Letters to the Editor | April 13, 2025

Reddy shines with five gold medalsCommitment, time management and dedication were core values and at the heart of the University of Fiji student Ayesha Reddy who created history by achieving A-plus grade in all her units (FT: 02/04). Reddy, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics and a Diploma in Teaching at the University of Fiji, engraved her name in the institution’s history, becoming the first student to attain A-plus in all her units. She also scooped five gold medals.

This is an achievement for someone whose story brought out the vital role parents play in their child’s success. Reddy’s parents ensured that she had everything she needed to excel in education. She taught readers the importance of making sacrifices which were her biggest motivation.



Tertiary students will take cue that Reddy treated every assignment, assessment, and quiz as the most important evaluation of her life. She was awarded the Vice-chancellor’s Award. Reddy’s achievement is inspiration.

Her success is one to emulate. Wishing her all the best for her endeavours! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, NasinuWomen reserved seatsFriday (FT 11/04) had a front page article on “Push for 30 per cent reserved seats” for women in Parliament, a joint submission to the Electoral Law Reform Commission at Nakasi, Nausori on Thursday by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC). As much as I classify this submission as very brave, I, however, believe it is totally irrelevant in the sense that while many indigenous Fijians are focusing to reintroduce the more important issue of ethnic-based voting which is fittingly accommodating to Fiji’s multi-ethnic societies as in the 1997 Constitution; here we have our feminist activists wanting their gender reserved seats in Parliament.

Gender reserved allocation, once allowed, would be setting a complex precedent since it started with only two — male and female — now we have many thus the allocation must never be formally recognised. Right now, world sports competitions are faced with gender turmoil simply because of the compromise in the allowance of “other genders”. The simple question to ask is why are the Fijian political parties not tempted to have more women candidates in all elections since independence; the answer is simply obvious — that party would lose — why, because Fiji’s political culture is totally different from those in other countries.

My suggestion is for them to form their own political party — totally feminists from top to bottom and see what happens but as for the gender reserved seats in Parliament, my answer would always be no. MELI BOGILEKA Natabua, LautokaCabinet pay risePrime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka cannot justify Cabinet ministers’ pay rise by saying, “many of the highly paid workers in Fiji are also the most charitable when it comes to supporting communities, religious organisations, social and sports clubs and their own families’ education, healthcare etc”. Question is, has PM’s Office conducted any survey or collected data for the above claims.

In fact, more funds need to be allocated in the budget to support the people at large. I believe the PM’s suggestion will turn our communities into beggars. I am not hoodwinked by such frivolous claims.

RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NadiPublic toilets in townsI wish to respond to Rakesh Chand Sharma on the issue of public restrooms in Nadi as pointed out by Mr Rajend Naidu and others. While Sharma’s argument regarding user pay criteria for public facilities makes sense, his comparison of the same with the conditions of the Aborigines in Australia is not fair at all. Even his attack on another letter writer Suresh Chand doesn’t seem fair.

I often read Mr Rajend Naidu’s letters with interest and find most, if not all of them rational and well-intended. However, my concern here is that why should we settle for anything less desirable than what urban Aussies enjoy and have been enjoying for ages. Why should we compare ourselves with the conditions of Aborigines? Is that the standard for us to compare and stand by? I have observed the deteriorating conditions of public facilities in every corner of the country for many months now.

In fact, I observe quite a significant correlation between the deteriorating conditions of toilets to those of markets, roads and drains! Indeed, the current degradation of such facilities in Nadi and other towns is quite upsetting. I think it’s time for those in authority to rise from their slumber and address the concerns of the people. SUNIL KUMAR NadiGender quotasI strongly agree with Paul Morrel (FT 12/04/2025) that women should win their seats in Parliament through merit.

Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation is asking that seats be reserved for them through political parties which is a great idea and this could include women and other groups. CHRISTOPHER ROXBURGH Simla, LautokaFocus on people’s needsI write this letter with great disappointment in the current Coalition Government. It seems that they are still stuck trying to fix things within their own government offices, independent institutions, or changing the Constitution.

