Famous pool
The gang at the market were so engrossed in talking about the recent news in the media about the Lautoka swimming pool that they did not realise how loud they were. Until a screwball passing by looked at their direction and said: “Who lie? Me lie, you lie or them ?” Kaboom! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Pool scaled down
The controversial unfinished swimming pool will be scaled down now to be finished since the previous contractors have allegedly mismanaged the funds under the previous government. Regretfully, the pool will not be utilised to host national or international athletic events, shattering the ambition of Lautoka being a sports city. Is it possible for the current government, working with the Lautoka City Council, to identify everyone who misused the funds and bring legal action against them? And a modest request to the Lautoka business community – could you please raise the necessary money and have the pool constructed to its initial size in order to fulfil the goal of making Lautoka a sports city? DINESH KUMAR Ba
Pressure mounts on Drua!
Time is flying and we are fast approaching the climax of the Super W competition where the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua will play the hot favourites and the hosts, the Waratahs, while the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are bracing for a tough encounter against Moana Pasifika for a place in the top eight. The Moana ended their unbeaten run against the Drua in March, winning 39-36. Last year at Churchill Park, the boots of Christian Leali’ifano let the visitors down, as they went down in the grueling battle 46-47. The Moana are on fire, and they’d love to maintain their winning run over the Drua. Similarly, the Waratahs would love to get the Super W trophy back to Australia, after the Drua won back-to-back Super W titles. Thus, pressure is mounting on both sides. They are in a do-or-die situation. They must play their hearts out and execute basics and set pieces. The game plan must be followed. Decision making will be critical. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Equality
The FNA has urged the Government to remove the nurses’ 12-hour shifts as this is inhumane and these healthcare workers are not getting adequate rest. Fair enough, can our leaders also consider the same for Fiji’s poorly paid retail sector employees, namely supermarket cashiers who slave away on 12-to-13-hour exhausting work schedules for a few measly dollars? Not just nurses but every employee deserves to be treated with a high degree of esteem, equality and compassion, regardless of their choice of occupation. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Meth use
It appears methamphetamine’s grip on Fijian communities is tightening daily. Crystal meth, also called “ice” or “glass”, is becoming the popular drug of choice among kids. Lives are shattered – families fractured, health destroyed, and crime skyrockets. We see the vacant eyes on our streets, a chilling reminder of this epidemic’s devastation. The newer versions on the street these days are said to be so potent they can melt the brain and turn productive people into zombies. While compassion and treatment for users is crucial, meth’s hold demands a forceful response. This scourge won’t be defeated with half-measures. There is a need for harsher penalties for distributors and robust prevention programs particularly in schools. The next generation is on the line. Praneet Singh Sacramento, CA
Students and drug
The Fiji Times headline “Students targeted” (FT 23/4) is a wake up call for all school headteachers, parents, the community and the police. The head master of Dilkusha Boys School Paiata Savukiono shows the way to control this irresponsible behavior where students are being used by peddlers. I am just wondering if this is more common in boys’ schools compared with girls’ schools. I strongly believe there should be strict regulations to monitor this serious crime. Target parents first. Tahir Ali
Hamilton, New Zealand
Mozzie pool
Water looked green in the photo of the Lautoka swimming pool — FT page 8 of 23/04. Stagnant for a bit, yah? Farming algae, are we? Breeding mozzies? Mosquitoes, for those who came in late. A saying by “old man Mozz”. I would hope not though. If that water is breeding mozzies, use that proverbial pipeline to drain it. If you do, hope you drain it all over the Botanical Garden. Sustainability. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Fighting drugs
The infiltration of drugs into our communities is reaching a very alarming scale, as stressed by the Speaker of Parliament. It takes more than funds, in my opinion, to take head on, the fight against drugs. We are to do away with the silence culture, if we are to be responsible residents. And as fast as we can afford to respond, encourage ourselves to report any suspicious drug activity, in any which way we can. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent, about things that matter. The time is always right, to do what is right. Whatever affects one directly, affects all, indirectly. An individual has not started living, until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns, to the broader care for humanity. We must learn to work together as matured residents or perish together as irresponsible fools. Above all, accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Nadroga monument
am devastated to hear of the thoughtless damage done to Sigatoka’s beautiful statue, and a little surprised that it was only a little story at the bottom of a page. This disregard for our artistic treasures is a sign of our moral decay. I feel for the artist, Shane Bower, who must be sad at the loss of such a fine piece of his work. I hope he will be willing to re-work this magnificent tribute to Nadroga. Tessa Mackenzie Suva
Visa processing frustration
Our recent experience with trying to obtain visas to attend meetings in Canada and South Africa has been nightmarish, completing on-line intrusive forms and meeting bureaucratic requirements. The Canadian visa requires the birth dates, death dates and places of death of parents. The hard copy version requires similar information about deceased siblings. For surviving siblings, information is required about birthdays, together with their places of residence and their current employment. The applicant has to furnish information regarding all their post-secondary education qualification, the name of the institutions attended and the years of being a student. Travel history is required for the last five years with precise dates and the purpose of these travels. Outsourcing of visa approval processes have been positive and negative. Our experience of the Australian and New Zealand visa approval process has been positive but for Canada and South Africa, the delays and requirements have been most frustrating. We were advised at a joint visa approval centre that not all nationalities face the frustrations that we encountered. This reminded me to look at Fiji passport ranking. The Fiji passport is ranked 59th in the global passport ranking with visa free entry into 90 countries, and visa requirements for 105 countries.Fijians have to generally pay for applying for visas to the latter countries. With respect to Canadian visitor visa requirements which makes it exceedingly difficult for Fijians wishing to travel to that country, one is left wondering about how many of our citizens visit their relatives and friends, and how easy or difficult it has been for them to obtain visitors’ visas. Vijay Naidu Suva
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day is when we fondly remember,those gallant and brave soldiers,from NZ, the Pacific Islands and Australia,who fell in battle in that long forgotten theatre.They had fought and died there in Gallipoli,in a faraway country called Turkey.They had made the ultimate sacrifice,by giving up their own precious lives,We also remember the other brave fallen,in many other conflicts long forgotten.in faraway lands they rest eternal,finally released from their heavy burden.As we go about our business each day,remember who had paid the price so faraway.But wars and conflicts still continue,we still have not really learnt our lesson.They fought and died in sun and rain,let’s ensure it was not in vain.The least we can do for each of them,is to remember their sacrifice time and again. At the going down of each setting sun, and in the dewy dawn, of each bright and rainy morn, let’s take the time to remember all of them. Never ever forget, those who died in the many wars, Lest we forget! on 25 April, 2024. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
India and Modi
The author of that purported “anti-India propaganda” letter (FT 23/4) collects bottles and cans — even from rubbish bins- to help fundraise for an orphanage in India. The “rise of India” does not mean we should ignore the dark side of India under the Modi regime. We should not ignore the dark side of any regime anywhere in our global village. Whether that be India, Pakistan, America, Russia, China, North Korea, South Africa, Australia or Britain or Brazil. And we must not ignore the dark side of the recent history of our beloved home country. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Longest strike
The Vatukoula gold miners’ strike is the world’s longest strike action. I ask all the great trade union leaders, why they could not help these striking mine workers? I also would like to hear from this union, why they did not give up for 33 long years. I think the trade union movement in Fiji has failed badly, even if the Fiji Trades Union Congress had given financial support to this union a couple of times. The media could have helped the union end the strike if they had highlighted their plight frequently. Sukha Singh Labasa
Mathematics challenge
The Education Minister, Viliame Gavoka, must be complimented and congratulated for coming up boldly about the status of mathematics subjects in the upper secondary school curriculum. Mathematics is a national problem in Fiji schools and the introduction of two strands; New Life Math and Pure Math multiplies the problem, causing great confusion in young minds. In our days there was one mathematics and we did New Zealand University Entrance math curriculum. In our days we were good at mathematics despite the fact we did NZUE. Why are students in Fiji poor in mathematics these days? Definitely one reason causing confusion in young minds is the introduction of a new curriculum in mathematics. School children these days need support and assistance in mathematics. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights
Drinking in schools
The question posed by Sukha Singh (FT 16/04) is genuine and the issue is very disheartening. Even the editorial comment titled “Growing menace” by the editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley, confirms this. The head of the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council (NSAAC) was quoted saying that students are sneaking alcohol into schools. But why and how? Who do we point the fingers at — the parents or the teachers? DINESH KUMAR Ba
