A historic day for Drua
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua stunned the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders 25-24 in a historic upset in the Sugar City. In the third game of their second season in Super Rugby Pacific, claimed one of the biggest upsets in Super Rugby history. In a sweaty, thrilling, error-ridden spectacle played in high temperature, the Drua created rugby’s magical moment with a last-minute win. The capacity crowd played their part, creating an electric atmosphere that clearly energised the home side, while the visitors struggled. The Drua were well worth their win, in a match that ebbed and flowed and produced a grandstand finish. After trailing 12-5 at halftime, the Drua produced a dominant second half to lead by 10 points with 10 minutes to go. Two late Crusaders tries to Sevu Reece and Ioane Moananu gave the Crusaders a two-point lead with two minutes left. However, Noah Hotham knocked on the re-start, and gifted the Drua one last chance which was taken well by Kemu Valetini, on debut. He slotted it straight down the middle, creating a memory Fijian rugby will never forget. A historic day for the Drua! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
David and Goliath story
In almost Biblical style, Fiji Drua handsomely delivered, at the death, in the 82nd minute, a repeat of that “David and Goliath” story to create history at home, in Lautoka’s Churchill Park, a stunning 25-24 victory over the might of the Crusaders. Simply awesome. Given the opportunity we prevailed. Fiji Drua on Western turf, “came, saw and delivered”. The Super Rugby world is now on notice. One big feather in our rugby cap. Vina du va levu na leda saravou. Vina du na qaqa. Me lemutou vali na Kalougata. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Thank you
Vinaka Drua Fiji celebrates with you. Dan Urai, Lautoka
Fiscal review
Thank you to Richard Naidu for the excellent article in yesterday’s The Fiji Times (11/3). I also wish to thank him and all the members of the Fiscal Review Committee for tackling this formidable task. Also, much appreciation of the invitation to all of us to contribute our ideas. How refreshing to be able to speak and be listened to without fear! No doubt you will receive many ideas ranging from the excellent to the ridiculous, and you will be much criticised, us humans being as we are. But be assured that many of us have confidence in the committee’s ability to help our beloved Fiji to move financially forward. We will support you all the way. Tessa Mackenzie Suva
Is it true?
Is it true that the ex one who knows everything did not turn up at the courthouse the other day to show his support for his former mates? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Chaudhry’s comment
RECENTLY I have seen the comments made by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Pal Chaudhry about the current Finance Minister Hon Biman Prasad. I believe the Labour leader is getting old and is irrelevant nowadays. He was a strong critic of the Bainimarama government and now he is after the Coalition Government. It’s hardly a three month old government and how can you Mr Chaudhry expect miracles to happen so soon. We all, including you, know very well the financial mess of 16 years left behind by the previous government. Be realistic and give them time to settle, plan well and then to deliver. You had your chance to prove your worth as the prime minister of this nation but in a rush and with few errors you lost that golden opportunity. So now have bit of patience and observe. It was the Almighty’s blessings that you were not included to be a part of this Coalition otherwise by now there would have been a rift or cracks in team efforts to take this country forward. If you look at Professor Biman Prasad’s statement positively there is nothing wrong with it. Instead of condemning it you should have given a clue to reduce this huge debt. There was no mention of increasing VAT and cost of living since he always had a soft heart for the poor. We certainly have a group of elites who could face such challenges at critical times. My two cents worth of suggestion would be to increase duties on imports of used vehicles to combat traffic issues on our roads. Finally I also believe that this Coalition Government is on a proper track by appointing a Fiscal Committee to consult, review and submit a report. This will be followed by a grand economic summit whereby more ideas could be presented. Perhaps this is a forum where Mr Chaudhry could forward his views to assist instead of condemning the efforts from the sidelines. We see this type of planning may be after a few decades. These platforms will lay a solid foundation for budget presentation in parliament at a later stage. I also believe that a Mini Budget in the first year of any government does not make any sense. VIJAY MAHARAJ, Sydney, Australia
Sugar City
Lautoka City is not only the second city but is considered the capital of the Western Division so any major event like a major game, etc., would very appropriately be held at the Sugar City rather than at Nadi or Sigatoka simply because of Lautoka’s higher status and standing in comparison to other smaller towns in the West. Waisea Navuruvuru Nasoso, Nadi
