Tough road to RWC
THE heat is mounting for the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year with teams moving a level up in terms of preparations for the four-yearly event.
This is visible with the level of competition in the June-July rugby Tests including the Rugby Championship and the Pacific Nations Cup.
South Africa held the All Blacks to a 16-all draw in Wellington last weekend in what was one of most thrilling games of the year so far.
The world champions had incurred quite a number of handling errors, also conceding a last-minute try against a much-improved Springboks squad.
In another Rugby Championship game, Australia defeated the Argentine Pumas 16-10 in a closely contested battle at Suncorp Stadium.
Both sides played their A-game, but the Wallabies had the edge at the wheels.
Although Australia won the game, the Pumas won the hearts of many fans across the globe with their back-to-back incredible performances against the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
A major upset was created when the Flying Fijians were outclassed 21-34 by RWC hosts Japan last Saturday.
This was a killer blow to Fiji’s buildup to the big event, but was much of a fuel added to fire for the “Cherry Blossoms” on their route to the world cup.
These results prove that the RWC 2019 will be much competitive and will be no walk in the park for the top tier nations in the world.
Raynav Chand, Nakasi
Sex video of minors
ON Page 3 of Tuesday’s FT (30/7), Minister Rosy Akbar describes “the circulation of an alleged sex video involving two minors on internet ‘sickening’”.
Further on in her statement she said “there is a need for parents to be more vigilant and talk about this”.
Sixty-four per cent of Fiji’s population is regarded as Christians.
Parents in this religious category, particularly the dads, should stand up in unity during this very challenging time and take up daringly and faithfully the “commands, decrees and laws” that God’s prophet and psychologist Moses had alluded to clearly in Deuteronomy Chapter 6 verses 6 to 9.
The ethics and Christian values of God are abundantly and sufficiently described and mentioned in the Holy Bible.
Ethics such as: honour your father and mother; you shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal, etc.
The responsibility of the parents, particularly the dads who are biblically designated as managers, priests, servants, role models and leaders of their respective homes, must teach diligently and impress these commands, decrees and laws to their children in their respective homes daily.
Parents need to set aside a time daily to informally talk with their children on what they are going through at school, in the public places, with their friends and what they see in magazines, books, internet, Facebook and whether they are having relationships.
It is now becoming a big issue in Fiji and all over the world the missing dads from their homes during prime time.
Pita Nacuva, Namadi Heights, Suva
Sickening, not surprising
THE sentiments expressed by Education Minister Rosy Akbar (FT30/07) about the circulation of an alleged sex video involving two minors, while it is sickening, it is not surprising.
Every person who has access to the internet has access to every imaginable sexual act.
As a matter of fact, we have access to anything and everything online.
Here is exactly what happens when our children overuse online media.
The exposure will most certainly instigate risky behaviour.
As adults we need to understand that our children are growing up in a time of highly personalised media use experiences, so it is very important that we develop personalised media use plans for our children.
The responsibility to protect our children is ours, otherwise expect the worst.
Simon Hazelman, Savusavu, Cakaudrove
Temple desecration
THE hurt from the breakin, theft and damage at the Hindu temple in Malolo, the first in their 65-year history (FT 29/07) must be more from a sense of defilement of that which is held as sacred by the community.
The incident is evidence of a gross lack of respect and community decay.
Hope the good people of Malolo have it in their heart to forgive the trespassers for the imbeciles know not what they are doing.
The harm, the hurt and the despair they are inflicting.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Drugs and beer
I THINK if the price of beer and alcohol is reduced sufficiently the drug problem can be reduced — after all I believe everyone wants to get drunk.
Even when I was in secondary school during the ’70s, I was able to buy a bottle of Gordon’s Gin from my pocket money every month and enjoy it with my classmates.
Sukhan Singh, Labasa
Climate change
IF what the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne says about the Australian government’s abiding commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change (FT27/07) is true, why have the Australian people, including school students, come out in such large numbers to protest about the Australian government’s lacklustre commitment on climate change and its pro-coal industry support, notwithstanding the threat it poses to the world heritage Great Barrier Reef?
Could it be because they have a better grasp of reality than the Australian government minister?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Swimming pool
I HAVE been sent pictures of that proverbial swimming pool, it’s looking good.
I know it will be completed, I am happy.
I wonder if they will put in a 20-metre high diving platform.
I will try it if there is one.
But thank you, I can see it’s gonna be finished before I “swim away” to the other world.
Allen Lockington, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Hong Kong protest
A THING or two for Fijians to learn from regarding democracy and rights.
It’s fought for, peacefully as it may, and never just given.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
New rates
HAVE you folks seen the new rates effective 01/08/19?
It’ll cost $3000 for a registration for civil marriage celebrants.
Next we’ll be looking for uncivilised marriage celebrants.
Nigel Fiu, Lautoka
Bowl or bucket
THE Police Commissioner has pleaded with members of the public to report suspicious matters instead of talking about it around the yaqona bowl.
Well advised.
But pardon me, I think you could be referring to the yaqona bucket or other storage utensils.
Sir, for the local context, bowl is way too small.
Unless it contains the strongest possible mix to put out the lights in one shot.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Performance evaluation
IN workplaces, employees are subjected to standardised performance assessments.
This is a normal widely accepted global practice to assess progress against a set of competencies or specific criteria.
It is no different in the civil service, especially when taxpayers’ funds are concerned.
People want value for their money.
In the civil service, different ministries get assessed periodically.
At times, it reflects pay increment.
Predictably, joyful times.
Within the framework of taxpayer funds, has there ever been a formal documented performance assessment of Parliament members?
How do we interpret their efficiency levels when we are unaware of their position descriptions and targets?
What really happens when they are not to par?
Who decides this and how?
Don’t taxpayers funds matter?
Do we rely on general elections?
To scrutinise it deeply, what influences our decision on the ballot paper?
Is it speeches and debate performance?
To think of it, when Parliament gets suspended before a general election, ministries continue operating without line ministers.
Or do we rely on various social media platforms?
Maybe, heresay or gossip.
Realistically, there is nothing.
As this process has been applied in other industries for years, there needs to be an assessment and evaluation criteria for members of Parliament as well.
Through usage of traditional evaluation approaches and professional instruments, it would be beneficial for everyone to know their return on investment from general elections.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Four million tree program
IT’S great that 400,000 seedlings have been planted through the government replanting program that is headed by the Ministry of Forests (FT 31/07).
The initiative that was launched in January of this year aims to replant four million trees in four years.
That is one million trees a year, about 83,000 trees per month, or about 21,000 trees per week, or 3000 trees per day.
While the task is an enormous one, planting the seedlings is the easy part of the whole process.
For anyone who has planted a tree, its success of surviving really depends on its maintenance after planting.
Trees need to be maintained up to at least a metre in height when its roots are well established and the trunk, branches, and leaves are free from vines and bush that can limit, stunt or kill its growth.
While this initiative is great it is important that maintenance is followed through in order for the trees to stand a chance of surviving, otherwise it is a mere waste of everyone’s time.
Of the 400,000 seedlings planted so far one wonders if maintenance is being carried out?
Success of this program is not how many seedlings will be planted but how many will survive and grow to be sturdy, healthy trees.
Simon Hazelman, Savusavu, Cakaudrove
