Daily motivations
REPEKA coined a beautiful piece in Wednesday’s People column titled ‘Struggle, strife and strength’ on the life of Fazil Imraz from Lautoka who repairs shoes to earn a living. Repeka described the struggles Fazil went through, and is going through in order to survive and get a better life. His business ‘Azad’s Mobile Shoe Repair’ is taking shape. Yesterday, Unaisi coined a story on James Louis, who sells homemade jam to support his family. James, whose wife and mother-in-law encouraged him to learn how to make jam, started his venture in 2013, and since then has not looked back. His message – “There is no substitute for hard work” – is apt at this point in time as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The daily motivations that readers get from The Fiji Times are worth sharing, as they contain valuable lessons! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Cash for grocery
I AGREE with Sashi Kiran that the $90 relief payment would not be sufficient for households with large families and those with babies and elderly on medication. Therefore, they have more mouths to feed. On the other hand, the FNPF members are eligible for $220 fortnightly unemployment assistance, even those with zero balance. I believe the benefit should be proportionate to the size of the families as one size does not fit all. The recipients should be placed in three categories namely large, medium and small, and the quantum of the assistance should be assessed accordingly. And for the low income earners, some rebate should be given on their electricity bills. I know some might differ with me saying we should appreciate that something is better than nothing. But please remember we are talking about the livelihoods of our citizens here. Right now the welfare of our people should be our highest priority. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Let’s work together
IN his 1961 inaugural speech to become the 35th President of the United States of America, the late great John F Kennedy delivered a quote that has echoed through the ages as one of the greatest ever spoken: “Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country!” I was nine at the time. And even as young as I was, when I heard those words over the Radio (there was no TV in Fiji), they stuck to me like glue. In that same speech he also addressed the international community: “My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America can do for you, but together what we can do for the freedom of man!” We are living in one of the most perilous and challenging times in the history of our world. Perhaps we can all be inspired by his enduring wisdom to work together. COLIN DEOKI Australia
No logic
WHEN I read in The Fiji Times (05/05) that the Government is going ahead with the building of the new $7 million complex for the prime minister’s office, I knew there was going to be a lot of criticism against the move. As I enjoyed my cup of tea over The Fiji Times (06/05), there it goes, my prediction was right, many Fijians are not happy with the initiative especially in this time of trials we are in as we speak. In my genuine opinion, I believe the plan to go ahead with the new PM’s new office does not have any logic at all, especially when many are still trying to recover from TC Yasa and Ana and many more struggling to feed their families due to the effects of COVID-19 which is wreaking havoc in our society today. First of all, many of times we hear our Prime Minister talking about the importance of schools and how his government is committed to see that every Fijian child would get access to adequate and quality education, however, after Tropical Cyclone Yasa many children especially on Vanua Levu are still attending schools in tents Secondly, many Fijians are trying to keep afloat in the face of COVID-19, and The Fiji Times has been highlighting many tales about families struggling to feed their members and some parents have to go without just for their children to have some. I sincerely believe the $7 million PM’s complex is not an urgent need right now, but building back schools for Fijian children to access adequate and quality education is. I am adamant that the $7 million PM’s complex is not an urgent need right now, but feeding families who are suffering from the effect of COVID-19 is. I would kindly request the FijiFirst Government to please make the suffering Fijians their priority rather than the construction of a four-storey modern office because at the end of the day it is the people who vote and not the $7 million complex. KOSITATINO
TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Frank’s folly
NOW more has been revealed about the foolish prime minister’s office project. Issues arise, quite apart from the misuse of funds at a time of widespread desperate need for the necessities of life. What is unsatisfactory with the current arrangements
that have served others adequately? What will become of the heritage building – once the Girls’ Grammar School? Why is the site so far from the other government buildings? Does the leader of Government intend to sit in an ivory tower and dictate by electronic means? In the times beyond history people built a tower … with disastrous consequences. TESSA MACKENZIE
