U20 team needs exposure
I whole-heartedly agree with our under-20 captain Tevita Ikanivere and coach Kele Leawere that our U20 team needs more exposure at high level international rugby. Our junior ruggers finished in 11th spot after thrashing Scotland (59-34). Our boys rubbed shoulders against Europe giants France and Wales and the hosts Argentina. Fiji lost to France (20-36), Argentina (14-41) and Wales (28-44) in pool play and then lost to Georgia (8-12). Despite beating NZ (8-7) Wales finished 6th after losing to England (45-26) and defending champs France won the U20 championship in style after beating Australia (24-23) while Argentina finished 4th after losing to South Africa (41-16). In the semi-finals Argentina lost to Australia (34-13) while France beat South Africa (20-7). These results show that with more exposure our junior Flying Fijians are capable of beating tier one nations and I’m delighted that despite limited game time our boys managed to secure a spot in the top flight. Vinaka vakalevu boys! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Thank you
A big thank you to Suresh Chand of Nadi for his most welcome letter in which he appreciates the letter writers. Yes Suresh, I also look forward to the people’s opinions in the LTE column. It’s always nice to be appreciated. Now I look forward to reading your letters Suresh. Thank you. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Teachers’ salaries
There is no big deal when teachers get paid during the school holidays. It is simple mathematics. For those who have poor mathematics skills like me, apply what I practise, common sense. The whole year’s salary is spread over 26 fortnights. It does not mean that teachers are getting extra pay. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Veve Street
This is a one way street in Lautoka. The parking is for only carriers and taxis. Not even one taxi or carrier operates from here and when private vehicles park here they are booked. There is one police officer who is so arrogant and never lets anyone go. I think he is confined to this place only. I urge Lautoka City Council to revert this to private vehicle parking as there are parking problems in Lautoka. Also the business people along this street are affected. Paras Naidu Lautoka
Rehab centre
The FT carries an article on the absence of a Fiji-based rehab unit in Wednesday’s issue of 26th June. The crisis of mental illness, as manifested in substance abuse is rising exponentially. Obviously drug abuse is an incorrect means to handle stress and distress. Addictions to such drugs as glue, alcohol and recreational marijuana smoking are best handled with enhanced public awareness, counselling and rehabilitation. I believe dumping such individuals at the St Giles establishment is no answer. I believe the human resources at St Giles is very limited and no rehabilitation truly possible. I believe the ingredients of rehabilitation is totally absent. Manpower training curtailed and rudimentary services in existence. Incarcerating individuals in such situations is contrary to all civilised medical management. I believe it’s an ostrich hiding itself. Explains the recidivism of substance abuse in Fiji and its escalation with white powders now. Neil Sharma Suva
Vaccination program
The “Give Every Child a Future” vaccination program was launched in Wellington last week to target over 100,000 children in nine Pacific countries (FT:26/06). The civil society group, Rotary, will partner with the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF to support the introduction of the three vaccines in the region. The question I have is why vaccinate healthy children? What is the real reason behind these vaccination programs? How safe is it and how sure are we that it will not cause side effects? I believe there is a great deal of uncertainty and enigma about these vaccination programs? While parents will have the freedom to vaccinate or not there is a worrying push by pharmaceutical companies to make vaccination compulsory by law. That is indeed a scary thought! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Health service
The health service is frequently maligned in this country. However, I must express my appreciation to the staff members of the Tavua and Ba X-ray/scan departments for their efficient, professional and friendly service in the past few weeks. I can understand the frustrations of others suffering long delays to see doctors though. To avoid delay I travelled to a Lautoka private clinic to get an assessment of an X-ray, for a $23 fee which I considered more than reasonable. Standing like an unused castle is the new Ba Hospital. When is this edifice going to be operational? How would the powers that be like to travel in an ambulance
from Rakiraki/Tavua to Lautoka for urgent medical attention? Thankfully the Chinese have gifted some decent ambulances
for travel which has helped. ALLAN LOOSLEY, Tavua
Village road
I BELIEVE taxidrivers are refusing to take the residents of Muanikoso Village because of the road condition. The road is getting worse. Located at the centre of the Suva and Nausori corridor, how could it ever be missed? Always disappointing to see the elders and disabled not able to be taken to their destination due to the road condition. With over 100 people living in the area they also deserve all the help they require. They have been requesting with previous and present governments but these
have been falling on deaf ears. TOMASI BOGINISO, Nasinu
Show of appreciation
