One of Viswanathan Anand's most cherished triumphs was the 2002 World Cup win in Hyderabad
One of Viswanathan Anand's most cherished triumphs was the 2002 World Cup win in Hyderabad.
Ironically, Anand was in the same city yesterday when he heard that his nationality was questioned in connection to a doctorate that was to be conferred on him by the University of Hyderabad.
Among all his World triumphs, Anand got to experience the national anthem being played after his conquest for the first time in Hyderabad since all his other title-winning efforts on the world stage came overseas.
In several interactions with this writer, the chess great spoke about how he gets goose pimples when the Indian anthem is played before every world event. At the World Championship in Bonn, Germany in 2008, Anand said: "It's very emotional whenever they played the anthem before the game. Several thoughts run through my mind.
"I keep thinking whether I will live up to my countrymen's expectations."
Meanwhile, Bharat Singh Chauhan, a senior All India Chess Federation official slammed those who asked for Anand's national credentials. "It is pathetic and shameful especially when the awarding of the doctorate involves highly qualified people," said Chauhan.
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