The ‘Bus’ receives special mention
THE commentators were lost for superlatives when our Olympian, the devastating Joshua Tuisova just brushed aside defenders with sheer power to offload to Kunavula for the fourth try that ignited a great win for Fiji. One commentator actually stated “the bus left the garage without passengers ambushing”. Another stated “who will stop the bus in full speed”. Nemani Nadolo also made a comeback to Test rugby since 2018 with three scintillating tries as Fiji made a long awaited return and the second half magic erupted in Murrayfield. Nadolo’s third try was a good set piece move from a lineout and the new style of play is quite evident under the new management. The forwards are communicating a lot and the backs are cautious and keep the ball running. Lastly, I really liked the commentators when they said the backline led by scavenger Levani Botia and company brings a new flavour every time there is a backline move. SHALWYN PRASAD Mukta Ben Rd, Nabua
Sex workers
It seems to me that Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane writes from a situation of advantage. I know that he has had a good education, has a wife and children, and that he has employment. I hope he will count his blessings. There are others who are not so fortunate and for whom choice is not as easy as he implies. I do not encourage prostitution, but it is not for me to criticise others without knowing the details of their situation. As a Christian, I am very familiar with the account in Luke chapter 7 verses 30-50 of the prostitute who sat at Jesus’ feet when he dined at the house of the pharisee named Simon. The behaviour of the woman would have been exceedingly embarrassing for Jesus yet he showed deep compassion for the woman. He gave her forgiveness of her sins and sent her away in peace. I note especially that he did not say to her “do not sin again” as he did to some other people whose sins he forgave. Prostitution is known as the oldest profession and will almost certainly always be there. Sex workers, and all those in the LGTBQIA community, including homosexuals that Kositatino mentioned in his first letter, deserve respect, understanding and compassion, especially when it comes to prevention of diseases like AIDS. TESSA MACKENZIE Suva
Domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence has been called a social cancer. It ruins families and traumatises children. We must take a stand and change this conversation around this issue. Spreading awareness is the first step. Weeks ago, I attended a workshop on domestic violence. Three reasons were given why domestic violence is rife in Fiji. The first is our patriarchal society which is highlighted again by Shamima Ali (FT 5/12). Pornography or porn follows, which is a big problem too. Last was the loss of jobs in families especially during COVID-19. Our government is working hard towards the creation of jobs. Porn is only a click of a button away. It degrades and devalues women. We need to explain its existence to our children before they hear it from their peers. Could our authorities ban the internet or Facebook for two to three months at a time to get rid of porn sites? Nauru banned the internet this year for a period of time. Solomon Islands banned Facebook (FT 5/12 ). A city in Queensland, Australia, is porn free after an ongoing awareness campaign led by its townspeople. I believe that changing our patriarchal society is easier started with our young children. This means that the next generation will reap the benefits. We could start with simple things like letting women know that it is OK that their first born is a girl and not a boy. Young boys should be taught to cook meals, wash clothes, and clean the house etc. They should learn that this is not a girl’s job. Young girls should be taught how to use a cane knife, plant gardens, and catch fish etc. We should relook the functions of boarding schools like Ratu Kadavulevu, Queen Victoria and Adi Cakobau. Are those colonial values under which these schools were set up still relevant in 2020? The Great Council of Chiefs is absent from our 2013 Constitution. Food for thought. I know of several young males who used to help their mothers in cooking and baking. As they got older these skills were frowned upon by young women. These males were told to “man up” by society. It is time we sat down and relook at our gender stereotypes. Presently it reinforces a dominance and power over a female member of a relationship. As this is resulting in domestic violence and killing our women, it is only logical that we change our attitudes and practices. Young females who have boyfriends and husbands who are cooking and baking should thank God for these
skills and not make snide remarks. We must stand up to domestic violence and this journey begins with one step. Will you and yours take that step now? KORINA WAIBUTA, Knollys St, Suva
Being charitable this Christmas
TO no surprise, the festive and merry making season ferry has prosperously anchored on the docks of this beautiful nation and many people have exhilaratingly welcomed it. This is evident by the use of expensive illuminated lights on elegant Christmas trees, singing of chorus on a daily basis at certain locations and trolley full of food and beverages for enjoyment purposes. Additionally, a comprehensive number of people who may be earning a good sum of money may decide to spend an extensive and copious fraction of their whole years savings on branded outfits, advanced technologies or premium liquor which in return brings enormous happiness to their personal wellbeing only. But what about the victims of COVID-19 economic crisis, less fortunate, and disadvantaged people of our community, are they going to smile during this grooving and joyous occasion? The most probable reaction would be of disagreeing nature. Therefore, being charitable this festive season can apparently draw out smiles and bring rays of happiness in