Letters to the Editor – Sunday, May 15, 2022

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Sivaniolo Ralago in tears while he hugs his grandson Ioane Vaja, 2, as his wife Renuka Devi wipes her tears at Kalekana Settlement in Lami. Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU

Harsh reality

The picture of Sivaniolo Ralogo as per FT of Friday, revealed the harsh reality when he couldn’t control his emotions due to the increase in prices of some basic food items.

Low income earners and those unemployed will suffer more from the recent price hike.

We as individuals can only imagine the suffering of the poor and are unable to fully meet their demands.

We plead with our Government ministers to collaborate with non-government organisations and assist those unfortunate.

Arguing about the reality of poverty by both the government ministers and activists from NGOs (FT 11/05) will never solve the problem unless their differences are solved.

For many decades, many in our country have suffered from meagre wages to make ends meet. The COVID-19 pandemic and unrest between Russia and Ukraine, have resulted in the unexpected increase of basic food items.

Once again we humbly request assistance from our Government and NGOs to prevent each one from going to bed on an empty stomach, malnutrition, domestic violence and attempting to end one’s life.

SARITA LAL Malolo St., Lautoka

The Act

How come the International Labour Organization is compelled to call on the Fiji Government “to review sections of the Public Order Act and Crimes Decree that prohibit and criminalise the right to freedom of expression and right to assembly” (FT 13/5) almost a decade after Fiji’s “return to democracy” following the holding of the first parliamentary elections in 2014 since the coup of 2006?

It makes one wonder what kind of democracy has been restored in the country?

RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia

Important issues

Thank you honourable Prime Minister and Minister for Sugar Industry that despite all the challenges caused by COVID in terms of lockdowns, port closures, shipping schedules and the increased price of fertiliser in excess of $80 per bag, the growers still pay the same price of $20 per bag and more importantly, Government has guaranteed sugar price of $85 per tonne irrespective of the world market sugar price.

Indeed most canefarmers are not left behind which has given security and certainly by supporting their bottom line.

However, 43 per cent of cane growers cut less than 100 tonnes of cane per year thus the need to revitalise the industry.

On a lighter note, I just laughed when Opposition MP Inosi Kuridrani said that the Minister for Agriculture had been giving overworked stray horses to farmers.

Finally, I am just fed up with a number of Government ministers who keep harping about the Opposition’s positive contributions as mainly election gimmicks.

Just hold onto your seat belts, the final verdict will be delivered by the right thinking voters on election day.

I conclude by thanking the various NGOs and good Samaritans for their genuine contributions in helping bring the national poverty level down.

Leva mind what the World Bank report says, just do an independent survey in the Western Division to see the reality of the matter.

RAYMOND SINGH, Golf Links, Lautoka

Raiders honour winger!

THE name Noa Nadruku rocked in Fijian homes in the 90s.

After representing Fiji in rugby union, he switched to play rugby league in Australia for the Canberra Raiders (92 games between 1993 and 1997) and was named as one of the best 25 players for the Raiders’ anniversary.

Born in Namatakula, his usual position was running on the sideline, scoring tries, and generally using a cracking goosestep to leave defenders in his wake.

In addition to winning the 1994 Grand Final with the Raiders, in 1993 and 1996, he was the top tryscorer in the League.

The “Noa Nadruku Trophy” is awarded to the Australia Fijian Rugby League’s player of the year.

Nadruku first played international rugby union for Fiji in 1988 and, while playing in the Rugby League World 7s for Fiji, he was spotted by Canberra Raiders coach Tim Sheens. He had a slow start to the 1993 rugby league season, but by the end of the year he scored a club record 22 tries in 20 games.

He was one of Canberra’s best in their 36-12 victory over Canterbury in the final, scoring a try, and making several powerful runs.

He finished his career with the North Queensland Cowboys under his old coach Tim Sheens.

Thank you Filipe Marayawa and The Fiji Times for the fitting tribute to a rugby league legend! It always feels great reading about our former stars!

All the best Noa!

RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu

Picture perfect

MANY say that a picture is worth a thousand words and that of Sivaniolo Ralago on the Fiji Times 13/03 is just an outstanding example.

Mr Ralago, hugging his grandchild, couldn’t hide his emotions when he became aware about the increase in prices of bread, biscuit and as well as bus fares.

Just by looking at the picture, before reading the article, I can almost feel a sharp object penetrating deep within my heart leaving behind extreme pain that can never be explained.

With all the struggles and hardship that we are going through, especially recovering from COVID, here comes the increase in cost of living which is hurting many Fijian families and I am very much convinced that not only Mr Ralago is experiencing this.

If our Government is true in upholding its dream of leaving no one behind, by looking at the picture of Mr Ralago I begin to question such a dream because the increase in these prices will definitely leave many behind.

I know that businesses have to find ways to keep afloat from outside factors such as the Ukraine war, however, my question is; what matters most for the FijiFirst Government, businesses or the Fijian people?

Well, the reality of the matter is pretty clear and the picture of Mr Ralago speaks volumes for itself.

KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua

That photo

WHEN I saw the photo (FT 13 /5) of Sivaniolo Ralago, my heart went out to him and his family.

The price hike on flour products and bus fares, many already struggling families will struggle more.

Our team has been visiting people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and we have seen the poverty in the West.

Life has been hard, now it will be harder.

ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka

A legal coup?

HUH!

Someone is thinking with his…..

OK levermine.

ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka

Advertising issue

CAN the relevant authority that oversees the prices of goods in retail shops please tell the retailers that sell ‘long neck beer’ as Qtrs (Quart) that in fact the volume of long necks is 750 Mls while a quart comes in at 1200 mls.

D.RAWLINSON Suva

Stray horses

MINISTRY giving “overused” stray horses to farmers (FT 12/5).

Is that a Fiji first?

RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia

Stop attacks

I BELIEVE politicians should have the decency to talk about someone who has the ability to respond to them in Parliament.

They should stop attacking anyone who is not a member of Parliament.

It’s cowardly.

DAN URAI Lautoka

That date

I MIGHT ask — What is with the date May 14 in Fiji?

And then there was yesterday…

MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka

Prices go up

THE Fiji Times went up from $1.10 to $1.50 and the other morning, my medium whole meal sliced bread went up to $1.65 from $1.15.

Nothing to kaila about!

VIJAY P MADHAVAN, Borron Rd, Suva

Price rise

WOW! The increase in bus fares and bread, etc, had made itself known to most of us on Friday, May 13, 2022.

Luckily, we were made aware from the infant stages before the hike, but our wages seemed stalled.

Reality, is at its ugly head.

JIOJI O TORONIBAU, Navetau, Tunuloa

Sickening issue

ANOTHER annoying EFL power outage in Martintar, Nadi just occurred at approximately 2.50pm Friday, May 13, 2022. Most unreliable for consistency in power supply.

RONNIE CHANG, Martintar, Nadi

Bread price

I BELIEVE bread has been part of the human diet for 30,000 years.

Now it won’t be for some of us as it is unaffordable due to the recent price increase.

I will soon resort to eating leaves like one bulumakau whilst imagining it’s sliced bread.

WISE MUAVONO, Balawa, Lautoka

Extreme poverty

I’M extremely pissed off and disappointed when our Minister for Finance said that there was no extreme poverty in Fiji.

He won’t feel it like the rest of his ministers because I believe they received their hefty salary while the majority of the population were struggling to put food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I had written a letter when honourable Koya said the same in Parliament early this year… that if anyone wants to know the level of poverty in Fiji right now, ask FRIEND Fiji.

I believe they have evidence based statistics because they walk the talk and not pulling figures from thin air.

I’m still struggling and classified myself as living below poverty and not ashamed to declare that.

The problem with this Government is that they don’t connect with ordinary citizens at the grassroots level.

JIOJI M CAKACAKA, Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi

Military coup

THE first military coup was executed by Sitiveni Rabuka and his cahoots on May 14, 1987.

At the time I was a young principal at Ba Provincial Secondary School in Lautoka.

I grabbed my dictionary to look up the meaning of the word “coup” to ensure that I was hearing right.

The full impact of the military coup had not sunk in my mind when a group of soldiers came to my school quarters and asked me to leave within 24 hours or else!

I momentarily froze while my little children hid behind me and kept asking why the soldiers?

I informed the school manager Ratu Josaia Tavaiqia of the situation.

He advised me to be calm, but I got a call from the Ministry of Education that the tension was high and that I have to move.

Arrangements were made for me to move to Drasa Secondary School.

Chaos prevailed and I had no choice but to move… my professional and personal life was torn apart.

Fear gripped my mind and the dead end was staring me in the face!

Many teachers had resigned and migrated to New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA.

I had the inclination to do the same.

However, family circumstances did not allow me to do so.

And today at the age of 78 I live in retirement in Suva.

My wife passed away some 7 years ago but my youngest daughter is a great support.

Sitiveni Rabuka is my immediate neighbour and we live in a very good relationship.

He has borne the brunt of attacks on him vis-a-vis coup.

However, the man regrets his actions and is greatly changed.

But what happened to the faces in the shadows?

Maybe many are dead and gone.

As they say: time and tide waits for no one.

Fiji marches along and I am glad that I have made some contributions to its development through teaching… the memory of the 1987 coup has now faded into oblivion.

May God Bless Fiji!

DEWAN CHAND Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva

Difficult times

ARE we in for unprecedented, economically difficult times?

The increase in fuel prices is likely to cause ripple effects.

For example, the price of fish has increased.

To my surprise, a bundle of my favourite of kabatia in Tavua now costs $15 instead of $10.

The bundle of fish previously sold at $25 is now $35.

This will affect people’s choice of dishes at functions and on Sundays.

In terms of transportation, the price of bus fare has increased.

Will operators for boats and aircraft push for increased prices?

Our people travelling domestically will certainly feel the pinch in their budgets?

One may argue that the number of students and fans attending the Fiji Finals this year could decrease.

Meanwhile, one hopes that this does not dampen the spirit of Western fans from flocking to Churchill Park for the match between the Chiefs and our very own Fijian Drua.

FLOYD ROBINSON, Toorak, Suva

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