Letters to the Editor: Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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Karalaini Lagilagi (close to camera) with her younger brother Lisala Nasome, 11 sells ivi at Valelevu, Nasinu. Picture: SOPHIE RALULU

Selling ivi for education base

Year 10 student Karalaini Lagilagi and her brother Lisala Nasome, who is a Year 6 student, were spotted selling ivi at Valelevu.

They have been selling ivi to help buy some of their back to school needs. Kara and Lisala are excited to be going back to school and meeting their friends and catching up with their schoolwork.

Recently Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama stated that approximately 115,000 workers have lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like the duo, there are other students who have been seen selling roti parcel, bu, brooms, cakes and pies to meet their family needs.

Sadly, these students come from families whose parents have lost jobs or have had to take a pay cut.

On the other hand, these students are supposed to be in school but certain circumstances are holding them back.

Kara and Lisala have faced the brunt of COVID-19 and I’m adamant that it will make them stronger and hungrier to cover up what they have missed in school and to attain success.

RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

 

Democratic process

I believe SODELPA is showing that democracy is a process of the people, by the people and for the people.

I believe the country needs genuine democratic leadership.

DAN URAI Lautoka

 

Give and take

The front page of your July 11 edition, according to Savenaca Narube, said government could save $1.5 billion.

Read against a backdrop of the often uttered words of “we are all in this (fight against the pandemic) together” would make one wonder if those in power gave it some serious thought.

Also, some women representing a grouping of NGOs recently highlighted talent, intelligence and wisdom outside of Parliament could be harnessed for the national COVID-19 effort.

We should be thankful that people are more than willing to share for the national good. They’re happy to give. Now who is willing to take on board what they have to offer?

SAILOSI BATIRATU Suva

 

Soccer coverage

The Ba vs Navua Vodafone Premier League (VPL) match played at the Fiji FA Academy ground at Namosau in Ba on Saturday was shown live on FBC TV.

I wish to acknowledge and thank the TV station for its thoughtfulness and initiative in showing the game live.

I am pretty sure a lot of soccer fans would have taken advantage of this opportunity and seen the encounter which ended in favour of the Men in Black.

This encounter sees the resumption of the VPL which had to be stopped because of COVID-19-related restrictions.

I think both teams played very well as a total of eight goals were scored in this game.

However, at the final whistle it was the home team that beat the visitors 5-3.

This scoreline also indicates that strikers on both sides did a very good job. I think players will get their touch back as more games are played. I think Ba will now meet Lautoka on Wednesday at Churchill Park.

But I think this game is not included in the schedule of games to be televised live by FBC.

A radio commentary will of course be done for sure by FBC as confirmed by the most popular soccer commentator in the country, Raymond Stoddart during his coverage of the Ba/Navua match.

Sporting events do help to bring people together and give them a chance to relax too.

Let’s hope more sporting events resume in the coming days.

Thank you.

SURESH CHAND Nadi

 

Footbridges

Dr Mahendra Reddy has been doing the opening of footbridges around the country.

I sincerely hope he can be allowed to open bigger bridges since he is also the minister looking after larger rivers.

SUKHA SINGH Labasa

 

I agree

I agree with Anthony’s letter (FT 13/07). The hypocrites are not fooling anyone but themselves.

If the roads were alive they might be crying out in pain.

Hopefully the PM of Kava Parliament and his ministers come visit too.

BILL KUNAVATU Misson Hill, Levuka

 

Road repairs

Well, the PM is going to Levuka and roads are being repaired.

According to that Levuka boy Anthony Sahai.

We have a guest coming on Friday, so it looks like our roads in Waiyavi will be repaired.

Our esteemed guest is none other than professional scuba diver, environmentalist — Capt Jonathan Smith. Kava Parliament will be thrilled to see you skipper.

ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka

 

Rugby bullying

Learning that a clause which states to get a Super Rugby contract one must show their allegiance to New Zealand rugby is more than surprising.

Is it developing rugby in the Pacific or bullying?

PRANIL RAM Votualevu, Nadi

 

Imperfect state

This is from an imperfect Lautoka resident to an imperfect Savusavu citizen.

