Dust pollution – JUKI FONG CHEW NADAWA, NASINU
MY neighbours at the far end of Borete Road in Nadawa have raised an issue of dust pollution that is generated by heavy laden trucks that frequent this road every day. His concern was that washed clothes cannot be hung outside because of heavy dust that is blown towards his surroundings on any given day.
Windows to his residence has to be closed at all times depriving him of fresh air within his dwelling house.
Every given day he has to water down in the front of his driveway and roundabout just to stop the dust from blowing towards his house when a truck passes by. Few other neighbours have raised the same issue and are hoping the relevant company will do something about it. I had raised the same with one Mr Bal (managing director) sometime last month and a water sprinkler was provided to water sprinkler Borete Road from the entrance until the end of the road. This only happened for a few days and now no longer exists. While we appreciate the ongoing development the project managers should also exercise due diligence to avoid such issues for now and into the future. At times, these truck drivers drive with a no care attitude and speeding along Borete Road. Now, I ask the relevant stakeholders such as Nasinu Town Council, Ministry of Environment, LTA, FRA and whoever to do something about it. Attached is a picture of
a person spraying water at the end of Borete Road leading into the project site of Emerald Bay.
What is there to celebrate? – NISHANT SINGH LAUTOKA
FIJI gained independence from British rule on October 10, 1970, a date marked each year with patriotic fanfare. But five decades on, what exactly are we rejoicing about? In practicality, I believe we remain a struggling third world developing nation, trapped in a cycle of political instability, gross ethnic division, economic hardship and social and moral decay. Multiple coup d’états and political mayhems have dismantled democratic fundamentals in the past 55 years. I believe racial inequality continues to poison national unity. ‘Second-class citizens’ (that’s us) still exist, a shameful reality in a country that claims to be free and a preacher of true democracy. Poverty is widespread. Employment opportunities are scarce. The cost of living is escalating while wages remain stagnant. Violent crime is soaring. A ‘meth’ crisis is tearing
communities apart. Corruption and poor governance continue to plague the system while our law enforcement continues on a downward spiral. With the economy hanging by a thread, do we still call this real progress? So again, what are we really celebrating on Fiji Day? Is it independence or just a symbolic break from colonialism that changed the flag but not the fate of the people and this country? For minorities like us, October 10 isn’t a day of pride, it’s a stark reminder of how much has gone wrong, and how little has
actually improved. So yes, “Happy” Fiji Day. Say it if you must. But don’t expect everyone to smile.
Indo-Fijian migration – DONALD SINGH SUVA
WE somehow still have an Opposition. And the Opposition Leader Hon Seruiratu has reportedly accused the Deputy PM Hon Biman Prasad of failing the Indo-Fijian community and for Indo-Fijian migration. Being an Indo-Fijian myself, I think most of my relatives have migrated. Thousands of Indo-Fijian have left and continue leaving in droves for better education, work opportunities, and for better health care. They started leaving after 1987. Guess what, even the Indo-Indians have been leaving India for better life. So honourable Seruiratu might want to reconsider his accusations. It’s not honourable Prasad’s fault.
My take on migration – COLIN DEOKI AUSTRALIA
IT was interesting reading the recent comments by Opposition Leader, honourable Inia Seruiratu, about the migration of Indo-Fijians creating a ‘brain drain’. If we’re being truly honest, that drain didn’t start yesterday. It began after 1987 and has continued ever since as people from all ethnic groups left Fiji seeking stability,
opportunity and a future they could depend on for their children. My family and I left in 1983, even before the coups. But at the time, we were quietly advised that ‘trouble’ was brewing on the horizon. Sadly, that warning proved all too accurate and true. When Voreqe Bainimarama staged his coup in 2006, many hoped it would be different — a reset of sorts, a chance to right old wrongs. But as corruption deepened, freedoms
eroded and activists were physically attacked and abused, the promise of stability turned into yet another cycle of fear and frustration. The truth is simple: no coup, no matter how noble its intentions, can ever bring lasting peace or prosperity to a nation. The scars run too deep. Trust, when trashed, takes generations to rebuild. And meanwhile, our brightest and best continue to leave for safer shores. Yes, Indo-Fijians were targeted. We became the convenient scapegoat as so many ethnic groups around the world often do. But the deeper tragedy is that this pattern of blame has become a human weakness, not just a Fijian one. Someone will always find someone else to blame and point a finger at. Until we learn to look inward, to heal old wounds and to rise above the politics of race and resentment, the exodus will continue – not because people don’t love Fiji, but because they can no longer see a future in it for themselves and their children.
Only unity, honesty and moral courage can change that.
Becoming Fiji! – RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
I’M looking forward to The Fiji Times Becoming Fiji – a special publication tracing people, places and history that continue to shape who we are as a nation. The edition is a connection to our past. The 55th Fiji Day celebration will be celebrated with a baptism of hope that Fiji will put away the scars that divide us and unite as one to take the nation forward. The Fiji Times Becoming Fiji will enable readers to rediscover our shared storystories of heritage, leadership, creativity and everyday life. The Fiji Times, being Fiji’s oldest newspaper, is rich history itself. It’s time to embrace and cherish memories from The Fiji Times archives.
Pay rise for teachers – SUMAN LATA BA
I WISH to raise my concern about the financial challenges faced by many teachers in Fiji today. Despite being among the most educated and dedicated professionals, teachers continue to struggle to make ends meet because of their low salaries and the rising cost of living. Teachers are the foundation of our education system. They not only teach during normal school hours but also sacrifice their mornings, afternoons, and even Saturdays to prepare students for external examinations. Many go beyond their job descriptions, using their own money to purchase school materials and resources just to ensure their students receive the best education possible. Unfortunately, their hard work often goes unnoticed. Many teachers are forced to take loans or find extra sources of income to support their families. This is disheartening for a group of professionals who give so much to build the nation’s future. The Government should seriously think about increasing teachers’ pay to match their workload, and contributions. Better salaries would not only improve their standard of living but also motivate them to continue their excellent service to the nation. An investment in teachers is an investment in the future of Fiji.
Responsible use of social media – VANI CAKAU USP, SUVA
I AM deeply concerned about how social media is been used by the public to address sensitive issues like marriage scandals, gender criticism and inequality- just posted ridiculously to gain audience and their comments. What may seem like humour or entertainment often leads to cyberbullying, threats and lasting harm. Community groups such as the LGBTQ, the women and children are often being the most affected.
We need to remember that oversharing doesn’t build real confidence or relationships, but it only exposes people to ridicule. Social platforms should have moderation strategy in place to filter out irrelevant content online, and we should practise digital responsibility by posting with respect, empathy and awareness. Lives depend on it.
Teenage pregnancy – FERGUS GARRETT VATUWAQA, SUVA
IT would be good to discuss the issue of these fathers of babies born to teens, but I think there is another more helpful area that is a missing link in the topic – fertility awareness. I believe it is the right of every teenage girl and every woman to know the facts concerning the signs and symptoms of their fertile times – ovulation. These facts are well known to the scientific community and to the promoters of natural family planning. This knowledge was brought to Fiji more than 50 years ago by the Billings couple. Unfortunately the knowledge was largely ignored and certainly not promoted by FPA or any Government department.
The knowledge has been withheld, as is obvious from the Education Ministry’s course in Family Life Education. It is knowledge learned only by direct observation, and should become part of traditional sexual knowledge, passed on personally to future generations by those traditionally responsible. Knowledge is power.
