Golden finish to the golden games!
The 51st golden games produced a golden finish and ended in thrilling fashion. As the dust settled, the defending girls champions MGM High and Queen Victoria School were crowned champions. MGM made it three-in-a-row in the girls division, while QVS ended a 33-year wait in the boys. The stadium was filled with a vibrant force of athletes who induced a wave of robust competition. In a fierce athletics rivalry, the best athletes converged in Suva. While some fulfilled that dream of going home with a medal, others returned home without one, but with fond and colourful memories. They had the guts to take part in front of a jam-packed and passionate HFC Bank Stadium, filled to the brim with athletics lovers from all walks of life who witnessed a kaleidoscope of colours. The hype was built up perfectly and the excitement, interest and magical atmosphere was felt around the nation. Our athletes stood up for the test, with months of preparations, and those who prepared best came out sizzling. The emotions expressed after the races showed the intensity of the races and the amount of preparation put in by the athletes who had to be prepared physically, mentally and spiritually. QVS won the boys title in style, but they had to fight hard as the defending champions were right behind their neck. Coach Banuve Tabakaucoro proved his magical touch and dedicated the victory to his squad’s hard work and consistency. QVS’ strategic planning, off-season training, teamwork, faith in each other and positive attitude were rewarded. I salute Josese Murimurivalu for his sterling performance — a star in the making! His 200m finish raised the blue flags and changed the energy as pundits sensed that history was about to unfold. Jo did not just win that race, but he lifted the morale and momentum in the QVS camp and turned tense nerves into triumph. QVS’ unity, pride and passion stood out. MGM also delivered a smashing victory, but they had to take the extra mile as Adi Cakobau School finished second. The likes of Lydia Waqairapoa, Sera Nasilivata and the best female athlete Veniana Ranadi delivered dominant performances. To MGM and QVS, congratulations on the epic wins! To all the other athletes, you are winners! Keep the Coca-Cola Games flame and values burning! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu.
Grace Road says thanks
I thank your correspondent Suresh Chand of Nadi for the detailed and positive comments in his letter, “Exemplary set up”, on April 27. It was about the Grace Road Group (GRgroup) supermarket business. Mr Chand and all GR customers can be assured the company is totally committed to maintaining and enhancing its standards of service and amenities. The GRgroup’s dedication to serving the people of Fiji is total. I can confirm that the group has plans in place for expanding its interests to other parts of Fiji. With thanks again to Mr Chand. Colonel (Rtd) Sakiusa Raivoce Chair, strategic advisory Board – GRgroup
Sugar industry
While sugarcane farmers and truck drivers do their level best to transport their produce come every crushing season, Lautoka Sugar Mill breakdown saga erupts. A seven-month period is allocated for repair and maintenance of sugar mills before crushing with Fiji Sugar Corporation engineers and mechanics, I believe, deliberately delaying such to earn considerable hours of overtime. For many years cane cutters, cane farmers and truck drivers and their families who depend on the industry have suffered. Cane cutters and farmers helplessly wait for standing cane to be harvested the following season. Also, hundreds of drivers safeguard their cane laden trucks, each for several days, to avoid being damaged or robbed by criminals. Standing cane and days of delay in crushing also impacts sugar content of cane. Laxity from Fiji Sugar Corporation management needs to be seriously addressed to resolve further dwindle of the already ailing sugar industry. SARITA LAL Lautoka
MPs salary reduction
The Government has approved a 20 per cent pay cut (FT 1/5/26). What a promising response in light of the global oil crisis, in my view. Is this really a part of what I called “servant leadership” character? Or is it about the approaching 2026 General Election? Does it only need to happen during a time such as this? From the initial 150 per cent MP’s salary upgrade, I believe, 20 per cent reduction is very minimal. But to those who entered Parliament “to make a living”, I am certain, it would be unfair and very hurtful. Let us be hopeful that decisions along these lines are genuinely of good intent and not otherwise. There is a saying, “Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel”. Samu Silatolu Nakasi, Nausori
Scapegoating the tenants
In his article “Rethinking TLTB’s true purpose” (FT 2/5), Ro Naulu Mataitini claims that the iTaukei have long been denied a fair return from their land because of their goodwill gesture in leasing them at below the market value. He further insinuates that the iTaukei are being shortchanged at the expense of their generosity extended towards the tenants. While the tenants (a large chunk of which constitutes Indo-Fijians) unashamedly continue to prosper from this exploitation. Thus portraying them as unscrupulous and ungrateful for not showing any empathy for the plight and wellbeing of the landowners. Such narratives only give rise to the perception that iTaukei are living in poverty or lagging behind economically because they are robbed of a fair share of their wealth. In other words, they are victims of this economic disparity. It is unfortunate that no cognizance is given to the tenant community for their contribution to the economic development of the country and the hardship they face when they are displaced from their land. Contrary to the mistaken view, not all Indo-Fijians are rich. A sizeable proportion of girmitiya descendants are poor and struggling for their survival. One may ask if 91 per cent of the land is owned by the iTaukei then why so many of them are landless and homeless in their own country. How many of them are living in informal settlements? And why most of the young generation iTaukei are opting for seasonal work opportunities overseas rather than farming their own land. Shifting blame to others for one’s failure can prove to be counterproductive and an impediment to growth and success. Perhaps, it may be timely and worthwhile to commission a study as to what percentage of the iTaukei land are currently tenanted and what portion are lying idle and why. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Civilian justice
I read with much interest, the article in The Fiji Times 4/5/26, in regards to “Man charged over death of 5-year-old girl”. By all accounts he appears to be lucky to be alive. I quote from the Reuters article published, “The girls killing and subsequent capture of the suspect, after he was found and beaten unconscious by locals”. This was in Australia. What this message tells me is that not only in Fiji do we take the law unto ourselves. Tai Smith Kinoya, Nasinu
Food for thought
Nishant Singh has been asking for several years why a major burger chain does not have bacon or pork in its menu. In the absence of any other explanation, the only logical explanation I can provide is that they are halal certified. Hope that satisfies Nishant. What Nishant and others in Fiji should realise is that with Fiji increasingly becoming “Little Israel”, pork and pork products will become even more scarce in the future. I do not think even the Fijian Israelites realise that at this point. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Labasa made it
CONGRATULATIONS! Babasiga Lions winning in Ba’s home ground. Lingam must be celebrating most with The Fiji Times reports and pictures. Ba toh Ba “Raha”. Best wishes and keep the ball rolling. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
School holidays
The first term of school holidays is upon us and children will be enjoying themselves from being free from a classroom environment. These are also times when some parents are likely to slacken their supervisory advice/monitoring to their respective children which usually ends up in a negative situation. Please parents ensure you know every movement, intention, gathering of your children and continue to provide the necessary guidance at all times. Happy holidays. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
How much is enough?
Paul Forrest’s simple question goes to the heart of the matter of the Vuda waste-to-energy project (ST 3/5): If the largest environmental protest ever in Fiji cannot stop the project “dead on its tracks”, what can? What indeed? Makes a thinking person wonder whether there is a hidden agenda to push through the project by politically powerful people? Is that why the permit to hold a protest march was denied? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Proper parenting
Thank you to our The Fiji Times editor for his editorial titled “Changing mindsets”! On Saturday, the FT published my letter “Juvenile delinquency” and re-reading it I realise that my use of the word “normal” to describe families that are neglectful of their children was probably a bad choice — “ordinary” would have been better — but that is what Fred Wesley is talking about when he writes. “Perhaps we can organise some activities for our children to be engaged in”. My family was far from ordinary in many ways, but in the upbringing of their children they were very ordinary indeed. They loved us – they protected us – and they made us secure. But more than that, they gave us all those things that, tragically, Fred Wesley has been forced to ask parents to give their children today. We learned new languages – my brother enjoyed extra-curricular sports. I learned piano and ballet – I was a Brownie and he a Cub. We were members of libraries – books were bought for us. We enjoyed trips to the beach and long walks. We helped to prepare and cook in the kitchen, and we had regular chores to do at home. We were given help and encouragement with our homework. When we were older we were involved in amateur dramatics, choral singing, and elocution classes. And we were disciplined. We were smacked on the bottom and the things – we were sent to our rooms for a period of time – our bicycles or other toys were temporarily confiscated – and yes, we were shouted at! ‘STOP THAT! RIGHT NOW! OR ELSE!’. To which today’s child would likely reply – oh, yeah, who says? I have just received an email from my brother in the UK who relates reading a recent report which claims: In the UK 46 per cent of parents with laptops and tablets sit their children aged 4 and below in front of the screen for three or more hours a day. Many prop their babies in front on screens, and a significant number leave their children in front of computers, unsupervised, for six or more hours a day. To my mind this is neither normal nor ordinary: it is indicative of “dumbing down” and “anything for an easy life”. It can, in fact, be considered child abuse. My brother and I, and millions like us, had a very ordinary upbringing without any knowledge of any so-called rights – and we did not turn out to be obnoxious brats with neither self respect not respect for others. The whacks we got did smart a bit, but we were certainly not abused. How tragic it is that those who do know that good parenting is paramount in the raising of children now find that an essential aspect of proper parenting is illegal. Sue Cauty Pacific Harbour
