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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.

Why India Should Welcome Global Talent Amid H-1B Restrictions

When U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 H-1B visa fee, many viewed it as a setback for Indian IT companies and professionals who have long relied on America’s tech market. For decades, the H-1B visa was considered a gateway for Indian engineers, coders, and innovators to build careers in Silicon Valley. But today, the same restriction that appears to close one door has the potential to open another—directly in India’s favor.


A wake-up call

The rising barriers to Indian professionals in the United States are not just a diplomatic or economic challenge; they are a historic opportunity for India. Instead of seeing its brightest minds migrate abroad, India can now position itself as the preferred global destination for high-end technology and innovation jobs. By creating policies and infrastructure to absorb this redirected talent pool, India can reverse decades of brain drain and usher in a new era of brain gain.


World’s fastest-growing economy

India is already the world’s fastest-growing major economy, projected to grow at 6.8 per cent in 2025 (IMF). It has become the fifth-largest economy globally, and by 2027 is expected to surpass both Japan and Germany. For top job seekers priced out of the American market by H-1B costs, India offers the next best thing—if not something better.


This is not the India of two decades ago that primarily exported software talent. Today, it is a frontline player in AI, semiconductors, fintech, and advanced manufacturing. With 850+ million internet users, India is building the largest digital marketplace outside China, creating unmatched opportunities for innovators and professionals.


Perfect destination for global talent

1. Unmatched talent ecosystem

India produces 1.5 million engineers annually (AICTE), and by 2030 will have the largest STEM talent pool worldwide (NASSCOM). The return of global professionals will further enrich this ecosystem, adding skills honed in global markets.


2. Thriving start-up economy

With 100,000+ registered start-ups and more than 110 unicorns, India is already the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world (after the U.S. and China). In 2022–23 alone, Indian start-ups raised $25+ billion in venture funding, reflecting investor confidence. For job seekers, this means not only employment but the chance to build global giants from Bengaluru or Hyderabad.


3. Government push on advanced sectors

The government’s $26 billion Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is catalyzing growth in electronics, EVs, and green energy. A $10 billion semiconductor incentive program has already attracted commitments from Micron, Vedanta, and Foxconn. These sectors need exactly the kind of highly skilled professionals who once sought H-1B visas.


4. Growing global investment

Global tech giants—Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Meta—are expanding R&D centers and cloud infrastructure in India. The country’s data center market is expected to double to $10 billion by 2027, creating high-paying, high-tech roles.


5. Cost advantage with quality of life

Salaries for software engineers in India’s top metros range between $25,000–$40,000 annually, but with living costs that are 60–70 per cent lower than Silicon Valley. A Deloitte survey found 65 per cent of Indian professionals abroad would consider returning if opportunities matched their expertise—a trend that can now accelerate.


Strategic national mission

Instead of lamenting lost opportunities in the U.S., India must act strategically. Universities, industry bodies, and the government can collaborate to:

  • Create special recruitment platforms for returning professionals.

  • Offer incentives and startup incubation for those who want to launch companies in India.

  • Establish 'reverse-H-1B' programs that match tech talent with roles in semiconductors, AI, defense, and smart cities.


By doing so, India won’t just absorb talent—it will amplify it into engines of growth.


The bigger picture

Every major economy faces inflection points. For India, this moment—triggered by a U.S. policy shift—could redefine its global trajectory. If harnessed properly, the H-1B visa fee barrier could accelerate India’s rise as the world’s innovation hub, attracting not just returning Indians, but also global professionals who see India as the next Silicon Valley of the East.


What looks like a setback for U.S. IT giants may well be the turning point for India’s knowledge economy. With the right moves, India can prove that when one door closes abroad, another opens much wider at home.


(The writer is a BJP official based in Thane. Views personal.)

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