‘We are too dependent’

A SENIOR citizen and retired schoolteacher says it’s important for people to take responsibility of their individual lives.

Arvind Mani said this while speaking during the UN75 Community Day Intergenerational dialogue on the “Future we want” in Nadi recently.

“We are too dependent and one of the main things is that we do not take personal responsibility for our everyday lives,” he said

Mr Mani said some senior citizens were completely reliant on the Government for the monthly monetary assistance.

“The Government is giving us money, $100 for senior citizens and people are just waiting for that money and they will not do anything on their own to support themselves.” “We talk about women’s right, but there is 70 per cent of domestic violence in Fiji and we also have the highest number of people with diabetes according to our population,” said Mr Mani

UN resident co-ordinator Sanaka Samarasinha had said the UN75 Community Week was born from the UN and the Fijian Government’s joint goal to execute a highimpact initiative for the people of Nadi and western Viti Levu as tens of thousands continued to struggle amid the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the event brought together a vast array of partners across the diplomatic corps, private sector and civil society to generate an increase in economic activity through the week; provide critical service delivery; and support laid off workers through business and skill development sessions.