Athletics down memory lane! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU AS I look down memory lane at the Coca-Cola Games, I recount memories when Taveuni’s Holy Cross College famously won the girl’s division back-toback in 1999 and 2000. The girls from Wairiki turned on the fireworks as they made athletics history by becoming the first school from outside Viti Levu to win the overall Coca-Cola Games girls’ title. The back-to-back victory defied odds, as Suva Grammar School’s three-year winning streak from 1996-1998 came to an end and the Garden Island welcomed the winning school who successfully defended their title in 2000, cementing their status as a powerhouse in the girls’ division. Having a coach like Iosefo Waibuta and with a star longdistance performer like Ekari Raika, who took part for Fiji in the 1995 South Pacific Games in Tahiti, the reward of the hard work from the girls of Wairiki was sweet. Sub-junior athlete Ema Fisher also grabbed gold medals in the 1500m and 3000m long distance. She won the first gold medal of the then two-day competition. Holy Cross College will be remembered in ages for winning the last Coca-Cola Games of the millennium and since their success back in 1999 and 2000, ACS, Jasper, Suva Grammar and MGM High have dominated the girls’ division. When will a school from outside of Viti Levu win the girls’ division is a good question to ponder on by pundits! Schools should take a cue from Holy Cross College!
Water disruption WE live in an elevated section of Mountainview, Martintar, Nadi. Water disruption occurred approximately 4pm on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. It was almost 17 hours without a drop of water. This over extended disruption, planned or otherwise, is in short, a huge inconvenience especially for the sick, physically frail and elderly – including infants. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Exit from power ALL good things must come to an end. So it has been for Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, who has been voted out after 16 years of unfettered power. For those in power here and their cronies who are currently enjoying the perks and privileges of power, this must serve as stark reminder that it won’t last forever. I am sure Dan Urai (FT15/4) will agree. RAJEND NAIDU Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu
Fuel crisis AS the taxi operators want a fare increase to maintain their business (FT3/4), the passengers are alerted to spend less on travelling. Horse ride or bicycle for free travel! Help us God to live and let others live. Survive with less in this fuel crisis. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Speeding traffic WITH reference to Ronnie Chang’s letter (14/4) about government vehicles speeding as if they own the roads and are above the law, I would like to suggest that police deploy a speed radar gun on the stretch of Grantham Rd between Ratu Mara Rd and the Rups/Gaji Rd roundabout. They would make a mint (if government drivers paid their fines, that is). When the traffic lights on Ratu Mara Rd turn green, they shoot out like drag racers, often led by a government vehicle doing at least 60 miles an hour. PAUL GERAGHTY USP, Suva
Nobel Peace Prize PAKISTAN’S Punjab Provincial Assembly has written to the Nobel Peace Committee recommending that Pakistan’s PM, Shebaz Sharif, Ishak Darr and Chief of Army Staff and Field Marshall, Asim Munir be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the ceasefire between the US and Iran. President Trump will not be pleased hearing this. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Erosion of trust SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI ONE of the major threats facing any government, I am certain, is the erosion of trust between citizens and government. Does Fiji need leaders with a “complacency mindset”? How long do the Fiji people have to continue coping? It is the “crisis of confidence” that the Government can no longer be counted on to deliver its manifestos. The late Lee Kuan Yew said: “I did some sharp and hard things to get things right. At the end of the day, I’ve given up my life, for a successful Singapore.” What has become of Singapore? Fiji has been experiencing within the past three decades, I believe, the “band-aid solution” to water supply, traffic congestion and the EFL power outage. These are core parts of the hard infrastructure development of any nation building, in my opinion. Even the “indigenous rights” that are tied with the UNDRIP, in my view, seem to be ignored. Do the Fiji people deserve such betrayal? Besides, the Fiji National Energy Policy, I believe, seemed too good on paper, without materialisation. Who exactly controls the EFL? And with all the publicly declared COPs since the FFP’s reign, where have all the international financial aids been utilised? Anyway, with all of these in mind, the “democratically undermined” 2013 Constitution, I am certain, is the current hurdle. The Bible stated that where there is no vision, people perish.
