Flying start
AS expected, Veiuto Primary School walked away with top spoils from the Suva Zone 2 athletics competition despite stiff competition from the likes of St Agnes Primary School and Navesi Primary School. The Sunday Times reported that competition in the Suva Zone 2 athletics meet was tough and exciting times are ahead for athletics. Many of these budding athletes would be targets for secondary schools for next year’s Coke Light Games and for Athletics Fiji for future Pacific Games. According to meet manager Pauliasi Koroi, the level of competition was intense. Koroi also paid tribute to the parents whom he benchmarked as the backbone of the schools competition. The Suva Zone 1 and 2 and athletics zones around Fiji must be commended for grooming athletes who have gone to fly Fiji’s flag. While I congratulate Veiuto for winning the overall and girls and boys titles, I thank the athletes, officials, sponsors and parents for making Suva Zone 2 a success! Cheers! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Chinese Moon Festival
CHINESE Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is held on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival that focuses on the spirit of gratitude. So the ancient story goes, the beautiful Chang’e drank an elixir of immortality and flew to the moon, while the archer Hou Yi later became the God of the Sun. The forlorn couple and reunited once a month when the full moon burns brightly from the force of their love. Today, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season, while giving thanks for the gifts of family unity and togetherness. The mooncake, however, isn’t just for couples. It is the traditional food consumed during the Moon Festival. The Chinese eat the mooncake at night with the full moon in the sky. A family bonding and rejoices time of harvest and sharing of festival feast. It’s one of the most important traditional events for the Chinese. It is honoured in the same way that Westerners observe Christmas or Americans specifically observe Thanksgiving. It is also called “the moon festival” as it is celebrated when the moon is believed to be the biggest and fullest. Wishing all our Chinese’s friends and family all the best on this festival that will be celebrated on September 24. NEELZ SINGH Lami
Official titles
I THINK it is most improper and disrespectful to refer to a person in a public announcement or article by their surname only, especially when such a person has an official title formally bestowed upon them by virtue of the state or public position they hold. It would be proper for the person’s official title to precede the surname when the person is referred to for the first time and that only the official title is used thereafter. Announcing a person’s surname only, without the courtesy of being preceded by the title of Mr or Mrs is also most improper. Proper protocol and courtesy should be adhered to at all times.. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Pacific Harbour, Deuba
Brown parcels
FOR some time now, our media is reporting about the “Brown Parcels”. These parcels, as we now know, contain dangerous drugs and I believe is deliberately floated to our shores. I think the suppliers behind the production of these illicit drugs did a thorough research of the destination before floating them to our shores. If the passage was difficult for them to pass through, they would not take the risk. However, the parcels are here suggesting that they found the gap and are using it to their advantage. Every necessary step needs to be taken to identify the weakness and rectify the situation as soon as possible. Another thought that comes to my mind is the fact that if there is no return, no one will take such a huge risk. Our enforcement agents cannot take such border security threats lightly. Until we close the gap, pirates will keep using it to their advantage. What we should do is move fast and shut the gap before more damage is done. Please ensure to keep the hooligans at bay. Secure our borders and let no intruder in. SURESH CHAND Nadi
Reckless driving
IT is very emotional to see individuals in societies losing their lives in shocking accidents. Reckless driving is a major problem these days, where drivers drive while under the influence, or through speeding and by not following the driving rules and regulations through which many lives are put at risk. Drivers not following road rules is one of the main reasons accidents happen in the first place. I believe they have this mentality that you only become a driver when you’re speeding. To save these mishaps from happening, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the police should make rules that are more effective and come up with heavy penalties, also they should have more checkpoints and mobile police services. Lastly, they should raise more awareness among people in communities on driving rules and penalties. And, it is a responsibility for us as citizens and keep each other save. ZIYA ZEEBA DEAN, Nadi.
Special award for team Times
THE lift-out in Saturday’s The Fiji Times speaks volumes of the effort put in by the team at our number one newspaper to ensure that readers get a copy of their favourite newspaper daily. Editor Fred Wesley paid tribute to the many hands and brains including the journalists, photo-journalists, sub-editors, proofreaders and heads of departments involved in the publication of this great newspaper. Despite the challenges faced, the staff members, guided by the editorial team, has held the fort well and for Fred Wesley to be selected as the Media Executive of the Year is an epitome of the fact that hard work is rewarded. I quote Hank Arts, “Fred’s award is a testament to his conscientious, calm and consistent leadership of our newspaper. It is also a reminder that the world watches what is happening in Fiji and that, just as our newspaper is judged by international standards, so is the way our independent news media are treated.” These lines sum up the reasons for the success of The Fiji Times. As I conclude, I acknowledge the team at The Fiji Times for upholding the standards and ethics of journalism and for joining hands to brandish the obstacles faced. The lift-out also highlighted the industrious achievements of Fred Wesley and published letters in support of the newspaper. It was a privilege to have mine in the list and I accord The Fiji Times for the honour. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Free status in Fiji
THERE are many things attaining free status in Fiji. Does anyone know who is the multi-billionaire providing the funds? To the best of my knowledge, anything which has a cost cannot be free. There is someone paying for it. Will free labels be found on essential food items in the near future? It is a basic human need and grocery prices have sky-rocketed in the past decade. Based on observations, this trend will continue. Indeed, there will be an explosion of roadside barbecue stalls if a particular party comes into power. The price of lamb chops will be reduced as suggested by its leader. Let’s enjoy the free ride while complaining about high cost of living. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Rewa soccer
I HAVE been a Delta Tigers fan since I know football, but now I feel the team is shattered. Firstly, their coach Marika Rodu left the team, replaced by the inexperienced Lorima Dau. Their youngsters Moh’d Naizal, Seta Baleidrokadroka and Sairusi Naulabu left Rewa in the latest transfer window and they also finished just one place above the relegation zone with poor league outing. All of the above has left me confused about the performance of the team in the coming tournaments and league. Looking on the positive side, Rewa has a very good youth setup which produces future stars year in, year out. Nonetheless, all the best to the Rewa side for the Courts IDC and the coming season. RAYNAV CHAND Nakasi
Fiji Thirst
FACEBOOK tells me that one Allen Lockington will soon be registering a new party, Fiji Thirst, for the coming general elections. Hopefully the name doesn’t suggest what is to come for the taxpayers of this country if his party wins. NEIL BILINGS California
Slavery claim
IS Grace Road really clean as they portray themselves to be. A worker has claimed slavery in paradise (FT 22/9). Their leader was arrested in Korea. What more is needed to justify an independent inquiry. DAN URAI Lautoka
Charity chest
TO the Sugar Festival administrators and its president. It’s public funds Mr Raj. The public need to be told of the exact amount of funds collected. Make known how much, by who and exactly how. Unless there is something to hide. Is there? MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Truth and lies
THE front cover and the first two pages of Saturday’s The Fiji Times (22/09) reports on the slavery claims made by two former members of Grace Road Church. It also mentioned that such claims made by the duo were not true according to Grace Road Church. This begs a very serious question to ask. I wonder who is telling the truth here? Only time will tell as the public will definitely despise false and misleading information. SPENCER ROBINSON Suva
Plastic ban
SCRIBE, Pintu, Noji, Wise-man, I think the plastic bag thing is working, well, at the Owls Perch anyway. I couldn’t for the life of me find a single plastic bag anywhere to put my shoes in while packing for a trip, so I resorted to wrapping it in a sheet of paper. NIGEL FIU Owls Perch, Lautoka
Poll line-up
NO party has any pharmacist or engineer or surveyor in their line-up. I believe Fiji universities are failing. Biggest budget slice goes to health, road and land. Yet no specialists in our next Parliament. JOE SMITH Pacific Harbour, Deuba
Election date
THE Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been quoted (FT 21/9) saying that the coming election would be held before November 22. “That’s the current plan,” he said. “It’s easy to work out when the election will be, it will be before the 22nd of November.” Osobo, be precise please. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
