Rakoko’s pieces will be missed!
MY interest in writing developed thanks to sports columnist Kameli Rakoko. I eagerly followed Rakoko’s pieces and I loved the figurative expressions he used.
His writing style reminded me of the great writer the late Paula Tagivetaua who loved writing on sports especially rugby. Rakoko contributed to the trusted brand with a lot of sports pieces. He had that gem in his written work that attracted sports lovers. I was fortunate enough to meet him for the first time in 2019 at GPH during The Fiji Times 150th birthday celebration.
Recently, we became Facebook friends and I started following his
A bit rich
FORMER A-G and now a person of interest (after the execution of that border alert), Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum labelled the new government portfolios as “lavish”. It’s a bit “rich” coming from an individual who himself held multiple ministerial posts and led a 16-year “lavish” lifestyle surrounded by a volley of security personnel.
Like the adage goes, all good things must come to an end.
Moce Jo!
NISHANT SINGH
Lautoka
End of year
THE end of the year signals the start of an age-old tradition; setting a New Year’s resolution that will likely prove unattainable.
Many will be welcoming the new year with familiar resolutions such as living healthier, saving more and in general improving one’s life. As we all vow to do a whole host of things most of us will not follow through.
Some will fail to attain their New Year’s resolution while others will be giving up before the end of January. You should start with an enthusiastic commitment, but that “can do” attitude is quickly followed by waning interest.
Eventually you give up your posts and critical analysis. I learnt so much for him, and I’m fortunate I had the opportunity to rub shoulders with such a great writer.
The likes of Rakoko, Tagivetaua and Maciu Malo have left footprints and so many beautiful and touching literary pieces.
Rakoko was 65 years old, and apart from being a wonderful writer, who provided an insight with his descriptive words, he played rugby during his prime days, having also represented the mighty Nadroga rugby team.
Rest in peace Rakoko and I’ll forever miss your pieces!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu goal and end up on a big fat guilt trip. Try looking at resolutions in a new light. Instead of thinking about what’s wrong with you, imagine what it would like to be exactly the way you want and have exactly what you want. But be careful because some New Year’s resolution tend to fizzle out faster than an old bottle of champagne.
WISE MUAVONO
Balawa, Lautoka
Review time
ON this last day of 2022, let us take a moment to reflect on the gains, loses and lessons learnt.
This self-reflection allows me to set my New Year resolutions, which I would be able to achieve.
2022 began for me with zero expectations as our children were made to return to schools straight after New Year for a rather unwarranted 4th term of 2021 academic year. With all the COVID19 protocols in place, children went back to school half heartedly. Needless to say, that the term concluded without assessments.
I wonder what was achieved.
On February 24,
2022 Russia invaded Ukraine posing a threat to all the world economies, especially developing countries like ours. Concurrently, the vaccination for children and the booster jabs for adults resumed in Fiji. Some took the “boosters” willingly while others for the fear of the “No jab – no job” policy.
By the end of March, a supplementary budget was announced.
The VAT of 21 food items was removed while on other 21 listed items VAT was increased to 15 per cent. A sum of $50,000 was allocated for civil service review and I still wonder if this exercise was ever carried out.
Political campaigns began soon afterwards with voter registration services in Fiji and abroad. Everyone started anticipating the election dates. Cost of living skyrocketed, sporting events continued to make headlines alongside the political “cross-fires”.
In May, for the first time ever, a week-long Girmit Day celebration was held throughout Fiji with the keynote speakers putting emphasis on only the 1987 and 2000 coups.
After the annual budget in July, inflation took another drastic turn on consumers. The price for motor spirit for example, reached $3.67 per liter. By now, everyone was crying for a change and a miracle. Finally, on October 31, the writ of election was issued by his excellency Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and December 14 was decided as the election date.
Almost 58 per cent of the voters wanted a change and that is what they got on the eve of Christmas in a constitutional way.
Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka and his PA/NFP/SODELPA coalition formed the new government.
World leaders immediately sent their congratulatory messages on the reinstatement of democracy in Fiji after 16 years. People are in the festive moods with no major crimes reported.
I pray for the loved ones whom we lost this year and hope that the sick recover soon.
A shout out to Fred Wesley and his entire team at The Fiji Times for the fair, accurate, unbiased and bold journalism despite all the odds.
If through my letters I may have unknowingly hurt anyone, I humbly seek your forgiveness. May the God Almighty bless each and every Fijian so that our transit into 2023 is peaceful and prosperous. Goodbye 2022!
DINESH KUMAR
Ba
A response
I REFER to a letter in yesterday’s The Fiji Times (30/12) by Tomasi Boginiso of Liverpool,
Australia. I do not agree that the system of renewing our Life Certificate every six months is ineffective and time consuming. If he is not happy with the system, he should have given an alternative method.
I am a civil pensioner for more than 30 years and never faced any problem. I get this life certificate online from the Pension office in Fiji. It takes me only a minute to fill this, so simple.
Then I go to my bank in Sydney and sign this in the presence of a bank officer. He as a witnessing officer also signs and puts the bank’s rubber stamp. After this I give my form to my daughter who after scanning forwards it to the Pensions office in Suva. I am so grateful to Pension office for this simple way of knowing that we the genuine pensioners are still alive to get our pension.
Once I asked a senior staff the reason for this exercise. I was told that our pensioners are living in so many remote islands all over Fiji and also overseas.
In a few cases the relatives of a pensioner were lifting these pensions even after the death of a pensioner for over six or seven years. I believe if there is no proper system of control our own people will abuse and would continue to draw these pension money.
Once again thank you Fiji for looking after your pensioners. VIJAY MAHARAJ
Navua