Viswanathan Anand, the grand Chessmaster is a former world champion and the current world rapid chess champion. With a last minute entry, Anand, went into the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Riyadh with a pessimistic attitude in his own words. He thought the format of the championship wasn’t for an ageing champion like himself. But as champions do, Anand conquered and eventually won the world championship. His critics have been going after the 48 year old champion for his recent spate of sub par performances, and as they say, success is the best revenge.
Expectedly, Anand was at the top of the world after his victory.
https://twitter.com/vishy64theking/status/946459147532345344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Soon enough, the congratulatory messages started pouring in.
He was congratulated by the President of India.
https://twitter.com/vishy64theking/status/946648557586595840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Rahul Gandhi, the President of Congress party.
https://twitter.com/vishy64theking/status/946660875103911936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
And finally, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
https://twitter.com/vishy64theking/status/946689075318104064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
While responding to everyone like the gentleman he truly is, one social media user couldn’t help but notice the difference in the manner in which he chose to respond to Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
https://twitter.com/jn_mec/status/946780750937858048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
While Rahul Gandhi got a mere ‘thank you’, the reserved champion expressed his deep sense of nationalism while hearing the national anthem and the Tri-colour being unfurled after taking the winner’s podium.
Perhaps the difference in response stems from how the Congress party has been denigrating the sentiment of nationalism at every opportunity it gets and how Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly proclaims that the sense of nationalism is above all.
Social media users were also thrilled by Anand’s response:
https://twitter.com/vasuraghavan/status/946708320601042949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/chefficiency/status/946728898594828290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/KirtiPandey/status/946722007328071680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Others pre-empted that this show of nationalism may elicit “outrage” from the usual suspects:
https://twitter.com/Batla_G/status/946713308022767618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/bhargabsarma/status/946814407161475072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Viswanathan Anand has made the country proud on several occasions. He has held the flag high and brought glory to every citizen of this country with his championships. It is certain that a man of his stature would be a sworn nationalist, and dare we say, his responses are a testament to that fact.
We congratulate Mr. Anand on his spectacular victory!