Malolo shocks Highlanders!
Malolo was ruthless against Naitasiri. The newcomers won the Skipper Cup for the first time, etching their name into the rich, proud and powerful history of provincial rugby. Naitasiri came into the final, hoping to end a 15-year-old drought, but the Highlanders were taught a rugby lesson by a bold, courageous, determined, passionate and resilient Malolo outfit, whose playing style brought out the glory days of Nadroga under the like of the late Esala Nauga (coach) and Tiko Matawalu (president). Malolo upset the defending champions (Nadroga) 23-22 in the quarter-final and then beat Nadi 31-19 in the semi-final. With the motto, “Small Boys, Big Job”, Malolo produced running rugby and put on the big hits to disrupt Naitasiri’s attacking flair. The HFC Bank Stadium erupted in delight as the hooter sounded, and the newcomers were declared champions. Tears flowed freely as Malolo tasted victory 41-26, ready to take the prestigious trophy to the Coral Coast. Hats off to the coaching panel led by veteran Nadroga forward Rupeni Nasiga and the Malolo team officials for this scintillating, epic and historic victory. Malolo’s win has taken provincial rugby to another level. I also thank Naitasiri for playing their hearts out! Rugby won! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Road rage and mental health
Another bloke assaults a fellow motorist in broad daylight, and it is OK for our people. That bloke in the blue T-shirt throwing punches is likely to be suffering from mental health issues, or maybe that road is named after his father. He must be feeling very proud sitting in church today. While sitting in church myself, I’m definitely not praying for the likes of him as they need psychiatric treatment more than prayer. He is lucky it wasn’t me he was unloading his haymakers. He would be eating porridge in hospital today. Donald Singh Suva
NFP defends Coalition
National Federation Party (NFP) general secretary Kamal Iyer says Alex Forwood is one of those who “long abandoned their land of birth and are living abroad” (FT 1/11). I thought I read somewhere that Alex Forwood was adopted from Fiji as an infant by an Australian couple. Anyway, I wonder how many NFP stalwarts and supporters have long abandoned their land of birth and are living abroad since the Rabuka coup of 1987? I am aware many NFP stalwarts and supporters remain in Fiji, their land of birth. They have good reason to. They enjoy first-world living in a third world country plagued by coups. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
That speech
I am deeply concerned about comments made by this individual regarding Diwali and other religions. While he claims not to oppose any faith, he has publicly described Diwali as a “festival of darkness” and has made other statements that insult and demean religious communities. His remarks appear discriminatory and show clear disrespect toward those who celebrate different faith traditions. He has also made negative claims about religious leaders such as pundits and moulvis, creating division among communities. Religious freedom is an important value in Fiji, I have personally encountered with many Christian pastors who preach with respect and without comparing or condemning others. Such inflammatory behaviour risks provoking hatred, social conflict, and even violence within our diverse society. I urge the appropriate authorities to investigate this matter seriously in order to maintain peace, unity, and mutual respect among people of all religions. He is a police officer and he should create positive awareness and not hate. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Profs and profit
Professor Goundar and Ravnil Narayan’s article on the PhD degree (1/10) stirs me to add a word on use of the term professor. Outside of North America where the term professor may apply to any teaching member of a university faculty from “lecturer” onwards up as far as full professor, the designation in Oceanian universities (including Fiji, NZ, and Australia) follows the British model where “lecturer” (or senior lecture) applies. A full professor (usually tenured) is one who having come through the ranks, the university has conferred its highest academic prize for outstanding service. Professor in this sense is a professional designation (a bit like Major or Admiral). So when he or she finishes at the university (Army or Navy) they leave their job title behind or at least should do. To do otherwise is shabby. The exception to this is when a university honours a retiree the title of Professor Emeritus: a lifetime honour. They are granted sparingly. Some other things. (1) the holder of a Ph.D or D.Phil — as with an Emeritus Professor — is entitled to be perennially called Dr. Most professors are Drs. Not all Drs are (full ) professors. (2) Honourary Doctorates are titles gifted to individuals — not earned by academic research — for their outstanding contributions to society in some form other: science, statesmanship, entertainment, human rights etc. (3) The label adjunct professor applies to part-time teachers or researchers (with or sometimes without a PhD) in universities other than their own. The label ceases to have much meaning (especially if they were not a full professor) once the claimant retires from their home university. As Narayan and Goundar point out, any number of rust-bucket colleges and universities in all but name confer PhDs. Pay your money, collect your degree. These corporate businesses flourish in the USA. (4) There is considerable ignorance about what a university is and is not. In Australia I often hear people equate TAFE (technical colleges) with university; yet without wishing to sound binary — there’s always been a blend — training is not the same as education; even where students enrol in occupationally oriented courses, the curricula are ideally — if not in practice — tempered by other courses. Universities are about scepticism, critical thinking, imagination, creativity, and reason. To the dismay of ideologues they are as deeply involved with the humanities and social sciences as they are in science.
