Fijian style of welcome!
Fijiana Drua flanker Teresia Tinaivalu will fondly remember for ages how she was given the welcome upon her return with the Fijiana Drua side. Sia, as she is called, was accorded a warm welcome in the presence of the entire village. Korovou Village was hyped up to welcome their brave daughter who was part of the history making Fijiana side. I wrote a letter thanking Teresia’s grandmother for nurturing her. In that letter, I mentioned how the villagers got together to raise funds for her visa and I’m delighted that Sia did not let them down, but made them proud with her high-flying achievement of winning the Super W title. Sia was emotional, seeing the villagers shed tears of joy. The bonding between Sia and her loved ones has culminated in her success, and I’m adamant the village will get behind her and the Fijiana when the team takes part in the Women’s RWC tournament in NZ. Enjoy and savour the moment, Sia! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Political knowledge
It is deeply saddening to see our distinguished economic scholars being discredited because “they have never had any political experience”. All of us who care about the affairs of our government and nation are politicians because politics affects all of us. The question is: how and where did honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum gain the economic knowledge that Tarun Tikaram credits him with? Tessa Mackenzie Suva
Sports back in school
It is good to hear that sporting activities are back in school. As the COVID-19 pandemic had also affected school programs, I believe it is a very timely decision. I am sure the athletes would be looking forward for this opportunity to showcase their talents after a lapse of almost two years. This would reinvigorate our students to compete in different sporting events. It is also good to learn that the most popular national schools’ sporting event which is the Coca-Cola Games, is also back in action. Many athletes who aspire to be part of this event would welcome this decision. As the F/T 11/5 reports, schools have already started their preparations and also planning to compete in their respective zones. No doubt, this year’s schools athletics competition will be a special one and I wish all the schools the very best in their preparations. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Our views
Thank you editor-in-chief Fred Wesley for allowing me and the many contributors to express our views in the LTE column. I classify The Fiji Times as the people’s paper, giving us the voice since 1869, and will definitely be here for many, many years to come. Yes, Ajai Kumar of Nadi, I am sure voters don’t want table thumpers, frowners, loud voices, intimidators, howlers, illiterates who get their speeches written for them, pretenders, aggressors, liars, and criminals, spot on. Meanwhile, I do not agree with the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum that the motive of the 2006 coup was different. Honourable minister, I believe any coup is the illegal seizure of power from a government. Minister for Education, Premila Kumar is going around harping about the 1987 and 2000 coup with no mention of the 2006 coup. As a pretender, she is saying that we have no connection to India. Indeed, Kiran Khatri of Suva, we are definitely connected to India (FT 10/5). The general election is around the corner, as minister responsible, many ratepayers want to know about the incomplete Lautoka Swimming Pool and when municipal council elections will be held. Talk about the houses destroyed by TC Yasa that are yet to be rebuilt. As a matter of fact, our tiny Lautoka Golf Club donated $5000 towards TC Yasa. For Fiji, ever Fiji. Raymond Singh Golf Links, Lautoka
Girmit Diwas
As we are approaching the ‘Girmit Diwas’ which falls on May 14, some of our ministers are moving around the country talking only about the coup of 1987. In particular I am concerned and upset when the Education Minister Premila Kumar said in one of the functions in Nausori that we have no connection with India. Most of us take this as an insult since we are here due to the sacrifice of our ancestors. If this Education Minister is serious about her statement then I request the Prime Minister to intervene and clarify the need to have the office of the Indian High Commission in Fiji and also to have a Fiji High Commissioner in New Delhi. Will love to hear the views of Indian High Commissioner in Fiji as well. VIJAY MAHARAJ Navua
Street pool – Letter of the week ending 4/4/2022-10/4/2022
THE portion of Veitari St that was washed away back in February is definitely shaping into the incomplete Lautoka swimming pool. Next downpour I’m going there for a swim. WISE MUAVONO Lautoka
Retain power – Letter of the week ending 28/03/2022-03/04/2022
I WAS somewhere and someone asked about some country which is about to hold general elections whether the ruling party would be able to retain power. As that precise moment, one started having an epileptic seizure. For the sake of humanity, why do people ask such questions? MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
M-PAisa fees
