Aarna’s day out at the festival
WHILE scrolling through Facebook, I came across a story that touched my heart. The story was shared by Sonia Shainaaz, a single parent and the mother of a child with severe cerebral palsy. Aarna Sen had a treat of her life as her mother took her out to the Hibiscus Festival. Seeing Aarna laugh and enjoy herself at the Hibiscus Festival reminded her mother of the importance of inclusion and the need to create a space where every child, regardless of ability, can participate, feel welcome, and simply enjoy being a child. As a mother of a child with severe cerebral palsy, Sonia previously didn’t attend the Hibiscus Festival thinking about accessibility, parking, wheelchair access, crowds, washroom facilities, safety and whether her daughter would be able to participate like everyone else. However, she changed her thought on Sunday as she took her beloved daughter to Albert Park. Parking was not too disabled friendly and she struggled to park. The ground was not too friendly for Aarna’s wheelchair, but her mother pushed her way through. Watching her daughter laugh and enjoy her milk drink reminded Sonia that every child with a disability deserves such moments too. When Aarna smiled, Sonia saw more than her daughter. She saw that every child in Fiji with a disability deserved to be visible, included and valued. Through her story, she had a simple message: “Our children do not need pity. They need action. They need accessible communities, better support services, inclusive education, and leaders who listen to the lived experiences of families, raising children with disabilities.” For a mother, her daughter’s laughter at the Hibiscus Festival was beautiful. She hopes that one day inclusion will be so normal that moments like that will not be remarkable at all, but reflect the right of a child living with a disability. Aarna’s life is one of courage and constant care. Her disability comes with daily challenges, physical needs, medical care, mobility support, and emotional strength. Her mother is tested physically, emotionally and financially, but she holds on to faith. As a regular writer, I plead with readers, who can reach out to Sonia and her daughter Aarna, to do so. Any support given, will be a blessing that will go directly towards Aarna Sen’s care and daily needs. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Foundational insecurity
NAVUA deserves a proper municipal government, not a ceremony (FT 31/8/26). For 16 years, Navua has been waiting for its formal declaration and it has become the 14th town under the Ministry of Local Government. Is it really prepared for such a switch? Are all the necessary administrative mechanisms for its governing in place? Or was the formal historic announcement a “scrambling” political tactic, in the eve of the general election? What about its geopolitical aspects? Look at Nausori Town Council’s audit report (FT 31/8/26). Even in the last 10 years, nearly all of such reports for the 13 towns were very disturbing, for that matter. Is the government developing townships on sand? It may appear to be “politically correct”, but foundationally insecure, in my view. The bottom line is, “is Fiji really developing or is it recovering? The Bible advised not to “yoke” an ox and a donkey together. Nothing will ever be completely ploughed. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
Practical power of technology
A RECENT experience while driving my taxi made me realise how easily language can be a barrier that creates confusion between people. An Asian national was walking past my taxi stand when a $5 note accidentally fell from his pocket. I picked it up, followed him and tooted my horn to get his attention. I showed him the money and tried to explain that it had fallen from his pocket. However, he kept saying, “me no English, Nausori Plaza,” apparently trying to tell me where he was going. Despite my attempts to communicate through gestures, we could not understand each other. For a moment, I even thought he was not interested in the money. Later, I used Google Translate on my phone to explain what had happened. Once the message was translated, he immediately understood and accepted the money. This simple incident reminded me that language can sometimes be a bigger barrier than we realise. With Fiji becoming increasingly diverse and with visitors and workers from different countries, communication can occasionally become challenging. Thankfully, technology has made it much easier. Translation apps can bridge that gap within seconds, whether between a taxidriver and passenger, a customer and business, or simply two strangers trying to help each other. Sometimes, all it takes is a few words in the right language to turn confusion into understanding. SHAMAL CHAND Kuku Village, Nausori
Accountability crisis
PREVIOUS year a survey showed many government office employees missed eight or more hours of work on a weekly basis. Late comers to work, half day at work, and Monday and Friday off from work. Then a few weeks ago, some Cabinet ministers missed half a day of Parliament sitting. Today, news of school teachers missing more than 100 days of school. These teachers enjoy term holidays and public holidays. Service provided to customers should be prioritized by government officials. They are paid because of customers. We have seen students missing school for no genuine reasons. If teachers are not in school, students reap the benefit of not attending classes. Again, teachers enjoy salaries because of students. How could anyone address or discipline Cabinet ministers with hefty salaries, neglecting sessions of the august house, and entitled to serve the nation and its people? SARITA LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
Socioeconomic contradiction
IT was reported in the local news that in his maiden speech as President after his inauguration, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said “You can’t be free-riding. It’s no longer time for free rides. You need to sweat for your own food and drinks. You cannot expect others to do the hard work for you” (‘President Warns, No Free Riders’ FS 13/11/2024). Now it is reported in the news that President Ratu Naiqama is being sent to the September UN General Assembly with an entourage of nine including his butler, personal physician and a domestic staff at a cost of $45,668 on air fares alone. It does not include all the other related expenses for the trip. I wonder if there is a public perception that this amounts to a free ride on public funds? RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hrgovic stops Itauma
THIS was one of the best fights I have seen in a long time. Something went wrong in this fight. Itauma could not drop Filip Hrgovic. Itauma lost very badly and ended up being carried on a stretcher. In boxing you most have the ability to take punches also. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Legality vs morality
HERE’S a little word of wisdom for those responsible for “stealing” and betraying surviving senior FNPF pensioners: “People who respect themselves can never hurt or betray older citizens their right to hard-earned pensions.” Karma can be extremely cruel and just as painful. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Policy evolution
I REFER to the illuminating report by Katherine Naidu on PM Sitiveni Rabuka’s speech at FRIEND Fiji’s 25th Anniversary celebrations in Lautoka on fighting poverty (PM calls for wider fight against poverty – FS 30/8/26). PM Rabuka has apparently better educated himself on the nature and extent of the debilitating impact of poverty in the country. That’s a good thing for the nation’s leader to do to set the policy framework for tackling poverty. I recall attending a DDC meeting in Lautoka after the 1987 coup when the then PM Rabuka was publicly and bombastically saying there was no poverty in Fiji. As someone working in the Social Welfare Department in Fiji and in touch with the life of struggle and hardship of the poor, compounded by the military coup, I felt depressed by Rabuka’s view at that time. It is good to know he now sees things differently on the poverty front in Fiji. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
COVID-19 assistance
NOT the superhit UB40 song from Labor of Love II. But rather a revisit to the reported case of unverified 2021 COVID payout. I’m furious because I saw what was happening during the rollout of the program, especially when my tax money was involved. Supermarkets, municipal markets and booze outlets were full of people, many with proud chatter on how each one in their family managed to get the money, a few families of six or seven all benefitting. There was nowhere one could complain. The system itself was dishing it out apparently without scrutiny. Sadly, all I read is that the Standing Committee “recommended the Ministry of Finance document all future risk assessments and require conflict of interest declarations from staff managing relief programs”. Nothing happens about the financial fraud that happened? The Auditor-General’s findings cannot be brushed aside with mere caution for the future. Some years ago there was a taxi permit lottery where there was a threshold for income, combined family income. A colleague at the time went for it and got the permit, only to voluntarily return it after I asked him how he got it despite sitting above the income threshold. Major taxi operators got permits under the same program. Well-heeled people cashed in while those who were eligible were still running around looking for JPs with application forms and statutory declarations. I have always wondered if all these scams by the people, aided and abetted by officials managing the programs, would ever be exposed. Can we please initiate formal investigations and expedite them through the justice system before the elections please? This is not a politically motivated letter. DONALD SINGH Nausori
Bargaining with farmers
AS a farmer myself, I sell my fresh produce on Sundays. I often experience consumers asking, “Can you reduce the price?” or “Can you give me some extra?” Farmers work hard in the sun and rain, while spending money on seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, fuel and transport and at times risk their planting due to unfavourable weather and climate change. Yet, some people still hesitate to pay a fair price for fresh vegetables. What surprises me is that some of the same consumers will spend freely on alcohol, cigarettes and luxuries without asking for a discount. They may even happily buy an extra bottle or packet. So why bargain with the farmer? Farmers deserve to be paid fairly for their hard work. If we want to support local agriculture, we must also respect the people who grow our food. Farmers feed our families and our nation. Let’s value their hard work and pay them fairly. SHAMAL CHAND Kuku Village, Nausori
