Saina Nehwal is one of India’s most successful sportspersons. From an Olympic medal to being the runner-up at the BWF World Championships, she has achieved a lot and brought pride and glory to the nation.
One might ask, what good has all her efforts earned her? Being branded an anti-national is not something that any Indian citizen aspires for. Nehwal was termed anti-national as she is the brand ambassador of Honor, which is a sub-brand of Huawei, a Chinese company.
On Sunday, Nehwal posted a picture on her Facebook page with the Honor 8 smartphone – obviously, nothing more than an obligation to her sponsor. And yet, people took this as an opportunity to slam her for shaming her country for endorsing a Chinese product.
Now, in today’s economy, one should use domestic products and promote Indian companies, however, millions of citizens in India use the services of companies like PayTM, Uber and a host of foreign products on a daily basis. But no one bats an eyelid, why?
Why is it when a sportsperson who has achieved so much is being slammed for something that is so insignificant and why aren’t India’s more popular celebrities who endorse foreign products not criticised?
Comments like, “Kindly dont promote Chines product...its dangerous for our nation,” “ I am your fan, but if you say buy China product am not. I will say stop this nonsense,” flooded her post.
This begs the question whether all her glorious achievements – the bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and numerous Super Series titles that she has won, her love for the nation and patriotism is being questioned.
Are people willing to forget all her achievements and the joy that she has brought to the nation because of her endorsement?
Nehwal’s performances are below-par performances off late, but fans are willing to forget that she is just making a comeback from an almost career-ending injury; an injury that shredded her mentally and physically, and one that could have ended her dream of an Olympic gold.
She has shown immense character to return to the court and with time she will be back to her best.
But for now, we must put aside these issues and support her through this. We must do our part in her journey. Sooner rather than later, she will be back at what she does best – bringing pride to her country.
