The Fiji TimesLetters to the Editor – Saturday, March 4, 2023

Portray holds energy!

Solomone Kacirogoci, who’s a Yr 8 trainer at John Wesley Main Faculty, shared his success story with Pekai Kotoisuva.

His message to the general public was, “We, by our items, are mirrors of society and this holds us accountable to our creator and fellow residents, to supply a real reflection of our observations and conclusions.

“Due to this fact, we should not be afraid of rocking the boat or stepping on toes.”

Apt and thought-provoking.

Solomone shared that portray flowed by his veins and gave him confidence.

Though portray consumed a lot of his time, he didn’t quit and accomplished the duty readily available.

As a trainer, Solomone is a job mannequin and his story motivates lecturers to fulfil their God-gifted skills.

Aside from being a trainer, Solomone is an artist, a singer and songwriter.

He has even had the pleasure of writing college textbooks.

Hats off to Solomone and I acknowledge our qasenivuli for his enter as a jack-of-all-trades.

Many have been impressed by his story, because of Pekai and the trusted model!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Part of us

I applaud our Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for revealing a actuality about life, throughout a reception held for delegates of the 2023 Ocean Convention in Panama, when he mentioned that the ocean is a part of us and if we don’t take care of it, we are going to not be right here.

The emotions shared by the prime minister makes me recall the well-known quotes of John Hole Horn of Oglala Lakota, 1932, the place he mentioned and I quote: “Some day the Earth will weep, she’s going to beg for her life, she’s going to cry with tears of blood.  You’ll make a selection, if you’ll assist her or let her die, and when she dies, you’ll die too.”

My best hope is that Mr Rabuka is not going to solely say issues at worldwide stage and never stroll his discuss at dwelling in Fiji, like Bainimarama used to do.

My plea is for the PM and his authorities to completely ban deep sea mining in Fiji and assist to advocate that deep sea mining be banned in all islands within the Pacific.

After all of the ocean, the moana is mom to us, so allow us to defend her, for if we don’t ‘we is not going to be there’ as PM mentioned.

Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua

Lami eyesore

Evidently the native council administration chargeable for Lami are completely oblivious to the deteriorating environmental mess that’s considered by all travelling by.

Beginning on the Kalekana junction finish, the verges and culverts are strewn with plastic bottles, beer cans and garbage.

A few of that is washed down the highway and into drains when there’s windy and moist climate.

The identical personal residence, police station and settlement nonetheless utilizing the verge areas to position their garbage every day which then will get unfold out all around the floor.

That is subsequently cleaned up by council staff losing ratepayers’ cash fairly than the unlawful practices being stopped by the council.

Then we see what has been finished to the row of bushes reverse the Lami dump, what an unprofessional ugly mess.

If the butchering of those bushes was not sufficient, the particles was merely dumped on the roadside verge adjoining to the Lami dump.

Sadly, a lot was positioned on prime of not too long ago dumped drain and culvert particles consisting of garbage and a whole lot of plastic bottles.

Who’s permitting this deterioration of Lami and extra importantly, why?

Grahame Stageman, Lami

Success story

In accordance with Grace Street Group president Daniel Kim, they make use of about 700 Fijians, are the most important farmer in Fiji and have developed principally swampy land which had remained idle for lengthy.

Whereas their preliminary years in Fiji to accumulate and develop land would have been fairly a problem, it is just with their perseverance and dedication that catapulted them to the present success story.

Landowners whose land nonetheless stay idle (no shortages of land) ought to take a cue from this group.

In truth we ought to be in awe of Grace Street’s success.

We must always stay neutral to the investigations presently happening this group whereas the authorities involved go about their work.

Keep in mind this was an unknown group who ventured into Fiji, creating jobs for locals and the success didn’t come in a single day.

Vikel V Lal, Makoi, Nasinu

Money fares

Bus drivers are nonetheless accumulating money from passengers.

Why?

As a result of our enforcement company, Land Transport Authority (LTA) may be very weak on this space.

There ought to be common spot checks by LTA always to curb this.

This pilferage is a loss to Fiji’s fiscal income and the bus operators as nicely.

A particular unit inside LTA ought to be set as much as implement on this.

Fines for drivers caught accumulating money and passengers travelling with out legitimate bus tickets for a selected journey ought to be elevated to discourage future offenders.

