Congratulations RKS

Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu

Is this History? Ratu Kadavulevu School winning all grades in the Coke Zero Deans Trophy secondary school rugby?

After a few years, what they achieved this time will be remembered for a long time. Congratulations to the hard working teachers and officials.

Whatever secret weapon they used with the result, they should dominate again next year and the year after that.

Not forgotten are the support of their families who are always there.

Vinaka to everyone and let’s continue this celebration in the coming years.

Grog consumption

Sushil K Sharma, Lautoka

Grog drinkers have rights to consume this national beverage, whatever ethnicity they belong to, or whatever religion or faith they believe in.

Whether one is a Catholic, Methodist or Hindu priest or leader, he or she also has a right to drink grog, if the person so wishes to exercise his or her freedom to do so, as provided for in the Bill of Rights of Fiji’s Constitution.

Should a person spend $60 or $100 a night is not our business, and we should not needlessly pry into the private lives of people, their private social activities or even private religious gatherings unless it is impacting on us in some direct manner.

I personally find Rajnesh Kumar’s letter titled “Grog Consumption” in the Fiji Sun (13/08/17) Letters section, contemptuous, bordering on direct discrimination against North Indians, people of the Sanatan Dharam faith, and against leaders and priests of the Sanatan Dharam faith.

Rajnesh Kumar singled out for mention and discrimination, segments of our Fijian society based on their ethnicity, religious beliefs, and also their status as Hindu priests and Hindu leaders.

I am a North Indian Hindu of the Sanatan Dharam faith, and do not drink grog but I fully respect the right of this group he discriminates against, to drink grog and spend their own money on this activity during their social gathering if they so wish; in fact, I would say that I fully respect the Constitution of Fiji which enshrines fully our fundamental rights and  freedom within prescribed limits.

Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection, treatment and benefit of the law.

Section 26 of the Fiji Constitution clearly states that a person must not be unfairly discriminated against, directly or indirectly on the grounds of his or her— (a) actual or supposed personal characteristics or circumstances, including race, culture, ethnic or social origin, colour, place of origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, birth, primary language, economic or social or health status, disability, age, religion, conscience, marital status or pregnancy; or (b) opinions or beliefs, except to the extent that those opinions or beliefs involve harm to others or the diminution of the rights or freedoms of others, or on any other ground prohibited by this Constitution.

This is not his business – did they steal grog from “his” home, shop, temple, or affect him materially in anyway?

If he is trying to make societal changes, and has a wish to reform our society, then that is his business – but this is not the way to go in that direction.

My advice to him is to publicly apologise to this segment of people that he has offended, without thinking of their rights. Happy “grogging”!

Painful issue

Kreeth Kumar, Lautoka

We are living in a nation with an abundance of opportunities for the youths like me.

This is all thanks to our current robust and dynamic leaders who are in the good cause to shape our nation into a model to be admired and followed by countries both, large and small.

However, it is painful to read on the other hand, the alarming 49 per cent rape cases around our country in just 18 months released by Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. This is not a very good reflection on our beautiful nation with so much hope and opportunities for our citizens to take advantage of. The question arises here is, why do our own people indulge in activities which tarnishes their reputation bringing shame to families, society and to our beloved nation?

We young people are determined and empowered to mould this nation into a violent free and peaceful place to live in.

I plead to our elders to become the agents of change and advocate good to curb this crime which is one of the most pressing issues facing our society today.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj