Smoke-free town

Pramesh Naidu, Nadi

As a concerned resident of Nadi, I would like to raise my concerns on the allocation of a smoking area outside the Nadi Municipal Market.

The most displeasing part of this is the sign put up displaying smoking zone with arrows indicating direction with the designation “Order by: NTC ”.

A town moving towards being a city has the town council allocating a smoking area just outside the Nadi Market.

There is a public washroom just beside the allocated area. I just wonder how people have to battle through the smoke to attend to nature’s call.

Another major threat this allocation causes is the innocent ones being affected, especially those vulnerable to this situation. This includes women and children who visit the market or pass by the allocated smoking area.

Diffusion of gases provides a platform for the smoke to reach those not smoking, causing unwanted damage to their health.

On the other hand, this also encourages our youth to engage in smoking.

The other day when I went to the market I saw 12 people smoking, which included four youths. This is a clear indication that youths are being badly influenced by this allocation of this smoking zone.

I quote from the Fijian Government website press release “Nadi Declared smoke-free town” on the 28th of April, 2014, by the former President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

I do not understand how the Nadi Town Council allocated a smoking area in a smoke-free town. This is a total breach of the declaration made by the then president of Fiji.

I also believe that smoking in public places is not permitted anywhere. I believe relevant authorities should step up and make necessary adjustments in a more intellectual manner making it safe for all Fijians.

We must all move towards making Nadi a smoke-free town and city-to-be.

Movie ‘The Post’

Dewan Chand, Suva

I have seen a movie titled The Post, which is based on a true  story. Katharine Graham is the first female publisher of a major American newspaper – The Washington Post.

With help from editor Ben Bradlee, Graham races to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spans three decades and four United States presidents.

Together, they must overcome their differences as they risk their careers- and very freedom- to help bring long-buried truths to light.

The movie is very powerfully presented and has nerve-tangling situations. Life and death decisions have to be made in the interest of the nation. What finally transpires is mind boggling indeed.

A must-watch for politicians, students of politics, journalists, students of journalism and generally those who are interested in truth, justice and fair play. It depicts the power of media at its best!

Excellent acting by Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Sarah Paulson.

Job description

Steven Chandra, Nasinu

I wonder what these job descriptions stand for – permanent part-time and permanent casual.

Does any other country have these types of jobs?

Some people remain in these positions over a decade. Unfortunately, they don’t have a choice.

Billboards

Sachida Nath, Nadi

Some billboards around towns read ‘Honesty and Justice’,  the two virtues we Fijians need to aspire and adhere to, presumably.

Aristotle, speaking of justice once said that “justice is not part of virtue but heart of virtue”.

Where does any virtue take its inspiration?  I think it is from some form of an absolute, or someone transcendent. To me, justice means to treat all peoples equally regardless of their ethnicity, religion, status and the like without prejudice.

How about honesty? When speaking of honesty some will say “whether we need to be honest or not is based on context and the situation we find ourselves”. 

Therein lies a danger! We could end up saying or acting on what is convenient and preferable but not true.

Pursuing honesty and justice validates our constitution.

Higher hierarchy

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

There is a higher form of hierarchy and that is the hierarchy of the spirit.

When I stand in front of a person, I stand in front of a soul and I have met magnificent souls in bodies possessing no money, as well as parched and shallow souls in bodies bathed in riches.

In the same light, I have met magnificent souls in bodies bathed in wealth, as well as parched and shallow souls in bodies that are impoverished.

I am tired of people busying their minds with hierarchy based upon money because this form of hierarchy is primitive.

Meanwhile, there is an altogether higher form of hierarchy that is of the soul.

As you judge man and woman based upon their riches, I laugh at your primitive form of judgment!

When I stand in front of a human, I stand in front of a soul. On a lighter note, when I stand in front of my uncle Allen, I stand in front of a yaqona plant.

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