Letters to Editor: letters@fijitimes.com.fj
The Grand Old Lady
The heyday of the Grand Old Lady – The Grand Pacific Hotel – is back and is surely grabbing all the attention.
The renovation works and the continued efforts of the funding organisations call for a nationwide celebration as the country’s popular hotel gets ready for the future guest. The hotel is best known for hosting the royals and dignitaries in the past and now it will be known for another special reason; the world’s longest Swiss roll cake.
One thing is certain is that Fiji is indeed making its presence felt on the world stage.
First for Fiji Airways being listed in the Guinness World Records and now the Swiss roll.
Hope this gets in the books as well. Congrats GPH.
AVITESH D KUMAR
Ba
Public holidays
While it’s good to have public holidays not everything can be marked on the calendar and celebrated as a public holiday.
For a small developing country like Fiji, I believe having nine public holidays and the soon to be 10 public holidays is more than enough for the people of Fiji.
While all those who are lazy would surely disagree, we need to look at the costs and benefits of having public holidays and evaluate the implications it has on our country’s growth and development.
How silly it would be of us to promote tourism when our towns and cities and all major attractions along with key business houses are closed just because of frequent public holidays.
Our religious holidays are well balanced on the annual calendar and I’m sure with the new national sports day all the sports lovers along with those trying to fight the ever-growing NCDs would be able to make a difference.
After all there is nothing stopping us from celebrating special events after work in the evenings or weekends on a normal day.
If we start to fulfil everyone’s demands for public holidays and celebrate every historic, religious or national event whether they are big or small with a marked public holiday then I’m sure we will end up having a total of 365 days of public holidays.
That’s a full year of public holidays.
Avineel Kumar
Nadi
Thank you
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the relevant road authorities for cutting the grass on the side of the road along Princess Rd from Vuniniudrovu Village towards RCMPS and towards Sawani.
It has definitely made a difference because now there is more room for pedestrians to walk and thus much safer.
Thanks so much for allowing me to raise this issue through your column and many thanks to the responsible government department for your timely response.
Jokapeci Qalo-Qiolevu
Vuniniudrovu Village
Naitasiri
Road inspectors
Just the other day, I saw a vehicle coming out of the Fiji Roads Authority with the “Roads Inspection” sticker on it.
I wonder what inspection are they carrying out on the roads.
At Bureta St in Samabula, part of the road is already washed away. And big potholes are at the entrance.
Best thing this road is just five minutes drive from FRA’s head office.
Nasilivata Rd in Nadera, I saw road workers coming in to work for three days, and they filled three small potholes in that time, whereby the whole stretch of road is still full of big potholes. That equates to one pothole per day.
Where is the efficiency in this and what are these officers inspecting?
Vinay Singh
Suva
Music and sports
In less than a month, the world will be hosted to a festivity of world class football as 32 nations try to outclass each other for the prestigious trophy in one of the most lucrative sports in the world.
I came across We are One (Ole Ola), which is the theme song for this World Cup and I was reminded of the power of music and sports in nation building. Undoubtedly this song will hit the streets and be part of the latest collection as was the case for Waka Waka in the 2010 world Cup.
In Fiji we have a huge potential in the music and sporting career or creativity and talents for that matter.
It is only a matter of exploring the right avenue and harnessing these talents.
Perhaps music and sports could be the best and creative means of reaching out to the public on civic or voter education for this coming election.
Themes of democracy and nation building should be shared in poetry, music, art, drama and through sporting events. Time is not on our side and the youths will surely react to this with a difference.
Waisale Ramoce
Wainivula
For the future
Yesterday’s (FT 23/05) headline West schools organise event is such a negative outlook of the future of Fiji rugby. I’ve been saying in the past that everything to do with rugby union must all come under the FRU.
Once we start segregating along division lines you will get players who won’t know where to fit in after secondary school.
How many students who came through the Deans competition made it into the national team then weigh that against those that are in the current squad now? Can we really say that our school boys rugby has grown or is it just stagnant.
If we intend to build for the future then the time is now and not after the 2015 World Cup.
Invest in them from the Milo Kaji Rugby right up to the Deans and in a few years time, we will be able to match the tier one nations from the under 20 right up to the national side.
We need to be consistent with the way we impart the knowledge of rugby to our young ruggers, and only then can we become a force to be reckoned with and not one hit wonders.
All in all good luck to the young ruggers this weekend, go hard boys.