While returning from work the other day, I stopped by at a roadside shop along the highway to buy some items. While waiting in the line to be served, I couldn’t help but overheard the conversation between the customer in front of me and the shop employee. This particular customer needed to withdraw a little over a hundred dollars from her m-paisa account. I heard the shop employee explaining that $3 is the m-paisa withdrawal fee and the shop would charge another $3; therefore the total was $6. That meant that the m-paisa fee deducted automatically and another from the cash on hand. Daylight robbery, right! Well, to my surprise this customer gladly agreed without any objection. Simply because she may have been in desperate need of the money. I did not interfere since there was no disagreement between the two parties, but I thought about it as I drove back home. Customers need to report such agents. They are simply no more than bullies who crook money from innocent citizens. I bet the service providers are already paying good commissions to their agents. The other day it happened to someone else and tomorrow it could be me or even you. Be aware of such agents. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Drua performance
The Fijian Drua performance in Wellington was below par and within seven days after the splendid effort against the Highlanders in Suva a lot of events took place. Wholesale changes were done in the team that played the Highlanders and the question is why? Are we planning ahead or are we altering chopping and changing for the sake of doing the same? Napolioni Bolaca was dropped and returned to sevens, what else is in the pipeline? What is the update on Kali Nasoko’s status? He has not played a game? The wing wearing no 11 jersey is a fullback yet he was on the wing, why? A quick analysis will tell us most of the 11 tries were scored by Hurricanes backline while we made wholesale changes to our backline and got pinned hard, completely shattering. This is a professional tournament that we are participating in and after 11 games can we see some clarity ahead otherwise the writing is on the wall. Toso Drua, toso. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Gift of life
Those children who received free heart surgeries at the Sri Satya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital (FT 9/5) are well-blessed with a lifetime gift to live normal and healthy lives. Thanks to the team of doctors with big and kind hearts for their untiring efforts to save lives. No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart. The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but felt by the heart. God bless you all. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Statistical evidence
Someone should provide Mr Rabuka statistical evidence on how many Fijians of Indian descent were compelled to flee to greener pastures to avoid the barbaric actions of the 1987/2000 coup supporters (FT 11/05). He would be startled with the disgusting figures, I think. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Month of May
This month has two infamous days, the 14th and 19th of May. It also has a day to remember, those who lost their lives in the wrecked “Syria.” There is also Rotuma Day, the anniversary of the island’s cession to the UK. Not forgotten is the birthday, of a former Prime Minister back in the day. It’s quite a significant month for Fiji, a month filled with many anniversaries. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Economic advise
After reading Tarun Tikaram’s letter (FT 11/5) I am convinced that he is the sort of person A-G Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was referring to when he recently told a gathering that when someone says a frog ate a horse there are people who believe such nonsense. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
General election
I believe the word vote stands for ‘Voice of the elector’. Therefore, vote smart and let your point of view speak out for you. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Debts owing
If by chance a new government is voted in, will they carry on smart borrowing or they will start making us pay the debts owing soon after they are sworn in? Sukha Singh Labasa
Potholes
While travelling around the West, TD said: “Unkol, you will make a good minister for potholes.” Se cava Dan? Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Rent freeze
Literally, the price of everything is going up including price-controlled basic food items and bus fares, however, the rent freeze remains. Wake up FCCC! Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Electric cars
Mr Editor, please give Wise an award for his letter about the electric cars. I think he is getting smarter. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Intellect
After reading Tarun Tikaram’s letter (FT 11/5) I am sure the combined intellect of Dr Neelesh Gounder, Professor Wadan Narsey and Professor Biman Prasad can’t match A-G and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum or even TT. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia Derelict ships
Derelict ships
and vessels in our harbour are nothing new. They keep increasing without a solution in sight. Can we not take a page out of Australian and New Harbour port operations? Or are we “afraid and too lenient” in enforcing stringent maritime laws? Or have shipping operators seen the need to take full advantage of leniency? Nothing ventured; Nothing gained. Same old status quo prevails and suffices, for now. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Less quantity
“Hey, uncle! The bean seems less in this pack?” The schoolboys complained at the sweets cart. “Areh,” scolded uncle. “The war in Ukraine nah!” Edward Kumar Lautoka
