Sevens test
Thanks to the ardent rugby fan and rugby pundit, brother Rajnesh Lingam for reaffirming my views through his letter (FT 03/04). My good old mate TD also expressed similar sentiments in his letter titled ‘Sevens talents.’ During the early 90s when I became a fan of Fiji 7s team, our players used to be known as the sevens wizards. Legends of sevens rugby like Waisale Serevi, Manasa Bari, Fero Lasagavibau, Marika Vunibaka, to name a few, won millions of hearts back in the days. Come this weekend, every enthusiastic fan shall be waiting for the much-awaited win after the 19 heart breaking loses. The Kolinisau-coached team shall be put through a baptism of fire as Rajnesh Lingam loves to call it. Toso Viti! DINESH KUMAR Ba
One last dance at home ground
Bruce Southwick ignited beautiful memories from So Kon Po Stadium with his piece ‘One last dance at home ground’ (FT: 03/04). So Kon Po, which has been home away from home for the flamboyant Fijians, has been our happy hunting ground, as we became the first team to win three-in-a-row HK 7s titles. Fiji is the only country to win the RWC 7s tournaments twice at So Kon Po Stadium. Furthermore, Fiji added the icing to the cake by winning the prestigious title five-in-a-row. The atmosphere at So Kon Po has been fantastic and has resulted in Fiji winning 19 times there — seven more than our arch-rivals the All Blacks 7s. When the tournament starts on Friday, expect emotions to flow, as Osea Kolinisau and the boys will aim to put a dramatic end to the HK 7s at So Kon Po Stadium. It’s a pity that the last two finals, which we played at So Kon Po Stadium, did not go our way. In 2022, Fiji lost to Australia 17-20, while last year, the boys were defeated by the All Blacks 7s 19-24. This year, the boys can make up for the two heartbreaking losses by wrapping up the Holy Grail. Kolinisau has done it there as well as the general Vatemo Ravouvou. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
A different take
The biggest tournament of the Mickey Mouse game of the calendar year will be held in Hong Kong this weekend. Obviously, it is a big deal in Fiji. Everyone is holding their breath to see how the “blasts from the past”, players and coach included, will perform in this tournament after the disappointing results of the previous 18 tournaments. In Australia, no one knows about this tournament. Just ask any family and friends in Australia. People have plenty of family and friends in Australia now. Not a single picture will appear on Australian TV or the media. But in Fiji they live and breathe this and then they all wonder why Fiji is where it is. Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
Food prices
Why are the 21 zero VAT rated basic items so expensive? Soon they will be luxury purchased items. We have grown accustomed to the unpredictability that surrounds the prices of goods in our local supermarkets. Each week, we embark on our grocery shopping missions with a sense of apprehension, never knowing what new price hikes await us. It’s a dilemma that raises a critical question: Is it time for the three-legged Government to step in and address the alarming disparity in supermarket prices that leaves our wallets feeling raped and increasingly lighter? Price gouging in Fiji’s supermarkets is significant and touches the core of our daily lives. The dramatic fluctuations in prices, coupled with stagnant salaries, place an unbearable burden on the average citizen. Fijian families are struggling to put food on the table because of the Fijian Competition and Commerce Commission’s incompetence. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Education, franchise program
The Higher Education Commission Fiji’s proposal on the introduction of competency-based technical and vocational education in secondary schools in Fiji by its director, Doctor Rohit Kishore must be applauded. This is the way forward and a long-term intervention to highlight and address the exodus of skilled professionals in the country. The idea is to produce more skilled professionals to cater for the demand in the local and overseas markets, and as migration is inevitable — this is the best solution to address the exodus of skilled professionals. Thus, the Coalition Government must be commended and thanked for giving the Cabinet approval of the joint proposal by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance to explore various options to support Pacific Polytech as Fiji is facing constraints in terms of availability of technical skills for its industry and public sectors. This is to maintain sustainability and productivity in the country. This is a very critical time as far as skill set gaps matter and Fiji must look at options to support Pacific Polytech and to develop TVET policy, and allow technical and tertiary institutions like the Pacific Polytech to take TVET programs in the secondary schools in the form of franchise mode. Let’s support vocational studies and make it happen in secondary schools to enhance quality technical and vocational programs via franchise programs. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua, Suva
Freedom House report
We read in the lastest Freedom House report which says “Fiji partly free” (FT 3/4) that “Fiji refuses entry into the country for the United Nations Rapporteur on torture”. Why is that? Hasn’t Fiji returned to full democratic governance since the 2006 military coup? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Why the refusal?
AN article in FT 3/4 on the report by Freedom House states that “Fiji refuses entry into the country for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture”. I thought this happened only during the previous government’s tenure and that we have moved forward. Why the refusal now? What’s there to hide? SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka, Labasa
Bangladesh workers
I am so happy for these Bangladesh workers who have come as farm workers. Could the Minister for Labour tell us is there any contract in place on how they are to be paid and their working conditions? Sukha Singh Labasa
Consider solutions
Dear GCC! With relation to indigenous affairs and to the welfare of Fiji as your first nation, and with all due respect to you, our first minds and indigenous leaders, I wish to request if you could consider solutions to the following grave issues that are plaguing our communities, towns and cities and are becoming a high risk to the happiness and peace of your future, our future, and to the future of those to come. And I ask: 1. Why are our prisons filled mostly with indigenous law breakers? 2. Why are the majority of our street kids indigenous? 3. Why are you resource rich but cash poor? 4. Why do you not entertain changes to your indigenous culture, yet you allow a coup culture to overshadow us? 5. Why is it that I have witnessed kids as young as two years old getting physically abused by their parents and relatives and it’s OK? Doesn’t this fuel them into being hardened criminals? What has happened to the power of words as counsel and building blocks? 6. Why is domestic violence on the rise? 7. Why is crime on the increase and why are the crimes being committed becoming increasingly violent? 8. Why do we have so many school dropouts? 9. Why do we have such a high incidence of teenage pregnancy? 10. Why do we have so many single mothers? 11. Why do we have low exam pass rates and a lack of basic skills? 12. Why are we still plagued with yaqona and alcohol abuse and the issues that come with it? 13. Why have we almost reached a critical point of no-return with drug abuse and its related problems? 14. Why is respect on the down? 15. Why aren’t you utilising your many acres of barren land, beautiful beaches, cascading waterfalls and virgin forests to bring in more tourists and earn foreign exchange? 16. Why is it that you are not interested in helping to pay off our national debt when this is your first nation and you are resource rich? 17. Why can’t you farm your lands and be the leader of exports? 18. Why do some trusted church pastors abuse their female church members? 19. Why are you not controlling the over commercialisation of your qoliqoli and showing you care about the future generations by devising a plan whereby our ocean resources are sustainable? You have been gifted with an iTaukei seasonal calendar from your ancestors, why do you not use it? 20. Why can’t you look after something as invaluable as rubbish for in so doing you will learn to look after what is valuable to you? 21. Why aren’t you fully aware of funding that is available to you for development? 22. Why don’t you feel the need to check on the needs of your multi ethnic brothers and sisters including the occupants of the islands of Kioa and Rabi whom you have allowed to live among you? and 23. Why does it feel like you are not the wonderful hosts that you once were? Have you grown tired of entertaining your visitors? Finally, I wish to request if you could allow your indigenous women the freedom to vote for women so that together we can increase the percentage of women in our parliament so that all women and children (who are our future) can be well represented. Being of part indigenous descent I wish to say, you have been gifted with discernment and mana. If you don’t have it, you must pray for it, for it is imperative that you have the spirit of discernment and the wisdom you need to be the leaders that you have been chosen to be! Me kalougata tiko ga ko Viti! Noleen Billings Savusavu
FNPF money
I wish to raise a concern on our funds which is kept by our Fiji National Provident Fund. Could FNPF or the Government allow members to withdraw their funds for investment purposes. FNPF is making millions of dollars on our money. Why couldn’t they allow us to invest on our own? Naibuka Vodo Delai Vatukacevaceva Village
Laptop assistance
The FNPF, a retirement savings entity for pensioners, will now reinstate the laptop assistance scheme for its members. They might as well also include the issuance of school uniforms, bags, sandals, lunch boxes and underwear as part of their Education Withdrawal Benefit. Nishant Singh Lautoka
One more reason
There is one more reason to go to the USA in July. The Flying Fijians take on the mighty All Blacks in San Diego. What a better time to defeat the All Blacks which is without several star players who have departed New Zealand for greener pastures and under the command of a new coach. Meanwhile, Fiji rugby fans are eagerly awaiting the revelation of the new Flying Fijians coach. There is also one more reason to hope for an announcement sooner rather than later as it does take time to prepare a national team to play against the second ranked side in world rugby. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Most improved country
Congratulations to the Coalition Government for achieving the tag of being the most improved country. Freedom House, a Washington based non-government organisation in its latest report has considered Fiji as the highly improved country in political and civil rights in the world for 2023. (FT 03/04) However, the report also states that corruption and overcrowded prisons remain a major challenge in Fiji. Sa dina! DINESH KUMAR Ba
PM shows the way
The PM Sitiveni Rabuka sorting out plastic bottles (FT 31/3 picture: Eliki Nukutabu) should be an eye opener and bring shame to litterbugs. We have a lot to learn from those who always show the way to good health. As this is a global man-made or natural disaster affecting our environment, we all have a role to play to address it. Clean and safe environment is the only way for a healthy, safe and wealthy environment. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
