Interim Budget 2024: Here's Why Nirmala Sitharaman Mentioned Chess Prodigy R Praggnanandhaa In Her Budget Speech
In a surprising twist during the recent budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman drew attention to chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa.?
The mention of the young chess sensation in such a formal and pivotal address has piqued interest and garnered widespread attention.?
Sitharaman's choice to highlight emerging talent in chess indicates a broader focus on fostering and encouraging intellectual excellence, particularly in strategic domains.?
This move highlights the government's dedication to acknowledging outstanding talent and underscores the significance of intellectual and strategic thinking in the nation's progress.?
This article explores the implications of Sitharaman's acknowledgment of Praggnanandhaa and its potential impact on India's approach to nurturing young minds in strategic fields.?
Who Is?Chess Prodigy R Praggnanandhaa?
Praggnanandhaa, born in Chennai on August 10, 2005, is the son of Rameshbabu and Nagalaxmi. His older sister, Vaishali, is an accomplished chess player, having secured the youth champion title twice.?
Intrigued by his sister's involvement in the game, Praggnanandhaa's breakthrough moment occurred in 2013 when, at the age of 7, he clinched victory in the Under-8 World Youth Chess Championship, earning him the esteemed title of FIDE Master.?
Subsequently, he achieved this feat again in 2015 in the U-10 category. In 2016, Praggnanandhaa attained the distinction of becoming the Youngest International Master at the age of 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days.?
The following year, in 2017, he marked another significant milestone by securing his first Grandmaster Norm at the World Junior Chess Championship.?
Why Was This Chess Grandmaster Was Mentioned In The Interim Budget 2024 by Finance Minister?
Furthermore, she highlighted the remarkable growth in the number of chess grandmasters in India, noting that the count has surged to over 80, a significant increase from just over 20 in 2010. In the previous month, the 18-year-old defeated China's Liren with the black pieces at the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament.?
This accomplishment propelled him to surpass the legendary Viswanathan Anand and secure the top-ranking position in India.?
Remarkably, Praggnanandhaa, who embarked on his chess journey at age 5, made history by becoming India's youngest Grandmaster at 12 in 2018, subsequently holding the title of the world's second-youngest Grandmaster at that time.?
Praggnanandhaa is the fifth-youngest individual to achieve the Grandmaster title, following Abhimanyu Mishra, Sergey Karjakin, Gukesh D, and Javokhir Sindarov.?
His elder sister, R Vaishali, is also a Grandmaster, making them the world's first-ever brother-sister Grandmaster duo.?
After an impressive performance as the runner-up in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, the 18-year-old saw a rise in his player rankings. Despite ultimately losing, Praggnanandhaa left a lasting impression with his remarkable skills and abilities on the chessboard.?
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