3 days Ago By Fred Wesley
Go Aliana Vakaloloma It is very inspiring to see this lady from Vanua Levu keep going after a painful world cup campaign last week. To see her again in this weeks’ Fiji Team shows the passion in representing her country and football. A very fantastic role model to young lads in Fiji to take sports rather than drugs.
Go Vanua Levu lady. Keep inspiring many. Maika Tabukovu PhD Scholar/FNU, Cunningham, Suva Reflections for us all! As Muslims celebrated Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday, I reflected on the powerful editorial by the editor-in-chief Fred Wesley titled “Reflections for us all” (FT 16/09).
For Muslims, Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday was an occasion that served as a reminder of the prophet’s exemplary virtues and qualities, which include uprightness, mercy, compassion, truthfulness, bravery and generosity, are admired across many cultures and religions. Prophet Mohammed is taken as a prime example of a perfect person. His personality and his aura taught everyone lessons, including being honest, kind, charitable and humble, living a simple life, having a sense of merit and a focused approach, honouring and respecting the rights of women, keeping oneself physically and mentally healthy, and always keep learning.
All these lessons can be taken as golden nuggets to be implemented in our lives today. Everyone, be it a leader or a normal citizen, can take advantage of these teachings to be successful in this world and the hereafter. I agree with Fred that inter-religious harmony will have a large bearing on peace and tolerance in our country, and we must encourage this as part of our contribution to nation building.
Muslims in Fiji have contributed significantly to the growth if Fiji and this must be always respected. Fred Wesley concluded on a high note by urging readers to reflect on the virtues of mercy, compassion and generosity, and to integrate them into our daily lives. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasin Mahogany issue I want to comment regarding the statement given by the Minister of Forestry regarding the harvesting of mahogany in the next 18-24 months to be 600,000m3.
Such a statement is out of context because the mahogany products will be sold at a very low price and we don’t have the infrastructure to make it happen. There are a lot of things needed to be done first like FSC certification and other factors in place before harvesting. We cannot just throw away such valuable commodity over night — which took 35 years to grow.
There is a much better way to utilise the resources and forestry experts are needed to spearhead the industry for the nation’s benefits. Maika Tabukovu PhD scholar/Forestry Science/FNU Cunningham, Suva Flight academy Once again we see the PM with the salusalu officiating at the Fiji Airways Academy in Namaka a few days ago. I would be bored shirtless after the first salusalu.
I did not see any cake and kalavata and it appears these two “traditions” are suddenly getting boring. But the salusalu may take longer to get rid of as it is a symbol of glory, and the PM from all my observations loves to bask in glory. There was so much glory at that event that one would think that it was this government that was responsible for establishing the academy and indeed for the successes of Fiji Airways.
Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia Startling Bali revelation Startling Bali reality that can’t be ignored (News.com.au/ FT 13/9).
This environmental degradation from rubbish dumping that accompanies tourism is the high price of progress Bali is paying. Once pristine environments on land and sea are now increasingly polluted and trashed. Lessons must be drawn from the Bali experience to protect our natural environment from turning garbage.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia Death penalty Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Women, Children & Social Protection recently mooted the idea of death penalty for large scale drug traffickers. Critics attacked her with bricks and mortars and hailing her as a disgrace to Fiji. Some even called for her termination or asked for resignation.
However, I maintained that she was spot on with the drug issue because we are sitting on a drug sinkhole and no one has any idea how to control it. Road blocks, sniffer dogs, raids and incessant appeal to the religious organisations and social leaders are all falling flat on their faces! Siromi Turaga, the Minister for Justice has also joined Lynda Tabuya in calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty. And all those who are pontificating and pussyfooting on the subject should do some soul searching and introspection.
Can we afford to be used as a staging springing board for the international drug cartels? Can we afford to destroy our youth and convert them into zombies? Surely no one wants this situation. Drug mercenaries are merciless and will destroy human lives. Therefore, the death penalty is the answer to their beastly behaviour.
We cannot get into the quagmire of arguments and debates on the subject now. We have to act! Therefore, I fully support Siromi Turaga and Lynda Tabuya on this issue. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva One question A question that I have been pondering on for quite a while.
