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Anand's Arrival
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Anand
Presented Rs.10 Lakh
By Arvind Aaron
"Anand is a fantastic role model not just for chess players but also for
people in other sport to achieve excellence," said Rahul Dravid, former
captain of the Indian cricket team while felicitating the world chess
champion Viswanathan Anand at the Ball Room of Taj Connemara in Chennai on
October 22.
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Release of Vishy Anand's Special AICF Chronicle.
Mr.MVM.VelMurugan receiving the first copy from the Asian President
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The
function got up by the All India Chess Federation also saw Dravid handover
a cheque for Rs.10 lakh (Rupees one million) on behalf of N.Srinivasan to
the 37-year old world chess champion. The function lasted only 45 minutes
and had plenty of other sportsmen, former cricket captain K.Srikkanth of
Chennai, former Olympic gold medal winning hockey captain V.Bhaskaran,
table-tennis Arjuna Awardee S.Raman among others. Chess has a notable
majority though, with GM Konery Humpy, Dibyendu Barua, S.S.Ganguly, Deepan
Chakkaravarthy, Abhijit Kunte and others in the audience. Anand's family
and friends were also in full attendance.
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Asian President
receiving Memento from AICF Vice President Mr.Bhakavatchalam,
Mr. R.M.dongre Vice President is also present |
Dravid came
late but compensated like his test innings. "It was a great honour to meet
him." Dravid noted that Anand is a rare double world champion and is very
special. He appreciated his determination and drive and also the hunger
for success and not feeling satisfied with one title.
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On Stage
left to Right Mr.D.V.Sundar, Hon.Secretary AICF, Mr.Rahul Dravid,
Chief Guest, Mr.Vishy Anand, Mr.N.Srinivasan,President AICF
Mr.Sheik
Khalifah Al-Nehyan,
President of A.C.F |
The
programme started with Smt Nithyashree Mahadevan offering the prayers.
N.Srinivasan, President, AICF welcomed the gathering and lauded Anand. "We
are here to celebrate an outstanding achievement. Anand is a sportsman par
excellence," observed Srinivasan.
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Mr.Bharat Sigh Treasurer - AICF
Presenting a memento to Mr.Rahul Dravid. Mr.Sameer A.Salgocar
Vice President is also seen |
D.V.Sundar,
Honorary Secretary, AICF introduced seven age group world champions who
offered flowers to Anand. Ivana Furtado (World Under-8 girls),
C.H.Mohineesh (World Under-8), Sahaj Grover (World Under-10, former), Ch.
Sahajasri (World Under-10 girls), N.Srinath (world under-12, former),
Aarthie Ramaswamy (World Under-18, former) and Koneru Humpy (World No.2
women and World Junior Under-20, former). "Rahul, nobody knows these young
champions since you and your friends (meaning cricketers!) take all the
space in the newspapers," joked D.V.Sundar.
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Anand receiving a memento from Asian
Chess Federation President |
Sheikh
Sultan Bin Khalifah Al-nehyan, President of the Asian Chess Federation,
congratulated Anand and reminded him that he was the pride of Asia when
you look at the rating list or the world title. He also presented him a
memento he brought from Al-Ain.
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Anand Receiving a memento from
Mr.Charudatta.V.Jadhav General Secretary AICF for the Blind |
In replying
to felicitations, Anand, dressed in tie and jacket thanked N.Srinivasan
and said under him the AICF was taking the right direction. I hope to try
and win more titles and come back for more events like this one, said
Anand while replying to felicitations.
Home Published :
23rd October, 2007
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