The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Sreedhara Somanath met Indian chess player Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa at his house in Chennai on october 16. The ISRO chief gave a replica miniature of the GSLV rocket to the chess player as an encouraging gift and wished him all success in his upcoming matches.
During Somanath’s visit, Praggnanandhaa showed his prizes to him and expressed his wishes for the success of ISRO scientists and for the future Mission Gaganyan. Praggnanandhaa’s Father Ramesh Babu was also there when Somanath met the chess player in Chennai on October 16.
While speaking with Praggnanandhaa, ISRO chief Somanath said that Pragyan Rover is sleeping continuously now but the chess player should be active to make India proud in the upcoming days. While speaking to the press, Somanath said that he is very proud of what he has achieved and hoped that he will become the world’s number one chess player soon.
He added that Prag on the ground and ISRO have Pragyan on the Moon, The ISRO chief further added that Praggnanandhaa will be working with the space agency in promoting space in India.
“We are very proud of him for his accomplishments and also for his world ranking, 15 now. I believe in the coming days he will become world number one. He is Praggnan on the ground, and we have Pragyan on the Moon. What we have achieved on the moon, he has done it on land. He will also be working with us in promoting space,” Somanath said.
Following the ISRO chief’s visit, Praggnanandhaa said that it was a proud moment that Somanath visited them. The chess also added that he got an invitation from Somanath to visit Sriharikota, “It is a very proud thing that he has visited us. He also invited me to visit Sriharikota where rockets are being launched. We are very proud of what ISRO has achieved,” Praggnanandhaa said.
On August 24, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen defeated grandmaster Praggnanandhaa to clinch the title of the International Chess Federation World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. He fought hard but fell short with Carlsen summoning all his big match experience when it mattered the most.
(with inputs from ANI)
