Interesting round 14
Round 14 of the Super Rugby Pacific 2025 is getting interesting with three rounds to go. If all the teams playing at home win their home games, then the Hurricanes will move up to fifth place while Moana Pasifika to sixth place. But, last year’s champions Auckland Blues won their away game last week, thrashing the Drua and I believe they will repeat that same performance this week against Moana Pasifika to remain in fifth place. Moana has three games to play this season while the Blues only have two. So Moana has the opportunity to make the top six, if they remain consistent and try winning all their three remaining games. For us Drua fans, we all hope that our boys defeat the Western Force in Lautoka this week and sail up one spot in the competition ladder. Go Moana Pasifika and toso Drua toso. SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA Tacirua, Nasinu
Why the attention?
Our Coalition Government’s PM Rabuka vs Mahendra Chaudhry is gaining momentum every day with the 2026 elections getting close and Mr Chaudhry seems to have an edge over PM Rabuka with interference in what’s absolutely none of his business. But it’s a strategy employed by this national elections loser, and I believe he does this to gain attention as he gets ready to rumble next year. I believe FLP and Mr Chaudhry are totally irrelevant to the running of our government. Why is Mr Rabuka paying close attention to Mr Chaudhry? Come on boso, you look so small basking in this man’s nonsense and stop wasting your time on unnecessary interference. What’s the point when there are more important issues on your plate. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Ambulance services
I am reliably informed ambulance services in Nadi come at a price, in most cases. Some of our people have actually “fooled” ambulance service providers and pleaded inability to pay. This is not acceptable. In life and death situations, one can get extremely desperate. Some ambulance operators do not carry the deceased. Deceased loved ones need to be treated with every respect — not placed in the back of a utility vehicle. I plead with some reputable NGOs to lead generous and caring seniors, and their younger supporters, in a 5km walk to raise much needed finances to help subsidise our Nadi Hospital — and our ambulance services — meet some operational costs. Is this asking too much? Fiji Day this year falls on Friday, October 10. Sunrise, I think, will be at 5.44am. Can this day be earmarked for this cause? We should be able to wrap up by 9am at the very latest. The fitter will take about an hour. The others may take up to two hours. Will some generous sponsor offer a starting-finishing point for this walk? We have about five months to this charitable walk together. Will some generous line minister and reputable organising people help us in the worthy cause? For me, a retiree, 73, and counting, I will strive to find at least 10 senior citizens, plus the younger set, to join us. Much planning and co-ordination is needed. Some reputable organisation needs to manage funds collected to help improve and sustain our ambulance services in Nadi. Some publicity, advertising will be appreciated. I am merely thinking outside the box, reaching out, with a view to assist the needy in their moments of “life and death” emergency. This idea was mooted by a friend during our morning walk on May 14, 2025. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Growth and girmitiya
As I read Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s address during the Girmit Day commemoration at Subrail Park, the adage, “Give credit where it is due”, came to the fore, and I thank PM for such a powerful and innovative address, while acknowledging the contributions made by the girmitiya. I agree with PM that the indentured labourers resisted oppression, reclaimed their dignity, and defined their rightful place on this land. Thank you, PM, for accepting that Fiji’s economic growth was largely built on the hard work of the girmitiya and their descendants. These lines: “Today, we enjoy what their labour built. We must remember them, not just the dead but the living descendants who carry on their legacy”, stood out (FT: 13/05). Please PM, stand by your words that your government’s national mission is to build unity and a fairer society — one based on equality, fairness, and justice. Please, don’t allow policies that will segregate or discriminate the descendants of the indentured labourers who shed blood, sweat and tears to build a Fiji that we are proud of. To the Coalition Government, thank you for honouring Girmit Day and senior citizens like 108-year-old Jamiran Bi. A great initiative, sir! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Golden lifts
Congratulations Nehemiah Elder on your superb achievements, winning three gold medals at the 2025 IWF Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru. (FT 6/5). It’s inspiration for sports lovers. Elder has proved that with rugby, weightlifting is also recognised globally. Let’s take up the challenge competing in sports to put Fiji on the map. Best wishes. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Bus fares
A plea to the Government. Please allow the option of cash payment. The people are suffering. Edward Kumar Lautoka
Ketan walks alone
A G16 member has detached himself (FT 14/5/25). Ketan Lal claimed to be an independent MP and said that he wants to uphold integrity, fairness and independent thinking, as a servant of the people. Is he a legitimate MP? Wasn’t he the “spill over” from the deregistered FFP? Did he attain the 5 per cent threshold? A few, who are opportunists, have jumped ship to gain more. How come he is walking alone, if he is still on Mr Bainimarama’s hunchback? Who is he representing? Even if he got the 5 per cent, he entered Parliament under FFP’s banner. In that sense, he was not supposed to be where he was, since FFP’s deregistration. Maybe, some people are more superior than others. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Eligibility for election
Just as people with criminal convictions are excluded from running for elections, I believe people who have a proven record of being incompetent should be excluded as well. That would mean none of the people currently in government would be able to stand for election including the PM. But, I believe, Fiji being a unique country, it appears the more incompetent you are, the more suitable you are to be appointed to positions. The people of Fiji are truly blessed because they are special. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Police helicopter
Move aside LAPD and NYPD, Fiji Police are hoping to secure a helicopter to improve emergency response in remote areas. A little too late but advancement? Joyti Lal Makoi, Nasinu
Diabetes a curse!
If it runs in the family, a baby can be born with that Type 1 diabetes, but Type 2 is the worst because of our lifestyle in Fiji today and very sad indeed. Apart from cancer, they are the biggest killers with heart attacks and now drugs, marijuana and glue sniffing, wow, it seems our population numbers will never increase. That’s in reality, Fiji the way the world should be! What a shame! Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Indian military and Drua
Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam (in Kashmir) terror attack in which 26 innocent people lost their lives. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan- occupied Jammu and Kashmir leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. After the Indian attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross border shelling across the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 air bases in Pakistan. After this on May 10, an understanding of cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. President Donald Trump claimed that the USA (United States of America) had a hand in this. Pakistan and India are both nuclear armed countries. Is the world tottering on the brink of a nuclear war! It does send shivers down our spine. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Why celebrate on May 12?
I am writing to express my thoughts and a little confusion about the recent Girmit Day public holiday held on May 12. According to history, the first indentured laborers arrived in Fiji on May 14, 1879. So why was the holiday marked two days earlier? It feels a little strange — like celebrating your birthday before the actual date you were born! Girmit Day is an important event in our country’s history, remembering the struggles and contributions of our forefathers. It deserves to be honored on the correct date. I believe it’s important for us, especially the younger generation, to respect and remember our history the right way. Dates hold meaning, and shifting them can lead to confusion over time. I kindly request those responsible for setting the holiday dates to consider this in the future. Let us keep history alive by celebrating it on the day it truly happened. Thank you. Ravneel Sharma Navua
Drua lessons
Three games left to play and the Drua has gone to its literal drawing board since the end of the first game against the Brumbies in Suva, for the 2025 Super Rugby competition. Two thirds of every run-on team in every game since then, have shown up to play, however, are not committed to play to win. It seems like the prestige of playing in the southern hemisphere’s elite rugby competition the first two years has worn away and as the real grind begins. Ten run-on players find the game a chore and go through the motions of just playing and winning is an afterthought! Every other franchise in Super Rugby have players who have been playing at this elite level for seven plus years or more and the grind is real. They show up at every game and play at their very best to win knowing that their salaries earn them the right to turn up at every game and give their fans 80 minutes of committed winning rugby because the fans pay big money to watch the team play. Huge thanks go out to Ikanivere, Vocevoce, Canakaivata, Kuruvoli, Masi, Karawalevu and Loganimasi who turn up to each and every game and play with the intensity to win. However, if 2/3rds are going through the motions of just playing, then the game is lost even before the Drua run on to the rugby pitch. Professional sports teams have psychiatrists for mental preparations and the Fijian Drua need them too. I believe we Fijians have a different psyche to the normal populace because of our traditional obligations in our own cultural setting. The Drua management have nothing to lose by inviting a chief from nearby Fijian villages and districts to talk to the Drua players before every game. The Drua can make a difference in the last three games they have. Turn up as 15 committed rugby players to win! Soko Drua, soko! Epeli Rabua Ragg Avenue, Tamavua, Suva
