Small man with a big heart
My brother from Nabua, Suva, Shalwyn Prasad wrote a beautiful piece on Jerry Tuwai titled ‘Small man with a big heart’ (FT 11/12). I agree with Shalwyn that it’s a big moment for Fiji that our ‘Little Master’ has achieved as he scooped last year’s Best 7s Player Award and the Best 7s Player of the Decade Award. It was not easy considering that Jerry was competing with NZ’s player turned assistant coach Tomasi Cama, South Africa’s big names Seabelo Senatla and Werner Kok, United States and two-time WRSS Player of the Year Perry Baker, Samoa’s gasman Mikaele Pesamino, who made headlines when Samoa won their first WRSS title, and Fiji’s 2014 WRSS Player of the Year Samisoni Viriviri. Shalwyn emphasised that Jerry returned the glory to God when Fiji won and when he scored a try. Jerry is a loyal 7s servant and while others decided to move on and take a professional rugby contract, he remained loyal to Fiji, and I’m pleased that Jerry’s steadfastness, dedication, commitment, passion and sacrifices have been rewarded by the Lord. Congratulations and all the best Jerry! You have set a standard that will be hard to emulate, but I’m sure our boys will take the challenge to go one step ahead of your achievements! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Rabuka’s decision
Mr Rabuka forming a new party should not come as a surprise. It was expected. Seems like deep inside he has made peace with himself and knows he cannot be penalised every time based on his history. He made some bad choices which led to him doing what he did but it’s good to see him trying his best to do what he can do. All the best to him. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Offer real solutions
We regularly hear in and out of Parliament that Government has not done much for the people who lost their jobs or have lost job hours and that it was Government’s responsibility to provide assistance. I am not discussing whether Government should be keeping funds aside for these kinds of situation. We all know that Government’s revenue level has reduced drastically and the private sector has suffered immensely from the downturn in businesses caused by COVID-19. Could the Opposition and other critics of Government while demanding action come up with actual and practical ways of helping Fijians? Please refrain from generalising and offer real solutions. Not pies in the skies! Thank you to those who have helped. We need realistic solutions and support from everybody. The political arguments on how best this government has dealt with these problems would be addressed in 2022. Emosi Balei Kini St, Suva
Pothole problems
Fixing potholes in Fiji, is definitely rocket science. It seems to have bamboozled the authority, the road engineers and the contractors alike. No one appears to be able to finally resolve the issue, despite roadworks having a large chunk of our annual budget. It’s a mystery wrapped in an enigma and cloaked in an air of impossibilities. The one who can unwrap this mystery once and for all, should be bestowed a 50th independence anniversary medal and a road named after him or her. If not, then we may really have to gravel the tarsealed roads ! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Bullying in schools
The recent reports on the high level of bullying happening in our schools is disturbing to say the least. One way to help tackle the problem might be to introduce the “buddy system” within all the schools. Every older student is “buddied up” with a younger one and every so often each week some time is allocated for the older buddies to go across to their younger counterparts classroom and spend some quality time with them working on, for example, an art or craft project together. Outside of the classroom the bigger buddy is given the responsibility of simply keeping an occasional eye out for his little buddy and being his friend. Groups of big and little buddies may even sometimes sit and share lunch, or play indoor or outdoor sports together. The results may be surprising. Minister Akbar, if you happen to read this, please give it a try. Doe Miller Ritova St, Labasa
Blocked drains, waterways
We are well into the cyclone season now with associated heavy rains and flooding that come with it. When will the Ministry of Waterways clean up the blocked waterways and drains on residences and connected feeder roads along Vuci South Rd? The area is right beside the popularly declared soon to be Nausori International Airport. Action please! Taniela Senikuta Sauva, Tailevu
Call to release Speight
The call by the present Leader of Opposition honourable Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and echoed by the SODELPA leader honourable Viliame Gavoka for the release of George Speight and those imprisoned for their part in the events of 2000 cannot be supported by the majority of right thinking people of all races in this country. Apart from keeping a majority of parliamentarians from the People’s Coalition imprisoned under the point of a gun for 56 days, they and their supporters ransacked business houses and created havoc with farmers and others in Muaniweni and other parts of Fiji. It appeared that the police and the military were powerless to do much during this period. There was a feeling of complicity, if the request by the police, armed forces leaders and others to the President (the late Ratu Sir KKT Mara) for his resignation is anything to go by. But then, everything fell apart with the attempted mutiny when the military had to take a stand with international pressure mounting. I have forgiven these people for their misplaced racist and extremist actions but that does not mean that they should not be punished and incarcerated for the term of imprisonment imposed. I and, I think, the majority of those who were adversely impacted and scarred for life by the actions of George Speight and his cohorts, including those who lost their lives, can never agree to the call by SODELPA (if the media reports are correct). This is not a game. However, if there are persons who have served the term mandated by the court but are still in custody, then justice requires their release. I know that in 2017, I had written a letter which was published in your paper asking for the pardon of those people from Rakiraki who were convicted of sedition and imprisoned. But this was a case involving people who were misguided and their actions did not result in any upheaval as they were never given effect to. I trust that the former leader of opposition, in calling on the President to exercise his powers of pardon by activating the Commission on the Prerogative of Mercy under Section 119 of the Constitution, had in mind the various petty and white collar criminals and those convicted of sedition; not those who had a hand in the events of 2000, as this would make a mockery of our legal system and the rule of law. DORSAMI NAIDU Nadi
Literacy app
Can there be an app made for teenagers to improve their literacy rather than using the TikTok App for making videos. Rodney Clarence Raj Naleba, Labasa
Yellow Ribbon
The Yellow Ribbon project has been such a success in Fiji for a number of reasons. I just wonder if there is any similar project for the victims of crimes as well. Sandeep Prasad Maqbool Road, Nasinu
Friends or foe
NOW that they have hugged, will Rabuka withdraw the police complaints against Bainimarama? SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
More potholes
Potholes in Suva have been unearthed and brought back to life. Sure enough, with the continued rain, more buried potholes will be unearthed in the coming weeks. FRA, can you please permanently conceal these potholes once and for all? Fulori Turaga Tacirua Heights
Wealthy visitors
Are the group of high net-worth individuals still in Fiji? Who were they? Have more arrived for a retreat during the pandemic? How much has been their total investment in Fiji? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Water woes
There was no water in Davuilevu. This started on Wednesday afternoon. Still no water at 11.45am, Friday. Seriously, Minister for Infrastructure, stop yapping in Parliament, check your deliverables. Joe Matatolu Waila 3A
New parties
The more new parties that enter the next general election, the better it will be for the FijFirst. Sukha Singh Labasa
Fighting within
When a political party has fighting within, how do you expect them to look after their members? Nardeo Mishra Suva
Midas touch
I thought with her Midas touch, Emele Duituturaga would resolve all the internal conflicts within SODELPA. Apparently, not. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Gentlest man
I believe Xi Jinping is one of the gentlest and kindest men on Earth. Rod Matthews Melbourne, Australia
