Fijians are resilient people
THIS year's Fiji Day marks 49 years since the birth of our nation.
On this day let us reflect on what we as a nation have achieved and how we can contribute to its prosperous future.
As Kennedy famously said, "ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country".
In the nearly half a century of our existence we have had moments that have filled us with pride like our first Olympic gold and others, such as coups that have left us with shame.
Economic projections by the Reserve Bank and massive government cutbacks, paint a bleak outlook for the immediate future. But Fijians are resilient.
Through the trials of adversity, our faith in our God and our country has held us together.
So in the defiant spirit of optimism I would like to highlight three key areas that I believe are fundamental to making us great again:
Workers are the backbone of the economy. We must continue to ensure that work ers' rights are protected.
Youths are our future:
Initiatives must be encouraged to empower our youth as far as entrepreneurial ventures that encourage employment.
Youth must also be protected from the dangers of drugs, non communicable disease (NCDs) pornography and mental health issues through adequately funded awareness programs.
Fijians must be united. All Fiji citizens must be united in purpose and spirit.
Any divisions caused by race or religion will only cripple our efforts to stamp our mark on the regional and global stage.
All our future developments are built on a just and stable foundation laid by our public institutions.
Thus, it is these public institutions that must be held accountable and independent to ensure the sanctity of our democracy.
Let us hope that in the next 50 years, our children can honestly sing with pride of our "land of freedom, hope and glory to whatever may befall, may God Bless Fiji, Forever More".