Yet (5) in recent times more and more universities here in Australia have degraded the status of the first lot. “Vocationally-ready” degrees have replaced the humanities and social sciences thanks in no small part to former PM Scott Morrison doubling the cost of those degrees for ideological reasons. At the same time vice-chancellors, at the expense of students and lecturers, have awarded themselves and senior “management” massive incomes while out-sourcing their traditional policy and analysis work. (6) USP once had vice-chancellors: the last one was “vice-chancellor and president”. Why? Dr Christopher Griffin Perth
Monarchy, leaders and soccer
Epstein Files
The Epstein story has claimed another major victim, following Epstein’s suicide in a cell, Ghislaine Maxwell’s imprisonment and also Virginia Giuffre taking her own life although really only Giuffre could be considered a victim. The latest to have their life disrupted by this case is the now ex-prince Andrew, 8th in line for the monarchy, who denies all of the accusations against him. Andrew, now just Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, has been stripped of all of the titles, honours, and privilege that come with being born in the right family. He will also have to move out of a 30-room mansion and be sent to a “small” house hidden away from public view. For him it will seem like imprisonment, shut away from the adoring crowds that actually no longer adore him. It will be interesting to see if his ex-wife Sarah, who divorced him almost 30 years ago but still lives in the same house, will go into isolation in a rural environment. The King has worked to resolve the matter by sending him away where he can do less damage to the monarchy. This whole event has done nothing to help the image of a monarchy that is basically symbolic and in decline. More people are looking at becoming republics in the UK and other countries. Who will be the next person named on this list of sadness and abuse? There are many other names that have been mentioned but until the “Epstein Files” are fully released, there will be little clarity, just a lot of malicious and maybe accurate gossip. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia
Cameroon’s leader
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, at age 92, is the world’s oldest state leader. He has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His victory in the October election has led critics to “accuse him of using state institutions to cling to power” (Reuters 31/10/25). This is not an uncommon phenomenon in African states. That’s why former US president Barack Obama had once said in a speech to African leaders that when your term in office ends, please do the right thing and go peacefully to ensure the country does not go down the toilet. But the way President Biya is going, I suspect his term will expire when he expires! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Sea of red
Nausori Town was covered in a sea of red as Rewa united to celebrate. Fans converged in numbers to take part in the double celebration — the Extra Premier League and the FMF Inter-District Champion-ship. Fans and players marched through Nausori Town on their way to Ratu Cakobau Park which hosted the formal presentation of prizes and awards relating to the wins. A celebration of this magnitude for the Delta Tigers and its die-hard fan base of loyal supporters had been a long time coming, especially that the Tigers had been the most consistent team this year, reaching three finals in-a-row, losing two (both to the Babasiga Lions) and winning one and then winning the league. The IDC trophy, after leaving Ba, made its round to various schools and communities. Rewa was united in one colour. Rewa fans were emotional with what transpired yesterday. Wishing Rewa all the best for the O-League campaign! You can do it, Delta Tigers! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Venezuelan crisis
A Russian transport aircraft, Ilyshin-76, a type linked to the country’s military and former Wagner mercenary group, has landed in the Venezuelan capital last week (Google news). Russian submarines and Chinese aircraft are already in Venezuelan waters and airports. It will not be long before the US begins to pull out their warships from Venezuelan waters. Europe and the US now realise that they no longer can create wealth using violence on global south countries. India stood toe to toe with the US on trade deal. So will others. Rakesh Chand Sharma Adelaide, Australia
