She can be a model
After looking at Lynda Tabuya’s pictures in The Fiji Times I think she can become a world famous fashion model. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Make me believe
Make me believe With assurance definitive Removing thoughts negative Changing my perspective To become positive And lively and creative Being caring and supportive Taking actions decisive Doing things productive With great initiative To bring results so massive BHAGWANJI BHINDI Nasinu
Pointing fingers
There is a lot of finger-pointing in public at SODELPA’s leadership. Who are the finger-pointers foremost? The leaders themselves. As earlier thought, they will realise in 2022 whether it’s the party’s brand or their end. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Poverty report
It appears Rajend Naidu and Vijay Madhavan think poverty in Fiji can be reduced by proving their individual theories right through exchange of letters in this column. I hope it was that easy. Bharat Morris Rifle Range, Vatuwaqa, Suva
Get the jab
On Tuesday morning my partner and I received our first vaccination in Suva. As we both have family in other countries who are anxiously waiting to be inoculated, we would like to express our gratitude in being able to receive this. We urge everyone to ignore the misinformation they are reading on social media and take responsibility for their health and that of their families, friends and work colleagues. I must add that the MOH staff on duty were wonderful. Thank you Ministry of Health and the countries that have donated the vaccine Val Salama Colo-i-Suva
Policing in America
When two police officers in America can pepper-spray a black US army lieutenant in uniform for a purported traffic violation, what chance do ordinary citizens have with the police in that country? No wonder they are so frightened of their police. It’s a shame that should be the case in the world leader of democracy. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Disturbing question
When the Minister for Education, the Rosy Akbar asks (FT 13/4) ‘What are we teaching our children?’, I thought, if the Minister didn’t know then who would? I went to the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts website to see what was outlined there but it was down. Then I realised that I, at least, could partially answer the minister’s question as I am frequently in-touch with students of all levels. In kindergarten, there isn’t a curriculum per se; just a ‘guideline’ where emphasis is on learning through ‘play’. In I.T. at primary school, children are learning about floppy disks. Their use began to decline in the mid to late-90s. For Year 11 English, the prescribed text is ‘Things Fall Apart’ and one short story theme is ‘conflict’. Is there not irony here? Teachers cannot guarantee a text is even being read unless it is read aloud in class and I’m referring to texts which have been on the curriculum for two decades, if not longer. That’s just a little something of what our children are being taught. I believe it is paramount for the minister to be aware of what is or rather what isn’t happening in schools today. There appears to be, too often, more questions than answers from this ministry. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
Environmental issues
An anti-littering approach should be more about proper binning of any litter, we would otherwise carelessly discard in our local environment and immediate surroundings. If we as individuals all do this, then there won’t be any litter carelessly thrown away by others, for us to pick up and bin. Similarly, an anti-pollution approach should be more about individually preventing the pollution of our local environment and immediate surroundings. If we as individuals also do this at our own micro-level, then there would be no pollution to worry about at the macro-level (global environment). In other words, taking proactive and preventative anti-littering and antipollution actions locally in our own communities, will pay dividends for – and benefit – all communities globally. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Secular issue
THE Oxford dictionary defines “secular” as “chiefly a negative term meaning non religious or non sacred”. If young Mr Koya (16
April) really thinks it is appropriate to describe Hinduism, one of the world’s greatest religions, as secular then, with respect, he had better go back to school. MICHAEL SCOTT Morris St, Lautoka
Serevi’s view
Mr A: “It’s interesting what Serevi recently said,” he said, pointing to Page 82 of The Fiji Times of Saturday, April 17. Mr B: “E cava e tukuna o koya, tavale?” he asked as he leaned forward to see the page. Mr A: “You know, Fiji is one of the best in the world in the game of sevens rugby, if not the best, but we always struggle like a B-grade team in 15s rugby, even against the second – tier teams.” “Serevi said that one question he is always asked overseas, is just that my brother – why our Fiji 15s teams are not always as successful as our Fiji 7s teams. “His answer is that because in sevens, we often stay together and play together, whereas in 15s, we often struggle as a bigger group to find time together, especially before an international match.” Mr B: “Dina saraga o koya tavale, he knows because he lived it and breathed it every day. “Io Tavale e dua ga na ka?” Mr A: “Io, e cava ya?” he asked hesitantly knowing that there would be some words of wisdom coming from his buddy. Mr B: “Au kila ni invent taki na scrum, na maul, kei na yellow card for head tackle, e na 15s, me tarovi kina Fiji’s running rugby from beating all the other countries. “Otherwise, o Viti e na jabeni, ina sevens kei na 15s talega, se cava tavale?” Mr C: “Bhaiya what does he mean?” as he queried his other friend from behind the shop counter. Mr A: “He said that they had invented the mauls and scrums and the yellow card for infringements – like the above the shoulder tackles – so as to stop Fiji from beating all the other countries in the 15s game, like we do in 7s rugby. They do not want us to be the world champ in both codes,” he added. Mr C: “Wow bhaiya! Only our brother here can come up with some excuse like that, what say?” “His got the excuse for everything, including his long-time dinau here,” he lamented laughingly. That last statement certainly put a damper to that interesting discussion on our rugby prowess, at least from one of their friend’s point of view. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Top posts
Three top position vacancies were advertised in the early days of this year. At which stage has the process reached? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Economic growth
WHENEVER we hear of nine years of continuous growth in our Parliament from our ministers or even the backbenchers, we see others on the government side clapping and cheering. It happened so many times in the past two years that it’s getting monotonous and boring now. I am not an economist but as an ordinary citizen and observer, I wish to ask the following: 1) If there was a real ‘boom’ in the past nine years with continuous growth then why instead of decreasing our foreign debt it has increased to a much higher level? 2) If there was a real growth then why the following have gone from bad to worse?: (a) Our road conditions throughout the country. (b) Our water and electricity system. (c) Conditions of our hospitals etc. 3) A few years ago we had a number of basic food items VAT-free for poor consumers, but now everyone pays 9 per cent on all basic items. 4) The social allowance to the seniors and disadvantaged including the bus fare vouchers have been reduced. I firmly believe that with the real continuous growth as claimed and the foreign aid in the form of cash and kind from the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, USA, China, India, Taiwan, Korea etc., our conditions should have been much better if only well planned and managed. VIJAY MAHARAJ Sydney, Australia
