Royal Visit

Abendra Ram Tahal, California, USA.

The recent announcement by Voreqe Bainimarama ahead of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle’s royal tour to Fiji is great news for the nation and more so for the tourism industry.

Having said this and without any prejudice, the visit should not be recognised or received as state visit.

Prince Harry and Meghan are not representing the UK in official capacity so they should be rightfully treated as ordinary citizens. They are not elected or government officials.

Royal family is one of the biggest expenditure and burden of UK taxpayers.

The government should not provide or have any responsibilities on the cost to this royal visit but private corporations like tourism institutions, hotels should welcome them because this visit would bring lot of publicity for them.

iTaukei land

R Prasad, Suva

As a non-iTaukei and patriotic Fijian I get and appreciate the reasons as to why iTaukei land should not be converted to freehold, as highlighted by the Attorney-General.

The reason being that communally owned land does not bestow rights to individuals but the entire land owning community and the ownership is not for only the present members but for the future generations.

I also get  that the 2013 Constitution does not allow that to happen. And that is good and should be the case. 

What I don’t get is how Mr Gavoka is trying to justify the permanent alienation of iTaukei land in Momi, that is the conversion of iTaukei land to freehold when Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu was the Minister of Lands under the Qarase government.

Please eat the humble pie and admit it was wrong and also remember that Minister Koya, the current Minister of Lands, won’t do and no else in the future can do what happened in Momi and Denarau under the Qarase and Rabuka governments.

My name is Gossip

Dharmendra Kumar, Suva

I came across a powerful description that someone wrote of, one of the most serious problems that undermines the effectiveness of unity.

“My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I make headlines and headaches. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.”

The words that we speak to and about others have enormous power, and we are going to one day answer to God for the words we have chosen to carelessly utter.

“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.” (Matthew 12:36).

Every person should make a deliberate and intentional effort to make sure that his speech is uplifting, edifying and most importantly the truth. 

This is equally true whether we are speaking to someone or about them. There are many things that even if true should not be spread to damage or destroy the reputation of others.

Be it on Facebook, any social networking sites or in person, avoid gossips and do not engage gossipers because I personally don’t trust someone that talks bad about someone else to me, they would probably talk behind my back too.

Title row

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi, Lami

When you remain silent, you either don’t know the issue or it’s beyond you. The old saying remains true – “I’d rather keep my mouth shut and be considered a fool, rather than talk and remove all doubts”.

I don’t know which applies!

The analysis by Nemani Delaibatiki (Fiji Sun 14/6) in this newspaper is relevant.

Be responsible

Dhirendra Prasad, Lautoka

A lot of sentiments are being expressed about the bad behaviour of our children especially students.

Their attitude is getting outside the basics of the civilised humanity horizon.

But who is responsible? What about the adult attitude and behaviour? Who displays bad behaviour to them from the beginning?

When a child in his infancy uses inappropriate behaviour, aggressiveness through his toys and response we laugh and praise them.

They feel that this is the right behaviour. Children are away from home for long hours without any explanations, who is responsible? Smoking and indulging in peer influenced activities has become a common sight.

Just move along any street and you will find a group of children showing rude behaviour without any fear of the adult presence.

Forget about fear, there is no respect at all. Who is responsible?

We, the adults have brought them into this world, and we should be held accountable for all their actions.

It has been noticed that full credit is taken by parents for the positives of the child but there has to be someone else for his negatives. Is this right?

Let us be true to our faith and family through holding the hands of the child till he is able to stand confidently.

Please stop blaming others for our failures.  My child is my responsibility should be the guiding principle in this era of fast growth and technology.

Our glorious diversity

Pranil Ram, Nadi

As Fijians our strength has always been in the rich diversity we share. We have existed and co-existed peacefully for so long.

Thus, there can be no superior or inferior race. We are all of equal worth, born equal in dignity and born free, and for this reason deserving of respect whatever our external circumstances.

We must realise the fact that race has no scientific basis it is only a social construct.

We inextricably bind ourselves in such a way to celebrate festivals like Eid, Diwali and Christmas that at times it is quite difficult to distinguish them from each other.

As Fijians this is what makes us different from the rest of the world. Happy Eid to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Bring back corporal

punishment

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

The do-gooders who went against the Bible and the old school belt or cane discipline should be ashamed of themselves when looking at the current data on sexually related offences from all schools by district.

Because the report is on sexually related offences in schools; the Ministry of Education and law makers will call for more awareness and programmes on sex education to try to curb this current appalling data.

My question to all the do-gooders who moved to make Corporal Punishment in schools illegal, “Did the old school have the same embarrassing data as this current one when the belt or cane was permitted in schools as a disciplinary tool?

If the answer is Yes, then I will humbly shut up and sit down. But if it is a big No, then it is about time for the law against corporal punishment in schools is reversed.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj