At my doorstep
I have never regretted subscribing to The Fiji Times, and I’m impressed with their door-to-door delivery service. The Fiji Times, which is wrapped neatly inside a plastic, greets me every morning. I carefully open the wrapper, and I enjoy the fresh smell of the newspaper which has become Fiji’s most trusted brand. I start my day with a copy of The Fiji Times and a cup of red ginger tea. While many are sleeping at the hour, I’m glad that I get abreast with what’s happening around me. It’s always a pleasure to read stories from around Fiji, especially the West and North. The stories, that are authentic and true, inspire readers. The stories that are of hardships touch hearts. Our journalists work round the clock to ensure that we get a copy of The Fiji Times the following day. What started off 150 plus years ago has grown into a powerful and reliable brand. At this juncture, I must thank the hands that have contributed to the success of the newspaper. I thank those who contribute with articles and those who contribute to the letters to the editor column. I also thank the editor-in-chief Fred for his rock solid editorials and for the preview of the next day’s edition via his Facebook page. That adds to the excitement of waiting for the next day’s paper. Like me, there are others who have been empowered by the people’s newspaper, and I thank The Fiji Times for the big role it has played in my life since the primary school days! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Prisoners of our own mistakes
OUR self-interest and inconsideration to the advice of Dr Fong and his team has made it difficult for the ministry responsible to contain the spread of the delta variant. In simple terms when Dr Fong stated “we move, the virus moves” many disregarded his advice. I guess being told to be obedient does not sink well into the lifestyle of the masses. We are prisoners of our own mistakes, but graceful life starts within our own comfort zone which is home. Nanise Soko Suva
Fuel in a gallon
My friend Noji was telling me that about six cars were lining up to fill air in their tyres early yesterday morning but the fuel pump was empty with no one filling fuel except for him filling fuel in a gallon. He wonders why? Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Dr Fong’s U-turn
It baffles me to hear Dr Fong giving his statement regarding COVID-19 cases in Fiji. What I fail to understand is the sudden U-turn made by Dr Fong regarding lockdown and quarantine requirements. Deven Sahay Lautoka
World Albinism Awareness Day
The International Albinism Awareness Day through the United Nations Human Rights Council with the theme Strength Beyond All Odds for 2021 will be observed tomorrow on June 13, to highlight the rights of those born with albinism and increase awareness of the genetic condition. In Fiji many feel uncomfortable with the issue and dealing with such people because of myths created generations ago. Medically albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism. It is now noticeable that the trend is slowly eroding at a very slow rate and there are organisations that employ such people based on merits without any distinction of any kind and discrimination. During the pandemic there are many frontline workers who have such conditions tirelessly serving the country. The awareness of albinism must be disseminated at all levels of society and many kids are bullied for having such condition. We need to be reminded that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Satish Nakched Suva
Fees increase
THE Minister for Local Government says that because of low fees and charges the municipal councils are struggling financially to provide their services (FT 9/6). I believe this is not the time to talk about increasing the fees when vendors and taxi operators are already struggling to fend for their families. I don’t think it’s fair to place more burden on them when defaulting ratepayers owe millions of dollars in rates but are still enjoying the full benefits of the councils’ services. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Present situation
If three different and learned professors without any political affiliation or personal connection are saying the same thing about Fiji’s dire economic situation, should the powers that be not take heed? Or is it that the rest of the country doesn’t know what they’re talking about? I believe the former leaders of Fiji would be turning in their graves with the situation Fiji is in today. Isa, noqu Viti. Colin Deoki Australia
Kindness to voiceless
As per FT of June 9, Mohammed Khan is very much appreciated for the little kindness towards the voiceless. This pandemic has allowed many Fijians across the country to experience the starving hungry dogs go through each day throughout their lives Soon many Fijians will also experience the feeling of being homeless just like strays because of no income to pay the rent. Please be kind to voiceless animals. POOJA PAYAL RAJ Satya Place, Tavakubu, Lautoka
Patriotic choice
