LETTER OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER
Filthy arena
There is no doubt that portions of the social media environment are covered in deep filth. Just like the presence of dirt attracts flies and other disease- spreading pests, there are specific arenas where like-minded individuals converge to present evidence that societal values are indeed going down the sewer system. Given the vast ocean that social media has become today, a morally educated mind would immediately steer clear of filthy substance but giving prominence and relevance to low grade content has become a challenge. I guess, they are passengers in the same boat.
LETTER OF THE MONTH – OCTOBER
New babysitter: TikTok
Let’s all take a bow, Fiji. We’ve done it. We’ve cracked the code of modern parenting. Forget discipline, forget family. A seven-year-old boy learning “how a boyfriend teaches his girlfriend to shave”. Another seven-year-old boy was searching “ek ladki ki keemat kya hal” (translation: what is the value of a girl?). Oh Yes, top tier education, right there. Forget kindergarten, who needs it when TikTok university is open 24/7? And yet, we act shocked when UNICEF and Minister Sashi Kiran warns us about neglect and abuse being rampant in Fiji. Do we really need UNICEF to tell us what’s right in front of us? Our children are being abandoned to screens while parents compete for who can stir the grog the longest on gossip the loudest. But hey, let’s not complain. With TikTok doing the heavy lifting, we should give it official recognition. Maybe our next Constitution re- view should add “Right to Unlimited Screen Time under the Bill of Rights. Or perhaps the Ministry of Education should update the curriculum: TikTok for Year One, Instagram for Year Five, Snapchat for Year Seven. By high school, they’ll graduate with PhDs in scrolling. Sarcasm aside, this is our reality children learning values from strangers on screens because parents are too distracted. If we don’t wake up now, the next generation will not only question what a girl’s value is they’ll also ask what a parent’s value ever was. ASHWINI BASANT Nausori
LETTER OF THE WEEK ENDING — 10/11-16/11/25
Election issue
As we approach the election year, we are seeing visitation to the people and areas of interest by politicians (past and present). All are trying to be relevant now and wanting to be people-friendly, taking a selfie and commenting on issues that it should be done like this or like that. What is most interesting to note, the ordinary people have the power in their hands to vote someone into parliament or out. Please people you be the judge and do not waste your time or vote on irrelevant politicians. Election aweh! JUKI FONG CHEW Nadawa, Nasinu
LETTER OF THE WEEK ENDING — 17/11-23/11/25
Been there, used it!
My line of work is a never-ending one of travelling to all the urban centers of Fiji with the exception of Levuka. During these travels, I have had the wonderful privilege of using the public toilets in Fiji’s cities and towns – even if it’s been just for a two-minute trickle. On rare occasions it’s sometimes a wee bit longer. From those delightful moments spent in them, I have seen and smelt enough and read the graffiti to be able to privately rank the lavatories in terms of cleanliness, usability and aesthetic appeal in my mind. So here goes: Ba, Rakiraki, Suva Bus Stand, Savusavu, Nadi Bus Stand and its market one are all equal at the bottom. Navua, Tavua, and Labasa are just slightly above and so is Nausori. Thanks to recent renovations the Lautoka Bus stand and Sigatoka loos are sitting comfortably at the top end of the scale. Alone at top spot is the Tailevu one in Korovou Town. From the outside one sees a building that has sharp defined architectural lines. It is well-constructed, spacious, clean, has clean white tiles very well-lit and hygienic. Travellers may be forgiven for thinking that one is entering an operating theater! All in all, the Tailevu Town loo is aesthetically pleasing. And the 50 cents entry fee is worth it. Nadi Airport terminal ones are in a different class of their own. Happy travelling, enjoy the sights, smells, the graffiti, and the facility when passing through our urban centres. WILLIAM ROSA Ba
LETTER OF THE WEEK ENDING — 24/11-30/11/25
Hotline portal
Highlight of the day: the Fiji Police Force will soon introduce a new system to report police misconduct (FT 25/11). One wonders whether such approach will soon be adopted by the Coalition or any government for that matter. Oh, perhaps it is time to send a surprise naughty list of all the snollygosters to Santa Claus this Christmas! Yehdo! Let’s dedicate this song to all the non- sense politicians, guys, “Santa Claus is coming to town!” “He’s making a list and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” “So be good for goodness’ sake!” Ladies and gentlemen, election is around the corner, so remember that anonymous old phrase highlighted by none other than Robin Williams in one of the movies, “Politicians are a lot like diapers, they should be changed frequently and for the same reason”. Keep that in mind, Fiji, the next time you vote! LITIANA M- RAKIRE Nabua, Suva
LETTER OF THE WEEK ENDING — 01/12-07/12/25
Does sorry pay?
Sunday afternoon seemed to be panning out well after a blockbuster lotu in the morning. The usual sifting through those discounts at Prouds, then a cup of coffee followed by some shopping at Extra. This red coloured taxi had parked beside me, waiting for its passengers to return from shopping. Preparing to drive away, this young bloke comes and flings open the rear door of his waiting taxi, the door slamming into the side of my vehicle. I confronted him about it, and he said “sorry”. I told him his sorry meant nothing as he had caused damage already which couldn’t be fixed with a sorry. His partner in the front seat defended him, telling me that he had said sorry and that the matter was closed. Both started yelling at me. I drove away and still carry the damage since the sorry did not fix the damage. But they got away with it by apologising. I was advised by my wife not to engage in argument. I reluctantly took the advice but cannot fathom the sorry part. DONALD SINGH Suva
LETTER OF THE WEEK ENDING — 08/12-14/12/25
Termite control
The new way to control termites are being proposed by many, including the Members of Parliament; the sad part is in Fiji everyone seems to know everything and come out with new ideas. Since the first time the Asian subterranean termites were discovered in Tavakubu in Lautoka, many different pest control companies gave their views on how to control it then, but unfortunately those in authority didn’t listen. I was part of the team and had experienced first hand when some in authority laughed about the destructive nature of the Asian subterranean termites. Some years later a termite task force was created in Lautoka which had some police and military personnel, they started spraying and putting termite dust around many houses. Many of us informed the then Government that these termites would migrate to other parts of Fiji because of our inter island vessels and the flying lifestyle of adult termites. In many parts of Australia and many Asian countries these termites are controlled by simple methods. What Fiji needs to do is adopt one of those methods to control these termites, as these termites will never be eradicated. NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
Twist and turn
Life is like a roller coaster ride with several ups and downs, bad and good times, happy and sad phases. Though everything that happens brings some kind of lesson or guidance for us. Every individual goes through hardships that either will break them or make them a better version of themselves. It’s the moments that challenge us that truly transform us. Taki! WISE MUAVONO Headstrom Pl, Balawa, Lautoka
Cost of living
The rate at which the cost of living is rising in Fiji, do you think the five cent coin will be phased out soon? MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
EFL tariff
The pen has won, yet again. DONALD SINGH Suva
Survived 2025
Somehow we survived 2025. We are just a day away from 2026. Every year in Fiji, things become harder and harder. Or is it I’m the only one thinking that way? AMINISITAI TORA Nadera, Nasinu
Where’s the money
I didn’t hear any of the Coalition Government ministers or other parliamentary members, who awarded themselves a huge pay rise, quickly coming to the aid of Giya Geetanjali Prasad. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Alcohol, bus system, light
Alcohol overconsumption
The headline “Alcohol overconsumption worry” (FT 30/12) highlights a crisis that is, unfortunately, far from new. If a product is scientifically proven to cause significant harm to both the individual and the community, why do authorities allow it to be promoted at all? I firmly believe that alcohol should be subject to the same advertising bans as tobacco. For too long, alcohol has escaped the level of regulatory scrutiny applied to other substances, despite its clear link to domestic issues, road accidents, and health crises. The Government must do more to ensure these brands are “snuffed out” of the public imagination. We cannot claim to be serious about tackling overconsumption while simultaneously allowing the industry to glamorise its use through public promotion. SAILOSI NAEWE Dilkusha Rd, Nausori
A ratepayer’s concern
Costly oversight. A streetlight on Andrews Rd opposite my residence is burning day and night which I believe is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money, besides energy being unnecessarily drained. Its maintenance, as I understand, rests with Nadi Town Council unless it is an issue the EFL has to deal with. During my time in the council, it was the engineering department’s responsibility to carry out inspection and have the bad lights fixed on a monthly basis. It seems this practice has been done away with, hence the problem. In my view, there is no better way than to have the streetlights checked and those requiring attention to be fixed in accordance with a set time table. It’s not a massive boundary and the council has the needed resources to easily and promptly address a problem of this nature conveniently as per budget. It seems there is no check and balance, that is why the ratepayers have to intervene. Since the ratepayers are the ones who provide the needed funds for the council to run effectively, they have every right to question if something is amiss. Honestly speaking, I have not seen our town slipping down to this level ever before, especially when it was governed by elected councillors who served voluntarily, unlike the present special administrators who are paid handsomely working part time. As soon as possible, this additional budgetary constraint on ratepayers put by the governments who have been running the country from 2006, needs to go. Enough damage has already been caused and the ratepayers cannot bear it any more. Please make sure the municipal elections are held next year as announced without using any last-minute dilly dally tactic which we have often seen to be the case. SURESH CHAND Nadi
E-ticketing system
It’s always good to give credit where it’s due. Thank you to our government for the “pause” to reflect and fix the present challenges in regards to the e-Ticketing system. It’s always a good feeling when you are being heard for the right purpose for our country and its people. Always remember people are not against moving forward in terms of technology. It’s the way and the speed it accelerates taking into consideration the type of environment, facilities and people. Thank you and hope for the best in terms of upgrades and improvements. Please allow cash to be used in exceptional situations. KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
