Shelter at the park
Superb and awesome job by Mr Chandu Umaria and his team.
Can shelter over the kid’s park be also provided so our kids can enjoy the slides during the day?
Not only will it provide shelter for our little ones from the scorching sun and the rain but give longevity to those recreational equipment.
My two daughters thank you in advance, sir.
Thomas Murgan
Lami
Joint card
The FNPF/FRCA Joint ID card is available to all Fijians.
In response to J Naveen Kumar’s letter that appeared in the May 8 edition of The Fiji Times, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority is issuing the card to all who have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) regardless of whether they are a member of the FNPF or not.
Fijians who do not have a TIN, can register for one at FRCA and they will be issued the FNPF/FRCA Joint ID Card.
The authority has ceased the printing of TIN letters for Resident Individuals, and is only issuing the FNPF/FRCA Joint ID card in lieu.
Anyone applying for a FNPF/FRCA Joint ID Card must produce his or her original or certified Birth Certificate and a photo ID such as a driver’s licence, passport, Electronic Voter Registration Card or Employee ID.
Birth certificates must be those issued post 2000 as these are the ones that carry the Birth Registration Number.
In the absence of photo ID, a passport photo certified by a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner of Oaths can also be accepted.
Ladies who wish to use their married name must produce their original or certified Marriage Certificates.
Elenoa Baselala
Manager Public Relations
FRCA
Party endorsement
THE article yesterday (FT 8/5) about aspiring independent candidate Roshika Deo raises a point regarding party/candidate endorsements as required under the Electoral Decree.
Roshika said most of the people they had come across had already signed up for a party.
Roshika needs 1000 signatures to be accepted as an independent candidate.
A few days ago, the proposed Fiji First party applied for registration by submitting 40,083 signatures, 35,000 more than required.
Last year the FLP gathered 8580 signatures and decided to gather no more. My point, is, are we already into stage one of the election?
Do people who have endorsed a party already consider themselves committed to a particular vote?
Is the gathering of excess signatures a form of locking in votes?
Just wondering about the issues involved.
TERRY HULME
Eastwood
NSW
Justifying actions
ACCORDING to news reports A-G Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is reported to be justifying his remaining as Minister for Elections while also being General Secretary to the proposed Fiji First party by claiming that Rabuka in 1999 and Qarase in 2001 and 2006 were also in a similar position.
While it might raise some eyebrows a teensy weensy bit to see Sayed-Khaiyum justifying his behaviour today by referring to similar behaviour by previously maligned “old politicians”, there are some profound differences, other than age and maturity.
Sitiveni Rabuka and Laisenia Qarase were lawfully elected members of parliament, ministers and prime ministers.
Rabuka’s and Qarase’s governments annually published all the Auditor General reports on their respective governments’ revenue collection, expenditure and public debt borrowing, thereby showing their willingness to be accountable to the voters (and taxpayers) of Fiji.
In contrast, Voreqe Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum, refuse to release the Auditor-General reports, showing their contempt for the basic principle of accountability of all ministers (including the Minister for Elections) to taxpayers for the past eight years (two normal terms of government), and also suggesting to voters with any active brain cells, that this government has a lot to hide.
There is, therefore, a mountain of difference between an elected accountable Minister of Elections holding a political party position, and an unelected and unaccountable minister.
Even more so when the same Minister for Elections (Sayed-Khaiyum) is also the source of a totally unreasonable and unpopular Electoral Decree and Constitution, which has been unilaterally imposed on the voters of Fiji, supposedly setting the election rules, but which apparently cannot be applied to Bainimarama’s yet-to-be-registered party, its yet-to-be-confirmed party leader, and yet-to-be-confirmed Secretary General.
This is like the manager of a street fighter insisting on being the referee of a boxing match with the opponents having to follow all the rules set by the manager himself, with the rules not applying to his own street fighter.
PROFESSOR WADAN NARSEY
Suva
Dead lights
There is only one gazetted crossing light in the heart of Labasa Town and it is really sad to see that the light is out of action for the past couple of months.
The lives of pedestrians as well as motorists are at risk.
May I know who is responsible for fixing the dead lights?
Is this called a developing North when the authorities can’t even handle one crossing light.
When will Vanua Levu become parallel with Viti Levu in terms of developments?
Pipeline developments are announced for the North but visibly seen developments are taking place in Viti Levu.
It is also surprising to see even the higher authorities in Northern Division are not at all concerned about the dead crossing light.
There are lot of people in the system who need to shape up or ship out to make way for visionary leaders who feel proud of the vanua.
Rajesh Lal
Labasa
Mother’s Day
As the world celebrates Mother’s Day on May 10, let’s make every day a mother’s day for our beautiful mothers.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums.
Avineel Kumar
Nadi
A special occasion
Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate motherhood.
In this day, we show our love and gratefulness to our mothers in many ways: gifts, quotes, send messages and beautiful images to your beloved mother.
If you’re lucky enough to still have your mother, tell her you’re grateful to her at some point, we must forgive each other for being flawed human beings.
Many of us have trouble putting love or gratitude into words, but keep in mind that out actions always reveal our feelings. Always.
Happy Mother’s Day and May God bless us all.
Mereseini Namoce Taukave
Tavua
Smoke in cars
FAIR enough for no smoking in public service vehicles. How about other classes of vehicles where smoking is experienced with infants and children inside?
Shamal Chand
Kuku Bau Rd
Nausori
Healthy choice
EVERY time Ministry of Health celebrates launching of any health program they should unveil a platter of fresh, healthy and local fruits, attractively displayed..
Let us do away with cake cutting. Walk the talk.
Kanta Mani
Nausori
Give way
Whenever I see a minibus approaching, I give way, just as one would give way to a fire truck and an ambulance. I would like to survive on the road.
Ajay Singh
Lautoka
Pregnant teens
Noelene Billings (FT, 1/5), I can think of one way the chief you referred to can solve the teenage pregnancy issue in his village, and will result in a 100 per cent decrease in pregnancies.
It involves a pair of scissors.
B. Smith
Auckland
NZ
Road repair
CAN the FRA and Fulton Hogan please repair or reseal Vidal Ave in Vatuwaqa. I am only asking please FRA.
RIZWAAN MOHAMMED
Nadera
Numbered days
I believe the fatal accident at the Suva bus stand is a tragedy which can happen to anyone at anytime.
No matter how much we try to re-design the safety of our lives, when it’s our time to be called, it is time up.
The only greatest tragedy is living a life without a purpose. So cherish each new day like its your last. You maybe next.
Pat Vuli
Suva
Ciggy price
FOR those of you who don’t know me, I am a social smoker. But after the latest increase in cigarette price, I will soon be a non-smoker.
Wise Muavono
Lautoka
Hospital service
IN one word, I can describe the hospital services resulting in the recent unthinkable scenarios as pathetic.
How sad where one goes with full faith to be cured, gets worse even to the extent of death.
God, please save many who are to go in and many who are already in the hands of the medical staff members. Imagine a dead person comes back to life.
This is not a joke. Hope to hear answers and explanations for these type of incidents.
Kirti Patel
Lautoka
Bus stand tragedy
For too long have authorities come up with so many excuses to justify incapacity to provide public service.
The safety of our own population should not be relegated to second place.
Especially our most loved children. I urge parents to tell their children to keep away from areas where buses are close to each other.
The Suva City Council’s failure to build a new bus stand will remain a mystery for the time being.
But for the people who daily use the bus stand, it is a painful mystery.
May the souls of the deceased rest in peace.
Amenatave Yaconisau
Delainavesi
My view
A lot of attention has been focused on corruption in our society, both in the government and private sector.
I think the weakest link in our strive to progress is incompetence in these two sectors. Speaking to the government entities which includes the Police, LTA, PA’s, NFA etc etc.
I believe they all lack the resolve or competence to enforce the laws and powers invested to them.
A case in point from Ovalau is the litter and rubbish situation. The litter decree has been in place for a long time yet I have not seen one prosecution or sign of enforcement in this regard and we continue to wallow in a third world state in this regard.
The same can be said I believe for the police and what I feel is their lack of direction, resolve, willingness or competence to enforce the powers they have in a competent manner particularly in traffic and speed enforcement on Ovalau. It is time for Fijians to speak up on this issue.
Mike Reid
Ovalau
Call for scrutiny
PUBLIC serving vehicles are under the spotlight again after the accident by accidents which caused loss of lives from driver’s negligence.
While transport owners and companies are solemnly accountable for the condition and age of their vehicles, mechanics and Land Transport Authority should also be scrutinised and held accountable for the deaths of innocent citizens.
If you may wonder why they (LTA) should be investigated, who gives the all right to buses that was later found with mechanical problem to be in for service?
Sometime I wonder if the agenda to clean out corruption will be realised!
AREKI DAWAI
Suva
Old is gold
Yesterday I got a chance to work on a 1985 Bluebird which is running as a public service vehicle i.e (taxi).
I was really stunned to see this 28 year old ordinary vehicle being maintained in such a mint and excellent condition in regards to our road and mud terrain conditions.
The owner challenged me to identify out any possible defects, which I was unable to.
If the abovementioned vehicle was to run as taxi abroad, it would have been given a green light with no difficulties.
Just wondering what will happen to the latest taxis after being driven for 28 years?
I reckon it wont be able to match half of the years of the abovementioned Bluebird.
Shamal Chand
Kuku Bau Rd
Nausori
Road safety
I would like to shed some light on the road accidents. As we all know accidents are caused by failure. Human failure, mechanical or is it the infrastructure not being upgraded in time.
According to (FT-03/05/14), LTA received and processed about 28 learners’ permit and 24 vehicle registration daily for the first quarter.
With massive amount of increase in vehicles and drivers, who are paying into the system, is there any light at the end of the tunnel about upgrading our roads?
Better roads for pedestrian safety. I will request the traffic officers in the country to be firm on penalties. They are being too lenient. People are getting away with careless driving charge for hurting people on FIJI roads.
There is a charge called dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm. Read your books again.
Sharwan Kumar
Nadi
Road signs
There are many new road signs being installed along the Coral Coast, and quite likely along other highways.
While a necessity, do they really need to be so “overseas” looking? For instance, the signs at the entrances to our villages are so humongous they look like something you would see on a freeway.
I couldn’t help but think that one could easily get three or four signs out of one that size, still very visible, surely be more cost effective and not to mention maintain to some degree, the picturesque ambience of our coastal villages.
Furthermore a small portion of that would very easily replace the two missing 60km/hr signs from the highway along Olosara, where we have a primary and a secondary school.
The signs have been missing since the school year begun, posing a risk for the many children who walk to and from school every day.
Here’s hoping they are back in place before the school term begins.
Tessa Miller
Coral Coast
Irresponsible drivers
Recently, I was at the receiving end of careless driving as a car (FM813) failed to stop at a junction in Namaka and collided into my vehicle.
The driver of the other vehicle was found at fault and subsequently charged. As it is so common in Fiji, the affluent will go to any length to avoid paying fines and damage.
In my case, the driver’s family, whose names implied chiefly rank, not only challenged me to take the matter to court but also evaded the bailiff trying to serve the Small Claims Tribunal summons.
I won’t be surprised if bribes were made, something I’ll definitely raise with FICAC.
The phrase “Do to others as you would have them do to you” aptly applies to such unethical people.
I urge the victims of similar situation not to be intimidated by the perpetrators or Fiji’s arduous judicial system as doing nothing gives rise to more irresponsible and reckless behaviour on the road.
It doesn’t take much for a minor traffic incident to turn into a major accident causing loss of life. In the end it is about sending a message that careless and irresponsible driving won’t be tolerated on our roads.
Ron Rangaiya
Wellington
NZ
Breast cancer study
Thank you B. Smith for your letter (May 7). My letter (May 3) is about “raising awareness on breast cancer”.
A study to see if there is a link between abortion and breast cancer here is not possible.
Abortion (induced) is illegal in Fiji except in the case of rape, incest, and where the life of the mother is in danger.
Korina Waibuta
Suva
Sevens bang
Fiji Sevens fans would love to see the Vodafone Fiji Sevens team end the 2013/14 HSBC World Sevens Series with a bang.
