As I reflect on the year that was, and march onto a new beginning, two powerful quotes come to the fore: “Celebrate endings — for they precede new beginnings.” (Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author) and “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” (William E. Vaughan, journalist and author). These quotes are set to lay the platform for 2022.
2022 to inspire hopes
It is important to start 2022 off right. It should inspire hopes for the future and motivate us to reach for our dreams. The New Year is often a welcome occasion and that has been doubly true the past couple of years. Even if you’ve enjoyed the past year, New Year is still an exciting time to look ahead. The key to making 2022 your best year yet is going into it with the right mindset. Plant seeds every single day that you know who you are, you know what you’re about, and you know what goals you’ve set for yourself. New beginnings are in order, and you are bound to feel some level of excitement as new chances come your way. After all, the year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on.
A reflection of 2021 — writing and literature contribution
One thing that I enjoyed very much last year was contributing towards The Fiji Times in the form of letters to the editor column, opinion pieces and sports articles. I took a lot of interest reading the letters, opinion pieces and newspaper stories and articles. The advantage is that these literary pieces enlarged a person’s horizon, and there was so much to learn. I also learnt to respect people’s opinions and views because every citizen is entitled to an opinion. The letters and opinions, which featured in The Fiji Times, were powerful and rock-solid, featuring issues and opinions on socioeconomic and political issues, and I must commend the editorin- chief and his team for ensuring people’s voices were
printed and heard. Sadly, while some writers contributed freely, others had to be mindful of the content in their letters.
FTU national elections There was much hype leading up to this year’s Fiji Teachers Union National Elections. In any democratic country, society or trade union organisation, a vote is precious, and it is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violence tool. When the Fijian Elections Office announced the result, the writing was clear. Members, who voted, had spoken, and the team, which was reelected to serve the membership from 2021-2023, received massive support, and recorded a landslide victory. The membership had seen the enormous amount of work put in by the team in taking Fiji Teachers Union to greater heights. Our team had more than adequate knowledge, enthusiasm, skill, resolve, experience, courage, passion, energy, commitment and vigour to steer FTU. We were confident of winning as we delivered during our term. As the assistant general secretary, I was humbled by the overwhelming support received from members. I was also satisf ed with the support received from Suva branch. We did well during the Southern Zone sports meet winning the men’s volleyball and finishing second in netball and women’s volleyball.
Charity and humanitarian work
During the closure of the school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I set up the Balgovind Rd Nadawa Humanitarian and Charity Group, and we made it our mission to assist families which were feeling the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, work started on getting donors from Fiji and overseas for their financial assistance. Once that was sorted, we worked on a ration pack with Fresh Choice in Raiwaqa. Under the banner of Balgovind Rd Nadawa Humanitarian and Charity Group, we contributed to Fiji Cancer Society and WOWS Kids Fiji. We visited the residents of Narere when the tornado struck them and we distributed food packs to the residents. We prepared food packs and cartons of water bottles, and took them to the North after STC Yasa. We visited Bua, Lekutu, Nasarawaqa, Dreketi and Lekutu, and we were touched by their warmth and hospitality despite the adversities they faced. In 2021, we assisted more than 600 families with food packs. We distributed colgate and toothbrush packs (donated by Dr Leenu and Fiji Dental Association) and sanitisers and Kotex sanitary pads (donated by Motibhai Group of Companies). Our target areas included HARTS (Makoi, Narere, Korovou, Valelevu, Nasole and Narere – three HARTS), Nadawa, Nadera, Nakasi, Davuilevu, Vatuwaqa (Daya St, Wailea settlement, Nakelo and Nanuku), Mama’s Place (Caubati), Newtown, Caqiri Rd, River Rd, Khalsa Rd, Cunningham, Namadi Heights and Muanikoso. We received blessings from the recipients, who shed tears of gratitude and appreciation upon receiving the food packs. The charity work was an eye-opener for my team.
The Tokyo Olympics win
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was the highlight. Apart from savoring the win and cheering for the boys, I had the opportunity to pen articles on the following Olympic Games gold medallists Jerry Tuwai, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Iosefo Masi, Waisea Nacuqu and Jiuta Wainiqolo. I also did a write-up on Jiuta Wainiqolo’s wedding. It was hard to contain tears as I held the Olympic Games gold medal – a dream which came true as I missed it in 2016. The best moment was wearing captain Jerry Tuwai’s 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games gold medals. These moments will be savoured in years to come. The Olympic Games gold medal united Fiji and brought smiles at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On-line classes and moodle
When schools were closed, teachers were asked to prepare worksheets and take zoom classes. This was a new concept, but I’m glad that it was accomplished. The pandemic gave teachers an opportunity to go on-line and take classes. While some students missed out (data issue), others grabbed the opportunity.
Role in school re-opening
As a teacher and head of department (languages), I was part of the team that helped in the re-opening of our school for the years 12 and 13s. We worked as a team to prepare the school for re-opening (as per the Education and Health Ministry’s directive). We welcomed our students with an open arm. Birthday wish from Dubai On December 2, I celebrated my birthday, and I was touched by the birthday wishes that came from our men’s 7s team in Dubai and Jiuta and Fiona Wainiqolo all the way from Europe. Their wishes meant a lot. I believe in celebrating birthdays to the fullest, life being too short.
Performance of my teams
Not the sporting year that I longed for, but I’m grateful for the results from my teams. Labasa won the Champion vs Champion series. The Crusaders won Super Rugby Aotearoa, but missed out from winning Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. More heart-break as Brazil and England lost the Copa America Cup and the Euro 2020 final to Argentina and Italy respectively. Manchester United continues to struggle. However, the men’s and women’s 7s teams gave me and many other fans a lot of joy and delight with their wins. The All Blacks won the Rugby Championship, but lost to France and Ireland in their Autumn Test series, and the Flying Fijians put up a brave effort against the All Blacks and Wales, but lost to both the sides.
My mother’s legacy
My mother, Pushpa Wati Lingam, who passed away on March 2020, left behind a simple legacy. Her message of loving, sharing caring, and thinking about needy and unfortunate continues to drive and inspire me. I hope to make it bigger and better year. She is missed by members of family.
Concluding remarks
As I conclude, I accord a sincere thanks to the brave editorin- chief and his wonderful staff members for taking The Fiji Times greater heights. thank Motibhai Group for their support! I thank all those have contributed to the success of The Fiji Times — the newspaper I hold close to my heart. It is my belief that the book is called opportunity, and its first chapter is New Year’s Day, and it is imperative that we don’t make plans, but make options that’ll lead to success and better results. Happy 2022 fellow Fijians!
RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.
