Barefoot runner wins marathon
Congratulations to Christopher Iowane for winning this year’s Munro Leys Namosi Marathon. Iowane, who stormed down the last 60m at a frantic pace, ran the marathon without running shoes. Fans were shocked to see Iowane, who is a Year 13 student and plays rugby league for the Namosi Warriors side, run bare feet. He braved the rugged terrain, gravel and sharp stones to return home with the spoils from the marathon race. Iowane shared (FT: 04/07) that he preferred running without shoes and that he did not feel the sharp stones because they did not affect him. Apart from Iowane, students of Xavier College will cherish the memory of taking part in the Namosi Marathon. They are preparing for the Fiji finals and their participation will raise their profile. Congratulations to the participants and thanks to the organisers for the efforts. Hats off to The Fiji Times for the good coverage! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Debt expert
We read in The Fiji Times that “Speaking at a 2022-2023 budget consultation in Nausori yesterday, Economy Minister Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said people were talking about Fiji’s debt without any knowledge about debt” (FT 5/7). I thought former USP economist Professor Wadan Narsey spoke frequently about Fiji’s debt under the FijiFirst Government with expert knowledge. But I believe in post-coup Fiji Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has become the ultimate expert on everything by his own evaluation. Rajend Naidu Sydney
Hunger crisis
The Russian-Ukrainian war has sent shock waves around the globe. Crisis after crisis is staring us in the face. Death and destruction is mounting on a daily basis. Hunger too is staring us in the face as the agricultural production is dwindling. Inter-dependence in the globalised world is the norm of the day between the haves and have nots. Some countries are blessed with fertile soil for agriculture and reliable rainfall and sunshine. However, those with infertile soil and unpredictable climatic conditions cannot produce enough food to feed their own people. Therefore, they have to depend on importation of food to feed the hungry people. The cost of food is skyrocketing and the underdeveloped and developing countries are in a dire need for food to feed their people. The United Nations FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is currently feeding hungry, devastated people in Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt and Sri Lanka etc. This is not a pretty picture! NATO’s sanctions against Russia has created more difficulties in food trading. As a result, panic infested hungry people will migrate to other places where food is available. This is bound to create a refugee crisis and hunger-related deaths. The resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic has added to the crisis. Countries such as Fiji, which are heavily dependent on imported food, are facing high inflation. People below the poverty line and massive unemployment makes it impossible for them to make two ends meet. Towards the end of 2022, as the world enters depression, I believe lives of millions will be very bleak. Thus hunger crisis is a menace we cannot afford to ignore. Let us brace for the worst to come. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Missing manifestoes
THE much-anticipated manifestoes of the Opposition parties are nowhere to be seen. I understand they were promised weeks ago. I suspect that with the requirement under election laws to clearly state and explain how promises will be funded, the economic illiterates in these parties have no idea lest they be reported to FICAC. With SODELPA signing an MOU with Unity Fiji, perhaps they are looking for the financial and budgetary input from the leader of Unity Fiji Party. We all know that SODELPA has never even attempted to put forward an alternative budget in the past four years. I believe they simply do not have anyone in the party to formulate such a document. It is evident that the Leader of the Opposition has no idea. And what about the manifesto of PAP? I believe they will just resort to praying and fasting as we all know, with everything, in the end, God knows best. Jan Nissar NSW, Australia
Streetlight repair
I Am wondering why the repair of streetlights were given to Fiji Roads Authority. I believe they are so inefficient compared with Energy Fiji Ltd who would respond immediately when called. On the other hand, I have rung them twice since mid May and yesterday about a faulty light at Martintar and a lady said she would check with the contractors and ring me back. She never did. I have even written to papers on this and this would be my second time. It seem that streetlights are not their core business so they are treating it like a step child whereas electricity is EFL’s top priority.
