Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Congratulates Divya Deshmukh on Chess Victory

August 3-Kolkata, India: On Saturday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated the current FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup Champion Divya Deshmukh and awarded her with a Rs 3 crore cash reward.

Deshmukh (19) became the youngest woman chess champion after she defeated her fellow countrywoman Koneru Humpy in a tie breaker in the finals, making her the youngest person to win the Women’s World Cup title, which took place at Batumi in Georgia on July 28. She not only earned the prestigious trophy for her cabinet but also received the Grandmaster title.

Deshmukh is originally from Nagpur, which is also where CM Fadnavis is from.

Divya Deshmukh during the programme

A programme was held in the city to commemorate Divya’s grand victory at the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup. The young Grandmaster appreciated the gesture and thanked the Nagpur people and CM Devendra Fadnavis for supporting her throughout her whole journey.

She also stated that “This is a very special moment for me. I am so happy that I could be a little bit part of their (children’s) motivation and their inspiration. I am feeling very happy.”

She also showed her appreciation once again towards the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their full support.

CM Fadnavis on Divya’s victory

After the grand ceremony, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also spoke during the occassion and stated that “he felt proud as an Indian, as the CM of Maharashtra and as a native of Nagpur that a local girl has made the country proud at the world level.”

He also further added “The government organised Deshmukh’s public felicitation function to motivate the country’s children. The Maharashtra government has always given priority to sports.”

After then, CM Fadnavis gave Deshmukh a cheque for Rs 3 crore as a cash reward and promised to help her with her future ambitions.

Manikrao Kokate, the Sports Minister additionally pledged the state’s general sports development.