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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.

Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar: Real Reunion or Smart Moves?

The Pawars’ political tango unsettles allies, keeps rivals guessing.

Politics in Maharashtra has never lacked for drama. But few sagas are as riveting—or as consequential—as the unfolding story of Sharad Pawar and his estranged nephew, Ajit Pawar. Once united under the banner of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the two leaders have taken increasingly divergent paths. Now, on the eve of crucial municipal and local-body elections, whispers of a possible reunion are sending ripples through the state’s political class.


The big split in the NCP occurred on July 2, 2023 when Ajit Pawar and some senior leaders joined the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. He became Deputy Chief Minister in the Eknath Shinde government. This was a big shift because the NCP has always been known for being a secular and moderate party, not leaning towards any religion or extreme views. The split became official in February 2024, when the Election Commission gave Ajit Pawar's group the NCP name. Sharad Pawar’s group got a new name: NCP (SP), meaning Sharad Pawar’s group.


Lately, Sharad and Ajit Pawar have been seen together at public events, be it family functions, meetings on farming and technology. These moments have made many wonder whether the 84-year-old uncle and his mercurial nephew are going to join hands again, especially with local elections coming up?


Sharad Pawar has said that his team is discussing what to do next. His daughter,Supriya Sule, who is a Member of Parliament and also the working president ofhis party, will play a key role in deciding if they should merge with Ajit Pawar’sgroup.


But coming back together won’t be easy. Ajit Pawar’s team wants some leadersfrom Sharad Pawar’s side to say sorry for speaking against him in the past.Amol Mitkari, a spokesperson for Ajit’s group, said that there will be strictconditions, and Ajit Pawar will have the final word on everything.


This demand for apologies has divided opinions in Sharad Pawar’s camp. Someleaders believe they should reunite to become politically stronger, while othersdon’t want to give up their identity and principles.


If Sharad and Ajit Pawar do come together, it could cause problems in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. This group includes NCP (SP), Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT). The Congress party, seeing possible changes, has told its local leaders to get ready for the elections alone. This might mean Congress is thinking of going solo.


Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew and a young MLA, has also shared that some MVA leaders are not doing enough to solve public problems. Thisshows that the alliance is already facing some internal issues.There are many reasons behind this possible reunion. For Sharad Pawar,coming back with Ajit could help the party win more elections and become strong again in Maharashtra. On the other hand, Ajit Pawar, even though he isin power, might need the original NCP’s popularity and local networks to win people’s trust.


This plan is not simple. One major issue is the BJP. Sharad Pawar has always presented himself as a secular leader, meaning he doesn’t support religious politics. But Ajit Pawar is now with the BJP, a party Sharad has often opposed. If they come together, people will question whether this is really about helping the public or just staying in power.


Party workers are also confused. Arecent NCP (SP) meeting in Mumbai, led by state president Jayant Patil, showed that workers are unsure what will happen. Many said the party should make its position clear soon, especially before elections. This story shows how family ties and political strategy often get mixed up in Indian politics. Yes, Sharad Pawar attending Ajit Pawar’s family functions shows that they still care for each other personally. But in politics, such events are rarely just emotional as they often signal of possible alliances.


Sharad Pawar has a long reputation for being a clever and experienced politician. He is known for always keeping his options open. He has worked with both opposition and ruling parties over the years. Some people see this as smart politics, while others find it confusing. But it has helped him stay relevant.


Still, there’s a tricky part. If Sharad Pawar joins with Ajit again, people, especially younger voters, will ask: Is this about serving the people or just about staying powerful? Many young people care about honesty and clear values in politics.


The BJP is watching all of this very carefully. Publicly, BJP leaders like Chandrakant Patil have said there’s nothing to the reunion rumours. But behind the scenes, the party is keeping a close eye. That’s because if the NCP unites again, it could affect the BJP’s own chances in the upcoming local elections. This situation shows how political survival often comes before ideology.


Watching leaders like Sharad and Ajit Pawar can teach young people how complex politics really is. It is not just about making good speeches, but also about timing, strategy and making deals.


Indian politics is seldom boring. The story of the Pawar family proves that. For young voters, this is a great example of how political decisions are influenced by relationships, strategy, and the need to win.


Whether or not uncle and nephew bury the hatchet, one thing is certain: Maharashtra’s politics, like its monsoon, promises another season of storms.

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