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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.

NCP (SP) takes a gamble with young, new faces

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

FRESH FACES AND A LACK OF HEAVYWEIGHTS TO DECIDE FUTURE


NCP

Mumbai: As the election approaches, the NCP (SP) is taking a bold risk by introducing a slate of fresh, youthful candidates driven by a need for new leadership, caste considerations, and an absence of political heavyweights. This strategy signifies a significant departure from traditional candidate selection, illustrating the party’s commitment to evolving alongside its electorate.


One notable newcomer is Fahad Ahmad, actor Swara Bhaskar’s husband and an impassioned politician known for his stirring speeches during the anti-CAA protests. He is set to contest against Nawab Mallik’s daughter in the Muslim-dominated Anushakti Nagar constituency. Until a few days ago, Ahmad was a member of the Samajwadi Party. His induction and nomination has left some party workers perplexed. However, the NCP (SP) views this as a necessary gamble, particularly in a political landscape where many prominent figures have left the party.


A few hundred kilometers away, in Baramati, where most candidates privately concede defeat even before polling, the young Yugendra Pawar will make his political debut against his uncle and senior politician Ajit Pawar. In Mohol, the party has picked the 26-year-old Siddhi Kadam whose MLA father Ramesh Kadam was jailed in a case of financial corruption The selection of these candidates has raised eyebrows among observers and constituents alike, showcasing a blend of both risk and opportunity. “Politics is changing; you don’t need heavyweights to win elections. Our party had declared that we would give tickets to new faces because we want to grow and cultivate new talent. These young faces are a reflection of our society and what people want—these candidates are young, dynamic and agile,” says Anish Gawande, national spokesperson of the NCP(SP).


The NCP (SP) also has its sights set on Tasgaon Kavthe Mahankal, where Rohit Patil, son of the late former home minister R R Patil, stands as a promising candidate, buoyed by his father’s legacy and grassroots involvement.


With 21 per cent of voters under the age of 30, the party’s shift towards youthful representation could prove to be a winning strategy in the coming election.

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