Micky Mouse game
So Jan Nissar again feels uneasy with the Hong Kong rugby 7s this weekend and says no one knows about this sport in Australia. I am not surprised at his belief since he will be surprised to know
that Australians generally don’t know many other things. Australians would be surprised to know that so many countries play 7s rugby and it is also an Olympic sport. Australians would perhaps care to surprise themselves that no one outside Australia knows or cares anything about their game they call Footy where they run all over the place like kindergarten children. AJAI KUMAR Nadi
Balloons harmful
What is it that the public don’t understand about the damaging impact balloons have on our marine environment. The irony here is that while balloons continue to be seen at launches and celebrations, especially for children’s birthday parties, that same child will grow-up to a depleted marine life and environment. The damage to the marine environment is well-documented yet balloons continue to be sold in copious quantities. Can these be banned from sale to reduce their damaging impact? Can the Ministry of Environment and Waterways seriously consider this and environmental advocacy organisations come forward to support the move? When this happens, it will be a cause for celebration for a healthier environment, indeed. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
Offensive plates
Spotted a personalised vehicle registration plate while on my way to work this morning (05/04) which read “TALBAN”, which I am assuming is accredited to the Afghan based militant organisation notorious for carrying out acts of terrorism and violating women’s rights, Are we now glorifying and nurturing brutal terror groups, brotherhood or whatever they are referred to in Fiji? Does the Land Transport Authority have any category of criteria and morals in place before vetting and approving such objectionable and offensive plates? What’s next, some maniac driving around with an “ISIS” registration plate? Appalling on the part of LTA indeed. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Public hospitals
The state of public hospitals and health centres needs everyone’s attention. It was saddening, and heart-breaking to read of the water woes currently experienced at CWM Hospital. Apart from the water problem, a lot more is needed in terms of facilities and machines. The Coalition Government can’t fight the battle alone, as these hospitals were turned a blind eye to by the previous government. I’m pleading with the big generous corporate donors to step forward and join hands with the Coalition Government. Each corporate donor can take one ward each and work on the flaws. Water tanks and generators are needed in extreme situations. We have the Fijian spirit alive in us and we can do it. I’m sure our soldiers will also assist a hand in construction and repair works. I must salute those in the Hidden Paradise, for stepping forward and leading by example in terms of installing lights, fans and painting the Savusavu Hospital. Bulk of the generosity was handed by the business houses in Savusavu, for they deeply and sincerely understood the plight of the common Fijian who relies on the public and not private hospital for medical treatment. The CWM Hospital needs urgent attention. Business houses in Suva, please step in! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Is it ethical?
In his letter to the Editor (27/3/24) entitled ‘Kava article’, Cameron Korehbandi of Botanic Tonics in the USA objects to my mention of ‘Feel Free’ (FT 20/3, p14), a “plant based herbal supplement” containing kratom and kava. He further states: “The claims made throughout the article are irresponsible, inaccurate, and are in no way substantiated by facts or data.” While he is entitled to his opinion, I note Mr Korehbandi does not respond to my included ‘fact’ that “clinicians are increasingly reporting kratom safety concerns (McCurdy et al. 2024), and … FDA … (warnings – ‘data’ –) not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (addiction).” If we are talking “irresponsible”, could Mr Korehbandi answer the following questions for both me and The Fiji Times readers: considering the warnings over kratom safety, does he feel it is ethical and ‘responsible’ to mix this addictive drug (kratom) with non-addictive safe kava? Possibly Mr Korehbandi would like to respond to comments in the 2023 court case, “Torres v. Botanic Tonics, LLC … 23-cv-01460-VC … about a drink called Feel Free, which allegedly contains large amounts of a dangerous, addictive ingredient called kratom”? Or, will Botanic Tonics commit to financially support Fijian kava farmers should another kava ban be triggered, this time from the adulteration of kava with unsafe and/or addictive additives? This letter to the Editor appears to be yet another attempt by those in the ‘culture industry’ to discredit anyone who challenges their cultural appropriating and/ or unethical practices. Here, it would seem Mr Korehbandi is also using diversionary tactics, attempting to avert attention away from addictive kratom, which in the case of Feel Free, includes our safe cultural keystone species kava as an additive. In the wrongful death suit cited in my opinion piece (Superior Court of the State of Washington, No. 23 2 01183 08), a case in which it is alleged a person died after consuming a kratom drink with similarities to Feel Free, similar diversionary tactics — ‘facts’ — were highlighted: “Unable to verify kratom’s safety, the Kratom industry (which I argue includes those who make kratom drinks/ shots) has instead been built upon clandestine and fraudulent business activities, including the unlawful importation of Kratom as ‘plant food’, ‘incense’, ‘cosmetic’ powders, and other legal items [Item 42].” We await with interest the answers – “facts or data” – to the questions put here to Mr Korehbandi. DR APO APOROSA Te Huataki Waiora School of Health The University of Waikato
Laid to rest
People from different faiths coming together to conduct the funeral of an abandoned state home resident (FT 5/4) is a good illustration of humanism transcending religious parochialism. I salute these good people for their higher order human solidarity. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Respecting religions
The Archbishop Peter Loy Chang’s empowering message to respect other religions (FT2/4) should be taken by heart by all the Fijians to stay peacefully in Fiji’s diverse multiracial and multireligious society. “If your religion does not respect the rights of other religions,it is lacking something.”-Roger Ebert. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Potholes
Navneet Ram believes there are probably 100,000 potholes or more all over Fiji roads (FT 5/4). Well I think that is only the right side of the road he speaks about. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Check them out
The iconic, enigmatic and absolutely amazing legendary actress, Kathryn Hepburn, said something that is deeply profound. She said and I quote, “Nothing is a impossible. The word itself says, I’m Possible!” And that’s not the only profound quote she came up with. There’s a string of them that are absolute crackers. Check ’em out! Colin Deoki Australia
After the rain
So much rain had fallen. We are thankful for the rain. Here is something I’ve been thinking about, will there be a drought after all the rain? We have learned a huge lesson from all the rain. Can we store it somewhere for the drought? Does the weatherman have the capability to see into the future and tell us? NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
For rainy days
Naibuka Vodo’s queries on why FNPF does not allow members to invest on our own (FT 4/4), I believe we will not be able to administer and control the finance on our own. I feel our funds with FNPF is quite safe and members can use them where needed the most. Safely keep your fund for your rainy days with FNPF – securing your future. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Lucrative business
According to the front-page headlines, $44b ‘pot of gold’ of The Fiji Times dated April 5, Fiji wants a piece of the medicinal marijuana revenue. It is indeed a profitable business to venture into. I also want a piece of it. Sa dua mada ga na noqu teitei lailai! DINESH KUMAR Ba
January Nissan
Oh Wise, you were brutal on him! He might not be able to walk properly after reading that! SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka
Water – a gift taken for granted
Water is nature’s greatest gift It’s vital to treasure it with thrift Water is the most precious gift of nature We need to conserve, save and nurture Water pure and crystal clear A source of life we hold so dear We turn on the taps without a thought But water’s worth cannot be bought For waters flow is not assured By careless hands it’s often lured When we starve of drinking water Then we realize the gravity of the matter Every human activity comes to a halt Human mind gets a bolt We realize the value of water When taps run out of water Every drop of water is the life’s sustenance Indeed, it’s so vital to life’s maintenance If we take gifts of God like land, air and water for granted Then one day we will pay a higher price for all we have planted Humans, animals, plants and nature need water for sustenance With water they bloom and flourish into eminence In a haste, we waste like an ocean deep While many deprived silently weep Water is a gift sublime and grand A resource we must safeguard hand in hand. BHAGWANJI BHINDI Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu
LTA crack down
The fact that 98 drivers had their driver licences cancelled while four had theirs suspended by the Land Transport Authority in the past eight months for reckless driving and traffic violations is the way forward to address road fatalities. Continued reckless behaviour on Fiji’s roads has become rampant and one way of addressing this problem is to remove drivers who are defiant and not changing their habits. The action we take against rough and careless drivers must be reflective of their offence. It should also serve as a deterrence then only the action makes any sense. The campaign shouldn’t have any room for give and take and it must be applied across the board alike. Drivers who show no respect to the rule of law and have no regard to safety are better off the roads. LTA CEO says they will not tolerate any reckless behaviour on our roads. Thank you, CEO. Now, it is up to the drivers to take heed or face the consequences. We can hope the campaign does not lose its momentum and all corners are covered with no compromise. Let’s weed out bad tempered drivers. Suresh Chand Nadi
Princes Rd traffic
There have been lots of frustrations expressed in the media regarding the morning and afternoon traffic on Princes Rd, Tamavua, particularly going through Tamavua Village where road humps are built to slow traffic, most vehicles can only travel at 5-10 k/ph through this section of the road. I am one of those who are caught up in that situation every day and I can tell you, it is frustrating having to crawl all the way and often we encounter impatient drivers passing you on the left trying to get ahead. To improve traffic flow, there have been suggestions to fence off both sides of the road along the entire length of the village and provide pedestrian crossings to allow villagers to cross. To me that is not a solution as people can still cross at any time and that can still hold traffic up. I am not a road engineer but I would like to suggest a way to improve the traffic flow. Yes, do fence off the entire length of the village on both sides of the road, then build an underground pedestrian tunnel in a convenient location anywhere along the length of the village to allow pedestrians to cross. Access to the tunnel is by means of a gradual ramp on both sides of the road. The ramp should be gradual so young children, elderly pedestrians and people in wheelchairs could use the crossing easily. Once this is done, the traffic can then flow freely in both directions without any interruptions. I am not a civil engineer either, but I am sure qualified people can come up with a design to build the crossing quickly so as to minimise disruption to traffic flow during the construction stage, maybe they use some precast structures, similar to large square culverts. If this idea is proven successful, it could be adapted around the country. ROHINI NAND Nausori
