Back to back win
CONGRATULATIONS to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua for the win. Despite the heavy rain, the boys did well and still remain unbeaten at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Thank you to both the teams and all the best in your next game. VARITEMA TUVUKI Saru, Lautoka
Drua men unbeaten at home
DESPITE the wet conditions, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua played their hearts out. Determined to maintain their unbeaten run at home, the boys put up a spectacular display under heavy footing. 20-year-old Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula won hearts as he guided the Drua to a 31-13 victory over the Western Force. Our young fly-half registered 16 points and was the link to our attack and defence. On the other hand, while the Drua won the match, I reiterate the need for our boys to maintain the highest standard of discipline. It was disappointing to see Elia Canakaivata and captain Tevita Ikanivere receiving a yellow card. Ikanivere’s yellow card was later upgraded to a red card, but the Drua’s determination and commitment took them through as the hosts recorded a comprehensive victory over the Force, ending a two-match losing run. The Drua has shown that it will be a force to reckon with at home, but consistency will be the key for a top eight finish. The Drua will face a tough Rebels outfit on Friday. The Rebels beat the Waratahs 27-21 in their back yard, so they will be the team to beat. The Rebels have 14 points, one more than the Drua, so a win will set the perfect platform for the Drua to leapfrog the Rebels. Congrats and all the best! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Speeding vehicle
AROUND 8.15am on Saturday, March 30, I was driving with my two dogs to the sea wall. I was overtaken near the CWMH on Waimanu Rd by a speeding government vehicle registration GM 150. It must have been doing in excess of 60 kilometres at the time. The fuel indicator of my vehicle came on so I thought I had better address it before the walk so I pulled-in to a service station in Victoria Pde. Lo and behold there, fuelling-up next to mine was GM 150. I approached the driver and asked him what ministry he was from. He told me the Ministry of Health. I then asked him what is his role and he replied that he is a driver. I informed him (feeling like a traffic officer at this point) that he overtook my vehicle and was speeding at the time. His response to this was that he was in a hurry. No doubt! JULIE SUTHERLAND Suva
Resurrection Sunday
HUMANITY should rejoice because Christ’s resurrection on Sunday, the first day of the week, means heaven has accepted His sacrifice and mankind has been redeemed from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death. The story of the Mount of Transfiguration where Christ was seen talking with Moses and Elijah should now be shared with everyone as He had explicitly reminded His disciples not to share the story until after He had been raised from the dead. (Matt.17:9) The Bible reveals that both Elijah and Moses are in heaven but as human beings, their everlasting life still depends on the success of the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. Elijah was taken alive to heaven and never experienced the sleep of death, while Moses died and was resurrected. Both came to encourage Jesus that their eternal life depended on Him. Salvation is only in Christ and God has given all of us the freedom of choice, we can accept Him as our Lord and Saviour and be transformed and empowered to do His will and reflect His character or we can be like His chosen people who praised Him on Palm Sunday but on Friday cried out, “Crucify Him”. Christ has promised His people that He is coming back for them and when He comes, the dead in Christ will rise first (Moses), before those who are living (Elijah) and in Christ are translated with incorruptible bodies to enjoy the 1000 years in heaven before living with heaven in the Earth made new. Christ is knocking on our door today. SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA Tacirua, Nasinu
Sevens test
OSEA Kolinisau, the recently appointed head coach of the Fiji Airways 7s men’s national team, is getting the squad ready for the Hong Kong 7s next weekend while Ben Gollings is getting ready to file a lawsuit against the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) for breach of contract. We are sending Osea our prayers. I bet my bottom dollar that victory will be ours. Toso Viti! DINESH KUMAR Ba
Easter hope
EASTER Sunday is the guarantee of our own resurrection. It is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, sorrows and tears. It reminds us that life is worth living. Easter Sunday and all it represents is so important. With resurrection comes new hope, new possibilities, new life, new promise and change. In short, the message of Easter is that nothing can destroy us — not pain, sin, rejection or death — because Christ has conquered all these, and we too can conquer them if we put our faith in Him. Easter is also about families and forgiveness, and is time to reflect on the things that really matter. I believe resurrection is about seeing our world in a new way. WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Sukuna Park
THE Ratu Sukuna Park’s revamp was initiated by the FFP administration, as its governing responsibility, during its tenure. In my view, “change” is good, but not all change is progress, because it can either improve or destroy. The park’s upgrading works are presently in the final stages and let us be optimistic that the SCC administers the appropriate plan for the park’s “makeover”. It should give our Capital City a memorial icon for visitors to always memorise, after visiting Fiji. SAMU SILATOLUNakasi Nausori
Amazing Maca
IN the middle of the Wailea squatter settlement, one can find Maca Momoivalu, a single mum of six who has fought her battles in an increasingly challenging environment all on her own after her husband left her to raise their children single handedly in an environment filled with every social woe one can imagine. Maca’s courage and determination to raise her children as best she could led her to begin her own micro business with cash that she obtained from the sale of a single sack of cassava. Maca decided to open the only iTaukei canteen in the settlement knowing full well that her business would be threatened by burglars and that her safety was also at risk. The threats did not hinder her and she began by purchasing vegetables which she sought from the carrier stand by the Suva market. After finding that her profits were not as she had expected because of wastage from a lack of proper storage, Maca switched to selling groceries. From her sales, Maca set aside $20 a day until she had enough to purchase the materials she needed to construct her little canteen which she decided to locate strategically by the side of the access road into the settlement. Maca is now operating to the best of her abilities having an urgency to expand her business. If Maca can survive for years in her environment as she has now, surely that should speak volumes of her character and capabilities! I am sharing Maca’s story in the hope that organisations who handle iTaukei Affairs will look for this amazing woman in her location and share with her what funding is available to her as an indigenous woman and the means by which she can access such funding as she has no idea whatsoever of what is available to her. NOLEEN BILLINGS Savusavu
Third world sarcasm
FIJI is not a perfect third world nation. We are perfectly laced with our very own faults, weaknesses, failures and limitations. We will survive, with our off-shore critics. Sarcasms from off-shore critics are welcome, any day, and at any time. We can proudly handle them. That is your right. Criticisms are your choices. Enjoy them to the very best of your abilities. Fiji is still our home. Thousands of us faithfully remain here. It is the only Earthly home we will ever have. (We did not bail out in search of greener pastures and remain critical). May you find some peace in your lives overseas. Let us be and a happy Easter, one and all. RONNIE CHANG Martintar Nadi
Blessed Easter
JESUS Christ’s teachings are not only valued by Christians but by many others who believe in good values and principles. Easter is a period of reflection, as the focus is on Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for mankind. Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life. Easter is a time of jubilation, celebrating a new beginnings. Furthermore, the resurrection of Jesus signifies His victory over sin and death, inspiring millions to live with courage and faith. Therefore, let’s reflect on the significance of Easter and embody the teachings of Jesus. As Fijians, who believe in unity, it is vital that we put aside our differences, and embrace each other. Let’s put race, ethnicity, and politics aside for the common good of Fiji. It is important to keep our hearts full of love and forgiveness, spread goodwill, and remove hatred. May the spirit of Easter fill our hearts with peace and joy. I wish every Fijian happiness, and a wonderful life! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
