Hooray!
Oh no! Yesterday’s (04/12) The Fiji Times was interesting. Front page: A new Boeing 737 MAX 8 for our airline. The meningococcal disease outbreak that began in March has started to ease off, and the price of LPG goes up. Hooray hooray … and suddenly … Oh no! Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Great vision
I read with joy an article in The Fiji Times (04/12) titled “Improve visibility on the ground, urges Waqainabete”, wherein the Minister for Health is telling his senior leaders in his ministry not to be holed up in medical headquarters, but to visit staff on the ground, including him. To be realistic, many ministers and senior leaders hardly visit their staff on the ground and hence do not have first-hand experiences of what their people are facing in reality. However, when a single complaint against them (staff) comes from the ground they are quick to take action against them. I believe the Minister for Health is heading in the right direction and I only hope other ministers in their various ministries and senior leaders would do the same for I sincerely believe that the more visitations to staff on the ground would help build better relationships which would definitely lead to quality service. I thank the honourable minister Waqainabete for the great vision and may your wisdom be a source of inspiration to other ministers, assistance ministers and permanent secretaries of other ministries. This is what people say “walk the talk”. Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Rugby possession
Rugby gurus say that a team needs the three Ps to achieve rugby glory. Our sevens rugby coach Gareth Baber mentioned that the Fiji squad to the 2018/19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series opener in Dubai had it all: power, pace and precision, and we had to agree with him (it is our national team after all). But after watching their quarter-final loss to USA, Baber and the crew might like to add another crucial P to their wish list, and that is possession. Without the ball, you will end up puffy-faced and a poor scoreboard most of the time. Samu Railoa Tailevu
Staying positive
The report in yesterday’s The Fiji Times titled “Staying positive” was apt as Fijians celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The report shed light on Angelline Bradburgh, who despite her disability, was employed as a training teacher for the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) and she taught sewing to more than 10 students. According to Angelline, being disabled motivated her to work hard and achieve her dreams. Finally, her message to other persons living with disabilities was thought-provoking as she encouraged them not to give up and to be positive in life. Thank you Angelline for the timely reminder and thank you The Fiji Times for running the beautiful story! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Men in Black
Congratulations to the men in karia (black) for securing the coveted CVC title. A phenomenal performance indeed. As for the highly fancied Blues outfit and recent Pacific Cup champions, well I guess it’s time to hit that famous drawing board and conduct a SWOT analysis. And no, the coach does not deserve to get the boot, well not just yet. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Greetings first
The other morning (03/12), I visited the Department of Immigration Lautoka office. I greeted the official who was supposed to serve me with “hello” and “how are you?”. There was neither a reply nor a smile from him. After being served, there was “thank you” and “have a blessed day” from my side. Again there was no reply nor any smile from the official. I don’t understand why many government officials lack courtesy attending to customers. If they hesitate to greet in the first place, at least they should learn to respond to the other party. SARITA LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
Dubai 7s rugby
One hour before the second day of the Dubai 7s started I mixed a basin of grog and watched a movie. The games started at 6pm and I switched channels. As always when Fiji was about to play, the three people in me start talking. Yes, three people and they are my ego, my mind and my heart. My ego was proud and my mind said to remain calm. Then Fiji played the USA and my heart stared racing, I think it was trying to tell me to tell the boys to watch out for Perry Baker. My ego just said, “Shh just taki the grog and be calm.” The game started and the three voices in my head, one screaming, one racing and one cheering. I can’t remember which was doing what. Then Fiji lost. My ego said, “Spill the grog.” My heart said, “Sobo,
we still have to play South Africa let’s wait.” My head was too doped to speak, but I heard the word “Outclassed” being whispered. Then the finals
arrived and the New Zealanders contained the US and won. New Zealand had a plan, they saw how the US played and right there and then plotted their downfall. OK boys we see you in Cape Town, the next leg. Me, my head, my ego and my heart will be mixing again and anticipating a better performance from you. If you don’t perform, I could go crazy having three voices all talking at once. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Police visibility
POLICE Commissioner Qiliho is commended for his call for greater visibility of police officers on foot patrol on our roads, especially during peak hours. As Christmas 2018 approaches, and the evergrowing worrying speed trends continue unabated, this decision is more than a welcome relief for all road users. Our sincere thanks and great appreciation commissioner. Vina du, saka. RONNIE CHANG, Nadi
Violence not the answer
Upon reading your article titled Violence is not the answer: Memories of Sana, published in The Sunday Times, December 2, I must say, it must have brought back great sadness for the Matanatabu parents to share their story of their children’s encounter with violence; and their loss with their eldest child’s life taken away so soon, at such a young age. This story while full of sadness and tragedy highlights something I find troubling which is the involvement of young people taking another’s life. Regardless whether it was committed intentionally or accidentally, taking the life of someone is never right. Everyone has the right to life and pursue their own happiness. In addition, it is every parent or legal guardian’s right to see their children thrive to their fullest, free from harm, violence and injustice committed against them. The involvement of alcohol in the said matter is both troubling and uncommon. The misuse of consumption of alcohol by people, especially youth is something I find troubling. Go to the nightclubs and you will see the misbehaviour committed by some drunks who have disregard for law and order — vomiting on to someone’s property, urinating in public or private properties and swearing or annoying passersby. Moreover, the use of violence resulting in brawls by some drunks is fearful and a sad sight, a scene all parents try to stop their children from witnessing during a family night out. Everyone has the right to drink and enjoy themselves, to drive on roads and walk freely in town, bus stop and taxi base areas and in a neighbourhood. But each of these rights comes with responsibilities. In the case of those who do drink, with family at home and their community members must always promote drinking responsibly, whether it be grog or alcohol beverages. The result of not drinking responsibly, well, the evidence is in the news. Irene Young Delainavesi
Cost of living
Before we are able to surmise a solution to any problem, we must first understand the problem. We must figure out who (if there is a who) is behind it, what is happening, why it is happening right now, and why they are behaving in such a way as to create this problem, in other words, their motive. It should be of no surprise to anyone who has left their house in the past few years that several things are as some would say “out of wack” pricing wise, compared with what we would have considered normal not that long ago. This holds true in several areas however those that are most noticeable at this time, and that people are griping the most about, are: High (and rising) gas prices; Rising food prices; and Lower wages and incomes. The media, extremely lacking in all domains as far as bringing out the unbiased, objective, non-subjective truth has facilitated many reasons for why commodities, especially now that of food, have risen in price so extensively as of late. I believe this is done most often by bringing on the air experts on these individual areas of concern. As many are noticing more and more nowadays the news no longer holds true to its goal of “no-spin” news. I believe the majority of their reports and discussions are heavily biased, with a hidden motive to further something or another. We the public are tired of the hate, fear mongering and sense that ignorance is best. While most people calling for lower government spending and taxes spoke in general terms, many seeking changes in health care elaborated with personal stories. It’s been percolating and now we should be doing something about it. Bill Kunavatu Lautoka
Zooming past
Whenever I see an ambulance zoom past with lights flashing and siren blaring, I often wonder if it’s really an emergency or they just trying to beat the traffic. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Great priorities
A lot of negatives have been said in the past pre-election relevant to this important government department, but in reading through our dailies Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has kicked-off his new Cabinet portfolio on a high note, correcting many claims and misconceptions. He is getting on and dealing with the first things first before getting down to more technical and administrative affairs and other important issues of the Ministry of Health. Great priorities and well done doc. Tukai lagonilakeba Namaka, Nadi
Government works
After reading Wise Muavono’s letter where he mentioned that the Natabua Rd got a million and two patches and he thinks that it will be logical to gravel our roads cannot go unchallenged. May I remind Wise that under my government (FFP) more of our gravel roads have been transformed into better tarseal roads. The former minister for roads did a very good job and I am sure the present minister will do the same. My government has build more roads and more bridges than any other government. Maybe I can offer Wise a fully paid trip around Viti levu and Vanua Levu so he can see for himself what my government did and what they are still doing! Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Indiscipline costly
Even though we were bundled out by the USA who denied us possession, the closest we came to a defeat was against Scotland who employed the same techniques but luckily their last try was unaccounted by Rasta Rashivenge the referee. Indiscipline let us down badly. Better luck next time. Amenatave Yaconisau Palm Drive, Delainavesi
Two-man rule
To help Simon Hazelman and like-minded others — who think it’s perfectly alright for a small country like Fiji to have two-man rule with absolute control — better understand the risk inherent in such a system of governance, I recommend London School of Economics Professor Harold Laski’s 1930 book Liberty in the Modern State. What he said about the threat to democracy and human liberty at that time remains all the more pertinent for our time given the resurgence of authoritarianism worldwide. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
