Rugby united the nation
Rugby united our nation over the weekend. Supporters cheered for their various provincial teams as they battled each other for supremacy. The Western Division had the last laugh as Nadroga and Nadi triumphed over Tailevu and Naitasiri 37-32 and 26-19, respectively. I fisted the air in jubilation as Nadroga scored two breathtaking tries to come from behind to beat Tailevu at a spirited and passionate HFC Bank Stadium filled with ardent fans from Nadroga and Tailevu. The hard-fought victory was well-earned. Hats off to the Nadroga players who played their hearts out. The U-20 outfit thumped Suva 48-31. The Stallions prepared in faith, trusted in the Lord and played with guts, wisdom and courage. While shopping at Extra Supermarket, I met a beautiful couple. The wife wore Tailevu souvenir piece, while the husband wore his Nadroga jersey. As I warmly congratulated the husband, the wife jokingly added, “No dinner for him tonight”. We laughed and as I left, I called out to the wife, ‘Tailevu, no leqa’! In the evening, fans united to cheer for the Fiji Water Flying Fijians that hammered Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms. Just in his first match, head coach Jake White proved to be the difference as the boys lifted their intensity one step up to beat Japan 34-28 on their home turf. Despite playing with a man short for much of the game time, the boys played like a solid unit. I’m looking forward to the battles against France, Ireland and Italy. Away from 15s, the Fiji Bulikula impressed as they hammered the PNG Orchids. The standout performers were Taina Naividi, Luisa Yaranamua, Losana Lutu, Sereana Naitokatoka, Sienna Laing and Tahlia Marshall. The Bulikula will face France next. Toso Viti!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Unity in words
THE saddest truth is that during Gurmit celebrations, we stand together, share happiness, and celebrate our history, proudly saying, “We are one.” But when it comes to amending our Constitution, the very unity we celebrate seems to disappear. Some turn their faces away, forgetting the hands they once held and the smiles they once shared. How heartbreaking is it when unity exists in celebrations, but humanity is forgotten when it matters most? We may celebrate together under one sky, but are we truly standing together for one another? Humanity should never be seasonal. Unity should never be just a slogan!
NAVNEET RAM (TD)
Lautoka
Consultation process
“THE Constitution belongs to the people, not politicians,” said Mr Naidu (FT 25/10/26). Is it? What about the 1997 one? Was it properly processed democratically? It seemed the initiation process of the 2013 Constitution compared with what has been in progress, is of similar “tactics”, in my view. Both, I am certain, needed to suppress the Fiji people’s freedom. No public consultation and minimal time for public consultation. Is it a coincidence? Even former A-G Mr Leung commented the same during its initial debate, prior to his sacking. Is the consultation process just a formality? However, if it is being expedited as we are witnessing, I believe the Government is not forming a law abiding “precedent” document and Fiji’s future will be “haunted” accordingly.
SAMU SILATOLU
Nakasi, Nausori
Thank you, The Fiji Times
EVERY day, The Fiji Times’ letters to the editor column feature interesting and informative contributions covering a wide range of issues of public interest. From community concerns to national developments, these letters offer readers an opportunity to consider different perspectives and reflect on matters that affect their daily lives. First and foremost, the writers deserve acknowledgement and appreciation for their valuable contributions. Writing a letter worthy of publication takes time, thought and eff ort. Their willingness to share their experiences, concerns and suggestions helps encourage meaningful public discussion. At the same time, much credit must go to The Fiji Times for providing this important platform. By giving readers a voice, the newspaper supports constructive dialogue and strengthens the connection between the public and the press. Although each writer has a distinct style, what matters most is the substance of their thoughts and the sincerity of their views. Equally important is the editorial care involved in reviewing submissions before publication to ensure clarity, relevance and responsible discussion. In my view, the consistent presentation of this column is praiseworthy. It not only informs readers but also encourages participation, welcomes differing opinions and draws attention to issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Looking ahead, let us hope that The Fiji Times continues to uphold its commitment to serving the public and providing space for thoughtful, respectful debate. Once again, thank you, The Fiji Times, and thank you to all the writers whose contributions make this column worth reading. Let’s not forget to recognise the enduring presence of this paper, which has served us since 1869.
SURESH CHAND
Nadi
Sweetest redemption
WHAT an awesome start for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians brand new head coach, Jake White. Compared with our previous five international outing, losing four out of five matches, were hard, bitter, and embarrassing lessons. This win against the might of the Cherry Blossoms after their defeat of us is sweetest redemption. “Vina du vo mutou na saravou na iqaqa ko.” Our stats compared with the last match in Japan improved remarkably in many departments in such short prep time under Jake White. This is so commendable. Well done. Flying Fijians will chip away, block by block, on their way to greater heights. Better days await us all. Yaqona tastes better.
RONNIE CHANG
Nadi
Pricking balloons
IT appears that whenever our PM inflates the balloons and gets ready to celebrate, his own Coalition partners use a pin to prick the balloons, thus deflating them.
RAKESH CHAND SHARMA
Nadi
Legitimising violence
I UNDERSTAND there is considerable support in Fiji for permitting the “mild chastisement” of children, including through constitutional recognition, as a means of enforcing discipline. If violence is to be excused as discipline when directed at children, why stop there? By the same troubling logic, one might also legalise the “mild chastisement” of spouses and partners another practice too often defended by appeals to culture and tradition. Fiji’s high rate of domestic violence should make the danger of this reasoning unmistakable. Legalising physical punishment does not create discipline; it risks normalising violence, protecting abusers, and harming those least able to defend themselves. Tradition is not beyond criticism, and culture should never be used to justify harm. Fiji should lead by protecting children and adults alike, not by giving violence the appearance of legitimacy.
JAN NISSAR
Sydney, NSW
Draft constitution
IF the former attorney-general, the foremost legal officer in the country, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum finds the draft constitution provisions “a very complex document” which requires more time to scrutinise it meaning fully (ST 25/10/26), imagine what it must be for the layman and laywoman of Fiji? So why is it being rushed? Whose agenda is being served? Is it we the people or the political class?
RAJEND NAIDU
Calgary, Canada
El Nino preparedness
RECENT pronouncements, almost ad nauseam, by experts, politicians and sectoral pundits that people should prepare for the super El Nino. It is complex enough to understand this phenomenon, amongst all the noise about climate change, let alone prepare for it. The Sugar Research Centre must take the cake for advising farmers to conserve through mulching, avoid burning, save water etc. Are these things which farmers and societies do not already know? Use of traditional knowledge and lived experiences are not new to people and it does not need ‘experts’ like director of SRIF or Fiji Met Service to tell them this. Couldn’t these experts perhaps provide new ways and technological options to assist our farmers? The usual rhetoric without any meaningful solutions to deal with the challenges of the time is a waste of time. ALTAUF CHAND
Minto, NSW, Australia
Why not an international identity?
I HAVE been following the many letters on the use and/or misuse of the term “Fijian” and listened to the moving submission of Sarina Singh. I have personally experienced how we have all lived our lives together in peace and harmony in rural communities and even in urban centers, how we have adopted parts of each other’s language and grown to love our different foods. We even suffer withdrawal symptoms if we don’t have a curry or Chinese meal at least once a week. We respect each other’s cultural and religious practices, and we look forward to sharing the sweets that abound during Diwali and Eid. Although we understand very well and tolerate the stereotypes that prevail in our society, we prefer our similarities. We have even inter-married more and more. Then it occurred to me that the cause of much of the present angst and anxiety is the vain attempt to find an acceptable common denominator that purportedly reflects our national identity (whatever that means). Why do we need it in our multiracial, multicultural heterogeneous society? We are not a homogenous society so, maybe it’s a futile exercise searching for a common name that we are unlikely to ever use domestically to refer to one another. I mean, we don’t self-identify or call each other “Fijian”, in Fiji. Individually, we each know exactly who we are, where we come from and we know the country that we feel we belong to and identify most closely with even though many of us are of mixed ethnicity ? So, I suggest we remove the offending line from the 2013 Constitution and hopefully, all discourse in the public domain will cease. Instead, let us collectively agree to call ourselves “Fijian” in our passports, and for whenever we are asked or referred to abroad and for other external purposes. In short, let’s adopt a common international (not national) identity and forget about finding one that we can use domestically Our ancestors have expended enough blood, sweat, and tears for this country we all call home. They survived without a “national identity” and so should we. Let’s concentrate on more important and pressing needs in our country like the cost of living, unemployment, affordable housing, declining water supply and waste disposal and the burgeoning public debt. I am “Rotuman”, in Fiji and proudly “Fijian” in my passport and on my travels abroad! What about you ?
DANIEL FATIAKI
Suva
