Foreshore mangrove planting
We read in the media this week about an environmental group that has been planting thousands of mangrove seedlings at the Suva foreshore with an aim to plant even more. While concern about the environment and its protection is admirable, this project certainly raises some questions. The Suva foreshore between the stadium end and the park is the only large flat expanse of safe smooth clean sand with the tide out in the densely populated city that is used by thousands of children and adults for activities ranging from ball games, running, kite flying, paddling, dog walking, keep fit to picnics. I wonder if the authorities who have sanctioned this have taken account of how the reduction in open clear space will impact on present and future generations of health seeking recreationalist that value this open area so much? With the wind and tide at present floating rubbish congregates at the edge of the tidal zone and is relatively easy for the council to clear but with the growth of all these new mangrove areas it will collect within them requiring far more time and effort to keep clean. Has this planting been thought out and planned? Grahame Stageman Lami
Vinaka Suva SUPers
I thank the Suva SUPers team for their generosity towards WOWS Kids Fiji! The group of professional paddlers raised more than $3000 for the Great WOWS Walk Challenge after they completed 14 days of paddling. According to Suva SUPers spokesman the Rev James Bhagwan WOWS Kids initiative was twofold as it involved fundraising for the kids on one hand, and on the other, it encouraged and challenged people to look after their own health. This indeed is good news as we look forward to more individuals, companies and religious organisations joining WOWS Kids initiative to assist children with cancer and other terminal illnesses. A big vinaka vakalevu to the Suva SUPers team for the generosity! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Daylight saving
I refer to the letter of Nardeo Mishra under the heading “Daylight Saving” which was published in your edition of Sunday, September 20. Why Nardeo do you say that it is the time to say no to daylight saving. The only reason I can think of is because you are one of a number of people who are opposed to changes in what you consider as “normal business”, whatever the reason for the change. I can think of no rational objection to the introduction of daylight saving. The advantages are obvious, namely an extra hour of daylight in the evening for recreation, sporting activity and gardening. The only opposition that I have heard of is that it will disrupt the behaviour of humans and animals but, in supporting the opposition, people seem to forget that in June and July in Fiji it does not get light until about 6am which will be about the same time that it will get light in the late part of November, December and January, if daylight saving is introduced. Peter Ian Knight Suva
Double celebration
What a joyous occasion this past weekend has been for the Nadi rugby and soccer loving fans as both their teams brought home happiness. Their rugby side defeated Naitasiri while their soccer boys taught Nasinu a good lesson. So it was double celebration in Nadi over the weekend. Throughout the week both squads are seen training side by side at Prince Charles Park. At times some of the loyal fans are also seen providing the much needed moral support while the boys train. Credit must be given to the boys and their coaching panels including water bucket carrying boys for their unconditional and dedicated efforts throughout the season. Without the concerted efforts of all concerned, it is not possible to manage and train the boys every day. We are so lucky to have in abundance the availability of the services of volunteers who do all the hard work in the name of sports and for district pride. They are hardly known or recognised for what they do. I know many families would be against them but they still do it. I request the management to at least give them free passes whenever it is possible as a token of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice. Suresh Chand Nadi
Pollution and minds
While the environment can be polluted by undisposed litter and waste, so can the mind be polluted by undue bitterness and hate, as we endeavour to keep our environment clean, pristine and litter-free, we should also endeavour to keep our minds free of rancour and negativity, our environment and our minds should therefore be nurtured and developed in a positive way, so that they become assets and not liabilities, at the end of the day. Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
Tourism issue
Recently a few of my friends and relatives returned home, from New Zealand to Fiji, after being stranded here because of COVID-19. They felt at home much to their relief with a safe and comfortable
stay in quarantine. I feel it’s high time the international travel world where COVID is well under
control should promote tourism once again for such beautiful, fascinating places such as Fiji, the paradise of the Pacific. Let’s make Fiji tourism great with open borders, with the open heart of: Welcome bula Fiji! The way the world should be. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Voter survey
I WRITE to clarify a letter by Suresh Chand of Nadi, that appeared in the paper of September 22, 2020,
wherein the writer suggested that the voter survey was an opportunity for registered voters to upgrade
their voter cards. At this point the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) does not intend the voter survey to be conducted in conjunction with a registration exercise. The FEO will not be conducting voter registrations or updating voter details during the voter survey. Voters may visit the nearest available Voter Services Centre for Voter Registration Services. NEELAM PRASAD FEO Communications
