An elderly sugarcane farmer from Labasa, Dharma Reddy, 73, is urging the Fijian community to embrace the true spirit of Christmas. His plea comes in the wake of a distressing incident where he discovered his bullock dead, with only its head and intestines remaining. The unfortunate act appears to have been committed by someone in dire need of meat to feed their family.
Mr. Reddy expressed his grief and disbelief, stating, “It was an innocent animal which didn’t do wrong to anyone and was grazing within my property.” He walks over an hour each morning from his home in Wailevu to tend to his farm, making this loss particularly challenging. As a father of two, he stated that this incident complicates his ability to prepare land for the upcoming planting season. He recalled investing around $5,000 two years ago to purchase two bullocks, which makes the loss of one even more significant.
While he reported the incident to the Labasa Police Station, Mr. Reddy expressed doubts about any follow-up, noting that this is not the first time a sugarcane farmer has faced such a loss. He called upon the community to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas and to reject the notion of greed that leads to the suffering of others.
Police spokesperson Wame Bautolu confirmed that no official report had been documented at the Labasa Police Station regarding this incident.
This story highlights the broader issues of compassion within communities, especially during a time meant for goodwill and peace. It serves as a reminder that the values of kindness and understanding should triumph over desperation and harmful actions. By emphasizing compassion and empathy, the community can foster an environment where every living being is respected, especially during festive times like Christmas.
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