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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.

Sena promotes Shinde as next CM

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Sena promotes Shinde as next CM

Mumbai: With the Assembly elections just around the corner, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is gearing up to promote him as the chief ministerial candidate for the Mahayuti alliance. This alliance comprises Shiv Sena, BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP.


Shiv Sena faction convened a pivotal meeting at Shivaji Mandir in Dadar, bringing together Mumbai office bearers to strategize for upcoming elections and reinforce the party’s grip on the city. The meeting focused on bolstering Shinde’s leadership and the party’s electoral prospects, leveraging his popularity as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a position he’s held since June 2022.


Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, addressing the gathering, saying about his father Eknath Shinde unwavering dedication, highlighting his tireless work ethic spanning two years without a single day off. This unrelenting commitment has significantly bolstered the party, drawing new supporters despite its split. 


CM’s Shinde leadership has been instrumental in Shiv Sena’s resurgence. As the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra since June 2022, he has demonstrated unwavering resolve. His tenure has seen notable electoral successes, including Shiv Sena securing seven seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, surpassing its BJP allies in Maharashtra.


“Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Shiv Sena, fostering trust among party members and attracting new supporters. His commitment to keeping his word has ensured that not a single person has left the party, with more people joining instead,” MP Shinde remarked, emphasising the growing strength of the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde’s leadership. 


MP Shinde also urged party workers to maximize their efforts in the next month to defeat the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction in the upcoming elections. This appeal aligns with Shinde’s ongoing efforts to consolidate his position within the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra’s political landscape.


Shrikant Shinde backs his father, Eknath Shinde, as Mahayuti alliance’s chief ministerial candidate. He praises Eknath’s tireless work, saying: “After two years of hard work, imagine what he’ll achieve with our support in the next five years.”


Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s current Chief Minister, has reopened the Varsha Bungalow, his official residence, to the public, reversing a trend set by predecessor Uddhav Thackeray. During Thackeray’s tenure, the bungalow became inaccessible, sparking criticism.

Under Shinde’s leadership, Varsha Bungalow has regained its purpose, hosting various events and meetings. 


In his speech, MP Shinde directed local Shiv Sena unit chiefs and coordinators to connect with community organizations, such as Buddha Vihar and local dharma gurus. This strategic move aims to counter the narrative of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, which gained traction during the recent Lok Sabha elections.


By engaging with these influential community groups, Shinde seeks to bolster support for his party. 

Shrikant Shinde told party members, “Eknath Shinde’s supporters are confident that if they work hard for a month, he’ll dedicate the next five years to improving Maharashtra and its people’s lives.”

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