Vinesh Prasad, Vuci Rd, Nausori

Minimize it down

I utterly concur with my former trainer Sakaraia Vuki when he mentioned to chop down on the yaqona consuming and take duty of your youngsters (reduce yaqona, focus in your youngsters 1/3).

For {couples} nonetheless with out youngsters, I’d say reduce down on yaqona and give attention to making youngsters.

Sensible Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka

The phrase

Isn’t it daring when listening to the phrase witch hunt from the minister.

Jaheed Buksh, Korolevu, Nadroga

Last likelihood

Will Vancouver 7s be the ultimate likelihood for Ben Gollings to maintain his job?

We want the title, nothing extra, nothing much less.

Raynav Chand, Nakasi,

Nausori Soccer coach

The appointment of Marika Rodu as nationwide soccer coach is well timed and a blessing for Fiji soccer as a complete.

Mr Rodu is well-known all through the soccer fraternity.

A former district rep, nationwide rep and district coach, he has climbed his means up by his dedication and arduous work.

We all know very nicely that self-discipline is his basis for achievement.

This worth will certainly contribute to a sound ambiance for achievement that soccer lovers had been ready for.

We absolutely help his appointment as nationwide coach for the upcoming sequence.

Congratulations.

Arvind Kumar, Raviravi, Ba

Rugby motion

I discuss with the letter by Jan Nissar concerning 7s rugby motion in Los Angeles (FT2/3).

Standard grog dopey assertions because the Mickey Mouse code.

To right your assertion that the stadium was utterly empty is a whole misinform the rafters of the stadium.

Fijians from all walks of life made their vocal presence felt on the stadium for our gladiators.

7s rugby is just not garbage!

How about you say the identical in my face.

7s rugby eternally unites our proud nation and is absolutely supported by the producers of the sportsman’s beer which you have got been consuming for donkeys years.

I as soon as once more invite you to Lautoka Golf Membership to get pleasure from Fiji Gold or Fiji Bitter alongside the tasty lovo lunch.

If you’re nonetheless not happy, you could swap to the Drua Bitter, to appease your bitterness in the direction of 7s rugby.

Lastly, my newest early morning dream without cost informed me that you’ll quickly have a drop kick from South Seas Membership, Lautoka.

Do reply Jan Mohammed as freedom of expression is available to counter my letter.

Raymond Singh, Golf Hyperlinks, Lautoka

Training is the ability

Training is the nurturing of the thoughts, coronary heart and fingers

Training has the ability to remodel life

Into an enlightened human being

True schooling permits one to traverse the uneven seas of life

Through the use of rationale, with a sprinkling of some feelings

Mother and father make investments schooling on their youngsters

Believing someday they might be belongings to their households

Governments make investments schooling on their residents

Trusting someday they might be belongings to the society and nation

When one will get holistic and values-based schooling

One could be pushed by ethical, moral and non secular inclinations

Training is such a strong weapon

That transforms one to assume rationally, humanely and independently

Training is just not solely information pushed

It’s knowledge pushed

When information, knowledge and humanity mix in concord

It carves a path to significant progress and success

Training has the ability to sharpen one’s creativeness, creativity

Free considering and the sense of curiosity

Training is just not solely attaining certificates and levels

It’s how one pertains to individuals, neighborhood, nation and the world

Training permits one to grow to be a whole human being

Contributing to the creation and innovation of society and nation

Training transforms one from ignorance to information

Training takes one from darkness to mild

It’s a standard perception that information is energy

Let’s pause and reflect-is it actually true?

Or do we’d like one thing extra, maybe knowledge

To present one an extra perception

To deal with the uneven seas of life.

Bhagwanji Bhindi, Laucala Seaside Property, Nasinu

Inter-house athletics meets!

Faculties are utilizing their inter-house athletics meet to pick their athletes for the respective zonal meets.

After the success of final 12 months’s Coca-Cola Video games and the rise of sure unknown colleges on the medal chart, this 12 months I’m anticipating all colleges to organize nicely for the three-day meet.

The Lions and the Waimanu Kui took out the girls and boys titles.

Whereas the ladies from Waimanu had a straightforward path, the boys from Grammar needed to dig deep to get the title again to Nasese.

Then again, RKS remembered their fallen coach, Moape Vu, on Thursday throughout their college’s inter-house competitors.

In accordance with RKS assistant principal, Masi Saqanivere, Vu believed in breeding personal athletes and introduced again the aggressive competitors throughout the athletics enviornment.