Maybe the Minister for Infrastructure might want to relook at this. NORMAN YEE Martintar, Nadi
A taste of street life
IMAGINE if politicians decided they wanted to really find out how the poor people of the country were living. So they went undercover and started living on the streets like a homeless person. Would it ever happen in a place like Fiji? Sobo, sobo. Are you kidding? But imagine if someone did? What would they find? Would it change their view? Would it make them become a fighter for the poor and poverty stricken? Would their mission in life be changed forever? Imagine. How would they begin looking at the downtrodden, the poor, hungry and starving? Maybe, just maybe, someone might do the unthinkable and learn what it’s really like to have literally nothing yet try and navigate every single moment of every hour of life trying to feed their starving children and experience the stresses and heartache of trying just to survive another day. COLIN DEOKI Australia
Be clinical
The words of dual rugby international Lote Tuqiri should be taken seriously. Tuqiri urged the Flying Fijians to be clinical if they wanted to stop Australia A in round two of the PNC competition in the Sugar City. Fiji beat the Ikale Tahi 36-0, but Australia A went down to Samoa 31-26 after conceding a try in the late stages of their crunching battle. According to Tuqiri, Australia A would try and control the set piece, keep the game tight, so Fiji should disrupt their style and set piece, and play good style of rugby. I agree with Tuqiri that our defence against Tonga was phenomenal as our boys kept Tonga scoreless. However, Australia A will come out firing especially after losing the battle to Samoa. Churchill Park will host two mouthwatering and thrilling battles this Saturday and I wish our Flying Fijians all the best! Toso Viti, toso! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
For patients’ sake
If you’re a patient at a government health centre and you see a doctor after 4.30pm and who prescribes medicine to support your recovery, you’ll find the pharmacy already closed. You will be directed to the nearest private pharmacy. In the case of one family I met with a sick child, they had to find their way from Tamavua to Nabua and pay for the medication, to boot. Many patients can neither afford to pay the transport cost or the medication from a private pharmacy yet when medication is prescribed, it’s important there is no delay in its administration in order for the patient to be treated in the most optimal manner for the speediest recovery. When patients have to return to the clinic the following day to obtain free medication, there is an interruption in the recovery chain. Far from optimal, indeed. It would make a lot of sense for pharmacies to remain open for as long as the clinics are open, for goodness sake. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
‘Fueling’ the pinch
What can be done, to curtail all these price runs? There is always a solution to every problem and there must be one, for this one. Fuel prices are now $3.44 and it has never risen like this before. It will most likely go up again next month and it could get really bumpy and tough. People are “fueling” the pinch, as prices start going out of reach, beyond their daily wages, making it hard to put food on the table. Families are struggling just to survive, some going hungry every night. We all hope that this rainy day, will become sunny soon one day. Maybe, the sun will shine on Budget day. What measures would they put in place that day? Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
Utility cuts
In addition to the possible water cuts in the Suva-Nausori corridor, residents have to grapple with incessant power cuts. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Election observers
We have some news about election observers in Papua New Guinea. Any news on the local front? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Why is it
Why is it that only during elections there are talks about political instability in this country? And why is it usually directed at one particular community when we are all called Fijians under the Constitution? SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Road safety
Last Saturday I drove down to Sigatoka in the evening for a function and returned late night to Suva. What I encountered was really terrifying. I did not feel safe for the first time driving at night on Queens highway. New paved portions of the road unmarked, sudden dip in roads as portions were graded, cones put for very long stretches without proper signs at intervals. With such serious style of infrastructure, how will new drivers feel on our roads. Time to mend roads efficiently and bring the road pave reflector system back, those white marks alone are not helpful. Sharveen Chaudhary Verata, Nausori
National elections
Whether it’s held tomorrow, the next day, the day after or next year. The people will wait patiently. I believe change is all they want. Dan Urai Lautoka
Commonwealth Games
I’d love to see a power-packed 7s team lined up for the Commonwealth Games 7s in Birmingham, but more emphasis must be placed on those players who took the hard yards and represented Fiji on the HSBC WRSS circuit. Ben Gollings made a massive statement on the HSBC WRSS circuit winning two gold medals and one silver and one bronze medal. That job was done with a squad that played their hearts out and played for each other. We have about two weeks for the Commonwealth Games and Gollings is racing against time to choose the best to fly Fiji’s flag in Birmingham. Fitness, having the mental edge and sharpness should not be compromised against experience. I look forward to the naming of the best! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
