July 2, 2025

Kiren Rijiju Takes Part in The Hand-Over Ceremony of The First-Ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay

Date:

Share post:

PIB Delhi – Union Minister for Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju addressed the torch hand-over ceremony at the historic Red Fort today. The iconic Red Fort was one of the 75 iconic locations that are a part of the 40-day first-of-its-kind Chess Olympiad torch relay. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Secretary Sports Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, DG SAI Sandeep Pradhan, AICF President Sanjay Kapoor, Chess legend Viswanathan Anand and other dignitaries from Ministry, SAI, AICF and FIDE were also present on this occasion. The historic launch of the ceremony was made in the presence of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Sunday at the IG Stadium. The Prime Minister of India started the torch relay and handed it over to chess legend Viswanathan Anand. On Monday, Rijiju took the torch from Anand and handed it to Chess Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, who will take the relay forward to Leh, Ladakh. Barua was the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to become a Grandmaster in the year 1991.

“The fact that the torch for every forthcoming Chess Olympiad will be lit from India every two years is a landmark in the history of Chess itself,” Rijiju said on Monday. “The process of lighting the torch signifies sanctification and this is why the Olympic torch always gets ignited in Greece, the birthplace of modern Olympics. Having the Chess Olympiad torch relay originating now from India is a moment of great pride for everyone. I thank FIDE for taking this step. Let this be the best Chess Olympiad in the history of the Chess movement”. Recalling moments from his recent visit to Mongolia, Rijiju added, “Chess is born in India. I recently visited Mongolia where Zandanshatar Gombojav, the Speaker of their Parliament, and I interacted about chess. He is an avid player of the game. He told me Chess is India’s gift to the world. This is the impact our country has had on the game.” The torch travels to Leh, Ladakh next, before moving to Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Shimla and so on. The 40-day torch relay spanning 75 districts across every State and UT of India will culminate in Chennai on July 27. The 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad will be held in Chennai from July 28 to August 10, 2022.

Daily News Bulletin

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

Digital Innovation Makes Good Governance a Reality: Governor

Governor Shukla, while addressing the valedictory session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-2 Conference at...

मानसून में 24 घंटे सतर्क रहें सभी एसडीएम: डीसी

जिला दण्डाधिकारी एवं उपायुक्त शिमला अनुपम कश्यप ने मंगलवार को सभी एसडीएम, डीएसपी और प्रमुख विभागों के अधिकारियों...

SJVN Signs Power Deals with UPPCL & NDMC for Green Energy Projects

SJVN Limited has signed significant agreements with Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) and New Delhi Municipal Council...

CM Pushes Education, Agriculture at Dhaneta Outreach Event

CM Sukhu, while presiding over the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme at Dhaneta, announced a series of developmental initiatives...