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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.

SIP: All You Need to Know and three Key Benefits

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

SIP: All You Need to Know and three Key Benefits

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is one of the most efficient ways to create wealth through the power of compounding. In this article, I will explain everything about SIP and its three benefits.


What is SIP?

In simple terms, an SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount of money every month into various mutual fund schemes. This amount is automatically debited from your bank account and invested into the selected schemes without requiring any further action on your part.


The best way to look at SIP is by calling it - Sapna In Progress. For every financial goal of yours, you must allocate a sufficient amount of SIP.


Three Benefits of SIP

1. Simple and Convenient: Once you set it up, the money is automatically deducted from your account and invested in your chosen set of schemes. There is no minimum or maximum limit. You can start as low as INR 1000. The higher the SIP, the more you benefit in the long term. Hence SIPs are very welcoming due to its flexibility and accessibility to all kinds of investors. However, it is crucial to consult with a financial advisor to help you select the right schemes based on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Financial advisors bring valuable education, wisdom, expertise and experience to the table, ensuring your investment strategy is sound.

2. Automated: After the initial setup, SIP is a hands-off process. Once your account is opened and mandate is registered, the future contributions are automatically debited on the chosen date without any further involvement. Wealth is built with minimal effort.

3. Rupee Cost Averaging & Compounding: SIP takes advantage of market fluctuations through a concept called rupee cost averaging. When the stock market is high, fewer units are bought; when the market is down, more units are purchased at lower prices. This strategy helps you build wealth steadily over time, as more units are accumulated at a lower average cost. Over the long term, the power of compounding amplifies the growth of your investment, enabling significant returns as the market recovers and rises.


How Much Should You Invest?

A general guideline is to allocate at least 25% to 30% of your monthly income toward SIPs. As your income grows over time, you should increase your SIP contributions accordingly. Every 12 months, review and adjust your SIP to match your rising income, ensuring you continue to invest a substantial portion of your earnings.


Is Your SIP Sufficient?

One key point to consider is whether your SIP contributions are sufficient for your long-term financial goals. There is no "small" or "big" SIP—only adequate or inadequate. To determine this, you need to calculate how much money you will require after 5, 10, or 20 years, factoring in inflation and your financial objectives. This will give you a clearer picture of how much you need to invest monthly to meet your goals.


SIP is a powerful investment tool that simplifies the process of building wealth over time. SIPs are not just about investing money; they are about cultivating a habit of disciplined, consistent investing that helps secure your financial future.


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor.

Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605. )

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