Sad occasion!
Speaker of the House Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu shared his experiences with the Fiji 7s team and how our boys slept on the verandas at the Sydney Airport while they were travelling to Dubai last year. This is so sad, indeed! As a result, the boys were fatigued from the lack of proper rest, resulting in their poor outing in Dubai. According to honourable Lalabalavu, there was no money. This must stop. FRU must ensure that our 7s team is well-looked after when they are on tour. The boys must be given pocket allowances. After all, they are making so many sacrifices to ensure Fiji’s flag is flown on the 7s arena. If they are treated well, they will perform. Singapore 7s is coming up. I’m urging the Sports Ministry to start thinking about incentives that will boost the players to win the Singapore and Madrid 7s titles. It’s also sad that the promise that was made to Jerry Tuwai has not been fulfilled. I hope that Jerry’s family will get good news. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Shameful story
Repeka Nasiko’s shameful story (FT 10/4) on the Fiji 7s team sleeping out on the outside decks of the Sydney International Airport should not really come as a surprise. I thought the women’s team
were the ones normally treated with some contempt. Sydney Airport closes to the public nightly at 11.30pm and reopen their doors at 2.30am. Either FRU were ignorant of this or they just didn’t care. TERRY HULME Eastwood, NSW, Australia
Water cuts
The ground floor of my house is about 15 metres below the site on Princes Rd where Water Authority of Fiji was at work day and night last week repairing damage done by Horizontal Directional Drilling gone wrong that was instigated by a telecommunications company. I guess that is why I usually get at least a trickle of piped water during WAF service disruptions when houses up on Princes Rd run dry. The water cut last week was the longest I’ve experienced here in over 20 years and I felt sorry for everybody on higher ground that spent several days without even a trickle and had to depend on water trucks. WAF’s Seru Soderberg did an outstanding job with video updates explaining what was happening on Princes Rd, and maybe the unnamed company at fault will eventually be forced to reimburse WAF for costs of the HDD fiasco. But how can hundreds of households in Suva that suffered lack of water last week be compensated? I already held a grudge against the offending company, for buying up rights to HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series broadcasts and preventing everyone from watching the entire series live on TV for free as we have done for decades.
Wouldn’t it be smart public relations for the big telecommunications company to be better and make amends now by allowing us to watch live HSBC Sevens on commercial TV again? Willard Miller Ellis Place, Suva
Does Gavoka care?
No, it’s a man for himself now! It’s a do or die situation! This is about Mr Gavoka’s integrity, pocket, his wife and family’s livelihood as realistically speaking there is no turning back for him as he has worked hard to bring SODELPA to where it is today. His allegiance is to the PAP/NFP coalition which he will toil hard and smartly to maintain at all cost come what may. The internal bickering, power struggles and the backstabbing is nothing new to DPM Gavoka as he has got a thick skin. The High Court, Appeals and the Supreme Court are waiting for the SODELPA management board should they have the resources to do so. Please be reminded that the Coalition Government’s life rests with the three Deputy Prime Ministers in PAP’s Manoa Kamikamica, NFP’s Professor Biman Prasad and SODELPA’s Mr Gavoka who are the power brokers. Toso Viti, toso. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Letter writers
Can Arvind Mani, a regular contributor to the FT letter’s column indicate which letter writers just “write about anything to just see their name in print?”. It would be ideal to know as these contributors could probably find an alternative interest or voice their sentiments on other media platforms. Perhaps Mr Mani needs to be reminded that this is a free country and just like him, every citizen has an autonomous right to free speech, as postulated under the Fijian Constitution. How’s that for a fine print? Nishant Singh Lautoka
Writing letters
You are not alone Sukha Singh. I might also be in the same boat of letter writers “who write anything just to see their name in print.” Do not get disheartened and reduce the number of letters you send from the friendly North. I always look forward to reading your letters all the time. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Migration numbers
Imagine if those 80,000 of our folks didn’t migrate, well, if even those hundreds of thousands who departed before this 80k left, didn’t go, how much added pressure would there be on our ageing water pipes? This is ‘half glass full’ thinking, a positive mental attitude, something you pay to hear. Would our infrastructure sustain a 2 million population? That’s if they all stayed and multiplied here. Our population is okay, so we must not fret. The trouble only is the skilled and the professionals also going, but then we are told that’s being addressed. Donald Singh Suva
LTE page
The ‘letters to the editor’ page is a platform where views are expressed and exchanged in a peaceful and civilised manner. It enables writers to freely express their views on any subject which they feel needs your attention. The platform allows writers to engage in peaceful dialogue and debate which is a vital component of democracy. Without dialogue, discussion, debate and dissent, a democracy cannot survive. Also, without logical argument, we cannot progress and come closer to the truth. However, we need to be cautious about falling into the trap of logical misconceptions. We should always be mindful of the rights of others as much as we do for ours. We must always try to address the issue and not attack the person who brings up the subject. That said, I know you are matured enough not to make such a mistake. Suresh Chand Nadi
Cheque issue
Please Government let us keep using the cheque books. It will cause a lot inconvenience to people if cheques are banned. Just imagine if you have to pay someone say $2000, you don’t have to go to the bank and withdraw the cash. Cheques also provide security that a payment was done. I hope the Government can reconsider their decision to ban the use of cheques. Sukha Singh Labasa
Expensive car area I was at the Nadi International Airport for pick-up and it was good to see the smiling faces of various staff of the companies stationed there. I believe the car park is mostly used by locals and we are paying a sky-high price for it, specifically at nights it is too costly. I believe charges were irresponsibly decided. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Supermarket prices
At last Joel Abraham of FCCC is going to check supermarket prices of a few items. I am surprised he has not said anything about powdered milk packets. So I would just like to remind him that milk packets were reduced in size from 450 grams to 400 grams a few months ago and now the 400 gram packets are sold at higher prices. Sukha Singh Labasa
Spoil of the week
Wise Muavono (FT 19/4) should take the Spoil of the Week prize, if there’s any such gong offered. His spoil of the Flying Fijians coach appointment is outright hilarious. Mick Beddoes as coach! Donald Singh Suva
Middle East games
So it begins. The Israel/Iran bombing pong. Why can’t they just play beer-pong or ping-pong? MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Drug epidemic
A sicty-seven per cent increase in illicit drug cases was recorded last month. The three legged government should be directing their effort and focus in attempting to hold back the tide of supercharged opioids swirling through Fiji’s illicit drug supply. Instead they’re preoccupied with their own internal bickering. Dou bau oca! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Bonding and bondage
Bonding reflects bliss and sublime connection
Bondage reflects captivity and oppression
It’s amazing how people forge and nurture
Bonds with the land of their birth cherish their culture
Bonding symbolizes freedom and ecstasy
Bondage symbolizes restraint and frenzy
In bonding we enjoy the ecstasy of togetherness
In bondage we cringe and flinch separateness
In bonding we plant a firm foundation
In bondage we plant a loose sensation
Bonding without bondage becomes more binding
It makes our life more illuminating and resonating
Love is a bond woven with delicate and intricate threads
Bondage is a bond woven with harsh and agonizing dreads
Bonding unites our heart
Bondage tears us apart
Human bonding is like a spring season
Human bondage is like a winter season
Weaving bonding is so blissful
Creating bondage is so painful
In bonding we feel solaced and relaxed
In bondage we feel alienated and tensed
In bonding we experience peace and security
In bondage we experience discord and insecurity
Bonds of humanity, we cherish
In bondage we perish. BHAGWANJI Bhindi Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu
FBC machine
A hematology analyser, better known to us as an FBC or full blood count machine, is used to count and identify blood cells at high speed with accuracy. This is usually the first test requested by physicians to determine a patient’s general health status. These tests can help diagnose anaemia, infection, hemophilia, blood-clotting disorders and leukemia. A complete blood count helps determine overall health, diagnose a medical condition, check on a medical condition and check on medical treatment. It is critical that every hospital has a hematology analyser as such. Can someone explain why Savusavu Hospital is still having issues fixing their machine? While those that can afford it can get their tests done at another private clinic in Savusavu, the hospital has to send its blood samples all the way to Labasa and then await results. So what of them that need urgent medical attention? And can’t afford private clinic testing fees? How much longer is this issue going to be ignored? What will trigger the ability to fix the machine and take care of our patients well? Not having a machine means a patient could bleed to death and this is only one of the many complications of not being able to do a full blood count. Could the people concerned at the Ministry of Health look into this as Savusavu caters to a good sized population and it is not fair to put added pressure on the Labasa Hospital which already has its allocated share of work. It may also be wise to let us know if the ministry is not able to fix or purchase a new machine so that the Savusavu community can do something about fundraising for one! Noleen Billings Savusavu
Israel influence
I just hope to God that Israel is not using the current Gaza and Iran events to draw her allies into a conflict situation that would serve her purpose at a cost to her allies. It is just mind boggling how Israel has continued to use aggressive tactics without due regard to people’s lives. Is this an act of serving God? Just asking. Emosi Balei Suva
Party man
It seems to me that the so-called “party man” is also the chief manipulator behind the SODELPA management board. Is he there to serve the people or himself. Very sad indeed. Josefa Tuitubou
Vuda Bypass, Lautoka
