Burese’s golden jump
I congratulate Sacred Heart College’s Peter Burese for setting a new golden benchmark in the senior boys high jump on Thursday at the Suva Zone One competition at the HFC Bank Stadium. Burese delivered a standout performance, clearing a height of two metres to upset his previous record of 1.90m. Prior to his sensational jump, St Joseph Secondary School student, Malekalita May delivered a record-breaking high jump, breaking a 45-year-old record. Her achievement put her into the limelight. Reading her story (19/03), one realised her achievement came with a note of sorrow as well, as she lost her coach, the late Joseph Rodan Junior, fondly known as JJ. May won gold in the intermediate girls high jump event where she jumped 1.49m. May revealed that through prayers and hard work, she managed to break the record, dedicating it to her coach who trained her since she was a sub-junior and who made a big impact on her life because he always believed in her. The Suva Zone One concluded yesterday, and MGM High School made a huge statement. Principal Rajeshwar Prasad, his coaches and team management and Mr Jitesh Patel were in full smiles as MGM rose to top position, ready to defend the girls title. Merekeleni Ratubaka, Lidia Waqairapoa, Sera Nasilivata and the likes will be their go to runners. I was amazed with Nasilivata who smashed Veniana Liga’s record set in 2014. Nasilivata, who was in full flight and recorded a time of 10.91 seconds, beat Heleina Young’s time of 11.71 seconds in 2019. She is our track queen and the one to watch in the Coca-Cola Games. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Keyless car theft
How can thieves enter and drive away a new car in 20 seconds? Just google it. I am too old to mess around on Facebook but one of my daughters last week shared the viral local FB video of three thieves walking under a security camera in Delainavesi and driving away a new Toyota Hilux just 20 seconds later. I doubted the owner would leave a new vehicle unlocked with keys inside so googled “how can thieves enter and drive away a new car in 20 seconds”. Maybe the answer has already gone viral on FB, I wouldn’t know. But if you are the proud owner of a flash set of wheels and can unlock and start the engine remotely with your key, you better buy a manual steering wheel lock. Or keep your fancy electronic key in a Faraday bag or metal box (shout out to Michael Faraday’s 1836 invention of the Faraday cage) or otherwise disable keyless entry via your car’s settings. Because keyless car theft has arrived in Fiji. Willard Miller Ellis Place, Suva
Qoibau kava ban
I really appreciate the vanua Qoibau on their decision to put a ban on women from consuming yaqona or kava in their vanua for a certain period of time if not for good. It may contradict the laws of human rights but if they have all agreed on the ban in order to achieve any targets or mission, then why not? In my view the ban is not discriminatory but healthy. Why should we politicise every single issue when it can bring about productivity and a healthy community? My take is if every village followed suit, there will be more positive outcome than the negatives. More water will be saved, less unnecessary spending, more time with family and who knows maybe the cost of yaqona drops due to less demand. To our ministers who are very much concerned with the Qoibau ban, I urge you better take a golf cart and play some golf in Vatuwaqa which is more relaxing and much healthier. If the church can issue a directive on kava ban for the betterment of the organisation, so why not let the vanua decide on what’s best for them? To my understanding, a rule can only be activated when the leadership sees there is so much abuse. Sometimes I believe we should respect village laws if it will bring health and productivity to the community. Take away politics and racism, I am sure they will enjoy the ban. Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Derelict vessels
Some news don’t get the same attention as the usual big stuff like fuel hoarding, the war itself and Hormuz, drugs, murder, endless constitution questions, mistrials and rugby. The Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, working with the Joint Maritime Environment Committee, has reportedly made steady progress in reducing the number of derelict vessels within port limits, reduced from 44 to 20. nThat is a remarkable feat, something that not too long ago sounded almost impossible to do. Once the derelicts are completely gone, we must ensure more vessels are not abandoned in the harbours after completing their commercial lives. We could dredge the greater harbour area after that to get maximum draft for the big liners. Donald Singh Nausori
Tavakubu walkway
In one of the budget consultations, I raised my concern on having the walkway at Tavakubu Road, Lautoka. I’m still waiting for a response on that from the authorities although it’s way too long now. I hope it’s not been pushed into the “pipeline” with that “swimming pool”. Kirti Patel Mohan Singh Pl., Lautoka
CWMH lifts
I guess it would also be better if the three wheeler Coalition Government could also conduct a baptism on those lifts at CWMH after it is “commissioned”. mAREKI DAWAI Suva
Stop the war
Rajend Naidu should worry more about how China is bullying countries in the South China Sea. Also, China is accused of genocide and shocking human rights abuses of Uighur Muslims in Sinkiang (Xinjiang) Province (Google for details). The Economic Times is part of the Times Group of India which is Leftist controlled. Rakesh Chand Sharma Adelaide, Australia
Party names
I think we are all looking forward to the day when we will be having a multi-party government comprising of political parties with names such as Road Maintenance Party, Medical Improvement Party, Agricultural Innovation Party etc. Perhaps, their approach would be different from the Family, Friends, Cronies and Kach Kach Parties. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Solid motivation
Will our favourite Fijian Drua side turn the tables this weekend, now that they have two wins out of four matches? Will the ghost of inconsistency and complacency resurface? I am with our Drua side all the way but hope that they maintain focus throughout the season. Let’s go Drua and may rock solid motivational be the foundation of our favourite team. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
The word ‘yet’
A couple of days ago we were assured that there was not going to be any fuel price rise. Now the line has been updated with a “yet”, so the new assurance is “no fuel price hike yet”. When the FCCC waves their wand on the last day of this month, the “yet” part will become clearer. Donald Singh Nausori
Litter, rugby and grog
Throw carelessly, clean thoroughly
For the longest time, I know the fine for littering has been $40. And despite the heavy littering problem we witness all around us, I have never seen or heard of anyone actually being fined for this. Now we are told the penalty will increase to $200. Great effort. But this raises serious questions: Who will enforce this? Who is authorised to issue these fines? Does the public know where and how to pay? And what happens when offenders cannot afford to pay these fines? Will we push more people into an already burdened court and prison system? If enforcement has been practically invisible at $40, what guarantees will make $200 any different? Before increasing fines, the Government must first educate the public clearly on how the system works, who can report littering, who can issue fines, and how the process is carried out. Without transparency and enforcement, a higher fine is meaningless. Alternatively, penalties should go beyond money. Those who litter should be required to complete 10–20 hours of community service by cleaning rivers, creeks, drains, and public spaces. If individuals contribute to the problem, they should also be part of the solution. Fiji deserves better. Right now, the state of our environment is, quite frankly, unacceptable. Stronger systems, visible enforcement, and community accountability are long overdue. Elisha Bano Suva.
Maroroya Drua
The new Ba fortress,
successfully defended.
The Brumbies tried its best,
but just couldn’t breach it.
Now back to the Sugar City,
to defend our main fortress.
Beat the Reds there convincingly
and make them see maroon..ish red!
Maroroya Drua maroroya! Edward Blakelock Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Australian Customs
On Thursday, 19/3, my wife and I travelled to Adelaide for an important family function. The Australian Customs were very thorough in their checking of our luggage. I believe this is happening because of the drug crisis back home. Previously, we had seen this happening to people from Indochina countries. The Australian Customs officers are only doing their job. The problem lies with us. Also, I had this sinking feeling seeing only 90 passengers on the aircraft. Rakesh Chand Sharma Adelaide, Australia
About grog swipers!
I have been asked if there is a difference between grog swipers and grog dopeys. I am no expert at these things, but I believe the lady was incorrectly quoted and misrepresented in what she said. As far as I can tell, there are no grog swipers, only grog dopeys. These people have permeated all levels of life in Fiji from those who hold the highest office to those sweeping the streets and everything in between. It is a national emergency ahead of HIV and drugs and has been for generations. It is just ridiculous that people in Fiji cannot see what is in plain sight. It is like a person who has been lingering around for some 40 years like a bad smell and people cannot get enough of him. What is wrong with the people of Fiji? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
