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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.

Nine Financial Tips for a Prosperous Navratri

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Nine Financial Tips

As we approach Navratri, I wish you all a joyous and prosperous festive season ahead. To help you stay on track with your financial goals during this time, here are nine essential financial tips to ensure your journey towards financial freedom is smooth and secure.


Build an Emergency Fund

Ensure you have at least six months’ worth of living expenses saved in a bank fixed deposit or a debt mutual fund. This serves as your emergency fund for unforeseen situations and ensures you are financially prepared for any rainy days ahead.


Review Your Asset Allocation

Revisit your financial plan to make sure your investments align with your financial goals. For goals within three years, consider bank fixed deposits/recurring deposits/debt mutual funds. For longer-term goals (beyond three years), a combination of hybrid mutual funds, equity mutual funds, direct equities and gold should be preferred.


Do Sufficient SIPs

Ensure you are investing enough through systematic investment plans (SIPs). Ideally, at least 25-30 per cent of your in-hand monthly income should be allocated towards SIPs in mutual funds/stocks/gold to help you build wealth consistently over time.


Make Lumpsum Investments

In addition to SIPs, consider making voluntary lump sum investments in the above longer term assets, whenever possible. Periodic lump sum contributions can significantly boost your overall wealth.


Increase Your SIPs Annually

As your income grows, so should your investments. Make it a point to increase your SIP amounts every year to keep up with your rising income. Again, aim for at least 30% of your monthly income towards investments.


Stay Invested

One of the most important rules of investing is to stay invested until your financial goals are met. Avoid treating your investments like an ATM. Pausing or redeeming your investments frequently disrupts their growth potential. Instead, try to raise an overdraft loan against your investments, to help whenever needed.


Health Insurance

Ensure that you and your family are adequately covered with comprehensive health insurance that includes necessary product features. A minimum cover of 25 lakhs per family member is recommended to safeguard against any major health-related expenses. Never solely rely on your employer’s health insurance.


Term Life Insurance

A term life insurance plan is essential for the financial security of your loved ones. Ensure you have a cover amounting to 10 times your annual income, plus any outstanding loans. Avoid combining insurance with investment plans—stick to a pure term insurance policy for adequate coverage.


Consult a Financial Advisor

Seek the help of a well-qualified, full-time financial advisor for making a financial plan and executing it. They will make your job easy. Never do-it-yourself in the case of wealth creation, financial goals, and investing.

Wishing you a financially secure and prosperous Navratri!

(The writer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal.)

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