Suva to host Deans semis!
Good news for fans in the Southern division as the 2025 Vodafone Super Deans Trophy semi-finals will be played at the HFC Bank Stadium. This decision is economical as we have bulk of the schools in the Eastern and Southern divisions playing in the semi-finals. I thank Biu Colati, the Vice President of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union and his Executives for negotiating for the semi-finals to be played in the Capital City. While fans will love to see their teams in the lower grades, attention will shift to the two huge battles between RKS and Suva Grammar and Nasinu Secondary and Natabua. Expect a jam-packed HFC Bank Stadium, so I’m encouraging fans to buy their tickets early to avoid any disappointments. Suva Grammar will be represented in all grades minus the U19 grade, so I’m expecting the sea of yellow to inspire and motivate the Lions to reach the finals. It’s going to be tough but exciting. Those who won’t be able to make it to the stadium will enjoy the delicious commentaries and action via FBC and the Voice of Rugby (after the legendary Graham Eden) Satish ‘The Golden’ Narain. Tothe teams and fans, all the best! Toso Viti! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Proposed party
According to Dewan Chand (FT 9/8) the proposed party to be formed by Opposition members of Parliament Inia Seruiratu and Jone Usamate sends shiver down his spine and should be concerning to every body. But I beg to be different! Why? I offer them a legal challenge. Section 63(1) (g) of the Constitution with the heading which reads “Vacation of seat of Parliament” states a MP vacates his or her Parliamentary seat if the MP “resigns from the political party for which he or she was a candidate at the time he or she was elected to Parliament.” To my legal understanding gentleman, you remain a member of Parliament if your political party exists. So, the question or the legal challenge is this: Are you still a member of Parliament after your party is deregistered? Remember this, your party is what makes you a member of Parliament. No more no less. I may be wrong, but it’s a legal challenge! LUKE KULANIKORO Savusavu
- Editor’s note: Our lawyers say that Mr Seruiratu and Mr Usamate, who were elected to Parliament as members of the Fiji First Party in the 2022 election, did not resign from the Fiji First Party. The Fiji First Party no longer exists. This means that, under Section 20 of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act, the MPs elected under its banner continue to hold office as independent Parliamentarians. To our correspondent: trying to find all this law is certainly challenging!
No automatic promotion?
This is what happens when a child cannot “pass” into the next year. A 13-year old boy from an outer island could not read in Year Two at age 8. He was kept in the Year Two Class for five years before being helped into a school for special needs, where he made some progress. There are other consequences. Look at the math. If there are 40 students in Year 3 and 4 who cannot read well enough for Year 4, 36 will enter Year 4, 40 will be promoted from Year 2, making 44 in Year 3. But if some had been already held back in Year 2, there might be 44 promoted to Year 3, making a total of 48. And this process could continue, with each year adding more numbers of slower students. Teachers know that every class has a wide range of abilities and achievements. With a smaller class of say 35, there is some hope that slower students will be helped to progress. But teachers also know that most times the gap gets wider year by year, which is why we still have non-readers in Year 8. The best solution is for teachers to make sure they are teaching individual persons, and not just teaching the syllabus. Fergus Garrett Vatuwaqa, Suva
The law!
While there is an expectation for all citizens to follow the law, there is no compulsory syllabus about the law in the school curriculum. Shouldn’t we incorporate the basic laws in the school curriculum so that our teenagers and young adults understand the consequences of their actions? So that they understand their rights? So that they know where to go when they are in trouble? This is common sense. If you don’t know, you cannot abide. Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Playing politics
DPM and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad slams Mahendra Chaudhry as “a person whose political credibility drowned in a cesspool when he happily joined a military regime in January 2007 that was born out of the 5th December 2006 coup, which toppled a democratically elected SDL/FLP multi-party government” (FT 11/8). But Prof Biman Prasad is apparently not unhappy that Fiji First turncoat politicians have joined the Rabuka Coalition Government even though that party was born out of a military dictatorship to give the dictatorship a democratic masquerade. Is that a case of Prof Biman Prasad playing politics for political self-preservation? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Being young
Nowadays, children don’t know the meaning of doing simple things such as playing outdoor games, reading, spending quality time with the family etc. It seems that children are not enjoying the joys of being young and that is sad. Isa! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Thank you
To the two duty wardens-in-charge and Correctional Services team who cleaned Enamanu Cemetery on Monday, August 12, on behalf of all who have interests in our burial grounds, please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for cleaning our bulubulu. The timing could not have been more perfect as we prepare to bid farewell to a most respected senior member of our community. God rest his soul. Vina du na Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka. Ronnie Chang
For the Nadi Chinese community Martintar, Nadi
Wellness and diabetes
An Indian doctor says that it is a fallacy to believe that if parents were diabetic, then the offsprings have a high probability of being diabetic. Although, we have our parents DNA/ genes, we still can avoid being diabetic by keeping a healthy lifestyle. The doctor says that our body is like a bullet loaded revolver. Unless you pull the trigger, the bullets will not be released. The same way, a healthy lifestyle, will not trigger the DNA/Genes lying dormant. On the contrary, poor lifestyle will trigger the genes leading to being diabetic. Both genetics and environmental factors play a role in the higher risk of developing diabetes. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Pharmacy service
The decision to discontinue outpatient pharmacy services at Aspen Lautoka and Ba will harshly impact individuals with long term health conditions. Affording necessary medications will put a financial strain on individuals and families thus leading to treatment delays and abandonment. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a clear indication of how incompetent our current government is. Saddest! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Obese and blessed
We are told that 67 per cent of Fijians are obese. I believe the number is much higher. That is why I have always said Fijians are truly blessed. Jan Nissar Bali, Indonesia
Tribute, obese nation
Laid to rest!
The funeral of iconic Pacific musician George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso was held yesterday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva after which he was laid to rest at Lovonilase Cemetery. His funeral united a music crazy nation and his loved ones. It was a time for fans, family and friends to come together to honour Veikoso’s life and legacy. Veikoso, who was known as Poji, carried the heart of a fighter. His family described his funeral as a time to come together in love, remembrance and gratitude for a music celebrity, whose influence reached generations and borders. Veikoso, who was an accomplished musician, was known for his unique style of island reggae and for proudly promoting the Pacific identity through his music. We have lost a true, patriotic and passionate son. He was laid to rest, but he will continue to live in the hearts of many! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Beloved music icon
We will miss you! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Obese nation
Fiji will become an obese nation if we disregard the warning by Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, who announced that about 67 per cent of adults in Fiji are overweight or obese. (FT 12/8). He also mentioned that “Wellness doesn’t begin at the hospital door; it begins with what people eat every day in their homes, in schools, in shops, and on the street.” It is sad to say that the majority of the 67 per cent consider themselves as Christians. Even the Bible teaches that believers are to eat healthy and put God first and start eating on earth the healthy fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains that would be the diet in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Let us make new start our daily way of life and a lot of health problems in Fiji will disappear. Our body is to be fed nutrition from healthy plant-based foods, we need to exercise daily, and drink about 2 litres of water a day. Work or walk in the sunlight for our bodies to produce Vitamin D, be temperate in all things, take deep breaths of fresh air daily, have adequate rest or sleep and trust in God our Creator. I agree 100 per cent with Dr Lalabalavu, if your other half thinks that eating mutton, chicken and steak will keep the family happy, then obesity will follow and families will contribute in turning Fiji to become an obese nation. As Christians, we are to reflect Christ in character and get people to change their lifestyle through God’s grace, as they prepare for His second coming. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua