Promotion winners!
I join Swaran Jeet Kaur (FT 25/11) in thanking The Fiji Times for its 152nd anniversary promotion.
Ms Kaur, who won $152 for the month of October, shared that she liked everything in the newspaper, and that she read the newspaper regularly.
As a result of the promotion and the fact that our winners’ stories have been published in The Fiji Times, we have become aware of their fantastic experiences with Fiji’s oldest newspaper.
Reading their stories makes me feel proud to be associated with The Fiji Times! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Over 70
I am very reliably informed, reaching the senior age of 70 years, has two very distinct discriminatory disadvantages. (1) LTA subjects mandatory medical examination report for annual renewal of driver’s licence.
Year in, year out. I am about to find out, first-hand. Road statistics show 70 year olds are less prone to road accidents, by at least, 50 to one.
Or, do I stand corrected? This is insulting; and very discriminatory. (2) One very senior friend, fairly comfortable in life, was not very impressed trying to get hire purchase from one very established outlet. He was told age was not on his side. I requested him to try another hire purchase organisation, as a better Plan B.
Strange and cruel world we live in. Such discrimination needs researching.
If proven correct, problems must be eliminated with immediate effect.
Urgent political intervention most necessary to eliminate such discrepancy, forthwith. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Party issue
SODELPA appears to be going in circles. Actually, it gets to 180 degrees then back to base.
Every time there is some new episode. Do they really want to carry on?
Can this party pick up on its strengths? Shouldn’t they call it off? There seems to be no unity at all.
How can it be improved? There are so many questions. Kirti Patel Lautoka
What’s in it?
So… you have been eating hot dogs, chicken nuggets and processed food all your life.
But you won’t take the shot because you don’t know what’s in it!
Are you a special kind of stupid? Arvind Mani Nadi
Diehard fan
It’s great to see diehard fan Raymond Singh (FT 25/11) draping his ute in a Fiji flag and generating a positive vibe around the West for the upcoming 7s, a tournament that has been paused for a while.
I can’t wait for our 7s heroes to get into action this weekend, and I’ve got some old leftover Fiji Gold and some batak chaser that will get assaulted this weekend.
Raymond, I admire your passion for the game and our Fijian warriors, and I hope they do well. Also, nice to see you making a great contribution to the local community and I hope to meet you at my favourite watering hole, the South Seas Club on my next trip, and in the meantime keep up the good work, God bless. Toso Viti! Steven Singh Sydney, Australia
Digital age
Nowadays almost every transaction is done digitally and we have our own careFiji too.
Now we have internet banking too and maybe it is time that we can use our credit/debit card to pay online and get our birth, marriage, death certificates too.
When schools open we see long lines at the centres to get birth certificates. If it is online then it will make it so easy to pay and print. I believe the Government needs revenue and it will be easy for people to get the service too.
Also people living overseas can get the service too. What say? Nardeo Mishra Suva
Prayers and thoughts
Our prayers and thoughts go out to our brothers and sisters in the Solomon Islands.
One thinks particularly of women and children who are often among the most vulnerable in rapidly changing circumstances.
Let’s not forget our fellow Fijian citizens who live and work in the Solomons.
All in all, let’s hope for the best, safety and peace. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva
Ratu Wiliame’s northern tour
His excellency the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere returned to Labasa for the first time in his capacity as the Head of the State.
It was an emotional moment for him and as well as the people of Labasa; in particular the people of Naduri. It is a very proud moment for the people of Vanua Levu.
Celebrations have been planned for the President and a crowd of over 3000 people is expected to participate.
I can well imagine the thrill and the euphoric moment for those vaccinated finding entry to the famous Subrail Park. May I wish the President and his entourage every success on this tour.
Surely the people of Vanua Levu will experience euphoric joy and happiness to see their chief honoured thus. May his term in office bring joy, happiness, unity and prosperity to Fiji and all Fijian. Dewan Chand Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva
Three chiefs
Jan Nisar, what is your problem if the three highest chiefs in the land are leaders in SODELPA? Just like me, majority of Fijians are focused on our high chief, his excellency Ratu Wiliame Katonivere who happens to be our President.
