Vude Queen still reigns
Fiji’s Vude Queen, Laisa Vulakoro, who is a renowned singer and performer and is a familiar name in many iTaukei and non-iTaukei households, has given Fiji’s music industry 40 years of soothing, heart-touching and exciting music. I’m glad that Vulakoro is stepping into a milestone year with renewed energy, fresh music and a long-awaited national tour in sight (ST: 11/01), and I’m adamant that the Lord will bless this talented musician great health, and energy, vigour and enthusiasm to continue doing what she’s doing best — touching people’s heart with her songs which are filled with beautiful words, rhythm and emotions. I agree with Vulakoro that music must keep its human soul, even in the age of artificial intelligence and that music must retain its human voice. For Vulakoro, authenticity, culture and emotion remain irreplaceable. No wonder this enduring spirit continues to define her remarkable music journey. Thank you, Alifereti Sakiasi and The Sunday Times, for honouring Vulakoro! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Baseless allegations
When an allegation is alleged against someone, the person who is alleging is to provide the evidence/witnesses to support the allegation for it to stand in a court of law. What is the use of broadcasting an allegation in whatever platform or social media. Maybe one just wants to gain popularity/relevancy but at the end of the day you are afraid to provide more information/evidence to the allegation. Just a waste of time, money, effort and energy to the investigators. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Is history relevant?
“In our country we want to substitute morality for egoism, probity for the code of personal honour, principles for conventions, public duties for special obligations, the empire of reason for the tyranny of fashion, contempt of vice for contempt of misfortune, love of glory for love of money, good people for good society, merit for intrigue, the greatness of man for the pettiness of the ‘Great’, magnanimous, powerful happy people for the frivolous and miserable one, in other words all the virtues and miracles of the country for all the ridiculous vices of the few….” Translation: Maximilien Robespierre: Paris. France, 1798. Richard Beyer Pacific Harbour
EFL saga
It appears that EFL management and the Government have suddenly realised that EFL has reached capacity and the likelihood of power outages have increased unless further investments are made. What were they doing all this time? Shouldn’t planning and preparation have been done years ago? I guess they all were just too busy working out and enjoying their entitlements and perks. Perhaps it is all the previous government’s fault. It is like a low-income household in Fiji, they go looking for bread, sugar, butter and kerosene only after it runs out. They live day to day. I guess that is the tradition and culture all over Fiji, including Fiji’s biggest service providers such as EFL and FSC. The people of Fiji are truly blessed that the tradition and culture of living today and not thinking about tomorrow has permeated throughout Fiji. More importantly, Fijians love to move forward, back to the past. Why else would they elect this government made of dinosaurs from the past? Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
Better services
Authorities will be soon cracking down on reckless driving, with new regulations giving authorities the power to criminalise traffic offences and jail repeat offenders. As a concerned citizen, I also believe LTA chief executive officer, Irimaia Rokosawa as he mentioned, the move is aimed at saving lives amid rising road fatalities, with speeding remaining the leading cause of accidents. With an increase in traffic rules violations and fines, should we the citizens of Fiji not expect better traffic infrastructure on the roads? Well the authorities want the citizens to perform duties but not claim their rights. Perhaps it is our right to claim from authorities, better infrastructure, better roads, special lines for heavy vehicles. I believe these hikes are as a “hidden tax” or a way for the authorities to generate revenue rather than a genuine attempt to improve road safety! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
User friendly
Organisations’ online systems and processes platforms were created to ease the burden on the users for standing in a queue for a longer duration of time with more convenience. Now some of these online platforms are more confusing even to log in as it has a lot of questions and various detailed information needed. When all the required information is entered it stills gives an error message and at the end of the day, we are physically joining the que at this institution seeking their assistance and clarity. It’s no longer user friendly but user inconvenience. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
$200 back to school
Please $200 is for your children’s school needs and not for beers and cigarettes. The Government is doing their part and parents do yours. Arti Verma Simla, Lautoka
Road safety
Drivers are urged to improve their behaviour on the road as The Fiji Times repeatedly publishes such articles as per (FT 8/1). Road accidents can only be controlled with everyone’s cooperation. The awareness programs on road safety at all levels is warranted. Schools are usually targeted first to homes and communities. At times the messages are delivered in talanoa sessions. Prevention with disciplined drivers and improved road conditions will save many lives. Alert today — alive tomorrow. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Optimism depression
Since the US kidnapping of Maduro, President Trump has been seen clenching his fist and making dancing moves as well as imitating French President Macron. Many people believe that it is a “Depression of Optimism” syndrome. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Three words
As we move closer to elections, these three words come to mind — relevancy, popularity and promises. Politicians or would-be politicians will use relevancy to be relevant to what they are preaching/doing in whatever platform for now and to the future. They will use popularity to be present and speak at any given situation and promises will be made. If one ticks me, I will promise or we will ensure it will be done differently, given or done as requested. You be the judge and always be mindful as we scroll slowly towards elections. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Rugby, FNPF and AI
Home play-off!
Consistency is the way forward if the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua wants to secure a home play-off. This means that the Drua must finish in the top four. The Drua is hard to beat at home, but away from home performances have been eyesore. At home, our boys have been terrific. In 2022, the Drua almost beat the Chiefs, only to lose 35-34. In 2023 at home, the Drua beat the Crusaders 25-24, Hurricanes 27-24 and Reds 41-17. In 2024, the Drua beat the Crusaders 20-10, Waratahs 39-36, Force 31-13, Reds 28-19 and Rebels 40-19. Last year, the Drua beat the Chiefs 28-24, Waratahs 28-14, Reds 36-33 and Force 38-7. We have beaten the best Super Rugby sides at home, but away from home, the boys play like beginners and get thrashed at the hands of teams that we comfortably beat at home. Hence, if head coach, Glen Jackson, and his team management want to secure a home play-off, away games must be treated seriously. On Valentines Day, the Drua will host the Moana Pasifika at our Fortress (Churchill Park) and a win will set the platform for a successful season. We have made two quarter finals, losing to the eventual champions- the Crusaders 49-8 in 2023 and the Blues 36-5 the following year. We have the talent and guts to reach the semis. Self-belief and determination are vital. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
AI misuse
An article published in the World News section of your Sunday edition (FT 11/01), titled “AI misuse investigated” on page 10, has prompted me to write this letter. The report highlights that an AI chatbot known as Grok, available on the social media platform X, allows users to generate sexually explicit images. This is a deeply concerning development. Equally concerning is the easy accessibility of numerous AI applications online, many appearing as pop-up advertisements with similar capabilities. These platforms present significant risks to vulnerable children, who may unintentionally encounter explicit material or be drawn into online paedophilic exploitation. In addition, credible reports indicate that smart televisions and internet-enabled devices collect and transmit user data to external servers, often with limited user awareness, even when privacy settings are enabled. Parents must, therefore, be vigilant when allowing children access to digital devices. Personal details, including children’s images and videos, should not be shared online, as AI tools can manipulate and illegally circulate such content, including on the dark web. In an age of rapid technological advancement, vigilance, responsibility, and informed digital parenting are undeniably crucial. DINESH KUMAR Ba
FNPF entitlements
There is a prominent letter writer from Martintar who endlessly writes about his FNPF entitlements and how he and others have been unfairly robbed of their superannuation entitlements. I am no expert on FNPF entitlements and how the system works, but I suspect this very switched-on and humble person must have written to FNPF and to the relevant minister with his concerns. He should tell us what their response was. If he has not done so, I suggest he do that instead of endlessly writing in this column almost daily, hoping for his revered dinosaur fossil from 40 years ago to fix his problems. Doesn’t he and others like him realise that the person from 40 years ago is the cause of all Fiji’s problems? People like these need their heads checked, I believe. With so many people like this in Fiji, why do the same people wonder why Fiji is where it is? Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
