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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.

‘CA’ — Two Letters, One Lifetime of Struggle: The Inspiring Story of Priyanka Jadhav

Bhiwandi: In a remarkable story of determination and grit, Priyanka Jijabai Suresh Jadhav, a differently-abled girl from Savad village in Bhiwandi taluka, has successfully cleared the Chartered Accountancy (CA) examination — a feat that has brought immense pride to her family, her village, and the entire taluka. Despite growing up in poverty, with her mother selling vegetables and her father working as a cleaner in a warehouse, Priyanka never allowed hardship or disability to stop her from achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant.


Despite financial hardships and your physical challenges, how did you manage to achieve your dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant?

Life was never easy — limited means, health issues, and financial struggles were part of every day. But I had decided that becoming a CA was not just my dream; it was my way of honoring my parents’ hard work. Many times my health made it difficult to study, but every time I thought of my parents and their sacrifices, I found the strength to continue. Consistency, discipline, and self-belief made it possible. Even in moments of failure, I reminded myself that this dream was mine — and theirs too.


Tell us about your parents’ role and the struggles they faced to support your education.

My parents are my biggest inspiration. My mother toils in the fields under the scorching sun, growing and selling vegetables to support our family. My father works in a warehouse doing cleaning work. My mother would wake up before dawn, take vegetables to the market, return to the fields, and still make sure I had food and time to study peacefully. Their sacrifices gave me strength. Every achievement of mine is because of their relentless support.


What was the biggest challenge during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was maintaining faith in myself. Being differently-abled, people often looked at me with pity or doubt. Society constantly compared me with others. But I kept telling myself — you are not weak, you can achieve your dreams. Whenever my results were not as expected, or my body didn’t cooperate, I chose not to give up. I turned every failure into a learning experience. I truly believe —when your mind is strong, no challenge is too big.


What message would you like to give to girls from rural and modest backgrounds?

Never let your background define your future. Your village may be small, but your dreams should be big. Success depends on your effort, not your circumstances. Education is your greatest power — no one can take it away from you. Believe in yourself and never fear failure; it is only a stepping stone to success.


What are your future goals? Do you plan to contribute to society or your village?

My next goal is to use my knowledge to give back to society. I want to organize career guidance workshops for rural and differently-abled students, to show them that limits exist only in the mind, not in life. I want them to believe that they too can achieve whatever they dream of.


How does it feel to finally call yourself ‘CA Priyanka Jadhav’?

It’s an emotional moment beyond words. Those two letters — ‘CA’ — hold years of struggle, tears, failures, and my parents’ sacrifices. It’s not just a title, it’s the realization of a dream we nurtured together as a family.


What message would you give to other differently-abled students?

Your body may have limitations, but your mind does not. Keep faith in yourself. Move forward a little every day. Even when you fail, don’t stop. Success is born from struggle. Believe that you can — because you truly can.


Priyanka’s inspiring journey proves that determination and perseverance can overcome even the harshest challenges. From a humble vegetable-selling family in a small village to earning one of the toughest professional qualifications in the country, CA Priyanka Jadhav stands as a beacon of hope for countless students fighting against odds to fulfill their dreams.

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