Is religion losing influence in the lives of Fijians? Wise Muavono Balawa , Lautoka Drug canines I totally agree that drug canines should be used in public events etc. Tavua has a significant drug problem which would no doubt be a target for drug sales in the carnival currently under way. The problem with using the canines at this event is that they would need earplugs in order to function properly.
Last night there was a Christian religious event which was allowed to operate at such a decibel level it could be heard a mile away. ALLAN LOOSLEY TAVUA Scaling marks Mohammed Janif writes that reintroduction of scaling of marks will affect the students later in life at the work place (FT12/9). I feel scaling will help some students to remain in the school system until phased out later.
They will branch out into some other jobs as available. The fast learners will compete for better opportunities into job markets. When it comes to promotions, the employers will select the best who will suitably justify the position.
Most experienced and meritorious matters most for progress. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand Excitement shadow As we progress, how vital and crucial to our survival if a person who has sinned against the people and the democratically elected government, chooses not to name those instigators and capitalists who were behind the illegal takeovers of the past? Care to justify and throw light on the motivation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission three-wheeler Coalition Government? When forgiveness and acceptance does not come from within a person or a group, truth and reconciliation mechanism is only an excitement shadow of the three-wheeler government and a waste of taxpayers’ money. By the way, vinaka saka Fr F Garret (Not so sorry.
FT 5/9). AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Suva Termite season Termites are causing havoc around Lautoka every night. It started a few days back and the flying termites are everywhere in Lautoka now.
Can those who are responsible for the $3k termite assistance look into all the houses now as I am sure all houses are affected by termites in Lautoka and they all deserve the $3k assistance Geoffrey Chand Lautoka Exhaust fan system It becomes mandatory by law to install an exhaust fan system where cooking is involved. It helps remove smoke, steam, and airborne grease, ensuring cleaner air for both staff and customers. By controlling temperature and humidity levels, it creates a more comfortable dining environment.
It effectively reduces cooking odours, preventing them from lingering in the dining area. Proper ventilation reduces the risk of respiratory issues and helps maintain a safer kitchen environment by removing excess heat and potential contaminants. A well-maintained exhaust system can also contribute to lower energy costs by improving the efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
Our laws state that if an exhaust system is used to control exposure in a contaminated environment, it shall be designed and constructed to approved standards. It must be located as near as practicable to the source of the contaminant in order to eliminate or minimise the risk of inhalation of the contaminant by any person at work. The system is to be used as long as the contaminant is present and kept free of accumulations and maintained in a clean state.
The exhaust system shall be regularly inspected by a competent person and shall comply with an approved standard as stipulated in the legislation. However, there is a supermarket restaurant operating in Valelevu and due to inadequate servicing of the fans the device is covered in grease and fats that greatly affects the function of the motors and may cause a fire. The outlet fan exhaust is mounted on the wall in the carpark and if parked there for a long period the grease is splashed on the vehicles and sometimes on the shoppers.
The black coloured contamination is in a severe stage as the grease, oil and fats actually drips down the walls. It is surprising that the municipal health inspectors have never picked this up and the accumulation has been there for years. Satish Nakched Suva Forum leaders meeting I really hope that the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) is not turning out to be a meeting that’s micro-managing and deliberating on details of issues that should have been earlier screened, scrutinised and deliberated upon by the pre-Forum Senior Officials meeting.
The very high number of people (1000-plus) attending this forum meeting — which is only meant for the island leaders — leads one to raise this question. I hope they all did not also go to the leader’s retreat as well. The retreat should really be an exclusive leaders only gathering, where leaders can meet and discuss things in a more private and less formal atmosphere, in the good old Pacific way.
We should always be reminded of the what the pioneer group of leaders had envisaged in the seventies. I just hope that Forum as a policy group will not become a technical talkfest, involving non-leaders and thus straying away from the original intentions! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour Keeping Sunday holy! According to the 10 Commandments, “thou shall keep my Sabbath Holy, a day of rest and to worship the great Lord Jehovah God” according to the Bible. But PM Rabuka and his Coalition Government gave the approval for a two-day concert to George Veikoso to be held at Prince Charles Park in Nadi last Saturday, a Sabbath day in the old testament which the Seventh-day Adventists observe and Sunday, a holy day for all other Christian denominations.
I believe George Veikoso seems to care more about his homecoming, fame, money but not God’s grace and His commandments so good luck and best wishes on your new wheelchair life tauvu. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi.