Honour and integrity
DURING my career, I met some of the Naloto men and women and became good friends with them. I noticed their commitment to serving our nation with honour and integrity, and I usually learn from them. I heard that the new Solicitor General is from Naloto Village too. I am not surprised that, in times of our nation’s needs, the Naloto lads will be called to safely steer us to the other side. MAIKA TABUKOVU DREKETI
Water in Japan
WOULDN’T it be a better idea for Japan to dispose of the treated waste water in it’s own waters and rivers within its country? MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF NATABUA, LAUTOKA
Tribute to women
Miles Young paying tribute to women on their achievements (FT 10/3) to reflect on efforts with future challenges with patience to improve gender equality should be everybody’s concern. At times it may help to put men to a patience test. After closely being attached to the school system for 55 years as a student, a teacher and finally retiring as a head teacher in 2007, I hardly came across a male teacher teaching Year 1 or kindergarten – Early Childhood Education (ECE) until I met a male teacher who had been teaching in ECE for about 10 years. I asked him how he had been managing? He replied “patience”. “The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.” -— Arnold H. Glasgow. Patience pays! Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Digital era v ancient era
Even though I don’t belong to the Kubuna confederacy by birthright, I felt proud as an iTaukei person after watching the live feed program of the installation ceremony which for the first time captured live on video unlike previous installations which were witnessed only by people who were physically present at that time and era like the 79-year-old Litia Nakuma of Tokatoka, Tailevu which Fiji Times captured her story in your F/T 11/03/23 (Pg 8 ) who witnessed the installation of the previous Vunivalu, the late Ratu Sir George Cakobau in 1959. Kudos to digital era. Something that the future generation can watch and learn after the demise of current generations. I envied the matured iTaukei words known as Matua Vosa used by individual ceremony presenters and as a 54-year-old iTaukei male, I haven’t heard in a very long time and its meaning is very deep and connected to our identity, land, heritage and its people. The vunivalu installation ceremony was moving and a learning experience for current generations as we were fortunate enough to witness it during this lifetime via digital platform. Long live the present Turaga Vunivalu Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau and best wishes! Jioji M Cakacaka Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi
New era for Kubuna!
In a solemn and simple ceremony, before hundreds of people including Ro Teimumu Kepa, honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and Manoa Kamikamica and British High Commissioner Brian Jones, Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau was installed as Na Turaga na Vunivalu Tui Kaba on Bau Island. The position had been vacant since the death of the previous Vunivalu, Ratu Sir George, in 1989. In a moving, emotional and colourful ceremony, Ratu Epenisa accepted the bilo of yaqona from Roko Tui Bau Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua. He also issued an invitation to the Coalition Government for the first revived GCC meeting to be held on Bau. Great move Ratu Epenisa, and once again congratulations! God bless! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
A moment in time
WHILST I take a moment in time to congratulate Digicel for re-locating to a bigger, better and brighter location in RB Patel Super JetPoint in Martintar Nadi, may I make one simple comment, please? Bigger office and one solitary employee on duty at 10.20am Saturday, March 11, 2023. That is not smart, in my humble view. If I were manager, I would roster myself on duty one Saturday per month. Everyone needs to take turns. That is called sharing the customer service workload. Besides, it is healthy for fellow employees to take one Saturday off per month. Many “so-called” executives, these days, confine themselves to the “8 to 5” comforts Mondays to Fridays. Weekends and public holidays are days-off. Back in the good old days, senior management did rostered weekend duties too. Times have changed. I thank the customer service duty employee who tried to do her utmost best yesterday morning, single handedly. Thank you, Miss. RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI
Ultimate freedom
THE installation of a high chief of Fiji marks the ultimate freedom and the free will of our Kubuna brethrens. Now, I a commoner have a sigh of relief. Nothing is impossible when everything is almost done with good will and patience. Vinaka saka.JIOJI O TORONIBAU NAVETAU TUNULOA
Duruka season
IT’S the season for duruka and mana, always around the period of Easter. Lolo one and have miti with other, what other way to have lunch or dinner. If there is a seventh Heaven, it’s certainly right here, when they’re both in season. EDWARD BLAKELOCK ADMIRAL CIRCLE, PACIFIC HARBOUR
