The choice is yours
There is no doubt that with the skyrocketing figures, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major killer.
Over the years, I believe, not much could be achieved as the country depended largely on processed foods, sugar and salt intake and others. It may continue unless there is a change in policy.
Now, we can see that many are contracting diabetes, heart and kidney problems, hypertension, to name a few.
Life is a challenge as it spares no one. Young and the elderly are at equal risk. It’s a crisis now.
Healthy living is in your good hands. Grow and eat fresh, adapt a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly. The choice is yours.
ROUHIT KARAN SINGH Lautoka
Finding happiness
YES, there are many happy people in Fiji and many who show the happy bula smile, even when they are suffering.
I would like to add to the recent writers on this subject of happiness because there is something that makes for happiness in all circumstances.
Whether you live in luxury or struggle in an informal settlement, if you live on good terms with all those around you, and if you show kindness to all and offer a helping hand to one and all whenever need arises, you will find happiness. We are created social beings and our Creator has given us the ability to live in peace and harmony.
Let’s do it!! TESSA MACKENZIE Suva
Election year
BEFORE I pen my first letter for 2022, I would like to wish everyone well for the new year.
This year will be the election year where the citizens of this country will vote for whoever they want to lead Fiji in the next four years. In addition, this time around it is normal to hear or see that different parties begin to run against one another for they all want to win the election.
They will begin to put out their agendas of what they would plan to do for Fiji if they come to power, nevertheless, I believe, many times when they actually come into power, they forget their promises.
Therefore, it is said that the two most appealing reasons for wanting to win elections are power and money, as witnessed in many countries across the globe.
This being shared, I would like to appeal to the citizens of Fiji to please let us vote wisely for leaders who are willing to serve and put this country first rather than themselves and their pockets. KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
The silent killer
NON-COMMUNICABLE diseases (NCDs), which include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disease, cause 60 per cent of all deaths globally (35 million) each year, and four out of five occur in least developed countries.
NCDs share the common risk factors of tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Fiji is not spared at all by this silent killer as many people fall into this death trap.
There are some who inherit the NCD but for many, it is the lifestyle that plays a huge role.
In a fast revolving urban life, if one is not careful of his/her diet and physical wellbeing, one will easily be entrapped by this killer.
I thank The Fiji Times for creating awareness on the hardships people have been facing when they are suffering from life-threatening NCDs.
It is a way to make people look at what they are consuming and how seriously they take their daily exercise routine to keep themselves in shape and healthy. Individuals who come out bravely to share their suffering are also thanked.
While I sympathise with the ones gripped with NCDs, I also urge others to take a cue and work on preventive measures.
People should realise that their health is in their own hands and they should be determined to lead a healthy life.
Please start your 30 minutes walk and eat locally-grown fruits and vegetables. In this way, you will not only help the local economy but will secure better health for yourself and your loved ones.
Your health is in your hands, please guard it well. VISHNU DEO SHARMA Nakasi, Nausori
Dreaming big
ASHLYNE Goundar, a Year 13 student of Natabua High School, is a true inspiration to young individuals dreaming big in society today.
Ashlyne, whose story featured prominently in the Kaila! newspaper, has made her family and school proud as she has won several notable national prizes and awards.
Her story was shared by Ana Madigibuli. According to the article titled “Dreaming big”, Ashlyne pushes boundaries of learning by further acquiring knowledge through competitions. Her father, who is a journalist, and her mother, who is a high schoolteacher, continue to guide, motivate and inspire her.
Hence, the 18-year-old strives to be the best. She pushed herself to accomplish big attainments during the pandemic. She had a timely message for students, “Even under extreme circumstances, you can create positive results.
“You should always hope and strive for the best even if everything else around you is going wrong. I have learned that with positive mindset, positive outcomes are guaranteed.”
This is a wonderful message for our Year 12 and 13 students who are preparing for their external examinations. They need to have a positive mindset despite the circumstances.
All the best Ashlyne for your future endeavours! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Wrath of nature
IT is now a must for everyone around the world and not just Fiji to reflect on their behaviour, attitude and commitment towards climate change.
For centuries humans have wasted funds on expanding their military, visiting Mars or to fight wars which they never won, which never seems to have an ending.
Natures wrath in Hunga, Tonga volcanic eruption showed the world how powerful the Pacific Ocean is.
It just took two eruptions in a space of two days to generate tidal waves which reached California, Australia, NZ, Fiji and Tonga. I believe human activity and negligence is warming the Earth’s core rapidly, which is creating more and more volcanic eruptions as years go by.
We need to invest in climate resilient infrastructure and renewable energy. The more time we spend on Mars, building our military, spending money on useless things around the globe like building artificial rivers and useless military weapons which are destroyed in seconds during a war and which cost around one million to several billions to make, the lesser time we have before mother nature will open the flood gates of destruction.
Mother nature shows no pity, it knows no rich or poor.
No money will bribe her and she will do anything to continue her survival.
We humans are mother natures enemy. We have destroyed our planet for utter greed. When will we learn? Until we meet our demise?
Is human greed above our beautiful planet? AMRIT SINGH Nausori
Any help
WILL there be another round of financial assistance next month?
Mr Government sir, your people are patiently waiting for the announcement so they can once again stimulate the economy. WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Wage rate
IF all the sectors welcome the sugar price increase, then I guess the minimum wage rate should be welcomed as soon as possible. JAHEED BUKSH Korolevu, Sigatoka
Students’ lives
THERE is a lot of debate about schools and how it disrupted students’ lives in the past two years.
Let me remind those people, as an educator, there is more to the world than Algebra and argumentative texts.
Students would have learnt real life skills such as how to survive in a pandemic, how to support your family during tiring times, etc.. and that is far more valuable than cribbing about something superficial. ASHNEEL J PRASAD Teacher – Emirates National School, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sugar price
THE Constitution says there will be no discrimination, so why sell sugar so cheap to the world and so much more to the local people. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Open letter
I WRITE this open letter to the High Commissioner of India in Fiji seeking clarification if Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi aka Mahatma Gandhi is officially recognised as the father of the Indian nation.
My earlier emails on the subject to the High Commissioner have remained deafeningly silent. DEWAN CHAND Namadi Heights, Suva
Education grant
AS informed, I think it’s great that there will be formal investigations into the allegations of the education grant abuse.
On many occasions around the world, such types of allegations have been conveniently swept aside. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Velovelo bridge
JUST wondering if any civil engineer or road construction professional can shed some light on how long it takes to replace a bridge.
Almost two and half years later, some of the unfortunate residents close to the Velovelo Bridge are still breathing dust.
Would be interesting to know what the budget was for this bridge and what the final cost will be. SALESI FINAU Balawa, Lautoka
