Reward for Drua players!
I was touched by the action of Fijian Drua centre Apisalome Vota (FT 08/06). Vota was pictured with his younger brother, Aiden Kasaqa, uprooting dalo from their plantation at Navuso Village in Naitasiri. Vota is a humble person, but his performance on the field has been strong and formidable. He starred in his debut season with the Fijian Drua and this resulted in his selection into the 34-member Flying Fijians extended squad. Vota had been at the heart of the Suva rugby team as they completed the treble in the Skipper Cup competition. Given more game time, he will be able to secure a lucrative contract overseas. Vota has a long way to go and I’m adamant he will not let his fans down during the Pacific Nations Cup. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Nadi rugby
Kudos to the Jack’s of Fiji O Nadi Ko rugby team for claiming the Farebrother Sullivan Trophy from holders Naitasiri. For any rugby franchise or team to keep winning week in week out, it is not easy to get faithful and loyal sponsors like Jack’s of Fiji. They have withstood the tough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but have continued to remain loyal not only in good days but tough and challenging days as well. Example when Nadi rugby needed support, Jacks withstood all challenges but never shied away from sponsoring whether its Nadi soccer or rugby, the company is a living and breathing example of the O Nadi ko fever. Joka dina o Jack’s sponsored Nadi … give your best and take your takings. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Plastic pollution
The regional director for International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Oceania, Mason Smith has appropriately pointed out that “as developments and economics rose, our consumption of pollutant making products would continue to increase”. So far, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Niue and Fiji have all declared plans to ban single-use plastic bags. Since January 1, 2020, Fiji has already banned the manufacture and distribution of plastic bags with thickness of less than 50 microns and are made up of whole or part polyethylene. This was the first phase and gradually we may have a complete ban on plastics. It may take a while since most of the packaging is done with plastics. It is pleasing to see that Fijians are adjusting to the transition from plastics to more eco-friendly alternatives. We have to be able to maintain our needs without compromising our nature. Let us become sustainable citizens and leave a better Earth for our future generations. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Cement dust
While they’re fixing, the CWMH Maternity Unit bus shelter, (FT 08/06) are they also preventing, the cement dust from spreading all over and into the Maternity Unit? It creates a health hazard and pollution, for the mothers and especially the babies in it, who are the future of our nation. It’s such a simple matter really, to prevent all that debris, from spreading and flying, as it’s such an unnecessary health risk. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Streetlight repairs
Over a month ago I reported a streetlight not working at Mehrotra Place, Martintar, Nadi. This was also noted in a letter to the editor. To date there is no sign of anyone doing repairs. With outsourcing now a buzz word, may I suggest through the media that FRA begin to replace its existing contractor with a more efficient one? Here’s hoping for a more realistic response. Norman Yee Martintar, Nadi
Dangerous threat
No effort should be spared by the police and the community to round up and lock up the Neanderthal brute who brutally assaulted, strangled and attempted to rape Shayne Hazelman, leaving her “physically and mentally scarred” (FT 8/6). No women or girl is safe while this violent sexual predator is roaming free. The community needs urgent protection. The community owes Shayne Hazelman a debt of gratitude for coming out publicly to tell her painful story and alert the community of this dangerous threat. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Big lasulasu
Indeed Kiran Khatri, religious organisations should stop inviting politicians to religious functions. Definitely the people are there to hear the divine words of the Lord, not self-praising power-seeking individuals (FT 7/6). A very pathetic statement by the Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy that Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had to be born so Fijians of Indian descent could be granted equal citizenship. Total nonsense and a big lasulasu. Your portfolio should make you stress more about World food safety day to create awareness and ensure that each citizen is well informed about ways to reduce the risk of food poisonous for better health. Continue with the handing over farming implements, vegetable seeds and clearances of waterways, at the expense of tax payer dollars and foreign aid. Just like sports, don’t mix religion with politics. Better still go and attend a night fundraiser just like our good Attorney-General did in Sigatoka. This time around the voters are watching, listening and very attentive to see what all you throw at them for the upcoming general election. God bless Fiji. Raymond Singh Golf Links, Lautoka
