LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – letters@fijitimes.com.fj
Unmarked road
Last year I wrote in your column if those in authority can mark the Vuci Rd as it has been unmarked for two years now after re-tarsealing it.
School will start soon and thousands of schoolchildren will walk to the four schools located on this road and thousands will also walk to town and back.
Sometimes when something happens then we start putting the blame on one another.
I just wish those in authority come out of their comfort office and walk on this road during the evening or in the day to find out for themselves how dangerous it is to walk on this road.
Please do something before a life is taken away and we start blaming one another.
Safety issue
I believe that if there is another tsunami warning today, there will be chaos just like in the past.
One only has to be at the grounds for games, in town, cinema, shops, offices and you name any, the exit is just not enough.
The time taken for any person to come out of the Prince Charles Park after the recent CVC match was about 15 minutes plus. Is this acceptable?
Please consider this as very serious before any unforeseen incident eventuates.
As usual the strong and cunning push their way out leaving the rest behind selfishly.
Dhirendra Prasad
Lautoka
New school year
Now that another new school year is about to begin, we wonder what new challenges will the students who live in squatter settlements within the Suva City boundary face.
Last year this group of students had to forego electricity and most had to study using candles which is a fire risk.
These settlements are Nanuku,Wailea,Veidogo and Jittu to name a few.
Nanuku, which is one of the smaller ones consists of over 400 households and that is at an average of three students per household.
In 2013 most students who always excel in class barely managed to pass their subjects because they were being denied a necessity by the authorities.
The question we need to ask is: “Are we ready to accept that a good number of students will never fulfil their dreams to better their lives” or “are we willing to accept that a good number of squatter settlements will once again spring up within the Suva-Nausori corridor”.
And that is within a few years from now, the concerned authorities who denied these students that privilege should think or exchange with these students to experience what they are going through, since they are living in the urban areas and competing with students who have full-time electricity, they will always be at a disadvantage no matter how hard they try.
Please give them a fair game.
SEMI ROSS BULINAVESI
Vatuwaqa
Suva
Exam results
With external examination results already out and thousands of students making choices about their future, parents, teachers and peers should always support students with whatever results they get.
A year’s work was tested in a three hour paper, whether it is justice to do that is another debatable topic.
What is important is that parents should recognise their children’s hard work and give them strong positive motivation so that students are encouraged to do better.
In schools there is a lot of pressure to pass exams, to get good marks, to come first in class, to be the school topper or become the dux of the school.
While competition is good to some extent as it makes students compete against one another and help improves their performance, too much competition and pressure on the other hand can lead to mental and emotional breakdown especially when external examination results don’t turn out to be as expected.
This is where parents, teachers and peers should positively encourage students that exams do not mean that it is the end of the world.
It’s just a small hurdle that helps set new direction in students’ lives.
Students in Fiji now are the most privileged as they have many career options and choices that they can make about their life.
Be it music, arts, agriculture, dance, modelling, sports or film and photography, students can venture into just anything they want.
Many sports players across the world make millions of dollars and they don’t need a degree for that. It’s all about the interest one has and the choice one makes.
It’s always good to guide students to the career path they want to go into rather than forcing them into something they don’t have interest in.
Each and every student is smart in his/herown way and we all need to respect that.
To parents who have not hugged or congratulated their sons or daughters for the results they got, please do so as words cannot describe what it would mean to them.
Best wishes to all students.
Avineel Kumar
Nadi
Reduce crime
I personally would like to thank the islander whose brave action helped police capture a wanted criminal last week in Taveuni.
The arrest followed a tipoff.
He gave police the right information which resulted in the arrest of the absconder who was evading the police for a year.
More arrests could be made if others who know the whereabouts of the remaining deserters also told the police like the islander did.
People should not be afraid of the criminals while reporting them to the police because police will always protect their helpers.
Unless there is public support, catching the culprits will be a challenge for the law enforcers who can’t be in all the places all the time.
Wherever the culprits are hiding they have ample food and shelter to survive daily.
Now some people are helping the culprits instead, without realising the consequences of their stupid action on the society and our taxes.
If we reduced the number of criminals on the run, we not only rid crime and criminal activities but also prevent another innocent Fijian youth from becoming a criminal.
Let us join the force in reducing crime in our country.
Suresh Chand
Nadi
Political campaigns
Parties can now start campaigns (FT 10/01). As we move into mature politics, I hope political parties and their candidates will also be mature and diplomatic in their campaigns.
Please, no more petty politics or unnecessary bickering.
Candidates must do more than just spew promises or pledges, but be credible and able to deliver once elected into office.
Yes, tough days are ahead so let there be peace and harmony during campaign. We have to be moderate in everything we say, do and act.
Fairness, moderation and mutual respect for one another makes a nation prosper.
Pat Vuli
Namadi Heights
QUICK VIEWS
Beat the heat
Along with drinking a lot of fluids as suggested by Mr Muavono, what I also find helpful when the mercury hits the roof is putting a small wet towel around the neck. Stay cool while we freeze our derrieres off.
Praneet Singh
Sacramento, CA
Rugby focus
TOP corporate identities are now in charge of Rugby House. Let’s hope they honour FRU’s contract arrangement with Ben Ryan going forward.
R. Brown
Suva
Human bars
Should the name of bull bars be changed to human bars?
Shamal Chand
Kuku Bau Rd
Nausori Medical school
Is the special administrator for Lautoka hinting to move the newly planned FNU Medical School to his home town of Ba.
Nigel Fiu
Lautoka
Prompt reply
I WOULD like to thank the CEO of FEA for his prompt reply to one of his customer’s query on why there was a power outage at Wainivula, Nasinu, and an apology as well. I am still waiting for a response from FEA on the unlawful cutting of a tree from my compound.
Sukha Singh
Labasa
Dying culture
A year ago the momentum of recycling reached its pinnacles but now there is virtually nothing done to keep the zeal intact. No wonder we see noisome sights greeting us almost everywhere we go around Fiji. We in Fiji are like a wheelbarrow that needs constant pushing. At times we become haughty like a mighty kite that only acts when it’s string is let loose.
Manpreet Kaur
Ba
Resolutions
I will commit myself to maintain good health towards happy and healthy lifestyle seeking God’s blessings, being mindful of the famous saying: “Early to bed early to rise is the way to be healthy, wealthy and wise.”
Tahir Ali
Nasinu
Milky water
I had written earlier about the milky water in Nadawa and was advised by the relevant authorities that this is because of air pockets in the pipe system. We are now in January 2014 and the same water quality exists. I would like to know what the relevant authorities have done about it or it will be just left as, as is where is. We the consumers are paying for quality water and not milky water. I hope this matter will be looked at as a priority as the money we are paying is not milky money it is genuine Fiji money.
Juki Fong
Nadawa Nasinu
YOUR SAY: About 7s coach, nurses
Legalising marijuana
On the issue of legalising marijuana, I would like to give my two cents worth and take it one step further.
I say let the ban on marijuana remain and impose a new ban on the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
The sooner our government implements these changes the better it will be for Fiji.
It is no use moaning over alcohol-fuelled domestic violence and crime, drink-driving, lung cancer and all the other smoking related health issues if we don’t remove the cause.
Happy new year everyone.
Gabriel Simpson
Rakiraki
Lucky Fiji
Are we not lucky to have a coach who has and is committed to attending rural sevens tournaments in a quest to identify talent, despite apparently not receiving wages for some time now.
Obviously, the travel and accommodation expenses would be added to his personal bills.
Fiji is definitely a lucky nation as in this age of professionalism no coach would start work without contracts and conditions being formally endorsed.
All in all, let’s not push our luck too far as sooner or later money will become a telling factor.
Floyd Robinson
Suva
Morning walk
Early morning walks are a blessing for the whole day.
It is supposed to be a wonderful opportunity to clear the mind and stimulate the senses as we direct our focus on the day ahead.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case here in Votualevu, Nadi, particularly during weekends.
Dirty, rotten drunkards; they should be collected and thrown in the pound.
Samu Railoa
Nadi
Nurses’ shake-up
As reported in the FT of 08/01/14, the director of nursing has called for a shake-up of the nurses in Fiji for reasons best known to her.
She puts all nurses in one pot for not smiling enough, etc.
Has the director of nursing considered these various reasons why not all nurses smile:
1. Many new nurses in the workforce are very young with no time given to them to mature into a responsible and caring nurse and they can not cope with their job.
2. Working conditions in some health centres and hospitals are appalling, with dirty toilets, tea rooms etc. because the paid cleaners do not do their job.
3. Many patients are irritating and their visitors are annoying young nurses, asking them if they are married, because they have a son that they would like to get married to a nurse for the hope of migration overseas, for the whole family in the end.
I think the director of nursing needs a shake-up before she makes comments about our nurses in the media.
Erwin Karl Skiba
Suva
