Plea to fix road
I WRITE this open letter to the chief executive officer of the Fiji Roads Authority to express my deep appreciation for the roadworks which are currently underway. It gives a good feeling that motorists are now getting value for their road levy tax. However, could I make an appeal through the column of this distinguished newspaper that Ragg Avenue too deserves to be attended to. Too many potholes and driving here poses danger of serious accidents. Please help. DEWAN CHAND
Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva
Unsung hero
I COMMEND the Sunday sports feature article by Maikeli Seru and who else but the evergreen voice of soccer Graham Eden. When the country went into a frenzy of celebration in 1990 when we won the first of the three peat Hong Kong 7s, there was no live TV to watch the thrills. It was the radio commentary of Eden that stopped the nation. Every household glued to a radio and when the game ended, the biggest cheer was from Graham who was Fiji’s eyes and ears. Even with TV intro in 1991, many continued to stay glued to his iconic commentaries and we do miss it until today. Salute to our voice of rugby and we wish him the very best. The vacuum remains and will keep reminding us of the icon the unsung hero of rugby in Fiji. Joka o Eden, Viti kei na vuravura. SHALWYN PRASAD Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Voice of rugby
I COMMEND Maikeli Seru for the article titled ‘Rugby in Eden’ in The Sunday Times. Reading the article brought a lot of wonderful memories of my childhood and early days listening to the ‘Voice of Rugby’ Graham Eden. Isa, vinaka vakalevu Mike, as he is fondly known in the sports arena, for the in-depth and emotional wrap up on my favourite rugby commentator! I loved reading the piece, and I wish I could rewind time so we could hear more from Graham Eden. But one thing is for sure, Graham’s melodious voice is always missed by passionate rugby fans like me. Mr Eden, vinaka vakalevu for those memories from your days as our number one rugby commentator! Thank you Mike for the article! On the other hand, my condolences to the family of the late Hamidan Bibi, who was one of our best lawn players! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Road conditions
PRIOR to advising others to be creative and think big, the Australian citizen (FT 02/03) should have researched the subject. A road user levy was introduced in the 2009 National Budget for vehicle owners to assist in improving the roads around the country. I understand the road user levy is based on the engine capacity of the vehicle. Since 2009, I think millions have been collected in each financial year but strangely, the road conditions are continually deteriorating. Similar to some deteriorating advice riddled with “potholes”. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Acting position
IS there an acting A-G and Minister of the Economy while the substantive position-holder is currently overseas, apparently for medical reasons ( FT 01/ 03)? I recall that acting appointments are usually made and gazetted, when a substantive minister is unable to perform their responsibilities, or is absent overseas. An acting appointment may have been made in this instance, but I must have missed seeing the gazette notice on it. If such appointment (s) were made to cover the duration of absence, then any formal statements et cetera, with regards the responsibilities of these ministerial positions, should in my humble view, be made by the acting appointee (s). Or has the procedures for Cabinet Ministers changed? EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Think twice
LIKE there is a difference between developed country and undeveloped country, it is in developed mind and undeveloped mind as well. It doesn’t mean that developed country has broad-minded people and undeveloped country has limited minded. Marijuana has been known to be beneficial when associated with medicines and it is a lucrative industry for some, however, how much capacity people have to deal with it upon it being legalised. There are pros and cons to everything. While some may manage it wisely, some may take good advantage of this situation and misuse getting high with it and children will also be affected. No one will be able to raise their eyebrow as the term “legal” will kick in. Yes, the repercussions will be there. Neither all the minds are same nor is the capacity to know the limit of usage in these kinds of things. Well, think twice. KIRTI PATEL
Lautoka
The new normal
