Dates, venue for Fiji Finals
EDUCATION Minister Aseri Radrodro has confirmed the dates for the biggest athletics event in the South Pacific. The Fiji Finals or Coca-Cola Games will now take place in week 12 of the academic calendar from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. This confirmation has put all doubts to rest and secondary schools have around three weeks to prepare for the mecca of athletics. Although the Coca-Cola Games will clash with the finals of the FSSRL Vodafone Trophy to be played at Ratu Cakobau Park and the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua v the Blues battle at Churchill Park, expect a jam-packed HFC Bank Stadium as parents, athletes, old scholars and well-wishers will provide the much-needed support and thrust. Excitement is high as the various zones are completing their zonal meets. The Triple N, Nadi and Lautoka/Yasawa zonal meets concluded on a high note as Lelean and ACS, SVC and Natabua and Jasper ruled the boys’ and girls’ competitions, respectively. Dreketi Central College and Savusavu Secondary stamped their mark in their zonal meet. The Suva zone meet will bring out the best from the likes of Marist, Grammar, MGM and St Joseph. I reiterate my earlier calls that our athletes sacrifice a lot and they must be rewarded accordingly. There must be a pathway set for athletes after the Fiji Finals. Unfortunately, many athletes, who shine at the Fiji Finals, fade away. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Glue sniffing
THE Fiji Times report “High on glue” (FT 3/4) highlighting that children as young as eight are inhaling harmful substance such as glue should be addressed with urgency. Some time ago many awareness programs were activated by the Ministry of Education through the Drug and Substance Abuse Centre. It was quite effective when the workshops were organised for the schools and communities. It’s sad to note many outlets are selling such items when parents are also involved with their children. All stakeholders have an urgent role to play in the partnership before they go out of control. Parents play a major role as being the best role model for prevention rather than cure before it is too late. Charity begins at home. TAHIR ALI New Zealand
Jan’s opinions
I THOUGHT Jan Nissar has spared his precious moments for something worthwhile during this month of Ramadan. Fijians remain united with religious or cultural events. Excellent example with events of Holi, Ram Navami, Lent and 40 days of fasting, and a month long Ramadan. All these have fallen within the same period where Jan Nissar should forego his criticism for Fijians who have peacefully embraced each other’s culture and religion. Jan Nissar has continuously branded Fijian rugby players as grog swipers who have placed the dot in the Pacific on the world map. Jan has no idea about our rugby icons Waisale Serevi, William Ryder, Osea Kolinisau and Jerry Tuwai to name a few. Jan doesn’t even remember the Fijian rugby players all over the world including NSW. His continuous criticism of our citizens should come to an end who have served our nation’s many less fortunate. Finally, a good blow from the two gold medals scooped in Rio and Tokyo could lend Jan in NSW without a return ticket. This will probably help regain his memory. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Lautoka
Unrealistic expectations
A LOT has been said about the Coalition Government reaching its first 100 days in Government mostly regarding its unfulfilled promises. I would like to dispute that statement! This Government has achieved quite tremendously in terms of changes. Henceforth, I am compelled to believe that better days are ahead of us. Rome was not built overnight neither 16 years ago and just a few months ago! There is no comparison! In summation, expectations mostly breeds disappointment! Chiuu.. ALIPATE TUBERI Suva
Question and answer
I REFER to your article regarding the questions put to the Education Minister by Hem Chand. Question and answer sessions have been the norm of the parliamentary sessions. While the answers may be directed to the person/party asking the question, the public and stakeholders benefit the most. There is a lot of anxiety among the teaching fraternity regarding the recent appointment of three officers at top level. There is also dismay regarding the cessation of appointment about 30 officers as HOS (head of school), et cetera and reverting of senior HOS to their substantive positions despite their excellent performances. I believe Aseri Radrodro, as the Minister for Education, failed to grasp the opportunity to clear the issue by side stepping the questions put by Mr Chand. Everyone, and mostly the teachers, are interested to know which criteria the minister is using to make appointments. It cannot be open merit recruitment system (OMRS) because OMRS follows a criteria. MOE has a structure, and all positions should be filled within the structure, unless the minister wants to restructure MOE and create positions. Having said that, I believe all positions should be filled through a proper process, giving equal opportunity to all those who qualify. ARUN PRASAD, Dilkusha, Nausori
Media freedom
