Golden chance for number 3!
The Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua had fullback Atelaite Buna to thank, as the fullback scored three brilliant tries to ensure the Drua qualified for the final and defend their Super W title against the hot favourites – the Waratahs which thrashed the Drua 62-21 at Churchill Park in round two. I salute our opponents – the Western Force for putting up a brave show. Unfortunately, they could not convert opportunities into points. The Drua has a lot of work ahead if the Waratahs are to be beaten. We need a strong leader who can make solid decisions. Furthermore, our kicking was poor. We failed to convert tries and penalties. These points will come handy against the ‘Tahs. Mosese Rauluni must work on decision making. Against the Force, there was rushed play and players ended up getting penalised. The Drua have the golden chance to complete a treble, but the hosts won’t be easy customers. I wish the girls all the best for the final! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Third time
First it was against the Moana Pasifika. Then the Reds. Followed by the Hurricanes on Friday night. The Fijian Drua has three times this year proven that they are a much better and capable outfit than what was actually produced. These three matches have most probably cost the team a home quarterfinal. Please, I do not want to have a heart attack. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
More to happen
Severe rains struck Dubai, inundating highways and the airport shown on social media sites, promoting warnings for remote work. Experts say it could have been exacerbated by climate change and people in the region can expect similar weather strikes again. Sad eh! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
General secretary
I have said it a few times before, whoever puts their hand up to the general secretary of SODELPA needs to have their head examined. Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
Confusing issue
How can a Minister of Parliament give away his ministerial position when he does not have the authority? Dan Urai Lautoka
All out war?
Is the Middle East heading towards an all out war? God help us if it is. Because war will bring untold destruction and hardship to a region that’s already suffering. And if war should start then the pebble in the pond effect will have a profound impact on the most vulnerable populations around the world. And that includes Fiji. No one will be spared from the consequences of such a diabolical disaster. Let’s join together and pray for peace in the region and hope it’ll diffuse the powder keg quickly. Colin Deoki Australia
Passport challenge
The Fijians rushing for passports as reported in The Fiji Times (19/4, 24/4) with pictures of people desperately waiting in queue at Immigration office from 3am takes us back to the coup days when there was mass migration. I feel we should apply for a passport for whatever purpose well in advance. It will save time, unnecessary expenses with less pressure on the work of concerned authorities.
Plan ahead and be prepared with a valid passport, the most important document. “Of all the books in the world the best stories are found between the pages of a passport.” – Anon. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Cheque issue
Cheques as a means of payment should be allowed to continue for some time more but we should also embrace Internet Banking. You definitely will not have to go to the bank for a $2000 payment with your cheque and wait in a long line for the teller to assist you. With Internet Banking, payments can be done with ease in 24 hours, 7 days a week, at the comfort of your home or office. If we are to emulate our neighbouring countries, then cheques should now phase out gradually. Vikel V Lal Nasinu
Drainage board
Now that the Drainage Board has been reinstated, the neglected management of stormwater runoffs should be a thing of the past. It will undertake works to reduce flood risk to people and property, besides, managing water levels for agricultural and environmental needs, within its region. Flooding has been one of the most damaging economic tragedies in the last 25 years. What has already happened was history in the learning and the lessons, are the most important of all the lessons, history has to teach. For all those who do not learn from history, are deemed to repeat it. And this time around, the intensity of rainfall is more destructive than during the past 10 years. It is now in the Drainage Board’s hand, to make the difference. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
SCC admin office
Why is the Suva City Council (SCC) administration office open not staffed on Saturdays, of all days? I was there yesterday morning (Saturday, April 20) at around 9.30am to pay my bills. The offices were open but not a soul in sight. There are many of us who can only pay their bills on Saturdays and not in the week days. CEO, SCC, please take note. Vijay P. Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
New leader
On my Sunday morning read of The Fiji Times I learned about the new leader of SODELPA. Congratulations are in order for Aseri Radrodro. As I was thinking about what’s been happening in this party that has an important role to play in the future of Fiji a very simple yet, I believe, significant thought dropped into my mind. It’s was from Psalm 133. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.” The Jewish people sang Psalm 133 to express their joy in coming together to worship in the Temple where God would meet with them. The Psalm imparts blessing and life to God’s people. And it proclaims oneness in faith. But it also speaks about unity and being devoted to one another out of great love for each other. Breaking bread together as one devoted to the work of God’s purpose is paramount. Jesus is our paramount Chief and the champion of our faith. To serve Him is to serve with humility and humbleness remembering that we, are first and foremost, servants of the Most High. God bless Fiji. Colin Deoki Australia
Pool ‘part of a big dream’!
While the development of the multi-million-dollar swimming pool in Lautoka was part of a wider plan to turn the Sugar City into a sports city, it’s saddening that the project turned out to be a disaster with exorbitant costs and many other explanations. The people of Lautoka were looking forward to the much-anticipated swimming pool which is incomplete and made headlines in Parliament this week. The feasibility study, that prompted the construction of the swimming pool, was to ensure Lautoka became a sports city. However, lack of monitoring and poor mentorship hindered construction work. The Coalition Government has taken upon itself the ominous task of completing the pool. I say, all the best! Just get the job done! I’m sure my good buddies in the Sugar City, who have been vocal about the project, will smile! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Stand up and speak out!
Mick Byrne has lost at home with the Drua, first time ever for the Drua, in an embarrassing loss, yet appointed Flying Fijians national coach. Do we still go ahead with his appointment as directed by World Rugby? Flying Fijians national coach! What a sham! Please replace Byrne with a very qualified local coach, Seruvakula, as 15s coach, who has been understudy for three World Cups. Byrne has never won an away game for the Drua, struggled with local games by a solitary point and now lost a local game in Suva against the Hurricanes. Act now please FRU. William Gardiner Balawa St., Lautoka
The cycle
Fijians crammed up a room in New Zealand and Australia to find jobs while people of Bangladesh and other Asian countries do the same in Fiji. Dan Urai Lautoka
Feeling the squeeze
We read in “Opponents, journalists feel the squeeze” (AP/ FT 18/4) that “Indian PM Narendra Modi and his government are increasingly wielding strong-arm tactics to subdue political opponents and critics of the ruling Hindu nationalist party ahead of the national wide elections that begin this week. A decade into power, and the cusp of securing five more years, the Modi government is reversing decades long commitment to multiparty democracy and secularism… civil liberties are under attack. Peaceful protests have been crushed with force. A once free and diverse press is threatened.
Violence is on the rise against the Muslim minority. And the country’s judiciary increasingly aligns with the executive branch”. This description of the Indian State has all the hallmarks of Putin’s Russia. That’s tragic for a once renown vibrant democracy. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Bus drivers
Sanjeev Prasad (FT – LTE 13/4) on bus drivers’ responsibility is a major concern for safety for all. Unfortunately, bus drivers can’t address this alone even though they have the authority and responsibility. I feel this should be shared with teachers, parents and the police. The schools should take more active roles with school based awareness programs. Parents and communities should also be given such programs. We all have our responsibilities for safety on roads. Safe and comfortable bus ride matters most for life safety. Accidents don’t happen – they are caused. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Keep out balloons
Balloons galore at entrances and the inside of supermarkets and large retail shops. Birthdays and super sales of these business places and opening of any new branch has been adorned with balloons. Birthday and wedding venues are decorated with balloons and birthday advertisements on TV also show them. We all have been aware of climate change which has drastically affected our environment due to massive use of plastic products inclusive of balloons. Marine animals suffer from agonising deaths from swallowing pieces of plastic. Rising sea levels have affected some coastal villages during high tide, exposing graves and prohibiting vegetable farming. In schools and advocates of waste recyclers have tirelessly worked with our people and past and present government ministers have collaborated with world leaders to eradicate the use of plastic products. But nothing changed. Government should completely ban import of balloons and all other plastic products.
SARITA LAL Malolo St., Lautoka
Children’s behaviour
While having fun and enjoying moments is part and parcel of our children’s growth, I am concerned that some of the dancing and entertainment by students at some athletics zonal meets is disturbing but more importantly, falling short of respect. Some of it appears dirty dancing, which is cheered upon by children and adults. Is this the behaviour we want our children to display at social gatherings including public and communal? The dancing and jumping in buses by some students returning from the national stadium is disturbing. All in all, the behaviours we may promote and accept today have a significant impact on the attitudes of our future leaders. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Experience factor
The exodus of skilled people from Fiji sure is bringing a greater appreciation for experience, something that is fading away as the paper became, and continues to become, the more important requirement for employment. Noleen Billings Savusavu