Suva
PM’s new office
This must be a joke – that was my first reaction on learning (FT 05/05) that Government was proceeding with the construction of the $7m PM’s office complex. With the current COVID-19 lockdown situation in Fiji’s main urban centres resulting in closing down of most of the economic activities, it just seems absurd to be spending so much on an office. Especially when it appears that COVID-19 would be around for a wee bit longer than sooner. Some may argue that this project had been budgeted. We should learn from the NZ government who have redirected savings of almost a billion dollars from their current budget to be
redistributed to recovery efforts from the effects of COVID-19. In my opinion it would be a matter of weighing how far the $7 million benefits would reach Fijians for the two options if the project was to be undertaken, as against distributing these
funds to directly assist the people relieve some of the hardships brought about by this epidemic. Common sense would dictate anybody’s option. EMOSI BALEI Suva
careFIJI app
The two doctors were being identified through the careFiji app. It turned out to be so useful although we reached the unfortunate state of the hospital closure. All those who have smartphones please download this app. If you are having difficulties please take help and have it done. It will make the tracing system more faster and can be of huge help for the authorities and us all. We don’t have to do much. Just follow the protocols, adhere to all that is being instructed by the authorities with a bit of our own imagination and judgements and most of all continuing with our prayers. Please do not just pray and forget the other things. Prayers will make difference if we play our part well. Both goes together. Take care Fiji. Kirti Patel Lautoka
COVID-19 compliance
I have been informed that people in Labasa are more COVID-19 compliant than people from the real lockdown areas directly impacted by this pandemic. COVID-19 will only be tackled if all isolate themselves not only from gathering, but isolate themselves from poor thinking and illogical stances, grogging with neighbors and friends, playing games with the laws in place. COVID-19 is alive and knows where and whom to prey upon. So, people, you cannot fool COVID-19 so, be alert and save mankind from extinction through thoughtful and careful conduct. Teach your children this and teach them well before all become unwell through our negligence. Dhirendra Prasad Lautoka
Troubled mind
In this COVID crisis Thoughts in mind fluctuating Worried about uncertainty Growing the feelings of instability Depressing news all around Unable to come to grips With this unreal reality Bursting the fantasy bubble Mind agitated and anxious Unknown future lying ahead As mind deeply troubled With the virus dominating Fear and panic strangling Everything feels disconnected Gasping for some normalcy But nothing is as normal Nothing positive about this virus All hope seems lost Wishing was far away Away from all this mess But where to go As the virus is everywhere And no end to trouble in the mind. BHAGWANJI BHINDI Nasinu
New office
So the plan for the Prime Minister’s new office complex is still on. Hmmmmmm! Kirti Patel Lautoka
Simple rule
C’mon people, it’s a very simple rule! Two metres means 2 metres! You don’t have to be a genius to get this in your head. You would have been all black and blue by now if you were in India. Hats off to all our frontline people. You guys are great. God bless you all. Ashis Kumar Ba
Statement
“All of us must practise strict adherence to our health protection measures until such time that we achieve the full immunity of our eligible population” – Dr Fong I think this statement needs a reassessment. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Face masks
Creativity is spotted with the colourful masks that people are donning. Masks from all colours and all sorts of designs can be spotted worn by Fijians. Hearty thanks to those who wear masks when in public! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Long lines
I see long lines for vaccination in Lautoka. Is there a better way to do it? Navneet Ram Lautoka
$7m building
PERHAPS the wise leaders can build the building worth a whopping $7 million and name the building – COVID-19 ga sa rawata! AREKI DAWAI Suva
Financial help
Is A-G’s tale on Fiji’s financial management correct? There is this narrative I always hear from A-G that ‘donors have confidence in Fiji’s financial management that’s why they are providing funding in the form of direct budget support and other development support’. He said this again while announcing new cash assistance following Australia’s announcement of $55 million budget support to Fiji. However, we note year-in-year-out countless discrepancies being highlighted by the Auditor-General’s office of these same government ministries. The amount runs in millions of dollars. What kind of ‘confidence’ is this? Swastika Devi Nasinu Aussie support Are we getting the direct budget support from Australia because they have faith in our systems or combined with the fact that we need money? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
