Animal cruelty
I refer to Amrit Singh’s letter on animal cruelty (FT 16/01). It is heartbreaking to read about how your dog has suffered and the extent of his injuries. While this behaviour from humans isn’t condoned, your dog found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many people are living life on edge and take walks to process life, live life (work, school, visit friends and family etc) and having a ferocious dog appear out of nowhere aiming to scare and attack is definitely not a welcome sight. I now have to carry an umbrella and I have heard of people now using Mortein sprays to fend off dogs charging out of their compounds. In the PNG highlands, they carry machetes. The truth of the matter is if people had to choose between saving their lives over your dog who would literally be aiming to take theirs, survival instinct will kick in. Dogs aim for a cat’s throat to kill. That is their killer instinct. They use the same ferociousness on human beings. Humans are not really born cruel. Animals are not born cruel. Both seem to bring out this ugly trait in each other sadly. As for chips on dog licences, these are easily available online and someone was selling something similar on the Facebook buy & sell page. I wish your dog a speedy recovery and hope that he will never have to endure such cruelty again. I also hope his perpetrators are found.
JOAN MCGOON Vomo St, Lautoka
Never before
It has never happened before Never had this problem before Never been in this situation before Never anticipated this before Never felt like this before Not even once before Things are not the same as before But wanting the future To be like never before
BHAGWANJI BHINDI Nasinu
Deteriorating roads
We here in Pacific Harbour, would not mind some of that asphaltic concrete type of sealing for our deteriorating roads — some visibly more than others. Even the macadam method of sealing would be received quite warmly, if that indeed was an alternative option. We, I am sure, would not mind the nine to twelve wait after the first seal, for the layers of macadam. We have been waiting ever so long enough, a further few months is no big deal. Anything is better than the quick fix of gravel in the potholes and now with bitumen added. However, both dislodge soon after heavy rain. Roads in question include Admiral Circle, Hibiscus Drive and Bunako Circle, just to name some of the many in the neighbourhood.
EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Desperate times
During these difficult times when many are without jobs, or were victims of STC Yasa, officious officials and nosey do-gooders are bent on depriving people from trying to make a living either by selling produce at roadside stalls or by sending children out with food parcels to sell. These people are forcing stall holders to dismantle their stalls outside their homes and for them to sell their produce at a central location far from their homes. Or the nosey parkers are asking why these kids are selling food parcels everywhere. Can’t they be sympathetic with their situation? These food parcels are helping them with purchasing groceries or equipping their children for school, etc. Have a heart folks. These are desperate times. Give them a go please!
NORMAN YEE Martintar, Nadi
Cashless society
Imagine living in a cashless society where one would not need to carry any notes or coins in the wallet. This will also eliminate the need to print the currency. No ATMs too. You can swipe your card for every purchase made at the municipal markets, roadside vendors, barbecue sellers, peanut sellers and bakeries and for parking meters, postage stamps, and many others. And what about gardeners, grass cutters, house girls, shoeshine boys and beggars? Someone suggested that all small businesses should have EFTPOS for accepting payments. At a time when most of them are struggling to keep afloat wouldn’t this cost add to their burden? What about those operating in remote and maritime areas where there is limited access to infrastructure such as electricity and communication system. And what happens when the machines are down due to power outage. The outcome of a proper cost/benefit analysis should be made available before any submissions are invited from the public on this issue. Let’s be practical please. The reality is it is impossible to do without cash.
SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Road safety
Addressing road safety by the editor in chief, Fred Wesley (FT 12/1) highlights the importance of safety on roads. Because of negligence of rules and regulations on the use of roads, there are lots of accidents and loss of innocent lives. Disasters do happen, but there is a difference between man-made and natural disasters. Let’s keep our road users, pedestrians and drivers to be conscious always to avoid accidents at all cost. The Fiji Road Safety Council, driving schools, teachers, police and Road Transport Authority always emphasise on the safety procedures for everyone’s concern. Let’s live and let others live and keep educating and implementing the road safety rules to avoid road accidents. Road safety is everyone’s concern.
TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
YOUR SAY
Back to school
A NEW year has started With local and global pandemics Leaving many devastated Come what may Nothing stops one’s academics It’s back to school Education is one’s life long tool Sees no age, race or gender To no one is it cruel If used wisely and precisely Acts as a survival shield fi rm and slender Be it youngsters or elders Make most while the opportunity exists Before time and resources exit Will help you stand tall Avoiding life’s fall Happy back to school.
