Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has called on Fijians to strengthen the traditional values of veilomani — love for one another — and veirokovi — respect for one another, amid concerns over recent robberies and burglaries.
Ms Kiran said communities had a shared responsibility to protect vulnerable people, particularly older persons and those living alone.
“We must strengthen the values that have always held our communities together — veilomani, love for one another, and veirokovi, respect for one another,” she said.
“Let us know our neighbours, check on our elderly and look out for those who are vulnerable.”
Her comments follow the reported robbery of 80-year-old Mahendra Nath at his home in Rokara Settlement, Khalsa Road.
According to reports, basic groceries including rice, sugar, tinned food, cooking oil and powdered milk were allegedly taken, along with household items, tools, clothing and cash.
Ms Kiran said the incident demonstrated why communities needed to look out for one another.
“When an 80-year-old man has even his basic food supplies taken from him, this goes beyond the loss of property — it takes away his sense of safety, independence and dignity,” she said.
The Minister said Fiji could not allow crimes against vulnerable people to become normalised or simply become incidents watched and discussed on social media before being forgotten.
She also urged parents and guardians to reinforce the importance of honesty, hard work and respect for other people’s belongings among young people.
“Teach our young people to respect the hard-earned income and belongings of others,” Ms Kiran said.
“What may appear to be an easy gain represents someone else’s hours of work, sacrifice and saving.”
Ms Kiran encouraged communities to establish or strengthen Neighbourhood Watch zones, work closely with Police and regularly check on elderly people living alone.
“Protecting one another is a shared responsibility, and we must never allow crime against the vulnerable to become normal,” she said.
