Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday felicitated newly-crowned FIDE Women's World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh and handed over a cash award of Rs 3 crore to her.
Divya, 19, became the youngest to win the Women's World Cup title at Batumi in Georgia on July 28 after she outwitted compatriot Koneru Humpy in the tiebreaker of the final. The victory not just earned her the prestigious title, but also made her a Grandmaster.
Divya is a native of Nagpur, the same place from where Fadnavis also hails. During the programme here, Divya thanked Fadnavis and the people of Nagpur for felicitating her. She said one gets to enjoy such moments rarely in life. “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 said, thanking the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their support.
The state government organised Divya's public felicitation function to motivate the country's children, said Fadnavis, assuring her of all support in her future endeavours.
CJI Gavai visits Divya, recalls old family ties
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai visited newly-crowned FIDE Chess World Cup champion and Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh at her residence in Nagpur on Saturday to congratulate her on her remarkable achievement.
Incidentally, the CJI is from Amravati and Deshmukh's grandfather late Dr KG Deshmukh was once the Vice-Chancellor of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University.
Speaking to the media, the CJI said his father and late KG Deshmukh were very close friends. “We have grown up like one family. It was nostalgic for me to visit here. I went back 50-55 years and recollected all those old memories. It was a great reunion for me, especially as I have come to give my best wishes to Divya, who has made us all very proud," Gavai said.
Follow us
