Support for Winston!
I would like to rally behind one of Fiji’s sons who is making a name in the game of boxing.
Fiji Times Sports 23/ 10 highlights that “Hill is ready to make history” as he is set to face Australian Lachian O’Shea this Saturday 27/10 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Watching Winston Hill in the past years from his amateur days until his last title fight, I must admit that he has a bright future in boxing and a great ambassador for Fiji in the sport.
I would not be surprised that he would become a world champion one day and therefore, I humbly request the Fiji public to support Winston Hill for his victories will not only be for himself, but for Fiji as well.
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Losing trust
The Fiji Times editorial ‘Losing trust’ (FT 23/10) states succinctly all that needs to be said on the central issue of trust in state institutions and governance in the country.
The major casualty of the coups in Fiji and the post governance has been the lost of public trust in the political leadership which has often been perceived as being self-serving.
There has also been a dramatic decline in trust of pivotal institutions of state which have been perceived to be doing the bidding of those in power rather than their duty in the public interest.
Independence and impartiality of state institutions have come to be regarded as compromised.
This has undermined the integrity of democracy.
As The Fiji Times editorial poignantly points out it is hard to regain lost trust but that it is imperative to work to regain it.
Good governance depends on it.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Literacy arts awareness
I salute the staff and students of Christian Mission Fellowship (CMF) Primary School for organising the literacy arts awareness week in their school.
The school showcased beautiful crafts, food displays, and educational models.
The students demonstrated great cultural awareness by performing dances from the different ethnicities like the Australian Aboriginal dance.
The success of the program was a result of the collaboration between students, teachers and parents, and demonstrated research, good presentation and preparation that the children did.
The theme was ‘Unlocking limitless potential through literacy art’. Literacy art, which is a powerful tool, helps unlock limitless potential in individuals and communities by combining literacy skills with artistic expression.
While empowering children, it will assist them to discover their passion, build their confidence and make a positive impact in their lives.
This week’s Kaila! newspaper showed how creative our children are!
Therefore, let’s continue to inspire, educate and encourage them.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Fiji FA drug test
Some 21 players failed drug tests during the IDC and the Fiji Football Association is quiet about it and not naming the players.
Why can’t these players be reported to police and later police decide what action to take on them.
Drugs is a big problem and I understand that one can only be charged legally if found in possession of drugs.
If the matter is reported police can interview these players and find out how they get the illegal drugs to use.
Come on Fiji FA, do the right thing for once.
Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Water disruptions
For those that live in areas that don’t have WAF grid for water supply.
These fellow citizens do not complain but they slowly adjust their living standard to have the relevant water storage item or relevant solar item to provide the family solar light, power laptop and charge mobile phones.
To be resilient against intermittent WAF supplies, fellow citizens living in towns, cities and urban areas, should slowly put in place their rainwater harvest tanks or WAF water carting truck water delivery for family storage.
With the rainwater harvest tanks in place and utilising the rainwater for daily usage will assist in minimising their WAF three-month bills.
We live in an area in Naitasiri, without WAF/EFL grid.
However, with the necessary water tanks, stand alone solar lights, correct 12/24V solar panels with charge controllers, 1000 / 2000 watt 12V to 220V inverter with a few 12V batteries to store solar charge, every day living is without complaint but the joy of the Almighty’s sun, rain and fresh air.
Joseph Chong Wailase, Naitasiri
What’s happening?
“Patients and visitors at the Navua Hospital have turned to the nearby bushes to relieve themselves because of water scarcity over the past week.” (FT 19/10).
Can’t the relevant authorities, to put it bluntly, “use their heads”, to cart water from the nearby Navua River and fill up the water tanks for toiletry usage? Or has the Navua River run dry as well?
Then there’s three primary schools in the North which still has students learning under tents for more than a year now. (FS 19/10)
Meanwhile, our government ministers continue their globetrotting, pocketing allowances and delivering fancy speeches.
Sad.
Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Geopolitics in action
The world has reached a boiling point and is tottering on the brink of a nuclear war. The leaders involved could not care less. With inflated egos they are pushing the limits and refusing to sit at a negotiating table to find a solution.
Russia and Ukrainian war exploded on the scene some three years ago and there seems to be no end in sight. Vladymir Zelensky, buoyed by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) support, wants to win the war and join the NATO group. Russia is relentlessly fighting back. NATO sanctions against Russia have not worked as many European countries continue to buy Russian oil and gas indirectly. Arms producing countries (USA, France etc) are happy to supply arms and perhaps want the war to be prolonged.
India, a nuclear country, has maintained a neutral stance and continues to trade with Russia despite the American pressure to desist. India has continued to buy Russian crude oil and gas in huge quantities. It refines and sells to European countries. NATO groups of countries are heavily dependent for energy on Russian supply. This hypocrisy on part of NATO countries continues unabashadley. India asserts that war is not the answer to world peace. Diplomacy and dialogue is the way to go according to Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The next most volatile spot is Israel and the Islamic states surrounding it. On 7th October 2023 Hamas unleashed a deadly attack on Israel on the Omkipur day (holiest day in Jewish calendar). The three pronged attack (air, sea and land) caught Israel flat footed. They had no idea what struck them. Thousands of innocent men, women and children died.
Many were taken into captivity and kept in underground tunnels. IDF (Israeli Defence Forces ) retaliated with fierce fire power and Gaza was left in ruins. A network of underground tunnels was discovered where Hamas fighters were hiding.
Iran is a nuclear power and claims to be the leader of the Islamic world. It has trained Hamas, Hezbollah and Houtis and armed them to the teeth. They have been causing havoc for Israel.
But Israel is fighting back relentlessly causing immense damage and death. Major Hamas and Hezbollah leaders have been assassinated. Elimination of Yahya Sinwar sent a shock wave amongst both Shia and Sunni muslims.
The Houthis attacked an American ship in the Red Sea and the USA retaliated by severe bombings of Houthi military installations. This sends new shock waves as Iran vows to take revenge on Israel and the USA. They are clamouring for total destruction of Israel and America.
This kind of brinkmanship has sent shivers down our spine! A small error of judgement could send the world reeling with a nuclear war!
This could mean the total annihilation of the human race. What a shame!
Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Loan write-off
I wonder when will the government help me write off my loans. After all I am an honest and hardworking guy who has invested millions in this country’s economy without any favours.
Shah Shareef Savusavu
New pay
Some members had voted against the pay increase for MPs. I wonder whether they are still on old pay or they have accepted the new salary. Just curious.
Selwa Nandan Lautoka
Positive impact
If you want to matter and make a positive impact in people’s lives, you need to become visible. You don’t need to be tech savvy or wealthy to make it happen. Just be a go-getter. And don’t worry about making mistakes. Mistakes are stepping stones to success. The most successful people have made the most mistakes. And they did it despite their fears, failures and mistakes. Just go ahead and do it.
Colin Deoki Australia
Drug tests
The revelation by Fiji Football Association that 21 players had failed the drug tests during the IDC held last week is indeed quite disturbing. It only attests the gravity of the illicit drug issue in Fiji. If it is happening in soccer, then it must be prevalent in other sports as well. It is incumbent upon Fiji FA to play its part in curbing this problem by imposing strict rules including life-time ban on habitual offenders.
Selwa Nandan Lautoka
No sense
So the Fiji Sugar Corporation took out a loan to fund cane payments but still paid board of directors allowances tripling last year’s amount. I’m speechless as I can’t seem to find the logic in this. Kemudou!
Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Coconut trees
Our beautiful country can invest in a massive coconut tree planting program thus creating employment, generate income, and a healthy nation just from the utilisation of coconut water. We have the land, human resource, finance, and trees.
Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
Lost trust
Lost trust in RFMF (FT 23/10). Late former president Ratu Mara had apparently lost trust when in his late interview in exile he had asked “Who to trust?” when instead of fulfilling its constitutional duty to protect the president, the RFMF commander had asked him to “step aside” after the Speight coup. Lost trust is hard to regain. Good to see the current commander making the effort to do that.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
