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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.

Is the Celebrity Outshining the Politician?

Janasena Party

In the evolving political landscape of Andhra Pradesh, a quiet rivalry may be brewing within the ruling alliance. Pawan Kalyan, the charismatic leader of the Janasena Party, is no longer just a coalition partner to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu but is rapidly becoming a formidable political force in his own right. Kalyan’s growing appeal, bolstered by his bold actions and a loyal fanbase, is beginning to draw comparisons with the long-standing dominance of Naidu. Could the superstar-turned-politician eclipse the seasoned leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)?


Kalyan’s recent initiatives, particularly his dramatic visit to Kakinada Port to expose alleged smuggling activities, have garnered widespread attention. While questions remain about the legitimacy of his claims, Kalyan’s willingness to take on entrenched mafias at the state’s ports has resonated with the public. No leader in recent memory, including Naidu, has made such an audacious attempt to confront these illegal networks.


While Naidu’s government has been criticized for its cautious approach—rooted in past alliances and obligations—Kalyan’s actions suggest he is unafraid to challenge the status quo. This has positioned him as a leader who not only speaks for the people but acts on their concerns.


The Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections this year were a turning point for Pawan Kalyan. After years of political setbacks, the Janasena Party emerged as a significant player, securing 21 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies. Kalyan’s ability to bridge the divide between the Kapu and Kamma communities played a pivotal role in this success. The alliance with the TDP and BJP, brokered strategically in the run-up to the elections, further bolstered his credibility.


Naidu’s political brand, while still strong, has begun to show signs of strain. Kalyan’s rising popularity, especially among the youth, is a direct challenge to Naidu’s traditional base.


Given that popularity in politics often boils down to perception, herein lies Naidu’s conundrum. While his administrative acumen and governance record are undisputed, his image as a cautious and calculating leader may pale against Kalyan’s dynamic persona.


The Janasena chief’s willingness to call out inefficiencies, including those within the ruling coalition, has endeared him to a populace weary of bureaucratic inertia.


For instance, Kalyan’s public criticism of Home Minister Anita’s handling of law and order struck a chord with many. Though Naidu’s decision to appoint Anita reflects a commitment to social inclusion, Kalyan’s critique highlighted the administration’s shortcomings, further boosting his stature as a leader unafraid to speak the truth.


Chandrababu Naidu’s political survival has always depended on pragmatism, and he may now need to recalibrate his approach to keep Kalyan in check without alienating the Janasena leader’s growing base of supporters.


Should Kalyan’s popularity continue to soar, Naidu risks being overshadowed in his own government. A case in point is Kalyan’s ability to project himself as a crusader for public causes—whether it is exposing smuggling or championing the rights of marginalized communities. Naidu, on the other hand, has struggled to translate his governance achievements into comparable public enthusiasm.


For now, Pawan Kalyan’s ascent remains a double-edged sword for the ruling coalition. His charisma and growing popularity have energized the alliance, but they also pose a latent threat to Naidu’s leadership.


The Janasena leader’s rise highlights an emerging generational shift in Andhra Pradesh’s politics—a movement toward leaders who are seen as more relatable and less encumbered by the baggage of past administrations.


As of now, Pawan Kalyan may not have surpassed Chandrababu Naidu in experience or institutional clout, but in the court of public opinion, the tide seems to be turning in his favour.

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