the difficult and struggling lives of the less fortunate brothers and sisters of our community. Eventually, there are multiple methods and means of being charitable this festive season. First and foremost, the most effortless method would be just to generously donate some money to a charitable organisation which intends to organise Christmas celebrations for underprivileged elders and children along with the distribution of Christmas gifts. Secondly, people can personally visit these families and can magnanimously donate clothes, toys or even food, which is regarded as a very noble deed. Thirdly, many people can associate themselves to a voluntary organisation which would raise funds for an exceptional and progressive cause benefiting the grassroots people. Finally, from my own perspective, being charitable does not only mean sharing wealth or valuable items but also sharing love, time, and happiness hence, some people can prefer to go to the nearest orphanage, old age home or even hospitals to celebrate the upcoming joyous occasion with our less fortunate friends. Conclusively, the return or the benefit of being charitable and helpful is beyond the bounds of monetary gains. It is the satisfaction and the astounding happiness which a human receives after helping people in need and drawing out smiles on their sad faces, which is doubtlessly celebrating a true Christmas. So will you be charitable during the Christmas of 2020 the COVID year? SHIVNEEL CHANDRA Tavua
Drone laws
IT would be appropriate for our Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji to address the issue about drones that are being operated and fly over private homes and populous areas in Fiji after we read reports on social media. The authority should publish the requirements in the daily newspaper for the public to be informed. This is the proper procedure that any UAV Drone pilot must follow before flying his/her drone for recreational purposes: (1) Always check the CAA requirements first and comply. (2) Regardless on whether the person is a visitor or resident, their drones must be registered through the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji by using form OP137. One could be liable to pay up to $5000 or spend up to 12 months in prison for failing to comply with the requirements. (3) If UAV Pilot planned to fly around Suva City, Laucala, Raiwaqa, Raiwai and Laucala areas then certain rules need to be observed. One of them is not to fly over the prison complex, government buildings, army barrack, police station, sporting events, helipads, hospitals, private homes and populous areas. (4) UAV pilot must first obtain prior approval from the Nausori control tower (12-24 hours) which is known in aviation as NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). CAAF need to be aware that UAV pilot is operating a drone around the area and for what purposes. If you are not in compliance to that then the pilot is operating his/her drone illegally. (5) Another requirement is to maintain visual line of sight with their drone at all times and if a pilot wants to operate at night time it could be quite difficult to do that. Imagine the pilot is in Lami and the drone is hovering over somewhere in Raiwai at night, there’s no visual line of sight contact. In New Zealand for instance, you’re not permitted to fly your drone atnight unless you have special privileges under Part 102 certification. I believe the same is applicable to Fiji too, but I would recommend to contact CAAFI directly if in doubt of anything that relates to UAV issues. DJI recently came up with the new App which could provide the details for all registered flying drones in your area and the operator’s location, however,
they are waiting for FAA approval before the App is launched. ETUATE ULUINACEVA Papanui, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tobacco cost
WE all know that smoking is bad for our health, but still some of us can’t stop. This is called addiction and doesn’t matter how much it costs you will smoke. However, every year in the budget the duty on tobacco goes up and we do not have a limit for that. Now people are turning to other means to overcome their addiction and it is a great concern. You go on the streets or the markets and you will get a “joint” for $5 where as a pack of ten cigarettes costs almost double. I feel it is time to cut the duty on cigarettes so that people who are addicted can afford to buy and avoid using other more dangerous substances. NARDEO MISHRA Suva
Game pIan
I LIKE what Suva soccer coach told the Fiji One reporter. He said he had a game plan. Was your plan to just keep kicking at the opponent’s goal and by hook or crook there will be a goal? Anyway, you are a very humble guy as you did not praise yourself. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
State funeral
WHILE paying tribute to late Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, our PM described him as a leader who responded to some of the nation’s most challenging chapters — even though he held the shortest term in office as prime minister (FT 5/12). I believe the state funeral accorded to Ratu Tevita should be extended to all former prime ministers of Fiji who were duly elected and served much longer terms in office. They all deserve the same honour and respect. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
National unity
I DO believe a government of national unity is in the making. MOSES FONG Hutson St, Suva
No shelter
THE edge of the Suva carrier stand is now filled up with mini market stalls. Navua and Western passengers take shelter in this mini stalls from rain and usually get chased by hawkers and juice sellers to leave the space free for the customer. If the SCC or whoever is responsible should build more bus shelters to keep passengers safe from the rain and hot sun. Besides, they should provide somewhere else for these hawkers to do their business. ISOA TULEGA QIONIWASA Wainadoi, Navua
