Fiji 7s resets focus
Good to see that the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s side has put away the heartbreaking 10-7 loss in New York and has reset focus on next month’s Hong Kong 7s at the Kai Tak Stadium. The Happy Valley has been a happy hunting ground but two years down memory lane, Fiji has yet to taste victory there. Fiji last won a HK 7s title in 2019 when we beat France 21-7. Australia, NZ and Argentina have won the past four HK 7s tournaments, beating Fiji 20-17 and 24-19 and France 10-7 and 12-7, respectively. The All Blacks 7s won the last HK 7s title at the iconic So Kon Po Stadium in 2024, while the Los Pumas 7s won the title for the first time at the newly- built Kai Tak Stadium. The HK 7s is a stage of legacy. Our players have shed blood, tears and sweat to win Cup titles and fame and honour. Fijian stars are worshipped because of sublime performances in HK. It’s disappointing that we have not won in HK since 2019. It’s time to unleash the Fijian 7s beast and grab the winner’s medal. To Osea Kolinisau and the boys, prepare well and capture lost glory in HK which is the second home for our 7s warriors. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Identity crisis
Simione Sevudredre, an indigenous cultural adviser, warned of the loss of iTaukei traditional and cultural identities. In fact, almost all iTaukei of this generation do not fully understand their own identities, in my opinion. Acknowledging the province and village is fine, but the tokatoka, mataqali, yavusa and genesis, is the issue. The major problem, in my view, is that the “information” that trickled down their generation was all misinformed and misinterpreted “hearsay”. And after 100+ years of being advised along the same lines, I am certain, the reality has taken root and convincing, takes time. After all, they have been practising the traditional roles and whatnot, as their inheritance. However, in my opinion, the vanua has to be the reinforcing mechanism to see it through and as Mr Sevudredre stated, “if you can’t protect and treasure what is yours by blood, how can you protect what you can’t see, the spiritual?” Samu Silatolu Nakasi
My response
In his ‘My response’ letter (FT 25/3) Rakesh Chand Sharma informs The Fiji Times readers in Fiji and around the world that he does not think the opinion of “Western journalists/ professors” can be considered ‘legitimate’. Can someone please point out one — just one — Western journalist’s/professor’s opinion that is legitimate and highly acclaimed internationally through the award of the Pulitzer Prize or Nobel Peace Prize etc, to expose the absurdity inherent in RCS’s jaundiced view. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Transparency issue
Can Fiji’s monetary regulating authorities, RBF, and the Association of Banks, bring into question the transmission of FNPF members’ contributions to pay for the overseas based FNPF chairman of the Board and an actuary in New Zealand, who is FNPF’s mouthpiece? Aren’t there qualified locals available? Please change FNPF Board membership if the current board in grossly incapable in serving 1400 surviving betrayed senior pensioners. How can they faithfully serve 264,000 active members out of a possible 432,000 FNPF members? These are tough questions I now pose out of sheer truth and extreme necessity. This is my million dollar question together with hundreds of others — betrayed senior pensioners. This is no more a laughing matter. This is serious. Why are top dollars sent overseas only to deny the elderly of their just dues? This is most inhumane. Disgusting and intolerable. We have a right to live in our twilight years; and die happily. Justice is long overdue. Restitution is paramount. Restorative justice must follow on. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
High standards
Imagine what will happen if all the esteemed members of the parliament start saying they don’t feel a need to respond to the general public’s concern because “we have high standards”. The best thing is to either respond or not to respond. No one cares about standards when they have a hunger for their well-reasoned and valid queries. In fact the reasonable response reflects more towards the standards. As they say, if you don’t have anything better to say, better not say it at all. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Who to believe?
The war between Iran, Israel and the USA is more likely a battle between them and AI. We do not know who is giving an accurate and unbiased news when it comes to damage and casualties. Phew! Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Unpretentious minister
Last Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of a brief meet and the chance to have a quick picture with the honourable Minister Lynda Tabuya. She was very affable and displayed a friendly and pleasant manner. Her killer smile though was more than words can express, more than any poem or song could ever capture. Sobo yanu! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Tabua value
Pita Soroaqali informs us of a tabua priced at $2000 (FT 25/3). I bought one recently at a Sydney Treasure and Trash market for $2. It has been authenticated as real. An earlier tabua that was given to me by a district officer after a government team tour where I was the only Indo-Fijian on the government team was stolen from my office in Fiji. The $2 tabua is a poor substitute for the culturally significant one that got stolen. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Brilliant idea
Friday TV news clearly stated to employ many Fiji citizens without jobs instead of those from Bangladesh. A good example is the Churchill Park grounds where scores of unemployed are intoxicated and some hassle passersby for cash, swear at them and pass racist remarks. If soldiers and police officers collaborate to discuss and counsel with these unemployed and many of similar nature, definitely our nation will be a much safer place. Also, productivity will thrive and the unemployment rate will decrease dramatically. SARITA LAL Malolo St., Lautoka
Marijuana plant
I was speechless after reading about the man that presented a full-grown marijuana plant as his offering (isevu) to the Ketei Methodist Church in Totoya, Lau. Kemudou! PS. Well as we often say in Lau, “Why not!” Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Fiji Hindi
With respect Colin Deoki, what’s the point and need to learn something that is so easy to understand, and learn with the flow of life in Fiji? We learn, and teachings are of something that is not easily learnt and has meaning. If this was not the case then Fiji Hindi would have been taught from the beginning. We cannot be wasting resources on something that can be learnt while carrying on with our daily life. Yes, Fiji is not India but Fiji is not England either, yet English is taught and that too as a compulsory language. Can you imagine our radio announcers speaking in Fiji-Hindi (although nothing wrong with it) and the scriptures and cultural documents being changed to Fiji-Hindi? Does that even make sense in any way? We are on the right track with the Hindi that is being taught at the moment but as I stated earlier it should be “optional” and our students should be at liberty to choose at their discretion. “Yahi sahi hoga” (that will be the right way). Period. Kirti Patel Lautoka
CWM Hospital lift failure
I write to express my deep concern regarding the continued failure of lifts at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital, particularly in the East Wing, and the other one at the Radiography Department in CWM Hospital where critical lifts are once again out of order. According to recent reports, the East Wing lift, repaired earlier this month, has broken down again due to a mechanical fault. Alarmingly, this lift serves vital areas such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), operating theatres, and acute wards. Its failure has forced staff to resort to carrying patients in bedsheets between floors, a situation that is both undignified and potentially dangerous. If it happens that the bedsheets slip or get torn and the patients fall off on the concrete steps, the situation will be worse. Even more troubling is the operational strain caused by the failure of a second lift near the Radiography Department. This lift, originally used for waste transport, has been repurposed to carry patients due to the breakdown of the main lift. This raises serious health and hygiene concerns, as sterile environments are compromised when patients and medical waste share the same transport system. Public funds have been used to carry out these repairs, and the public rightfully expects reliable and safe infrastructure in return. The repeated breakdown of these lifts suggests either substandard repair work or a lack of proper quality assurance. The contractor responsible must be held accountable, and the terms of the warranty period must be enforced. Any failure within this period should require immediate rectification at no additional cost to taxpayers. While the Ministry of Health has indicated that new lifts have arrived and installation will commence soon, this does not excuse the current situation. Immediate and effective interim solutions are required to ensure patient safety and maintain hospital operations. This is not merely an inconvenience, it is a matter of life, safety, and dignity. Urgent and decisive action is needed. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua
