Letters To The Editor, 3rd, June, 2018
Ratu Mara’s legacy
Isireli Bolaniveimau, Lautoka
One of the interesting aspects as shown on record was that Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Colonel Paul Manueli and Berenado Vunibobo were the three behind our United Nations Fijian peacekeepers serving in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon).
Realistically, in the early 1970s Ratu Mara had been giving quite a lot of thought to the possibilities of Fiji’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
Then in 1975 he asked Colonel Manueli, the commander of the then Royal Fiji Military Forces, to visit New York to discuss and access whether we could or should take part in the operations.
In 1978 when the United Nations was setting up UNIFIL for peacekeeping duties Ratu Mara then instructed our Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mr Vunibobo to make our contributions to the peacekeeping duties there.
In a nutshell, come June 11, 2018, the now Republic of Fiji Military Forces will come together and celebrate this auspicious moment and day in history. Lest we forget, most importantly, the Supreme Creator will astound us accordingly.
London 7s Game Plan
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva
We want our boys to win the London 7s and move ahead on points, out of South Africa’s reach.
South Africa, being four points behind our boys in the overall points standing, will want to win all its games and take the London 7s title, which would either push them to the front or equal first with our Fiji Airways Fijian Men’s 7s team.
With the inclusion of the Bus (Josua Tuisova) and the Semi Trailer (Radradra) in the team South Africa will try and avoid meeting Fiji in the quarter-final stage because if they lose then Fiji will run away to be the 2017/18 HSBC World Sevens Series winner.
It is going to be fun if our boys lose out to New Zealand in their Pool A game to meet South Africa, who is most likely to top Pool D in the quarter final.
Will South Africa throw their Pool game too, to avoid meeting Fiji?
We do not know what Coach Baber has in mind in terms of the team’s game plan, but we all want our boys to do well and to win the current series.
Go Fiji go!
Alleged fraudsters
Dhirendra Prasad, Lautoka
It has been noted that a lot of people have been allegedly abusing the privileges in terms of Government’s CARE initiative. This dilutes the good intention of such initiatives. This means that even before implementing such initiatives, authorities have to prepare for any such spoilers in terms of fraudsters. This takes time because resources could be utilised elsewhere for the benefit of the genuine people in need.
Likewise, there are business entities who are also committing the alleged equivalent acts by increasing the price of items for such purchases. People have noted the increase in prices overnight. Isn’t this injustice?
The poor and vulnerable are subject to such treatment from our so-called big investors and the respectable high flyers of our society.
While these entrepreneurs enjoy high class living, the reality is only known to them and their followers. Government should just supply the necessary items. By doing so, all the money in the form of assistance could come back and the price could be under control.
Seven issues
Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi
I agree entirely with Nemani Delaibatiki that seven issues will determine the outcome of the 2018 election (FS 1/6). And I also agree with him that significant policy differences exist between the parties.
Despite the efforts made, the Opposition parties preach about poor economic growth and low savings resulting in poverty.
Despite the assurance offered by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama about security and the stated emergency provisions in Section 154 of the 2013 Constitution, the Opposition still preaches security risks.
Despite the freebies to decelerate social ills, the Opposition still preaches about unemployment and inflation.
Even though we are expanding health infrastructure, including the arrival of the Veivueti vessel, there seems to be deep-rooted prejudice and allegations of no compassion by the Opposition.
We know that roads for everyone is hard, yet the Opposition preaches against the Fiji Roads Authority censoring its performance.
We know that the weather and cyclones are getting unfriendly, yet it is the political playground of the Opposition, even allowances.
Political leadership is preached by the Opposition as ‘power politics’ of who you should see in the group! Democracy is about non concurring policies and is alive in this country!
Who’s in charge
Dharmendra Kumar, Suva
Every day we face the choice of who is going to be in charge of our lives. We can live, work and act in our own strength and wisdom or walk under the control of the Holy Spirit of God.
When we insist on going our own way, we should not be surprised by the negative consequences. God will not share control. He is the Lord and King, and he demands what he deserves – total surrender.
The Christian who accomplish great things from Him do not do it on their own. They rely on His power and follow His leading.
The devil destroys many lives who refuse to yield control of their lives to the Holy Spirit of God.
It all depends whom you feed more. If you feed your spirit then obviously your spirit life will be stronger, but if you feed your flesh more then the flesh will take control of your life.
Who is in charge of your life?
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj
