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Sir — It is interesting to note that political parties have selected celebrities — filmstars, painters, sportsmen, and so on — to contest the Lok Sabha polls. Political parties should also field members of the LGBT community and sex workers if they are serious about bringing in social change. After all, marginalized communities should be made an integral part of society. Elected representatives from these groups would be able to solve the problems faced by these communities far more efficiently.

Yours faithfully,
A.S. Mehta, Calcutta

New king

Sir — The manner in which Mizoram played in the Santosh Trophy was truly exceptional (“Planning the key to Mizoram’s success”, March 11). In the final, Mizoram outclassed three times’ champion Railways. Mizoram won this edition of the Santosh Trophy by winning all the nine matches in the tournament. Another northeastern state, Manipur, had beaten Kerala 2-1 by virtue of a golden goal to lift the trophy in 2002.

The Northeast — particularly the states of Mizoram, Manipur and Assam — has been India’s indigenous supply line of footballers for some years now. Even the Railways side, which was beaten in the final, apparently fielded four players from Assam in the Santosh Trophy. Some of the prominent Mizo footballers are Jerry Zirsanga, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Lalrindika Ralte and Malsam Tulunga. These players are an integral part of football in Calcutta.

Bengal has won the national championships on more than 30 occasions. At present, the state is suffering on account of the draught in quality players. Football in Bengal is now heavily dependent on outstation players as well as on foreign recruits. But there was a time when Bengal produced talented footballers who mesmerized the entire nation.

Hopefully, the skilled footballers from Mizoram will be called to play in the I-League.

Yours faithfully,
Ashis Sarkar, Calcutta

Token amount

Sir — Fifty paisa coins have practically gone out of circulation. Small change such as these are shunned by members of the public. None virtually agrees to accept payments made in small denominations. Those who make payments with the help of 50 paisa coins are looked down upon by others.

But 50 paisa coins still have their uses. Many publications, mostly newspapers, are priced Rs 2.50 or Rs 3.50. One ends up paying in excess because of the shortage of 50 paisa coins. Twenty-five paisa coins as well as those of lower denominations have already been withdrawn from circulation. Perhaps 50 paisa coins will cease to exist as well. This is true of the one rupee coin too. One rupee coins are in short supply these days. On many occasions, shopkeepers issue toffees in their place. Shouldn’t the government mint such small change in abundance?

Small change has lost relevance in the economy because of the high rate of inflation. Some of the coins are quite heavy and cumbersome. It is time to introduce lighter coins pertaining to denominations such as 1, 2, 5 and 10. The size and the weight of coins should be reduced further so that people find them convenient to carry in their wallets. In fact, the government should also think of issuing coins to denote Rs 20, 50 and 100.

Moreover, all financial transactions ought to be rounded off to the nearest rupee. This will make things far more convenient.

Yours faithfully,
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi