Carnivals galore
After witnessing the Tebara Carnival, people are up for the Vodafone Millennium Sinu Carnival in Nasinu and the Digicel Ba Farmers Carnival. These days carnivals bring people together to witness fun and entertainment and enjoy the rides, food and savouries, while the queens get the much-needed public exposure to present their ideas and talents. Some common topics that queens have been debating and presenting on are NCDs, climate change and environment protection, but I believe that we need to address some real issues that are challenging our youths. All in all, funds raised must be made available to the public and used for some worthwhile activity! My best wishes to the queens taking part in the Sinu and Farmers carnivals and may the best queen win! Cheers! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Throwing stones
Two Pacific Transport buses carrying passengers were stoned in Sigatoka recently (FT 11/06). Why are people throwing stones at buses? Such cowardly attacks should not be tolerated and the police ought to be more aggressive and urgent towards investigating and charging the culprits. Those responsible should be ashamed of themselves. If the reason is for speeding then I hope drivers get the message! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
2019 VPL
After the completion of 7-8 rounds of matches, the Ba leads the VPL points table with 20 points. So far, Ba, Suva, Labasa, Nasinu, Tavua and Rewa all have played eight games while Lautoka and Nadi remain on seven. Surprisingly, at the moment the 2019 Fiji FACT winners Nadi sit at the bottom of the table. But, Nadi is not to be underestimated because they are capable of turning the table at any time. Look at what they did at the Fiji FACT. If one compares the speed, I think Nadi is one of the fastest teams in the country. When Nadi plays its usual fast-paced game, their opponents have no chance of settling down. Nadi is not used to playing a slow game. I have always admired their speed and agility. As the VPL is still a long way to go, anything is possible. At this juncture, I would like to suggest to the Fiji FA to put more doubleheaders instead of just a single fixture. This way I think you can attract a better crowd which generates more income for you. Thank you. Suresh Chand Nadi
Our 7s gladiators
Kudos to the 7s gladiators for their wonderful performance in the London and Paris 7s. You made us all proud and it was worthwhile watching the games at the odd hours. Thanks to the coach as well for the way he moulded the players. The key role that he plays is essential and requires good level of skills and judgment. Rugby is one area where the whole of Fiji gets together to make Fiji win. This is a time when all unite and have only one purpose — that is to win the game which we are well known for. Rugby is our pride and to win is always the icing on the cake. I don’t have words to describe the unity as a nation that we feel during this exciting, crucial and wonderful moment. It automatically gives us the courage and strength with positive vibes. Oh, just how wonderful to see those tries, one after the other. What a beauty! One thing is a major relief now that the conversion area is being improved. Hope it remains or gets better if possible. This area was a problem all these years and now it feels to be moving the way it’s supposed to. Of course no one wants to lose but we can’t always have it all, thus in times of loss we still stand with our players. You all make sacrifices to go to other countries to play and bring glory, your hard work is being recognised. Win or lose, we are right behind you and our prayers are always with you and our nation. Vinaka boys and the coach. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Poverty line- Letter of the week ending 3/6-9/6
Oi, Dr Gangopadhyay! The poverty-stricken do not need to just survive, they need to live. Get it? Adjust that into whichever formulae you are working with. MANOJ LAL PATEL Lautoka
Urgent need- Letter of the week ending 15/4-21/4
CONTRARY to reporter Felix Chaudhary’s assertion that there is “urgent need for bus fare increase” (FT April 12), public transport fares urgently need to be reduced by subsidising bus and taxi operators while tax on private vehicles needs an increase. Otherwise traffic congestion on our major roads will inevitably continue to worsen day by day. Successive governments have permitted ever growing numbers of private cars to exceed the capacity of Fiji’s major roadways. This is not the way the world should be. It makes no sense for a culture of private motoring to prevail on tropical islands where vehicles, fuel and bitumen for roads must all be imported. Private cars have already overwhelmed many small islands in the Pacific circled by coastal roads that could easily be well served by public transport but are practically devoid of buses and taxis. It is sad to see so many vehicles parked in front of shacks on beautiful islands where people struggle to feed and educate their children but must spend excessively on transport where governments have allowed private motoring to become the norm. WILLARD MILLER Suva
