A song for unity
After reading Wednesday’s Kaila! newspaper, I resorted to YouTube to listen to the song Duavata Viti. The Kaila! newspaper reported the song, which was released on August 8, was composed by Tim Ulacake, who is a teacher at the International School Suva. The song has captured the hearts and admiration of Fijians and its message – ‘set all differences aside and unite for people and country’ – took the limelight. Master Tim Ulacake, who is a proficient musician himself, composed the song for Fiji’s frontline workers. He hooked up with a host of local talent, including the likes of Phil Dakei and Kat Waqa. Master Tim shared his family’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and that the lyrics of the song came from a very deep place of experience and emotion. The song touched my heart and I thank the composers for this beautiful piece. My wife, Madhu, a frontliner as she is a midwife at the CWM Hospital, was so emotional as she recalled working at the height of the pandemic. A big vinaka vakalevu to Master Tim and his crew for the compilation! I also commend the Kaila! newspaper team for the masterpiece! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Council accounts
Fifty parliamentary papers were presented to Parliament yesterday. Of these, 48 were town and city council annual reports as follows:
- Nausori Town Council – all years, 2005 to 2014
- Rakiraki Town Council – all years, 2011 to 2018
- Nadi Town Council – all years, 2011 to 2015
- Lautoka City Council – all years, 2006 to 2010
- Sigatoka Town Council – all years, 2005 to 2018
- Savusavu Town Council – all years, 2005 to 2010.
For 15 years, we have been told that local government “needs reform”. This is why (we are told) there will be no town and city council elections. And in all that time, town and city councils, controlled by the national government, have not been able to even produce their accounts to the people. We are also told that “past governments” encouraged corruption and lack of accountability in town and city councils. But, for the last 15 years, it is the current Government which has (in one form or another) been the “past governments”. Are 15 years delayed accounts what the Local Government Ministry calls “accountability”? RICHARD NAIDU Suva
Invest in health
The combined, strong COVID-19 fight by all Labasans proves that they live up to their popular name in sports, “Babasiga Lions”. The sacrifices, co-operation, protocol and efforts to control this deadly virus with examples of such communities will pay dividends for the nation. Every individual in a team has a role to play. Sometimes, a great ship sinks in the calm sea but by adjusting your sail, you can save your boat in the rough sea. Let’s invest in our health and save lives. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Questions on education
It is understandable that the “…not many educated people…” mention has not gone down well with large sections of the Fijian population. Naturally, it’s about us. When I first heard the audio, my instant reaction was astonishment and the first word which came to mind was “sechi!” From the audio, we can already conclude that one sign of uneducated people is not listening to good advice. I won’t dig into that. My garden fork needs rest. Without being disrespectful, this is a complex subject. What is education? What are some signs of the educated and uneducated? Why do some people remain uneducated? Is education just academic excellence? What are the expectations from the educated and are they always fulfilled? Is education about the environment, available resources and opportunities? The questions are endless. There are many interesting readings about this on the internet. Great for the curfew hours. You won’t be disappointed. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Garbage collection fees
The current residential garbage collection rates for Suva residents is $27.25 VIP per annum. This is for three weekly collections for the whole year. In other words, 156 collections. So, for this important service, this equates to around $0.17, yes, 17 cents, per pickup. This is ridiculous. A more realistic fee, under the circumstances, should be at least $1 a trip. Remember, the collection group normally involves a truck with a driver and at least two SCC employees. But, do we really need three collections a week. I reckon twice a week will be more than sufficient. Maybe the Local Government Minister could include this in her reforms. Vijay P. Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
Season of reason
I am a supporter of the majestic Liverpool FC and, ipso facto (Latin, look it up), of unquestionably sound mind and redoubtable judgment; very sane, very sensible. This is more than can be said of a certain element of those who support Manchester United. I say this because the new Premier League soccer season is less than a week old and already there is evidence of an outbreak of ‘Red Devilitis’. We have the ‘boil season’, the ‘cika season’, the ‘coka season’, and now the ‘Red Devilitis’ season. All are very unsavoury. As I have noted in previous correspondence on this subject, the primary symptom of ‘Red Devilitis’ is significant levels of ‘docelevuness’. The 2021 variant has the additional symptom of, what I believe is referred to as, cognitive denial, an abject failure to update beliefs in light of irrefutable evidence. Also, similar to another highly undesirable affliction, namely ‘Trumpism’, sufferers of ‘Red Devilitis’ appear equally unable to escape from the circularity nature of their lunacy. The seeds of disarray, disaster, discontent, discord, disharmony, disillusionment, disorder and a few other words beginning with ‘dis’ that I cannot quite recall offhand, are once again sown. Let there be reason in the season, please. I believe the pertinent old jungle saying is “Whereof the Phantom cannot pronounce, thereof the Phantom shall wisely remain silent”. PETER JOHNSON Stamford, U.K
No reply
WHEN an issue is reported in The Fiji Times, especially matters that matter, I look forward to reading to the end and expect a high office’s reply. But to my disappointment, the end usually says, ‘so-and-so did not respond to queries sent to his or her office’ or something to that effect. But in that House, replies or heckles come faster than a Scud missile. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
False readings – Letter of the week ending 24/5-30/5
I LEARNT through lifesaving first aid training about hypothermia. We had it drummed into us as children. We knew if one’s core temperature dropped by just a few degrees then one can experience hypothermia or exposure which can lead to death if left unchecked. The other day I went from the fish shop where my temperature was recorded at 36.2 degrees (Celsius) to the supermarket just across the road. There and in the space of just a few minutes, my temperature according to the thermal reader, had dropped a dramatic 7.7 degrees (Celsius) to 28.5! The security at the supermarket assured me the reading was fine. I felt fine but I knew with a reading as low as that I shouldn’t be feeling well at all; that instead I would be close to death. There has been many occasions my temperature has been recorded under 20 degrees and all the operators of these machine are adamant the readings are accurate. One operator one time even took my dog’s temperature upon entering a university. Besides dogs not being spreading COVD-19, their temperature is different to their human owners. A few questions which require answers: Are these premises: shops and supermarkets using the correct thermal machines? Are the thermal readers used and working correctly? Are the operators trained to differentiate good reading from a bad or incorrect reading? Are there shoppers entering premises with incorrect readings thus posing a risk if in fact their temperature is abnormally high but it has gone undetected? Who checks if the machines are working properly? Of course not everyone who is positive for COVID-19 will have symptoms but please, if they do then let’s detect them with a degree of accuracy. The risks are great enough already. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua, Suva
Late night conference – Letter of the week ending 14/6-20/6
I’M frustrated whenever my phone beeps at night and Facebook notifies me of a live press conference. Why are they (Dr Fong and PM) appearing during odd hours at night to address our nation. Can’t they do that during the day while fresh and keen to listen? Chiuu! ALIPATE TUBERI Suva
Cost of a life – Letter of the week ending 21/6-27/6
AS per John Hopkins University statistics- I believe Fiji topped the list of new infections in the past week in comparison with the rest of the world per million people. I believe it is one statistic which none of us in our beloved country would have ever wanted to top the world in. The way things are going, these numbers will only go up and it won’t take long for the vulnerable to get infected. How many hospital beds do we have, how many ventilators do we have? Is it worthwhile to prioritise the economy and some overseas business contracts over the lives of the people? I wonder how the calculations were done on the cost of a lost life? Just the thought of what is about to transpire sends shivers down our spines. May God bless Fiji! SANDEEP PRASAD Nadera, Nasinu
Wear a mask – Letter of the Month April
IF you don’t like wearing a mask, you definitely won’t like wearing a ventilator. Have a good weekend. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua, Suva
Reliable information – Letter of the Month May
A FEW days before the panic buying which was labelled as “stupidity”, there was a lockdown announcement. I will not go into the details of the half an hour notice period because of data availability issues. Dr Fong, in your honest opinion, do you think the relationship between the people of Fiji and the Government is working? People have so many questions. Who do they ask? In the position we are, it is normal that we hear of pay cuts and other relevant matters as such. Cutting down reliable information is not normal. Instead of cutting down and delaying press conferences, the information channel from official sources should be opened up. No wonder fake information is thriving. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Lautoka
Corrupt university
If our leaders are saying that a particular university is corrupt, does that mean the degree from that university is tainted? Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Wainadoi border
What is the purpose of Wainadoi border now, Dr Fong? Dorine Narayan Suva
Revenue collection
Assuming all dues are paid within a financial year, does anyone know the difference in revenue collection between total taxi base fees (prior to the introduction of the new system) and the new total levy when the Open Rank System begins? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Keep it coming
Great to see Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane’s letters back in LTE (19.08.21) after his brief absence. Sir, I like reading your letters, straight to the point, no sugar coating, meaningful and addressing issues of the common people, with provocation and no fear of retribution. Vinaka sir and keep it coming. Steven Singh Sydney, Australia
A star in the making
Certainly, Napoliani Bolaca has progressed quickly and rose to rugby 7s fame. As he plans to be part of the Fijian Drua side, Bolaca has exceptional skills set which will be a great asset to the team. Nippy Bolaca, a star in the making and could be eyeing the Flying Fijians jumper in the fifteens code in future. I believe Bolaca, who is still young, can offer so much to rugby. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Afghan situation
Sad situation for the people of Afghanistan. Let’s pray that all goes well for those suffering, desperate people. Overnight things can change. Some changes are not welcomed with confusion and uncertainty but change is inevitable, thus. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Saddest signs
Could be the saddest signs I read, “closing down sale” and “going out of business”. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
Lockdown effect
It is an opportune time to wait and see if the NZ lockdown will work in favour of eradicating COVID-19. By the looks of the Aussie lockdown, it really is not having its desired effect as positive cases are escalating daily. Just maybe Aussies and NZ will take a cue from Fiji! Please understand that this virus is not going away so best is to get double jabbed and follow MOH guidelines. Vikel Lal Nasinu