Lawrence Wara
Suva
Bundles of gold
Your article titled Call to respect women at work (FT 23/05) is definitely something we should all consider as imperative.
It is a timely call for all of us at home or in the work place.
I recall how a friend of ours once related how her boss used to call her at night insisting that they meet in certain places and how she was always able to maneuver herself out of those phone conversations.
There would definitely be other women who also had the same experiences.
As men, it is our duty to show respect towards our women. Yes, we must treat them with dignity and love no matter what our situation is like.
Remember, our women are our bundles of gold.
Joeli Naleca
Suva
Psychic Paul
LAST soccer world cup, Paul the octopus enthralled all of us with his psychic power by predicting the winner. I wonder if he has a son, or daughter to carry on the tradition. On the same note maybe he can also predict Fiji’s next PM?
Ashneel J Prasad
Auckland
NZ
Stay away
BE it chikungunya or zika, all I want is that it stays away from Fiji. Dengue has already caused us a lot of trouble.
Avineel Kumar
Nadi
Pay issue
I would like to share few words on this salary controversy. What’s wrong with our prime minster getting million dollar salary when he has been doing more than a billion dollar job for our beloved country. God bless our hardworking prime minster.
PRATAP CHAND
Yalalevu
Ba
Fiji soccer
I believe Fiji soccer is full of egotistic administrators. The clean-up of FRU ought to be carried out with Fiji FA. Get in the professionals for we want Fiji soccer tussling with the best.
Simon Hazelman
Savusavu
Glue sniffing
IT seems that no action can be taken against glue-sniffers until a law to prohibit glue sniffing is drafted, tabled and passed in parliament. We need to provide awareness about the dangers of glue sniffing.
Wise Muavono
Lautoka
Crime rate
I AM very surprised to read that crimes are on the rise in Fiji. Has anyone thought of introducing a three-strike law where a criminal can go in for a fixed minimum of five years or a maximum of twenty five years, depending on the crime. I think this will deter people from committing crime the third time. It’s about time the Fiji Government considers very seriously changes to law.
M. Abid
Sacramento
US
Work of aliens
Work of Aliens? Really? In reference to the missing MH370 flight, one regular contributor assumes that aliens probably had a hand in its disappearance. Wow, surprising to know that some people here still believe in the extraterrestrial, even a few matured ones!
Nishant Singh
Lautoka
Time race
A race against time is how parties describe their approach to pre-election build-up.
For any party unreadiness would cost them thousands of voters when election comes.
Instead of translating political ideas into policy, they seem to be involved more in criticising electoral procedures, including the ballot paper format as anti-democratic and could create confusion.
Currently, there is a stir going on over the refusal of the Electoral Commission to accept any proposal to change the ballot paper format. That is the way it appears in the media for the past few weeks.
We should learn a great deal from the Electoral Commission of India on how it designed ballot papers to assist voters,especially the illiterate.
Each vying candidate is identified by a party symbol approved by the commission.
Notwithstanding what is going on, we are glad that US, Britain, Australia and New Zealand are still very much anxious to help government in facilitating the return to democratically elected government.
Amenatave Yaconisau
Delainavesi
Election process
IN response to Manpreet Kaur of Ba (FT 23/5), she would not have sent her letter had she read the information sheet given to those who apply to be one of the 14,000 polling day election workers.
The information sheet shows their job descriptions, pay rate and their training dates in June/July and August/September.
Reading this information sheet and filling in the application form, one would conclude that this is not a rushed 2014 Election but a well planned one, if everything is done according to plan.
However, there is one point that I disagree with: “You will not be paid any travelling or subsistence allowances for working in these venues.” This needs to be clarified.
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa
Nasinu
After the polls
IS there some place the ordinary citizen of Fiji can get information on how the general election will work?
For instant with just one vote per person what if only three numbers are crossed by every voter in Fiji; how will parliament be formed; and will there be only three people in it?
A few of us in the cane belt of Mulomulo would like to prepare ourselves for after September so that we may understand what is going on.
How will parliament be formed and how will the opposition be formed are just some of the questions we ask.
Anybody got an answer?
Allen Lockington
Mulomulo
Why hold back
AS Allen Lockington and his friend from Labasa had this conversation on phone that the PM has done so good things and his pay should be $2.7million.
I tell you guys something, he is just doing what a PM of the country should be doing, which is a good thing indeed no doubt about it.