Be on the lookout
It was sad and shocking to have read that a group of children were sleeping in a park recently (FT 04/06). Isa, is this a sign of poverty? Family problems? Who knows they may have experienced pain, anger, confusion or disappointment at home? Or they may have left because they were humiliated by others. Indeed, it pains me to see this. A child is born into a community so it is our responsibility as part of that community to look after them. Let’s be on the lookout please for children who need comfort and strength to survive in this cruel world of ours. Whatever little you do may just be a small deed, but it will be an ocean of love and comfort for the child. To all our children out there, we love you! Joeli Naleca Natabua, Lautoka
A promising future
I watched a film on mental health recently and it warmed my heart to see how representation and advocacy on topics such as mental health is surfacing so beautifully in the present times. Topics that were once frowned upon are now making its way to dinner table conversations. Many might say that the yesteryears were more simple, but I would attribute most of that ‘simplicity’ to sweeping issues that needed to be addressed under the rug. Westernisation has its fair share of cons but one cannot argue that it has brought with it the beauty and importance of representation. There were loopholes in the mindset of our forefathers and inevitably in ours as well, but it’s so promising to see that the current generation is able to acknowledge these loopholes and make much needed efforts to help change the global perspective. Take the LGBTQ+ community for example, there was once a time when even the mention of something outside the heterosexual notion was seen as ungodly and disgraceful, but now these minorities are slowly but surely getting the representation they deserve. Celebrations like the pride month, suicide awareness week, etc, are testament to the continued efforts around deconstructing societal norms that are discriminating, disparaging and absolutely unnecessary. It’s time that we applaud such positive changes and maybe reassess our own perspectives because one cannot strive to change the world with a mindset laced with hypocrisy and insensitivity. Anmol Narayan Suva
Power outage
It was about 3.49pm on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Here we go again. Another annoying power outage. This monopoly, totally unreliable for 24/7 consistency, definitely needs desired competition. Most frustrating … to say the least. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Electricity supply
With the frequent unplanned power outages, we’re beginning to resemble a poor state that is rationing electricity because the demand exceeds supply. Euu! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Superyacht
The Russian superyacht Amadea which “departed the Port of Lautoka yesterday” (FT 8/6), is likely to face prosecution by the United States of America as part of the sanctions against Russia’s war of invasion in Ukraine and the atrocities committed against the Ukrainian people. But Russian president Putin gets “invited” to attend the G-20 meeting in Indonesia (Southeast Asian Times 8/6). It makes a thinking person wonder about the international order we are living under. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Moral courage
I really marvelled at those British conservative MPs who had the moral courage to vote against the UK Prime Minister regarding the vote of no confidence on the issue of “partygate” scandal. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Sufficient sleep
The advocates of healthy living and longer life are still missing one huge problem — not enough sleep. Research is clear on the subject. If we don’t get regular and sufficient sleep we leave ourselves open to weakened immune systems, as well as poor brain functions. And what prevents so many from getting enough regular sleep? Late night grog sessions. It’s all very simple. When will we ever learn? Fergus Garrett Marist Brothers, Vatuwaqa, Suva
Blame game
It’s time Bainimarama stopped blaming Russia and the pandemic for price increases and talk to the people about their ability to create jobs, maximise exports and control expenditure. Dan Urai Lautoka
No tobacco
President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, unveiled a new billboard along Stinson Pde during World No Tobacco Day (FT 1/6). Permanent Secretary of Health, Dr James Fong, spoke on the ongoing awareness of the harmful and deadly effect of tobacco. This alerts us to take care of our environment already affected so badly by smoke emissions. We are cautioned to have smoke-free zone protocols in institutions, schools, work and public places. This program should be strictly followed with offenders taken to task. Those addicted to smoking should quit immediately. Nip it in the bud, save money, and live long! Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