He added that the varsity would proceed along with his legacy with a view to develop and breed its personal athletes.

RKS, Marist and QVS are title contenders within the boys division, whereas Jasper, Suva Grammar and St Joseph Secondary will give ACS a troublesome competitors.

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Right here we come

Vancouver, right here we come.

As our nationwide 7s rugby aspect participates within the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Collection, followers can have excessive expectations after narrowly dropping out to Argentina within the semi-finals final week.

With due respect, I feel the most important take a look at is on our followers.

Will they help our women and men whatever the final result in Vancouver?

All of us like to have fun when our groups succeed within the grand finals however this isn’t at all times the case.

Our gamers might allow us to down however let’s consider the larger image.

Mixtures take time to develop and the distinction between dropping and successful is determined by easy errors or the interpretation of guidelines by referees.

Let’s help our gamers and hopefully, their efficiency in Vancouver takes them a step nearer to securing knowledgeable contract abroad.

In the meantime, the Kaiviti Silktails additionally deserve consideration.

Floyd Robinon, Nasese, Suva

Coincidence

It’s certainly actually an incredible coincidence.

Former prime navy spokesperson and RFMF officer Filipo Tarakinikini, as soon as reportedly referred to as a “deserter” can be returning dwelling quickly with Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.

Underneath the brand new and caring Coalition Authorities, and succesful management of PM Rabuka, one other son of Fiji is now allowed to return to the land of his delivery.

Fiji’s new daybreak continues to unite these as soon as “expelled” from dwelling.

Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi

Municipal elections

It’s pleasing to notice that municipal council elections are coming again after an extended layoff.

Ratepayers will as soon as once more get the chance to take part and elect a set of councillors that they assume will serve them with integrity and truthfulness and in keeping with guidelines of engagement.

They’ll need to choose individuals with confirmed monitor information and who’re approachable with out the necessity of creating any prior appointment.

They’ll need the elected councillors to be conscious of the wants and necessities of the city and its residents.

Ratepayers will even need to see the affairs of the council to be run in a clear and accountable method.

Elected reps are usually not anticipated to be self centred or grasping as this can curtail the principle goal of placing them within the council.

Let’s hope good candidates will come ahead to take the problem and transfer our councils in the suitable course.

Let’s have the elections.

Suresh Chand, Nadi

Journalism and freedom

It has been roughly over two months for the reason that Authorities was sworn in.

Throughout this era, rather a lot has been mentioned about journalism and freedom.

I feel the non-presence of investigative journalism in Fiji nonetheless says one thing about journalism being free.

Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka

Jacinda Ardern

As a small time author dwelling with incapacity in a distant farming neighborhood of Tadra, Savalau, Votualevu, Nadi, I by no means believed in one million years, that I’d cross paths with Jacinda Ardern in particular person?

From the utmost of three to five minutes in our dialog, I discover her to be a humble down-to-earth particular person, empathetic, attentive with excellent listening abilities.

To all haters, principally males who ship adverse feedback on numerous platforms on social media after her announcement that she resigned from politics, you can’t match her work price and what she achieved throughout her management as Prime Minister of an amazing nation, New Zealand.

As if these adverse critics are going to pull her down, she is a fighter and champion of democracy, human rights within the Trans-Tasman together with the Pacific the place she is a beacon of hope for our ladies and ladies.

I hope that I would cross paths along with her sometime to proceed with our dialog however I suppose that’s possibly in one other life time.

Finest needs in your new endeavor Ms Ardern!

It was an honour for me and my daughter Arieta Meilani Marama to satisfy you in particular person and thanks FWCC Shamima Ali and staff for facilitating that assembly!

Glad Worldwide Girls’s Day upfront to all our ladies & ladies on the market, the place ever you’re!

Jioji M Cakacaka, Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi

Kava consuming

It’s superb to learn within the Fiji Instances that oldsters are concerned in kava consuming periods fairly than spending extra time with their youngsters (FT 1/3).

As we anticipate dad and mom and lecturers in little one growth, let the daddy be the primary as he’s the boss in his dwelling.

My father by no means informed me stay, he lived and let me stay.

“Mother and father are the final word position mannequin for youngsters. Each phrase, motion and motion has an impact. No different particular person or exterior pressure has a higher affect on the kid than the father or mother”.- Bob Keeshan.

Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand

Reminiscing

The sky’s crimson, yellow and orange hues steadily fades to black from gray and blue.

As you stroll alongside the empty seaside,

there’s time to assume and reminisce,

of days which have gone shortly by,

spent in your loved ones dwelling,

the place you laughed and in addition cried,

however now you’re on their own.

Because the setting solar lowers from a midday excessive,

you realise oh so clearly,

how insignificant your cries and worries are actually.

It’s so humbling and makes you assume twice,

that we should always at all times be useful and deal with individuals good,

coz someday you can be gone,

however the unkind phrases mentioned is not going to be forgotten.

So, at all times be variety and respectful on this life,

coz nobody actually stay their lives twice!

Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Pothole saga

Whereas I used to be in Fiji for 2 weeks, I really don’t keep in mind driving by or avoiding potholes.

In my expertise of being showered with love, happiness, and freedom along with now being fearless, I used to be completely blinded that I really don’t keep in mind any lovo pit sized potholes.

I imagine nobody in Fiji sees any lovo sized potholes any longer like they used to within the latest previous, as a result of I don’t see any complaints any longer.

I do keep in mind the pouring rains although.

What would impress me immensely is that if, similar to the love struck volunteers mounted all the issues at CWM in someday, they will repair the potholes in Fiji.

OK, I can be beneficiant, I don’t anticipate it to be mounted in someday.

With the brand new discovered motivation for civic obligation by so many love struck, freedom loving and now fearless individuals, the potholes ought to disappear nicely earlier than I arrive again subsequent.

The “Minister for Potholes” ought to take a leaf out of the ebook of the minister chargeable for fixing CWMH.

Jan Nissar, NSW, Australia

Churchill Park’s $650k facelift!

I need to thank the Lautoka Metropolis Council for the work finished in giving Churchill Park a facelift.

The Sugar Metropolis will host the battle between the Crusaders and the Swire Delivery Fijian Drua.

The final time Churchill Park hosted a Tremendous Rugby Pacific match was between the Drua and the Gallagher Chiefs and who can overlook that dramatic and gallant fight-back from the hosts to lose by a single level (35-34).

Therefore, one can anticipate a sold-out Churchill Park as our boys host the defending champions and essentially the most profitable staff in Tremendous Rugby’s historical past.

Final 12 months’s runner up, the Blues, will even play at Churchill Park this 12 months.

Due to this fact, the Sugar Metropolis will host two huge video games!

We have to paint a superb picture of our beloved Fiji throughout these Tremendous Rugby Pacific video games so we will proceed internet hosting huge matches.

I need to praise and commend the sports activities staff led by Rodney Duthie and the likes of Waisale Koroiwasa, Zanzeer Singh and Meli Laddpeter for protection on Tremendous Rugby Pacific particularly the gorgeous tales and participant profiles!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Congratulations Lautoka

Heartiest congratulations should go to Sugar Metropolis’s Lautoka Metropolis Council for his or her brave and daring $650,000 facelift of Churchill Park in readiness for the 2023 Tremendous Rugby Pacific season the place you get to host three Fiji Drua matches.

Your blue bucket seats are actually superior.

Your leap of religion is exemplary.

I want our officers in Nadi City Council will be capable to take a web page out of your proud achievement.

Will Nadi attempt to supply comparable, inexperienced bucket seats from Saudi connections following the World Cup soccer?

In brief and easy phrases, Nadi’s incapability and loss; is wholeheartedly Lautoka’s acquire.

Procrastination is at all times a thief of time.

You snooze, and also you lose, they are saying.

Time is of the essence.

Vina du va levu vo na koro turaga o Lautoka.

Sa yawa du.

Qu marau muni.

Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi

Park’s facelift

I heartily congratulate the Lautoka Metropolis Council for giving the Churchill Park a 650 thousand greenback facelift previous to Swire Delivery Fijian Drua’s 2023 Store N Save Tremendous Rugby Pacific first dwelling sport in opposition to the Crusaders.

It seems that the LCC executives and workers labored round the clock to finish the facelift.

This was a lot wanted, vinaka staff LCC.

I hope that these renovations are usually not restricted to internet hosting worldwide groups.

LCC and different municipalities ought to renovate and improve their services for our residents regularly.

With the reintroduction of municipal elections, we are going to see councillors elected from numerous communities.

