Letters to the Editor – Thursday, October 10, 2019

Listen to this article:

Christopher Wasasala (10) scores for Suva against Nasinu. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

IDC lights up Nadi

The final soccer tournament is expected to light Nadi Town as fans will make their way into Prince Charles Park to witness local soccer and those who can’t make it to the ground I’m sure will be entertained by the “Voice of Soccer” Ray Stoddart with his commentaries.

Although the excitement for soccer has died after the U23 team lost to NZ, fans will support their districts.

Day one produced some exciting results as Ba outclassed Tavua (2-0), Nasinu beat Rewa (2-1), Nadi upset Suva (2-1) and the Lions were unlucky to concede a goal in the dying moment and finish day one with a point.

In the senior grade Navua, Nadroga and Lami look top bets.

Thus, my best wishes to the Lions as the northern bullets prepare to take home the crown that they last won in 2016 in Suva!

Red fire!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Fiji soccer

I believe Fiji soccer is dead.

Only bazaar games.

More officials are in FIFA than players.

Look at Fiji rugby.

Players in elite competitions all over the world.

World Cup.

Sevens works cup winners, numerous titles in sevens and individual awards.

You name it.

Great work Fiji rugby players and officials.

It is time to organise a national symposium.

Critical thinkers, visionary leaders and prominent old and young players should be invited to map a way forward.

In the meantime bazaar soccer can continue and why not?

Solutions are there but we need to make hard decisions and have a strong and effective leadership team.

Asish Vinay Prasad, Raiwasa, Suva

The word ‘no’

“NO” is a simple word, which is difficult to be understood by many in this world.

Almost every day in the news, we hear of a new victim of rape.

How is the world advancing and deteriorating at the same time?

It brings so much shame knowing that men who hold their heads up with respect for their mother, fail to give that same respect to another woman who does not belong to their family.

Women have the right to freedom, right to have freedom from cruel and degrading treatment and the right to movement as well.

Furthermore, women have a right to wear whatever they want and go wherever they want.

They have the right of protection and security like all, however, this right of theirs is violated daily by predators who see women as objects.

Rape is not only executed by people who have little knowledge but also by people with fame, degrees and white collar jobs including people who believe in God yet prey on women by taking advantage of their vulnerability.

Let a woman live fearlessly.

Consent is everything.

Respect every woman.

Stop defending rapists just because of their fame and position because that way, we will only be teaching our girls that it’s OK when it’s not!

Teach love and respect for others because many have yet to understand that no means no.

Whether it comes from your friend, girlfriend, your own wife or even a sex-worker, no means no!

Shrena Kumar, Daniva Rd, Valelevu

Definition issue

We will celebrate independence.

Are we really independent?

Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Fiji Day

Good to see our people patronise Fiji Day, I only wish our citizens can do this every day.

Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

Step aside

Now that the dust has settled and bags are being packed, can Mr McKee do the honourable thing please?

Please step aside and do not pretend to be preparing for 2023.

Someone else will do it, maybe Seruvakula, or Tabua or, I don’t know.

It would be way cheaper too, thinks Mr Workmate.

Someone said Ben Ryan in these columns last week.

Maybe.

Donald Singh, Lautoka

Hats off

I take my hat off for the democratic system in the United States where sitting members of either of the two chambers of the Congress can make accusations or direct allegations on other members or even the president in public without fear of retribution.

This is healthy for their country and makes the elected members responsible to their electors as it is in other powerful and transparent democracies in the world.

There are countries which could learn a lot from this powerful nation.

Emosi Balei, Suva

Moving forward

Quoting the late Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, “It is time to move forward together.

Stronger for the bitter experiences we have shared, wiser for the suffering inflicted on us and more compassionate for having the capacity to forgive.

For all its faults and cruelties, Fiji remains a country full of promise and hope simply demonstrated by the goodwill that has endured and the love we have for this land that is our home.

Let’s not have his words be wasted.

Happy Fiji Day!

Renuka Yankaiya-Kumar, Vio Rd, Lautoka

Money issue

Dr Reddy the Waterways Minister shouldn’t have said: “We can’t dredge any river, we don’t have any money”.

Sukha Singh, Labasa

Talking money

For all the continuous boasting about extraordinary economic performance, where is the money?

Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka

’60 Minutes’

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have a program such as 60 Minutes in Fiji?

Investigative journalists have no fear of repercussions and the people they interview respect them.

Sigh!

Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Public toilets

Why are there no public toilets in banks?

Dan Urai, Lautoka

Significant day

October the 10th has great significance in Fiji’s history whereby the nation and Fijians globally celebrate Fiji Day.

It was this day, 10/10/1970, wherein Fiji gained independence from the Great Britain and became a nation of her own.

Freedom was celebrated, for now we as a nation have been independent to run our own course in steering our own country under our own terms.

I hope and pray for our nation and her people that we would always celebrate this day as a day of freedom and independence, for these are two great components of peace for our nation.

I believe, therefore, that if our nation is not at peace than it is indicating that people are not free and are very much dependent.

Happy Fiji Day to all Fijians here in Fiji and worldwide.

Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua

Fiji Day celebration

This year’s Fiji Day celebration will take place at Albert Park and is expected to cost the government $250k.

The theme for the 49th Fiji Day celebration is “A Progressive and Sustainable Fiji for All” and I’m sure that the message this year will focus on unity and togetherness, love, religious tolerance and diversity, which are the tools to help build our multiracial and beloved Fiji.

On the occasion of this year’s Fiji Day I pray that this togetherness prevails as we aim to build a resilient, bigger and better Fiji.

As Fijians celebrate Fiji Day, I take this time to wish everyone a happy and blessed Fiji Day celebration and my humble plea to every Fijian is to observe Fiji Day by sharing peace, joy and unity as we are blessed to live in a multiracial society where we get a chance to learn each other’s language, culture and traditions.

Let’s embrace each other as Fijians and respect the diverse cultures around us so that we can show the world that we live in a Fiji that encompasses basic values of life.

Happy Fiji Day fellow Fijians!

Cheers!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

School age

It has been the practice not to enrol children who are under the required age.

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive to schools not to enrol any underage student for the 2020 academic year (FT 9/10).

For early childhood, only children born between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, are qualified for the ECE 2020 enrolment.

For Year 1, enrolment is open to any child born after June, 2014.

Director primary education Hem Chand said the dates had been finalised and schools were to follow them.

And he goes onto say – “As far as Year 1 enrolment is concerned, if we enrol underage students in ECE next year, what will happen to these students in 2021?

“We will have problems and a lot of issues.”

What problems can you foresee in the future?

This is just like the 55-year retirement age, in that it will solve the unemployment age!

But, hold the phone, if the gang in the Education Ministry can see the future, can I come and get lotto numbers from you please?

Oh, oh, oh and can you look into the future and see who will win the 2019 Rugby World Cup finals?

Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 29
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category