PRAMEETA Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva
School calendar
Can we consider shifting the school calendar away from the inevitable cyclone period from November to April? Therefore, if we can have the school calendar from April to November each year, we can also do away with the two weeks break and reduce it to a one week break and two semesters only, noting there will be a full four months break that will keep our children safe and away from natural disasters. It will also eliminate a lot of cost in running schools. Vinaka, happy start to the school year 2021.
SHALWYN PRASAD Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
All the best
Thousands of students will resume classes today. Except for Year 13 students who will start classes on February 8, the rest are expected to be back in school today, although some are expected to start late because of financial constraints. Stories of pain, misery and financial difficulties have made newspaper headlines and parents have asked for assistance. As students walk into school compounds, I plead with every teacher to please provide love, compassion and empathy to the future of our country. Some have gone through hard times and have experienced challenges during the holidays. Some have lost loved ones. Some have faced unforeseen circumstances so we need to give them a conducive and warm environment where they feel that they are cared for so that constructive learning takes place. Hence, I wish the returning students and teachers all the best for the 2021 school academic year!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
STC Yasa relief work
Just got back from the battered island of Vanua Levu where I spent Christmas and New Year visiting and listening to stories of individuals, families and communities who were victims of STC Yasa. I found myself on this road as the organisation I work for, Caritas Archdiocese of Suva or Caritas Fiji, immediately responded on the ground after STC Yasa passed through the Fiji Islands, by sending three teams to Vanua Levu on December 21, two teams to Bua and a team to Macuata and Cakaudrove. In Bua, our teams were working in partnership with the Lyndhurst Group and Katalyst Foundation while our partners distributed food rations to all villages in Bua, our Caritas Fiji teams were doing assessment and psycho-spiritual support most importantly. The team that responded for Macuata and Cakadrove first did a two-day psycho-social training in Labasa then visited the villages of Lomaloma and Savusavuitaqa, distributing food rations and having sessions with them on trauma counselling and psychosocial support with everyone participating, including children. The team continued assessment for villages in the Cakaudrove Province. For readers of The Fiji Times who have emailed and called me to ask why I am not writing letters any more, I just want to update you with what I was up to in the past couple of weeks. I am now back at work in Suva and I want to wish all you keen readers of The Fiji Times a belated happy New Year and my prayers and hope that you will fulfil your dreams and plans come December 2021.
KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATAGANE Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
QUICK VIEW
Letter of the year
My sincere congratulations, Julie Sutherland, FT 16/01, for your accolades, The Fiji Times Letter of the Year Award. You earned it. Well done. Cheers!
RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Disaster office
Edward Blakelock’s views are pertinent (FT 12/21). I believe the only fl aw is the NDMO will evaporate once the situation normalises and reappear a day or two before the next disaster.
DAN URAI Lautoka
Congratulations
CONGRATS Ms Sutherland. Your ecstatic writing has won many hearts.
KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
Woofer whispers
Seona Smiles’ ears might be growing older (ST 17/01, Woofers in the house) but her wit and cutting edge remain as sharp as ever. Her denouncement of the current Fijian municipal council system, without saying anything near political, is a master class in wordsmithing.
TERRY HULM Eastwood, NSW, Australia
Mat weaving
Vasemaca Vakalala, 12, weaving a mat is a rare sight indeed (FT 14/01). She was taught to weave at 9 years old. It not only keeps the tradition alive but has great potential as a money earner. It’s about time schools take up mat weaving as part of the curriculum.
DAN URAI Lautoka
Irky headlines
The Sunday Times (17/01) front page headlines could have “irked” a few people. “Fijian receives two shots” could have been misread as “gun shots”.
VIJAY P. MADHAVAN Borron Rd, Suva
Building bridges
It was so good to hear outgoing US ambassador to Fiji, Joseph Cella say, “We have been able to build and fortify bridges” during his term of service in Fiji (FT 17/01). This, at a time when the Trump administration back home was preoccupied with building walls. The ambassador has certainly made a positive contribution in his pivotal role.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Trump vendetta
I read almost every day one Rajen Naidu from Sydney writing in the Letters to the Editor about anything, especially against Trump. If someone writes in favour of Trump, he will be the first one to write the next day trying to belittle him/her. Has he got a personal vendetta against Trump?
NARDEO MISHRA Suva
Hard work
Through what miraculous intervention have we suddenly come to realise that hard work has to be a core ingredient in student academic life.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
