Heavy heart
It was with a very heavy heart that I read (FT 19/4) of the passing of Ratu Kiniviliame Koroi, known to everyone as Kini.
It was only a couple of month’s ago I went to get “the usual trim”.
He was a wonderful man with a great deal of patience.
I had been going to Kini for a number of years.
Like a taxidriver, he was able to give an opinion on most subjects.
You could have the best conversations with him.
He made going to the hairdresser a cerebral exercise but also a real pleasure.
Getting my hair trimmed by Kini represented a time where I had to sit down and do nothing — good for the spirit.
His manner reflected how he executed his craft: with care, accuracy and professionalism.
On top of that, Kini was most courteous and a true gentleman.
Kini was someone you just expected would be around forever.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Julie Sutherland, Tamavua, Suva
Wonderful piece
Thank you Iva Tora for your wonderful feature and a short insight (F/T 20/04) on the remarkable late K C Ramrakha, whom I had the privilege to meet a few times in Sydney in the early ’80s.
Rest in peace sir.
Steven Singh, Sydney, Australia
Virus invasion
Dangerous virus invasion
Hell-bent on destruction
Creating painful disruption
Terrible is condition
Lockdown in isolation
So much restriction
Causing frustrating desperation
Massive life interruption
Difficult this situation
Needing necessary adaptation
BHAGWANJI BHINDI, Nasinu
Unfortunate incident
Yes it was indeed an unfortunate incident — the assault on villagers by fans of a rugby team after two youths from the village threw soapy water on their bus (FT 20/4).
But I believe it was also, more importantly, an unlawful incident.
The people who walked into the village to assault the villagers took the law into their own hands.
This is 2021.
Wonder where that “buturaki” mentality is coming from?
Could it be a byproduct of the coup culture?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
No specialist for lupus
I read with immense sadness and grave concern Fiji has no specialist to detect this deadly disease, lupus (FT Tuesday, April 20, 2021).
Two Nadi family friends lost their beloved daughters to lupus.
Several beautiful young children are today without their loving mother.
I rest my further comments out of sheer respect for the deceased.
Fiji does not need to continue on its present path disregarding or totally overlooking the dire need for at least one lupus specialist, that is, a rheumatologist.
Spontaneously, Fiji must bring in a lupus specialist from overseas under generous sponsorship on special short-term screening assignment on a quarterly basis.
Fiji is graced with many generous sponsors.
Make such sponsorship tax deductible.
There are generous hoteliers who can provide short-term accommodation.
Furthermore, our health educators and medical fraternity must immediately begin a search to identify six potentially-worthy medical students to be professionally trained and adequately remunerated under scholarship.
Stringent monitoring of their performances is paramount.
Upon graduation two each must be posted to Labasa, Lautoka and CWMH.
Remote maritime centres and isolated communities must be visited every three months for screening.
The needy must be medi-vac’d accordingly for specialist treatment.
I share my views with utmost respect, care and concern.
To conclude, I must thank all doctors, nurses and support staff who strive real hard caring for patients in dire need and extenuating circumstances, under challenging conditions with bare minimum equipment and resources, keeping such patients as comfortable as possible.
God bless you, your work and your families.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
Seatbelts on
Regarding those three Fiji Airways Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, I expect three loud cheers, high jump fives and a three staircases cake.
And many knives for turbulence.
My seatbelts are on for this.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
High hopes
Last year, the Coca-Cola Games was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year the scenario is almost the same.
Coaches and athletes had prepared well for the Fiji Finals which was scheduled to kick-start tomorrow.
However, unlike last year, where the Coca-Cola Games did not take place at all, this year there is a ray of hope that it will take place in August.
To the athletes and coaches — I can understand your emotions, but it is important that we adhere to the instructions given by the Government because of the COVID-19 pandemic resurfacing.
It is rather unfortunate, but it will give more time for preparations.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Fashion sense
There have been many compliments for Lynda Tabuya’s glamorous fashion sense and beautiful attire, and I guess many may not remember that this amazing person was once Miss Hibiscus in 1996.
So future fashion and modelling after her political life would be a breeze for her.
Best wishes Ms Tabuya.
Steven Singh, Sydney, Australia
Mandela quote
Nelson Mandela once said: “The world is not divided by race, colour, gender or religion”.
The world is divided into the wise and the foolish and fools divide themselves by race, colour gender and religion.
Russell Fong, Kapadia Pl, Raiwai, Suva
Travel bubble
With the current COVID development cloaking our nation, I believe we can cease fantasising about being included in the travel bubble with Australia and NZ for a long period of time, unfortunately.
Nishant Singh, Lautoka
Potholes
I have heard about lovo, flower planting and others which are yet to make it past recommendation stage.
The other day, I went past a dog inside a fairly large pothole.
Its tail was up and all legs closer than usual.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Unneeded advice
Harvey Mackay, one of my favourite authors, has this to say on unneeded advice: “There is a time to provide advice and offer an opinion, and there is a time not to. Don’t be too quick to offer unsolicited advice. It certainly will not endear you to people.”
This is a piece of advice that Dr Biman Prasad and Mahendra Chaudhry need to heed.
I have often noticed that they feel they have to say something just to be in the public eye.
In yesterday (20/4) FT, Mr Chaudhry says there should be a thorough investigation into how COVID-19 protocols were breached at a Nadi quarantine facility and forced a lockdown.
The PM has already said that it is being done.
So, Mr Chaudhry’s two cents are entirely unnecessary.
I have always noticed that these two politicians seem to wait for every opportunity to denigrate the Government of the day and seem extremely reluctant to compliment the good that it does.
I think the manner in which the pandemic has been handled is commendable and the Minister for Health has worked tirelessly to keep Fiji COVID-contained and because of one breach, people are behaving as if the sky is falling.
I am a FijiFirst member.
It is by no means a perfect party.
But in the past 11 years, my wife and I have been in Fiji, I have seen many positive changes.
I have been critical where I feel it can do better but is not — especially in the area of education.
But overall, it is doing a reasonably good job.
If the elections were to be held today, who would you vote for?
The other opposition parties seem so fragmented and in total disarray.
We need to give FijiFirst the credit it deserves. Instead of knocking it all the time, Mr Chaudhry and Prof Prasad need to recognise the good it has done regardless of how bad they might think FijiFirst is.
Shakespeare rightly said: “There is some soul of goodness in things evil, would man observingly distill it out.”
So, these two illustrious politicians have their work cut out for them if they want to make an impact in 2022.
I do not like offering unsolicited advice but in this case, I feel compelled to — they should read Harvey Mackay’s bestseller, Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.
Arvind Mani, Nadi
Road accidents
It has come to my attention in the recent weeks there have been a lot of road accidents.
I believe we should all bear in mind the recent weather conditions in our country.
It is very important that both drivers and pedestrians follow simple safety rules.
Our country is going through a lot because of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is important to take care of our health and safety.
Also keeping in mind that drivers who are new behind the wheel should always have an experienced driver beside them while driving.
I strongly feel that if drivers and pedestrians follow the road and safety rule, the number of road accidents will be reduced to a minimum.
Deepsheka Jane Chandra, Lawai, Sigatoka
