Wonderful start
OUR national soccer team captain and hit-man Roy Krishna delivered another sensational and stunning performance for ATK Mohun Bagan as they beat Kerala Blasters 1-0.
Before the battle, ATK and Mohun Bagan merged and the iconic green and maroon colours of the Mohun Bagan jersey were retained which ensured that the brand entity of the century-old club was upheld.
Ironically Roy Krishna scored for ATK Mohun Bagan as they started their Indian Super League on a high.
Congratulations Roy and all the best!
The Ba and Nadi soccer sides also had wonderful starts in the Vodafone Fiji FACT as they beat Nasinu (3-1) and Lautoka (1-0) respectively.
The clash at the ANZ Stadium between Nasinu and Suva and Rewa and Labasa brought out the best from the fans despite the pouring rain in a good weekend of soccer!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Roy brings joy to ATK
ROY the Joy Krishna kicked off his commitment with his new club with another tik tok performance, thorning his way through defenders and scoring with a twinkle toe motion.
The beginning was so sizzling and we can envisage the end already which we all must do in any beginning –– always focus on the end.
Go Krishna, you continue to rock India and bring soccer to live action.
I remember when visiting India in 2019 and when introducing that I am from Feejee (that’s how they say and write), the first answer was “oh where Roy is from” or where Lord Krishna is from (Krishna is a name of one of our gods) also synonymous to Hare Krishna.
Roy is creating a big buzz in a country where cricket is a religion, but slowly our homegrown master wizard in soccer is penetrating that with a Feejee style soccer.
SHALWYN PRASAD, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua
Parental responsibility
IT seemed an odd thing to utter: “Children are not property of parents” by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
One could ask: To whom then do children belong?
Who holds the responsibility for children?
Who is held accountable and who is liable?
Is it not a parent’s legal responsibility to care and make decisions for their children?
In fact, Section 45 of the Family Law Act 2003 states that “parental responsibility” means “all the duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which, by law, parents have in relation to children”.
It would be an interesting one to argue in the Family Court although I certainly wouldn’t put any money on it.
JULIE SUTHERLAND, Tamavua
Pandemic a wake-up call
THE COVID pandemic has exposed some serious flaws in Australia’s aged care industry.
While it has sadly led to the death of many of our elderly citizens, it has also been a major wake-up call for all of us.
If there was a scale to measure which countries have had the best record so far in managing this “curse”, Fiji would be right there at the top.
While there’s a long way to go in our collective economic recovery, our aged care debacle has also presented, what I believe, could be a wonderful opportunity for Fiji.
Many people abroad who are in their 60s, 70s and even 80s are looking for a safe haven.
What better place than Fiji to lay anchor in a resort style retirement village community offering the best of everything.
And what better way to engage a huge workforce of the best carers in the world including cooks, cleaners and medical personnel than in the idyllic setting of Fiji’s COVID-safe environment.
Perhaps it’s time to begin thinking outside the square of the tourism market and looking at ways of building an aged care hospitality industry.
COLIN DEOKI, Melbourne, Australia
TVET graduates
IT is so unfortunate that serious issues surrounding the survival of some technical colleges managed by the Fiji National University has surfaced as FNU celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Accompanying the article TVET –– Pathway to a skilled labour force (FT 21/11) by Dr William May (acting vice-chancellor of the Fiji National University) is a table which provides the breakdown of graduates from FNU attaining TVET training.
The table reveals the total certificate (7178), diplomas (9773) and trade certificates and diplomas (2829) which gives a grand total of 19,780 graduates from 2010 to 2019, but the total for single years has not been done.
As per the table figures, there were a total of 2935, 3020, 2574 and 3076 graduates in each of the respective years from 2010 to 2013 (certificates and diplomas combined).
As per the table figures, there were a total of 1747, 1473, 1514, 1426, 996 and 1019 graduates in each of the respective years from 2014 to 2019 (certificates, diplomas, and trade certificates and diplomas combined).
I could not locate in the article the reason(s) for the decline in graduate numbers from 2010 (2935) to 2019 (1019).
The same article also reveals that one of Fiji National University’s proven record of providing teaching excellence in TVET studies is through upgrading of staff qualifications.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka
Navy wins Escott Shield
I HAD predicted the Escott Shield final between Navy and Police Blue to entertain and excite fans and congratulations to the dominant Navy side for burying the ghost and reclaiming lost glory to win the prestigious Digicel Escott Shield 24-17.
Sharing his joy with our sports journalist Noa Biudole, Navy captain Lemeki Damu said, “it was a sweet victory to walk away with Suva rugby’s 107-year-old log. We fell short in the final in the past two years, but this year we knew from the beginning we were taking the Escott Shield back with us. It was not easy, but our boys delivered and we thank Police for a hard-fought game.”
On the other hand Police Blue captain and Suva fly half Meli Kurisaru was gracious in defeat.
Navy had the services of Mateo Qolisese, Manasa Saulo, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Rt Meli Derenalagi, Elia Canakaivata, Leone Nawai, Jone Manu, Apisalome Vota, Apisai Vatubuli and Aporosa Kenatale while Police had the services of Lino Vasuinadi, Suliano Volivoli, James Brown, Terio Tamani, Keponi Paul, Watisoni Sevutia, Filipe Sauturaga and Manu Laqai.
Congratulations to Navy for the hard earned win!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Traditional records
THE onus and responsibility is on us today to ensure that the orally-kept traditional knowledge, skills and characteristics, in our communities are not wholly and utterly overwhelmed by the modern digital-based world around us now and lost because we did not make use of it.
These ethos and traditions are the very essence and foundation of our traditional societies and makes it what it is and to be different and unique.
Various forms of records can be used from written records to digital voice and visual forms to ensure that orally-kept records as well as the arts and crafts will always be with us for the sake of our current and future generations.
This becomes even more important and vital when knowing that the “human repositories” (elders) of our orally-kept records are getting less and less in numbers each year.
More so, when it is the very group that has the highest risks during this pandemic.
Let’s not waste the one time opportunity given to us by the technology available today to have alternative forms of keeping our various traditional and cultural records and our arts and crafts.
There is really no excuse for not doing so.
EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Young lives at stake
YOUNG girls involved in prostitution: this revelation by Social Welfare director Rupeni Fatiaki (FT 20/11) is certainly a shocking one indeed.
He then goes on to say that while his department is aware of this happening, there is no data or statistics to support such claims.
He tries covering his back by stating several times that there have been reported cases.
One has got to ask what did the department do with these reports.
Were they followed-up or investigated?
Are there no officers there in his department who are paid by Fiji taxpayers to gather evidence and data and then, on that basis, with that evidence, decisions are made and actions are taken?
A leading question begs why are there no statistics or no data?
Is all that they rely on at the Department of Social Welfare hearsay?
What then is the basis for any policy decisions made in the department?
It seems like this department needs to lift its game.
Young lives are at stake.
JULIE SUTHERLAND, Tamavua
Face mask
WITH so many awareness carried out I still saw some players and match officials at the Fiji FACT protecting their chins and neck with surgical masks.
Maybe this virus is entering our body through these areas in an advanced way.
The other day I saw one person putting the mask in his back pocket.
I don’t know what that means.
ASHIS KUMAR, Ba
VAR review
I BELIEVE it’s time that Fiji Football should employ VAR review to reconsider some of the decisions made by referees on the pitch.
PRANIL RAM, Votualevu, Nadi
Live FACT
IDC 2020 wasn’t live.
But the Fiji FACT is.
IDC was on Viti Levu while the FACT is on Vanua Levu.
I sometimes wonder if we in the North are not that important.
Are we second-class citizens.
SHARIF SHAH, Savusavu
Leaked info
THE identity of the complainant of the alleged 1987 bomb incident was never made public.
How did people who are now threatening the complainant come to know who the person was?
Was this important information leaked from somewhere?
BHARAT MORRIS, Gold Coast, Australia
File returned
NOW that we have been assured about an allegation which dates back more than three decades will be thoroughly investigated, what type of investigation was carried out before the file was handed over to the DPP only for it to be returned to police for further investigation?
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka
Key to hell
UNCLE Allen Lockington should know that only Anthony Sahai gives the key to Hell at Bentley Lane.
Haha
BILL KUNAVATU, Mission Hill, Levuka
Small stalls
I’VE been to the Laqere market and I’ve seen the stall for vendors.
Trust me, our vendors need better service as I believe the size of the stall is too small.
Just like the Housing Authority lots are getting smaller day by day, that’s the way it had happened with market stalls.
People need to sell not only to survive but to grow.
The Suva market stall is a good size.
KHALID AHMAD, Suva
Civil servants
I BELIEVE most are barred from challenging such decision in court.
Just wait for the general elections and assist to campaign against those responsible for limiting your rights.
DAN URAI, Lautoka
