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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.

Elections and Investing: Power in Your Hands

As the recent municipal elections come to a close, one powerful lesson stands out: every vote matters. Local leadership, in particular, plays a critical role in shaping infrastructure, public services, and the overall quality of life. In many ways, the same principle applies to personal finance, where the right decisions made today can significantly influence future outcomes.


Collective Decisions

Election results underline the value of individual participation. Every citizen who stepped out to vote contributed to a collective choice that will influence policies, governance, and local development for years to come. Each vote, while seemingly small on its own, becomes powerful when combined with millions of others. Similarly, financial decisions made consistently over time, especially when guided correctly, can have a meaningful and lasting impact on your financial well-being.


Right Financial Advisor

Just as voters carefully assess candidates before casting their votes, selecting the right financial advisor is a crucial decision in your wealth-creation journey. A financial advisor is not merely someone who suggests investment products. A good advisor brings education, wisdom, experience, and deep expertise to the table. Education helps in understanding financial concepts, while experience and wisdom ensure that decisions are made with perspective, patience, and prudence. Expertise allows an advisor to navigate complex investment environments and align financial strategies with your life goals. A competent advisor helps convert financial knowledge into actionable results. With the right advice and a disciplined approach, money begins to work more efficiently. Over time, this structured planning creates financial stability, confidence, and peace of mind.


Why Every Rupee Matters

The recent elections have once again reinforced that no vote is too small to matter. In personal finance, the same logic applies to money. Every rupee counts. Whether it is an additional INR 1,000, INR 5,000, or INR 10,000 invested regularly, small and consistent investments compound over time. These incremental contributions gradually build a strong financial foundation, much like individual votes coming together to shape governance.


Decisions Today Shape Tomorrow

In both governance and personal finance, decisions taken today determine the outcomes of tomorrow. A strong elected municipal body provides direction and stability to a city. In the same way, a capable financial advisor ensures that your financial journey remains secure, disciplined, and goal-oriented. As municipal councils move forward under newly elected leadership, it is worth remembering that just as decisive governance matters, professional financial guidance matters equally. Just like every vote counts, every rupee matters. When it comes to managing your wealth and securing your future, Financial Advisor Zaroori Hai.


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor.  He could be reached on 9833133605. Views personal.)

 

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