Endangered cultural heritage
I have been following the dispute over our cultural heritage of the favourite drink sourced from the roots of the yaqona plant with some dismay. I applaud Henry Puna, out-going secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, for his initiative in alerting the World Intellectual Property Office in Geneva in regard to the action of certain businessmen in America. I had not thought to speak out until today when I see a tanoa made of plastic on display and soon to be available for us to buy. Have we not got the message through at all? Plastic is filling our oceans and endangering our world and our lives. We do not need plastic tanoa. The wooden bowl is an essential part of our cultural heritage and I hope there will be a continuing stream of young men, and perhaps young women, willing to dedicate their lives to this precious artistic skill. Tessa Mackenzie Suva
Plastic pollution
It is good to know Fiji is playing a significant part in the international negotiations to address the global threat of plastic pollution on land and the oceans (FT 30/4). I am reminded here of the saying “Think global, act local”. Can Fiji act locally to end plastic pollution and become a model for others to emulate? That is the practical challenge. Hope it’s not another case of too many conferences and not enough real action. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Gods and conflicts
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa’s response to my letter on Gods and world conflicts is appreciated. Being brought up in a Christian family myself I can see his point of view. My reasoning is that only divine intervention will clean up the mess this world is in and we can’t wait another 2000 years for this to happen. Vijay P. Madhavan Borron Rd., Suva
Cheques issue
Cheques are already cashless so why get rid of them? Sukha Singh Labasa
Sevens rugby
So what now? Will the sevens coach be changed again? Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Them and us
There are two religions which have commandments that its followers must adhere to. Both the religions’ texts speak of believers and non-believers and one life. A third religion does not have commandments, but speaks of ‘karma’ and a cycle of life. It also propagates that one is a seeker of truth. My question is how does one reconcile with the texts which speak of non-believers (them) and believers (us)? I will be glad if someone can enlighten me. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
The word love
In this weirdly chaotic world only love can pierce the darkness bringing light, hope and healing. Colin Deoki Australia
World view
Rajend Naidu can agree with the world view on God and man but I still maintain that divine intervention is needed to clean up the man-made mess in this world. End of story. Vijay P. Madhavan Borron Rd., Suva
Opportunities to open
New Zealand will open its 2024 Pacific Access Category for Fijians and other Pacific Islanders from May 20, 2024. PAC is allowing 250 Fijians to become New Zealand residents and those from 18-45 years old are eligible to apply. The fee is $NZ85 for first time applicants and $NZ35 for those who had applied before. This will close on June 30, 2024. Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) will open on June 3, 2024 and 300 Fijians will become Australian residents after being picked and passed all the other requirements. The registration fee is $A25.
For those planning to apply: Good luck to you. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
Looming health crisis
What a surprise and sad news for Fijians! According to Dr Devina Nand, at the 2024 OHS Conference, 41 per cent of the workforce have cardiovascular risks, basing this on the Intermediate Risk Factor of obesity. As such, immediate action must be taken to address the falling status of the health of workers. There must be introduction of the health and wellbeing programs at workplaces to tackle this issue Let us make it happen now for a better and healthy workforce. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua, Suva
NCD worry
The Fiji Times picture showing evergreen participants in an OHS conference at the Pearl Resort (FT27/4) speaks volumes of the outbreak of NCDs. The onus is with us to take heed of the advice by the medical team and the concerned authorities. Let’s be united to put a strong fight to save ourselves. Healthy eating and OHS regulations will save us. Get up, move, move faster. Live and let others live. Say no to unhealthy eating. Go green! Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
A new era
History is being created in the Coca-Cola Games, with the girls competition having experienced a massive landslide such that the mega giant of Adi Cakobau Secondary school has finally been toppled. Year after year the ladies from Sawani seemed invincible but now schools such as MGM and Suva Grammar have risen above the horizon. What a new and exciting beginning for the girls’ athletics competition. It is a new era. One looks forward to a bigger and better games in 2025. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Where now?
The sevens team closed its chapter in Singapore. So where now! We have the Madrid 7s to play and than Paris which should be the icing on the cake right! We focus on the overloads free style of playing the game, creating a dream team and searching for a win. Mental toughness is indeed crucial in high-pressure situations, especially in a fast-paced game like rugby sevens. Investing in expertise to enhance the team’s mental resilience could certainly be beneficial. It’s essential to strike a balance between physicality and mental strength to excel consistently. Toso Viti, toso. Rahul Krishna Auckland, New Zealand
Historic feat
MGM High School’s historic win in the girls’ division of the 2024 Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Finals looked tenable from day one as traditional powerhouses Adi Cakobau, Suva Grammar, Jasper Williams and the like wilted under the challenge from the ‘seninawanawa’ girls. Back in 2022, MGM High School School principal Sanjay Raman had thrown down the gauntlet to win the boys and girls title in 2025. Well, sweet victory has come a year early for MGM with a first ever win in the girls’ division with a resounding haul of 14 gold medals, nine silvers and eight bronze medals.
The boys have shown glimpses of the potential with a fourth place finish of three gold medals and six silver medals which MGM High School will build on from now to turn the tide at next year’s Fiji Finals. Samu Railoa Nadi
Sevens rugby
Let’s face the facts, Fiji’s dominance in sevens rugby is gone. We are no longer the confident team that we once were. We are no longer “the” threat that we used to be! Oh, of course we are the favourites. NAVNEET RAM (TD) LAUTOKA
Humanitarian priority
Turkey has halted all trade with Israel over the ongoing violence in Gaza.
The $6.8billion trade volume between the countries will cease until Israel allows an “uninterrupted and sufficient flow” of aid into the city (Daily Maverick 3/5/24). How many western champions of democracy and international humanitarian law would do that to address the plight of the Palestinian people? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Sad 7s situation
It is evidently clear, in the first two pool matches in the 2024 HSBC Singapore 7s, Fiji’s poor game management, individual play and indiscipline, cost us dearly — thrashed by USA 14-33 and pipped by Great Britain 14-19; not results we are proud of. We are definitely out of medal contention in Singapore. It is strange how the human brain cannot handle pressure at critical moments. It is another sad outing for our very own two-time double Olympics gold medallists. All our opponents have studied “the chink in our human armour” – we crack under pressure. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Narube’s views
Savenaca Narube, Unity Fiji Party leader’s recent reported views on possible coalition partnerships, are well received, noted and duly respected, in the newer democracy Fiji enjoys today. His views reflect the general public perceptions we find ourselves in today. Sometimes, the truth is unpalatable, in some quarters. It is what it is. The truth can hurt. Accept it. Move on, bravely without fear, favour and/or rancour. Fiji deserves the space to move into a freer society – away from the fear of needless intimidation and dictatorial heavy-handedness. William Shakespeare, the great English playwright, poet and actor (April 1564-April 23, 1616) once wrote: “The evil that man do; Lives on after them. The good that man do; Is oft interred in their bones.”
How much truer can these words be after several centuries? Time to reflect in earnestness – with respect. Be brave. Carry on. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Wonderful quotes
There are some wonderful old quotes about sarcasm. “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit!” “Sarcasm is the refuge of losers!” “Sarcasm is like cheap wine – it leaves a terrible aftertaste!” But I suppose sarcasm is completely lost on a sarcastic person! Colin Deoki Australia