Streetlights please FILIPE ALIFERETI LAUTOKA I AM concerned about the non-existent of streetlights at the pedestrian crossing next to the junction of Natabua High School. My concern is that when driving at night, it is really hard for drivers to identify or to see pedestrians who are about to use the pedestrian crossing. This crossing is mainly used a lot at night by people wanting to buy at the bakeries or shops opposite Natabua High School. Some of the drivers using the road nowadays do not even slow down when approaching pedestrian crossings. The need for these streetlights at pedestrian crossings is important because not all drivers have good eyesight at night and thus vision becomes blur when lights from oncoming vehicles hits their eyes. So at least drivers could have good chances of seeing pedestrians standing at the end of the pedestrian crossing. With lots of road accidents happening in Fiji, it is high time that this component is taken seriously to curb road accidents. Can the Lautoka City Council please look into this?
Lease renewal RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI THE impact of non-renewal of sugar, rice or any agricultural land will be deeply felt now when we have an impending crisis looming on our heads. Singapore, with a land area of 735.7 square kilometres, sustains a population of more than 6 million people. India has a land area of 3,287,263 square kilometres. This area constitutes only about 2.4 per cent of the world’s total geographical area, but feeds 1.5 billion people. It also contributes 40 per cent to global rice trade. In total, India exports over $US50billion in agroproducts annually, including rice, wheat, fruits and spices. With the oil crisis going on, it is still projected that India’s economy will grow between 6 to 7 per cent. It’s a shame when we are faced with exigencies, react with ADB reports, Reserve Bank recession report, government defending its small pay cut, happily accepting Chinese gift of a motor vehicle etc. With vast lands lying idle, we now wake up to the realities of our precarious position. The following Hindi expression explains our situation: “Ab pachtaye kya hot, jab chidiya chug gayi khet” figurative meaning — there is no point in regretting or acting after the opportunity is gone and the damage is irreparable.
Crossing the line RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI PUBLIC perceptions are almost always powerful indicators. For the US President, in his controversial latest picture, is one bridge too far. It is bordering on lunacy; very abnormal, most disrespectful and highly degrading. Any political leader must not cross red lines. Leave religious leaders alone. Please do not insult Pope Leo XIV. Our holy father, Pope Leo XIV, the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. He deserves utmost respect. This sitting US President once depicted himself as pope. How disgusting! This was insanity. To be seen now, as Christ-like, healing the sick, the US President, is now brilliantly “beyond the pale”. This is “insanity #2”. It is most intolerable. He ought to be assessed for abnormality “upstairs” — shamefully beyond words. This man is sick.
Identity, Constitution, respect for distinction PECELI ALISTIR WAITOLU, NAITASIRI I RESPECTFULLY refer to the recent letters by Kirti Patel of Lautoka and Rajend Naidu of Laucala Beach (FT 14/04/26), regarding the use of the term “Fijian” as a common national identity. There is no dispute that we are all citizens of Fiji, and as rightly stated in the 2013 Constitution, we are “all Fijians united by common and equal citizenry”. That principle must be upheld. However, it is equally important to recognise that the same Constitution deliberately acknowledges the distinct identities within our nation — the iTaukei, Rotumans, descendants of indentured labourers, and others — each with their own heritage, culture, and historical roots. This raises an important question: why did the framers of the Constitution, the then FijiFirst government first of all; go beyond simply stating “We the people of Fiji” and instead clearly identify these groups? The answer is simple — unity does not require uniformity. A shared national identity does not erase the unique identities that exist within it. Rather, it sits alongside them. As an iTaukei, I believe we are a welcoming people. We have always opened our land, our homes, and our lives to others, regardless of background. That is part of our strength and our moral foundation. But our identity as iTaukei is not just a label — it is deeply tied to our God-given land, our traditions, and our ancestry, recorded through systems like the Vola ni Kawa Bula, and recognised both locally and internationally. History also reminds us that questions of identity, land, and political leadership in Fiji have never been simple. Decisions made in the past — including those surrounding political upheavals and constitutional changes — were often influenced by concerns over the protection of indigenous land, culture, and longterm security. Whether one agrees or disagrees with those moments, they form part of the broader context in which today’s discussions are taking place. For many iTaukei, the protection of land and identity remains central, not out of exclusion, but out of responsibility to preserve what has been entrusted to us for future generations by God and by our fathers. And in God alone, all creation should stand strong. Just like in any home, visitors are welcomed with respect and warmth. But the identity of the household remains intact. Likewise, while we embrace a shared national identity as Fijians, there must also be respect for the distinct identities that define who we are as different peoples within Fiji. There is a delicate balance — a thin line — between unity and erasure. That line should not be crossed. We can move forward together as one nation, but only if we do so with mutual respect, understanding, and recognition of our blurred differences as well as our commonalities.