I fully empathise with Jean Hatch (FT 11/6) where she expresses her deep frustration with Fijians who are being completely irresponsible about the lethal nature of COVID-19. Well, what do you expect from the public when our esteemed leaders in the august house are not able to come to a consensus about defeating the dreaded pandemic? They all start with very noble sentiments about the welfare of the Fijian but that quickly degenerates into petty partisan squabbling which must make the electorate wonder what it was thinking when it put some of these people into the hallowed house. In 1600, Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in which Hamlet soliloquizes: What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason? How infinite in faculty? In form and moving how express and admirable? In action, how like an angel? In apprehension, how like a God? But that was 400 years ago. Does it seem to you like humanity has regressed rapidly over the last few centuries? They certainly have in the 50 years. I can bear testimony to that. It is distressing to see Fijians behaving so stupidly. Earlier this week, there was a TV image in the evening news of two young men sharing a cigarette. There are many people like that who wear their stupidity proudly as if it were a badge of honour. I strongly believe they are incorrigible and beyond hope. The tragedy is that their callous behaviour results in the infection of those who are taking all the precautions. Ms Hatch wonders why the illustrious Ashwin Raj is so quiet. In my opinion Mr Raj has become irrelevant and inconsequential. So if we are waiting for him to take a stands when he should, my advice: do not hold your breath. And for all those who so nonchalantly flaunt all the precaution that have been drilled into our heads ad nauseam. Can we put them all somewhere where they will not be a danger to the rest of us? Now that would be a patriotic choice. The Sahara Desert comes to mind. Arvind Mani Nadi
What about the West
Seeing Lynda Tabuya donating rations in Suva area is a relief for many but there are also people in the West which you all have forgotten from last year. Looks like the West is Bermuda West since COVID-19 started. It would have been great to see if you would do the same for the West whether you’re in Government or the Opposition. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Racial breakdown
In designing ways to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be interesting to know the racial breakdown of the active cases, recovered patients and those wilfully contravening the restrictions, as it would in my opinion help the mode of awareness that the authorities could use to convey its message on the dangerous effects of this virus. I suggest the use of this information to address the important issue of the conveyance of the message because obviously, the methodology presently used appear to have failed which is borne out by the increasing daily rate of new infections now approaching three figures. Following an analysis by experts, the appropriate methodology could be identified and used by the authorities. We have to resort to these more definitive information to address what seems to be approaching the total lack of control for this pandemic. Emosi Balei Suva
Full stomachs
THE most important thing this COVID pandemic teaches us is to keep our stomachs full. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Audit report
I believe the audit report is the yard stick of government performance. Grassroots people are following the audit report very closely to make their decision. VISHNU DEO SHARMA Nakasi
Best strategy
Targeted lockdown is not working, contamination continues to spread. Repeated advice seems to fall on deaf ears. What’s the next best strategy? Dan Urai Lautoka
Contributions
As of late I have been missing the contributions of Simon Hazelman of Savusavu, in the letters to the editor column. My friend, I hope you and your family are in the best of health. May the good Lord give your strength and guidance during this difficult COVID-19 pandemic. Stay safe and be blessed. Raymond Singh Golf Links, Lautoka
Simon’s health
Is all well up there in Savusavu? Aye Simon? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Lockdown
Only a complete lockdown of the Nausori to Lami containment zone would be an effective option right now. What say Mr Government sir? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
First jab
Thank you team MoH for the vaccination. Unkol Allen and I are now vaccinated with the first dose. Now waiting for the second jab in August. Vinaka MoH. Navneet Ram Lautoka
Ignorant ones
Relating to COVID-19 health restrictions, I think the ignorant ones are expecting authorities to go on a baby-sitting spree. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
$50 assistance
Thank you, vinaka vakalevu and dhanyavaad, to the Fijian Government for providing the $50 each cash assistance to the 224,00 Fijian citizens, totaling $11.2 million dollars. I believe 58,000 applicants were not eligible of which, 28,000 were under 18s and others were on some form of assistance already. I believe the total applicants were 282,000. Vijay P Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
The jab
They say that a jab in the arm in this viral war, can do the virus more harm than a jab to the jaw, they also say that vaccination will bring us immunity, so that we can save our nation and become a new normal Fiji. Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