Cama’s impact
Tomasi Cama Sr was brought in to help Gareth Baber mould our young players and I salute our ardent and patriotic 7s star for all that he has done to help bring back lost glory. Cama has been competing against his own son who is the assistant coach for the All Blacks 7s and their relationship, love and affection have not deterred senior Cama from giving his best shot for Fiji. Cama went into the Hong Kong 7s history books for scoring one of the best rated tries at So Kon Po but ended his reign as Fiji 7s coach without winning the prestigious tournament. However, his influence and humility can never be measured and the soft-spoken gentleman weaved his magic in London and in Paris to keep our boys calm and composed and bring home a historic back-to-back win in consecutive weekends. I hope that FRU will keep his services for the 2019/20 WRSS and the Olympic Games. Isa, vinaka vakalevu Tomasi Cama Sr for your valuable assistance and support to our 7s team! God bless you, sir! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
For freedom
There is one reason for the current political crisis in Hong Kong (“Hong Kong plunges into political crisis” The Fiji Times 11/6p20-21). I believe the people of Hong Kong fear their long cherished freedom and independence is under threat from the proposed extradition bill which will allow people from Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China. The “fear of corrosion of Hong Kong’s legal autonomy and the difficulty of ensuring basic judicial protections in mainland China” is well founded as any international human rights watch organisation will tell you. It has all the hallmarks of rendition. I believe that’s why nobody apart from Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam and her legislative members, according to politician and rights activist Emily Lau (ABC breakfast interview 11/6) believe the law change is good for Hong Kong. They claim it is designed to serve China. An overwhelming majority of Hong Kong people agree. Hence the current unprecedented mass protest. I believe the Hong Kong case shows people who have lived their lives in freedom do not voluntarily relinquish their freedom for tyranny — dressed as law reform. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
- Emily Lau a London School of Economics scholar is a politician in HK who champions press freedom and human rights. A former journalist she was the first woman directly elected to the Legislative Council of HK in 1991.
Our lifestyle
Although Fiji’s population has not seen huge increases, health services continue to be stretched. This is because of the increase in the unhealthy population in Fiji. It is a negative outcome from the current unhealthy life adopted by many. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Women’s soccer
Congratulations to the Vodafone Fiji Women’s side for winning the Oceania Football Confederation Tri-Nations series in Vanuatu. Well done and keep our flag flying high. Nardeo Mishra Suva
Smoke-free city
Lautoka was declared a “Smoke-free city” on 27/7/2015. The latest report says the air in Lautoka is polluted. Looks like the declaration of smoke-free town and city doesn’t work. Anyway with all the smoke that will be emitted from FSC soon, the air will get more polluted. John Brown Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
Plastic bags
The only way to get rid of it is stop manufacturing and ban it altogether. I believe Government is shedding crocodile tears by charging 50 cents for using plastic bags. Dan Urai Lautoka
Plastic ban
I learnt from the BBC that Canada will ban single-use plastics as early as 2021. In 2017, Kenya was lauded for imposing the harshest plastic bag ban in the world. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Coconut basket
Before single-use plastic bags became popular, baskets made from coconut leaves were a must in local markets. The two most common items in those skilfully woven traditional carry bags were cassava and mandarin. As the phasing out of single-use plastic begins, we may herald in memories of traditional living through weekly marketing. Those coconut baskets preserve culture, pose no harm to the environment and have no levy. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Boom issue
It’s not new to hear the current government lauding praises on itself. After the budget a new phrase has made its round in the news as the, “Bainimarama Boom”. There are many views to their sound economic management and only time will tell. Not to be a party pooper but two letters away from boom is also a possible reality. Sailosi Naewe Naduru Rd, Nausori
