What a fight!
As I read Elia Canakaivata’s story titled ‘What a fight’ (FT: 14/09), I sensed the emotions, which ran in him, while playing the match of his life. As he scored Fiji’s third try vs the All Blacks, to extend our lead 19-7, the words of 7s commentator Rupert Cox ring in my ears, “Canakaivata, just bursting clear for Fiji — the power man gets it done for the Flying Fijians”. Canakaivata, who was part of the Army 7s team, lost his dad and brother in a car accident around the time he was dropped from the national 7s extended squad. His mother, Salome Ranadi, shared Canakaivata’s story and that he did not want to play rugby anymore. However, he found a new mission and he took it and has now become a vital member of the national men’s 7s team. On the other hand, I agree with Jerry Tuwai (FT: 14/09) that bonding was the key to Fiji’s win. This was evident with the way the boys embraced each other when one scored a try. Jerry, in his interview with Rohit Deo, shared that he reminded the boys to keep fighting and push the opponent to the wire. Jerry’s leadership was vital as the boys ended the 17-year wait. Wananavu boys! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
7s and Mickey Mouse
Thank you Tessa Mackenzie for feeling very sorry for our friend who continuously scorns our rugby 7s and Mickey Mouse. I agree, maybe he had a deprived childhood not knowing Mickey Mouse has brought joy and amusement to millions for nearly 100 years (FT 14/9). Jan Nissar, not only grog dopers are over the moon, it is the whole of Fiji and beyond. Indeed the back and front pages will flash the might and power of our Fijian warriors. From a dot on the world map to be crowned world champions with less than a million population. What can I say? Oops… what can you say Jan apart from taking unproductive jabs from your favourite club in Lautoka. Come join me at Lautoka Golf Club for a grand Mickey Mouse shaped giant pizza and famous Top – Flite lovo with drinks and possible 9 holes of golf. All on me, just like I did before with a clean heart. Glory be to God, and a miracle did happen in Cape Town, South Africa. Kon roki our 7s heroes? Raymond Singh Golf Links, Lautoka
$5 donation
I find it very odd and peculiar that normal Fijians who receive a meager $120 weekly wages are donating $5 to the FijiFirst party on their own free will as your F/T 13/09 (P4) report suggests, by the FF general secretary. I find it hard to believe this, because with the high cost of living and food items skyrocketing including public transportation, giving away $5 from a low wage earner to be used in running a political party office and its work can be labelled as the Philanthropy Story of the Year. If these claims turn out to be true, then I suppose an official party receipt is available online for public viewing as required by the recent amended Election Law as evidence based? I thought only my tauvu from Rewa and Gau can pull legs! Jioji Masivesi Tadra-Votualevu, Nadi
What we eat
It is what it is, that’s why it’s always like this. It’s also at, where it’s at, that’s why it’s also like that. Whether it’s right here, or over there, it’s really the same for people everywhere. We are basically what we eat, that’s what it boils down to really. When you get tired, weak or sick. that’s the reason undoubtedly. Food is the body’s source of energy but needs to be always balanced and healthy. Once that balance is upset, a negative effect is what you get. Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
An opinion
I honestly think that kava should be completely removed from the 13-day death pooja ceremonial events because it serves no real purpose or any significance to the ritual performed. There is more harm than any good out of it. Firstly, it draws unnecessary crowd and puts the grieving family under immense pressure and inconvenience to stay awake and entertain the crowd. It has become a custom to make the beverage available at any cost. Not all the people have the financial capacity to afford the roots which has no real significance to our religion. It was started many years ago by our ancestors but then it was handled respectfully. If I remember well only elderlies took this so-called brown label in moderation. Nowadays you will see grandfather, father and son all sitting round the kava bowl swiping it together limitlessly. They forget that they have a job and family to look after. They also forget that consuming too much kava leaves permanent marks called kanikani on their entire bodies. It also has the potential of breaking a lot of marriages if you know what I mean. I, therefore, think that its removal from this gathering in particular will restore the image and purity of our religious beliefs and values. Has our parent body, the Sanatan Dharm of Fiji got something to say about this? It is good to douse fire before it rages out of control. Thank you. Suresh Chand Nadi
Grow rice, fight inflation
The President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s concern on the rice import bill of $37.5m (FT 11/9) on launching rice farmers award in Labasa will definitely encourage farmers to grow more of this staple Fijian food. Let’s closely follow the Ministry of Agriculture programs to fight the food crisis as we build Fiji’s economy. This will be a way forward to put healthy family food on the table as we save more in this trying time. Food security for a healthy, wealthy and stress free life is every consumer’s concern for survival. Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow rice, you will save his life. Grow food for life. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
An icon
I remember the last time her majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II visited our shores. It was truly an honour for her majesty to grace our shores and a grand occasion as her entourage passed through the Sugar City with crowds proudly waving our flags and cheering as she made her way to the Lautoka Hospital for an official tour, cheerfully waving. That was way back in 1983. Rest in peace your majesty. You will truly be missed. You were part of our lives as every home would proudly display framed pictures of the royal family and not forgetting the queen’s profile on our coins and notes. Which gets me thinking, will King Charles III now be on our currency? Edward Kumar Lautoka
Road safety alertness
The Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley continues to remind us about road safety rules regularly for road users to avoid accidents at all costs (FT 14/9). The messages with “no room for complacency” speaks a lot for us to take note of staying safe on our roads. At times, the innocent victims suffer most at the expense of the careless drivers. In my opinion, the major contributing factors for road accidents are speeding vehicles that go out of control through the negligence of the drivers and careless road users. Driving with care and concern, with common sense is everyone’s business. Mind on the drive, hands on the wheel and eyes on the road is the way to reach your destination safely. Road safety is life safety. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Flower on the ear
Fulori Turaga raises an interesting question regarding the wearing of the tekiteki (flower on the ear) by a senior civil servant in a workshop (Sat. September, 11). Her questions allude to the iTaukei context of wearing a tekiteki which may puzzle many readers. In the iTaukei culture, a tekiteki means the person wearing it has a chiefly rank and only she has the right to wear it. She may wear a tekiteki in the village or outside it, but never in a formal function. This privilege is similar to wearing a hat or cap in the village by a man of chiefly rank. Commoners can wear them but not in the village. I have also seen iTaukei men of social standing (including the previous and current PM) take their caps off before entering a village. That’s out of respect for the village and its people. That goes for the tekiteki as well. Women of chiefly rank, like men, usually will not wear tekiteki or cap, despite knowing that it is a privilege they can exercise. They choose not to exercise that privilege out of respect for the village and people, even if it is their own village. More importantly, the wearing of tekiteki or cap in a formal setting is just out of the question. It is acceptable for women to wear a tekiteki in hotels where tourists are entertained. Eta Varani Sydney, Australia
Better journalism
ABC-USP talk media capacity-building in the region (FT 14/9). Only good can come out of that. Good for journalism. Good for the public. And, good for democratic governance. I applaud the project and all the people behind it. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Farewell to the Queen
The Queen had been alive since 1926. In that period she witnessed world wars, the fall of the USSR, the birth of Israel, atomic bombs, the invention of computers, Moon landing, the Internet, 9/11 and also COVID-19. May her soul rest in peace, tribute to her majesty Queen Elizabeth. Navneet Ram Lautoka
Champions of the world
Without any lingering doubt, whatsoever, our “branded” Mickey Mouse team proved mightier than the proverbial Aussie critic. Well done. What an awesome achievement on the world stage in Cape Town, South Africa. It was all deeds – and not demoralising words. Congratulations 2022 RWC7s champion, Fiji. Never under-estimate any minnow. Another indelible success story for rugby 7s annals of history. Three cheers! Hip, hip, hooray! E sa rewajia e lia na waqe vina qa nia na waqe kaikai. Sa lia na itukutuku rogo vina du. Vina du va levu vo na leda saravou. Rokovia vali na Kalou. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Honouring the Queen
“Fear God and honour the Queen.” You are missed. Rest in peace. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
