Struggling to make ends meet
The picture of Suraj Narayan in The Fiji Times (17/5) walking around to sell vegetables to meet his struggling needs is a clear message for all of us on how difficult it is to survive in this uncertain pandemic world, leading towards poverty. The poor continue to be hit hard due to job loss, fuel price increase, COVID-19, war leading to indefinite cost of living crisis. It’s high time we stop blaming those in authority who are also struggling to address those urgent concerns. Let’s put our differences aside through dialogue and talanoa sessions with a strong united front to fight out all those issues to build a better Fiji for all Fijians to stay peacefully. Don’t look at what they say but look at what they do. Actions speak louder than words. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Women voters – Letter of the Month March
“DROP in turnout a concern” reads the headline on page 7 of The Fiji Times of March 8, in the middle of International Women’s week. So, Mr Saneem, 8 per cent fewer voters than four years ago. Surprise, surprise! Your handling of one issue has led to the very effective discouragement of women voters. To expect married women to change the names on the document that has proved their status as natural human beings from birth to their name on marriage, simply in order to vote, is ridiculous. Many will not register to vote using their maiden name. This would show disrespect for their husbands. For us widows, we do not wish to abandon the name that we hold dear, nor to disrespect the one who has gone before us. I am sadly aware of a number of women who have decided not to register to vote. You started this! TESSA MACKENZIE Suva
Ready to rumble
Amid all the price hikes and daily struggles for survival, a ray of hope shone with the great news that both our men’s and women’s sevens teams are already adjusting themselves to the atmosphere in Toulouse, France. Fiji Airways men’s 7s team and the Fijiana 7s team are ready for some tough action this coming weekend. While our boys will play without the two-time Olympic gold medallist Jerry Tuwai, there is an equal amount of excitement and hype about Reapi Uluinasau joining the Fijiana squad, ready to make her debut in the HSBC WRSS in Toulouse this weekend. Fijiana 7s are in Pool A with Australia, USA and South Africa. Rugby pundits will call it the ‘pool of death’. Australia is currently leading the HSBC WRSS Women’s points table with 80 points, winning both Dubai legs, Seville and Langford while finishing in the third place in Malaga. The USA team is ranked third after winning the Malaga 7s and South Africa on the fourth place. The Fijiana played the Cup finals in Dubai, losing to the Aussies. Our girls are yet to secure a win this season. Hopefully, France is a lucky charm for them. Wishing both our sevens teams all the very best in all their games this weekend. Toso Viti toso! DINESH KUMAR Ba
Tired incumbent
The incumbent looks tired and weary, maybe he should just retire early. He has certainly played a big part, in getting the organisation to where it’s now at. There are some on the periphery, who are looking very closely and also aspire, to apply if he retires. But, that may be still a long time away, because he is yet to call it a day. That may not be really up to him, as it’s the prerogative of the management. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Mocenacagi is back!
Congratulations to our rock-solid and towering forward, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, for making his comeback to the national 7s team! I could not hide my delight when I saw our hero pictured on the front page of The Fiji Times (19/05). Sevu was part of Gareth Baber’s team that ruled the 2017/18 and 2018/19 HSBC WRSS circuits, winning five tournaments on each circuit. It’s a pity he missed the Tokyo Olympic Games, but he can make amends by making the 7s team for the RWC 7s and Commonwealth Games 7s. While Sevu has made headlines for the right reasons, his discipline on the field had been the talking point. It is no hiding fact that he had been at the receiving hands of a red and yellow card. However, our hero’s outrageous off-load pass to Jerry Tuwai against Australia at the 2020 Los Angeles 7s got a lot of people talking and describing it as the best pass ever seen in the game of 7s. HSBC WRSS commentators Sean Maloney, Karl Te Nana and Rob Vickerman labelled it as madness and incredible. Vickerman said that for him it was the best off-load he had seen while Maloney said that he would love to see more of those passes. The former Yamacia flyer was suspended, but like every other individual, he deserves a second bite at the cherry. I thank national 7s coach Ben Gollings and FRU for re-considering Sevu Mocenacagi! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Party candidates
Lots of hopefuls are lining up to become elected representatives and servants of the people. Good sign and I applaud your efforts. However, if people are genuine in their desire to serve, the thing I struggle with is, why tear another candidate or party down to make yourself look good when all you’re really doing is showing how incompetent, self-centred and immature you are. People are sick and tired of all the bulldust. They want answers for the country’s battered economy, the pathetic state of Fiji’s roads, the huge gap between the rich and poor, the never
ending power and water outages and a list of other problems a mile long? So here’s my take on it. Separating the wheat from the chaff and the sheep from the goats is as easy as keeping your ears and eyes open to the ones who continually criticise without offering concrete solutions. And if they’re hellbent on tearing down anyone and everything standing in their way, what good will they really do for the the country? “You cannot help small men by tearing down big men!” Abraham Lincoln COLIN DEOKI Australia
Real slack!
It was 3.14pm Thursday, May 19, 2022, and we were again subjected to the fourth power outage in less than 24 hours. Real slack EFL. Something is just not right. With all these un-announced power outages, I believe EFL will not accept any responsibility and/or liability for damages to our electrical appliances. So much for this monopoly. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Damaged fridge
This is a question directed to Hasmukh Patel of EFL. Why has there been so many power cuts? Our fridge is now damaged. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Power cuts
EFL ayehse nahi karo yaar. (Don’t do like this…) Navneet Ram Lautoka
Straight answers
After all the song and dance, Rabuka tells us that he went for a private medical trip to India, which was sponsored by ‘private citizens’. I wish we all could have our medical trips sponsored by private citizens, but we all are not that special. I still do not believe his story. I believe he did a “runner” as Aussies would say. He ran away on 14 May. After all the prayers, the fasting and the apologies I believe he still cannot provide straight answers after all these years. And the people of Fiji want him to lead the country. That says a lot about the people of Fiji, in my opinion. And then they ask why the country is where it is? I believe any country is a direct reflection of the people who live in it. I am sure all the grog dopeys will agree. Jan Nissar NSW, Australia
Common name
Interesting comment made by the Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar that it took 97 years for the descendants of the girmitya to finally become Fijians and gain a common name. (FT 16/05). I want to remind Ms Akbar that having a common name does not change the origin of a person in terms of race and ethnicity. The name can always change, but our origin will remain for it is ingrained in our DNA and so indeed we should always be proud of who we as a people of a particular ethnicity. For example, I am a Fijian of iTaukei origin and may now be call a Fijian for I am a citizen of Fiji. If I decide to migrate to Australia and become a citizen the name will change, I will be called an Australian, however, the fact that I am of iTaukei origin, that will and cannot change. Let us not make a lot of fuss around the issue of common name, for the fact of the matter will always remain and that the name can always change. Nevertheless, we should be proud of our origins and appreciate our differences in terms of ethnicity and work together for the betterment of our community. Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Faulty streetlights
After numerous complaints to the relevant authority regarding the faulty streetlight on Cannery St roundabout, it’s still yet to be fixed. Maybe the safety of the public especially children is not paramount hence they taking a lifetime to fix it. Or is there another reason? FRA paisa hai? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Minister’s advice
I’ll try to take up the advice of the honourable minister and adjust. Hope the bakery can provide half a loaf of bread as that’s the only thing that we’ve been surviving on since COVID struck. Edward Kumar Lautoka
Soccer talents
While it’s good to appreciate the stars of yesteryears and organising a tournament in a big way. Can we also have similar tournament for under-17 and 19 and invite teams from overseas. Trust me the amount of talents you will find overseas will surely be good for Fiji soccer. Just a suggestion. Moses Mani Auckland, New Zealand
Pornographic pictures
I was shocked to learn that Fiji is ranked 4th in the world in terms of watching pornographic pictures. Man, that is the end product of what technology is, when almost anything, anytime and perhaps anywhere you can access. Isa, my generation. Jioji O Toronibau Labasa
Public holidays
If PAP comes into power, we know that we will get two new public holidays. However, we do not know if they intend to scrap any existing public holiday(s)? I can suggest one. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
The challenge
If TT’s Mr Know-it-all is the best economist then why is the challenge for a public debate by Mr Chaudhry not accepted? Some will say there is the fear that this is where his real knowledge of economics will be exposed to the whole world. I believe it just weakens his knees from picking up the challenge. Jone Masu Nadi
Fiji’s Constitution
Could they insert one more sentence in the 2013 Constitution of Fiji — no one will be left hungry? Sukha Singh Labasa
