Bati tames Cedars
Hats off to the Fiji Bati for the beautiful win against Lebanon! The Fiji Bati piled points against the Cedars and scored 10 classic tries. Our defence was magnificent while our attack was superb. We may have beaten Lebanon but I’m looking forward to more test matches against quality teams like England, Australia, NZ, Tonga and Samoa. Vinaka vakalevu Bati! I also warmly congratulate our boys for beating Scotland (59-34) to secure a spot for next year’s World Rugby U20 championship! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Plastic effect
As the harmful effects of plastic begin materialising worldwide, efforts are now being put in place for a plastic ban in the country next year with levy being increased from $0.20 to possibly $0.50. Seems like a certain supermarket has begun its proactive initiative and begun charging $0.30 a plastic now instead of next year. They will need a bigger customer bag shelf though as their current small shelf will not be able to hold all their customers bags waiting to be filled with groceries. Joan McGoon Jetpoint, Martintar, Nadi
Carnival floats
Carnival floats are supposed to be the main attraction at the closing of carnivals. I believe the floats at the recent Fiji Airways Farmers Carnival were nothing but pathetic. Open pick-up truck wrapped in cloth, a couple of balloons on the sides, a couple of potted plants in the corners, a chair for the queen, and a couple of banana leaves above her chair to finish it off. I believe such is the poor standard of floats nowadays. The ending climax to a carnival should embody exuberance with a pulsating parade of spectacular floats, dancers and nonstop throbbing music and beats. Our carnivals ought to lift in standard and get better as the years go by. We need to make it a real attraction and worthwhile! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Mysterious deaths
Hopefully the mysterious deaths of American couple David and Michelle has closure. Unlike the Russian couple Yuri Shipulin and Nataliya Gerasimova. This cannot mean only two against many. No way. I just realised. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Hindi movie
Hindi movie Bharat is based on true life historical facts and is proving to be a box office hit. It evokes in the minds of Indian people the traumatic and harrowing experience suffered by millions of people as a result of the division of British India into two separate states: India and Pakistan. This saw the greatest movement of people on the face of this Earth in modern times. Millions of Muslims left India to settle in Pakistan and millions of Hindus left Pakistan to settle in India. During this disorganised movement the racial violence erupted on both sides and thousands lost their lives. Families were torn apart and refugee camps continued to swell in most squalid conditions. Feeding these millions became a very difficult task and many sought jobs in oil rich Middle East countries. The conditions there were almost unbearable in desert heat and unhealthy living conditions coupled with poor diet. However, those who had gone had no choice but to face the reality and plod along to sustain their families. Bharat was an eight-year-old boy from the village of Mirpur in Pakistan. In a rush to get on to an over crowded train his baby sister Guddi slips and gets lost in the swarming crowd. The father decides to get down to look for her as the train moves on towards Delhi. Bharat made a promise to his father to look after the family and the family ration shop located in old Delhi. For years Bharat waited for his father and sister to return but this never happened. A TV company decides to stage a family reunion at Wagah Border between India and Pakistan. And here the reunion captures the hearts and minds of the viewers as families unite. Bharat’s sister Guddi was now married and had shifted to London. She called to say that she was alive. This family re-union chocked the viewers with tears and some were even sobbing loudly. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are in the leading role. The film has romance, humour and usual dose of Bollywood masala in the form of fights, songs, dances and motor cycle racing etc. Film Bharat is a great entertainment and the movie goers will not be disappointed. DEWAN CHAND
Namadi Hts., Suva
School time
ONE Monday I was at my favourite shop in Waiyavi and a boy of about 10 or 11 walked in to buy something. It was 10.30am.
I greeted him and asked him what school he went to. He told me. I then asked him why he wasn’t in school. His reply, “No lunch.” I often see primary school age children playing on the roads during school days. I wonder if the Ministry of Education could have a team come in a few days a month at random and just do a surveillance of densely populated areas to see the
children and fi nd out why they are not in school. We will find out root causes. Children do not have to pay bus fare and no school fees, now a child was not in school because he had no lunch to take to school. I wonder how many are there like him around. Now a sight that shocked me. I was in the Lautoka grog market and saw three young girls in school uniform cross over to the bus stand, they were in uniform. When their bus arrived they lined up with all the rest of the students — but didn’t get on and disappeared into the market. Then I spotted them and over their uniform each had a t-shirt on and one was putting on lipstick. I was shocked when the owner of the table said, “That’s a common sight we see every day.” Minister of Education,
are you reading this? ALLEN LOCKINGTON, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Back-to-back for Suva
My heart sank when Suva was crowned Skipper Cup champion for the second year running as I had hopes pinned on Nadroga to cause an upset. Despite losing a host of star-studded players the Capital City boys rode on the lively support from their fans and a little bit of luck to deny the Stallions a win. Fans had their own views about the way the match was handled but Nadroga is a champion team and I’m sure that the giants will accept the result and prepare for the Farebrother Cup. Thank you and vinaka vakalevu Nadroga for finishing second best! As an ardent fan, I’m proud of your efforts! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Domestic rugby
While many would have chosen to dine out on international rugby over the weekend, those who opted to tuck in on domestic rugby menu were not disappointed. The Skipper Cup competition grilled to a lavish climax with the final between the two teams who had the best local authentic culinary skills during the rugby cookery season. The torrid encounter produced a taste of local delicacies which was nutritious for ardent supporters, tourists and the president of Fiji Rugby Union (FRU). The occasion’s rich aroma reached those who indulged in the feast through television coverage. Viewers could not have been disappointed as they devoured the amazing coverage. It had unbelievable quality. In cuisine literacy, I would use the following dessert to top up with native flavours. As rugby lovers ate and drank sumptuously at the weekend rugby buffet, scrumptious Skipper Tuna was best prepared by the Capital City chefs. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Alternative budget
Instead of an alternative budget I believe all we got from the Opposition were packets of Boom washing powder. The Opposition had so much to talk about during the budget debate week yet they could not come up with an alternative budget? It would have made things clearer for everyone to compare the two. Nothing? It begs the question why no member of the Opposition thought of or considered proposing an Opposition party budget? Not having an alternative budget simply diminished the quality of the budget debate and I believe it just proved that the Opposition are not serious enough nor capable of an opposition, let alone ruling the nation. To use the Boom washing powder as a distraction was not only childish but it basically showed the quality of people in the Opposition. It sure seems like politics for the Opposition is a game. Politics is not a game but it is about the Fijian people’s lives and the focus should be on that. I believe we desperately need a competent Opposition party. Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
NCD issue
The current approach is not working. Change it. Try reverse psychology. Dan Urai Lautoka
An absolute hoot
One thing that has not sagged over the years is Seona’s wit and her ability to share it with others. Her article (ST June 23) on aging was an absolute hoot, I have not laughed so much in years. Long may she continue to write and the Times publish her articles. Allan Loosley Tavua
National anthem
The national anthem is sung when Fijian national teams compete in sporting events against teams from other countries. I think before the finals of local sporting tournaments, the national anthem should be sung. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Float procession
I remember when I was young, the floats of the various festivals were a thing to see, they were creative, majestic, a work of art and prizes were awarded for the best float. Parades had marching girls, even they had a side competition, the whole affair was grand, folks used flock down to witness these parades. These days the art part is lost, basically if you have a truck, you slap a banner and some coconut leaves on it, viola! You have a float and that’s all you have apart from a band. Oh how times have changed. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
ILO saga
Zip it when you hold little or no knowledge of the ILO. Dan Urai Lautoka
Pothole issue
Potholes have been a big problem. Is it because of inferior material or low grade workmanship. But that aside, how about the roads gang conduct a competition and people identify the worst potholes in their area, photograph it and the worst pothole wins the sender $1000. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
