top of page

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.

Forensic Odontology: Dental Science in Criminal Investigation

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Dental Science

The use of dental science in legal proceedings, or “forensic odontology,” is a branch of forensic science that uses dental science to identify deceased individuals in legal proceedings. It involves comparing ante- and post-mortem records to identify individuals, aiding in mass catastrophes, criminal investigations, ethnic studies, and corpse decomposition. Forensic anthropologists create a comprehensive postmortem record, adding details like ancestry, age, and sex. Accurate dental records are crucial for patient care and medicolegal obligations.


Forensic odontology has roots dating back to ancient times, with notable instances of dental identification dating back to 66 A.D. A historical case involved Nero’s wife being identified by her distinctive black anterior teeth. The formal recognition of forensic odontology began in the 19th century with the Webster-Parkman case in 1849 in the United States. Dr. Oscar Amoeda is often referred to as, the “father of forensic odontology” for his work in identifying Paris fire victims using dental records. Forensic identification in India began in 1193 with the murder of Jai Chand. In 1776, dentist Paul Revere fabricated a small denture to identify Dr. Joseph Waren, allowing him to be buried with military honour.


Forensic odontology played a significant role in criminal investigations, such as the 2013 Delhi Gang Rape Case known as the Nirbhaya case, where dental forensics provided critical evidence against the accused. The dentist compared the arrangement of teeth with the bite mark left on the victim, leading to the arrest of six men, including a juvenile. In the 2014 murder of a child in Mumbai, dental records were used to identify the dismembered victim, emphasising the importance of dental identification in cases involving severe mutilation. In the 2018 Murder of a Young Woman in Telangana, bite mark analysis linked the suspect to the crime scene, leading to a conviction based on dental evidence. Another case where bite marks on victims played a crucial role in the conviction of serial rapist and murderer Umesh Reddy in India.


The Honourable Supreme Court of India has emphasised the significance of forensic odontology as a crucial piece of evidence in criminal investigations. In the Nirbhaya case, the court upheld a death sentence based on corroborative forensic evidence, including bite mark analysis. The court praised the scientific rigour of forensic odontologists, recognising dental records as conclusive proof in cases of decomposition or mutilation.


DNA analysis techniques from dental pulp are becoming more refined, allowing for victim identification in mass disasters and criminal cases. Digital forensics ultilises computer-assisted technologies for dental records and analysing bite marks, which give precise comparisons between antemortem and postmortem dental records, improving the reliability of identifications. Facial reconstruction and tongue print analysis are being explored to enhance identification possibilities in forensic investigations. Additionally, software like ABFO (American Board of Forensic Odontology) scales for bite mark analysis and advanced techniques to match dental records have made significant strides in recent times. Digital tooth reconstruction uses dental socket morphology to replace missing teeth from skeletal remains, with minimal discrepancy between natural and 3D printed teeth, proving identification valid post-mortem.


Forensic Odontology, as a scientific discipline, and its wide scope in criminal investigations in India are yet to be enhanced, and its exposure to law enforcement agencies must be incorporated as part of their training. Some of the eminent forensic odontologists of India include Dr. Ashith B. Acharya (Professor & HOD of Forensic Odontology, SDM College of Dental Science, president-elect of the Indian Association of Forensic Odontology), Dr. Abraham Johnson (Asst. Professor at National Forensic Sciences University, executive committee member, Indian Association of Forensic Odontology, and member of Indo Pacific Academy of Forensic Odontology), and many more.


Forensic odontology is an invaluable tool in criminal investigations, offering unique insights into identifying victims and solving cases. Its continued advancement and integration into law enforcement practices promise to enhance justice and accountability in the future.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic consultant to Assam government. Phukan is student of Forensic Science in NFSU, Guwahati. Views personal.)

Comments

bottom of page