Roy’s roots
While Roy Krishna’s decision to sign up with professional football club Hero India Super League Club Amra Team Kolkata (ATK) surprised many, I believe he is on the right track as far as going back to his roots is concerned.
From the competitive A-League to Indian soccer — amazing!
Roy had a remarkable season with the Wellington Phoenix as he netted 51 goals and made headlines as he walked away with the club’s best player award.
I respect Roy’s decision and I urge other soccer followers to do the same.
After all, Roy becomes the first Fijian (if history corrects me) to play in India as a professional footballer.
All the best Roy in your quest to explore new horizons in India and fly Fiji’s flag there!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Back to the roots
I wish to applaud The Fiji Times for putting the wonder boy, Roy Krishna on the front page (F/T 19/6), with an apt headline.
I had the opportunity to hear him on air and despite the hosts heaping praise (rightly so), Roy remained rooted to the ground.
I wish to take a cue from the wonder boy and pen a few lines on why we should never forget our roots.
Roy has shown us that life is a constant adventure which can lead us to a number of magnificent places.
No matter what path one choose to take on the journey, one thing that one must never forget and lose sight of is the people and the places that helped shape your success.
No matter how wide your wings spread, or how far you may go in life, you must always remember to appreciate your roots.
So next time you find your mind wandering aimlessly, get back to your roots.
Get back to your values.
I wish I was still teaching.
Instead of using the Salmon as an example to teach the importance of not forgetting one’s roots, I would have used the wonder boy’s example.
I wish him all success at his new club, ATK, and may Roy remain rooted in his values.
Arun Prasad, Dilkusha, Nausori
The cibi
The cibi is performed by Fijian national rugby union teams before the start of Test matches.
With all due respect, can the Flying Fijians perform the cibi with more vigour.
My belief is that it is not performed with fierce strength and motivation for battle like the New Zealanders, Samoans and Tongans perform their challenges.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Our vision
While the Vodafone Fiji Bati side deserves continued support in preparation for the important clash against Lebanon, one does question the vision of our league authorities.
One understands that our local standard is below that of overseas competitions such as the NRL in Australia, but do we have a vision of exposing more local players to high-level competitions or are we more concerned about winning.
If we have the vision and are keen on taking risks, we could have included at least three local players.
After all, this may be the opportunity our local players dream for.
Best wishes to our Fiji Bati but hope that in future officials, they take bold steps in including a few more locally based players.
Floyd Robinson, Toorak, Suva
Fast ferry
While my classmate and director for Gounder Shipping Services, George Gounder, means well about providing a fast ferry service between Suva and Nausori (FT:19/06) the idea cannot possibly be viable nor beneficial for Gounder Shipping and the public, if speed and convenience is the ultimate aim.
First and foremost if Gounder shipping is thinking of providing such a service from Tiko’s as they’ve suggested to Nausori Town then they will have to do half the trip up the Rewa River.
In total, they would have to cover approximately 32 kilometres one way.
They would need a vessel that travels at a speed of 20 knots to make the one way trip in an hour.
Driving from Suva to Nausori is a 25 kilometre drive and it would take a vehicle 35 minutes driving at 40 kilometres an hour to make the trip, and 40km/hr is pretty slow!
It would make real sense if the service was to merely cross a bay but in this case the vessel will literally need to go around the bay and up a winding river to make the trip.
While it is possible it sure will not be a fast-ferry trip but a slow one, even at 20 knots!
Driving will remain the better option!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Hold the phone
I always wondered why some MPs in that House were not given time to speak when it was about their ministry.
So Rabuka’s coup caused NCDs?
And the 2006 coup brought true democracy to this nation, but hold the phone, I thought it was a clean-up campaign!
Oh dear.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Respect living beings
The recent outcry on social media against animals because of one isolated event that was probably blown out of proportion is not unusual in our country.
Given the several episodes of online hatred we have had recently, which is free-speech online, people hide behind fake accounts and aliases to conjure more hate instead of coming up with logical and humane solutions.
Nonetheless, I write to plead with the relevant authorities and the public, one incident does not make every animal bad because if that were the proper rule or way of things, then all humans would be bad for what we do daily, the crimes against humanity, the environment and the list goes on.
My sympathies go to the victim, but should we not also be teaching our children empathy and proper manners and not simply leaving them unattended/unsupervised?
Instead of prompting for mass killing of animals, we should be helping the efforts of organisations who desex strays and re-home them.
We must understand the situation before resorting to the extreme, especially because the other species cannot make their own case of defence.
We have been charged as the guardians of all others on the planet, is that not what we pride ourselves on every Sunday?
