Reap what you sow
“I HOPE my story encourages others to try new things and not give up. There is always a way to make things better.”
This was the view of 58-year-old Asenaca Titikula whose encouraging and appealing story was shared by Mataiasi Stark and The Fiji Times (25/06).
Hardworking farmer Asenaca is having a strong influence on the people of Nakorotiki in Bua, Vanua Levu because of her success regarding sustainable farming methods.
Asenaca, who exemplifies the qualities of a determined farmer armed with good work ethics and drive, had her own struggles and financial constraints, but farming got her on track.
Because she has a steady supply of crops, she sells her produce.
Her story is one of determination, dedication and resilience — values we can inculcate in our lives to brace the rising cost of living.
Asenaca’s story is one of hope and passion.
She is reaping the rewards of her hard work. Not only that, but her success has also been a blessing to her community.
Her journey is a motivation.
Thank you for the inspirational dose, Stark and The Fiji Times!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasin
Performance enhancing drugs
DONALD Trump has said that he was willing to undergo a test for performance enhancing drugs before the debate.
He can save time as there is absolutely no evidence of enhanced performance and if he were taking such drugs, he should ask for a refund.
The only performance enhancing drug most of us come into contact with is coffee and it is very addictive as I and billions have found.
DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia
Accepting defeat
ARE we prepared to accept defeat at the 2024 Olympics 7s competition and swallow our pride?
Well, for now, our national 7s teams are possibly our only medal prospects, especially the men. However, their performance has been far from convincing in the past 18 months.
This will be one interesting game at the 2024 Olympics because all teams are out to stop Fiji from winning a third consecutive gold medal.
All eyes will be on our men but for now, I am anticipating our ladies to do better in France.
I would be surprised if we fail to scoop gold as there has been too many changes too soon which may not augur well for them in terms of combination. May the best team win and let us accept whatever the results in France.
FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia
Nadi’s infrastructure
WHILE Fiji tourism remains steadfastly buoyant and supports our economy to the tune of about 40 per cent of our GDP, and several major resort/hotel developments to come on line in about two years, is any special attention being paid to Nadi’s ailing sewer treatment plant in Navakai?
Some 600 new resort/hotel rooms are being built. Our Air BnB outlets are reportedly increasing too.
What are the immediate plans for our very own rubbish dump or disposal system? This is long overdue.
Will our water supply be increased sooner?
Are there plans to greatly increase our water storage capacities?
Some rural communities do not receive water on a 24/7 basis. This is sad.
These are pertinent questions I pose to our Hon Minister of Finance and DPM on the eve of his 2024/2025 National Budget address … as a caring and retired kai Nadi.
Additionally, with the current drug problems pushing our hard working police force, Namaka Police Station needs both a huge infrastructure, equipment and manpower boost. They need immediate attention.
I raise the above most respectfully … aside from Nadi’s one-way street problems so often talked about.
RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
National prayer
LOOKING at all the problems Fiji is now facing with crime, drugs, high cost of living, sicknesses, natural disasters, family breakdown, etc, brings to mind the words of our Lord as per 2 Chronicles 7:13. “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,” It’s time to turn back to our creator and cry out to him as per verse 14. ” if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”.
As a Christian, I call upon all denominations to come together in unity for a national fasting and prayer week.
Jesus is the answer to all our problems.
EDWARD KUMAR Lautoka
Drug escalation
AT last, the security division of Home Affairs has officially recognised the escalation of illicit drugs, as a critical national security.
What have they been doing all these years?
One of the main setbacks, in my view, is that there seemed to be a lot of “workshops”, with minimal ground action. It is like building roads without regulatory and boundaries.
I believe we should make “penalty” laws more aggressive for drug-related crimes, not only to imprison perpetrators, but to deter and discourage their thinking, to initiate. Singapore and Thailand drug laws and penalties are very strict. Foreigners have to study them prior to visiting. Leave alone smuggling. Do we have to wait for another “Pacific record drug bust”, in order to act?
Stop depending on others, it is our problem and no one else can solve it.
SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi, Nausori
Street dwellers
THE Fiji times editorial “Dealing with street dwellers” (FT 20/6) seems to be getting out of control. This crisis has been there for quite some time.
Let’s face it, this type of pictorial news in the media is not so friendly to Fiji tourism as we are well known to the world for our bula Fiji welcome smile. The beautiful scenes on promoting tourism should be revealed in the newspaper.
I feel the responsible authorities should activate more awareness programs with parents, who are most responsible to monitor the movements of their children.
Opening job opportunities in agriculture, waterways and other income generating resources will be a way forward for the benefit of all Fijians in Fiji.
Charity begins at home to discipline the developing children. Parents first!
