A giant among boys
THE front page photo in yesterday’s The Fiji Times was a cracker. “Towering tall timber” and Suva Grammar School star Jeneiro Paul Wakeham, who is part of the Fiji under-16 rugby team to compete in the Junior Rugby Championship at Gold Coast in Australia, is sure to make headlines. Jeneiro is among other stars that will fly Fiji’s flag in Australia but the drawback that Fiji will face will be scouts who would be in Gold Coast targeting our young prospects in a bid to lure them to play for overseas secondary schools and then don the All Blacks or Wallabies jumper. These young and budding rugby stars have a bright future and I am adamant that most of them will be aiming for an overseas rugby scholarship. Our boys presented their itatau to the President at Borron House and he had a timely message for the team. He reminded them to win their matches by giving their maximum effort. The President also stressed that the tour was an opportunity to expose our young players at the international level against the backdrop of an intense competition. Bulk of the players in the national under-16 and 18 teams have tasted top level competition during the Powerade Super Deans Rugby Championship and I believe that the matches against international quality opposition will be a learning curve for our next breed of ruggers. Indeed the under-16 and 18 teams have big shoes to fill and as our boys hit the final stage of preparation, I wish both the teams all the best and I hope that they will don the national jumper with pride and deliver to the best of their abilities. Toso Viti! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGHAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Grave complaint
MY name is Vilimone Naivalucava and I am a Year 8 student at The Learning Centre in Suva. Two months ago, we buried my five-year-old cousin in Lautoka after she died from cancer. We have been visiting her grave ever since, and placing dolls and other toys on her grave. To our dismay and anger, we find that the toys that we place on the grave have been removed the next time we come in to visit. I am so concerned at the level of respect we have for our loved ones who have died. Can they be allowed to rest in peace? Can we stop removing items from their graves? I love my Fiji and I miss my cousin so much that I am so angry at those who remove items from her grave. VILIMONE NAIVALUCAVA Kinoya, Nasinu
Voting time
I HAVE been voting ever since I reached that age where I could vote and I have never missed any. This year 2018, there is so much hullabaloo that I am of the opinion that it’s the worst time leading to the date. With social media it’s even worse. Now people can have a fake Facebook page and rant from there hiding behind their keyboard. In the past with no internet, people had opinions but were restricted to just their grog gang, tea club, men’s club and the like, and the rest of the world went peacefully by with their own activities. When voting day came we went to the polling station and voted, we didn’t hear any or too much propaganda. Voting for me was peaceful. Today it’s different. I have never seen so much odium shown by supporters of the various parties. Odium may be too strong a word but I’ll use it. As we journey into the future I hope things will be better, quieter and more peaceful. And I salute every citizen of Fiji and say cheers to a happy future. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Climate change
ARE we really a champion of climate change or are we champions of the contributor of pollution? I believe the amount of deforestation, land reclamation and the clearance of mangroves along the Kings highway between Rakiraki and Tavua is a sight not worth seeing but worth mentioning. I believe the developer mistakenly thought that COP23 means to be a contributor of pollution. Can someone correct him? PITA SOROAQALI Nadarivatu
The disadvantaged
I THINK it is the responsibility of the Social Welfare to take the homeless off the streets and provide them with decent shelter and food. I don’t think these poor souls deserve to starve and die on streets because of their haplessness, they have been abandoned by their families and caretakers. Right now a number of people are seen sleeping in Nadi Town which gives one the impression that they have no other choice. It also suggests that the authorities that are charged with the responsibility of taking care of these destitute individuals have no time for them. It is rather sad that the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is also not helping them. I tell you many of these deserted people urgently need food and shelter and need a shower and changing their clothes too. It is a bad scene which requires your urgent attention, please. Before negativity gains more attention, let’s feed and shelter these innocent human beings properly. SURESH CHAND Nadi
Street people
THE government continues to give money and grants almost every day but one can still see a lot of people who still sleep on the streets and parks around Lautoka. I am told that the operations loloma gang will be going around trying to help the poor and homeless but I can see very little done in Lautoka. While unions and some political parties are fighting for workers’ rights, it seems to me that nobody is actually doing anything regarding the homeless issue. Most of the so-called street people need your help please! NARAYAN REDDY, Lautoka
Sunday program
I AGREE 100 per cent with the views expressed by Gulsher Ali of Lautoka and Emosi Balei of Suva (FT25/09). I also watched the program on Sunday night and I believe in this particular interview these presenters had some hidden agenda. I have seen their program before and found them doing well, but all the credit got lost because of their poor performance in their last episode. Both of them were equally bad and appeared to be amateurs. Here I give a lot of credit to Prof Biman Prasad who as a matured and experienced leader kept his cool and at times guided them on how to conduct an interview. It also appeared to me that he was trying to conduct a lesson in a classroom and doing his best to train his students. VIJAY MAHARAJ, Navua
Television show
I BELIEVE that the circus-like talkback show last Sunday night on TV reflects negatively and lacked professionalism throughout the entire program. The guest came out with flying colours and had neutralised the attacks, but was not given enough opportunities to elaborate further on the many interesting issues that were on the table. SATISH NAKCHED Suva
For the record
LAST Sunday’s episode (of FBC TV interview program “4 the Record” featuring National Federation Party leader Dr Biman Prasad) is a record. I believe it should be used in: ? journalism schools on how not to do live interviews and how not to behave as TV hosts; ? communication classes on why one should listen to answers to one’s questions; ? etiquette schools on how not to be impolite and downright rude to one’s guests ? diplomacy classes on how to answer rude journalists; ? time management classes on how not to interrupt an answer to one’s questions because one is running out of time; ? co-host classes on how one should refrain from stopping a co-host when his questions are being well answered; ? drama classes on how a guest can pretend so well not to be offended by young, pretentious, incoherent and offensive TV hosts; and, ? Fijian culture classes on how not to behave as Fijian hosts towards interviewees. By the way, well done Professor Prasad. May I suggest just one thing? The next time such TV hosts interrupt you, why don’t you calmly say: “You can always interview yourself or your co-host!” KINIVILIAME KETECA Nausori
Pressed for time
I REFER to last Sunday’s episode of FBC TV’s ‘4 the Record’. I would say the host and co-host were pathetic and had mannerless attitude. They were obviously unethical. The lady host had to interject often saying that “Dr Biman Prasad we are pressed for time”. Come on man. If they knew they had no time, they should have at least given Professor Prasad questions in advance prior to the interview. They were not concerned about the welfare of the people. Instead they chose to attack Professor Prasad and NFP through egotism. I salute Prof Biman Prasad who maintained his cool and was never angered with the interjections. Is that what we call fair journalism? With that I must say that change is definitely coming. BILL KUNAVATU Lautoka
Poll hopefuls
Can the aspiring 2018 General Election hopefuls kindly furnish their academic credentials and achievements to the public? This I believe would enable the voters to mull over and tick wisely. Or are they too “pressed for time” to fulfil this request? Seji, don’t laugh! Nishant Singh Lautoka
Obtuse duo
Obtuse definition, not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect, not sensitive or observant, dull. My second observation but for the two on the other side of the table. My two seconds worth, if you don’t know the game, don’t make the rules! You look oh so stu … obtuse. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
TV hosts
The ambience, ethos, ethics and professional etiquette exhibited by TV hosts on ‘4 the Record’ program on Sunday revealed a lot. The Professor prevailed. That’s what happens when dilettantes take on professionals. Ravind Chandra Naidu Tua Tua Branch Rd, Labasa
New show
Bula! Welcome to the “pressed for time” show. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
Ideal candidates
A friend is looking for two vegetable sellers in Suva market. Ideal for candidates who think they are journalists but infact they are just a shame to journalism. If you know any two please let me know. Please no candidates from Allen’s kava parlour. They way too qualified and sensible than some journalists. Moses Mani Auckland, New Zealand
Woods victory
It was an emotional victory for former world number one Tiger Woods who claimed his first title in five years. I was quite pleased with the performance of the 42-year-old who showed why he was once the best in the world. I am eagerly waiting now for the ‘ Ryder Cup’ in France and hope that the best come out victors. Raynav Chand Nakasi
Vote result
With 630,000-plus voters, I believe we should have the results by midnight of the voting day. Dan Urai Lautoka
Many issues
There are many issues we can discuss, dissect and solve through our contributions to this esteemed forum. I would give my two cents worth but, ‘I’m pressed for time’. Samuela Savu Farm Rd, Nakasi
