Literacy rate

Rajeev Sharma, Australia

How better to underscore the low literacy rate in Fiji as stated in the other newspaper (06/01) than seeing grammatical errors in the opening statement of the article itself.

No pay, no whistle

Shariff Shah,Savusavu

Ben started with no pay; Baber no whistle.

Welcome to Fiji!

President elect

Isireli Bolaniveimau, Lautoka

Come January 20, 2017 there would be no mention of a temporary title as president elect – Donald Trump. This would be another significant milestone and a beginning of a new era as the new president of the world superpower would be inaugurated in the White House once the majestic house of congress gives the full verdict once and for all.

From the benefit of hindsight, before William McKinley became president of the United States, he was riding to his congressional office one morning on a tram.

A sick woman got on and, unable to find a seat, clutched at overhead strap next to one of McKinley’s political colleagues. Pathetically, this colleague hide behind his newspaper to avoid offering her his seat, immediately, McKinley rose, gave her his seat and took her place in the aisle.

Years later when he was president this same colleague was recommended for the position of ambassador but McKinley refused, he said “If his kindness is of the quality he showed that morning on the tram, I fear what he might do representing us in a foreign land.” The disappointed congressman never did learn why McKinley chose someone else for the job.

In a nutshell, one and half years before I was born on January 20, 1961, John F Kennedy during his inauguration address as president to the nation of America and I quote:

“And so my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.”

Fish poisoning

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada

It is sad to read that four people have died and nine others are recovering from suspected fish poisoning that happened at Somosomo Village on Gau Island.

What is heart-breaking in this case is that these villagers know the fishes that are poisonous and the ones that are not and they must have eaten Daniva every year at about this time.

To top it off, the doctor stationed on the island had accompanied another patient to Suva for serious medical assistance and the deceased persons failed to respond to treatment by medical personnel at the Qarani Health Centre.

With due respect to all Fijians, we need to return to God’s Biblical health laws regarding the types of fish, meat and birds that humans are to eat and consider as food (Lev.11).

God in His wisdom has called them unclean, not to be eaten because they are scavengers, created to help clean up the environment.

Over one hundred years ago, a Prophet had warned that it would be unsafe to eat fish, animal flesh and birds in the last days because of pollution, sickness in animals and chemicals used to make birds grow quicker.

The choice of what we eat remains ours, but we need to consider and follow the diet that our Creator had recommended for us for optimum health.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj