Simon’s letter
Our regular correspondent from the Hidden Paradise Simon Hazelman wrote a beautiful piece (F/T 25/12) and I salute him for the powerful letter.
In his letter, Simon mentioned that he simply wrote his honest opinion whether he was for or against a subject and he also thanked the various letter writers and the staff and management of The Fiji Times.
Dear Simon, I love reading every letter that you write and trust me, I never miss reading any of your letters which upon conclusion leaves a smile on my face!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Christmas greetings
Wednesday’s cover page with the words ‘Joy to the world’ was a class.
As I scanned The Fiji Times, I read warm Christmas greetings messages from the management of The Fiji Times, religious leaders, and some past and present politicians.
However, I was saddened not to read Christmas greetings message from our Prime Minister and his excellency our President.
Anyways, I’m looking forward to their New Year’s message as we begin a new year.
Finally, let’s reflect on the message from Kirit Patel who urged Fijians to become instruments of peace and seek to build a kinder, gentler society this Christmas.
I quote Mr Patel, “Our Fiji is built on the spirit of community, togetherness, charitableness, sharing, love and hopefulness.
We find strength in our differences, and celebrate everything we have in common and we do our part to take care of each other and make life better for the people around us.
That’s what Christmas and Fiji is all about.”
Wise words meant for every Fijian including our politicians and leaders!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
World class
In apropos of article, Resort concluded the year with charity and visits by Monika Singh.
Fiji is the tourism hub in the Pacific and tourist flock in numbers towards this heaven even more in Christmas and New Year, I would like to share my experience at Warwick Resort, Coral Coast where I recently went for a holiday break with family.
I think this is a family resort and gives special care for a family with kids, that is a high-end resort due to its scenic beauty, numerous activities and humble staff but not in terms of pricing.
Despite all the positives, we faced little discomfort due to unforeseen circumstances that were not in the hands of the resort managers to rectify at the moment of our stay.
I am extremely pleased with the resort managers who understood the genuine problem and gave us another day complimentary stay.
This shows the vision of the managerial staff to take care of the tourists and make their trip worthwhile, to gain goodwill.
I would recommend this resort for the tourists who are looking forward to a lifetime of relaxing and quality holiday.
Fiji has been paradise and resorts like Warwick make this true.
Dr Sakul Kundra, Lautoka
Hard year
National Federation Party (NFP) leader, Professor Biman Prasad, in his Christmas message, said that it has been a hard year for families in Fiji (FT:25/12).
From where I’m at, just about every family in the area drank kava, smoked cigarettes and what next every night of the week including washing down over the weekends.
Our shorefronts are littered with empty beer and other alcoholic bottles and cans.
It’s like people here are celebrating Christmas every weekend with so much merrymaking that their habits have become a menace to society.
I’m amazed at the amount of money and time spent on these mind-altering substances.
Professor Biman Prasad reminds us that Christmas is the remembrance of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and that it signifies renewal, restoration and hope.
Let’s hope that families renew their lifestyle and restore their priorities and family values in the hope that 2020 will be better in terms of prosperity and good health.
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Cyclone focus
Is it possible that the Met department can send a projection of the impending cyclone to President Trump to allow him to use his magic marker and send this cyclone away from Fiji?
Not necessarily all the way to Alabama but far enough that my outboard motor cover does not end up in the village again.
Mike Gepp, Tuvu Bay
New year
It’s around that time of the year again.
Back to the new year’s resolutions list.
If things are that important, why wait for 2020?
Why not start from today?
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Climate change
The argument used by developing countries that they didn’t originally put carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and so shouldn’t be required to take action on climate change, directly implies that giving up burning fossil fuels is economically damaging.
Surely renewable and low-carbon energy should be viewed as efficient and economical for all nations?
Rod Matthews, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Bus fares
I thought the eTransport card was to help the bus owners and the government to find out the exact amount of bus fares collected.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
The Hub
The opening of The Hub — a $12 million shopping complex located on the corner of Dravuni St and Sukanaivalu Rd is expected to provide a unique and totally complete shopping experience for people of the Sugar City. (The Fiji Times)
It’s a huge thing.
Ahem, I was just comparing this to my beloved swimming pool, it can fit in The Hub 20 times.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Lautoka
Paid out
Well done to the minister, permanent secretary and all those involved within the Ministry of Employment in ensuring workers underpaid by their employers were paid out (FT 24/12).
I know there are more underpaid workers awaiting the ministries intervention.
We look forward to a progressive new year.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Two sides
I FULLY respect Korina Waibuta’s sentiments that Christmas is not the time to name and shame someone and his family publicly (FT 25/12).
However, one must understand there is something much bigger than that.
It is called truth and justice which must prevail at all times whether it is Christmas Day or any other day.
There is no trial by the media here.
Both individuals have chosen to tell the public their versions of the allegation of their own volition.
They were not interviewed by the newspaper.
Be as it may, we have heard both sides of the story and should now allow the justice system to do its work.
Selwa Nandan, Lautoka
Headline issue
Korina may wish Christmas to be all sugar and light, but the reality is the darkness of evil exists – even in the Christmas story.
The slaughter of the innocent children by Herod cannot be overlooked, nor should the suffering of women.
Thank you Fred for giving space for both sides of the story.
It is good to listen, but please, it is not for us the readers and public to do the judging.
Tessa Mackenzie, Suva
Struggle for something
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” – Muhammad Ali
With the approach of 2020, people will have resolutions.
The vast majority of those resolutions will crash and burn before the end of January.
Part of the reason for that is resolutions are based on outcomes.
Lose weight, start a successful business, gain muscle, enter a passionate relationship.
What we need to resolve to do is commit instead to a process — eating better and exercising, doing the work, lifting weights, being open to new people.
Beyond that, resolutions are a call for change that we’re already dead set against.
The reason that New Year’s resolutions don’t work is that we each have established patterns of behaviours and deeply held beliefs that resist change.
For every conscious resolution to lose weight, stop drinking, save money, call your mum more often, control your temper, or finish that project there are unconscious commitments to keep things exactly as they are.
So, what we’re really setting ourselves up for each new year is struggle, starting with the fight against our unconscious desire to not change.
On top of that, you have the struggle of the process itself, whether that be starting something new (working out), or quitting a bad habit (smoking).
So instead of resolutions involving a beneficial outcome, ask yourself, what are you willing to struggle for in 2020?
These type of loaded questions kick like an angry mule.
Rather than relying on misguided January 1 optimism, set yourself up for success by admitting it’s going to be hard, really hard — but worth it.
“No pain, no gain” isn’t just about the gym.
It’s about achieving anything worthwhile you choose to pursue.
Choose wisely my friend, your future depends upon it.
My greatest wish for you in 2020 is that you choose something that tests you, that challenges you and most important, that’s worth suffering for!
Arvind Mani, Nadi
