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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.

Ensuring Constitutional Awareness

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Since its independence, India has been guided by a meticulously drafted Constitution, ensuring both governance and the protection of individual freedoms. The Constitution, the bedrock of India’s democracy, was crafted under the leadership of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who studied the constitutions of various countries to produce a document that would meet India’s unique needs.


The importance of the Constitution in guiding the nation cannot be overstated. While more than 75 years have passed since Independence, a significant portion of India’s population remains unaware of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Many citizens are unfamiliar with its contents, which creates a yawning gap between the promises of democracy and the lived experience of many Indians. This lack of awareness is particularly concerning because knowledge of the Constitution is essential for safeguarding individual rights and ensuring fair governance.


In an effort to remedy this, retired chartered officer E.Z. Khobragade has been at the forefront of a movement to spread constitutional awareness. Khobragade, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nagpur Zilla Parishad, initiated efforts to make the preamble of the Constitution a visible part of daily life, starting with its installation in schools and government offices. His persistence paid off when the Maharashtra government declared November 26 as Constitution Day in 2008. Seven years later, this initiative expanded nationwide, with the central government recognizing Constitution Day in 2015.

Even after retiring, Khobragade has continued his efforts, collaborating with organizations like Catalyst Foundation to educate the public about the Constitution. Together, they have advocated for a ‘Har Ghar Constitution’ initiative.


In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2023, Khobragade and his team proposed a nationwide campaign to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution (2023-2025). The campaign, titled ‘Constitution Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ aims to raise awareness of constitutional rights and duties through programs in schools, colleges, and government offices. The initiative seeks to impress the Constitution into the national consciousness.


This call for constitutional awareness comes at a critical time. With the approaching Assembly election, the social justice department of Maharashtra has issued an ordinance mandating awareness campaigns in government institutions. While this is a positive step, Khobragade cautions that constitutional literacy must not be reduced to a political tool. They argue that more needs to be done to ensure that the Constitution’s protections, especially for marginalized communities. Khobragade has highlighted the misallocation of funds intended for the welfare of these communities, particularly in Maharashtra, where resources have been diverted to religious tourism.


He pointed out that the central government had not released funds earmarked for these communities for the past ten years, a sum totalling nearly Rs. 5.54 lakh crore. This shocking revelation underscores the need for citizens to be not only aware of their constitutional rights but also vigilant about how these rights are protected or ignored in practice.


As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, the need to educate and engage the public is more pressing than ever. Dr. Ambedkar warned in his final speech to the Constituent Assembly that the mere existence of the Constitution is not enough - citizens must be vigilant and informed, for only then can they hold those in power accountable.


(The author runs an NGO Catalyst Foundation in Pune. Views personal.)

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