Vaivai does Fiji proud
CONGRATULATIONS Apolonia Vaivai on winning a bronze medal in weightlifting.
Isa, this Ovalau lass has done well knowing that she and many Fiji athletes come from humble beginnings.
Naova ke.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Namulomulo
Roads and footpaths
I totally agree with Lawrence Wara’s letter that appeared in The Fiji Times on July 31, 2014
We, in Valelevu, also face the same problem and no one has bothered to highlight this important issue.
Roads have been built and cars have been given importance over the lives of people using the road every day.
Valelevu is now a highly populated area and we cannot see footpaths in these populated area.
Maybe, it is not important yet because it’s not counted as a town.
But I believe people’s lives are important and footpaths are essential to these working people walking home every day.
Why can’t the previous council or present administration or whoever is in authority see to it that these roads have footpaths for people to walk on and avoid serious accidents in the future?
Kanace Rd in Valelevu is one of the longest roads and without a proper footpath.
People, especially schoolchildren walk along this road every day to go to school and speeding cars take no bother of the little ones using the uneven surface on the side of the road.
Why do we place more importance on machine rather than the lives of people?
Before Nasinu becomes a town, those in charge should see to it that footpaths are built along these roads.
This would be a good campaign idea. What say?
Margaret Snow
Valelevu, Nasinu
Subjective journalists
BEING a journalist must be difficult especially when you have personal opinions to conceal for the sake of fairness and one’s genuine opinion.
That’s one of the reasons why our local journalists need overseas exposure and training.
I believe current media interviews done by local journalists on our election hopefuls have been subjective with almost an inclination to lock one into confusion.
I admired how an economist who was interviewed recently, proficiently and diplomatically answered questions fired at him with total ease and intellect.
Well done, Mr Economist.
Finau Naigulevu Turaga
Nadi Airport
For the record
I WAS perturbed by one of the journalists in For The Record program on FBC last Sunday for denying Professor Biman Prasad time to make his points for the wider public.
I am hopeful many would share similar sentiments as Prof Biman Prasad was on countless occasions disallowed to clarify his points.
With the wealth of knowledge he brings as an academic, who better knows about the economy than the man himself.
Manpreet Kaur
Ba
Issue of climate change
Climate change is real and it is having catastrophic effects on everyone.
Many projects and boards have been set up to deal with climate change but nothing concrete has surfaced so far.
Advocates and communities joining hands will be futile as industries seem to grow in size and length at the cost of the environment.
Environmental degradation and over exploitation has been happening year after year and yet we are wasting our time and money.
While doing a geography unit at university, I was taught that planting of mangroves can curb the issue of sea level rise to a great deal but nowadays we are cutting it down to make way for resorts and developments.
Bigger nations like the US and Australia are cutting down on energy cost and carbon emissions, we are encouraging coastal developments.
Climate change if not taken seriously will lead to many other problems.
Many academics and journals suggest the effects of climate change on small Pacific nations are deadly but little do we know that in the next seven to 10 years, cities like Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles and others will be under water.
I was shocked and surprised at this revelation through a youtube video, here’s the url (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player
ailpage&v=_4YUieDlAuM).
It’s a must see documentary and I’m sure it will change your perception towards climate change.
Avitesh Kumar
Ba
Educational option
Pastor Kory Mears feature article Did we come from monkeys (FT 27/7/2014) is indeed very educational and should be food for thought for those in our education system.
I for one agree with him that “intelligent design” should be taught alongside “evolution” in our schools.
However, I am of the opinion that since these two theories are on either side of a coin, they should be made an option with the decision left to the students of which of the two theories they would like to know more about.
Saivasa Luvuwaqa
Votualevu, Nadi
Training dogs
IN his July 30 letter, Amenatave Yaconisau made an excellent suggestion which, if implemented, would go a long way towards solving the dog problems in cities in Fiji.
He suggested the SPCA should have dog training programs.
I have many times wondered why the SPCA has not already done so.
Surelym well-behaved dogs would be better treated, happier and live longer.
Dog owners should be taught how to train their dogs so that they will behave well.
Dogs by nature are co-operative animals and will generally do what owners want them to do provided they understand what it is.
Dogs have no language capability, but yet patient owners can teach them many commands and signs which they will obey.
In addition, the SPCA should teach the public how to deal with aggressive dogs.
Most people in Fiji run which is most definitely not a recommended response.
A series of newspaper articles and/or a small book would help dog owners learn how to train their dogs.
For the benefit of dogs, their owners, and the public, I hope that the SPCA will soon act upon Mr Yaconisau’s suggestion.
Frank R. Eggers
Albuquerque, US
Racism issue
NO matter what others say about racism, I see it as a disease which does not diminish with brains.
Yes, it is a sickness which often incubates in ignorance. And it does not disappear with the gaining of wisdom.
Whew, what an issue to tackle!
JOELI NALECA
Suva
Thank you FEA
Thank you FEA for rectifying my concern which was raised in this column in regards to incorrect billing. Much thanks to this powerful column and I urge those of you who have not contributed to try it. Believe me, your problem and queries can be solved.
PITA SOROAQALI
SUVA
Footpath please
CAN SCC construct a footpath along Sawau Rd in Bayview Heights. It is really unsafe for pedestrians and early morning joggers to walk on roads as most of the roadsides have trees planted on them. We all like to have an early morning walk to stay healthy but walking on the road is unsafe for us.
Faiyaz M. Khan
Suva
Our heroes
Politicians are the most hated people and the most celebrated heroes.
Samuela Savu
Canberra, Australia
Ballot query
WHAT happens if a voter’s mark on the ballot paper is off centre, next to, or on the demarcation line overlapping the next square. Will the vote count on the basis of intent or be considered invalid?
R. BROWN
Suva
RIP Joe Singh
I JUST learned through this column that bass guitarist extraordinaire, pencil thin Joseph Singh of Ulysses has passed away in Germany. I admired Joe and Marika Gata, both bassists, for their great talent. Ulysses played as a house band of the Lucky Eddies nightclub for years. The music world will definitely miss Uncle Joe. Marika played for the great band Dragon Swingers.
Susen Sakal
US
Check number
I WISH people could check the number before they call. Some people have been calling me during the past few months and calling me “Raghwan.” Now a mate of mine is calling me “Raghwan”. Kaila!
Wise Muavono
Lautoka
One and first
COULD anyone with an understanding of the English language tell me what is the similarity between the words “one” and “first” and how will that confuse the public.
Varsana Ali
Atlanta
Age factor
JUST wondering if the new vehicle testing equipment at Land Transport Authority is also capable of aging out old PSV vehicles. Wonder what negative reports the equipment will print out.
Shamal Chand
Kuku Bau Rd, Nausori
Resolving an issue
SOME things are still not right among the FRU and the rugby unions.
The issue that has been brought up by Nadroga Rugby Union must be taken seriously by FRU since the matter, as claimed by them, has fallen on deaf ears.
We all know that the new board has come in and restored quite a credible amount of dignity and has brought its in-house procedures to be at an internationally acceptable level whereby IRB grants has now been restored.
This indeed is a great achievement and we commend the board for that.
However, here at home the unions are crying foul over unfulfilled deals. This is indeed not a very good omen for FRU and therefore before something nasty occurs, FRU must resolve this matter amicably.
We do not wish to see a sport entertaining to watch and a team such as Nadroga, which is undefeated so far, to isolate itself from the Skipper Cup semi-finals.
This must not happen in FRU at all. So come on FRU, let’s walk the talk!
Allan Jesoni
Nasinu
Nothing beats persistence
NOTHING in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
The only thing that I have done that is not mitigated by luck, diminished by good fortune, is that I persisted, and other people gave up.
Paras Naidu
Lautoka
Remember them
I wish to express my views on the negligence of the elderly.
Being a youth, I have noticed that parents are neglected by today’s generation. They have forgotten their parent’s hard work and sacrifices to help them achieve their dreams.
As a Year 12 student, we were taught through genres such as poetry on the impact of negligence on our senior citizens. I wonder what some students were doing during literature classes. Where has the good old saying gone whereby “parents are our God here on Earth whom we should treasure”.
Seeing them in elderly homes longing to see their children, but they never turn up or senior citizens over the age of 65 still working to fend for themselves, saddens me.
Hence, I would like to remind people never to neglect parents because what goes around comes around.
It’s never too late to apologise. Parents are the only ones who forgive us unconditionally. To all senior citizens out there, thank you for all your contributions in the yesteryears. Fiji is where she is today because of all of you.
Neha Kumar
Nausori
Go Tahs
WE are the mighty Waratahs
Rough and tumble rugby stars
We play the game as it should be played
We are the mighty men in blue
We will take the game to you
We’ve got talent, we’ve got heart
We will tear you apart
Waratahs, Waratahs
We play the game as it should be played
We’ve got talent, we’ve got heart
We will tear you apart
I have no doubt that the men in blue will sing this song after tomorrow’s game just as they did in the past seven weeks. Go Tahs!
Reverend Iliesa Naivalu
Suva
Thank you Apolonia
Apolonia Vaivai, the young lass from Baba settlement on Ovalau must be highly commended for making our country proud by snatching the bronze medal in the 75kg women’s division at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Twelve months ago, no one would have even imagined that Fiji would be sending a team to Glasgow and it was only in February that it was officially announced, so Apolonia really did not have much time to prepare.
All credit to her and her coaches and off course the people of Baba, which has become the breeding ground for Fiji’s weightlifting champions.
A special mention must be made to the honourable Minister for Sports who assisted with the construction of the new gym facilities at Baba.
Let’s continue the trend at Rio.
Ofa Gucake
Lautoka