Drowning cases
The recent drowning cases are really alarming. In short span of time the number of drowning has risen. It is like becoming a norm which is unpleasant and sad. Students are not going to school, to go for swim. Who would have thought that not telling the truth would lend two brothers in trouble? I hope this comes as a wake-up call both for the parents and children. Having proper communication channel and having discussions in an amicable way, where children can confide in their parents is very important. Understanding our children’s behaviour is very important. Blaming people is not going to sort out this tragic scenario, but what can be done about it is vital. Too many lives lost to drowning is not good at all. Precious lives that could have been future leaders have gone because of careless decisions. Let’s hope there is more awareness but in a way that it reaches the mind and soul of individuals. There is no point in having awareness done just for the sake of it. How one reaches out to people with their stern message is important. We cannot allow this practice to keep emerging. Swimming classes and parental discussions to start off with and the rest will come automatically. After all we are surrounded by the ocean and one never knows when swimming can come in handy. Let’s be proactive. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Feel phone free
It is said that we use phones to fulfil our need for social connection. This may well be true but the addiction and connectivity to social media and smart phone usage is questionable. There was a time I would enjoy a walk along the sea wall on a Sunday evening with my dogs. I would chat with those sitting on the wall as they would ask questions about my dogs and then we’d keep walking, receiving smiles or greetings as we passed. Sadly, on the whole, those days have gone. Now there is far less communication; far fewer smiles or even eye contact. What you do see a lot of is smart phones with heads down in them! Entire families sitting side by side on the wall, not intensely engaged in conversation but engrossed in their phones; couples with a romantic sunset at their backs and staring lovingly into their … phones. I challenge anyone to go for a walk and leave their phone at home. It’s not that hard. Break the addiction. It’s really an empowering feeling. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
Ethnic boxes
Sue Cauty’s opinion piece in FT (22/09) is informative, interesting and persuasively and seeks to stop putting people in ethnic boxes according to skin colour. She points out that ‘we all have the same physical elements – skeleton, vital organs, hair and teeth. The only difference is that human beings have a varied amount of melanin. Melanocytes determine the amount of melanin in our skin’, which determines skin colour. She alludes to racism in the USA and focuses on mixed heritage people and their identity. In Fiji such persons were identified with the ‘race’ of their fathers. The large group of persons with mixed European and islander ancestry were derogatorily referred to as ‘half castes’, and in the post-independence period as ‘Part-Europeans’. She applauds the term ‘fruit salad’ applied to such persons. I agree with her argument that ‘We are human beings — black, brown, pink, white, yellow — whatever. And as human beings, we should respect each other; and certainly stop putting each other into stereotyped racially coloured boxes’. However, it is important to unravel contemporary ethnic stereotyping and racism by considering the consequences of slavery and blackbirding, colonial divide and rule policies, government classification and treatment of ethnic groups and so called races,
as well as economic and power differentials between such groups, and social exclusion of minorities.
VIJAY NAIDU Suva
OAG report
Jan Nissar tells us he has “not read the report of the OAG” (FT 22/9). I am not surprised. His focus, as Vijay Maharaj has pointed out (FT 11/9), has been on “attacking both opposition parties”. Why would he be bothered with the auditor-general’s report? The report does not throw a good light on what’s been happening under the FijiFirst Government’s watch. Jan Nissar is clearly not interested in that! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Hooliganism
Watching local matches of the 15 and 13 man code, no wonder we cannot excel in the international arena because hooliganism still exists within some of our players. Sa rauta mada! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Why now
Why does Graham Davis talk now and not before? Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Swimming tip
Can some swimming expert give us some tips on how to save a drowning person? I know it is really hard to keep a drowning person afloat and at the same time try to take him to the shore. Even very strong swimmers have drowned saving a drowning victim. Sukha Singh Labasa
Imagine
Imagine a FijiFirst party without Bainimarama. Dan Urai Lautoka
Social construct
Reading Sue Cauty’s Article, titled “Separate Ethnic Boxes” (FT 22/9) reminds me that race has no scientific and biological basis, it is only a social construct. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Municipalities
Rightfully, people at the helm of municipalities have to be elected by ratepayers. For more than a decade people have been chosen in the name of everything good. Still… Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Party check
It’s good to see the Supervisor of Elections checking on all political parties and finding faults on so many things. What I am surprised with is why the educated parliamentarian can’t find the same? John Brown Lautoka
Coalition
I believe the Alliance Party lost after 17 years in political power when the opposition political parties NFP and Labour formed a coalition. Dan Urai Lautoka