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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same...

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same narrative unfolded on a cricket field, the reaction would have been dramatically different. In cricket, even defeat often becomes a story of heroism. A hard-fought loss by the Indian team can dominate television debates, fill newspaper columns and trend across social media for days. A player who narrowly misses a milestone is still hailed for his fighting spirit. The nation rallies around its cricketers not only in victory but also in defeat. The narrative quickly shifts from the result to the effort -- the resilience shown, the fight put up, the promise of future triumph. This emotional investment is one of the reasons cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity in India. It has built a culture where players become household names and their performances, good or bad, become part of the national conversation. Badminton Fights Contrast that with what happens in sports like badminton. Reaching the final of the All England Championships is a monumental achievement. The tournament is widely considered badminton’s equivalent of Wimbledon in prestige and tradition. Only the very best players manage to reach its final stages, and doing it twice speaks volumes about Lakshya Sen’s ability and consistency. Yet the reaction in India remained largely subdued. There were congratulatory posts, some headlines acknowledging the effort and brief discussions among badminton enthusiasts. But the level of national engagement never quite matched the magnitude of the achievement. In a cricketing context, reaching such a stage would have triggered days of celebration and analysis. In badminton, it often becomes just another sports update. Long Wait India’s wait for an All England champion continues. The last Indian to win the title was Pullela Gopichand in 2001. Before him, Prakash Padukone had scripted history in 1980. These victories remain among the most significant milestones in Indian badminton. And yet, unlike cricketing triumphs that are frequently revisited and celebrated, such achievements rarely stay in the mainstream sporting conversation for long. Lakshya Sen’s journey to the final should ideally have been viewed as a continuation of that legacy, a reminder that India still possesses the talent to challenge the world’s best in badminton. Instead, it risks fading quickly from public memory. Visibility Gap The difference ultimately comes down to visibility and cultural investment. Cricket in India is not merely a sport; it is an ecosystem built over decades through media attention, sponsorship, and mass emotional attachment. Individual sports, on the other hand, often rely on momentary bursts of recognition, usually during Olympic years or when a medal is won. But consistent performers like Lakshya Sen rarely receive the sustained spotlight that their achievements deserve. This disparity can also influence the next generation. Young athletes are naturally drawn to sports where success brings recognition, financial stability and national fame. When one sport monopolises the spotlight, others struggle to build similar appeal. Beyond Result Lakshya Sen may have finished runner-up again, but his performance at the All England Championship is a reminder that India continues to produce world-class athletes in disciplines beyond cricket. The real issue is not that cricket receives immense attention -- it deserves the admiration it gets. The concern is that athletes from other sports often do not receive comparable appreciation for achievements that are equally significant in their own arenas. If India aspires to become a truly global sporting nation, its applause must grow broader. Sporting pride cannot remain confined to one field. Because somewhere on a badminton court, an athlete like Lakshya Sen is fighting just as hard for the country’s colours as any cricketer on a packed stadium pitch. The only difference is how loudly the nation chooses to cheer.

Brand Yourself or Fall Behind

Updated: Mar 17, 2025


Brand Yourself

Imagine this: You've worked hard, met deadlines, and delivered results, yet promotions keep slipping away. Meanwhile, a colleague who speaks confidently in meetings, shares insights on LinkedIn, and builds relationships with leadership is climbing the ladder. What's the difference? Personal branding. And if you think personal branding is just for entrepreneurs or influencers, think again. In today's competitive corporate world, employees who don't actively build their brand risk being invisible, overlooked, and left behind.

 

Personal branding isn't about self-promotion; it's about showcasing your value in ways that matter. Employees who embrace personal branding build stronger reputations, gain leadership visibility, and unlock career growth. When you become known for your expertise, colleagues see you as a go-to resource, managers view you as reliable, and industry leaders recognize your potential. This positioning leads to more opportunities, from high-impact projects to leadership roles. Without it, even the most skilled employees risk being forgotten in the crowd.

 

Consider this: According to LinkedIn data, employees who regularly share insights and engage online are 40% more likely to be approached with new job opportunities. Why? Because personal branding makes you memorable. When you share expertise, insights, and industry knowledge, you demonstrate thought leadership. This elevates your professional presence both inside and outside your organization.

 

However, the impact of personal branding extends beyond promotions. It plays a key role in fostering professional security. In uncertain economic times, employees with established personal brands are more likely to be retained during layoffs because their perceived value is higher. They are seen as indispensable assets who represent knowledge, influence, and expertise. In short, personal branding safeguards your career by turning you into someone the company can't afford to lose.

 

Moreover, personal branding gives you the power to shape your career path. Employees who actively define their skills, values, and contributions position themselves for roles aligned with their strengths and ambitions. By controlling how you're perceived, you open doors to opportunities that align with your goals. The alternative? Letting others define your professional narrative — often inaccurately or incompletely.

 

Building a personal brand doesn’t require grand gestures. Small yet consistent actions have the most impact. Start by engaging in meetings — share your ideas, ask insightful questions, and contribute meaningful suggestions. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn to share your expertise, whether through posts, comments, or even short videos. Showcase your achievements in subtle yet strategic ways: highlight successful projects, volunteer to lead initiatives, and build relationships across departments. Each action plants the seeds of visibility, credibility, and influence.

 

Remember, failing to build a personal brand is no longer neutral — it's a disadvantage. Employees who remain silent about their value risk stagnating in their careers while those who actively position themselves thrive. The reality is clear: your career success depends not just on your skills but on how effectively you showcase those skills to the right audience.

The corporate world is evolving rapidly, and those who stand out are the ones who invest in themselves. Don’t wait until you're overlooked for a promotion or miss a career-changing opportunity. The best time to shape your personal brand is now — while you’re still in control. If you are ready to take control of your career growth and ensure the right people notice you at the right time, let’s connect. Together, we can craft a personal brand that opens doors you never thought possible.

 

I would love to hear from you and connect with you over the below mentioned handles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyaaadvaani

(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

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