A journey with the Times!
The story on Sunday, June 30, of Tahir Ali, whose connection with The Fiji Times dates to 1957, was heart-touching. Ali shared his journey, and that he found interest in the newspaper since his dad, who was a taxidriver in the early 1900s, brought his papers home, and with it, he taught his family members how to read and ultimately improved his literacy, igniting a passion for writing. Entering high school, his skill for the pen did not go unnoticed and he was chosen to represent his school in various oratory and essay competitions. His first letter was about the road issues in Nausori, obviously inspired by the struggle of his father as a taxidriver. That first taste of writing created decades long addiction to the pen as he found problems and wrote about them. Serving 27 years at Waidra Muslim Primary school, he made sure The Fiji Times was in the school for teachers and students to take an interest in. I agree with our prolific writer that, “The Fiji Times has seen hard times and good times,” and that like me, he will continue to read and write to this paper which had become a part of his life. His letters strike. A beautiful journey with The Fiji Times, Ali! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Our soccer status
Without wanting to sound biased, I love following our national rugby teams but for now, what could be done to regain our status as soccer champs in the Pacific? How can we consistently defeat Tahiti, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu? Do we have in place development programs which start from club level to district and national level duties? Something does not add up. We were once the king of soccer in the South Pacific but this appears to have slipped from our grip. I am hoping for some improved approaches to the development of soccer in Fiji. It begins with the simplest of things like frequent communication amongst our soccer stakeholders. Let’s go Fiji soccer and may the best unfold in the coming years. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Goodwill and cameras
Feeding homeless people is a noble act and the good samaritans must be commended for their good hearts. Next time out for getting some take-away chow for oneself, and suddenly deciding to provide food and water for the street dwellers, please leave the camera behind, or please don’t get someone to snap a picture of the act. Noble act becomes stunt when the camera and Facebook posts take centre stage. Sometime back in the West, someone was seen doing the bit of philanthropic work but there was always a camera snapping a shot of the plastic bag of groceries being given.
While the photo-ops cannot be stopped, there are many out there who do much more without anyone knowing, sometimes not even their own families. Donald Singh Suva
Charity work
Social media was abuzz with Div Damodar who needs to be lauded for feeding the homeless over the weekend on his way back from a wedding. Div, who posted this on his social media page and made a mention of the Lord should also have known what the Lord said in His sermon on the mount: “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth”. As a wise person said: “If you want to feed the homeless, then feed the homeless; the moment you post it on social media, you’re really feeding your ego”. Inoke Vakalabure Yasiyasi Rd, Nadera, Nasinu
A disparity?
I am both surprised as well as dismayed that the general secretary for FTUC finds the new minimum wage rate of $5 a positive move (FT 29/6) while he has been advocating for $6 an hour. He is reported as saying “but we also understand that you cannot achieve everything in just one bite”. Perhaps he has forgotten that some of our members of Parliament have got themselves a hundred per cent pay increase in one single bite which became effective immediately after it was gazetted. The civil servants will also get their increments up to 20 per cent from next month. Whereas workers on minimum wage will have to wait for nine months before they are paid $5. Isn’t this a disparity? SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Massive payout
A payout of $25,000 to each of 368 striking Vatukoula miners after a 33-year strike was announced in the budget. That is a “massive” $757.57 for each year of the strike. Tears have been flowing in the miners and their families for such a “massive” payout and the union leaders have been congratulated. Tears have been brought to my eyes for totally opposite reasons as I believe $757.57 per year is a pathetic amount. But, as everyone knows, I think with more logic and perspective. The first $10,000 will be paid soon and the rest will be paid after the next budget. So, I for one cannot understand why tears are flowing when they have not received a cent yet. In any case, was this a world record strike? It should be another remarkable achievement for a small country like Fiji. It deserves the gold medal in the length of strikes. By the way, the pollies will get their full pay rise starting August 1, 2024. They will not be received in stages. One thing is not in question, the people of Fiji are truly blessed. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
The budget
Our budget has been announced. I have never heard of a budget that everybody agrees with. I suppose that can happen only in heaven. Anyway, a budget means what it says. It is something that has a limit and we have to work within that sum and stay with it. For those who do not agree, yes, enough funds were not there, any way how’s your backyard gardening? Having said that, this festive season you can at least spend a bit more on your family. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Hospital joint venture
Now that it’s been revealed, can FNPF please confirm the directive it was given, by whom? And what form did it take, verbal or in writing? Is it recorded as a board minute or resolution?
How much has it cost members so far? And what returns (if any) have been received? It all sounds like a gross abuse of power and of office, doesn’t it FICAC? Daniel Fatiaki Suva
New minimum wage
The rise in the minimum wage rate in a relatively short time, is a doubled – edged sword. While employees will certainly welcome the increase, however the real issue is the “ability to pay” by some SMEs and other employers. Worse case scenario are closures for those who can ill afford to pay the new minimum, let alone rates above it! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Whom you know?
I was in a pharmacy waiting in line to get my prescribed medication. Person in front of me was told to get a prescription for the medication needed, whereas another person got antibiotics which I believe was prescribed medication this was given without a prescription. I guess it’s no longer what you know, rather whom you know. Shamal Chand Kuku Village, Nausori
Military budget
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces received an increase of $66.5m. This would have been better utilised on our ailing health infrastructure. Why the increase in military spending? Expecting an invasion? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Trump victory
Donald Trump easily took out the first bout of the much anticipated US presidential election debate. Apparently, Biden doesn’t appear to have a real grasp on things with a shaky performance. It must have been an agonising night for the democrat handlers. Samu Railoa Nadi
Like the Wild West!
Wow! One part of the Queens Rd, Martintar, Nadi was like a scene from a “wild West movie”. It was sad. It was truly shameful. Two groups of unruly younger set of intoxicated iTaukei men and women were hurling loud very colourful words, explicitly, at each other (with shameful reference to mothers). I was stunned. It is hard to see “real life unfold” right before your very eyes and ears. (Is this the real Fiji)? So incredible. The inability to responsibly handle alcohol is a curse on our society. Nightclubbers, kava drinkers, and drug addicts should no longer be on our roads and streets at sunrise. This portrays to all our tourists a real poor and pathetic image of Martintar, Nadi and Fiji, as a whole. Tourism contributes a handsome 40 per cent of our gross domestic product. Nadi is Fiji’s tourism capital. I plead with all our political leaders please find a way to clear our roads. Kava bars and street food sales must close too by 1am. Everyone home by 2am. Martintar residents need to sleep in peace and quiet – especially infants, the young and elderly. Judging from their dialects, these individuals were not kai Nadi. No way! Respectfully, I repeat, Namaka Police force needs immediate strengthening in facility, manpower, vehicles and equipment. Procrastination is the thief of time. I silently wished for a police patrol to come by. That was in vain. It was an uncomfortable walk that had to be cut short. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Sugar cane
At 12 noon yesterday, I saw a sugarcane locomotive pulling six half filled cane trucks and wondered why the sugar mills do not make any profit. Sukha Singh Labasa
Business world
The least 60 per cent signature requirements by the iTaukei Land Trust Board from landowners as the majority agreement to any land lease rezoning or whatever is duly acceptable in a democratic government. However, in Fiji, if just one person within the same clan (mataqali) objects to such proposal, the whole project is stopped. May I ask, one or even 10 against the formal 60 per cent majority, is this fair? To me, this is totally wrong but it’s happening. No wonder the indigenous kaiviti are way behind in the business world. Oiawe! MELI BOGILEKA Natabua, Lautoka