Letters to the editor | Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Cleaning up Savusavu

Iosefo Waqatabu, the street sweeper of Savusavu Town, says he is proud of the dirty work he does to keep Savusavu clean and provide for his family (FT 27/8). And he should be, because every job has its inherent dignity if you earn your bread honestly. The thing about a street sweeper like Iosefo is that he earns his bread by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19-24) and not by bargaining and amassing wealth. I have the utmost respect for such people. His employer should provide him with suitable clothing to do the work he has to do. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

The Dilemma of the War on Drugs!

The Honourable Lynda Tabuya and Honourable Pio Tikoduadua are in the public eye because of statements they made on drugs. ‘Crush them’ was the opinion of the Honourable Tikoduadua! He added: “We have relative peace in Fiji. Fiji is a very peaceful country but there are bad people. And bad people must be crushed.” The Honourable Tabuya made a bold and brave statement by calling for the death penalty. She stood her ground. I respect the views of our ministers on how to deal with the drug problem. I can understand their frustration as drug cases continue to surface and make headlines. If we are not careful, Fiji will become the hub of drugs in the Pacific. Dealers will target Fijians. Our youth and vulnerable will not be spared by those who make money from drugs. There is no mercy as the youth have become the targets for the sale or purchase of hard drugs. I believe there is so much talk but so little action to address the drug problem. Let us take a hard stand. We need real action — hard action. Enough talk if we are to save our beloved Fiji from the tentacles and ruins of drugs. Otherwise, there will come a time when drugs will rule Fiji and our country will become unsafe for innocent Fijians. We must protect ourselves from drug cartels and drug traffickers. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Hypocrisy ais it not working?

There are so many intelligent people in Fiji. They are intelligent because they tell us so. Many quote from the Bible and try to spread the word. So how come Fiji is where it is and why do they complain the most? Is there hypocrisy and they are completely unaware of it? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia

Church leadership

Why are the clergy labeled as bad, inconsistent, and impractical in their leadership, when the head of the Christian Church, Jesus Christ, led in impractical ways that are not in harmony with the natural order of things? The Methodist leadership should instead find a middle ground between accumulating wealth for the church, while urging the flock to sell their possessions and give to the poor for a little piece of heaven. Samu Railoa Nadi

Think for

Death penalty. Does she even think before she speaks? Or is it just another attempt to get the public’s attention? Your Honour Prime Minister, please stop this stupidity and constant threat to our rights and democracy. Shalvin Singh Rewa Street, Suva

Bartender a dash of wisdom!

It was interesting to read about Ram Singh, the 70-year-old bartender at Nausori Club who retired after 50 years of dedicated service (FT 8/25). In a world where experience is often undervalued, Mr. Singh’s words to the young ring with wisdom: “Gaining knowledge helps you gain experience. You can’t learn things overnight. It took me months to figure out what to do. This helps improve the quality of your work.” In today’s fast-paced society, where instant gratification is often the norm, Mr. Singh’s advice is a timely reminder that true expertise takes time and patience to develop. Companies pay tens of thousands of dollars to have their employees listen to motivational speakers like Simon Sinek, etc. In the meantime, here’s Mr. Singh’s free Ted Talk in action, and his simple, heartfelt message is a testament to the value of hard work and lifelong learning. In a world of shortcuts, there’s still no substitute for the knowledge and experience that comes with time and dedication. Maca is waiting for you! Praneet Singh SacramentoCalifornia, USA

Earthquake rattles

Earthquake shakes opening day of PIF summit in Tonga (FT 27/8). Could this be because the influx of over 1,500 delegates has created too much hot air and upset the balance of nature? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Pension At home

The plan of Nasinu City Council to build a retirement home (FT23/8) should be well supported by all of us. Congratulations Felix Magnus to your team of administrators for having a plan for such a worthy project. We have the support of the neighbors, friends and well-wishers. The retirees have earned their dignity throughout their lives and should remain in comfort with love and care. God bless you. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand

Fiji crisis

The social crisis that Fiji is facing must be addressed jointly and uniformly by the three main institutions in our country: the state, religious groups and the vanua. Together we can work to minimize the impact of these social ills. No one institution can do it alone. Let us join hands, Fiji. Mesake Sivoinavatu Saru Back Rd, Lautoka

Fights

I see numerous articles published about the venerable Methodist Church trying to win back its flock, break its pastors of unhealthy habits and do its bit to address the drug problem. I wish them all the best. What are the ever increasing numbers of other churches going to contribute to the problems we face? Judging from one in Tavua, the reaction is to shout louder and scream from various places. Allan Loosley Tavua

No punishment

For the minister who is proposing to consider the death penalty for those caught with large quantities of drugs, the death penalty is not really a punishment at all. In my opinion, ending someone’s life simply makes the offender disappear. It is a form of escapism. However, punishment is about making sure that criminals repay their common loss. Punishment should produce a positive outcome for the community. Do well, woman! Sa du! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka

Death penalty

Lynda Tabuya’s militant call for the death penalty for drug traffickers sounds brutal indeed. On the other hand, send a few to the gallows and see how quickly Fiji’s drug trade de-escalates. Hang them! Nishant Singh Lautoka

Safety of anonymity

I love the attention of the nameless, faceless keyboard warriors on a filthy website who enjoy their mud-slinging escapade without the courage to stand up for what they believe in by attaching their name to their invective. But cowards will always fire salvos, cloaked behind the safety of anonymity. Colin Deoki Australia

Medicine carriers

Substance abuse and illegal drug trafficking are an evil in our society and disorientation among a majority of the youth. Many drug dealers have been punished a sum of money and released. Questions still remain as to where they get it from. Is it because they cook it at home? Or is it because our clinical laboratories are not safe? NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka

Which one?

So who are you, Colin Deoki (FT 27/8), intelligent or stupid? Vijay P Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva

Constitutional changes

Much has been written and spoken on the subject recently. There are some seriously clever ideas and others that are purely ironic. Some advocate another extrajudicial “coup d’état” and the complete abolition of the Constitution, as has been done with impunity in the past, while others seek the legitimate intervention of the courts in specific aspects and, even more so, the early dissolution of parliament in favor of presidential rule. I agree with Prof. Regan’s assessment of the near impossibility of amending the 2013 Constitution due to its enshrined 75-vote requirement. Such rigidity flies in the face of the popular description that a Constitution is a “living document” that must be adaptable to changing times and the growing needs of society. Nevertheless, I ask, is agreeing to do something (in the future) actually doing what was agreed? I don’t think so. There is a real difference between agreeing (to do something) and actually doing it. One is passive and the other is active. This is not mere pedantry or semantics. So, Parliament can pass a law by a simple majority or better yet, by a majority of 75%, agreeing to amend the 2013 Constitution (in the future) and identifying the specific provisions to be amended without actually amending them. Such a law does not amend the Constitution in a manner that would violate the voting requirements of Article 160. To those who deny and question the utility of such a law, I say: such a public declaration by the highest legislative arm of our democratic government represents its collective wisdom, dedication, intention and consensus and cannot be ignored or dismissed lightly. It cannot be denied that such a law is a valuable public document and a first step in the seemingly impossible task of finally amending the 2013 Constitution for the benefit of our nation and its people. Just think about it! Daniel Fatiaki Suva

Spiritually Enriched Counselors

I refer to the comments of FTA Chairman Netani Druavesi regarding spiritually enriched counselors to help teachers. This is a completely unacceptable call from the FTA Chairman. These people should be the last to appoint someone who is not associated with students. Therefore, the best option is to get all retired teachers into the system, who are best known to the school environment, who know the language of the students and the ways and means to deal with it. The school environment is related to school language, and retired teachers are the best option at this time. All students, including teachers, are spiritually enriched from their homes through daily or weekly prayers and church services. But it does not work in the school environment now. The hostile school environment is created by giving rights to students instead of teachers. In order to improve the unfriendly and hostile school environment, policies and laws must be changed, giving teachers more rights to successfully teach and educate the younger generations. While students are given more rights, students are over-exercising, over-using, misusing and abusing their rights. The school policies and laws of the 90s should be brought back into the school system to curb and combat the hostile school environment. In the same way, the curriculum of the 90s should be reintroduced by aligning some aspects that need changes and adjustments to fit in with the global village. Let us think positively about students in schools. The positive approaches will definitely improve the present hostile school environment among students. Indar God Blessing Sakoca Heights, Tamavua

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