International Day of Peace

Neelz Singh, Lami

The International Day of Peace (Peace Day) is observed around the world each year on September 21.

Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace

The wars and hatred between countries, cities, religions and neighbours will not only harm self-being but will divide, so this Peace Day let’s open our hearts to take personal responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings and choices.

As we do this collectively, our self-generated peace will be amplified and sent out into the world.

The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”

The theme honours the spirit of TOGETHER, a global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life, (Refugees).

Let’s come together to celebrate peace.  I  leave you with a quote: “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without” – Buddha.

Wishing the greetings of “Happy World Peace Day” to all the people and readers.

Census

Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

Boy, the population census team asked 198 questions!

Some of those questions are irrelevant, I think. Anyway I am wondering why are there so many questions. I was asked about how many cars l own and what appliances I own. I wonder what has it got to do with the population census.

Sacrifice

Dhirendra Prasad, Lautoka

A lot of students have sacrificed a lot to win tournaments, and they won.

Sacrificing their time, meals, comfort, and much needed family time to gain a win is really great. They have learnt that success does not come easily. They have to work for it with a focus and aim. Team work is also essential for any win which only comes about with understanding and cooperation and respect for each other.

I hope our students now would learn from this and make necessary sacrifices to learn the subject matter of the academic components to prepare for the upcoming exams. Remember it is your exam results that would be required for your future success in life. Unless you become an exceptional player all the medals and trophies you have won now would be for decoration purposes only.

The situation here is such that no one would bother about you later on in life unless you gain the right knowledge to be competent in life. So work hard now to understand the curriculum in order to pass the exam at the end of the term. It is your marks that can either make you or (God forbid) break you. This is the real world we are in. Without education we are nothing.

A lot of opportunity is provided to students currently which should be appreciated with dedication at school to fulfill the objectives of such assistance by the state. The fighting at the bus stands and roaming around in the dark won’t help but hard work and sacrifices that you make now will certainly help in building a good future,

Jetset Town

Imraan Ali, Nadi

I refer to the letter dated September 18, from Arien Vikash Singh.

It seems that the writer is totally unaware that all roads have been taken over by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) since 2012.

The writer fails to understand that all road maintenance and repair works on public roads are now carried out by the FRA.

As a citizen of Nadi, I am proud of my ‘Jetset Town’, which is expected to be declared as a city very soon.

A-G So Right

Taitusi   Sokiveta,  Arizona, USA

The Acting  Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is    right  on  chiefs   taking   all   the   money  on   leased  land  and  leaving  the commoners hanging without a penny.

The same situation happened to my family in tokatoka Rokowiri.

A paramount  chief of Fiji leased out our family tokatoka property on Loma, Koro Island to  the Seventh Day Adventist church of Australia right under my late father’s nose  and other members o  our tokatoka Rokowiri.

Then the paramount chief made sure another chief whom he was related to receive our lease money.

It was  after the chief died that another chief went to the  Native Land to claim the lease money.

Then the new iTaukei Native Land manager said no to the chief cause his name was not on the veitarogi vanua ivola ni kawabula.

As a member of the tokatoka   Rokowiri, rightful owner to the land and the Rokowiri tokatoka lease money, it’s not his to have.

The iTaukei Native Land manager then checked the books and found my late father’s name who at the  time was Roko Tui Serua, Namosi.

My father was shocked and it was the first time he found out. He told me this story.

In 1987 on Bau Island it also was the last  time I saw my father alive.

My father then  contacted the Rokowiri, Cautata village and told them he had to pay back taxes on  all Rokowiri land and whole mataqali Vusaradave land, Bau Island cause the late chief pocketed the whole lease  money for years.

And in those days you had to  pay taxes on native land.

Today they abolished that law in 2013.

I went to Cautata village to meet with my tokatoka Rokowiri and they asked me to check on our  lease property on Loma, Koro and the Seventh Day Adventist church of Australia they  were very faithfully kept paying their lease even after lease expired.

So we   renewed their lease with all the Rokowiri Cautata signature and myself and some of the Cautata Rokowiri. iTaukei Native Land staff members went to Koro Island  to survey the land and reassure the good  relationship between the Seventh Day Adventist church of Australia and our tokatoka Rokowiri.

Next time the lease  annual money be shared among all tokatoka Rokowiri including my Rokowiri sister on Bau island Ane Sokiveta age 69.

It would be the first time our whole family will receive it.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj