Congratulations Julie
Many congratulations to Julie Sutherland for winning the letter of the year 2020.
Her article on “No ribbons for victims” is well-written and a real story which touches the heart and mind.
The sentences, “While I feel some compassion for the loved ones perpetrators of such crimes, I had to get back up on the proverbial alone. I can imagine how some victims of crime would be left broken, both physically and mentally” really emphasises the depth of the feelings and situation that victims go through enduring the torture of a crime.
Your article showed the suffering and torment victims of crimes go through; and there is even much more suffering after the crime.
But there is not much justice or even compensation given to the victims.
Thank you for your letter.
It is very much appreciated.
Julie writes on many common topics and issues and her letters are informative, educational and thought-provoking.
She has written on issues such as child labour, education, human rights, electoral system, and many more issues.
She brings out the truth and reality of the lives of our people.
She certainly deserves the award.
We have all benefited in some way from reading Julie’s articles as they are inspirational and motivational.
Thank you to The Fiji Times for recognising and rewarding such wonderful writers.
Keep writing Julie and wish you all the best.
BHAGWANJI BHINDI, Nasinu
Copy of letter
I hope a copy of the letter of the year is sent to the Prison’s Department and a copy to the Government and ask them if they could come up with a program to help the victims of crime.
I think we could call it a “Black Ribbon” program.
Thank you Julie Sutherland and Ronnie Chang for letting us know how crime victims suffer.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Back in Time
I refer to your “Back in Time” feature (FT 21/01).
This article evokes a deep realisation of the many issues that still persists.
It’s been a little more than four decades since this speech, yet the article feels as fresh and hot as bread from the corner store.
It begs the question, are we still getting it wrong?
COVID has arguably added a new dimension to education, the curriculum and its relevance to employment prospects.
This will bring a new set of priorities.
Is our education system and the reforms robust, flexible and practical to churn out “children who are ready for a purposeful life?”
It is critical now more than ever to get things right with education.
Elzur Nashon, Suva
Traffic issue
In spite of tremendous efforts by the authorities, I still feel that the traffic issue is here to stay.
It is basically a scenario in all major towns and cities and the Nausori–Suva corridor.
Every day, the number of vehicles on our roads keep rising and the pressure exerted keeps escalating.
The solution may be difficult but may not be impossible.
Traffic congestion is going to worsen unless we think of some smart innovation.
Travel by sea and air is an area that we need to utilise to curb this growing concern.
It may be sounding awkward but time has come to devise other methods of travel for commuters.
Many people travel alone for work daily and this is another area we need to consider.
By the way, a big thank you to all traffic officers present on our roads to control the flow of traffic.
Your sacrifice and effort is indeed praiseworthy.
Naveen Dutt, Wainibokasi
Cassava industry
No doubt we have the potential to reap great benefits from cassava production if we produced enough to sustain the industry.
We have so much unused expired sugarcane lease land available that can easily be used to get the industry going.
Plough, stick a stem in, maintain weeds, and harvest, is all it’ll take.
Clearing lots of new ground for cultivation must be thought through carefully because one of our greatest unforeseen problem will be soil erosion, therefore, cultivating unused cane fields is the way to go.
Here is a product that has great potential and what’s exciting about it is that we have the perfect climate to produce more than enough if all stakeholders worked together efficiently, collectively and consistently.
We are definitely made for cassava production!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Tavioka flour
All kudos to the Tavioka Growers Association and its business arm, the Tavioka Group, for its plan to venture into the production of tavioka flour this year.
It will be an alternative source of flour that is gluten-free and relatively more healthier than normal and GP flour.
The cassava flour and cassava/tapioca starch already available here, are probably imported, so this development is most reassuring and refreshing from a local industry perspective.
As was mentioned some time ago, cassava/tavioka is a billion dollar business in waiting and needs to be exploited, like yesterday!
Anyway, congrats to the Tavioka Growers Association for their vision and best wishes for a successful venture.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Formal replies
Some letters in this column receive formal replies from authorities to raised issues which benefits the wider community.
I wonder if the same practice applies to social media.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Romance again
Romance is back in flavour and it’s only a matter of about three weeks before Valentine’s Day kicks in.
The definitions and expressions of love are likely to be sparked throughout the week leading to February 14.
One can only imagine how individuals adhere to social distancing guidelines, especially when emotions run high with all the hype created through Valentine’s Day promotions.
All in all, do have an enjoyable and romantic week.
For now, I would rather go with the good old saying that one must live each day as it comes.
Floyd Robinson, Toorak, Suva
Pothole alley
The Rakiraki-Lautoka stretch is fast becoming a pothole alley.
An oncoming vehicle almost swiped me yesterday morning as it was trying to avoid a pothole.
I know the driver should slow down, but could the FRA also fix the potholes?
Gabe Simpson, Rakiraki
Accept defeat
Just a thought to some politicians that be a good person although you have lost, instead trigger yourself by saying you can do better compared with others.
A good loser doesn’t blame but accepts the defeat.
Jaheed Buksh, Korolevu, Sigatoka
Joe Biden
The US President Joe Biden is described as “a decent, empathetic person” (smh 22/1).
That’s the leader I admire and respect rather than the “strongman” variety who often turn out to be the wrong kind as the outgoing US president Donald Trump so amply illustrated.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Post-COVID-19
I’ve read and heard many mentions “pre-COVID-19” and “post-COVID-19”.
It just makes me wonder, when did it end, for it to be referred to as “post-COVID-19”.
Nigel Fiu, Owls Perch, Lautoka
Pine trees
JUST a 30 per cent stumpage for harvesting the overplanted pine trees outside the leased zone, in my opinion if that could be increased I believe the landowners would be happy to have them harvested.
I guess Fiji Pine Ltd is not that desperate for pine trees and the dollar!
AREKI DAWAI, Suva
Political power
When political power changes hands as it always does, what should we as a society do?
Do we allow things to continue and hope for the best, or do we seek justice to make people accountable for their wrong decisions?
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Keeping quiet
LATELY, the quality of those letters to the editor kept me quiet.
What’s the point to repeat in a different way what Rajend Naidu, Tessa Mackenzie, Dan Urai, Mohammed Imraz Janif or Edward Blakelock already said in better English than mine?
I only have one complaint about Tessa.
She seemed to suggest that she was getting old and started forgetting names (FT 14/01).
Give me a break, honourable writer!
“Our” government is forgetting way more than what you could possibly do.
Just read The Fiji Times if you have doubts.
By the way, your English is still good!
I can still understand you.
Mathieu Kwacanavatu, Namosi
Indian cricket team
Congratulations to the Indian cricket team for winning the Border- Gavaskar trophy 2-1 in Australia.
Despite its lowest ever total in test cricket of 36/9 in the second innings of the first test and the departure of captain Virat Kohli, the Indians regrouped to come out under vice-captain Ajinka Rahane.
More fittingly, it was the first time in 32 years that Australia has been beaten in Brisbane against all odds.
Former top Australia batsman, Mark Waugh said: “The Indian cricket team has no hope of making a comeback after the humiliation in Adelaide and will suffer a 4-0 whitewash in the four-match test series.”
Likewise, former England captain turned commentator, Michael Vaughan also predicted a 4-nil whitewash but came back to bite him after the Indians defied all odds stacked against them to script a triumph for the ages.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi aptly put it: “We are all overjoyed at the success of the Indian Cricket team in Australia as their energy and passion were visible throughout.”
Celebration time all around. Raymond Singh Marine Drive, Lautoka Mickey Mouse Super 7s So the Mickey Mouse Super 7s Series is in progress and everyone in Fiji only is preparing full swing for the Olympics.
I hear the Mickey Mouse Marist 7s is also under planning full swing.
The only problem is, I believe there will be no Olympics this year.
All that great anticipation for another 7s gold will only be a dream.
My apologies for raining on your parade.
As a marketing strategy, I suggest the Mickey Mouse Marist 7s should be branded MMM7s – Triple M 7s, it’s got a ring to it, doesn’t it?
Jan Nissar, NSW, Australia
Super 7s series
Just as much as one supports the local Super 7s Series, one wonders whether it’s fair to include a national side as alluded to by our national coach.
If this decision is supported, it would appear unfair as a national side comprising the best of our players would have a huge advantage over other teams.
From another perspective, it is an ideal opportunity to put our national reps to the acid test.
It could work to our disadvantage, as all other national coaches need to do is to gain access to coverage of the games to pick out our weaknesses before international tournaments.
One looks forward to some exciting rugby in Lawaqa Park this Saturday.
Floyd Robinson, Toorak, Suva
High standard
I agree with our 7s coach Gareth Baber that our national side should be part of the FRU Super 7s Series.
This will give our boys competition and game time playing together as a team.
This will help fine-tune our performance as we prepare for the Tokyo Olympics and the WRSS circuit.
Teams around the globe have been affected by lack of game time, and Fiji should capitalise on this as our local 7s tournaments are tough, and this should give our boys an expectation of what type of competition they will face in Japan.
Baber should start working on his combination, and he should try the new boys who are part of the extended training squad.
I’m sure that more talents will be unveiled at Lawaqa Park this weekend.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
State of our roads
Could the relevant authorities managing roads consider an open forum to discuss the state of the roads?
One suggestion in mind is to consider fixing all our roads during the non-cyclone period from April to November, mostly dry periods to allow for proper maintenance and a long-run impact.
Fixing and patching potholes during the cyclone season will not assist as heavy rain or downpours will open up all short-term patching, creating more work and cost and anxiety among drivers.
The past two days’ very heavy downpour is one good example with many patched roads opening up again with potholes.
This will also assist with cost-saving during these tough times.
Vinaka, please consider the ferry service from Lami to Nausori to reduce the load of vehicle traffic on the Suva-Nausori corridor as a Plan B with school also starting.
Can we start the talanoa not the tanoa to come to a common solution?
Shalwyn Prasad, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Animal cruelty
Thank you so much for Amrit Singh’s letter, (16/01) about cruelty to animals in Fiji.
It’s rife here.
And relates to potential cruelty to human beings, for sure.
I’m glad Pirate looks like he’s going to make it too.
Brave boy.
I agree that more education needs to happen around ownership and care of pets in Fiji.
Also, that both SPCA, Suva and Animals Fiji, Nadi deserve greater support as NGOs supporting animal care and education in Fiji.
They support negligence in our communities at the hand of human irresponsibility, clearly.
As a dog owner and trainer of my large female dog, I am aware daily of how children and adults alike can react negatively because of ignorance about how to treat dogs appropriately in a suburb.
I have worked carefully to ensure they meet my dog on a leash outside of home on daily walks.
This educates dog and humans simultaneously.
There is a better way to coexist with our animal best mates.
I also encourage kids to not be afraid of her, but respectful and to not tease her when she is within our compound.
She is never tethered too.
That is asking for a likely vicious ill-bred animal.
I believe that any cruelty to animals needs to be a prosecutable offence here.
Research shows that people who are cruel to animals abuse humans too.
So “psychopath” is the right word for animal abusers, including not watering or feeding them, abandoning them when on holiday, or leaving them after hitting them on the road by accident.
There are no excuses for doing this to an animal you injure.
Take responsibility for your accident, or if you see someone else do this, report their registration number to LTA as a reckless/careless driver at the least.
Recently, I was on holiday in B&B Nadi, where six young dogs were left the entire week I was there.
Luckily, I’m a dog lover.
One had been hit by a black Ford Ranger, that comes to the property, which fractured this young brave dog’s hip and femur so badly, where it was left for 10 days to suffer until I relinquished it and the other siblings to Animals Fiji.
Unfortunately, this pup had to die by euthanasia because of a coward bully.
Meanwhile, this driver got off scot-free.
Later, this same driver tried to run me off the same road while walking, simply because I took his registration number.
To the Nadi police, this incident of bullying and cruelty was a big joke.
But it proves the insanity of a reckless driver and the complete ineptitude of slack public servants too.
Cruelty to an animal will certainly mean cruelty to human beings as well.
Fiji needs to prosecute these cruel, irresponsible abusers.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Amrit Singh.
Let’s persevere: It’s a work in progress.
Come on Fiji, stop cruelty to animals, and clean up your community of bullies.
JEAN HATCH, Nabua, Suva
Final year law students
I refer to a letter in the Letters to the Editor section of The Fiji Times on January 14, 2021, titled “New law graduates” by Korina Waibuta.
The ODPP would like to respond to Ms Waibuta’s letter.
The ODPP offers opportunities for final year law students as paralegals to give them work experience in prosecutions.
They are paid an hourly rate of $4.80 and have a flexible work schedule.
During their employment, they get to see first-hand how the criminal justice system works to help them decide whether a career as a prosecutor is for them.
Final year law students wishing to work as paralegals in the ODPP should send a written application to the DPP through the Director Human Resources to P.O. Box 2355, Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji.
Farisha Ahmed, Media Liaison Officer, ODPP.
Cuvu pride
While I congratulate Kasavu FC for winning the National Regional Club championship that concluded at Lawaqa Park on Sunday, I applaud the efforts of Greenstar for making it into the final.
The Stallions defeated defending champions Yalalevu FC on penalty kicks.
Hence, I commend the spirit and bonding that was displayed by their supporters, most of whom reside in Cuvu.
Those days, community support was great and football clubs made great strides.
Even during club competitions, each club had its own band of fiery supporters.
Sadly, today, this spirit has declined and interest in club football has diminished.
Goal Fiji (FT 20/01) portrayed a beautiful picture of the Greenstar FC team and supporters and the supporters looked nice in green.
It seems that Nadroga’s promotion in the top flight has once again regenerated football interest in Nadroga.
Will we see the glorious days of Ramendra Dutt, Bineshwar, Anirudh Singh, the late Jese Morgan, Kaminieli Tuilawaki, Radike Nawalu, Kini Tubi, Vinod Kumar, Ned Hicks and the Work, Watkins and Naitasiwai brothers – only time will tell!
For now, it’s Hakwa Nadro!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Drones for traffic management
I cannot understand why the Fiji Police Force has decided to use drones when school resumed to ensure there is a free flow of traffic (FT 17/01).
It is a known fact that certain schools, because of their location, require police to control traffic before and after school each day.
We don’t need drones to tell us that. Instead, schedule police to be at these schools before they start and after they finish.
Police traffic controllers are required at these schools for at least an hour and a half before and after school each school day.
To use drones for something that happens for a short while in the morning and afternoon is not only a waste of time but is inefficient and a waste of resources.
Drones will only be deployed to basically tell us what we already know and by the time traffic controllers are deployed to these schools, all will be over, amid chaos!
Cut the drones and get police traffic controllers on the ground!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Cancer warrior women
I thank Denise Kloeden, who is the wife of David Kloeden (the co-ordinator of the International Monetary Fund), for hosting women cancer survivors to the Bula Broads celebration morning tea.
Denise Kloeden, who is a cancer survivor, called her guests “cancer warriors”, and said that they celebrated the lives of women who had fought cancer and won.
Our Vude Queen and cancer warrior Laisa Vulakoro and her band performed for the “cancer warriors”.
Thank you so much madam Denise Kloeden for your kindness!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Different ball game
Olympian Apisai Domolailai and his troops must be commended for holding the fort and helping with the rehabilitation work in areas affected by STC Yasa.
Elated students of Wailevu West District School were starstruck after finding out about the presence of Domolailai.
Hearty thanks also to the good Samaritans for reaching out to students and families affected by STC Yasa with food packs and stationery needs.
A big vinaka vakalevu for the generosity and kind thoughts!
President Jioji Konrote visited students in STC Yasa affected areas, and he was pleased with the amount of resilience that was shown by them.
He told the students that such experiences should never end their hopes of achieving their dreams.
So true, sir!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Garbage truck
On a recent visit to the Capital City, Suva, upon our return to Nadi, we found ourselves trailing a compactor garbage truck for miles.
The nauseating and putrid stench emanating from this vehicle was gross, and most unbearable.
Can the Minister for Health; Minister for Occupational, Health and Safety, the Suva City Council CEO and Senior Health Inspector, the CEO of contracting garbage company involved come up with an immediate solution, please?
Thank you, in advance.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
Inspiring story
One reads with interest the article entitled Alternative for farmers (FT 22/01).
This young man, Joeli Waqanivalu, turned an idea into reality.
Now he produces a bio-fertiliser at such a young age.
This story is an example of turning dreams into reality and an inspiration for all.
Floyd Robinson, Toorak, Suva
Roadside vendors
I believe the Minister for Local Government’s urge to get all roadside vendors (fijivillage.com – 21/01) to register for a stall with the municipal council is misguided and will be detrimental to the sellers’ financial status.
We all know too well that municipal markets experience sales on Saturdays only.
In Nadi, Fridays may be OK too but not that good, while the rest days are next to nothing.
Roadside vendors, on the other hand, are able to sell their produce daily and it is also a convenient arrangement for buyers who don’t have to go to municipal markets that often require traversing congested roads and then hunting for parking space.
Additionally, the Nadi Municipal Market is so cluttered on Saturdays that social distancing guidelines seem to be a completely disproved theory!
In short, roadside vendors are practical and convenient.
The minister’s idea is remiss and completely fails to account for the dire financial situation most sellers are facing in the current pandemic-stricken situation.
This also stands against the PM’s ongoing message in many forms, that the Government is fully committed to ensure the ordinary Fijians are assisted in every manner possible.
Bimal Prasad, Newtown Rd, Wailoaloa, Nadi
Just a number
If the saying that age is just a number holds true, then the United States of America can testify to this.
One only has to look at the age of the former president Donald Trump and the new President Joe Biden.
They are definitely past their 70s.
How many prime ministers in the Pacific are at that age when in power?
Meanwhile, environmentalists are breathing a sigh of relief as the United States of America is returning to the Paris Agreement.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the week as one can only guess whether one will reach the 70s.
After all, age is just a number.
Floyd Robinson, Toorak, Suva
New US president
Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States of America by Chief Justice John Roberts at the US Capitol in Washington.
He offered a message of unity and restoration to a deeply divided country reeling from a battered economy and the raging COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans.
Standing on the steps of the US Capitol two weeks after a mob of then-president Donald Trump’s supporters, this was Biden’s message, “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.
“We can do this if we open our souls instead of our hardened hearts.”
Biden immediately got into business as he has solid work ahead of him.
On the other hand, heartiest congratulations to Kamala Harris, who was elected USA’s first woman, first black and first Asian American vice-president!
All the best to the newly elected Biden and Kamala Harris!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
