Time for a big mix
We need a tsunami mix to help drown our sorrows. Forget about the loss, it’s a new day tomorrow, We will all have to be serious and pull our socks up. To plan and strategise, for the next Rugby World Cup. From the ground level, we need a proper structure. So that we can all reap the benefits for many years thereafter. There is in Fiji raw talents galore With eager youngsters who want to run, offload and score. But we need good coaching and incentives to make them soar. Retaining possession and accurate kicking is always the key so that we can be champions, just you wait and see. And bring the Rugby World Cup to its new home in 2023! Strategise, Fiji, strategise! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Our branding
So many different brands locally and globally, yet famous people and celebrities drink Fiji Water. It is personally my favourite and is available in the Fijian market at a reasonable price. I appreciate the recognition Fiji Water brings to our nation and of course the export revenue it brings into our economy. Many famous sports people such as Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and many others also consider the brand as their best. Vinaka Fiji Water… “naba dua na wai ni Viti!” Raynav Chand Nakasi
Rain and cyclones
Like I always tell my wife, I prefer six months of rain than to have two cyclones visiting. Vinaka vakalevu na uca Turaga. Simi Kuruvoli Makoi, Nasinu
Cuba link
Why, pray tell, are we with Cuba, economically? Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Get your hands dirty
I refer to the article in The Fiji Times (5/10) where a construction company says that one of the greatest challenges facing us is finding skilled workers in the areas of finishing trades such as painting, tiling, timber joinery and finishing carpentry. In fact this is a big problem right across the board in all the trades. We are putting too much emphasis on our children getting a degree but not all people with degrees get a job. Those students who are not doing very good in secondary school, I would suggest to get into trade and you will see that by the time you finish your course you will be better off than a person with a degree. There will be demand for you wherever you go and that will also help you if you want to migrate. Getting your hands dirty is the only way to make money. So get into a trade and make your future. Nardeo Mishra Suva
Plastic in a turtle
A tiny turtle that washed up dead on a beach in Florida, USA was found to have eaten 104 pieces of plastic (Yahoo News 5/10). Imagine the amount of plastic an adult turtle could wind up eating? Imagine what other species of marine life are eating in our plastic saturated oceans? Have we gone past the tipping point and now headed for ecological disaster? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Interesting reading
Satyendra Prasad’s glowing tribute of the role PM played in the recently concluded UN Action Summit makes interesting reading. I guess as the Government’s chief protagonist in NY, one is hardly surprised. I guess the surprise would have been a more critical appraisal of the event and the content of his speeches. The fact remains, as Greta Thurnberg, who probably had more accolades and tweets than the rest of the UN participants combined, boldly admits the event was a “failure”. Preaching from the podium and making motherhood statements is easy, translating these into tangible actions especially when one is in a position to do so is a lot harder. Fiji had this opportunity when it had the presidency of COP23, but one could describe our achievement as wanting when we let expatriate consultants, drive the agenda! We recall how we Pacific youths who travelled to Bonn during COP23, were not even allowed to experience the inter-governmental negotiations, being restricted only to the Bonn zone with its displays and side events! It is quite refreshing that we youths suddenly provided such photo opportunities for sceptical leaders at the NY Summit! On a positive note it is good that at least some of the sections of the Government subscribe to The Fiji Times for spreading their messages! Manish Chand Suva
Appreciating our parents
Children’s right is important and so does respect towards our parents and elders. I grew up in a strict Christian family and was never really allowed to “have fun” like most kids. While my classmates would skip class or meet their boyfriends at a game centre after school, my mother would wait for me after school every day to pick me up and take me home. But when I became a teenager, I started to “kind of” rebel and I did bad things such as skip religion classes to hang out with my best friends at the back of the school hall or ditch school (once) to go to my best friend’s homestay and cook Kimchi and spicy noodles. During my sophomore year at university, my friends and I compared and joked about how we used to get the hiding for breaking the rules. Compared with the kids nowadays, they have the privilege of being made aware of their rights and to be vocal about it. However, some have taken these rights out of context. I was very surprised when my younger sister jokingly told my mother that she can’t hit her or spank her because that’s child abuse and my mother will be violating her rights. Then I thought to myself if my sister, who was 10 years old at that time, could use that as her defence, then I am pretty sure others have done the same. Rights weren’t formed to be used as an escape plan or a shield to defend a person’s wrongdoing. Rights come with responsibilities. Now that I am an adult, I finally understand why my parents were strict. It wasn’t because they hate me. In fact, they did whatever they can to protect me and help me stay on track to reach my goals. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to finish high school or even step foot in university. MONICA AGUILAR Suva
Flood mitigation
The much anticipated Nadi River flood mitigation project, we are told (FT 07/10), will be implemented in three phases over a four-year period, commencing next year. I recall that this project is largely based on a JICA study undertaken more than 20 years ago, but was not implemented mainly because of the funding required. There was also no consensus reached at the time, on issues such as river diversion and possible town relocation. It would seem that these issues have now been sorted out and that the project will finally get off the ground at last –– albeit in three phases. Phasing the project’s implementation seem to be a practical and logical approach in view of the total estimated total cost of the whole project, which is close to $400 million. As a consequence each of the three phases will be separately funded and implemented by three different funding agencies, namely a JICA grant, ADB loan and the Fijian Government itself and possibly other funding agencies as well and in that order we all look forward to the implementation of this project and hope that in four years’ time, we will see the end to the annual flooding problems faced by Nadi Town and the surrounding delta area. Just a thought. It would appear to me that the third phase, the watershed management portion, should be implemented first, before the other two phases. That would be more logical because any developments and infrastructure built downstream during the other two phases, would be at the mercy of soil and vegetation brought downstream from the soil and riverbank erosion upstream, if the watershed management part of the project was not undertaken first. Anyways, that’s my layman’s view on this much awaited project. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle Pacific, Harbour
Bus tragedy
My heart goes out to the Lakena families who lost their loved ones in the tragic accident on Wednesday afternoon. It is a pity that the alleged actions of a car driver resulted in the bus making way for the car and veering off the road. I hope that the road authorities will monitor the road conditions and attitude of drivers who do not care about the safety of other passengers and pedestrians, as the families have lost their beloved ones. To all the drivers out there, please drive safely and understand that somebody’s life is in your hands! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Fiji team
I would like to congratulate our national rugby team that represented our small nation to the Rugby World Cup in Japan. While our team didn’t make it to the quarter-finals level, I’m satisfied with what our team has achieved. Thank you Fiji rugby and see you in 2023 when I will be 18 years of age. Domo arigato gozaimashita Nippon. Thank you Japan. Jadon Eroni Masivesi QVS, Nukuvuto
Marking independence
What are the best and most appropriate ways to mark Fiji’s 50th year of independence in 2020? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Police reports
Good to see police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro once again making reports on various incidents around the country. Isa, I wonder how hard your job is Ana. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Same hairstyle
My mate Cameron was about to leave for Levuka to spend Fiji Day with his parents when he asked if I wanted something for him to bring back. I said no but only to ask his dad, “Since we’ve got the same hairstyle, which kind of shampoo does he use?” Hahaha! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Other means
What are the other means to discipline students without any backlash? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Affordable housing
With the Housing Authority, I believe it’s a joke especially if you earning minimum wage. Dan Urai Lautoka