We have talked about “the new normal” many times. I have heard people mention it, its on the news here in Fiji and overseas. Life has become pretty hard for so many people in Fiji. Loss of jobs being the main issue that cripples a family. I have seen ‘unemployed’ families move into ’employed’ relatives homes and add to the burden of that family. I receive calls and messages that are long with explanations and there are the short heartbreaking ones that simply say, “sir, please help my family, I have lost my job”. Single mothers and single fathers included in the list. Some abandon their children with parents, because they can no longer feed them. Our team has seen some homes where 23 people are living in a two bedroom house. The porch is also used for sleeping. We see mattresses and linen wrapped up in the corner. With so many people in the house, food, groceries run out very fast. Toiletries run out. There is no privacy. Stressed people soon boil over and trouble starts. Husbands and wives argue, while children look on. COVID-19 may be with us for a while, restrictions may remain. Is this to be the new normal? Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
No pay cuts
Civil servants, who will not be receiving a pay cut, should treat this as an incentive to reduce the thickness of the annual Auditor-General’s Report. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Civil servant
s Admittedly, all civil servants are truly blessed, and extremely lucky. No pay cuts for over a year of COVID-19 pandemic, and still counting. Thousands of Fijians are still jobless, and do not have three proper meals each day. When will this “drought” end? Lord, help your suffering people sooner. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
The waiting game
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines “waiting game” as a situation in which you delay taking any action, so that you can watch how a situation develops and see what it is best for you to do. Then I looked up for its synonyms: cat-and-mouse, lying low, wait-and-see attitude, wait-and-see policy, waiting it out, watching and waiting. The synonyms do not have a very positive connotation though politicians and those who aspire to be politicians seem to be very adept at it. While I do not harbour such ignoble aspirations, I must confess that I have played the waiting game with my wife when I have ordered books from Amazon without letting her know. The last time, I had the “done the deed”, as Macbeth would say, I had to wait for the opportune moment to tell her. I took her to Little India at Jack’s and asked her which saree she liked. She gave the look that married men know so well (if they don’t, it is at their own peril) and asked, “So how many books did you order? You should know by now that I don’t accept bribes. Do I need to wear a badge to let you know?” Ouch! So I am sincerely thankful to Julie Sutherland (FT 27/02) that she is concerned about my welfare. And I want to assure her that everything is OK – for now. But who knows what tomorrow will bring? We’ll just have to wait and see – like our illustrious human rights director. But Sukha Singh made an astute observation in the other day’s The Fiji Times (28/02) when he said that Mr Raj acted “faster than lightning” in making comments about Ben Padarath. I guess the trick is in knowing when or when not to play the waiting game. Arvind Mani Nadi
Appraisal on commission
Can an investigation be commissioned to do an appraisal on how independently the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission functions? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Dog problem
One of my best friends was attacked and bitten by four dogs somewhere in the sweet city. Now to the powers, there is a definite problem, it’s not another whine or another complaint, it is a concern, do something about it. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
Medical services
Yes, Nishant, I too was curious and was about to ask about the medical services provided here. Seems we lack trust in our own, nah! Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Helping people
My request to all civil society organisations is if you are in a position whereby you are able to help, please go ahead and help the people who need help. Be like Allen Lockington and Narayan Reddy and their gang who have been helping since COVID started and they have not stopped. Sukha Singh Labasa
Medical trip
The A-G and Minister of Economy may have been reactive but did well appearing on TV1 to explain the reason he was in Singapore days after he slipped out of our shores unannounced. He has confirmed he will be away from office for some time but there is no announcement on actors to the many portfolios he holds. Dan Urai Lautoka
Good times looming
Our beloved country, Fiji Islands is very lucky and a living paradise as we are the one who can sight the first sunrise every morning and we are famous in the world in terms of sports achievements in golf, rugby and bowling. Moreover, bula smiles are still shining despite the impact of COVID-19. Good times are looming. SUNIL CHAND Nadi
COVID-19 vaccines
Here’s food for thought, if I may, in good faith. Should Johnson & Johnson, one-shot vaccines, storable under standard refrigeration, become available in Fiji, it would be ideal if “ice cream trucks” are used to take them to all our rural people first. Only a suggestion, offered free from the heart and mind. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