THOSE tears, hugs probably, smiles and jumping up and down of joy and celebrations after the 2010 Media Act was repealed, may not be understood properly by some of us watching it all unfold. It does look empowering though as our media institutions get somewhat a free hand to tell us things as they are. However, there’s a higher chance of human error now as our journalists could fail to comprehend with their newfound freedom. With the Media Act in place earlier it was scary. What awaits us is potentially scarier. This is democracy where it’s upon us to handle freedom well. The media is never immune to scrutiny, even with the Act being jettisoned. I’m sure we’ll see a few reporters falling victim to their own ambitious reports. Viliame Gavoka said it best, that you would see headlines against Government now. I’d like to see legal provisions that hold media organisation heads accountable. The buck stops somewhere! But where? DONALD SINGH SUVA
Compassion
HUMAN heart throbs to recognise suffering of others Compassion embodies love for those who are suffering Compassion is the real wealth of humanity When translated into action Compassion is the empathetic consciousness of others’ distress With the intense desire to lessen the pain Mercy, kindness, concern and love are ingrained in compassion Making the being alive, vibrant and conscious Compassion without action is like clouds and winds without rain Action is the vehicle of compassion Compassion is like living inside somebody else’s skin Breathing the thoughts and feelings what the person is going through Easter symbolises love, mercy, forgiveness, hope and compassion It personifies vicarious suffering of humanity Through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ Compassion is a profound and powerful virtue Radiating blissfulness, ecstasy, and spiritual vibrations Enriching human existence In compassion lives the human spirit and soul To lessen the suffering of others This is the true religion of humanity The joy of experiencing is limitless It’s indeed, our real wealth BHAGWANJI BHINDI Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu
AI development
THEY said development of AI must be paused because it can become an existential threat on our very human existence. But the horse has already bolted and it’s way too late as we have already turned the corner and very soon it will become sentient and then we really be a goner. It will soon become self aware and replicate itself exponentially and we will probably be its servant and probably become its competitor and enemy. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Pacific Harbour
Dangerous world
A WISE person once told me the world is getting too intense and we are experiencing cold-hearted people. To make it more specific, technology is thriving crazy in our global Earth and it has influenced our daily and personal lives. Thus, living in a world where everything is available and accessible with just a press of a button is nothing more but a dangerous and a high-risk path for us. Technology may change our lives with better living and much easier communication and routes but looking at the bad effects with a much higher potential risk is definitely very alarming. Like kids nowadays who have access to illegal websites and what about those scammers who scam people through online platforms? In the year 2021, more than 95,000 people have fallen victims to fraud initiated on social media. Well that’s not surprising! Imagine almost a century ago, who would ever thought that he/she can call a person from another country? Maybe a random guy who predicted that there will come a day that we all will have access to everything, whether it comes in research or entertainment, it is quite true that technology has overtaken our thinking and creativity. The world nowadays is indeed very dangerous with revolutionary technology, who knows what might come next in the future? Maybe artificial intelligence like robots and cyborgs will start to rise and overthrow us all? KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua
Girmit celebrations
THE PM is moaning about tough times ahead, Sashi Kiran is moaning about the poor and the Finance Minister has already approved $500,000 for the Girmit celebrations. Why don’t we use this $500k on the poorest of the poor Fijians or compensate the victims of the first coup. If we really have to celebrate, please celebrate it on the 14th so we can remember the first coup also. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Media bent
PM Sitiveni Rabuka informed Parliament that $12.057 million of taxpayers’ money was paid in exclusive government newspaper advertising in the Fiji Sun from 2014-2022. Now we get a better insight into why the Fiji Sun was all praise for the ruling FijiFirst government and why it had abdicated its public watchdog role in holding power to account. The Fiji Sun did the Fijian public and proper journalism a great disservice in that period. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Street brawls
THE recent deaths of our young people because of street brawls outside nightclubs begs the question of our law enforcement agencies’ presence during those times. I strongly believe that had the police been vigilant and on foot patrolling or in their vehicles doing their rounds during those times, lives would’ve been saved! ALIPATE TUBERI Suva
Deep potholes
THERE are so deep potholes in our area that you can feel the heat from Earth’s inner core. Let’s move on from lovo only. These are the perfect FOC ovens for all types of cuisine. All welcome! MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Celebrate repeal
ALL journalists should celebrate. Including the ones from those ragtag org’s also. What else can you do. Jump on it. MANOJ LAL PATEL Lautoka
Price rise
TRAVELLING in peri-urban areas, I happen to see price rises in small shops. A packet of curry-flavoured noodles costing about $5 where else it costs $3.85 to $4 in supermarkets. Some prices in small shops are alarming and ripping the underprivileged. Can Consumer Council of Fiji explain why the price rise? NAVNEET RAM Lautoka
