Letters to the Editor – Sunday, June 20, 2021

Listen to this article:

Soccer Football – UEFA Nations League Semi Final – Portugal v Switzerland – Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal – June 5, 2019 Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

Soccer superstar

I Read on this column FT 18/6 and I was surprised to know that Christiano Ronaldo has many worshippers here in Fiji, wow.

What am I missing or am I just bera vakalevu noqu basi?

I pondered over the question if worshiping the soccer superstar is beneficial or brings good luck so I can also choose my idol to worship.

Kilaga just imagining on the benefits I wish to ride on during this delta variant pandemic.

Anyone for Coca-Cola!

Nanise Soko, Suva

Vaccination target

We are told that the aim now is to vaccinate 80 per cent of our adult population at least by November this year.

Only then we can expect a complete lifting of the current restrictions and the reopening of the borders.

That is quite a reasonable target going by the current vaccination rate.

However, I believe the obvious deciding factors would be the availability of the pledged vaccines to meet that target, as well as the difficulties that may arise in achieving that target e.g. the no-vaxx group.

So, what is the game plan between now and that time viz a viz the economy, food security, law and order and ensuring all basic human needs are met?

I sincerely hope that we will soon see a very definitive and detailed plan for this interim period.

Moreso, even before the 2021/2022 budget is formally announced – which may still be weeks or even months away.

Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Harsh reality

The story of Nazeeran Begum, who begs on the streets of Lautoka to provide for her two grown-up mentally challenged children, once again shows the harsh reality of life on the ground, as thousands of Fijians struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis.

While some are lucky they have jobs and have not faced a pay cut, others are sailing in treacherous waters, hoping for assistance to help them survive.

I was touched after reading Siteri Sauvakacolo’s story in The Fiji Times (14/06) titled ‘Begging for life’.

The story of Nazeeran Begum broke my heart.

Here, I’m fortunate at home that I have three meals, while Begum and her family resorts to two meals.

They forego lunch due to financial constraints.

Despite having her foot amputated, Begum goes out to beg, as she has the responsibility of looking after her two grown-up children who both have medical conditions, and she is the only one who receives the monthly Social Welfare pension.

It’s sad, but here is a glaring example of another family caught in the tentacles of this pandemic.

The reality on the ground is harsh.

This virus has crippled families and entrepreneurs.

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Inspiring men

Farmer Manasa Butoni of Ba and 62 year old Anil Kumar of Nadi stories in Fiji Times Thursday, June 17 are beacons of hope amidst the despair and hopelessness enveloping Fiji at this time.

In Manasa Butoni’s own words: “I would rather work on the farm than to stand in a line to get State handouts. I would rather survive on the hard work I do that puts sweat on my brows. We don’t want to rely on anyone. Even though I have been out of work since April, it doesn’t matter to me because I can still take care of my family.”

Manasa farms in the interior of Ba and has made a cave his farmhouse to be close to his farm.

Anil Kumar says: “I encourage everyone to establish a backyard garden. I am not working, my wife is not working, my son is not working but we have food…people must realise that Fiji would have to live with COVID-19 and not to rely on government assistance. If everyone makes an effort, then nobody will have to rely on rations.”

Anil Kumar and his family are making ends meet from their backyard garden in Nadi.

There we go folks.

Enough of the dependency, hand – out syndrome.

The surest way to die quicker is to be idle and moaning one’s misfortunes and wallow in hopelessness and despair.

As far as I know, no one ever dies from solid hard, physical work.

And to Manasa Butoni and Anil Kumar -the rest of Fiji can take a leaf from your inspiring words and action.

Thank you the two of you for challenging us.

William Rosa, Ba

Hunger and sex

A local reproductive health association recently reported that hunger and sex can be compared: “Hunger and sex have to be satisfied at some point’ (FT 11/6/’21); tantamount to claiming hunger and sex are the same. If I believed that, I’d be thinking twice about putting food in my mouth.

Of course I don’t.

Analogies have very limited value in supporting an argument as at one point they breakdown and render the argument illogical.

By logic I’m referring to logical deduction.

An example can be if you eat and by doing so you want sex and if you have sex you will become pregnant then eating will get you pregnant.

How ridiculous, especially if you are male.

It just won’t happen under normal circumstances.

While accepting that both food and sex rely on impulses driven by desires, they are both very different human functions driven by different forces.

Hunger triggers the desire to eat or the sight of delicious food.

Sex is driven by hormones of a different type.

Hunger will do little if not anything toward motivating you to want sex.

The use of such a weak analogy by a reproductive health organisation is disappointing at the least.

The association spokesperson went on to claim that “Fiji should expect a baby boom in the next few months as a result of the COVID-19 movement restrictions”.

Is the association making these claims based on findings from data collected or is it just a gut reaction and an assumption?

I believe unsubstantiated claims, unfounded assumptions and weak analogies that are illogical all go hand in hand with misinformation and fear-mongering.

At this time, we all need any good news we can get our hands on but if it is bad, please make sure it is accurate.

Julie Sutherland, Tamavua, Suva

Frontline teachers

During times of national emergencies, it is quite normal to see the disciplined forces assisting in either rescue or rehabilitation efforts.

The health workers also form part of the team.

The efforts of these civil servants are very much appreciated, for they stand steadfast to carry out national duties during extra-ordinary times.

It is gratifying to note that this time around, some enthusiastic and patriotic teachers have stood the test of time by volunteering to be part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 taskforce.

They have chosen to serve the nation in a way that has made them special among their colleagues.

Though new to the situation, a teacher is always a teacher and adjusts to situations as per its calling.

I take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank these brave professionals, who have taken the initiative to venture into a new practice.

I believe selected teachers from around Viti Levu have volunteered for this exercise to contribute to the nation in the fight against COVID-19.

This commitment will go in the history books for these individuals as well as Education Ministry.

Special acknowledgement and appreciation is extended to all volunteering teachers for sacrificing their extended holidays for this life saving commitment.

Like the health workers and the disciplined forces, they are brave to fight the invisible enemy with the optimism that their contributions would help save the lives of every Fijian.

The involvement of teachers in COVID-19 mitigation exercise further proves critics wrong.

Yes!

Teachers are working during extended break and they need acknowledgement.

They need recognition for venturing into unfamiliar workplace and we all must be proud of our country’s teachers.

My salutation to all dedicated teachers of Fiji.

Vishnu Deo Sharma, Nakasi

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 28
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category