The best drink

Hassan Ali, Lautoka

People who are addicted to alcoholic drinks such as beer should try to get used to the most natural, delicious local beer, the green coconut in an attempt to gradually embrace this very healthy cool drink.

It is said that one coconut a day gives a very balanced state of mind and body thus reducing doctor visits. Man- made alcohol is damaging to health while co­conut is a life giving gift of nature.

Might be a good idea if everybody plants more coconut trees in their own yards and enjoys the fruit. Health is wealth.

Don’t look back

Dharmendra Kumar, Suva

All of us have things in the past that we would like to change but that is im­possible. We can do our best to make up for things left undone, but we cannot change our past. Sin has consequences and scars that last our lifetime.

It is a grave error to spend your life looking over your shoulder. We only look back to learn and ensure we don’t repeat our mistakes.

In life, whenever we look back at our past mistakes, those things can smack us in the face and cause serious injury.

When you look forward you see that God wants to give you beauty for ashes. God wants to turn sorrow into joy. He wants to turn things around for your good. That’s why we need to let go of the past and look forward and trust God’s promises.

When your past calls don’t answer, it has no new thing to say. The past is something you cannot change but the future is in our hands.

Parliamentary debates

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainamasi

It’s a total waste of time and taxpay­ers’ money for the Opposition to argue in Parliament when they don’t have the power and number to vote issues dis­liked by Government. It’s just provoking revolutionary sentiments.

Rugby question

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

We won twice in a row on the rugby paddocks in Hamilton and Vancouver.

Does this mean that our expectations should go sky high, wanting nothing less than a victory in Hong Kong? What if we do not win the next two tourna­ments? Will our enthusiasm remain the same?

Watching through recent tournaments it’s obvious that any team can win matches and tournaments. Whatever the result in Hong Kong, let’s continue to appreciate the efforts of our national 7s team.

Meanwhile, one enjoyed watching Ken­ya progressing to the finals against Fiji.

Neighbourhood watch

Phillip Isaac, Nausori

If the ‘Neighbourhood Watch Zone’ on crime works, why can’t we have one for litter bugs?

The Department of Environment should run anti-litter campaigns in villages and residents that are located along our highways.

These are also the most illegal dump­ing areas targeted by inconsiderate people. Neighbourhood Watch is only effective when owned and driven by lo­cal residents.

I know you’ve heard this before but here comes the main part. I’m suggest­ing a Bill that could cut down on litter­ing. This will allow judges to sentence people who are cited for littering up to 60 hours of community service.

This I hope would deter the offender not to reoffend if they perform commu­nity service rather than just paying a simple fine. The people who are cited for littering or illegal dumping would have to pick up trash in areas they have com­mitted the offence or where they reside.

No one seems to be accountable for all the mess they’re creating. Therefore, I hope the relevant authorities will take up my proposal and make people take littering more seriously. People need to be held accountable and the fines aren’t doing it. It seems like a losing game but things need to change