A head held high
The adage, “You cannot put a strong woman down,” rings true for 26-year-old Vika Vuetibau who has taken the initiative to sell food at her family’s stall, which started this year in January, located at the famous Bau landing. Sharing her story via the People column with Pekai Kotoisuva (FT: 15/08), Vika said that business was not great all the time, but that did not discourage her from doing what she had to do. She had apt and timely advice for aspiring small business owners, “always do your best no matter what happens, keep your head high and remain positive”. This is an important advice during these trying times when we tend to give up because we face obstacles in life. Positive vibes are needed to keep us going and the daily inspirational and motivational doses from the People column inspire on a daily basis. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Our soccer
With the drafting of some new players to the side, Nadi’s performance seems to be getting even better. As another round of the DPL matches was held over the weekend, the Jetsetters showed their superiority by outclassing a highly spirited Labasa outfit at Subrail Park in Labasa last Saturday. Don’t forget that Labasa a week earlier had given Ba hiding, but with the green machine, the story changed dramatically. If Nadi stayed on the course they will be a force to be reckoned with in time to come. While DPL is not over yet, and BOG is just around the corner so let’s remind the coaches and players that you need not relax but to get more serious about working on your team co-ordination and fitness which is necessary to maintain composure when the going gets tough. I believe Fiji FA was doing a good job by scheduling the games on a rotational basis. This was good as it generates interest and lures more people to the ground. More people crossing the gate means better gate taking which at end of the day was important for the running of any tournament for that matter. Pay-per-view is another remarkable undertaking that I believe, benefits all parties concerned. From time to time people do talk that our soccer standard was not improving doesn’t mean that we don’t support the sport. Last but not least soccer is feeding many hungry mouths. Let’s be content with local flavour. Thank you. Suresh Chand Nadi
Children’s safety
The brawl on Sunday in broad daylight along Nairai Rd has sent shock waves not only in the greater Suva area but across the country. What is wrong and how can some in our communities become so violent? Among those watching were children. What message or examples are we setting for them? There is an even greater concern. With thousands of children expected to flock to the national stadium for the Coca-Cola Games, what assurance is there that such an incident will not occur or spill over towards the national stadium? If I were a parent or guardian whose children are camping at a school ( prior to the Games) I would be worried, especially if located in the Raiwaqa or Nabua area as there is a possibility of retaliation. How can our law enforcement officers improve their responses to such situations? If police officers are out numbered, can support be sourced urgently from the military? All in all, this has to be put to a stop if our streets in Suva are to remind safe. Let’s hope that common sense prevails and our streets are safe for children. Floyd Robinson Domain, Suva Get your checklists ready It is very important in life to prioritise and be organised. A necessary tool that ensures this is a checklist or “to-do-list”. It provides a detail of everything that any individual needs to be organised in life. Children will only learn to use a checklist when it is actively role modelled by trusted adults. With all this sensational political news appearing daily on the front page of The Fiji Times, it is high time that all the eligible voters keep updating their candidate checklist. Following the daily crossfires from the suitable proposed candidates contesting for their anticipated seats on either side of the August House, voters must be fully prepared as to who should be on the top of their checklists. The game is on – let the eliminations on your checklists begin! DINESH KUMAR Ba
All Blacks head coach
Even with the win at Ellis Park for the second Rugby Championship game, NZ Rugby should replace the lame duck Ian Foster with Scott Robertson who has proven himself in the Super Rugby arena where he has won the title back-to-back. It’s about time for Scott Robertson to ascend to the All Blacks coaching role as due to politics and biased
criteria he was passed over after Graham Henry twin Steve Hansen resigned after the disastrous 2019 Rugby World Cup. NZ Rugby made a huge mistake due to its old boys politics by appointing Ian Foster to the main coaching position despite his pathetic and rubbish coaching record at the Chiefs. Whereas they passed over Scott Robertson the dynamic Crusaders coach who has the goods to take the All Blacks to be the top dogs of World Rugby. That is the problem with nepotism and bias as it turned out not so good. MELI MATANATOTO Suva
Loud music
Late night music noise levels from Martintar, Nadi bars, taverns and night spots, must be brought out into the open and promptly addressed. Are our bars and taverns properly and adequately sound-proofed? Are the authorities concerned maintaining proper oversight? Or does anyone really care at all? Residential properties 200 to 300 metres are often subjected to disturbance of the peace and sleep deprivation. Some nights the disturbances are most annoying and intolerable. Furthermore, drunkards returning home between 1am and after 5am on Sunday, August 14, 2022 caused enough noise and havoc annoying secured dogs along Gray Rd, Mountainview. It is definitely clear some patrons are grossly incapable in handling alcohol responsibly. Respectfully, I ask very politely can authorities concerned please address this disturbance of the peace nuisance. The operators concerned must be adequately aware of loud music filling the night, most nights. Please do not turn a deaf ear and blind eye; and look the other way. You are equally responsible in maintaining some share of this festering problem. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
2022 General Election
So, Parliament is going to be dissolved early (FT 10 /08) and not reach it’s normal date of expiry. That date would have been 26th November this year, exactly four years, from the first meeting of the current Parliament. Normal expiration, would have meant a January 2023 General Elections. Constitutionally, an early dissolution, is the only way for the General Elections, to be held this year, at the latest by December. Then again, early dissolution, has to comply with the stringent provisions, of sec. 62 of the Constitution. Meantime, the formal polling is also expected, as they say, to be conducted during a weekday. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Men’s crisis centre!
“More women justify beating” (FT 11/8), as the outcome of a survey by MICS has alarmed many of us who honour and respect women for the welfare of their families with tolerance, care and commitment. I feel this is a baseless and unjustified comment, also unacceptable by FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali (FT 12/8). Some men are not man enough to treat women with the respect and dignity they rightfully deserve. They need to be counselled at the Women’s Crisis Centre if they feel they are victimised by women. Real men do not abuse their partners as they have a major role to play in the family. Women have their rights to never let a man put his hands on her without her permission. Let there be a Men’s Crisis Centre to counsel men who do not understand women. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Cost of milk
Now that it has been established that the cost of milk will go up, could the suppliers tell me what cows supply our milk, please? Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Night club hours
The idea of letting night clubs operate until 5am is fully supported. The tourists want that as well. Because when night clubs close at 1am, their local patrons come home full of bon homie, happy and noisy still. So they decide to have their own party until dawn. Never mind the neighbours who got woken up and cannot return to sleep. I know this from personal experience. So please help tourism by opening night clubs until 5am and let the neighbourhood get its rest as well. Norman Yee Martintar, Nadi
Shameful act
We read in “Taliban fires shots at Kabul women’s rally” (Yahoo! News 14/8) that the women who took peacefully to the streets chanting “food, work and freedom” were assaulted by the Taliban. No surprises in that. That’s what the Taliban know how to do best. It’s their modus operandi of governance. It’s shameful in this day and age. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Open heart surgery
Good news it’ll now be performed in Lautoka. One of the patient is organising to fund raise $14,000. It’s time the FNPF board include further assistance towards its membership through medical insurance. Dan Urai Lautoka
Dog crisis
Street dog crisis (FT 13/8) when controlled by the authorities will be a relief for the people to sleep well and feel free and safe to move about at night. It’s good to see a lot of work undertaken for the animal birth control program. This is an alternative for the dogs trapped to be killed or poisoned cruelly. This will also help pet owners to take care of them for their safety and safety of others. If a dog bites a man, that’s not news but if a man bites a dog, that’s the news. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