I am going to vote for him, because I think there is no one else qualified or done so much for the country as what he has done.
But the big question is why hold things back from your own people?
Vineel Nand
Cautata
Car parts
SO the car parts scam has started again.
At one time Lautoka was famous for cars being stolen and stripped for parts. I know because my car was stolen.
Fortunately, people in Rifle Range, Lautoka saw the car parked there with teenagers standing around it.
They called the police who arrived in an instant. The thieves got away taking the spare tyre, stereo system, money and other stuff.
The report (FT 23/5) says this scam is based on demand and there are garages that are part of the scam.
Car owners just need to be more careful of where they park their cars and don’t leave bags or other stuff in the car that will lure thieves to break in and steal them.
Yes, we need to be more careful.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Mulomulo
Car parts scam
I REFER to Shalveen Chand’s article Car parts scam (FT23/5) in which he highlighted vehicles being stolen and parts stripped to be sold.
Recently, I wrote about shady automotive mechanics and warning the public of basically the same thing.
If these people can steal cars and strip them for parts to sell then imagine what can be done to one’s vehicle when left at a garage overnight.
Good and genuine parts replaced with substandard ones is a common occurrence in most developing countries and I strongly believe it to be rife throughout Fiji.
This issue must be dealt with urgently for it also involves our safety.
All vehicle owners must keep a close eye on their vehicles when under service.
Car parts scam is real!
Be aware people!
Simon Hazelman
Savusavu
Beautiful Fiji
I WAS reading the news online and found out about asylum seekers from other countries that want to make Fiji their home.
I feel a little sad but realise how wonderful our country is with people of different races and beliefs living peacefully and care for one another.
Our military has done marvelous job in keeping peace wherever they are posted and our government has opened embassies and relations with other countries around the world.
How they know about our country is through the media and our peacekeeping missions overseas.
I wonder what will our government do for them.
Let’s pray for peace in the world, receive those who are here now with open arms and tell the world that Fiji is the way the world should be.
They should use us more around the world for peace and reconciliation.
TAGI VONOLAGI
Nausori
Bad report
THIS report from a place called Coober Pedy in SA, or more accurately, a camp site 150km east of it in the middle of a totally barren desert.
I met some people travelling and camped up for the night. Seeing the “Vaileka Fiji” sign on my carrier’s bullbar they told me they went to both Suva and Nadi (but not much else) and their main memories were being pulled into shops and massively overcharged, end quote.
The same thing crops up wherever I go here.
Again I advise people that touting is illegal in Fiji as is some of the other things I’m hearing about.
OK, remember where I am now and where I actually heard the above – in the middle of a desert NASA uses to test machinery for both its Mars and lunar missions its so bleak its actually called the moon, the place where Mad Max was filmed (with Tina Turner.)
Again, I call on everyone to think about what I am saying as it’s the only thing the visitors remember and I am taking note.
Fiji deserves better than that from its own shops and businesses
KEITH GREGORY
Rakiraki
Finance towards politics
TAKING into consideration the amount of money set aside for the special event called election, I hope it’s worthwhile outcome inspires.
There are heaps of poor people below the poverty line therefore I hope there is proper handling of finance.
I’m sure with the leftover finance, should there be any, the poor and suffering could be assisted.
After all, this is exactly what the main aim of the election should be – to hold the power and unite the nation rather than playing divide and rule and disturbing the peace.
KIRTI PATEL
Lautoka
Love of rugby
AS a sole judge in the field of game, referees at times face the unexpected comments even assaults from players, management and team supporters.
But for the love of rugby however, referees plays a vital role on the development and progress of the sport in our island nation.
Honoured to be part of the referees band officiating a decade ago, support of fellow referees such as Timoci Uru of Sabeto, Nadi would always be cherished to his former mates as his supportive and uplifting comments would always be a driving mood to enjoy controlling a club or provincial game.
Vinaka vakalevu for your contribution to the game of rugby as a whole but until then, moce tu ro Tai Jim!
AREKI DAWAI
Suva
Letter writing
I WRITE to clear Ashok Kumar’s obliviousness on two issues that seem to gnaw him.
First of all, I am a female as my surname indicates.
Secondly, I relish keeping myself informed of the place I live in, irrespective of the locality.
This is to say, we must think beyond boundaries. And like you wrote, how come your letters do not make it to The Fiji Times; it eventually did without you actually realising it.
Overly gracious to know people are engaging in reading.
MANPREET KAUR
Ba
Science or evolution
HERE’S a news flash for some.
Evolution isn’t noodles which when put into a microwave oven cooks in three minutes.
It takes time, and lots of it, so if you are expecting those monkeys to morph into humans, it’s going to be a long wait at the nine mile bus stop.
On a related note, have you ever thought that the concept of reincarnation from one form into another may actually be rooted in evolution?
Let’s hope we don’t get into an argument regarding the air we breathe. Since we can’t see it, it must not exist.
On a lighter note, evolution is all around us, even the loincloth of 7000 years ago has evolved into a thong.
But seriously, better to be a methodological sceptic then to totally discount everything as hogwash when one’s dogma clouds judgment.
There are those who teach their kids about the self sufficiency of a single book.
Some of those grow up and start ticking. Not good.
The last thing we need is for our children to be deprived of a wide array of knowledge, allowing them to reach their own conclusion.
As the saying goes, trust but verify.
PRANEET SINGH
Sacramento
City traffic
THERE seems to be no end to the traffic problem in Suva City which appears to have recently worsened with the increase in the number of vehicles, road closure and “hogging the road” type of attitude demonstrated by some PSV drivers.
Every day we are faced with the same frustrating situation. Just try to enter the city from upper Robertson Rd during the usual peak times and you will not be surprised to see the number of mostly taxis along this route where some of which will end up in occupying most of the pay and display parking spaces along Nina St towards Grand Dad’s and along Rodwell Rd towards Homecentres in a deceptive manner.
This is apart from those registered taxis that have bases outside New World and RB Patel MarketPoint.
Furthermore, to make things worse, there are few supermarkets along this route that will run out of supplies or have delivery schedules just when the roads are expected to be busy where trucks will be reversing into their bulk for unloading in an already jammed and narrow road.
It’s understandable that the traffic problems cannot be completely resolved, but it can be controlled to some extent if all parties mentioned above can exercise a little bit of courtesy and common sense and with increased enforcement by the relevant authorities.
Otherwise motorists will just have to brace themselves to be greeted with frustration and fuel wastage when driving into the city.
ILIAAZ MOHAMMED
Laucala Beach
Life savers
WHILE those who are lucky are able to come back and tell their stories of how they survived when their fishing trip went wrong, we should be more concerned about those who are not able to make it and narrate the whole ordeal to their families, friends and loved ones left behind.
A simple solution of making life jackets compulsory for all sea goers could make a difference to this whole situation.
Firstly, the government should ensure life jackets are sold in Fiji and are readily available at cheaper prices so that ordinary people can also afford it.
Government should also ensure that everyone going out to sea has life jackets on their boats, be it a five-minute fishing trip, it should become mandatory for all sea goers to have life jackets on their boats.
People caught fishing, transporting passenger or products from one island to another without life jackets should be charged.
A lot of taxpayers’ money is wasted in sea searches and rescues.
If the sea goers do not comply with the mandatory life jacket policy, the government should confiscate their fishing boats and take away all their fishing gear and equipment and only return it to the owners once fines are paid and the compulsory life jackets purchased.
I believe these are just some simple steps in saving lives from being carelessly lost at sea.
One life lost at sea is one too many.
AVINEEL KUMAR
Nadi
Milk talks
THERE have been a lot of talks on milk and more specifically, on prices on both the production and the retail ends.
Local dairy farmers have been voicing on the low prices paid to them since nearly two years now while at the same time the consumers have been complaining on how they are stretching their budget to afford a little bit of high-priced milk for their families.
It appears the price effects are affecting only the ends of the chains leaving the middle links at ease and satisfied.
The links between the farmers and final consumers are the FCDCL, processor, distributor and the supermarkets.
With imports making up to about 80 per cent of the Fiji milk market share, it is this component that is most likely the price setter and dictating the trend.
We learn that the global milk prices have increased thus the impact felt by our milk consumers.
Dairy farmers on the global stage must also be getting increased prices as per this trend.
One can only wonder why the local dairy farmers are not in the trend.
Prices for local milk on the other hand have remained low both for the farmers and also at the supermarket shelves.
Local liquid milk in retail shops are lowest and retails at almost 20 per cent or $0.60 per liter packet cheaper than the imported milk. It was very kind and considerate of a major local news media which took the milk price issue for the column “street talk”.
The issue taken for comment from general populace was “should government review the price of milk for the farmers”?
With all citizens including the dairy farmers being consumers, it was expected to receive consumer oriented comments.
And exactly, consumers did voice that the retail prices they have to pay is high and for ever increasing.
A lone “out of box thinking” comment came from a concerned gentleman from our sandalwood growing district in the Northern Division.
He commented that the dairy farmers should do away with the FCDCL and deal direct with the factory.
The comment certainly jolted most of us dairy farmers as and when we supplied our raw milk direct to the factory before the implementation of the milk industry restructure program, the farmers were receiving the total price and the Rewa Dairy Company Ltd was not making any deductions to the quoted price.
Given the reality perhaps it is a genuine and appropriate call that farmers supply direct to the factory with a reduced link in the system.
May be the farmers should consider participating in more functions in the milk marketing chain.
Yes indeed, it reminds us of the saying “if something is working why fix it”.
HIRDAY LAKHAN
Tailevu
Fiji fashion
It is enthralling to know our local fashion designers have begun to think big and taking trendiness to a all time new level this Fashion week episode in Fiji.
I am marveled by the creativity and ingenuity of the reputable Fijian Designer, Hupfeld Hoerder’s block prints in his resort wear collection.
Good to see we are defying traditions and thinking globally with all the power-packed genius in our midst.
Now we can comfortably wear his bold designs all year round rather than restricting it to only the elite to marvel.
My hats off to the abundance of talents in Fiji.
This shows the market is wide and Fijian-made is truly doing wonders here at home.
Manpreet Kaur
Ba
Loloma Home
JIM Edwards comments (FT 14/5, Pg20) regarding the abandoned girls, young women and children are truly heartbreaking.
I share his concerns. Many families reject and abandon the very ones they are supposed to nurture with love.
Many of us tend to hold double standards when it comes to holding views of mothers and children.
Observing Mother’s Day and International Day of Families (15/5) should be inclusive of all mothers and children.
Motherhood is sacred only when it happens to married women.
They are often seen as traditional heroines, married, with good morals and fulltime motherhood.
We tend to hold the view that only they make families.
Similarly, children are precious only if they are born after marriage, and only they need families
Mothers and children who fail to fit into these criteria are mostly considered not as sacred and precious. To many of us they are unwed mothers and illegitimate children; unclaimed by men. They are non persons. They are often not considered as family.
Abandoned children, especially the less valued female, show that to a considerable extent we are an anti- child society.
The commercials idealise the traditionally accepted image of motherhood and childhood, to the society, the very society where women and children are beaten, raped, murdered, shunned and rejected.
Thank you, Loloma Home and Care Centre for your unconditional love for those who had been robbed of their share.
True loloma indeed.
Kanta Mani
Nausori
Denarau bridge
COULD Denarau Corporation Ltd please advise when will it start with the construction of the deplorable Denarau entrance bridge?
As you enter Denarau Island it feels like crossing an Irish bridge.
What’s goes in the mind of guests, who arrive and are greeted by this awful sight as they enter the beautiful island, leaves much to be desired.
This bridge has been in this condition for quite a long time.
It’s a safety concern as well given that many vehicles pass over the bridge every day.
In case DCL fails to look into the condition of the bridge at the earliest there is high possibility that the bridge will collapse very soon.
Ravneel Kumar
Nadi
Let’s do it again
CongratulationS Navutu Stars Resort for winning the Certificate of Excellence 2014 – Trip Adviser. My special thanks to our team from the island and also to the mainland office team in Lautoka.
If we did not work together like a swarm of bees, we would have never achieved success as sweet as honey.
Thanks for an excellent job team.
Meli Naiceru
Yaqeta Island
Yasawa
Drugs shortage
CAN the Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma explain to the people of north why there appears to be a shortage of drugs at the Labasa Hospital pharmacy.
It is really shocking to hear from hospital pharmacy staff that they are forced to ration medicines.
A diabetic patient who normally receives three bottles of insulin Mixtard as prescribed on the prescription by the hospital doctor, is now forced to take only one bottle by the pharmacy staff and has been told to come back after one month.
How can this patient survive on one bottle of insulin for one month when she is prescribed to inject subcutaneously 48 units in the morning and 38 units at night when one bottle contains 100 IU per ml.
Other medicines that are out of stock I have been told are asprin and paracetamol.
Who is responsible for this ?
Rajesh Lal
Labasa
National Dope Day
FIJI now becomes one of the very few nations to dedicate a day for sports after India, Qatar and Japan.
On the same note, how about devoting a day to our national drink, as proposed by Raj and Tukana?
Perhaps call it the National Dope Day?
This will no doubt put a smirk on Raj and Tukana’s face and the sekoula tree grog mob.
Nishant Singh
Lautoka
Market drains
LAST Saturday while I was in Lautoka market, it was interesting to see that the Lautoka market master and the market cleaners trying to clear the blocked drains.
There was about half feet of water where the vendors were selling their produce.
It’s about time the top brass of Lautoka City Council come down to the market and see for themselves the struggles the market master, the cleaners and the vendors go through.
While we appreciate what the market master is trying to do, it would have been better if the city planners were there to see what the drainage problem was.
So much of our ratepayers’ money has been used for the beatification purpose. It is about time they build a proper market for those vendors who sell outside. I wonder where the top people of the Lautoka City Council were during the heavy rainfall.
Wake up Lautoka City Council because we want to see our ratepayers money used wisely.
Harry Prasad
Lautoka
Student services
I WILL be forthright with this matter regarding the student services at the Fiji National University in Nasinu campus.
Literally I am distressed by the ill-conceived situations that’s created during enrolment week at the university. It has created highly unwarranted situations.
Students are made to run around the university.
I think that the Fiji National University in Nasinu should have a proper academic and financial department centre that should be situated near to each other making it easier for students.
And it is with the utmost respect and sincere humility that I ask the administrators of the university to be more lenient with their late withdrawal policy.
Mataiasi Seduadua
Nasinu
Ambulance accident
IT is surprising to note that an ambulance was involved in an accident while carrying a sick boy from Dreketi Health Centre to Labasa Hospital.
It all happened on May 5, at 4.05pm.
The ambulance was carrying a 12-year-old sick boy from Dreketi to Labasa.
Just as it reached the main Seaqaqa highway, the ambulance made two rounds before going in the ditch on the right side of the road.
The boy who was sitting at the back was thrown to the front but his father managed to grab him stopped him from hitting the windscreen.
In the process the father, a schoolteacher, got injured.
The story never ends as the little boy went into comma after vomiting blood and bloody diarrohea about 11pm same night. He has not recovered.
The nurse escaped injury along with the driver of the ambulance.
I hope that justice is done with the family of little boy and action taken against this driver for driving in a dangerous way.
Ashok Kumar
Labasa
Positive or negative
LateLY I have been thinking about the media.
Should they give more space and attention to positive or negative news?
Should they highlight the few spreading hate or focus on news of unity and co-operation that build our nation? What you reckon Richard Brown ?
Wise Muavono
Lautoka
Old buses
IT’S really interesting to still see old wornout buses still operating on our roads, even after the freak incident at the Suva bus stand lately.
It makes us all think that why is LTA still allowing these buses to operate?
Is it that more innocent lives have to be sacrificed to ensure that these buses are removed from our roads.
As they all say, money makes the world move.
It looks like it’s making these buses move on our roads too.
Kushal Kartik Sharma
Velau Dr
Kinoya
Damascus prophesy
WATCHING and reading about the war going on in Syria, one sees the mass destruction of human lives, buildings, and landscapes.
Will this war bring about the destruction of Damascus, the capital of Syria as the prophet Isaiah foretold?
“Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.” Isaiah 17 : 1.
KORINA WAIBUTA
Suva
Other way around
ONE friend said after heeding the Water Authority of Fiji warning and storing water in every possible receptacle, they woke up on Friday morning and there was no electricity.
He hopes that in the near future FEA will give out warnings just like the WAF and warn us of a power cut and that we should store power.
Now won’t that be a miracle.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Mulomulo
Nadolo’s choice
JOHN McKee has made some important appointments and structure to his coaching team.
However, I question his request to have Nemani Nadolo for the WC qualifier against Cook Islands when it clashes with Super 14 duties.
We all respect to his vision, Nemani Nadolo has been given a lifeline in Super 14 and is doing everything to establish himself and put Fiji on the map at this level.
Let’s hope the FRU does not pressure him to make a choice between team or country.
Let’s be frank, we have depth within our squad to fill his vacant No.13 with Watisoni Votu, Vereniki Goneva, Metusela Talebula, Seremaia Borotu and Asieli Tikomairotuma all capable contenders for this jersey against Cook Islands.
Nemani Nadolo will benefit more from finishing out his first Super 14 season with the Crusaders and be a better complete player for Fiji for the future.
Congratulations on the return of Nemia Soqeta and Domoniko Waqaniborotu to our back row. They bring mobility, aggression and power to our forwards and give Fiji penetrative play.
Well done Simon Raiwalui for monitoring our French brigade and selecting the best.
HENRY ROBINSON
Australia
Attitude of bus drivers
I WOULD like to ask LTA in Tavua or Ba if they can be alert in checking buses that usually come from Rakiraki to Lautoka.
Also the drivers’ behaviour. Bus drivers behave like they are having a bus race.
There were two issues last two weeks where one of the passengers called the police and the driver called the LTA.
The same driver was talking on the phone for half an hour and some passengers got off the bus and caught another bus.
I bet if someone asks people from this area about this driver they will tell you.
MERESEINI TAUKAVE
Tavua
Baggage allowance
IF I am going aboard and carrying more than 23 kg with me, I end up paying extra.
I drive a taxi and even though I end up loading more than 100kg, I don’t demand extras from passengers.
I reckon a time will come when we will have to pay extras in regards to our weights while paying for plane seats.
It would be much appreciated if our baggage allowance is increased slightly.
SHAMAL CHAND
Kuku Bau Rd
Nausori
Suki research
PLEASE do some research fast Ministry of Health to see if the so called suki is good for health and makes one live longer.
Smokers may have an alternative to quit smoking cigarette butts and move to suki.
VINEEL NAND
Cautata
Overall winner
THE correspondence on this issue has been limited.
We wish to highlight several important aspects that have not been reported by the newspapers that we raised in our initial media release:
* The cost of team preparation: while single gender schools focus on using their vast resources on preparation of only one team, co-ed schools focus on two teams; the male and female categories.
Each category has its own special needs and sensitivities, something that single gender schools cannot appreciate.
* Unfairness: What of the unfairness to the 170 co-ed schools that have continued to pour resources into the two teams, often at a greater cost to the other operational and academic matters of the entire student population? There are only six single gender schools in Fiji.
* Overall winner: In our statement, we have always stated the male and female categories can and should remain.
Additionally, at the end of the games, an overall winner should be declared; this is in line with international standards and given that the games have moved towards international standards in most respects, declaring an overall winner is part of that international standard.
In the 2014 games, the overall winner would be Marist Brothers High School which demonstrates that anyone can be declared the overall winner including single gender schools.
* Suva Grammar has been advocating for the declaration of an overall winner for the past several years; it is common sense and due recognition of the efforts of majority of the secondary schools in Fiji.
Grammar school has advocated at pocket meetings, in committee meetings at the zone level, that unfortunately is controlled by teachers and supporters of single gender schools, hence has never been given the due diligence it requires for serious discussion and consideration.
Suva Grammar is the voice of majority of the co-ed schools throughout Fiji; the only thing that we want from this exercise.
* Acknowledgement that there are different needs of different genders, and that resources is an important factor to consider when preparing two teams from a single school.
* Consistency in following international standards in athletics competitions.
* Declaration of an overall winner beginning as soon as practicable.
* Justice and fairness to majority of the schools.
The SGS BOG awaits an invitation to raise this issue at the main Cokes organising committee meeting as soon as possible.
J GUCAKE
Chairman
SGS BOG
Bus pass please
I HAVE a young lady of 46 years from a village past Galoa helping me out every now and then.
She does this to make ends meet because her husband who was in the military suffered an injury when he was on one of his tours.
He is now a “house husband” and she has become the breadwinner.
This young lady is not only honest, she is a very hard worker and diligent as well.
She was in tears yesterday when she came to help me as usual and informed me that she is yet again given the brush off regarding the bus pass by the principal of the school her children attend.
Evidently, they missed out last year on the bus pass and now they are doing it again.
I can assure whoever can help her out here on this matter that not only does she come from a low income family, she also lives in a village without any electricity for God knows how long.
I have written many letters and begged for the authority (FEA) to help this village and now I am begging for that school to not traumatise this lady anymore and help her out and not victimise her.
I am writing this letter not for my two minutes of fame but hoping it will be considered a publication in order to gather some interest from the concerned authorities.
This I promise from the very bottom of my heart, so if you are reading this letter and can help this young lady please call me.
PEGGY THOMAS
Pacific Harbour
Deuba
