Heartbreak for grieving family!
My heart goes out to Atonio Peni Nagata’s family who grieves his demise after the beloved police officer lost his life in a fatal road crash which cut short his life. Yesterday’s The Fiji Times captured the picture of the family and what captured my attention was this beautiful line, ‘Family is like music- some high notes, some low notes but always a beautiful song.’ Atonio’s simple plans for breakfast ended in heartbreak, leaving his mother mourning and her only son, his wife widowed and three young children growing up without a father. A trip to buy the ingredients to bake a pie ended in tragedy. The craving for a homemade pie took the life of the 26-year-old police officer. The Editor-in-chief’s editorial titled ‘A moment can change everything’ (FT 15/10) is a reminder to road users and drivers to stick to the road rules. Drivers must watch their speed, while pedestrians must exercise caution while crossing roads. Thank you, Fred Wesley, for the reminder, “So, let us slow down, respect the rules and value the lives entrusted to us on our roads.” As we approach the festive season, let’s unite to respect lives on our roads. Every life matters! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu.
Champion v champion
I am writing this not to undermine the Fiji FA or any team, but as an honest reflection on the planned fixture. If Ba has won all the major titles this season, why stage a Champion versus Champion series against another team? Ba has already established itself as the undisputed champion of the season and deserves recognition and reward accordingly.
The questions are:
1. What additional champion status would Ba gain by beating Navua, a team that has not won any competition?
2. What happens if Navua wins the series? Would Navua then be crowned the Champion of Champions, despite Ba having won every major title during the season? Would such a label accurately reflect the overall achievements of Fiji football’s best-performing team? A single series should not automatically outweigh an entire season of success.
While a Champion versus Champion fixture can be meaningful when two teams have won separate major competitions, its purpose becomes questionable when one club has already dominated the season. Such a match will be seen to be organised simply for the sake of tradition. Ba’s achievements deserve recognition, not a question mark. Fiji Football administrators must ensure that titles carry a clear meaning and that a team’s success throughout the season is not overshadowed by the outcome of an additional series. V Sharma Lautoka
Financial pressure
Ministers face significant financial expectations and pressures from traditional, religious and community fundraising activities, as echoed by the Fisheries Minister (FT 14/10/26). Is that not just a “fraction” of MPs’ social responsibility? Everything about such occasions, I believe, are just part of parliamentary representatives’ embodiment. It is an individual’s choice to address, as one sees fit, in my view. However, if one entered into parliament to make a living, I am certain, similar “defensive” statements will always be argued. And if the current salary and perks aren’t enough, I don’t know what will. In fact, I believe, ministers are paid primarily to create, propose, implement and enhance the “progressive development” of Fiji. Not otherwise. Unfortunately, in my view, from the current governance’s “footprint”, almost all have been on a vacation picnic. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Our constitution
While the NFP president wants Christianity removed as founding constitutional value, may I remind him that modern society is based on these very values. The laws recorded in the holy Scriptures is the foundation of most society. As mankind evolved and strayed away from these values, society began to slowly erode and if that continues, we may be extinct. What values should we base our constitution on then? Those societies where death sentence is applied by religious laws or divide society based on caste? Should we base our constitution on non-faith-based values where citizens are imprisoned for practising their faith or for non-compliance of governmental directives that may be against their religious beliefs. It is these Christian values that has allowed the migration of other societal members to prosper and to practice their religious faith in peace. The removal of Christianity as a founding constitutional value will not change the Christian values that are embedded in the constitution. Edward Kumar Lautoka
Shoes not allowed
Could the management of the Tuatua Crematorium explain why we have to take off our shoes to enter the crematorium? Sukha Singh Labasa
Different white
Alongside the white sandy beaches, has Fiji become popular for a different kind of white? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Top coach
JAKE White as Flying Fijians coach. That’s top, top, top level. He will certainly bring out the best from his squad. However, I’m afraid he might also bring out the best from the coaches of New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa and others. Such is his calibre. How to convince Mark Nawaqanitawase to join is another challenge. Donald Singh Nausori
RLWC kicks off!
THE much-awaited Rugby League World Cup kicked off last night between the Kangaroos, the most successful team in the competition, and New Zealand. This would be followed by tonight’s brutal affair between Samoa and France. Tomorrow, PNG and Lebanon face each other, followed by the heavyweight affair between Tonga and England. Round one concludes with an exciting clash between the Fiji Bati v the Cook Islands clash. Thank you, FBC TV, for airing the matches live. We have a lot of rugby league followers in the country, and they will be able to watch their favourite local and National Rugby League (NRL) players live in action. The Kangaroos head into the tournament as favourites, while England, Samoa and Tonga will be the teams to beat. Nothing to be taken away from the Fiji Bati which is set to thrill and entertain their followers with those moves and big hits. Wishing rugby league fans all the best! Toso Bati! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Fear not
What are you afraid of?
Death: We’re all gonna die.
Bankruptcy: You can make it all back.
Shame: Everyone will forget in a week.
Rejection: It happens to everyone.
Failure: It’s part of the path.
Judgment: They’ll judge anyway.
Losing people: Not all are meant to stay.
Making mistakes: You’ll survive them.
Taking risks: Regret hurts more.
Live everyday like it’s your last.
Source — viral social media script. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Better response from FNPF
ONE of your regular open column writers, Kirti Patel wrote a very empathetic letter, ‘FNPF pensions’ (FT 15/10) regarding the plight of pensioners who are victims of Decree 51. The letter is in response to the FNPF statement (FT 12/10) which makes the grossly exaggerated and fear mongering claim that restitution to those affected by the 2011-12 FNPF reforms may be paid up to $700million. It is really unbecoming of Fiji’s largest financial corporation to make this claim against the 1371 surviving pensioners of the misappropriation of their monthly pensions. The original number of affected pensioners was 14,000. Over the past 15 years, we have lost over 12,000 of these victims of the cruel decree as each week or month, one or two died without seeing pension justice done. I believe the compulsory misappropriation was sanctioned by an illegal regime and our hope that the 2022 democratically elected Government will address the issue for all affected pensioners, and their beneficiaries has increasingly faded away. Vijay Naidu Nailuva Rd, Suva
Good leadership
I AM writing to express my concern about the importance of good leadership in Fiji. Effective leadership is essential for the development of our communities and the nation. Leaders should demonstrate honesty, responsibility, fairness, and respect when making decisions that effect the public. Poor leadership, a lack of transparency, and limited accountability can weaken public trust and slow national development. Therefore, leaders must listen to the concerns of citizens, make fair decisions, and use their authority responsibly. Young people should also be encouraged to develop leadership skills and participate positively in their communities. Suesa Praise Simeona Veisari, Lami
What is next?
TO suggest a commemorative $5 banknote celebrating Ba FC’s four-title victories and featuring its interim president is quite frankly, an absurd proposition. First, let me congratulate Ba FC on its hard-earned achievements. Clinching four titles is certainly a triumph worth celebrating. However, may I remind everyone that Ba has not won the FIFA World Cup. These are local football, “bazaar” standard tournaments, the likes of which are regularly contested in Fiji. What’s next? Every Tom, Dick and Harry who wins a local competition will expect their faces printed on a banknote. Perhaps we should start printing special notes for winning a village rugby tournament, a netball competition or even the neighbourhood kava-drinking championship! My pet cat, Biku, does a remarkable job keeping mice and rats at bay at home. Should I submit a proposal to the Reserve Bank of Fiji for a commemorative $5 note honouring Biku’s outstanding contribution to pest control? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? If Ba FC officials and supporters are looking for a grand way to celebrate their accomplishments, may I suggest painting the entire Ba Town black. That would certainly make a statement without involving the nation’s currency. Nishant Singh Lautoka
