaited event every year. People from all walks of life from here and abroad as well patronise the event every year.
Interesting to note that the king contest is also back this year after a lapse.
I think there are seven contestants in this category while 11 beautiful girls will fight for the Bula Queen title.
I hope our police force will not leave any gap for criminals to capitalise on and make the passage smooth for the motorists during the crowded event.
I wish the festival all the best.
Suresh Chand
Nadi
Preserving our vernacular
I MUST commend the communications support officer for PIANGO Ilaitia Turagabeci for the well-penned article titled “Preserving our vernacular” in yesterday’s The Fiji Times.
While I was impressed with the choice of vocabulary, it saddened me to learn that the art, knowledge and skills of making traditional artefacts are slowly disappearing since we are losing our elders and the young generation seems to be moving towards the digital era.
I remember when I was in primary school, learning vernacular was compulsory.
We had teachers who loved teaching and children who loved learning vernacular.
Although, I was not very eager to learn Hindi, my mother reinforced learning Hindi at home.
I had to write in Hindi and any mistake made led to punishment, which we enjoyed.
We could not miss prayer sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays as the Ramayan was recited.
However, I regret not taking Hindi during my secondary school days as today, I find it difficult to read Hindi.
I try my best to read the Shanti Dut but I find it difficult although I can speak Hindi fluently.
The media age has an influence on the younger generation and as parents if we are not careful we may end up losing our mother tongue.
It’s never too late but concerted efforts must be made to revive the speaking of vernacular.
Let’s start now so we don’t regret later.
I rest my case here!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam
Nadawa, Nasinu
Delightful read
Another delightful read in yesterday’s The Fiji Times about 67-year-old, Unaisi Talolo Sitaba Lekenaua, who was at the launch of the university’s 50th anniversary celebration in the North.
But in this day and age where young people seem to see education as a chore, Unaisi is a revelation and an inspiration.
But I had a good laugh when I read that she didn’t like housework.
And during home economics she says, “Whenever, I did some sewing I had to remove the thread again and my teacher used to tell me, “Unaisi your stitches are like the path trodden by a drunken man on a Saturday night”.
Wow! A PhD in poetry will be another feather in her graduates hat or should I say … “mortarboard”.
You are an inspiration.
Allen Lockington
Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
The Jazz man
Olympian and a true Fijian warrior at heart — my favourite and the “Jazz man” Jasa Veremalua is a complete rugby sevens player.
The Fiji Times’ sports back page article on Jasa is one passionate and emotional story.
Declining lucrative contracts for a number of years just to don the white jersey and the never-say-die approach by him is a jewel for Fiji rugby.
His one-handed ball carry trade mark runs and aerial battles together with blistering speed, yes he has gas to burn is master class.
Well done Jasa, your passion for Fiji rugby is unmatched and your soft spoken nature with a big heart and huge guts make you a real and complete warrior for Fiji.
Salute to you the “Jazz man”.
Jasa dua na cauravou joka!
Shalwyn Prasad
Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