Rightfully, he is one of Fiji’s fiercest defenders of the ocean and is at the forefront in the effort to combat and adapt to climate change and the protection of our ocean and environment.
The incumbent Tui Macuata, remains dedicated to ensuring that peace and harmony reigns over his people through his vision, loyalty, exemplary leadership and most importantly in upholding the standards of his forefathers.
Jan, keep your two cents topic about SODELPA high chiefs to yourself (FT25/11).
Moving on, the Tui Macuata is also the founder of the Labasa-based environmental group Na Bainivualiku which advocates for the protection of the great sea reef, marine life and the training and upskilling of the people of Macuata.
Forget about SODELPA chiefs. My previous return air tickets offer, with an additional all expenses paid bonus trip to Labasa.
Do meet Sukha Singh and he will tell you more about this dedicated high chief. Until then, eat yoghurt, bananas, eggs and almonds to increase your stamina and boost energy to make that telephone call to Lautoka from your adopted country Australia. Raymond Singh Marine Drive, Lautoka
Let victory be ours
With the Dubai 7s kicking off yesterday, a lot is at stake for the players, FRU and the ardent fans both locally and globally.
I am optimistic that with all the hard work put in by the players and the coaching panel; this weekend would be a special one with more release of weapons from our armoury.
Right decisions, ball possession, strong and legal tackles, less individual play and discipline would be the ingredients needed to earn some valuable points as the series unfolds. Our attacking and defence must be absolutely superb.
I do understand that thousands of our people have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a win would surely provide some sort of compensation for all the losses. This tournament was not played since 2019 and nothing can be taken for granted as the underdogs would have their tails up.
Sadly, our rivals from NZ would not be participating but nothing gets easier for any teams. The Springboks are still holding onto this title.
I wish the interim coach the best of luck for the remaining tournaments. Fiji has very little success in Dubai.
Since 1999, we have just won twice (2013 and 2015) and this shows that we have not won since then.
Probably one of the worst tournament records for us. Toso Viti. Naveen Dutt Wainibokasi
16 Days of Activism
The children of Nakorolevu Village in Namara, Tailevu took part in the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women campaign which aims to end gender-based violence against girls and women.
The event was organised by Medical Services Pacific with a thought-provoking theme, ‘Orange the World of Elimination Against Women and Girls Now’.
It is important that children are included in such campaigns, for they will have a fair idea of what domestic violence is, and the impact it has on a women, her family and community at large. A moment of silence was observed, while candles were lit to commemorate those who had lost their lives to violence.
Men must realise that girls and women are human beings, and they need love, affection, care and support. Girls and women should never be used as a punching bag.
I allude to Hillary Clinton’s speech which she delivered at a women’s conference, “If women are healthy and educated free, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations do as well.”
My best wishes to women and NGOs advocating women’s rights and other issues as we prepare for 16 days of Activism! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Ageing is a disability
I believe we have to accept that ageing is also a form of disability.
Remember during our very young days, we loved to run around and were sent to the shop more than 10 times without complaining.
In our twenties, we men, flexed our muscles and could take punches or a hard hitting tackle during a rugby match.
In our 40s to 50s we began to complain of back pain, sore knees and shoulders and having blurred vision and really struggled to stand up. In our 60s onwards, we had our new found friend, known as Mr Cane aka Titoko and lucky if you got away from prostate cancer, diabetes, hypertension or stroke along the way.
Stay healthy and well folks and don’t end up at our amputation department! Jioji Masivesi Tadra- Votualevu, Nadi
Bird flu
After waiting to see coronavirus calming down, the reports on the quick and fast spread of bird flu is worrying.
The outbreak in Europe and Asia will once again lead to huge trade and economic crisis. The world is succumbing with these untimely viruses surfacing every now and than.
Once again, I hope that there are better days ahead or maybe I am just imagining things. Rouhit Karan Singh Lautoka