Child our hope.
TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Player of interest
AUCKLAND Blues sensation Hoskins Sotutu has received enormous support after missing out on the All Blacks 15s squad.
I feel for him, as he was Super Rugby Pacific’s top try scorer alongside Crusaders speed merchant Sevu Reece.
Both scored 12 tries each. Sotutu missed the cut at the expense of Wallace Sititi, the son of former Samoan rugby star Semo Sititi who made his debut for the Gallagher Chiefs this year and made a mark.
Sotutu was also impressive, and I wonder how on Earth could the All Blacks 15s head coach Scott Robertson and the selectors miss Sotutu, whose dad Waisake Sotutu was a Flying Fijian.
Now I read that Sotutu is being eyed to join the Fiji Water Flying Fijians.
I’d love to see him don the national jumper.
I urge FRU to liaise with the Fijian boys plying their trade in NZ and missed selection to join the national team.
It’s a pity that Chiefs wonder boy Pita Gus Sowakula, who opted for the black jersey ahead of the national jumper, was selected for the All Blacks, but only played two Tests against Ireland, before departing offshore. This is something that World Rugby should also address. Enough of victimisation!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
National ID card
THE Fiji Government recently announced on its Facebook page that it will begin work towards the establishment of a so-called “national digital ID card” system.
I would therefore, like to ask the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers whereabouts in their respective party manifestos did they pitch the national ID card idea to the Fiji electorate in 2022?
Your readers with longer memories may recall that the national ID card was a pet project of former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
And many, if not most people in Fiji, then as now, would likely have suspected that the previous government’s support for the National Identity Card idea probably had more to do with its expectation that such a system might easily be repurposed as a Trojan horse that could afford their sham Government even more control, and more easy control, than it already had over the people of Fiji at that time.
Therefore, it is a bit disconcerting to see the current Coalition Government, which is supposedly a democratic alternative to the dictatorial tendencies of the previous one, is instead preparing to draw up and enact legislation that could potentially make it even easier for any future FFP government to run Fiji’s democracy as a dictatorship once again!
And, not to put too fine a point on it — to make the same kind of potential “dictatorship infrastructure” available to any potential new military coup plotters. Or for that matter, offer the same kind of turnkey system to any proto-beast kingdom from biblical prophecy, when the time for that catastrophe eventually rolls around upon the Earth.
Given Fiji’s wretched coup history therefore — and the Bible’s chilling warnings about a looming global one world dictatorship — one wonders at the wisdom of developing national administrative infrastructure for Fiji that will basically leave dictatorship-enabling tools “just lying around” for the next Frank Bainimarama or George Speight to pick up and repurpose against the people of Fiji, if ever any of them decides that “the tea leaves look good” for another coup attempt in Fiji?
JOHN SAMISONI Suva
Human trafficking
IF any government MP is really interested to address the issue of human trafficking in Fiji, contact International Justice Mission.
ASISH VINAY PRASAD Raiwasa, Suva
Fly Fiji Airways
VINAKA! Fiji Airways for being ranked 14th best airline in the world (25/06). I experienced the comfort in travelling connecting flight from Auckland to Labasa with breakfast on board and lunch in Labasa the same day. All the passengers were given a copy of The Fiji Times to read on board. Keep Fiji Airways flying higher. Long live Fiji Airways.
TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
National budget
BUDGET fine print always highlight real government spending priorities. Will tomorrow’s budget favour the common people or will it reek of a government that is in no hurry to improve the wellbeing of Fijians? Isa!
WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Good cause
PERHAPS the Blue Water Boxing Promotion could consider donating to another good cause: the people whose brains remain damaged after being “knocked out” in the boxing ring.
FERGUS GARRETT Marist Brothers, Vatuwaqa
Those cheques
THANK you ABIF for listening to our voices. We are greatly relieved that we will not be forced into internet banking, memorising passwords, and writing incorrect account numbers in our twilight years. If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it.
DANIEL FATIAKI Suva
Cost of living
COST of living is very high. The Emoluments Committee has realised this and recommended adjustments to the pay of parliamentarians. Why can’t the parliamentarians do the same for everyone in Fiji? OK, let’s wait for the budget.
SUKHA SINGH
Labasa Budget expectations
THE citizens of this country, mainly the common people, have substantial expectations for the forthcoming National Budget 2024-2025. There is widespread anticipation of salary increases and a reduction in the cost of goods and services. Particularly, nearly everyone, with the exception of the Members of Parliament themselves, opposes the significant increases in salaries and allowances for the MPs. One might think that MPs are just ensuring they can empathise better with the financial struggles of the common people, from a much privileged position.
DINESH KUMAR Ba
