First in the family
Journalist Anish Chand carries with him heaps of skills, experience and passion and his writings and social media posts are looked forward to by many.
In yesterday’s People column, Anish penned an article titled “First in the family”. It was a beautiful piece based on 24-year-old Rakiraki lass Sharon Chandra, who is the first doctor in the family and is looking forward to serving Fijians.
Having been exposed to leadership at a young age, Sharon has done her family proud. Getting into the medical field has always been her dream and she received a lot of family support.
Her story is one which is worth sharing with our senior students who are preparing for their external exams. Some of her qualities that stood out include her passion, sincerity and dedication.
She also shared that she is self-motivated and a fast learner, has good communication skills, has compassion and empathy and possesses perseverance.
These qualities are needed by children to attain success. I commend Sharon for achieving her goal and I’m adamant she will be a good doctor.
Thank you Anish and The Fiji Times for the inspirational piece! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Power of prayers
MANY people believe in God. Most of those who believe in God also have firm belief in prayers.
Psychologists describe prayer as a “subconscious” and “emotional effusion”, an outburst of the mind that desires to enter into communication with the invisible.
In almost all religion, people perform elaborate rituals, chanting mantras or prayers to seek God’s blessings in the fulfilment of individual desires or for seeking something important for the community as a whole.
Most of us are reminded of God only when disaster strikes.
It is a human weakness that makes us look towards a greater power in times of distress. Prayer, whatever its form may be, has astonishing effects on the human mind. It gives us the assurance that “all is well”.
Prayers make us transfer our burdens and sorrow to God or to ask God to protect us from and impending danger. I firmly believe that we need to seriously pray for two good reasons; one that COVID ends quickly so that the blame game that is circulating ends quickly and life returns to normalcy.
It will also end the struggles of so many families that our number one newspaper has covered and those others facing the same situations. Secondly, we must all pray that the threat of a looming uncertain weather is clear and our lives and property are not damaged in any natural disaster.
Let us pray that no tropical cyclone comes close to Fiji. In other words let’s close our borders to all TC. Let us for once come together and pray for one another and our beloved Fiji.
If we can unite during this uncertain time, God’s blessings will be enormous and we will start to see change. Om Shanti VISHNU DEO SHARMA Nakasi, Nausori
Brave call
I WAS satisfied with the comments made by the Fiji Nursing Association and I must commend president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola for speaking up and raising concerns of her members who look up to their union at the height of the third wave.
Her statement brought back memories of the good old days of Kuini Lutua, who was an iron lady, as she was vibrant and outspoken.
A brave call madam — hats off for the statement! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
What control
I VIVIDLY recall the Health Minister and his team of “professionals” assertively assuring the public before unlocking our shores to foreigners that “all is under control” in regards to the implementation of COVID protocols.
Look around you. I believe our health system is once again crumbling with the daily surge in new cases while patients scramble to attain adequate health care amid this third wave.
Who are you kidding? What form of control were you attempting to drive at?
But no Mr A-G, please keep the borders open as a book, let’s continue to usher in those jolly tourists in droves with our bula smiles.
Remember, we are prioritising economy over lives! NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
One common denominator
WHEN the first coup happened in 1987, I was devastated. Even though my dad had alerted me of the impending chaos as far back as 1981, the injustice of it all, including the beatings of defenceless people on the streets, in their shops and homes and at the barracks, was sickening.
There are still a few questions I’m curious to know the answers to if someone’s willing to please enlighten me:
1. Because there were calls by the nationalists for Fijians of Indian descent to be repatriated, did this community become the main target so there’d be a mass exodus to overcome the ethnic imbalance?
2. Who else, other than certain military personnel, was involved in the actual planning and execution of the coup that would signal the mass exodus?
3. Is it true that planning started as early as the 1980s?
4. If the original mission to remove a significant portion of the Indo-Fijian population has been accomplished, why is our iTaukei community still some of the poorest in the country?
Silly me for asking these questions because those responsible would most definitely shy away from exposing their involvement.
Or maybe, by some miracle, their conscience has become so heavily burdened with regret and remorse they’re now ready to reveal all. I would imagine the revelations would shock us.
But could there be a more sinister side to what’s happened in Fiji? And has it been carefully camouflaged? To bring clarity and light into any awkward and confusing situation, we sometimes need to go back into history and view things from a slightly different perspective as eloquently described by Archbishop Peter Loy Chong (FT 6/01) in his stirring tribute to Prof Brij Lal: “In other words, we need to first learn our history before we can save our future.”
So, to unpack and expose what’s hidden, the question we need to be asking ourselves is this — what’s the one common denominator in all of the coups? It would appear to be the spirit of treachery and rebellion, sometimes referred to as the Absalom Spirit. As I began researching how the Absalom Spirit operates, it began giving me an insight into something that goes deeper and back centuries.
It’s been the prevailing pattern in all of the coups and chaos going back in history. So who or what is the Absalom spirit?
In a nutshell, it’s a spirit that thrives on hidden agendas, hidden strategies and hidden alliances. Absalom harbours hidden contempt and revenge for authority, just like Lucifer. With its guile and cunning it brings chaos and confusion, division and discord.
But what’s also interesting is, it hides under the guise of deep care and concern for people. Which is why the Absalom Spirit is an extremely powerful and malignant usurper.
Even though what I’m proposing may look like a candle in the wind, I believe Fiji’s only hope of recovering from the disastrous effects and consequences is when truth and transparency dethrone the spirit of treachery and rebellion that’s been holding Fiji hostage for a very long time.
Because only then can something of lasting value be built. Psalm 127:1 says it in a few words: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain!”
Unless implicit trust is placed in the profound prophetic words of this ancient wisdom, “Fiji, the way the world should be” will be left languishing as an utopian myth. COLIN DEOKI Australia
Democracy won
HOUSE Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “democracy won” on January 6 when the attempted rape of democracy by the Trump mob failed (FT 7/1 p.23).
The attempted coup failed because all the relevant institutions of State — the police, the military, the congress and the judiciary — stayed truthful to their assigned constitutional roles.
But vigilance must be maintained to safeguard democracy because the threat remains present from those trying to distort and discount what happened on Capitol Hill that day. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
When you move
WHEN you move, the virus moves, Dr Fong used to say that. How does the new variant Omicron move?
Do we want to stop the virus or we want it to infect as many people as possible? SUKHA SINGH Labasa
One life
THERE are many times that you can attend school. But only one life to use. Think again. JOE MATATOLU Waila, Nausori
School holidays
THE completion of 2021 school term began from 4/1/22 and will finish on 1/4/22.
Teachers, parents and students are in limbo regarding the 2022 school holidays.
Can the Ministry of Education kindly inform everyone the school holiday dates for the 2022 academic year?
It will be really appreciated. Vinaka. ARUN PRASAD Dilkusha, Nausori
Booster venue
MOH, why can’t there be more than one venue for booster shots? It’s the year 2022 and people are still queuing for hours. Kemudou! WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
TV ads
WE have been ardent fans of FBC TV programs. Advertisements being broadcasted for a long period should be replaced for Devan ka Dev Mahadev, Yaadon ki Baraat and Classic Hour.
New advertisements will add value to the related programs. SARITA LAL Lautoka
Rent freeze
WELL no freeze on rising fuel cost. The cost of most building materials are touching sky rock prices.
The timber, nails, paints, cements etc. Plumbing, electrical, joinery works, landscaping. The rest no freeze only rent freeze.
What you think is coming up next? NEELZ SINGH Lami
Our response to sexual crimes
A LETTER in Thursday’s The Fiji Times by Dewan Chand spoke adamantly of questioning our societal values over sexual statistics that are horrific from December, 2021. He correctly says the answers are not simple. It is important we do not brandish abusers, nor the abused as somehow separate from our own humanity and see this as dissociated from us. Our response needs to show compassion and involvement too; rather than pushing it away from ourselves. Recently, a lead psychologist heading the USA Prevention of Sexual Exploitation stated that the most important sentence we need to say to any child exposed to pornography is, “It’s OK, it happens to everybody – it’s not your fault” – about two years before they have any access to devices, so that children know not to hide with the shame of what they saw, or what was exposed to them, but to tell someone adult. It’s not their fault. Otherwise, they hide in its shame, believing themselves to be bad and internalise it; rather than knowing its wrong, and they can tell someone about what happened. As was said in the letter, our society is bombarded by sexualised images surrounding us, demeaning women and men into sexualised objects to be exploited. As if our sexuality were the centre of our being – rather than our hearts. Yes, we must stand against this and call it out. Always. Our response must also include coming alongside any affected with appropriate professional help and counsel. This is a way forward. There is hope if this is offered. We can not say, “how depraved” and just question external influences alone. We must do a lot more internal work on ourselves to get to the heart of such exploitation. And our part in it. We are all responsible. Otherwise, we are not helping those caught in its stigma and shame – until they are left believing that’s who they are. This is the biggest lie of our age. JEAN HATCH Taunovo, Deuba
Attitudes and lives
TRAVELLING to the Western Division earlier this week, one was rather perplexed to observe laxity among schoolchildren travelling in buses. To my surprise, quite a number of schoolchildren were not wearing masks in buses around the Lautoka and Nadi areas. With due respect, given that the new COVID-19 variant is highly transmissible, this casual attitude should not be tolerated. Instead of blaming others, let’s hope that students, parents and guardians adopt a serious attitude in the coming week. After all, it involves our health and potentially our lives. Hoping for a positive change in the coming week. FLOYD ROBINSON Toorak, Suva
Traveller’s lament
WE heard this lament back in the day, so I’ll just repeat what they had to say. We want to return home again, to all our waiting friends and families. We want to travel by air again, after being stuck here in Fiji. It’s been nearly two years since arriving, they wanted to get home again somehow, as they missed their families so dearly. especially with the variants around us now. Although, they liked it here in Fiji, it’s been so nice and very different, but there is no place like home, when you have a bout of daily homesickness. But they have now returned home, and most likely, be a very long time, before they again roam, and travel to other countries. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Pacific Harbour
Potato seedlings
POTATOES sold at certain supermarkets are already sprouting. Might as well sell it as potato seedlings.
Buy some and in a few days your kitchen is transformed into a potato garden. Hahaha. WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Rental freeze
IN my opinion, the decision by the FCCC to extend the freeze on rental of residential properties for the 14th successive year is not only unfair and unjustified but also biased.
Justifying the restriction, the FCCC chief executive officer said, “In reviewing the tenant-landlord relationship, several factors were taken into account, including fragmented laws surrounding landlord and tenant relationships, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and socio-economic issues relating to landlords and tenants.” (FT 4/1). If that is so then why are landlords being victimised.
Is it because they are seen as fat cats? For how long shall we keep robbing Paul to pay Peter. It must be noted that under the Constitution it is the responsibility of the State to provide adequate housing for its citizens.
Why should it be at the expense of the property owners who have invested their life savings into the acquisition of their properties. T
he freedom accorded to newer properties to peg their rental to the current market rate is also discriminatory as it promotes unfair competition.
The interest and welfare of both parties should have been given equal merit and treatment. Was the escalating cost of repairs and maintenance taken into equation when evaluating the review?
There should be a fair balance as COVID-19 has not only impacted the livelihoods of the tenants but the landlords as well. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Job test
I HAVE learnt that last week Ministry of Education called applicants for heads of school positions in the Central Division to sit for a job test in order to select a pool of teachers for leadership positions.
The positions were advertised under the new “minimum qualification requirement,” which was a post graduate qualification.
This effectively eliminated many heads of schools. I believe that the ministry should have also considered proven leadership qualities and called experienced heads of school for the job test as well.
If they fail to do well in the job test then naturally they would not be considered. The experience in leadership position should be considered along with post graduate qualification.
I believe that ministry should provide natural justice to the senior heads who missed out because of the new MQR. After all, we all want the most meritorious person to be selected to lead a school.
I also believe that not everyone gets the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications.
Teachers in remote and rural areas, in particular, are disadvantaged.
I plead with the PS Education to rethink and reconsider. Vinaka. ARUN PRASAD Dilkusha, Nausori
