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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.

Woman of Substance

A woman is not defined by titles like nurturer or multitasker—she defines herself through her choices, resilience, and the life she builds each day.

Who decides who a woman is? Labels like ‘nurturer’ and ‘multitasker’ are often used — but do they truly define us? No, we define ourselves by our choices and by shaping our lives.


We women are highly inexplicably emotional. Is it our strength or weakness? It's neither a strength nor a weakness. It's just a vital part which exists in all of us. It's an emotion that helps in decision-making and later in taking action.

If emotions are managed well and used constructively, they become our strength, but if they are not managed well, then they lead to challenges, stress, and chaos.


So now the simple answer is "GROW". We want to see our best version.


We all love to see ourselves grow. Does this happen overnight? No, it takes years of hard work, dedication, commitment, and discipline in whatever we pursue. The list of things required to grow is endless. But primarily we need a few basic things for holistic growth.


1) Focus on self-care

Self-care is not selfishness or self-centredness. It is a priority for our own physical and mental well-being.


So do it unapologetically.


Take some time out to pamper yourself. Go to a salon, hang out with friends, and cook wholesome meals for your loved ones. Take a break from mundane activities and plunge into things that bring joy and positivity.

All these fill you up with exuberance.


2) Set goals

Set realistic goals. Take smaller steps towards it. Do not take a huge leap. This helps in your steady growth and fills you with a sense of achievement.


3) Be a learner

Keep learning and polishing new skills, as learning is a never-ending process. Keep gaining knowledge.


Learn, observe, implement, and execution becomes smooth.


4) Develop strong relationships

Relationships are just not about couples. Be it with your spouse, siblings, parents, kids, friends, neighbours, or colleagues, build a positive, strong relationship that should be built on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and support, and navigating through life is eased.

5) Practise Gratitude

How often do we crib over petty issues? Almost several times a day. We focus on things that we do not possess; instead, focus on things that we are blessed with, be thankful to the Almighty every passing second, and you will see magic happening.


When we speak about growth, it's just not financial growth. Overall as a person, we should strive to evolve. Be it emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual upscaling is very important.


To be truly independent is to take charge of your life. Be responsible for your actions. Be accountable. Only then do we learn to assess and take necessary steps and evolve.


That is the type of growth we should bring in ourselves.


We women are beauty-conscious, and we often look for validation. The power is YOU. Don't seek validation. Outer beauty is definitely going to fade away over a period of time.


Wrinkles, dark circles, sagging skin, and grey hair are all going to show up at one point or the other. It's inevitable although it can be delayed by skin treatment, eating right, and a disciplined lifestyle.


But inner beauty never dies. Ageing has to be so graceful that we should feel fulfilled on the inside.


That is true growth, a true achievement in its true sense, where our memory gets poor but our memories are so enriching. A never-give-up attitude keeps you going. So be strong, brave, and resilient no matter what life throws at you. Celebrate womanhood and be a woman of substance.


(The author is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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