Appreciation must be given when one is accorded excellent service. May I be permitted to thank the packing boy and cashier who attended to us when we did our shopping at Rajendra’s Supermarket (the one behind BSP bank). They were polite, had smiles for us and very good customer service. The boy even addressed me as sir when he asked, “Do you have a car sir? I will bring the groceries for you.” In this day and age, customer service is waning. People bring their problems to work and have grumpy looking faces. But this young man made my day. I know I will shop there again just because of this guy. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Water issue
Gradually I believe the people of Navua are losing their patience as far as our water supply is concerned. Each day for nearly a month now, we expected improvement but the situation is getting from bad to worse. Every night all the taps go on sleeping ‘mode’ until about 5 or 6am the next day. Once these taps wake up there is hardly any pressure to have a warm shower. Most of us go for cold bath during these cold days or wait for boiling kettle to get warm bath from a bucket. Most of us cannot operate our washing machines due to lack of pressure. Are we really progressing in our lifestyle? Frequent phone calls to Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) are not giving the required result. Last night I was at a religious function where about 20 women were present. After the prayer session the main topic of discussion was the water situation in Navua. I only wish a few key or main officials of WAF were present to hear the views of these housewives. I can only guess that their stay would have been very short due to the frustrations shown by many who were present. On one hand we hear there is a ‘boom’ in our economy and developments in many areas are in progress, on the other I sincerely request the ministry concerned to visit Navua and get first-hand knowledge of our water situation. VIJAY MAHARAJ Navua
Sexual offences
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, revealed a decline in sexual offences (FT:26/06). The former assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Shyamala Alagendra, says that the reduction must be looked at cautiously (FT:26/06). I say sex is something we all need to clearly understand. Without it, none of us would be here. Without it, there is no life. It is the key to a great marriage. Some of the best things in life are the ones you can’t tell anyone about. It’s like money, only too much is enough. It involves all the senses. It’s like air, it’s not important unless you aren’t getting any. You can forget your name. Only your neighbours will know your name. It is by far the most sacred act we humans can perform. And it is perfectly natural. It is said that love is for the soul and sex is for the body and that both cry out for satisfaction. While we rarely speak about sex, it plays a huge part of our quest for happiness. It is about connection, intimacy, and pleasure and this is the reason why we all love it. The problem is that many find it hard to communicate their desires and end up going about it the wrong way. What we need is an awareness program about what one needs to do when one has sexual desires! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
That topic
Thank you Dr Kishti Sen for your thoughts on Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s government which you say has engraved a mindset in people that they would always get something, in other words a handout mentality, says an economist. Now, let’s see if someone from Government will disagree. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
7s side
Good decision Gareth Baber! New faces equal exposure- something we need to cover up when stars like Botitu, Tuimaba, Derenalagi and Naduva depart after the Olympics. On the other hand, I’d love to see game time for Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Isoa Tabu, Teri Tamani, Asaeli Tuivuaka and Napolioni Ratu as they’ll hold the key to our attack come the 2019-20 WRSS! All the best Gareth, grab gold! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
EFL issue
I live at Raviravi Ba and since FEA became EFL I cannot get my meter read. I keep getting estimates which could mean when it’s finally read, I could owe a lot of money which is a worry. What’s happened to customer service? Someone in this organisation should have a look at why I find myself in this position and how many others are there. Tony Wilson Raviravi, Ba
ILO ultimatum
Seriously, what will change after the ILO ultimatum and the visit by top officials? Will they be given an opportunity to meet Fijian labour representatives and union leaders behind closed doors? Will they be able to meet workers on the ground? Will they participate in live debate which have workers’ representatives and government officials? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
A new era
Is Nadroga’s dominance and superiority in the local rugby scene conquered? Well, judging by Suva’s performance in the final of the Skipper Cup competition it certainly looks like Nadroga had no effective response. It’s taken a while but for now it looks like the beginning of a new era in our domestic rugby competition. Aside from that our national women’s rugby league team, the Bulikula, thrashed the Papua New Guinea Orchids in their first outing. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva
Take up Math
Do the calculations. Oh! Wait! Ya meth’os. Can you? If you can’t, take up Math. Only then you will “figure” out the pluses and the minuses. Start with decimals and you will quickly figure out it has a point. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
