Maharashtra to felicitate Chess Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for FIDE women World Cup victory
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulating Divya Deshmukh, the International Master from Nagpur, said, 'The 19-year-old newly crowned Grandmaster will be honoured by government. It is a great joy that Nagpur and Maharashtra girl Divya Deshmukh won the Women's World Cup.'
He also spoke to Ms. Deshmukh on a video call, congratulating her for the phenomenal victory at the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup. Taking to X, he said, 'At just 19, she has etched her name in history as India's 88th Grandmaster and the first Indian woman to win this prestigious title. From the vibrant lanes of Nagpur to the global chess arena, her journey is a testament to talent, determination, and relentless hard work. You've made Maharashtra and India immensely proud!'
From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated her for massive victory. Mr. Modi called her victory a 'phenomenal day for Indian Chess', while Mr. Gandhi said, 'She achieved an extraordinary feat.' Referring to Divya Deshmukh and her rival Humpy Koneru, he said, 'Two Indian women. One world stage. A nation beaming with pride.'
Several actors, business, and sports star, including former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also wished her to win big at such an age.
'An all-Indian final. A historic win. Congrats Divya Deshmukh, India's first Women's World Cup Champion and newest Grandmaster. Full credit to Koneru Humpy for a thrilling contest yesterday,' Tendulkar posted on X, while actor Jackie Shroff congratulated her, saying, the champion and Grandmaster at just 19 is making India proud.
Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra praised her mother and said, 'Behind the Grandmaster is the caring mother…As always, the unsung hero behind many stars.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
12 minutes ago
- India.com
After losing WCL Final to South Africa, Pakistan team banned from playing this league due to...
After losing WCL Final to South Africa, Pakistan team banned from playing this league due to... New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has imposed a complete ban on future participation in the World Championship of Legends, citing biased behavior by the tournament organizers. The ban comes after the Indian champion team did not play in the league match apart from the semi-final against Pakistan. Let us tell you that the relations between the two countries have become bitter since the Pahalgam attack. Criticism of the decision to give points to Pakistan The PCB also criticized the decision of the World Championship of Legends, in which it awarded points to the team that cancelled the match — both teams had shared the points when India refused to play with Pakistan in the group match and said that it was full of hypocrisy and bias. Questions raised on political interference The board also questioned the selective use of the principle of peace through sports and accused the organisers of interfering with political views and commercial interests in the tournament. The statement came after the 79th Board of Governors meeting of the PCB, held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi. PCB's tough stand The Pakistan team will not play in the WCL in the future. PCB said in a statement, 'The cancellation of WCL matches was not done on the basis of cricketing merit, but to promote a specific nationalistic principle. This sends an unacceptable message to the international sports community. We cannot allow our players to be a part of events where sportsmanship comes under the influence of partisan politics, which undermines the basic essence of sportsmanship and gentlemanly sport.' WCL's apology termed ridiculous After India withdrew from the match against Pakistan Champions, WCL had apologized for hurting sentiments. The statement further said, 'WCL's apology for hurting sentiments, even if ridiculous, inadvertently admits that the cancellation was not based on cricketing merit, but on bowing to a specific nationalistic thinking. This prejudice in the name of sensitivity is unacceptable to the international sports community.' Protecting the spirit of sportsmanship Reiterating its commitment to global cricket and healthy rivalry, the board said it will not allow its players to participate in tournaments that undermine the spirit of sportsmanship.
Pink Villa
12 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
Box Office: Kingdom collects Rs 38 crore in 3 days in India; Vijay Deverakonda starrer struggles on Saturday
Kingdom hit the screens on July 31, 2025. Starring Vijay Deverakonda, the spy action drama has been running in theaters for the last three days in India. Helmed by Gowtam Tinnanuri of Jersey fame, the new release has not been performing well at the box office. Here's what the opening weekend of Kingdom looked like. Kingdom finishes opening weekend, collects nearly Rs 38 crore Bankrolled under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, Kingdom hasn't been able to maintain a good hold at the Indian box office. The Vijay Deverakonda starrer earned Rs 18.25 crore on its opening day, i.e. Friday. Then, it struggled on Saturday with a net collection of Rs 9.5 crore. Now, on Sunday, the Telugu movie required a big growth; however, its business has stayed flat. It fetched Rs 9.75 crore on the third day of its theatrical release. The cumulative collection of Kingdom stood at Rs 37.5 crore net in India. What's next for Kingdom? Also featuring Satyadev and Bhagyashri Borse, Kingdom will continue to run on a dull note in India in the coming days. As per expectations, it won't likely have a good hold on Monday. Thus, Gowtam Tinnanuri's latest directorial will have huge losses. In the movie, Vijay Deverakonda plays the role of Constable Surya, aka Suri. Satyadev is cast as Suri's elder brother, Siva. Bhagyashri Borse is playing the role of Suri's love interest, Dr. Madhu. Meanwhile, Vijay Deverakonda was last seen as the main lead in The Family Star in 2024. He also made a cameo in the Prabhas starrer Kalki 2898 AD later the same year. Kingdom in theaters Kingdom is running in theaters near you. Have you booked the tickets for the Vijay Deverakonda starrer yet? Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates. Disclaimer: The box office figures are compiled from various sources and our research. The figures can be approximate, and Pinkvilla does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data. However, they are adequately indicative of the box-office performance of the films in question.
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Watch: AB de Villiers score a ton despite an injury and helps South African Champions win silverware
South Africa Champions on Saturday thrashed Pakistan Champions to win the 2nd edition of the World Championship of the Legends at Edgbaston in Birmingham. AB de Villiers, who has been unlucky in winning an ICC trophy and an Indian Premier League title, has managed to bag silverware. The 41-year-old has been in sublime form through the tournament and slammed a blistering ton in the final to take South Africa home. Signed ✍️Sealed ✅Delivered 🏆 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐂𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 🎉#WCL2025 #SAChampions — FanCode (@FanCode) August 2, 2025 Despite suffering from a hamstring injury, De Villiers managed to make a mockery of a massive 196 runs. He reached his ton in just 47-deleiveries with 12 boundaries and seven gigantic sixes. Although he lost his other South African teammate, Hashim Amla, early in the piece, he was well supported by JP Duminy, who himself managed to score a crisp half-century and secure the winning runs with a boundary. Cometh the hour, cometh Superman 🦸♂️ Chasing a daunting 196, AB de Villiers battled a hamstring injury to take South Africa over the line in the #WCL2025 final 🔥#ABdeVilliers #SAChampions — FanCode (@FanCode) August 2, 2025 Earlier, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and opted to bat first. Sharjeel Khan's 44-ball 76 helped Pakistan to put on 195/5 on the board. Wayne Parnell and Hardus Viljoen picked up a couple of wickets each. Defending, the total Pakistan bowlers looked toothless, and Saeed Ajmal has been the only wicket-taker. After being snubbed twice by former India cricketers like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan at the World Championship of Legends (WCL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned the use of the country's name in all privately-run cricket leagues, according to a media report. Telecom Asia Sport, quoting sources, said the PCB took the decision during its Board of Directors meeting on Thursday in which senior officials 'expressed frustration after Indian players twice refused to take the field against Pakistan during the WCL's second edition.' Yuvraj Singh and Co. first pulled out of a league stage match against Pakistan Champions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian and one Nepali citizen. Both teams were awarded one point each and it was that point that helped India make the semi-finals of the six-team tournament after languishing at the bottom of the table for the whole tournament since they were winless until a victory over West Indies in the final league stage match. India Champions were once again pitted against Pakistan Champions — comprising Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Misbah ul-Haq, among others — in the semifinals. However, after their withdrawal from the semifinals, Pakistan Champions made it to the title match. The report added that the team will be allowed to play the final against South Africa on Saturday but in the future, they will be barred from using the name 'Pakistan' without 'formal clearance.
