Donald Singh, a respected contributor to Fiji Times, has been awarded the Letter of the Year honor for the second year in a row, underscoring his influential role in public discourse. With over 25 years dedicated to penning letters to the editor, Mr. Singh received an SRS-ULT1000 ULT Tower 10 Party Speaker along with other accolades during a ceremony in Suva on Monday, attended by his daughter and son.
In his acceptance remarks, Singh expressed his view that all letter writers deserve acknowledgment, stating, “You know, everyone there is a winner. The mere act of writing a letter that makes it to print signifies its worth.” His surprise at winning demonstrated his humility and respect for the contributions of his peers.
Singh’s commitment to writing transcends the pursuit of accolades. He noted, “This will encourage me to continue writing, but not for a prize. It’s not a competition,” emphasizing the importance of civic engagement over competition. His passion continues to resonate with aspiring authors in Fiji, motivating them to voice their opinions and engage in public dialogue.
Fred Wesley, editor-in-chief of Fiji Times, praised all letter contributors for their roles in promoting accountability among those in power. He pointed out that these letters reveal the sentiment of the nation, highlighting the issues that matter to citizens. Wesley shared insights into the selection process, which involved sifting through hundreds of submissions.
This year’s finalists included Nishant Singh’s “Medical challenges,” which examined the health care system’s efficiency, and Ashwini Basant’s “New babysitter: Tik Tok,” a humorous look at the influence of technology on family dynamics. Singh’s own entry, titled “I can now!”, celebrated the essence of democracy and the importance of civic participation, serving as a powerful reminder of collective responsibility.
Wesley concluded the event by reinforcing the value of providing citizens with a platform to voice their opinions on critical issues, urging readers to engage with this essential part of the newspaper. The ceremony not only honored Singh’s achievements but also reinforced a commitment to robust community dialogue, echoing Singh’s inspiring message of participation and responsibility in shaping the future of the nation.