Support thrills Drua players!
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua fans have rallied their support for the boys. The open training session at Albert Park attracted a huge crowd. Fans wore the Drua outfits and flocked in numbers to meet, greet, and take pictures with their heroes. This lifted the spirit, attitude and fighting character of the Drua, approximately two weeks before the boys rub shoulders against the Auckland Blues at The Fortress (Eden Park). My friend and our regular writer Shalwyn Prasad had a great time with the players. He was elated to take pictures with the big names. I’m sure just like Shalwyn, fans here are excited about the Drua’s first home match against the mighty Crusaders at Churchill Park where the Drua upset Super Rugby’s most decorated team 25-24. All the best boys — prepare well for the Blues! A courageous and spirited effort is needed against the Blues which are laced with All Blacks 15s stars. Toso Drua! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Insulting advert
Posted on Facebook: Open tin and wooden house for rent suitable for iTaukei. How rude! Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Witch hunt
I believe political witch hunt is when one is arrested and charged twice after the first identification parade failed, taken through the court system for four years, then discharged with no explanation given. I doubt the former A-G (FAG) and the former PM will be treated the same. Dan Urai Lautoka
New hospital
After nine years, Rotuma Island is today physically and medically well equipped, after its new $10.3m hospital was recently opened by the Health Minister. I believe one of the main ongoing issues with such government facilities is the maintenance factor. It is being noticed that it is almost the same all over the country. It is not easy to build such a new facility, but it will almost be impossible to manage the upkeep. Maintenance is the key to longevity. For in the end, it is not the years in your life that counts, but the life in your years. Samu Silatolu Nakasi Running the red light IT’S Saturday morning somewhere in the city, the boys in blue blissfully eating their cones of ice cream slowly, while the bus ran the red light much to a small kid’s delight.Lucky saraga the vehicles given the green were slow to pick up real speed, saving a tragic accident that day. But it was really dangerous and daring, stupid almost tragic and very silly! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Unprofessional conduct
Unbecoming and unprofessional conduct of ministers was almost unheard of in the past when compared to today. I think our Coalition Government ministers top the list as there are quite a number of them already under the spotlight and on the radar of FICAC with one already terminated from his Cabinet portfolio. Very interesting to wait and watch, but it can be difficult considering the fact it is a three-way political party coalition team. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Top race!
Looks like the top post for the Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach is a race between Swire Shipping Fijian Drua mentor Mick Byrne and Senirusi Seruvakula who was the first coach for the Fijian Drua when the side played in the National Rugby Championship. Both are qualified and have credentials that match their qualities for the position of head coach. Byrne proved himself with the Drua as he led the side into the top eight in just their second year of participation and bulk of the boys in the Drua made the Flying Fijians squad for the 2023 RWC 15s tournament in France. I believe he has the edge over Seruvakula as he has overseas experience and an impressive CV. However, nothing can be taken away from Seruvakula. He has climbed the ranks and improved his qualification. If Byrne is appointed head coach, then Seruvakula must be given the Drua job. FRU must realise that local coaches like Jo Savou, Ilivasi Tabua and Simon Raiwalui took Fiji through to the quarters where some big names from overseas failed. The ball is in FRU’s court — ensure that the most meritorious candidate is selected! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Israel military conduct
President Biden has belatedly criticised Israel’s military conduct in Gaza as “over the top” (DW News 9/2). Many people all around the world have been saying that since the very beginning of the Israeli military campaign in light of the deaths, destruction and displacement of Palestinian civilians, including women, children, the elderly and the disabled. But better late than never. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Lousy LTA service
For the benefit of all drivers over 70, I share my experience.Some 6.5 hours over three frustratingly annoying days, I finally sat my “driving test” 52 long years after first getting my Group 2 licence at the tender age of 18 years.I do not wish my unfortunate extended hours of madness and anger as I went through my ordeals, at much time and expense, just trying to renew my driver’s licence. LTA Nadi definitely needs a big shake-up, right from the top down.There is no Express Service Counter for drivers over the age of 70. Preferential treatment is given to regulars. The ticket numbering system is not practical. Those who arrived after me from 10am Tuesday, February 6, got attended to first. Those without tickets, managed to jump the queue and got served in Counters One and Seven.I thank officer Sake for his understanding and professionalism. I also thank the Muslim officer who took me for me theory exams. You were the better employees at LTA Nadi.I share my sincere hope that no other senior citizen is subjected to the same humiliation and discriminatory delaying tactics I had to undergo. We, senior citizens, deserve far better.It appears basic systems and procedures of good customer service at LTA Nadi are definitely not adhered to.Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Corporal punishment
An interview on TV caught my attention as I was going past.The interviewer was asking a visiting celebratory what his thoughts were about where the Bible talks of sparing the rod and spoiling the child.His response was, (if I remember correctly), is that it was acceptable at that time but not ‘today.’There is a hue and cry at the moment because of a serious case of child violence by a father seen on social media. Is he out of his mind?Of course one should discipline our children with love and not in anger. A slap on the palm or buttocks is enough. Adults our age have been disciplined this way. We are still sane. So this was ‘ok’ in the olden days but not today? Why?’Today’ it’s the new fangled ideas supported by the United Nations and other new world trained experts etc that discipline would mentally harm the child for life. This is nonsense in my view. ‘Today’ we have uncontrollable children abusing teachers instead.I am glad that the General Secretary of the Fijian Teachers Union Mr Paula Manumanunitoga has the same view. He believes some form of discipline is needed. The Bible in my view is timeless. It is applicable till the end of time for all believers. In Proverbs 13:24 it says, He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. The famous saying, ‘ He who spares the rod spoils the child’ is not from the Bible.The laws in Fiji unfortunately follow the UN way – the world’s way.’Today’s western world is a secular world, people do not believe in a God. They live a totally worldly life of work play and other pleasures. Some say they believe in science, what they can feel or touch. The speaker mentioned above seems not to believe in a God. I know this from the western countries I visited. I wonder what form of discipline they advocate that is producing the behavior of children today.So sad!Norman YeeMartintar, Nadi
Spare the rod
The Fiji Times news on ‘Spare the rod, spoil the child’ (FT 7/2) is a thing of the past when parents controlled their children with corporal punishment.Now it’s children’s turn for their rights to be loved and treated humanistically. They have rights.They are our future hope, our assets.Tahir AliHamilton, New Zealand
