Historic win
I SALUTE and commend the Fiji women’s hockey team for securing a historic 3-2 win against host Oman at their first ever appearance in the 2024 FIH Hockey 5s World Cup. This win is monumental and shows the amount of effort put in by the coaching staff and players. The women’s hockey team’s brave performance has been applauded by many, especially as the side drew 4-all against Malaysia but lost to the world’s number one team — the Netherlands. It’s a pity that the side finished third in their pool and was not able to progress into the eliminations. Malaysia edged the Fiji side on goal difference. Despite this, the women’s team must be proud that they had the guts and courage to compete at that level. Their performance, and the win against Oman is a proud and memorable moment for every patriotic Fijian. The epic and sensational victory will undoubtedly go down in the annals of Fiji’s sports history. It is a significant milestone for Fiji hockey. Congratulations to the Fiji women’s hockey team! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Sperm whales and their names
IT was interesting to read, and I defer to Paul Geraghty’s linguistic expertise regarding the indigenous names and definitions of whales found in Fiji waters. And after consulting my copy of Herman Melville’s great classic concerning the hunt for the White Whale Moby Dick (probably the most detailed work of fiction ever written about the sperm whale), first published in 1851, I must agree that even though the old whalers clearly distinguished warm-blooded “Leviathan” from the “cold-blooded lungless fish”, they also did regularly refer to whales as “spouting fish”. However, we live in modern times and the role and responsibilities of the Acting Director of Environment are based on scientific knowledge. Although Paul and his tribe are free to describe their world with whatever words they choose, I don’t believe that licence should extend to a government administrator who also has an important public education function. After all, the theme of the Ministry of Environment presentation was to “clarify policy”. To lump whales with fish can hardly be clarification. That would be like having bats described as birds. Let’s aim for greater understanding among all our people, scientifically and linguistically. AREN NUNNINK Savusavu
CWMH face-lift
GOOD to see CWM Hospital finally going through a major face-lift. Passing by the hospital daily, I was concerned about the poor conditions that were prevalent and my thoughts were always with the patients in the hospital. However, promises are finally turning into realities with this massive multi-million dollar upgrade. Hoping for more such works at health centers across Fiji. RAYNAV CHAND Nakasi, Nausori
Charter flight
ISN’T it time for those who travelled free on the Fiji Airways flight from “The Ends of the Earth” to pay up? Hundreds of Fijians over the years who love Israel and desirous to walk where our Lord Jesus walked and be baptized relatively where He was baptized in the “Al-Maghtas” have rightly so paid for their own air fares and expenses in the “Holy Land”. What is different with Fijians who travelled free of charge courtesy of Fiji’s taxpayer? They travelled, reveled in the Holy Land moments, and must individually agree to pay up. It is not cheap to travel from the ends of the Earth to Israel! SEMI MEO Brisbane, Australia
Nawaikula not happy
HE is not happy with the way our Coalition Governemnt is run together with our Cabinet ministers cause they are very slow specifically with the review of our 2013 Constitution. Our PM Rabuka has already announced that the Coalition Government simply does not have the numbers to change the Fijian Constitution. Or does the former MP Nawaikula has another way of revoking our Constitution? TUKAI LAGONILAKEBA Nadi
Curfew proposal
BECAUSE this proposal has not been exercised before, most of us will not be in agreement and I don’t blame them. However, I believe that such a similar scenario happened during the Covid-19 shutdown. It was really a struggle in the beginning but later, the feedback was very positive in regrouping and rebonding more of our family time, that most did not even realise they were losing. Nothing is impossible because impossible is not an act, but an opinion. And to say the least, it always seems impossible until it is done. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi, Nausori
Mocenacagi’s achievement
SEVULONI Mocenacagi is no stranger on the HSBC SVNS WRSS circuit. Mocenacagi created history in Perth, as he achieved a milestone in his rugby career. Mocenacagi, who has been a towering figure and pillar of strength for the 7s side, played his 50th HSBC SVNS WRSS tournament. He made his debut for Fiji in 2015 under Ben Ryan and since then the 33- yearold has grown into a rugged and world-class 7s player with the ability to break tackles and make some outrageous offloads. His selection into the 7s team comes with his work rate and his presence on the field in the Fijian colour sends shivers down the opposition spine. Mocenacagi will be aiming to help Fiji end a 14-tournament winless streak. If the boys win in Perth, then surely it will be a sweet and epic moment for him with this achievement. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
Weather watch
THE Fiji Meteorological Service acting director Bipen Prakash has echoed a lot of alertness for all of us to keep an eye on the unpredictable weather especially during the cyclone season (FT 25/1). It’s for everyone’s concern to keep up with the news through the media. I feel we are fortunate to read in The Fiji Times the weather coverage with pictures on forecast. We all have a role to play for our safety and property to survive in this climate change crisis. Vinaka The Fiji Times, I feel every home and school library should have a copy of this daily newspaper. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Why do people leave
WHY do people leave a country? Most times it’s because they’re chasing a better life with more opportunities for their family. My great grandparents left Mauritius and then India in search of a better future for their children. My parents left Fiji to live in Australia and so did we. Will my children or grandchildren leave Australia? Can’t see it happening in the short term but who knows. They might decide to return to Fiji. Some of us are a migratory species because it’s in our blood to search out better opportunities. Do we miss Fiji? Yes, we do, and often. Did we make the right decision to leave in the early 80s? You bet. Our youngest son got the best medical attention and treatment at the time because it was unavailable in Fiji. Plus a few of our doctor friends in Fiji encouraged us to leave for his sake. Today he’s a strapping young man who’s fighting fit. Did we go through separation anxiety when we left family and dear friends we’d known from our childhood? Yes we did. My wife more so than me because she didn’t have any close family living here in Melbourne. But nothing can separate us from the love we have for the homeland and people of our birth. However, when we look at our beautiful grandchildren we know we made the right choice over 40 years ago to leave everything we cherished to settle in a new country. Despite all of the struggles and challenges we’ve been through, it’s been worth it. But tragically, the brain drain in Fiji is a worrying trend where so many skilled workers are leaving for better opportunities abroad. And the skills shortage is definitely having a massive impact on so many fronts. How can the skills shortage that Fiji is experiencing be addressed? Perhaps the two countries benefiting the most (Australia and NZ) could be approached to provide skill-based TAFE training to locals to try and bridge the gap. A good friend sent me a synopsis of the skills shortage and how it could lead to devastating consequences for a small island nation like Fiji. Unless the tide is stemmed Fiji could become a lopsided third world economy with serious social and political problems escalating into a tsunami of terrible consequences as seen in PNG. And I’m sure Fiji’s closest neighbours will not want to see this happening right on their doorstep when a certain country is eyeing the pickings of South Pacific island nations that are becoming ripe for the taking. Having umpteen graduates all vying for jobs is not going to solve the problems. There’s just not enough jobs. Diversify your workforce and skill based training with the help of Australia and NZ possibly funding the programs. Who’s job is it in the current Coalition Government to take up the challenge to make the approach? COLIN DEOKI Australia
Road and surface flooding
SINCE we are in the rainy season, we can expect occasional flooding in many parts of the country. We also had some casualties through drowning and being swept away because of laxity of people and not heeding advice from relevant authorities to stay away from floods and not to cross swollen rivers and streams. People and drivers also misjudge the depth of water on the roads and often get caught unawares. So for the sake of safety, is it too much to ask the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) to install flood height markers in areas which get flooded often? You need not invest lots of money for this safety project as existing EFL, mile stones or other posts can be used for displaying water levels. New posts will be required only where there are no existing structures. I hope FRA will give serous thoughts to my proposal. AJAI KUMAR NADI