While these may be important, they are taking too long and forgetting what really matters — the needs of the people. Right now, many families are suffering because of the high cost of living. Prices of food, fuel, and basic items are too high, and everyday life is getting harder.

The people expected change, relief, and better services when this Government came into power. But sadly, their focus seems to be elsewhere. We need leaders who put people first.

The Government must act quickly to bring real solutions that ease the burden on families. Time is passing, and the people’s patience is running out. RAVNEEL SHARMA NavuaMake use of traffic lightsOne very unfortunate observation on our busy streets with traffic lights is the use of our police patrol or control.

To me, I find this practice not suitable. I believe our traffic lights are much more easier for drivers to use during busy periods than our police control or pointsman. During heavy rain, when the weather is not too suitable for our policemen and women to be out on the roads, the traffic lights can be a safer option.

Our policemen and women must be protected from working in the rain, out on the roads during heavy downpours. This is especially for those who do not wear protective clothings such as heavy duty rain suites and proper boots to avoid getting wet or soaked up from the rain. More standardised three-coloured traffic lights are needed on our busy streets all over our country.

I feel our police patrol team should have their field books to record vehicles which break traffic lights instructions. Most of the drivers speed up instead of slowing down when approaching our traffic lights. They must be booked down with heavy spot fines or harsher jail terms given to them.

No wonder laws are broken. ISIKELI NAKATO Raiwaqa, SuvaWar of attritionInteresting watching Hurricanes and Crusaders on Friday night. What a game! They competed and tried to outdo each other in Wellington.

Even the commentator said it rightfully, “a war of attrition”. Players do think there is no one in the front. Smash and got smashed.

What a game!. JIOJI O TORONIBAU Navetau, TunuloaPM stands by pay risePrime Minister stands by pay rise (FT 12/4). He would do that.

That’s understandable. He is a beneficiary of the 138 per cent pay rise Fiji’s parliamentarians gave themselves when at the same time they gave minimum wage earners a 50 cent increase. Is this why the PM and his gang in government wanted the people of Fiji to give them the chance to govern at the 2022 elections? I believe the PM and his gang in government have let down the people who put their trust in them to better govern the country.

That has not happened. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, AustraliaThe last lapAfter finishing second behind Argentina on the 2024/25 HSBC SVNC WRSS points table, Fiji reclaimed glory with a scintillating finish in Singapore. The boys played with baptism of fire and confidence to beat Kenya 21-12 in the final.

The tournament was won when Fiji demolished Argentina 33-24 in the semi-final. The big hits affected the champions who wanted to finish the season on a high note. With the Singapore 7s concluded successfully, fans are waiting for next month’s Los Angeles 7s tournament in the Dignity Health Sports Park, the LA 2028 Olympic venue for rugby 7s, where Fiji is pooled alongside three tough teams in Spain, Australia and the All Blacks 7s.

The Los Angles will be exciting — it’s the winner-takes-all HSBC SVNS World Championship, and teams will take an aim at the coveted event that will conclude the 7s season. Osea Kolinisau must ensure consistency, something that he embarked on when he took over. Fiji could have won the series, but our efforts in Perth, Vancouver and HK let us down.

We won two tournaments, while the Los Pumas 7s won one more tournament than us and that made the difference. However, we have a new coach and I’m glad former 7s stars such as Emosi Mulevoro and Setefano Cakau are working with Kolinisau to lift our standards. What we saw in Singapore was Fijian flair at its best.

If the boys can repeat that in LA, we will lift the title in LA where we have never won. The last three LA 7s tournaments have been won by France (2024) and the All Blacks 7s (2023 and 2022). In 2020 and 2022, Fiji made the finals of the LA 7s tournaments but lost both the finals to South Africa and the All Blacks 7s 29-24 and 28-21, respectively.

We have three weeks to turn our fortunes around. Let’s work hard now and celebrate in LA! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, NasinuThe post Letters to the Editor | April 13, 2025 appeared first on The Fiji Times..