So please, let’s try better solutions than all horrible suggestions made, for in the face of an unfortunate incident, we must not lose our own values.
No holy books or scholarly journals suggest that we go to the extreme.
Thank you.
Radhia, Fasa Ave, Nadi
Kaboom factor
From my gardener Saki, I learnt two more words today — “dina kaboom”.
He says he has been following the debate in that august House.
And from my civil engineer, I hear that his company has not been paid for services rendered last year.
That’s the truth.
Tut tut.
Pratap Singh, Suva
Salaries, budget
Will salaries be affected because of the budget cuts?
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Rumours, doom
I believe no economy has ever been doomed because of rumours.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
New phrase
Phrase now is “All bark and no boom”.
Given the economy perhaps dog will find itself on the menu.
I have eaten it in many countries, tastes OK.
Allan Loosley, Tavua
Stray dogs
Just wondering, if we cannot simply “fix” the stray dog menace, then how the heck can we “fix” the drug issue?
Phew!
Anthony Sahai, Suva
Airport security
Too many confusions exist.
Airline staff do advise passengers on hand luggage items allowed onboard.
However, internal airport security staff say differently.
They seize cough mixtures, 50gm liquids sealed in plastic, toothpaste, gel, etc, just saying not allowed.
Could CEO Customs provide detailed listing similar to tax matters and airline printouts to list also instead of unnecessary data.
Joe Smith, Pacific Harbour, Deuba
Shipping service
Goundar Shipping Ltd added another ship to its fleet, making it the biggest in Fiji.
Hopefully, Taveuni will be on the map now.
Travelling to Taveuni has been too long as getting from Natovi to Nabouwalu and then to Labasa.
If you have relatives in Labasa then good, because the next day very early, buses leave Labasa for Natuvu Jetty.
Then from Natuvu to Taveuni.
Hopefully, the company will bring some hope for the people of Taveuni.
Direct trips from Suva three times a week is perfect.
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu
That budget
It has suddenly dawned on me, its an austerity budget!
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Decisive moment
The Junior Flying Fijians were dealt a heavy blow as they lost to a fired-up Georgian outfit which was determined to stay in the top flight.
After earlier losses to France, Argentina and Wales our hopes were pinned on an upset against the heavyweights but once again indiscipline, basic mistakes, taking wrong options and lack of urgency resulted in our fourth consecutive loss.
Our boys failed to click and could lose the opportunity to survive in the tier one competition as they will now play against Scotland in a do-or-die situation.
In every match our junior ruggers were sent to the bin and this should be an area of concern for the team management.
Our boys need to take responsibility for their actions on the field and they must put in every ounce of strength to beat Scotland to survive.
Toso Viti, toso!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Acknowledgment due
The Rewa Tikina Development Committee hereby express our sincere gratitude to the National director of Habitat For Humanity Fiji and his innovative staff members for the enormous developmental features that was periodically undertaken for three years at Tavuya Village in Rewa.
Additionally, the generosity of all members of Community For Communities (Sydney), for making things happen, who through their significant sponsorship engagements, have completely transformed the vulnerable status of Tavuya, into an advanced community.
We are humbly privileged that your collective effort has empowered our disadvantaged to also enjoy the brilliant provision of sustainable progression which life can offer.
You have provided safe access to the disabled, sanitised washroom facilities to the underprivileged, hygienic water to the thirsty, and shelter to the homeless, thus leaving no one behind, during due process.
Once again, vinaka vakalevu Habitat For Humanity Fiji and C for C (Sydney) for your collaborate achievements and the tikina of Rewa respectfully implore, for future engagements with you.
Alipate Senikuta Mata ni tikina, Rewa
Plaza work
Yesterday morning I was informed through the report of multimedia reporter, Kelly Vacala, that WG Friendship Plaza at MacGregor Rd has been issued a stop-work order for encroaching on to the adjacent property boundaries.
Vacala expressed that WG Friendship Plaza, “Dubbed as the tallest building in the Pacific, the skyscraper is alleged to have broken boundary laws”.
Considering the requirements prescribed in Schedules A and B of Provision 9 of the Suva City approved Town Planning Scheme General Provisions, I request the chief executive officer of Suva City Council, or the Minister for Local Government in the absence of the Lord Mayor, to enlighten the owners and occupiers (ratepayers) of land within the city of Suva of this information pertaining to the land on which WG Friendship Plaza is built: – the zoning of the subject site; – what are the permitted uses in that site; – the plot ratio that applies in that site; – the front, side and rear yards’ requirements that apply; – is the site sewered or unsewered; and – height limitation, if any.
Pita K Nacuva, Namadi Heights, Tamavua, Suva
