Landmark tower opens!

What a sight it was when PM Sitiveni Rabuka officially opened the 18-storey FHL tower yesterday! The completion of the giant landscape took approximately seven years after its groundbreaking ceremony, but it has added glamour and beauty to the area surrounding its location. The tower braved the pandemic and the standoff between FHL and China Railway First Group over differences in variation costs during the pandemic, which pushed up the total cost of the project. Despite such constraints, the tower is ready for business and add to Fiji’s economic growth. The tower is a symbol of resilience, perseverance and FHL’s commitment to serving Fijians. It also symbolises FHL’s 40-year-journey, making a bold statement that the iTaukei enterprise can stand amongst the best. I congratulate FHL for the opening of this gigantic tower! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Primary schools IDC

As dust settled at King Charles Park in Nadi yesterday, the Nasinu under-14 boys and Labasa U14 Girls came out victors in the 48th Extra Fiji Primary Schools Football Association (FPSFA) IDC. This year was the golden jubilee year as FPSFA has reached its 50th year of existence, organising the IDC every year except for two years due to COVID-19. It was a beautiful atmosphere at the grounds as young footballers from 21 districts around Fiji convened for the 4-day tournament. A special acknowledgment goes to team Levuka, which came to the IDC for the first time in history and gave teams like Ba a good run for their money. The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) supported the tournament through a sponsorship from Extra, while FPSFA secured other co-sponsors to cater for the financial needs of the tournament. While everything was in order, the Nadi Town Council (NTC) disappointed on the first day as they could not give the young players a conducive environment to start the tournament with. Incomplete grass cutting at the park was an eyesore, and it was not what FPSFA expected’ trying its best to give young footballers the best of the facilities. I think they took it very lightly and had it been for any Fiji FA tournament, I am sure they would not have done this. Hope for better service from NTC in the future. Also commending FPSFA executives for their sacrifice in organising the tournament. Hats off to the President, Dinamani Mudliar and his brigadiers. Once again, congrats to Nasinu, Labasa and every team that participated in the tournament. Rohitesh Chand Kalokalo Crescent, Makoi

Rule of law

When I read FLS president Wylie Clarke said in his speech at the law society’s convention “One of the problems in the Fiji context … is this constant struggle that we seem to have with upholding respect for the rule of law and in my view it starts at the top” (FT 31/10), I am sure there was universal agreement with his view. Who are at the top of the legal pyramid in the Fiji context? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Military training

The Fiji Times notable news on “RFMF annual training exercise, including battle news” (FT30/10) will definitely keep the people alert. We all panic and get excited under a real situation. It’s important to be alert always before natural or manmade disasters happen, when our older people and children are not spared. Let’s pray for our safety and prevention in whichever way suits us most. Health and safety first. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand

Chief and the vanua

What a timely cautionary tale Seveci Tora tells (Letters 29/10). Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia

Unliked government

Do we currently have the most unpopular government in Fiji’s 55 years of independence? Asking for a friend! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka

Employment Relations Bill

To Donald and the confused lot. It took more than 10 years for the ERAB to discuss, negotiate and conclude what Cabinet scrutinised and submitted as a Bill which is before us to contemplate on. The bill is not a trade union submission. It is the agreement reached by employers, workers and government representatives. Dan Urai Lautoka

Local government

It has been nearly three years since the regime that dismissed elected municipal councils in 2009 fell from power, yet disenfranchised ratepayers are still subject to taxation without representation. Who would trust a Minister for Local Government unbeholden to anyone but the PM and in charge of 13 municipalities around the country, among other things, to act in our interest and represent us better than our locally elected councilors and mayors once did, former Cabinet Minister Premila Kumar? Willard Miller Ellis Place, Suva

Wax moments

Your newspaper ran a news item on NZPM Christopher Luxon meeting Trump and there was a photo too, courtesy of RNZ. Mr Luxon must have been left in awe of wax Trump. Seriously. Your paper seems quite good at throwing in humour among serious news pieces. Donald Singh Suva

Loss of our deputy PMs!

The nation has lost two dedicated public servants and politicians – honourable Manoa Kamikamica and Professor Biman Prasad. Hon. Kamikamica got 3874 votes in the 2022 General Election while Professor Prasad polled 11355 votes. Regrettably, one year to the 2026 General Elections both were charged by FICAC and their participation in next year’s General Election is in limbo. Whatever the outcome is, I thank both politicians for serving Fiji as Ministers. Their service is highly appreciated. I salute the duo for putting aside their personal interest for nation’s sake and resigning. This is what I call transparency! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Status and prison stats

Social status

Social status is an illusion created by the mind

A hollow pursuit that keeps true peace behind

We chase the shadows that others define

Yet lose our essence, both yours and mine

Status leads to pride and ego

Blinding hearts where love should flow

Chasing titles high and hollow

Leaves the soul with pain to swallow

Humility shines where kindness grows

Not in crowns or golden shows

Family, wealth, employment and success can change overnight

What seems so certain can fade from sight

Fortune may smile, then take its flight

Darkness can follow the brightest light

Death puts both a billionaire and a beggar in the same coffin

No riches nor rags can stop that final calling

Anger, jealousy and bitterness rest in hearts that live on status

Their pride and ego grow like weeds, consuming all that’s gracious

God never looks at our social status

He sees the heart, not what’s ostentatious

Deeds of kindness make one truly precious

Not wealth or fame that fade and are capricious

Death is the final status for everyone

No wealth or honour can outlast the sun

Humility is drowned in an ocean of illusion

Where pride and ego craft their own confusion

We need to see status as a measure of virtue and service

Not as pride or power that makes the heart nervous

Humble hearts write lasting history

While status fades into life’s mystery

Today you are obsessed with social status, tomorrow you may fall

Echoes of vanity will answer your call

Experience teaches that social status is temporary

Like passing clouds in life’s wide itinerary

Human status far outweighs material status

It’s measured in kindness, not by apparatus. BHAGWANJI BHINDI Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu

Prison stats

It is interesting to note that the prison statistics of serious crime offenders revealed by the Fiji Corrections Services director of Rehabilitation has categorised them by their religious denominations and not by ethnicity (FT 31/10). I find the accuracy of the figures questionable. For they could be Christians, Hindus or Muslims only in name as can be inferred from their crimes. In reality they could be atheists. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka