Pacific teams likely in quarters
From the way things are turning out in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup; it seems possible that the four teams from the South Pacific will be in the quarter-finals.
Our Fiji Bati played really well against Italy winning 60-4, placing them second in Pool B.
They will surely thrash Scotland in their last pool game, securing their second place in the pool.
Samoa is also second in Pool A after thrashing Greece 72-4.
They will surely defeat France and secure their second placing in Pool A.
Cook Islands and Tonga are placed first and second in Pool D after winning their first games and this week, we will see if their placing will change after their second games.
Australia, England and New Zealand are the three top Rugby League teams in the world and we Pacific Islanders wish that one or two of our teams make it to the finals this year.
As a Fijian, my chant will always be “Go Fiji Bati, go!”
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Tacirua
Smart criminals
According to the Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service some seasoned criminals were better than lawyers (FT 24/10).
He said: “… they are really smart, they are academically gifted and you wonder why didn’t they go off and pursue a career in law”.
I would like to suggest that if they are really that good then they should be given an opportunity under the Yellow Ribbon Project to pursue a law degree.
As part of their community service, they can defend other criminals on a pro bono basis.
But sadly there are some already in the system who have brought a bad name to the profession.
On a similar note, I take my hat off to Uraia Waibuta, the head of the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute for offering to enroll the youths from Raiwai and other areas who were involved in the recent brawls.
That could change their lives before they get sucked into the criminal world.
Now that’s what I call a smart initiative.
SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka
Brawlers challenged
Uraia Waibutu, head of Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute, with his strongly worded empowering message “Bring the brawlers to us” (FT 24/10) is a way forward towards the prevention of crime through agriculture.
The brawlers should take up the challenge to join the school to learn new skills in farming.
It’s a lifetime asset to be self-employed to earn a decent living of self-sufficiency, spending their precious time wisely.
They need the support of the community, schools, police, and religious groups with awareness programs.
For those who are concerned about the best use of time, there are a lot of jobs in agriculture to keep them away from criminal activities.
My grandfather used to say that once in your lifetime, you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher.
But everyday, three times a day, you need a farmer.
“We have to bring children into a relationship to food that connects them to culture and agriculture” – Alice Waters.
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Progressing or regressing
As the month of our country’s independence is nearly coming to an end I cannot help but wonder whether the country is truly moving forwards or backwards.
In some respects it is moving forward while in other respects, it is regressing.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus said that a “…nation’s history has three stages: success; then as a consequence of success, arrogance and injustice; and then, as a consequence of these, downfall”.
Now whether our beloved country fits into this notion formulated by the ancient distinguished historian is a matter and opinion I leave entirely unto your discretion beloved and learned readers.
Happy Diwali everyone.
Viliame Baleisasa Sovalatilati, Waila, Nausori
Health situation
GLANCING through the pages of today’s The Fiji Times (22/10), I came across two opposing views on our health issues.
On one hand we are pleased to note that finally after so many hiccups two successful open heart surgeries were performed at the Lautoka Hospital.
Thanks to the Aspen medical team and a group of medical experts from India.
We also know the fact that considering the nature of this delicate surgery it will take time to train our local surgeons.
On the other hand we have the president of Fiji Nursing Association, Dr Alisi Vudiniabola, who is concerned about nursing situations in our hospitals.
She is not at all happy with the explanations given by the Health PS Dr Fong about the shortage of nurses and how he will tackle these.
The continuous departure of our well qualified and experienced nurses from our shores is a matter of concern to all of us.
For sometime now Dr Alisi had been raising this critical situation but there is hardly any sign of improvement from the authorities.
Vijay Maharaj, Sydney, Australia
Statement
FijiFirst Government Minister Faiyaz Koya’s utopian statement that “no one has more privileges and no one has a higher status then anyone else in Fiji” (“Everyone equal” FT 25/10), makes Fiji the first and only country in the world where everyone is so equal.
It’s mind-blowing!
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Equal rights
While speaking at the Vashist Muni Memorial Primary School centennial celebrations last week Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Kumar said: “Today in this country, everyone is equal. No one is small, no one is big. Everybody has the same rights. And I want this to be maintained.”
I wonder what he has to say to the family of late Professor Brij Lal who was denied the right to bring his body to Fiji for burial at his place of birth.
SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka
Winning
I believe they don’t have the confidence any more.
Hence the inability to tell us.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Visit
AFTER his meeting with the A-G Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu and PM Bainimarama, the Australian deputy PM Richard Marles said: “I don’t think the relationship between Australia and Fiji has ever been in a better place” (FT 25/10).
It makes one wonder if the Australian State official had gone to Fiji when the country was about to have its next general elections to endorse the ruling party?
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Happy Diwali!
On Diwali, Hindus express their joy and happiness by lighting lights and earthen diyas, decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting loved ones to their households to share sweets and savouries.
Hindus celebrate the festival of lights which symbolises destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces — wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering.
While we are celebrating the victory of good over evil, it is important to pay attention to the needs of the poor and needy in our communities who have been affected by the pandemic.
They need our love and assistance more than ever.
Families, who have lost their breadwinners, have also been affected, and they will need assistance.
Together we can join hands to make this Diwali a blessed one.
The cost of things has gone up and affected people, but the spirit of sharing, caring and loving shall prevail.
Just like the bright colours, which add spice to Diwali, let us enrich our lives with brightness and love and make Diwali meaningful.
I wish our Hindu brothers and sisters a happy Diwali and a prosperous new year!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Courageous leaders
“When good men or women do nothing, evil prevails.”
“Those who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless.” — Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.
As we recognise Diwali, the emergence of light conquering evil, let us reflect on what this means in our own nation.
Simon Hazelman’s letter yesterday suggests church leaders and Christians should not interfere with State business.(P8, FT, October 25, 2022).
Church leaders do need to stand up and show their flock they are not afraid of anything, especially before God, to whom they give account.
Archbishop Peter Chong is doing this, bravely and rightly so.
Here are a few other such leaders: Martin Luther King, stood up for civil disobedience in a racist USA (assassinated); Mother Teresa in India stood up against the caste system in her care for the untouchables, as outcasts; Archbishop Tutu, in South Africa, candidly challenged Apartheid.
Archbishop Oscar Romero challenged oppression of the poor by the State, in El Salvador, South America (assassinated), or Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany challenged Nazi beliefs during WWII (he was hung days before war ended); Lord Wilberforce, who became an outspoken evangelical Christian member of Parliament, who challenged the evils of slavery in his day.
The list goes on: Florence Nightingale: advocated nursing reforms, Elizabeth Fry: challenged the state re: Prison Reforms, Quaker.
All outspoken Christian leaders of their time.
Old Testament heroes and prophets who stood up to evil political regimes are to be admired: Daniel in the Lion’s den, against Nebuchadnezza; John the Baptist, beheaded by King Herod.
Jesus Christ Himself, challenged the evil politics of Roman and Jewish political leaders alike, without fear, or malice.
Empire and Sanhedrin were taken on, and levelled.
He died for this, accursed; and for all humanity, so that we as humans can have freedom to speak up in His name, against evil.
Many Christian leaders are persecuted for their faith in speaking out against political wrongs, as I write this, across the globe.
The list is as long as the Saints departed.
Consider Foxe’s Book of the Martyrs.
Such humans, who stood apart because of their calling, faith and courage – are to be respected, not lambasted.
That indeed, is cowardly, in fact.
Jean Hatch, Taunovo