Congratulations to the consistent New Zealand Sevens team for winning the Glasgow 7s title but we Fijians know that our boys could have won that title if they did not commit a lot of errors in their semi-final match against the Kiwis.
We fans would like our boys to climb up to second spot on the overall points table, win the London title and convincingly defeat the Kiwis along the way, just to close the season with a bang.
Go Fiji go.
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa
Nasinu
Roadworks queries
THE general manager of Fulton Hogan Hiway was very quick to respond to my letter of (19/4) on (24/4).
Could he also quickly respond to some of my queries outlined below:
1) Why wasn’t FRA able to respond to the letter but having its contractor to do so for them?
2) When the company Blacktop went leaving a huge trail of debt in Fiji and your company took over the contract in the North, why couldn’t your company pay the creditors rather than having $5million of poor tax payers’ money be spent by FRA.
3) You have mentioned in your letter that this road maintenance contract is very successful, I hope you are reading the daily news papers correctly as there seem to be numerous complaints about roads through this column by usual writers such as Rajesh Lal, Anthony Sahai, Tagi Vonolagi and many others.
4) Is it true that FRA senior staff (both foreign and local) are on extremely generous salaries, paid apparently at hourly consultancy rates, and that even the ordinary FRA staff are on much higher salary scales than comparable salaries in the civil service.
5) What the public taxpayers would like to know is the cost per kilometer of FRA’s roadworks, compared with that by the PWD.
6) Could you also inform the public whether the Auditor General’s Office (or any other arm of government) is auditing the use of taxpayers’ funds by Fiji Roads Authority.
Suresh lal
Nasinu
Time for a change
With reference to Reverend Iliesa Naivalu letter (FT 8/5), I seem to agree on re-designing the Bus stand in Suva and around the country.
The current design is meant for smaller population and low number of buses.
There hasn’t been any major change in Suva Bus Stand in the past 10 years which can efficiently cater for the growing bus users and buses.
The current design forces the public to take risks.
The current design of reversing buses and the public forced to cross the paths of bus either from front or behind is a recipe for disaster. Going from one platform to another is almost a mission.
There have been many near misses in the past but the council doesn’t seem to take any action on changing the design to avoid the repetition or lacks the appropriate people.
If the city and town administrator lack the vision then please get consultants from overseas and get some fresh ideas. Overseas councils have proved working concepts.
Public seem to have adopted a mind-set that nothing will happen and thus quietened down.
The public should put pressure on the government and council and demand for a change.
If I had to give an idea on a change, I would re-design bus stands and the routes. The Bus Stand can be like as Naivalu suggested and the routes to be similar to the Sydney Train and Bus Model.
Buses to travel between Suva and Nausori with stops at 3, 6 and 9 miles. Another set of bus routes that will serve the neighborhoods from the mentioned stop/areas.
Not only does it reduce traffic at the bus stand, it will bring efficiency in transporting the general public.
Mitesh kumar
Suva
The Joyita
Samuela Savu, thanks for enlightening me and the readers about the ill fated Joyita not Jotika as I had thought.
I learned about the Joyita through a TV program here about 20 years ago and I mixed up the name and story a bit, since I got the right name I learned everything about the Joyita online.
Yes, it left Samoa, no wonder my dad and grandfather never recited this story, through whom I learned so much.
On board were 25 not 13 as I had thought and let’s hope that MH370 is found.
Susen Sakal
US
Ba soccer
Ravinit Chand’s letter (FT-7/5) regarding Ba’s soccer performance in the 2014 OFC semi-final I feel is indeed “hilariously childish”.
As much as we Ba soccer fans or any other fan for that matter, highly wish and hope for our favoured teams to win all matches and tournaments under the sun, it is obviously impossible.
Such is the nature of sports. You win, draw and lose some. Period!
To lash out at Ba soccer and its fans for not qualifying for the 2014 OFC final is naïve and immaturely amateurish.
Ravinit’s comments that, “not many people are bothered about past records”, reeks of jealousy.
Can he establish or reveal genuine valid statistics/data to solidify his claim or is it just a waicala assertion?