They’ll then make suggestions for the general enchancment of the city or metropolis.

This initiative from the brand new Authorities deserves a standing ovation.

Modifications are required.

It has extra benefits for everybody.

DINESH KUMAR, Ba

Injecting new life

I hope they bring about again that mana,

which we thought was misplaced eternally.

The developments being proposed,

will assist convey progress,

development and inject new life,

to a spot that now appears forlorn and drained.

It’s a transfer that has been a very long time coming and in anticipation,

we at the moment are ready.

However hope they don’t change their minds,

that can be so unfair and actually unkind.

Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Prefects induction

On behalf of the Nabua Secondary Faculty household, I want to acknowledge Sophie Ralulu for coming over to cowl the varsity’s prefect induction ceremony/service that was held on the Nabua Methodist Church on Thursday afternoon.

The chief visitor was honourable Aseri Radrodro, our Training Minister, and the Nabua household was excited and indebted to him for accepting the invitation to be the chief visitor.

The church was filled with college students and oldsters/guardians, and this system went easily.

Sophie made her presence felt and the prefects have been extraordinarily delighted to pose for the digicam.

They have been grateful that protection was given to them by a devoted member of the Kaila newspaper staff.

There have been some emotional moments for the prefects and their dad and mom and the Nabua neighborhood.

For the reason that inception of the Kaila newspaper, protection is given to colleges no matter their recognition.

College students look ahead to the Kaila newspaper and seeing tales of their colleges with vibrant footage increase their morale.

Thanks as soon as once more Sophie Ralulu and the Kaila! newspaper staff for the nice work!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Impression of ecotourism

I agree with Summer time Kabakoro’s views on the influence of ecotourism on our island nation and the query she posed on the finish, if growth is what we actually need just like the developed nations?

Studying her letter, a rustic that involves thoughts is Bhutan.

Bhutan is a rustic of south-central Asia and is situated on the japanese ridges of the Himalayas and has an estimated inhabitants of simply over over 763,000.

While Bhutan recognises that tourism is a vital technique of attaining socioeconomic growth, tourism is proscribed and carefully managed by authorities.

The tourism trade in Bhutan is based on the precept of sustainability, that means that tourism should be environmentally and ecologically pleasant, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable.

With this in thoughts, the royal authorities of Bhutan adheres strongly to a coverage of “Excessive Worth, Low Quantity” tourism which creates a picture of exclusivity and excessive yield for Bhutan.

Given the account offered by Kabakoro on the impacts of tourism on the individuals and surroundings of Hawaii, Fiji ought to take a extra cautious strategy in the case of tourism.

Tourism additionally comes with its baggage and we should always tread rigorously in buying and selling that for financial positive aspects.

Bhutan’s imaginative and prescient on tourism is, “To advertise Bhutan as an unique journey vacation spot primarily based on Gross Nationwide Happiness (GNH) values.”

How distinctive is that?

With the long run era in thoughts I imagine a tourism coverage mannequin like Bhutan is finest fitted to Fiji given the influence of local weather change on our restricted and delicate sources.

We don’t must be just like the developed nations, we may be uniquely Fijian, let’s be taught from Bhutan.

Sailosi Naewe, Naduru Rd, Nausori

Pen friends meet ultimately

IN 1999, a film was launched named Message in a bottle.

Within the film, a woman found a bottle on a seaside that contained the letter inside.

Later, she tracked down the letter’s creator, and so they fell in love.

Even when it was merely a film, Pekai Kotoisuva’s latest article “Pen Friends Meet at Final” (FT 28/02) has confirmed the existence of such tales.

After 22 years of friendship, two males named Akuila Matai from Viwa Island close to Bau and Jerry Leake from Canada lastly met in Suva in 1983.

Jerry positioned a letter within the bottle in 1959, and two years later, Akuila found the identical bottle at Viwa Island close to Bau, which is sort of 7200 kilometres away.

In 1961, Akuila despatched Jerry his first letter of friendship.

Regardless of disparities in pores and skin color and ethnicity, a significant friendship was shaped by letters.

This story touched me.

I even informed this story to my class in regards to the worth of friendship and the way old style letters functioned.

I used to be questioned by my college students, “sir, the place are they now?”

“Are they nonetheless alive?” and “Did they meet once more?”.

I’m not certain, however The Fiji Instances appears to have preserved their unfathomable friendship.

RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ, Naleba, Labasa