What are the flaws of the present imperfect government and which flaws have already been pointed out and corrected?

MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka

 

Same citizens

I am sad to hear from Simon Hazelman that the Government can never be perfect if all our citizens are imperfect and unschooled.

Don’t forget Simon… it’s the same citizens that voted the present and past governments.

I salute the PM and the A-G for having a level playing field.

The PM has called everyone as the same and we are all Fijians.

Thank you sirs.

SHARIF SHAH Savusavu

 

SODELPA

From the letters of some contributors to this column, it would appear that these writers are convinced all the problems within SODELPA are as a result of the democratic process within the party, presumably a good thing, in their opinion.

It’s not as a result of members in denial. If this process is a good thing for the party, I wonder what process would constitute a bad process?

JN NISSAR Carlton, NSW, Australia

 

Clock ticks

The clock ticks as the country awaits Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s budget.

Will lessons be learnt?

DAN URAI Lautoka

 

My opinion

As an ardent follower of the Letters to the Editor in The Fiji Times newspaper, may I suggest the following people that seem to know solutions to our country’s problems.

I strongly believe this line-up could make a difference: 1. Allen Lockington; 2. Rajnesh Lingam; 3. Kiniviliame Keteca; 4. Wise Muavono; 5. Moses Mani; 6. Suka Singh; 7. Daniel Urai; 8. Shalwyn Prasad; 9. Raynav Chand; 10. Simon Hazelman; 11. Satish Nakched; 12. Richard Naidu; 13. Kirti Patel; 14. Floyd Robinson; 15. Arvind Mani; 16. Grahame Stageman; 17. Pranil Ram; 18. Param Singh; 19. Mohammed Imraz Janif; 20. Rajend Naidu; 21. Ashneel Prasad; 22. Joji Masivesi Cakacaka; 23. Suresh Chand; 24. Nishant Singh; 25. Dharmendra Kumar; 26. Vijay Naidu; 27. Areki Dawai; 28.

And of course The Fiji Times’ very own Fred Wesley.

I may have missed out on a few notable names but these are names I could remember and 28 sits enough to form government.

The rest could become backbenchers or whatever they’re called.

Vacava? Toso Viti Toso?!

ALIPATE TUBERI Suva

 

Parking crisis

I respectfully write this open letter to the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete regarding the parking crisis at the CWM Hospital.

It is a long standing issue and seems to be getting worse by the day.

People dread to take their vehicles to this hospital for fear of being booked by officers of the Land Transport Authority or the police.

It has really become a nightmare!

While I fully appreciate that the ministry is currently battling with the impact of coronavirus on our country, they are doing a great job but the other associated problems on hand cannot be overlooked for ever.

Parking crisis needs the urgent attention of the ministry as thousands of people visit the CWMH on a daily basis.

I humbly suggest that a multistorey car park be built in the space next to the new wing by removing the two dilapidated government quarters.

Alternatively the current NDC be removed to make way for a modern multistorey car park or the gully adjacent to the Pacific

Eye Centre seems to be a reasonably logical place.

This car park can be based on the user-pay concept.

People will be happy to pay for safe parking. For this private or foreign funding can be sourced.

DEWAN CHAND Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva

 

Powerful stories

The Sunday Times had strong and kaukauwa stories including Ba’s strong start in the league.

The third page story of the Ram brothers and the sacrifice and resilience of Rohan on a day by day basis holding his school work and vision to become a pilot… the veilomani by Elia Rakesa and his family to provide shelter … the way the world should see, toso Viti, made in Fiji only.

Then we read about the sister siblings Shelly and Margaret and the help by Mr Raivoce and Basic Industries to provide shelter, where else but in Viti?

Finally every newspaper carries politics as a headline but the Viti Times is growing with the tag of the people’s power-packed kaukauwa talanoa and veilomani. Joka dina, Viti kei na vuravura!

The first few pages and we are off the block to a blessed Sunday.

We can’t throw away or discard the papers with such powerful stories.

Should be kept in the archives for future generations to read the reality talanoa and veilomani in our Viti, the way the world should see.

SHALWYN PRASAD Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva

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