Growing food

THROUGH the “my kana” program, many of us grow our own food for the family, with the family.

The unpredictable COVID-19 is an eye-opener for many of us to grow our own food.

The physical impact of growing food by digging, planting, weeding with many other activities also provide physical fitness, keeping NCDs at bay.

Stress relief with family fun and teamwork is a pride for all.

And farm fresh free vegetables of our choice are ever-ready on the table for our wellbeing.

We can always share our extra food with our neighbours, friends and community.

We Fijians are well blessed with friendly, healthy food growing, tropical climate and fertile soil.

With family fun activities, it’s not difficult for self sufficiency and food security.

I feel the “my kana” program as activated by the Ministry of Agriculture is more effective than what we had in those days in young farmers’ show, World Food Day (October 16) and school-based food day.

Supporting local food production is so much healthier for us. It’s better for the economy and it’s a lot of fun to grow.

Keep Fiji green and stay evergreen.

TAHIR ALI

Hamilton, New Zealand tional Day of Rural Women, it’s important to pay tribute to the role rural women and girls play in development of our economy! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM

Nadawa, Nasinu message (FT 12/10) about protecting the rights of minority groups including Indo-Fijians who became the brunt of his regime’s crackdown during the 1987 coups. In a way, I feel blessed that our family left Fiji’s shores in 1983.

But to be honest, our family had no desire of leaving Fiji.

However, two unrelated incidents helped determine our decision. The first was our youngest son who had a medical condition. We were advised he needed urgent medical care that was unavailable in Fiji at the time. The second reason, and one that I speak little about is this.

Due to ill health, my dad had to retire from his post as Attorney-General in Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s Alliance government. Then when our family came for a holiday to Australia in 1981, he became persistently passionate about us emigrating to Australia. His initial motive was that it would be good for our family to reunite as he was missing his grandchildren. But as I began prodding him further, he opened up about something really disquieting. He was deeply concerned for our safety because he sincerely believed there were forces afoot looking to destabilise the country. What he was afraid of was the distinct possibility of widespread violence and chaos. No mention of a coup was made, nor any names of people who might be involved. But he’d heard, from what he termed reliable sources, that there were rumblings of instability being spoken out behind closed doors and in secret circles.

I was gob-smacked thinking that tensions might boil over in our beautiful homeland. So, for my own peace of mind, I asked him if he had evidence to support his shocking revelation. He answered, yes. But for purposes only he was aware of, he didn’t divulge the source.

Although we were stunned at the revelation of impending turmoil, we understood and respected his position for confidentiality. Looking back now, we feel blessed that he passed on in 1985. So, he was never able to grieve the devastating carnage brought about by successive coups since 1987. He would’ve been extremely heart-broken watching the country he faithfully served for a good portion of his life sliding into anarchy. Despite his differences with certain political figures, he always believed in peaceful and harmonious dialogue. And love him or hate him, he was a stickler for maintaining the rule of law and order. Because he believed they were the cornerstones holding up the pillars of a civilised democracy.

Many good men and women have served in our Fijian Parliament before and after the 1987 coups.

But what still concerns me is this – if Mr Rabuka is the changed man he says he is (and I have no reason to doubt him), would you be willing sir, to come clean about the events of 1987? Would you be willing to be transparent about what truly transpired behind the scenes?

I believe only then will you earn the trust and respect of a great majority of Fijians.

Like Saul who experienced the Light of Truth and became the highly inspiring champion of Christ whom many of us have come to know as the Apostle Paul, I believe your truth and transparency could well usher in a new era of healing, hope and enlightenment for future generations.

COLIN DEOKI

Australia