It was chaos not a cavalcade that greeted the chess champion Viswanathan Anand as the world champion arrived in New Delhi late on Sunday night.
World champion Anand arrives in India to a chaotic reception but says he is overwhelmed by the fact that so many people turned up to receive him
MUMBAI: It was chaos not a cavalcade that greeted Viswanathan Anand as the world champion arrived in New Delhi late on Sunday night.
The plans of according a grand reception to the Indian Grandmaster went haywire because of chaos at the airport as Anand left the airport hurriedly, without even meeting the media for the planned interaction.
It was Anand’s first visit since he annexed the world title in Mexico on September 29.
The Delhi Chess Association and Anand’s sponsors, NIIT organised the reception but the situation went out of hand as fans and some officials pushed around trying to get close to the world champion and come into picture frames.
Even the media personnel were pushed aside. In the end, Anand got upset and left quickly.
Anand, however, said he was happy with the welcome. “It was just fantastic,” he said. “It was a rock star reception. I never expected so many people to be there at late night.”
The world champion said he was “touched” by the enthusiasm shown by his fans. “I was touched by seeing the boisterous crowd. It felt very special that so many people came to airport for me at 1 a.m,” Anand said. “I was just moved. It was an enthusiastic crowd,” he insisted.
Anand said he felt great when the national anthem was played in Mexico after he won the title. “Only the national anthem of the winner is played. So it was a special moment for me,” the Indian maestro said.
In the evening, Anand was hosted by President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The President spent time with Anand wife Aruna, who accompanied to the Rastrapati Bhawan. Anand, wearing a navy blue suit, showed his world championships medal and the shield to the President as shutterbugs clicked on.
Anand also shared his thoughts with Patil as they talked over tea.
Meanwhile, the All-India Chess Federation said it is planning a grand welcome for Anand in Chennai on October 22. The welcome will be organised by the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA).
The AICF will also felicitate young gold medal winners of the different age groups at the world championships.
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