SODELPA

Amenatave Yaconisau,   Delainavesi

The analysis by Nemani Delaibatiki (FS 13/6) reflects the stirrings within the party and moreso the attempt to dethrone those in power.

It seems the emphasis is on nationalism rather than populist policies of the nation.

We must avoid such electoral practices that will only contribute to instability.

Men love power!

When in a few hands in the party the minority influence the leadership.

Avoid!

Sevens rugby

Pita Baleilomaloma,   Navua

Much has been said about Fiji’s campaign at the IRB World Sevens Series, with the team and management being castigated for its performance.

I wish to add my voice to congratulate the team for a well-fought campaign and for sweating blood and tears and flying Fiji’s flag during the series.

Yours is an unenviable task, which you have performed above and beyond the call of duty.

The final result was unfortunate and a heartbreaker.

But, five tournament wins in a single season is a very, very superb performance.

For a series to be decided in the final tournament and final match tells you how competitive it has been.

However, I wish to remind the hardcore fans and the Fijian public to spare a thought for the boys and their families the next time you wish to harangue them in public.

It is very easy to criticise the team from the comfort of your living room and around the tanoa.

It’s quite a different matter when you’re in the field, getting hit from all angles, running against time, trying to evade tackles and setting your teammates in play.

A wise man once said: “Those who judge don’t understand and those who understand never judge.”

The same principle applies here.

If you haven’t experienced the grind and the attrition involved, don’t criticise.

Instead, I plead with the rugby-loving public in Fiji.

The World Sevens Series is done and dusted. It’s history.

Let’s get behind this team and back them to the Rugby 7s World Cup.

That’s where the focus should be.

Let’s give Baber, the management team and the team itself space to train and prepare.

And let’s do what we, the fans, do best.

Support our team, win or lose.

I also wanted to add that we Fiji fans are a fickle bunch.

We castigate the team when it loses, but we can’t wait to turn on the TV the next time they play.

Let’s spare a thought for the team and their families.

And here’s one for comparison … they get paid $50 a day when they are in camp in Fiji and $100 a day when they are on tour overseas. The Blitzbokke have a $7.5 million annual budget for 7s rugby and their players have six-figure contracts. The All Blacks 7s have a $6m annual budget.

And we are playing and beating these teams.

Imagine if our players are paid that much.

I rest my case.

But, my plea is let’s support this team. Come hell or high water.

And let’s stop being bad losers.

40 years

Isireli Bolaniveimau,  Lautoka

From the outset, after reading all the moving, touching, exciting and motivating experiences by all the Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldiers, Police and Fiji Corrections Service on peacekeeping duties I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed.

Former distinguished commanders, commissioned officers, other ranks, not forgetting Police and Corrections officers, are now seeing the fruit of their labours in the Land of Milk and Honey.

The Litani operation was established initially through the divine Supreme Creator’s unseen hand that worked mightily and mandated Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, S. Rabuka, J.Konrote, the late N. Saumi (navy officer), the late J Waqanisau, I. Naivalurua, the late I Savua as heads of the Fijian contingent there.

Five years after the initial deployment in 1982 when I first went to Lebanon I managed to work under or meet face to face with the aforementioned then Royal Fiji Military Forces officers.

Recently, on June 10-11, I was fortunate to meet face to face and shake hands with Lieutenant Colonel Tuitubou, Major General Naivalurua and former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

This was during the commemorative church service for the 40th anniversary celebration for UNIFIL at Lautoka Fijian Coronation Methodist Church.

It is my firm belief that the blood of Jesus is the common denominator and that unity and richness in diversity we experience as Fijians make us very powerful advocates for world peace.

God Bless Fiji.

Paper Coffee cups

Satish Nakched,   Suva

The World Environment and the Ocean Day in the past week have been a catalyst to create awareness in how we manage, control and use plastics as this global concern is a serious threat to the environment, including the fragile oceans.

The main focus were the plastic straws and the pledge was taken not to use it.

It is pleasing to note that our nation is right at the top to champion the universal issue of environmental pollution and have looped in the  schools to implement and  integrate responsibilities  so that the goal congruence is met.

We also need to develop a measure of performance that will monitor our discharge rate of the abuse and notify us of any improvement of how we handle our waste.

I believe that this is a controllable issue and we have the influence and the responsibility to eliminate the threat.

While we are focusing on the pollutants that are visible another threat as emerged in the form of the paper coffee cups.

Coffee consumption is on the increase worldwide and in Fiji we have witnessed a few of the global giants operating and offering the customers the hot beverage in the said type of the cups.

Disposable paper coffee cups are lined with polyethylene, a type of plastic. This coating prevents the cup from turning to mush while there is hot beverage inside but it also means these cups can’t be easily recycled due to the waterproof nature.

Besides their difficulty to recycle, paper cups also pose a sustainability issue. Normally we are misled to believe that the coffee cups are paper which has biodegradable qualities and break downs in the environment without any adverse effects.

Between the walls of the paper coffee cups there is a thin shield of plastic large as the palm of your hand constructed tightly and bonded to the paper making the cups waterproof and therefore able to contain the hot liquid.

This is not visible to the naked eye because the plastic pieces are embedded in the paper. The walls of the paper coffee cups are often lined or coated with plastic or wax to prevent liquid from leaking out or soaking through the paper. The plastic lids of the coffee cups also have the same negative effects.

Globally there are a few facilities that could separate the plastic from paper and the technology to do that is still in the infant stages and it is very expensive to set up a plant.

It is estimated that we in Fiji use about 5000 cups a day and that ends up in the landfill or disregarded unintentionally, causing adverse effects to our beautiful country.

I believe the leading coffee outlets should revert to the traditional use of the ceramic cups if the beverage is consumed in-house so that it could be washed and reused. This may incur a slight cost, but will give a huge contribution in the sustainable development of the planet and be in line with the World Environment Day message.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj