Global outcry erupts!
Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka has led the way as the Coalition Government acts to contain the damage to Fiji’s tourism industry which was dealt a blow after an alleged alcohol poisoning incident that thrust Fiji into the international spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Hon. Gavoka, who has been heavily involved in the tourism industry, addressed the wave of backlash following the incident at Warwick. Fiji is heavily reliant on the tourism industry which earned $2.8billion from January to October this year.
The tourism sector is in a state of shock just as we are. We need to come out clean with the report to win back the confidence of tourists. Employers should conduct meetings with employees on their behaviour and professionalism towards tourists and other visitors gracing our shores. Their safety and welfare should always remain paramount. We should not let such incidents tarnish Fiji’s image in the tourism industry!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
One off incident
Referring to the incident at the resort, past incidents are collected from other tourist destinations.
None from the Fijian past so far.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Writing rubbish
The prolific complainer Ronnie Chang from Martintar wrote the other day that he does not like it when people are called names. He says he “resents personal attacks”. And in the same breath he called me “the Aussie-based critic and Master of Sarcasm”. Obviously, Ronnie does not realise that he is a hypocrite or just plain silly. I believe it is both.
Ronnie, my name is Jan Nissar, not “Aussie-based critic” and neither is my name “him” as you have referred to me in a previous letter.
If you feel free to write the rubbish that you do, please be ready for some criticism. Writing rubbish is not a skill only you have. We all have that skill as you can see in this column everyday.
Jan Nissar, Tokyo, Japan
Soccer club games
Rajend Naidu (FT 17/12) is very correct re: Club Soccer Games in Fiji.
In our playing days in Suva, club games were of a very high standard, even better than the current district standards. Hence the district teams had a wealth of high quality club players to select from.
If USP Club and St Columba’s were drawn to play the last game at Albert Park, the grand stand and the entire no 1 ground would be chock-a-block.
Incidentally I notice that all districts are now known as FC eg, Suva FC (Football Club!) and not as association as in the past. I wonder why?
Vijay P. Madhavan, Borron Rd, Suva
On the mango tree
My wife’s uncle, who had studied in India in the late ’60s and early ’70s had married a Kashmiri Pandit woman before returning home to Fiji. Both my wife and I were originally from two Sharma families in Votualevu, Nadi. Therefore, I had, as a teenager, the opportunity to meet my wife to be’s new aunt who was the epitome of beauty and spoke in formal (shud) Hindi.
During weekends or holidays, my wife’s uncle and aunt would often visit my future in-laws in Votualevu. On one such occasion, my father-in-law to be asked two young boys to trap and catch two wild roosters (junglee murga). These roosters with other fowls normally spent their night on a mango tree behind the old rusty kitchen.
After slaughtering the roosters, the boys dipped them in boiling water to clean them. Seeing this ghastly scene, my wife’s aunt, a vegetarian by birth, was horrified and exclaimed “kyu lahaas khate ho” (why do you eat dead bodies).
Imagine the number of animals that will be killed during this festive season.
Rakesh Chand Sharma, Nadi
Monitor children
While primary and secondary school students are enjoying their much-needed break from school and visiting family and friends, it is equally important that they are strictly monitored. Parents must not let their guards down and must monitor their whereabouts at a time when sexual offenders and drug peddlers are out in broad daylight.
Fiji is among the countries with the highest number of drug-related cases, new HIV infections and skyrocketing child sexual abuse. All these can be minimised if our children are monitored by parents. Statistics show that in most cases perpetrators are known to the victims. They are either close family friends, cousins, step-fathers, grandfathers etc. Such has become the moral decline in recent times that we can not even leave children under the care of family members and relatives.
While wolves will be coming in sheep’s clothing during the festive season, I hope parents will be ready to defend and safeguard their children. Children deserve a safe and sound environment to live in, so let’s join hands to give it to them.
Also, encourage them to read books. Give them age-appropriate books as Christmas and New Year presents and put that machine away that seems to drain all the productive hours with everyone glued to the screens.
Happy holidays schoolies and have a safe one.
Avitesh D Kumar, Ba
Vigilance please
Allow me to plead with our hard-working police officers, please do not spare Martintar, Nadi throughout this Christmas season. Bring the booze bus and speed radar at random intervals along Martintar please. Jumping red lights are a very common occurrence.
And LTA Nadi, please pay some attention to light PSV drivers who are not dressed in proper attire. Many Martintar taxis have not been properly washed and cleaned. Such vehicles must be taken off our roads. They are disgusting and give our tourists a bad taste.
To all enforcement officers: No mercy, please.
Drivers must learn to be professional.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
Japan is the best
I HAVE been in Japan for the last week with another few days to go. This is not my first visit to this country.
It is of course now a first world nation, built from scratch after the devastation of World War II in only 80 short years. Such a feat can only be achieved because of the mentality, attitude and drive of the people.
There isn’t a single piece of trash anywhere and I can hardly find a rubbish bin anywhere. Over here no rubbish bins mean no rubbish, whereas in third-rate countries no rubbish bins mean rubbish everywhere!
You could almost eat off the floor of any public toilet in Japan.
As for the Shinkansen bullet trains — what can I say? It is better than catching a plane anytime due to the convenience and the speed. I have no issues paying extra.
What I find profound is that the change in mentality and attitude in third-rate countries will take decades, if not centuries, whereas in my opinion it should take exactly one second to change.
Maybe all the third-raters should come to Japan to look and learn instead of sending their useless chiefs and politicians, because sending these people on endless junkets overseas has done exactly nothing for them.
A thought would be to hand over the country to Japan. They would change everything in “five minutes” instead of Fijians waiting for centuries for change. I am only being practical and realistic. That would shut up all the complainers. How about Fijians taking a vote on this issue?
I can already hear from the grog dopeys – “we are happy to live island-style on coconuts, cassava and moli tea”. I mean, can you see the lot currently in government changing anything?
JAN NISSAR, Tokyo, Japan
Life and festivity
SECONDS turned into minutes, minutes into hours, hours into days, days into months, 2024 will soon be destined to the history books. It is important to note that measurement of time is constant and not relative, in contrast to almost everything else in this world.
Time is finite and waits for no one (tempus non expectanibus) time is therefore a precious commodity that must be used wisely.
The average lifespan is segregated according to gender as women tend to live longer. In Fiji, the current average life expectancy for a male is 65.5 years and 69.5 years for woman. Bear in mind there are those that may fall short and those that will surpass that age.
Statistics provide that majority of the deaths in 2023 were attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) primarily heart ailments and diabetes for both genders. It is a pity because NCDs, in most part, are dictated by lifestyle choices, which means they can be prevented prior to onset, managed and even reversed. The onset of NCDs adversely affects the healthy life expectancy that is the quality of life and the government coffers as funds are expended on treatments that could have been utilised elsewhere.
It is inevitable that death will come knocking, better late than sooner. In the meantime, let’s invest in our health in line with adage ‘health is wealth’ and apply the same in 2025 commencing in the final two weeks of 2024.
As we will soon close 2024 and welcome 2025, there will be resolutions galore, however, prior to that, there will be much partying and merrymaking. Remember the reason for the season, and of course, then there is the period after.
Let us be thoughtful to each other in our actions and celebrations during this festive season; life is worth much more than we can ever contemplate. Let us not put ourselves in situations that we will later regret.
A blessed festive season and a bountiful 2025 to all who call Fiji home.
God bless Fiji.
Ajendra A Pratap, Samabula, Suva
Group of 16
SLOWLY, the Group of 16 Bloc are turning against their former leaders. From the Government’s perspective, the group appears to be sweet 16.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Critical eye
Donald Singh correctly casts a critical eye on Climate Change and Environment PS Dr Sivendra Michael’s claim on the nature and extent of the plastic pollution problem in Fiji (FT 17/12). Dr Michael’s claim is chapalusi to the Fijian State after his trip to the COP 29 talkfest in Azerbaijan.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Pedestrian crossing
Rewa St is looking very beautiful with the new road markings. Can the Fiji Roads Authority consider a designated pedestrian crossing for students and the general population outside the Jai Narayan College main gate?
Asish Vinay Prasad, Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
National stadium
OUR national stadium needs a mammoth facelift. It is in a pathetic condition. The Waisale Serevi drive is full of potholes. So one has to do a few “goose steps” when driving along it. The Buckhurst No 1 and 2 grounds and the Bidesi ground are full of bare patches, overgrown grass and not even marked as playing fields. I think they need an injection of more fund for the upkeep but more importantly I think they need a new administrative team. A team that will ensure that these things are attended to promptly, instead of just sitting in their offices.
Vijay P Madhavan, Borron Rd, Suva
Call of the people
I BELIEVE the majority of Fijians want the same as the Syrians. The former leaders to be jailed!
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Justice please
THE Tourism Minister Mr Viliame Gavoka says the suspected alcohol poisoning at one Fiji’s prominent resorts is an isolated incident and no one was ‘seriously’ hurt. He further says that cut short their vacation and left Fiji in the next available flights. I believe people responsible for this incident should be found and brought to justice quickly for the victims disclosure as the world is watching. Australia has already issued a travel advisory to its citizens coming to Fiji.
Joyti Lal, Makoi, Nasinu