Whether Ba doesn’t win today, tomorrow, next month or next year, I can certainly guarantee that Ba, will be back to haunt you with their beautiful, entertaining and mesmerising style of play.
But then again that’s if you understand soccer.
If you’re a fan of the up and under, kick and chase and attack charge type of soccer, then time is nigh to leave Ba soccer alone.
Ba, with its home-bred boys lost 1-2 to an Amicale FC side stacked and laced with international players and managed to hold them to a nil-all draw in Vanuatu in front of 10,000 plus fans.
Ain’t that a feat in its self?
Anthony Sahai
Suva
Soccer confusion
THIS is my reply to Bob Khan’s letter ( FT 08/05) titled Who Cares and to Roshil Karan in Quick Views.
To Bob, I wish to clarify that I am not a fan of Nasinu FC. My only team is Manchester United at club level.
To, Roshil, I do not wish to tell what we have achieved, Manchester has already won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.
My argument was that both teams from Fiji failed to make the cut in semis in 2014 OFC Champions League.
We can talk about records all day long but the truth is these so called records have never helped Ba win titles outside Fiji.
They have only won bazaar soccer in Canada some years back coupled with numerous O League failures and even in the Pacific Cup.
If these records were so genuine and effective, why and how did it lose yet again in the O League.
Well as for now, I might agree with Bob that teams like Amicale did have players with more exposure but what’s next?
Ba soccer’s loss is rarely highlighted in the media compared with its wins.
I guess our constant letters and replies might have well reminded fans of yet another loss to outside teams.
Vinaka, can we have Amicale’s team photo in the middle instead.
Ravinit Chand
Valelevu
U19 coaches comment
I find it hard to digest comments made by national U19 coach saying he is happy with the team’s performance against the Junior All Whites.
Moulding a team for months and conceding nine goals in two matches should be of real concern especially when you are hosting the tournament in three weeks time.
I went to show allegiance to the Fiji side at North Harbour Stadium but the way they were toyed with by the makeshift Junior All Whites made me more shy than proud.
A winning team is made up of two basic components of physical and mental fitness.
The latter is obviously missing from Fiji soccer and that is one critical area why our national teams fail.
Players lack discipline. This was evident in OFC league whereby the Nadi player spat on an opponent and also the way the Auckland player was tackled.
Watching the indiscipline in these young national players I wonder if indiscipline is a secret ingredient in Fiji soccer for an easy way out if the team is walloped by opponents.
They have an easy and lame excuse that the team was a player down or the opponents had a player advantage.
It’s not about the number of players on the field but how mentally and physically a team is prepared to overcome situations of playing under pressure when a player is sent off.
Is fair play and true sportsmanship not on the agenda of coaches?
Yet this U19 coach is happy even though a player was sent off for indiscipline.
This clearly indicates the coach is supportive of the player’s action.
Intiyaz Hussain
Waitakere Auckland
NZ
Emergency food banks
I WOULD like to thank your letter writer Amenatave for expressing his concern about the need for emergency food banks in Fiji to address the plight of the poor and to help anyone else in need of food during a crisis. (The Fiji Times 5/5/2014).
Actually the emergency Food Bank in my locality which I have worked for is more like a grocery store.
Because we have a huge support from our local supermarkets who supply a lot of perishable and non-perishable food to our centre, we rarely run out of food.
Only occasionally some essential food items are bought with donated money.
And we also have the support of some local bread shops who supply left over bread.
All dry, perishable and frozen food kept inside the food bank meet the national health standards regarding handling, storing and serving food to a large group of people.
And the local council has also built a bus stop right at the centre to further assist individuals needing help from the Food Bank.
I thought of recommending Denise Morris to anyone interested in setting up a food bank in their locality in Fiji.
Actually we are interested in sponsoring her to Fiji so that she could speak to all NGOs and other interested groups and individuals regarding the matter.
Denise is a very interesting person to talk to.
Denise is the CEO of this emergency food bank in my area and she has been very actively involved in running the centre for more than 10 years.
She also has contacts with the operation of food banks in India and other countries. She has organised workshops in matters related to the emergency food bank and has also addressed tertiary students at Australian universities regarding the role of community groups and NGO’s.
Our local media gives regular publicity to her work and the work of other volunteers at this food bank.
Denise has agreed to give her contact to anyone in Fiji. Her email address is cccminc@bigpond.com
Shakun Prasad
Melbourne
Australia
Unconditional love
I WAS touched by a very gratifying sight early this morning on my way to work.
A fairly young mother of three boarded the bus with plastic bags of groceries, got off manning her three little ones by her side and loads of food items she shopped.
This is the struggle many mothers in Fiji go through on a daily basis.
This goes to say that a mother’s love is eternal.
They are epitome of sacrifice. This young lady won my heart as she was so strong in her will to keep going, and top it off look after her young ones.
Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, and we are hyped by the over commercialising of the day, the least we can do for our mothers is to love them back for the sacrifice they have made for us ever since we are born and they continue to look after us without flinching.
To all the mothers out there, a happy Mother’s Day. We surely can’t repay them for their love, but can love you in return.
Manpreet Kaur
Ba
To the point
NO B. Smith, I did get your point but you don’t seem to be getting mine.
The authorities normally reply to the letters that needs addressing.
Some do respond on time and some only when it reaches boiling point.
Some response from the authorities are straight to the point and make sense whereas some only try to shut the writers up.
Yes of course if the authorities out of the blue start giving information of their customers, then it is something to ponder about.
However, normally that’s not the case. In the circumstances where they have given the detailed information about their customers is because that was needed as the letter writers through this column asked for it.
So in that particular confusion, it should only be between that writer and the authority itself.
As they know better what problem they are engaged into thus it makes sense that the offence is taken by that particular customer depending on the response or the facts.
I repeat myself that through this column it sometimes becomes necessary to address issues when directly it does not get sorted out where it’s supposed to be. As a result the authorities are bound to respond.
How fair and correct their information are, is something that only those two involved would know.
But if it can help solve that particular writer’s concerns, then why not.
Kirti Patel
Lautoka
Help out
Everybody in this world wants to do something in the world.
Most people have a wish to do something good for his/her own family but every good thing these days come with something we all are fond of, money.
But is there a way of starting a small-scale business without bank loans?
I think so and I would like to share an idea that I have seen used by some people.
If family members or close relatives save minimum $5 each on a weekly basis then a family of let’s say ten earning members (including relatives) save $50.
That $50 can be given to each family member alternatively every week to pursue their own business whether it be as a family or individually.
Small-scale business such as vegetable farming, fruits and handicraft store are easy to start with.
Maybe a single breadwinner of a family can never start off a business of his/her own but coming together as a family can surely help you.
All you need is family support and little bit of motivation to be self-sufficient.
Rubina Aktar
Samabula
Fluent English
I AGREE with Paul Gerharty (FT7/5/14) that not everyone in Fiji is fluent in standard English but this is only sevens rugby where we only need the bare essentials.
Only if Ben communicates through smoke signals or tom-tom drums, we may need an interpreter.
I think some of the attack on our understanding of English has gone a bit too far.
I agree that most of us are not particularly gifted writers, speakers or thinkers, but it’s enough to get by in Fiji.
Amenatave Yaconisau
Delainavesi
Fiji 7s record
IS Moses Mani (FT 08/05) absolutely sure that he is still celebrating Fiji’s 44-0 thrashing of the NZ 7s at the Dubai 7s or is he actually drowning his sorrow’s on Fiji 7s inconsistent performances and inability to win an IRB 7s Series title for years now?
Just to set the record straight, Fiji was dumped big time 0-57 by Australia in the Plate final during the 3rd IRB 7s Series in Durban, South Africa, some years back.
I wonder how he felt when Ben Lam steamrolled the Fiji 7s skipper, Osea Kolinisau, at the Glasgow 7s?
Have a bowl for me bro.
Charles Penjueli
Waiyavi
Stage 2
Keep it up Taveuni
IT is really interesting to know that there are no street beggars on the beautiful Garden Island.
Through my three months of teaching experience in Niusawa Methodist High School, I have not seen a beggar on the street and all the citizens of Taveuni will definitely agree with me.
The reason behind this may be because all the people have some land available where they plant crops like vegetables, dalo, yaqona and they catch fish and other seafood so there is no reason why people should beg.
From my experience I think this is the only place in Fiji where there are no beggars and it is a very good thing about the beautiful Garden Island.
“Noqu vanua au mai butu’a
Vanua bulabula
Sai Taveuni qore a yacana
A Tagimaucia … eitou dau ania….”
Arishma Shivani Nadan
Ba
All the best
I WOULD like to thank you and salute Rear Admiral (Retired) Voreqe Bainimarama for guiding Fiji in the right direction.
All the best in September general election .
RENNIE HILL
Tauranga
NZ
Which dogs are safe
DOGS are useful to humans and they are one of their closest companions.
They can be part of a family and are a source of security to certain people.
But they are like other animals without a spirit, a conscience and can turn on their “beastly nature” at the most unpredictable time.
Both well domesticated canines and wild ones have this capacity to inflict injury on their own species and human beings too.
This places on all of us responsibilities to ensure dogs do not injure or threaten people’s well-being and safety.
Just the other day at a shop at Sasawira 10 miles one of the several dogs the shopowners keep in their premises attacked my granddaughter and she was hurt.
I was really disappointed when this happened for several reasons:
* Customers are supposed to feel safe in shops since they are the source of revenue for merchants;
* When dogs are in shops customers, like me and many others, know there is insecurity there;
* Dogs if not well kept and regularly groomed well can litter the surrounding, defecate, spread lice, etc; and
* Dogs can cause fights among people; especially owners and those people who are attacked by these animals.
I guess the incident that involved my granddaughter is one of the many incidents involving dogs on a continual basis nationwide.
When she was attacked, people around there were less bothered and even laughed.
What insanity is this?
Enjoying others suffering is revealing the deplorable nature of such people.
The most unsolicited action any sane person would do is to rescue the victim, not issue a “sadistic streak” of deriving humour and enjoyment from pain and suffering.
Are shop owners required by law to keep dogs in their premises?
Request the authorities for advice and take appropriate action.
Paula Rakabikabi
Davuilevu Subdivision
Donalds in America
What is it with the Donalds in America?
First you had Donald Rumsfeld who lied about the torture of prisoners in American custody.
Then you had Donald Tramp who made idiotic comments and forced President Obama to take a potshot at him at his annual press club dinner.
Now you have a Donald Sterling who has made racist comments about blacks.
It would seem the only sensible Donald left in America are the Donald Duck mob.
The other Donalds should consider doing a Deed Poll to change their name.
Rajend Naidu
Sydney
Seat belt option
ONE issue I’d like to raise with the authorities is as to why fastening seat belts are only practised in front seats of vehicles either private or public service?
Looking at the current situation, vehicles nowadays are equipped with seat belts on both front and rear seats of which many are running as private and public service vehicles.
It would be much appreciated if the authorities take heed of the situation and seat belts fastening are reconsidered on both front and rear seats of vehicles.
Shamal Chand
Kuku Bau Rd
Nausori
Blood Moon
OF course Peter Rodda (FT 26/04) does not believe in the Bible which prompts him to make such statements about the blood moon.
For those of us that belong to Jesus Christ, the blood moon is a sign warning us to prepare for His second coming to take us to the shelter of His kingdom before the Earth that we now live in is destroyed by fire with those who remain in it.
Jesus said when he returned, there would be two women in the field, one would be taken and the other left behind.
Malakai Naduva
Labasa
Decades after apartheid
1994. A nostalgic year in the annals of South Africa.
It was a year that gave birth to a new era, a new dawn, a new South Africa. Indeed, it culminated in the closing of an atrocious chapter in the Rainbow Nation’s history, the shackles of apartheid.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) Party is renowned for commemorating events.
Hence, this event would certainly glorify the astronomical achievements made by ANC in its strive for democracy and human rights over the past 20 years.
South Africa’s revered leader, the late Nelson Mandela, not only became the first black president but also the paragon of multi-racialism, unity and reconciliation.
The new South Africa was born to give hope, dignity and a better future to its citizens.
2014. The Rainbow Nation has something unique to cheer for, but, must invigorate its will to tackle the daunting challenges of poverty, corruption and violent crime.
Mandela was the beacon of hope to the world, hence, South Africa’s leaders must ensure to transform Mandela’s hope into reality.
“Oh, 1994, April 27. There won’t be a day like that ever again. I mean, the sky was blue, with a blueness that had never been there before” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Aman Abishek Nath
Suva
The believers
WHEN anyone considers he is righteous abiding not to drink wine, inhale burned leaves, enjoying intimate caressing, eating this and that, what will he think of other believers?
AREKI DAWAI
Suva
One language
IT seems like Paul Geraghty has taken a very self opinionated approach to criticise my views on “language barrier”, let alone any perspective, hence the misunderstanding on his part.
Rather lacking I think from a man of his calibre.
From my initial letter it was quite evident that I do acknowledge the varieties of English that exist (within the English language) but still maintain the language is only one (English). I also acknowledge that each variety is more than a “twist of the tongue”.
But the fact that we understand people who speak a different variety (usually distinguished by dialect, accent and sometimes register) to what we speak is a testament that we speak a common language.
It’s one thing to say that one variety of English is different from another, but to call it a different language altogether is absurd.
Coming back to our rugby players, Mr Geraghty argues that they haven’t been tested to determine their ability in the usage of English, so we can’t assume that they are competent. Fair enough. But let’s just say we do test them, can Mr Geraghty enlighten us on which variety of English should they be tested in.
Wouldn’t idiolect come into play? And inevitably the conclusion, incompetence. I rest my case.
Shakeel Datt
Nasinu
Draunibota Bay
WHY all the fuss about Draunibota Bay?
Get rid of the mangroves, there must be lots of mosquitoes there.
Reclaim all that ground and build factories to make money and help the economy.
Development is our overwhelming priority, ahead of any other considerations.
A disclaimer – the above attitude is not that of the writer. It is the attitude that, from his reading, he perceives to be held by too many people, including some with authority to promote it.
Some people appear to get obsessed with an idea and cannot see any valid argument against it.
We saw another such obsession about 12-18 months ago.
Peter Rodda
Lami
No third war
I remember from history books that at the end of World War II the American ambassador in Tokyo said “we do not intend to fight this war for the third time and the cycle of impoverishment, demagogy and war to be stopped for ever”.
It seems that reminder was heeded for a while but has slowly fallen on deaf ears over the years.
The same old military fanatics are slowly retaking their place in international relations. But the most frightful thing is the inability of the UN security council to discharge these tensions.
Don’t we learn a lesson from history.
Amenatave Yaconisau
Delainavesi
Nausori border
IN my recent trip to Fiji via Nausori Airport, I noticed that Nausori Airport holds what I believe is the worst border control procedure.
My bag was scanned and a sticker was placed for manual inspection but the officer concerned didn’t even bother to open my bag.
Not that I brought anything illegal, but precaution is better than prevention.Very soon Fiji Airways will introduce Sydney-Suva direct flight and I hope the border control is tightened for possibility of bringing illegal staff in our country just like in other countries. Something for Customs to look into.
MOSES MANI
Auckland
NZ
Money value
I CAME across this writing while reading and thought of sharing with all.
“Gold is the money of the kings,
Silver is the money of the gentlemen,
Barter is the money of the peasant,
Debt is the money of the slaves.”
I wonder what will be the money of the poor called.
Mikaele L Tamani
Caubati
Scholarship allowance
I’M deeply saddened to know that some tertiary students are facing a lot of difficulties as their scholarship allowance money has not been deposited into their respective bank accounts because of some delay from the scholarship unit.
It should be noted that some students heavily rely on the scholarship allowance to meet their living expenses, transportation cost and even purchase textbooks and stationery.
It is a great burden for them to concentrate on their studies when they are not given the much-awaited allowances on time.
The delay in getting a scholarship allowances is not something new. Students over the years have to do a lot of running around to get their much-awaited allowances on time.
Calls made to the concerned office are also of no use as only false promises about payments are made.
Someone surely is not doing his/her job at the scholarship unit.
This matter should be immediately looked at so that students don’t have to suffer and compromise their studies because of delays in allowance.
Avineel Kumar
Nadi