A historical bell
Alifereti Qalo holding the historical bell taken from the sunken ship Syria (FT14/5 – Picture: Eliki Nukutabu) should find a secured place in the Fiji Museum.
Such monuments are a part of our history to keep our next generation aware about the descendants of the girmitiya.
Lest we forget.
Vinaka Alifereti for keeping it in your good hands for so long.
Tahir Ali, Hamiltoon, New Zealand
Ben Ryan was an exception
Not all the coaches, whether local or overseas, will always be successful and be embraced accordingly.
The only exception was Ben Ryan.
In my perspective, he introduced the “mental attitude” of self-confidence, endurance, determination and discipline, both on and off the field.
Although he did not start very well, as he identified and understood our weaknesses, he restructured the types of team bonding and game strategy, that infused our natural abilities, to maximum capacity.
During his tenure, the Fiji 7s team was so admired, internationally captured and mysteriously feared.
The end result, made his time the most memorable 7s rugby Fiji will ever experience.
Even Baber rode on top of Ben’s strategic waves, for almost 80 per cent of his time.
Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
Conditioning coach
Do not blame the coach nor the players.
One thing is certain that our 7s team’s performance started to drop when strength and conditioning coach Naca Cawanibuka left.
Maybe we need a successor with the same calibre.
Eh Anthony Sahai noqu boy?
Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka
Winning games
Isa!
I’ve resorted to watching YouTube to see Fiji winning games … okay, nevermind.
Toso Viti, toso.
Nigel Fiu, Owls Perch, Lautoka
Let’s end the winless jinx!
As the final tournament scheduled in the 2022/23 HSBC WRSS circuit kicks off this weekend in London, I plead with members of national 7s team, who are carrying our hopes and aspirations to give everything they have and put an end to our miserable outing on the series.
Ten tournaments have gone by in excitement, but despair for Fijian fans.
The All Blacks 7s and Argentina have so far proved to be the two best sides on the circuit and defeating them will require a mammoth task from any side including the national 7s team.
However, I have high hopes in Ben Gollings, Etu Tusitala and the boys to change our fortunes and turn things around in London.
I plead with the boys to put on the accelerating gear, show the natural flair, make the tackles count and play as a rock-solid unit.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Social welfare
As a university student studying Sociology and Social Work, I am writing to express my concern about the impact of inadequate social welfare schemes in Fiji, particularly in the current economic climate.
I believe the rising cost of living and inflation are exacerbating the problem, and the most vulnerable members of our society are bearing the brunt of it.
Fiji needs a comprehensive and effective social welfare program that is responsive to the needs of its people.
I believe the current system is inadequate, and it is failing to address the basic needs of the most vulnerable members of our society.
The lack of sufficient social welfare programs is causing widespread poverty and social inequality in Fiji.
To address this issue, I would propose that the Government should increase the budget allocation for social welfare programs, particularly in light of the economic conditions.
The Government should also streamline the distribution process of social welfare benefits to ensure they reach intended beneficiaries.
Additionally, the Government should introduce measures to increase access to education and vocational training for those in need.
This will help to create employment opportunities and reduce poverty in the long term.
In conclusion, the Government must take action to address the inadequate social welfare programs in Fiji, particularly in light of the current economic conditions.
It is our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and ensure they have access to the basic necessities of life.
Riya Narayan, Sawani, Nausori
Dawn of a new era
A new-found peace, forgiveness and reconciliation can only begin with the baby steps we all take – women, men, youths, teenagers and little children.
This huge national initiative, ably led by the Methodist Church is a beacon of light.
Let all follow it faithfully and tread carefully, each step of the way, with each new sunrise, in Fiji’s new dawn.
There is no better way.
This can be the new treasure in the field that the late Pope John Paul 11 talked about – “Fiji – the way the world should be”.
Let us all rekindle this fire and live his dream.
Can we?
Ronnie Chand, Martintar, Nadi
Banana trade
Over all these years we are shown how the banana trade flourished in Fiji but no government has taken serious steps into re-introducing the trade.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Change or same
After getting bombarded for months with “change is coming” and “we are the change”, we were told change came.
Around six months later, could we be told what has this change actually changed and what has remained the same?
That is with a very high probability that the remaining changes are in the pipeline somewhere.
In case, the probability is low, it would be prudent for the pipeline to be handed over to the Water Authority of Fiji.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Senior citizens
Can I ask Lautoka City Council or the Girmit Council in Lautoka how or what criteria was followed to pick senior citizens of Lautoka?
I know some prominent people who are almost 90 years old but they were not recognised.
How were the recipients chosen?
Some looked early 70s to me unless they put on make up.
Lautoka City Council CEO please reply.
Geoffrey Chand, Lautoka
Interesting week
After a disappointing performance by our national 7s team over the weekend, it’s only natural for some fans to become upset and demand answers.
Whatever the explanations and responses from the management of our national sevens team, it will be an interesting week ahead as the ability to reconcile different views becomes a contentious topic.
At the end of the day, one has to accept wins and losses as our team cannot win or lose all the time.
May cool heads and objective decision making prevail, as this is in the best interest of the sport we love dearly.
Good sportsmen will continue to support our rugby regardless of the current results.
Floyd Robinson, Micronesia
Case of hypocrisy
This letter serves to draw attention to an article published on May 17 titled “Call for Finance Minister to resign” whereby the Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu is calling for the resignation of the Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad.
The Leader of the Opposition has claimed in the newspaper article that the FijiFirst party learnt that $200,000 in tax dollars was spent for expenses that supported the Global Girmit Institute (GGI).
He reported that most of those expenses were used to cover the travelling and lodging of international speakers.
The question I would like to ask is when they were in power for 16 long years, was there any independent auditor general’s report done?
How about the failure of not declaring the pile of debt they left behind?
I do agree that the Deputy Prime Minister will have to be held accountable for expenses used in the celebration of Girmit Day if these allegations are true, however, to call for the minister’s resignation is hypocrisy considering the past 16 years of no transparency and no accountability when they were in leadership.
Alowesi Buidravo, Rarama Place, Makoi, Nasinu
Privatisation option
PrivatiSation of state-owned enterprises (SOE), can be a good thing, with supposed considerable advantages and so goes the theory.
Increased productivity, Facilitation of healthy competition.
Use of resources more efficiently.
No direct political interference in management.
Market- driven way of doing business.
Creating a competitive environment.
But the theory is seldom reality, as it sometimes does not that way happen.
The apparent disadvantages, can be somewhat overwhelming, to overide the above-stated advantages, when there is a lack of transparency and development of monopolies.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
The GCC
I believe the GCC was suspended in 2007 and in 2008, Mr Bainimarama as the minister for Indigenous Affairs, appointed himself as its chairman.
On March 14, 2012, the then President Epeli Nailatikau, approved decrees to formally de-establish its existence.
The Rabuka Coalition administration, after coming to power early this year, approved the GCC’s reinstatement.
However, is it really very important to expedite its formal re-establishment?
Especially, at a time such as now, after the previous Bainimarama administration left behind the most fragile financial coffer any government could ever imagine, since our independence in 1970?
Whatever we strive to do to get back on our feet, make sure it is moral and that our upcoming success is at the service of others and not at the expense of others.
Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
