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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.

‘Narendra Modi is the real face of the elections’

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

Yamini Jadhav

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has once again nominated MLA Yamini Jadhav, the wife of former BMC Standing Committee Chairman Yashwant Jadhav, for the Byculla constituency. She had won the seat in 2019 for the first time for her party. However, a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election looms uncertainty over his prospectus. In an interview, Jadhav talked about the issues in her constituency. Excerpts…


Q. What is the main issue you are addressing?

A. The most important concern in this area is finding affordable homes. The renovation of ancient and dilapidated structures is a major concern. There is also a need to rehabilitate slums located on central government territory, such as those owned by the Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) and the National Textile Corporation. Furthermore, both cessed and non-cessed buildings in South Mumbai require immediate reconstruction and restoration. I’ve also discussed the importance of having an office and providing amenities for coastal patrol. Furthermore, I would advocate for a single-window system to simplify the process of getting approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the MPA for repair work on structures on their property, as well as providing necessary amenities. Cluster redevelopment also presents a hurdle.


Q. You have also been addressing issues related to women. What is the new demand?

A. I have demanded that the government give women at least 10 biodegradable sanitary pads each month for Re 1 each. Policewomen are currently allowed to wear sarees only after 16 weeks of pregnancy. I have insisted that they be permitted to wear a saree uniform from the start of their pregnancy, as they are unable to wear heavy belts or trousers.


Q. The issue of giving the Richardson and Cruddas land to JJ Hospital is also pending

A. Previously, no MLA took up this subject, hence it has been pending. I will prioritise this issue. Once this site is transferred, we intend to establish a super-specialty facility as an extension of JJ Hospital. We aim to establish an oncology centre here, as well as modern housing for JJ Hospital doctors and other workers. I’ve also been advocating for a sports complex on a portion of the Mafatlal Mill site in Byculla. I’m also aiming to open a drug addiction and rehabilitation clinic at JJ Hospital.


Q. How are you going to counter the sympathy wave for Shiv Sena (UBT)?

A. When an incident occurs, people are sympathetic at first, but then they move on. So, the sympathy has subsided. I am going to the people with my work and performance, as well as that of the Shinde and Modi governments. I am merely a technical candidate, and PM Narendra Modi is the real face of the elections.


Q. This time the minority vote is said to be swinging to the MVA.

A. This is not accurate. I’ve worked extensively for Byculla’s minority community. Even the Shinde government has implemented several new policies for the minority population and allocated funding to them through various schemes that are influencing their lives.

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