Cool and calm
Our PM, Mr Rabuka is not going anywhere (FT 16/5/25). He based his argument on a vote of no confidence in Parliament and constitutional procedure. Is it the current Constitution? No wonder he has been the silent “enforcer” behind the 2013 Constitution, in my view. No wonder the A-G has stated that it cannot be declared illegal. No wonder all the deregistered FFP members became independent MPs. No wonder he embraced their self-promoted salaries. No wonder he spearheaded “national unity”. Are all these constitutional leadership procedures? It seemed like it was all about him, in my opinion. I believe the multiple resignations and comebacks, benefited only his CV. What had he done to the “core” of the post-colonial “land laws”, that had been crippling iTaukei land and resource owners? Even during his pinnacle tenure, as PM. Ask what you can do for your country, not the wealth that you can gain from your country. It is not whatever great things a leader did, but the transformational changes, of the people’s welfare. Greed fosters and protects selfish interests, no matter what principles and laws are bent or broken. Abraham Lincoln said, “I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have”. Samu Silatolu, Nakasi, Nausori
Girmit documentary
On Friday, May 17 2025, I was privileged to see the premiere of the documentary film: Girmit: The Fields of Sadness. This documentary has been produced by R & A Prasad Family Trust in conjunction with Tanshu Films. It is a devastatingly haunting documentary which is bound to unleash emotional response. At the outset the chief narrator, Rajendra Prasad, chokes and sheds tears. This sets the tone of the entire film. It is a powerful feature length documentary that sheds light on a largely forgotten chapter of Fiji’s history. Thus, the attempt is to convey this important story to the communities in Fiji for generations to come. Between 1878 and 1920 some 60,000 Indian laborers’ (men, women and children) were transported to Fiji Islands under indentured labor agreement. The illiterate Indian labourers could not pronounce the word agreement and called it Girmit. Thus, the indenture period was referred as Girmit era. The documentary is based on Rajendra Prasad’s world acclaimed book: Tears in Paradise. The film explores the painful and yet resilient history of the girmitiyas who endured immense hardships during Fiji’s colonial Girmit period. This documentary serves as a cinematic tribute to the strength and spirit of girmitiyas. Through stirring interviews with the descendants of girmitiyas and reference to rare archival materials, the film paints a compelling picture of survival and injustice. The viewers can actually feel the traumatic experience of the girmitiyas when they hear the cries of babies in sugarcane fields and the inability of mothers to feed them. Unmarked graves of babies are littered in the cane fields of Fiji. Rapes, murders and suicides will haunt you for the rest of your life. Shyam Upadhyay, the director of the documentary has endeavored to provide an excellent peep into Girmit era with all its bizarre incidents unfolding through mind boggling scenes of sugarcane fields. The aim is to inspire and educate the audience. It is a moving call to remember the girmitiyas’ sacrifices and to preserve their legacy for generations to come. A must-see documentary: audiences will never regret it. Dewan Chand, Namadi Heights, Suva
Road upgrade
Thank you Lautoka City Council for the surface upgrade of Balawa St. The road is superb. But the crazy speeding has started from around the cemetery end to the main road. This is a road used by many pedestrians, lots of schoolchildren daily, morning and afternoon and bus loads of passengers. Please install road humps from the cemetery end onwards to prevent the risk of a fatal accident and eliminate speeding. Many thanks. William Gardiner, Lautoka
The GCC
With the opening of their new complex on Tuesday and members meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, exactly what has the Great Council of Chiefs done to improve the common iTaukei standard of living? Huh? Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka
