Girmit Day unites North
This year’s Girmit Day united the Friendly North. People from all walks of life converged at Subrail Park to be part of the three-day 146th Girmit Commemoration. I was impressed with the range of activities that were scheduled. These performances — cultural and musical performances, oratory contests, and Indian classical dances brought about the best from the North and highlighted the untapped potential there. The range of programs would assist in fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the Girmit legacy, especially among the younger generation. The inclusion of schools and community groups, including the youth and elderly, ensured wide participation and encouraged national reflection on the importance of preserving cultural identity. The speech delivered by the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, was fitting for the occasion. I commend the organisers for coining a thought-provoking and apt theme, “Preserving the past, envisioning the future”. Labasa’s agricultural and rich cultural background made the commemoration special as it not only acknowledged the historical struggles of the Girmitiyas but also fostered unity and collaboration among Fiji’s diverse communities. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
City drunks
Lautoka is increasingly plagued by growing incidents of public intoxication, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating. On the morning of Saturday, May 10, approximately 30-40 visibly intoxicated individuals, mostly iTaukei youths, were seen drinking and shouting profanities outside the Hot Bread Shop (adjacent to Thirsty Liquor). This group created a hostile environment, causing significant concern among morning walkers (myself included) and members of the public. Many were reluctant to enter the shop out of fear of harassment and felt compelled to take extra precautions to avoid confrontation. Disturbingly and as usual, there was no visible police presence in the area, a recurring issue that has encouraged such groups to openly host drinking sessions in public without fear of any plausible repercussions. Later that same day, my colleague and I visited the newly-opened Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant next to Rajendra’s Supermarket (opposite the bus bay) for lunch. To our dismay, we again encountered a group of heavily intoxicated individuals (iTaukei) loitering near the restaurant, aggressively shouting and hurling abuse at passers-by — with a particular focus on vulagi families shopping nearby. Their behaviour was openly threatening, yet no one intervened, as if this conduct were somehow acceptable. The atmosphere was frankly unsettling to watch. After the scrumptious lunch (very yummy), we made our way to the Lautoka market police post, which is within clear view of Rajendra’s Supermarket. To our surprise, we observed four police officers (with a stern look on their faces) smartly stationed outside the New World supermarket, not to address the nearby public annoyance, but to issue traffic fines to motorists for minor violations. To label the Fiji Police Force and its priorities as “pathetic” would be an understatement. It is truly depressing and frustrating to witness such disregard for public safety. The police presence, where needed most, is sorely lacking, while petty traffic enforcement seems to take precedence. The typical absence of a visible police response, particularly when intimidating incidents unfold in broad daylight near a police post, is alarming and undermines public trust in law enforcement. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Takayawa’s outburst
Viliame Takayawa has already dropped the bombshell, but his social media outburst against DPM Kamikamica is totally unwarranted, childish and disrespectful to the Coalition Government. Takayawa has no right to comment on any government business and he should strictly confine himself to the survival of Sodelpa. Prime Minister Rabuka has got the numbers on the PAP side including the former FijiFirst members and I suggest he terminate Sodelpa’s reign as they are too thickheaded with the “kingmaker” tag with only three seats to contribute. It just seems the popularity of Sodelpa in the past elections is forever dwindling and it seems zero seats is their next target, Fijians are watching and ready come the 2026 election. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
India/Pakistan war
With the approval of a $1.3billion loan by IMF, it is apparent now that the US and the western powers want to avoid Pakistan being balkanised into smaller countries. The reason being they would use Pakistan to needle India and keep it disturbed in future to maintain their hegemony over this world. They had created East-Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now Pakistan) in 1947 for this purpose. The western media led by CNN and BBC with Reuters etc are helping the western powers with their news slant. It will be interesting to see their reaction when all this ends as it did in 1965, 1971, 1999 and not forgetting the 1947 partition. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
World War II
Recent World War II commemorations especially in London and other western countries overlooked the pivotal sacrifices of the Soviet Union Russia and China. The eastern front tied down 70-80 per cent of Germany’s forces, with Soviet Russian losses exceeding 27 million lives in soldiers and civilians. Without Operation Barbarossa, the Allies would have faced three million German troops in Western Europe versus 1.9 million troops post-Normandy landings, potentially altering history’s course. Similarly, China’s resistance locked two million Japanese troops in brutal warfare from 1937 to 1945. Had these forces been deployed to the Pacific and other Asian theatres of combat, Japan could have fortified Guadalcanal, invaded Australia and Eastern India, possibly would have reached Fiji and turned allied campaigns, fought by US and Commonwealth forces which included Australians, Kiwis, Canadians, Fijians, Malaysians and Indians, into unwinnable bloodbaths. The allied victory was collective, especially with Soviet and Chinese sacrifices diverted Axis power, sparing the West the full brunt of Nazi and Imperial Japanese might. Today’s geopolitics must not erase this. Meli Matanatoto Nadi
Legalising ‘pari’
Government’s decision to legalise pari business is most welcome especially to those living in rural and semi-urban areas. It will provide stiff and healthy competition to the taxi business who usually control and dictate this essential public service industry. No need for public consultation and what not. It will be a big yes and thumbs up from us, the members of the public. Excuses for no short runs, bad roads and waiting for a pick-up will be a thing of the past now. Pari business has been around for some time now. It’s time to legalise them. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
National shame
Abuse of migrant workers (FT 7/5) mostly from Bangladesh. Sounds like labour exploitation under the indentured Indian labour system minus the white sahibs and the whip. It’s a national shame. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
For the records
Sadly, the 2025 HSBC SVNS in Los Angeles, our men’s 7s team comes back home with a perfect record. Four losses from four matches. This is painful. What went wrong at the tournament in LA? Our 7th place play-off match against Great Britain, was extremely hard to watch. Wailei sa dua tale na druka, 19-31. Where do we go from here, please? We showed some promises in earlier outings. This is a huge fall from grace … rock bottom dina ! Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Girmit Day
More than a century ago, the gullible “Girmitiyas” navigated into uncharted territory. Under the harsh and watchful gaze of their unforgiving British masters, these chain-whipped labourers progressively molded Fiji’s landscape into economic prosperity as evident today, thus earning global admiration. It’s worth contemplating how different our turbulent coup-plagued third world banana republic might have been had these hardworking farmers never arrived on our shores. Happy Girmit day! Nishant Singh Lautoka
The kingmaker
Has the utilisation of SODELPA been substantiated, or is the notion of their involvement unfounded? Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Rugby, leadership and Lupus’
Moce Drua
The Drua’s loss to Auckland Blues on our home ground on Friday keeps our Drua sailing smoothly at the bottom of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition ladder with 15 points. Last year’s champions Auckland Blues, with their bonus point win over the Drua, is now on fifth position with 27 points. After round 13, the six top teams are Crusaders, Chiefs, ACT Brumbies, QLD Reds, Auckland Blues and the Hurricanes. The Highlanders, Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes were on a bye. We all hope and wish our beloved Drua to win its last home game this season in Round 14 against Western Force. Win or lose, it will be “Moce Drua,” as fans and supporters wish you well in your last two games and we all hope and look forward to a more successful Drua 2026 season. Toso Drua, toso. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua, Naisnu
Rabuka’s leadership
Lagonilakeba’s letter needs to be applauded (FT 08/05 ). In a way, Mr Rabuka, is a warrior as a thick-skinned politician. He is currently the most experienced MP and PM, in my view. How many political parties has he joined? How many times has he faced criticism in such an environment? How many political parties has he led? In actual fact, he is a political veteran. Even leading the coalition, should be like competing in athletics, as a pentathlon, in my view. With all his hands-on experiences from 1987, he should by now have the flexibility to switch between leadership styles, as the circumstances dictate. And yet, he seems to be uncertain, indecisive and unstable, at critical times. It is the people’s “will” that matters most, not the PMs. It is not what great things a PM did, but the great transformational effects on people’s life. For PM comes and PM goes. A statesman places himself at the service of the people, not placing the people at the expense of his service. Which one is he? Samu Silatolu Nakasi, Nausori
Lupus – a silent killer
Thank you, The Fiji Times, for the extensive coverage on lupus and its complications. It was disturbing to read that nine people died last year because of lupus complications. Sometimes we tend to oversee such diseases and the resulting illnesses. Reading through the 20-page lift-out, I was touched by the stories and emotions that flowed within those pieces. The survivors shared their ordeal and suffering and how they conquered the invisible illness. For one survivor, who came out open, the journey was marked by sickness, pain, sadness, fear, helplessness, mood swings, depression, cocktails of emotions, hospitalisation, and medication. On the other hand, going through medication and having a very good family support system enabled her journey to be one based on faith, healing and miracles. I urge readers to go through the lift-out and get educated on symptoms and signs, and preventive measures. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
