A stop at the Times!
Volau Sokoiwasa Tagilala, better known to many as Ruve on social media, and her colleagues from Kabara District School travelled all the way from the Lau Group to visit The Fiji Times printing press.What a huge experience for these students! I salute the teachers and parents for forking out deep from their pockets to make the trip to the mainland and then to pay a courtesy visit to see how The Fiji Times functions and presents credible and authentic news to readers here and abroad who closely follow the trusted brand and have love and affection for Fiji’s oldest newspaper. The students stood out in their attire- green colour which symbolizes freshness, new beginnings, harmony and balance, and good health and vitality. The trip to Fiji’s oldest press is a new beginning, a new journey for the students from Kabara District School who are also here for the Tuckers Ice-cream Games this week in the Capital City. Hence, they killed two birds with one stone. I salute their visionary principal (Petero Kubunavua) — the trip was designed to broaden the students’ outlook beyond island life and expose them to the opportunities available in Suva. The trip will also enlighten the students and let them see the developments in Suva, enabling them to aspire to further their education in Suva. Wishing these students, their mentors and parents all the best! Veilomani! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Gender violence
The 16 days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Girls began yesterday, November 25 (FT). I hope the male members of our communities take heed of the messages and actively support Women’s organisations in bringing to the fore critical issues associated with violence against women and girls. Many of us felt that 21st century technology should have levelled the playing field. But it didn’t happen. Women are still home — bound. Being at home is good. But being bound is another thing. If someone perpetuates violence on a female, the punishment by law only lowers the percentage. Also, protesting for two days and going back to business as usual is not enough. Men should deeply think of this and bring about personal transformation and also influence others. The male belief that women are objects that they possess is ingrained deep in men’s intellect. Many believe that a woman is a commodity which doesn’t have a mind of its own. This belief is implanted in men consciously and sometimes unconsciously. Today, for a victim, closet rapist or street rapist are no different. Therefore, every parent needs to invest in their children to transform themselves and in the process our communities mind – set and attitude will also change. Rakesh Chand Sharma, Adelaide, Australia
Hotline portal
Highlight of the day: the Fiji Police Force will soon introduce a new system to report police misconduct (FT 25/11). One wonders whether such approach will soon be adopted by the Coalition or any government for that matter. Oh, perhaps it is time to send a surprise naughty list of all the snollygosters to Santa Claus this Christmas! Yehdo! Let’s dedicate this song to all the nonsense politicians, guys, “Santa Claus is coming to town!” “He’s making a list and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” “So be good for goodness’ sake!” Ladies and gentlemen, election is around the corner, so remember that anonymous old phrase highlighted by none other than Robin Williams in one of the movies, “Politicians are a lot like diapers, they should be changed frequently and for the same reason”. Keep that in mind, Fiji, the next time you vote! Litiana M- Rakire Nabua, Suva
Ethnic tension
I fully support Minister Sashi Kiran’ statement that social media is filled with “ethnic tension”. I will venture further to state emphatically that it is filled with a lot of derogatory gossip. Social media is being abused by pathetic individuals who need to get a life or engage in meaningful discussions to help build our nation or support our fellow citizens. It is sad to say that some of these social media abusers may have got their lead from listening to our parliamentarians over the years as they speak condescendingly or derogatorily to each other. However, I believe we have a media watchdog in place, can I ask him to please start cracking down on all forms of comments that are considered harmful to our coexistence in our beautiful Fiji. Tai Smith Nasinu Sec Sch Rd, Kinoya, Nasinu
‘World Cup’ soccer
Taking a cue from other soccer “world cup” tournaments held locally, I think we desperately need to have a district level tournament as well. As usual, we can have teams from overseas (former Fiji residents). Teams which have two names. One, a town/city from overseas. The other name from Fiji. Like Sydney Kashmir. I think we can easily host a 32 team Fiji world cup every four years. In my view, it would be a spectacular event economically. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Education system
The Government is crippling our education system by failing to provide sufficient funding and by not even allowing schools to charge additional fees to cover their expenses. What is the point of a free sub-standard education? Whatever the Government is giving is more than enough. The remaining capital expenditures and operational needs must be billed to the parents. Don’t strangle our schools. Kiran Khatri, Samabula, Suva
Provincial councils
Fiji has 14 provinces and each one has its own provincial council. These councils, in my view, have to be the pillars and brains of their provinces. The members are to be “patriots” with integrity, honesty, traditional experience, knowledge and with the “thinking capacity”, for the province’s continuous improvement. And, like being the province’s “government”, I think, they have to be relatively well screened. Away with popularity, family ties and buddy-buddy barter systems, for it will only conceive administrative decay. It has to engage, in my opinion, those who can provide “input” for sensible, practical and proactive solutions that enable worthwhile progressive developments. Above all, it is for the sake of our province’s generation. And since government funds are involved, the usual practice of time and financial wastage, should not be an option, in my view. For without appropriate knowledge, the people will be destroyed and without continuous discipline, success will be impossible. “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true” – Abraham Lincoln. Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
Weird dream
The other night I dreamt that I was in the centre of a cyclone. Shielding my face as best as I can, I stared up into the sky. Giant white clouds swirl like a spiralling galaxy above me, the eye a tiny dark speck. The storm raged, throwing out bloody rain like punches. The wind so vicious it almost overturned my basin of grog. Dou bula! Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka
KVT crime gang
The chairman of the GCC is concerned about the involvement of the Kai Viti in the KVT crime gang in Australia. What I suggest he should do is get a delegation of the GCC and go on a study tour of Australia to find out why this is happening and sort this problem out once and for all. We all know that the GCC has a 100-year history of sorting problems for the Kai Viti. I believe this delegation by the GCC is the missing link! JAN NISSAR, ew Delhi, India
