Letters to the Editor - timesnews@fijitimes.com.fj
Help us rebuild
THE impact of natural disasters has resulted in many houses and possessions damaged, source of livelihood destroyed while some businesses have laid off employees and opted to cease operations.
Financial loss is one of the reasons businesses have decided to close down.
Government has waived duty and tax, municipalities have also reduced their levies while TLTB affirms its intent to cease lease payments to allow farmers to rebuild their livelihood.
While the flood has badly affected those that live mainly in the rural areas, suffering citizens living in urban society can also be assisted by lessening their water and electricity bills. Small businesses such as boutiques, restaurants, internet and coffee shops, grocery shops can also have their bond deposit system and electricity rate cut to help them get back to their feet.
I plead with the relevant stakeholders during this time of hardship to have mercy as we are rebuilding our foundation.
AREKI DAWAI
Nadi
Tree of life
APENISA Naigulevu (FT 24/4) must be one of a kind in Fiji. He believes in anything that discredits the God of the Bible yet his faith is deeply rooted in a "tree" that existed in the "Garden of Eden" referred to in the Bible as the "Tree of Life" (Gen 3:22).
It is rather strange for a man of his disposition to put his life and faith in a tree rather than believe in the creator of the tree who put it there for a future purpose (Rev. 22:1-9).
As for the existence of Jesus and the town of Nazareth, all evidence from secular history and the ongoing archeological discoveries can only be denied by the enemies of the Bible. Furthermore, the world's five prominent religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam have in some manner described Jesus Christ with much respect in their holy books. More than half of the world's population subscribe to these different faiths which in itself is proof beyond any doubt that Jesus Christ existed in person some 2000 years ago.
And contrary to Naiqulevu's statement that Philo Judaeus, a leading figure in the Jewish community did not write anything on Jesus, the opposite is the truth as recorded in chapter 27:146 (b) in Greek and translated in other main languages.
LAWRENCE H NARAYAN
Suva
Hit-and-run driver
I WRITE to express the way State vehicles are driven, especially in the west, to distribute supplies to respective centres to cater for flood-affected families.
I write in particular to an accident that happened last Sunday (22/04/12), involving a government vehicle.
This accident occurred at Saweni, just past the tyre repair centre (on the left from Nadi to Lautoka). This vehicle was a 10-wheeler truck, and there were a couple of other government vehicles in front of it, which overtook a line of cars going to Lautoka.
The road from the tyre repair centre has a double line. Double line means drivers cannot overtake from either side of the road.
This driver thought he could do whatever he wanted to do on the road. While his truck was the last of the vehicles overtaking, a Toyota Corona vehicle, all of a sudden the driver realised there was a bend in front, he then simply bumped the car on his left to come to the left. This caused the car to veer off the road and straight into the shrubs, narrowly avoiding a mango tree.
For that driver's information, there were two babies in the car, luckily nothing major happened, lives were not lost, but the car of course was damaged.
This driver, after causing the accident, did not even stop. He just continued to drive as if nothing happened. I am told he was later caught in Ba.
The government of the day is trying to get this country back to normality but then we have these kind of people on the other side who will spoil all government's good intentions and efforts. I just wonder how this person got his driver's licence.
I hope justice prevails, the driver feels the full brunt of the law and the damage to the Toyota Corona are paid for.
ELVIN CHAND
Nadi
Lightning claims
IN a letter, titled "Nature's fury", Amrit Narayan Singh states that 1/8 of the population of Scotland are struck by lightning each year.
There are five million people living in Scotland and so, according to the letter, 625,000 of us are being struck down by lightning.
If that were indeed the case, Scotland would be a very dangerous place in which to live.
In fact only two to five people are struck annually in Scotland and not all of them are killed.
Where Mr Singh is correct, is in giving the good advice that people should take sensible precautions and stay out of lightning's way.
MARTYN GORMAN
Newburgh
Scotland
Single mother
I AM quite sure Shamima Ali, FWCC co-ordinator, is not blaming the man who impregnated that disabled single mother who drowned her baby by accident but instead is trying to make a very good point that men should be equally responsible for their actions.
Some selfish men, for their pleasure, use women and when they get pregnant they just ignore them completely and just vanish from their lives.
One cannot clap with one hand and women should not suffer alone.
In this case where the disabled woman accidentally drowned the baby, it could have been avoided if the child's father was providing some sort of assistance specially taking into consideration she was disabled.
These kind of men should be tracked down and be made an example of.
Everyone knows about this woman who is undergoing this horrible ordeal all by herself but has anyone wondered about the child's father. Maybe he is sitting in some corner and reading these articles and laughing away.
Thank you Shamima Ali for highlighting this fact. It's very important that some self-centred, selfish men realise that life is not always about touch and go.
I hope the authorities take this very seriously and track down the child's father along with other men on the same line and teach them a good lesson they will always remember.
Let's make things equal for both genders.
KIRTI PATEL
Lautoka
Blind faith
PETER Rae tells us not to have blind faith and to erase our belief in Jesus because there is no credible evidence of His existence (FT 26/4).
He also disregards the New Testament to be unreliable but it seems that he has no quarrels with the Old Testament.
The Hebrew Scriptures reveal that the Messiah or Christ would be born in Bethlehem, through a virgin. He would be anointed the Messiah on a specific year and would die on behalf of humanity as symbolised by the sacrificial offerings in the sanctuary service. He will rise up again from the grave.
There is a spot in Bethlehem that is marked as the birthplace of Jesus and there is an empty tomb to remember where he was buried.
The Jews do not believe that He was the Messiah but the fact that they have a memorial for his birthplace and grave tells us that He was a true historical figure who walked on this earth.
The Jews and even the Muslims believe Jesus to be a historical figure, so if Christians who believe in Him are dubbed as having blind faith then so be it.
All we know is that He lives and that we continually fellowship together.
SAVENACA VAKA
Nasinu
Cats and noodles
WHILE watching TV, it dawned on me that some people apparently don't know how cats behave.
A cat that has just eaten noodles wouldn't be yawning รน she would be washing her face.
But would she have eaten noodles that are probably loaded with chilli, anyway?
PETER RODDA
Lami
Casino risk
WHEN I say Fiji is not ready for casino, I really meant it.
Do you know how many families will be devastated? With the little income a person earns, will all be spent in the casino?
Then what will the other family members eat? It's not a question of me being 21 or not, it's a question of doing what's right.
We can't risk ruining the lives of families for a few million dollars. Fiji needs more time before thinking of opening a casino.
ASHNEEL PRASAD
Auckland
Rushing drivers
IT beats me, why are minibus drivers always rushing to their desired destinations?
Rather than harassing innocent drivers for minor defects, the LTA should switch their focus on these speed racers for a change.
NISHANT SINGH
Lautoka
Actors in Fiji
I'VE been reliably told that foreign actors in Fiji bring more than the eye can see.
For one, their presence in Fiji shows that it is safe to travel here and they also bring employment to the movie industry.
This could be a stepping stone to the future setting up of a movie studio in Fiji which will include local actors.
Thank you to my friend who spoke to me about movie actors being present in Fiji. I've changed my mind.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Lautoka
Lightning deaths
THE death toll by lightening in four months is six (FT 25/04).
We have another eight months remaining and I am sure many of us are not taking lightning seriously because it was not a major concern before.
With six lives lost in four months, can we prevent this increasing?
RAJNESH NARAYAN
Lautoka
Customs charge
I CAME back on April 28 from the US and had a 1.75 litre bottle of Scoresby (very rare) blended Scotch Whisky and a bottle of 1.75l Gordons Gin.
It cost me $US30 ($F53). The Custom officers charged me $F75. I'd like to know from the Customs department if that is the right amount.
If there is a refund, please email me at sukhasingh33@yahoo.com.
SUKHA SINGH
Labasa
Winning culture
HOW do the girls from Sawani manage to win it year after year?
Proper physical and mental preparation, and being reminded about expectations for excellence in whatever field one is chosen to represent the school have been key to their success over the years.
And one can not help saying amen to the team manager's comments after the game. Modesty, that's the brand we have come to admire about this institute.
SAMU RAILOA
Nadi
Protest wins
IT is to my total dismay to read in the Sunday Times (ST 29/4) under the heading, "Was it really won", in regards to the Kaunikuila lads winning the 4x400m relay event and setting a new games record.
Upon reading the article, one can clearly ascertain that the reporter has total disregard towards the games officials' final judgement.
Winning events or gold medals for one's school, or more so for our beloved country Fiji, is sweeter when it is an outright win on the sports field and not by protest as preferred by some when lodging protests in whatever sporting event.
Let's win outright on the field and not by lodging protests. Doing the latter is promoting a protest winning culture.
JOSEPH CHONG
Nadroga
Child abuse
I REFER to Saleshni Vikash's letter (FT 23/4/12) on how she witnessed a kid being ill-treated, physically abused and left to fend for himself.
The child, according to Saleshni, was approximately three years old and the perpetrator, a retired school teacher. I only wish to ask Saleshni what did she do when she was saw all that was done to the three-year-old.
It seems Saleshni knows those that she wrote about and was a key witness to the ordeal. Saleshni instead of only pleading with authorities through this medium, we need to act also. What have you done since the day of the incident? I dare you; if you are so concerned to report the incident to the police and the Social Welfare Department.
Once you have done this you will feel better that you have witnessed an incident and had the courage to address this with the proper authorities.
PRAMESH SHARMA
Suva
Good coaching
I WAS not surprised when ACS was announced as the overall girl's winner in the 2012 Coke games.
As a parent, I never lost hope knowing that Mrs Tuicakau was there to steer the team through the turbulent waters of the competition.
With her influence, the girls had faith right throughout and were focused even when challenged by other schools. Coupled with her guidance was the tradition of excellence that was always stressed as the benchmark to be achieved at school and for this, acknowledgement as well must go to the principal, Mrs Nawalowalo, and the rest of her team.
To all the teachers at ACS, thank you so much for ensuring that this spirit of excellence is also achieved in the field of sports. You have moulded our daughters in ACS to always strive for the best and for this we definitely owe you a lot.
True to your school motto, all your students will definitely leave the world better than they found it.
May the spirit of Waimanu kui continue to grow.
JOELI NALECA
Suva