Achieving better each day!
Monika Goundar, who graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from FNU and whose uplifting and encouraging story was shared by Anish Chand via the People column (FT 16/01), attributed her success to her mother Parmesh Pari who played a crucial role in her upbringing.
Ms Pari single-handedly raised and pushed her daughter Monika to become the best version of herself. Monika’s story was stirring as she described how her mother motivated her and her sisters to be their best, keeping in mind their values and morals.
Monika shared the obstacles she went through to achieve her success, and her story is set to motivate our young ones to work hard and achieve their dream. She concluded her story with a well-timed message:
“By getting educated, we are reducing poverty, increasing job opportunities and contributing to a peaceful and harmonious country to live in.
“Also your health is wealth. Our youth should practise that daily as they are our future.
“Maintaining a good health status is very important, whether it be physical, spiritual, social or mental.”
Great advice Monika! Thank you for the story Anish!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Hooligan behaviour
While out on my typical Saturday afternoon walk, I could not help but observe a group of youngsters, barely in their teens, creating havoc in the bustling city by demonstrating unruly and disruptive conduct.
Banging and peeping into vehicles parked along streets, yelling vulgarities and deliberately bumping into innocent shoppers were some of the rebellious activities unveiled by this wannabe “tough squad”.
With glue sniffing mushrooming like a plague here in the Sugar City, I wonder if they were either under the influence of glue or some other funny substance which compelled them to act in a manner in which they did.
Can there please be an increased presence of police officers on beat patrol specially during the busy weekends to confront and curb such avoidable scenarios?
Perhaps a good old fashioned buturaki may knock some degree of sense into these ruffians.
The magnitude of hooliganism and civil disobedience being witnessed in Lautoka is certainly disturbing, please; we do not want our beautiful city to evolve into another “Raiwaqa or Rawai” of the West.
Nishant Singh Lautoka
No need for limelight
Government minister Sakiasi Ditoka said there was no need for all political leaders to be in the limelight to get the work done.
That’s so true.
Only a megalomaniac needs to constantly hog the limelight as was the case in Fiji politics until recently when the ruling FijiFirst party was in power.
The people of Fiji are happy we will have that no more.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
In the right direction
The winds of change has blown through our nation,
blowing the recent past probably into oblivion.
For some it has caused consternation.
For others, there will be vindication.
In the end, we hope there is progress and development
and that all new and amended legislation,
are made by our Parliament,
with appropriate and wide consultations.
The wind of change hopefully blows in the right direction, so as to auger well for the future of our island nation.
Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
Work together
To all the elected members of Parliament, we say that you all are leaders in your own rights.
Unlike the ones who could not make it, you get the opportunity to march on and to prove to us that you were not there for any personal gain but for the purpose of serving the country and its people with loyalty and conviction. This is only possible if you are going to make positive and meaningful contributions. You will have to come up with constructive ideas and sensible plans that ensures bringing about the difference needed.
As parliamentarians, each one of you has a critical role to play to achieve what we want to achieve.
I hope both sides of the house will show respect and listen to what is being said without showing any childish behaviour. Respect is earned through respect. The need of the hour is for all us to work together and stand in unionism. It is my hope to see that our country moves forward and prospers. Thank you.
Suresh Chand Nadi
Hospital visit
The Nadi Hospital Town SOPD clinic, is situated in a bad place, on the bank of the Nadi River, and prone to flooding.
Retirees like me, in our 70s, find it a gross inconvenience especially when I discovered the clinic and pharmacy closed on Friday, January 13, 2023.
For us, the handicapped, the more senior citizens and those with physical disabilities it is of greater inconvenience and added taxi expense having to “divert” to Nadi Hospital. Most of us depend on public transport, and taxis out of sheer necessity.
For the aged, walking up the hill to hospital is quite a feat. It can be challenging, at best. Even more challenging for those with major cardiovascular issues. There are many who are totally dependent on bus and walking up the hill.
Can our plight be heard at the highest levels please?take this moment to thank Dr Imtishal, the former SDMO, for all his courtesy and wish him well in his new post in “greener pastures”. Thank you, doc.
May I also welcome Dr Shah as the new SDMO. Welcome back, Dr Shah.
Ronnie Chang, Martinar, Nadi
Crime reduced
Seven per cent reduction in crime in 2022, as reported in The Fiji Times (FT 16/1) gives confidence for all Fijians that law and order is well-maintained in Fiji for everyone’s safety.
As this has been possible with the support from the civil society, religious groups, NGOs, schools, communities, medical authorities and security forces, we all look forward to a higher percentage reduction in 2023 in the new government administration.
The effective changes with lots of activities for people for a peaceful living will ensure to maintain the reduction in crime, as an idle mind is a devil’s workshop.
Crime prevention is everyone’s business.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
FBC chair
The new chair of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) board, Ajay Bhai Amrit, wants full financial and capital expense reports and documents from 2008 to 2021.
That should bring home to people who were calling the shots at FBC during that period what real democratic accountability and transparency looks like under the new governance regime in Fiji.
Rajend Naidu Sydney
Taxi call
I find it amusing when calling a taxi base here in Lautoka and the dispatcher asks for the caller’s name and destination.
While they are at it, might as well ask “What are you going to do?”
Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Lenora and Pio
In the 2018 General Election, Pio Tikoduadua and Lenora Qereqeretabua saved the National Federation Party from sure death. In 2022, Lenora and Pio won the election again. I think Lenora should have been given a ministerial post. I actually do not know the position of the party on this but she should have been made a minister.
Sukha Singh Labasa
A repeat
Many appointments are being made at present and with speed. Is history repeating itself?
Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
True democracy
The greatest thing about this democracy is that everyone is speaking their mind, even the rotten bones.
Samu Railoa Nadi
Russian offensive
I want to add to Aren Nunnink (FT 15/01/23) about the FBC TV broadcasting Russia-Ukraine offensive as from February 24, 2022, which is an insult to our viewers.
Very cruel and very offensive indeed to us villagers. I guess it had already created more narcissistic intellect so to speak. I often had a quick glean on a post, that read, ‘Narcissists have an entitlement mind-set. One of their entitlement beliefs is that they can do whatever they want, whatever they want and you have no right to object’.
I think we already had some not long ago.
Jioji O. Toronibau Navetau, Tunuloa
Bulileka crematorium
I write this open letter to the management committee of Bulileka Crematorium to express my disgust at the lackadaisical manner in which the complex is managed.
On January 12, 2023, I attended a cremation and was shocked that simple maintenance works had not been carried out for a long time.
The roof of the walk-way linking the crematorium and the shed where the dead body is initially kept had been damaged for some time.
But the committee had failed to repair it. In the wet weather it gets slippery and one person actually carrying the coffin slipped and fell. He could have been seriously injured. I wonder if the OHS (Occupational Health & Safety) Act can be applied to sue the committee?
The crematorium proper itself was in a dilapidated condition and it was a shame that no attempts had been made to improve it. It is time to have a modern gas-fired crematorium to save our environment and precious timber cover. There is abundance of good-will in society to achieve this.
There is no provision for parking of vehicles. Attendees have to park their vehicles along the main road and walk up the hill to reach the crematorium.
The committee should make a proper access road and sealed parking place within the precincts of the crematorium. At the moment it leaves much to be desired.
Bulileka is a densely populated area and it is high time that a modern gas fired crematorium was built there.
At least two members of the management committee can travel and see and gather ideas from Raralevu Crematorium, Nausori, or the Dignified Crematorium at Nakasi.
I am very sure that they will be very willing to help. You can contact me on my mobile 9996767 for further discussion and help. I will be very happy to oblige.
Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Those drivers
Please be careful when you drive around Savusavu Town at night. A handful of drivers cruise around without lights.
They never turn on their lights and it’s the same drivers every night. Shocking but it’s a fact.
I believe Savusavu Town is well lit at night so may be the drivers are taking advantage of it. May be they have a wrong mind-set that when you turn on the lights, the vehicle chews lots of fuel.
And while out night driving, I call upon the citizens on patrol and the LTA to please flag down the drivers that usually come out of the night spots, well known wine and dine, clubs, as I believe they are all under the influence of liquor.
You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. I wonder why the cops are only after the innocent and poor that get drunk on the beach and in the dark spots and find their way home on foot?
What about the ones that drive? I wonder if their status doesn’t allow them to be flagged and ticketed. It has been happening for ages. I thought the law is the same for everyone!
Anyway, welcome to the Hidden Paradise.
A. SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu
