28-07-2025
‘Daughter of Nagpur': CM says govt will honour Divya Deshmukh
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday announced that state government will honour Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur, who won the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup and earned the grandmaster title.
'Chess player Divya Deshmukh, a daughter of Nagpur and Maharashtra, has won the World Chess Championship title in her teenage years and earned the 'Grandmaster' title. Her achievement is a matter of great pride. The state government will duly honor her,' Fadnavis told mediapersons at his official residence in Nagpur.
The 19-year-old Divya achieved this significant feat by defeating Indian chess player Koneru Humpy in the final in Georgia.
Fadnavis mentioned that Divya Deshmukh participated in this competition for the second time and reached the pinnacle of success.
Earlier, talking to The Indian Express, Anju Bhutani, former principal and current academic coordinator with the management at Bhavan's Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir where Divya studied, said, 'I am elated and very happy to know that she is the world champion. She had the potential in her. Her winning spree had started when she was five or six years old. I had the feeling that she will make it big one day in life.'
Divya's grandmother, Dr Kamal Deshmukh, shared her joy saying, 'This still feels unbelievable. Divya has put in so much hard work, and nothing comes without it. What sets her apart is her incredible focus and dedication.'
She added, 'We are truly touched by the love and congratulations pouring in. When she comes home, we'll welcome her just the way we welcome our daughter, with all our hearts.'
