Gifting with love
Celebrating Mother’s Day with gifts and treats for mum, with love, prayers and blessings from the heart, should be a lifetime activity. God bless us all. Happy Mother’s Day! Author H J Brown once said and I will quote: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more but those giving more.” TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Mother’s Day
With Mother’s Day upon us, I know many are feeling a heavy tug on the heartstrings. If your mum is in heaven today, the flowers and the cards in stores can feel like reminders of what you’ve lost. I want to share something with you — the bond between a child and the mother is the strongest force in the universe, and not even the veil of heaven can thin it. Your relationship with her hasn’t ended. It has simply changed its form. She is no longer limited by time or distance. When you feel a sudden warmth in your chest, or a song comes on that she loved, that’s her way of reaching out to say, “I’m still here.” She’s walking gently beside you, watching over your milestones, and whispering peace into your heart when the world gets too loud. This Mother’s Day, take a moment to let your heart soften. Talk to her. Share your day with her. She hears every word. You aren’t just remembering a memory, you are honouring a living, eternal link that will never be broken. You are still her child, and she is still your mum forever and always. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Mum’s the best
Most understanding mentor
Memories of unmeasurable moments
From childhood to adulthood, our needs and wants she understood
From birth till her last breath, she took on every weight
Would forsake her needs to satisfy our feeds
Never left things late for responsibility to fulfill
Day or night, was our shield and light
From adversaries would advice, protect and fight
Despite personal issues was caring and joyful
Was always open and truthful
Never gave up her parental task, nor adorned a farcical mask
Having such a support is a blessing in life’s journey
Though amidst us no more, her beautiful memories and teachings remain
Cos she miraculously understood motherhood
Against all odds, for and with us she always stood!
For me there’s none other than my mother! PRAMEETA CHAND Suva
Vuda project
In his FijiLeaks opinion, Victor Lal raises a very legitimate question: “If Naikorokoro Point was once deemed too sensitive for tourism development (in keeping with Fiji Government’s recorded official commitment to environment and species protection), on what basis can it now be considered suitable for a large scale waste-to-energy facility?”(May 8, 2026 ). The people of Fiji deserve an honest answer to this overarching question regarding the proposed Vuda project in accordance with the Rabuka Government’s pledge to put transparency and accountability front and centre in their “people-centred” approach to governance. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Safety concern
It is very sad to note in the media that a civilian who had voluntarily surrendered to police was allegedly “roughed up” by military personnel while in police custody. Why didn’t the police officers intervene to stop the alleged assault? Does this mean the police are powerless to act in such situations? I am flabbergasted also by the indifferent response from the Police Commissioner. He was reported saying: “He (Mr Valenitabua) and his client can lodge an official report if he wishes” (FT 8/5). The alleged incident took place right inside a police station and was witnessed by his officers. Therefore, since they have seen the perpetrators, shouldn’t they initiate the complaint? It is a serious issue since it concerns the safety and security of people in police custody. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Heat protocol
I am often amazed when visiting rugby union teams play on our shores. For their safety and “comfort” the heat protocol applies. The water breaks happen every 20 minutes, which is a serious distraction for our home team. Such breaks give visiting teams the unfair and distinct advantage to “catch their breath” and time to re-set their next move. I wish to ask our Fiji rugby gurus, when Fiji plays away matches, when the temperature is around 10°C or thereabouts, are our team members extended “cold protocols” or coffee breaks? Don’t we deserve the opportunity to “warm up” and re-set our strategies? Should playing rules be fair, just and comfortable to both sides? RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Australian support
According to Daniel Urai (FT 09/05), Australia is obligated to assist Fiji? Is that because Fiji is a beggar nation or is that because Fijians are entitled or is that because Fiji is a third world country, or all of the above? It appears to me that given his letters, Daniel is incapable of writing more than one line. JAN NISSAR Sydney, Australia
Fuel crisis
Due to the fuel crisis, many people are forced to use firewood for cooking, contributing further to environmental pollution and deforestation. Is there another way to avoid this situation and work towards reforestation? We all need to cooperate to protect and preserve our mother nature for future survival. One tree can make millions of matchsticks, but one matchstick can burn millions of trees. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Litter fine
Fiji has passed the Litter Amendment Bill 2026, increasing spot fines for littering from $40 to $200 If the previous $40 fine for littering failed, why will the new penalty of $200 fine work if there is no enforcement? WISE MUAVON
Lautoka
Media, report and mothers
Media freedom
John Kamea’s brilliant editorial (ST 3/5/26) on the pivotal role of journalists and journalism that strives to keep the public informed often under very trying circumstances and holding power to account often much to the chagrin of those in power are the indispensable pillars of a robust democracy. Without it democracy is only democracy in name. Hence it is indeed of utmost importance that the right of journalists to do their job of putting the truth before the people is protected. Journalists serve the public interest. That is paramount. They are not cheerleaders for power holders and the big end of town. John Kamea couldn’t have penned a more illuminating piece to highlight the message inherent on World Press Freedom Day. We must take heed of the message of press freedom to uphold our democracy. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Good starting point
The “talk” of Fiji becoming a Christian state is highly sensitive and can be most unsettling to some. We are a sovereign state, multi-religious and multi-cultural. Careful consideration of all our neighbours is a pre-requisite. Respectfully, with enormous care and due concern, we do not need to look too far and/or get too carried away with the “holier than thou” mentality. Let us all start with our prisons. Who make up the most inmates? What religious background do they belong to? Look at the number of drug addicts — they are pitiful sights. We need a blitz on all our TV channels — educational programs on drug addiction and homelessness. This is a good starting point. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Auditor-General’s Report
Yesterday’s edition of The Fiji Times (FT 8/5) provides a good snapshot of the rot in governance as revealed in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report (FT9/5/26). I read through the following articles:
- Auditor flags police unreconciled accounts.
- Ministry arrears exceed millions.
- RFMF assets register outed – AG Report.
- Report shows internal control weaknesses (and accounting anomalies at Fiji’s Wellington Mission including missing financial records)
- Judiciary trust accounts under scrutiny.
I wonder whether there is any government entity that has not received an adverse finding from the Auditor-General regarding the management of public funds?” RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers! For me, my mother was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. She was that sweet flower of love that I dearly miss every day. She passed away in 2020, leaving behind fond memories hard to replace. Her teachings have moulded me into who I am today and I’m grateful God blessed me with a beautiful, understanding, kind, caring and compassionate mother who was not only a companion, but a true friend. Those who still have their mothers around will spoil them today with savouries, gifts and beautiful memories. I urge them to make use of the time they spend with their mothers, for today will not come back. I always looked forward to Mother’s Day when mum was alive, as I had so much planned for her on her special day. All that is history, and today, I’ll recollect those memories. I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to our mothers for their care, never unending love and warmth. Mothers deserve our respect, love and care, for they have done so much to raise us. No mother deserves to be physically or emotionally abused, so it is important that we cherish all they do for us. Hence, it’s important to change our mindset towards women and value their contribution to our homes, communities and the country at large. I applaud the efforts of our mothers who brave daily obstacles to look after their families, for without them survival becomes very difficult. Mothers are the cornerstone of any society. They must be valued. Finally, my daughter, Mahika Lingam, will miss her mother, my beautiful wife, Madhu Krishna, who passed away last year. Sadly, this year’s Mother’s Day won’t be the same for both my daughter and I. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
