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Anand unfazed by controversy

By The Assam Tribune - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

HYDERABAD, Aug 24 (PTI): Unfazed by the controversy surrounding his nationality, world chess champion Viswanathan Anand looked cheerful as he arrived to a grand reception at the International Congress of Mathematicians here today.

He may be upset over the Union Human Resources Development Ministry questioning his nationality but Vishy did not show it.

The chess wizard enthusiastically walked into the huge hall at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre to take on simultaneously on 40 mathematicians from across the globe in a game of chess.

The University of Hyderabad had planned to confer an honorary doctorate on Anand but after the HRD ministry raised doubts over his citizenship, it delayed its plans. Reacting to the controversy, Vishwanathan�s wife Aruna said they were not disappointed but irritated at the developments.

�I don�t think we are disappointed, it is just that it is irritating to answer these questions. Anand has always had an Indian passport and is still an Indian passport holder. So restating the obvious is a bit irritating.

�I was asked to send a copy of Anand�s passport which I did. That is the only piece of information I have. I don�t know what transpired between them. Every time you look at him win, you see an Indian flag right behind him that proves that he had an Indian passport and I don�t understand from where this is coming and why it has been made an issue. �Receiving a doctorate degree while being in Hyderabad would have been nice but I think that moment has passed,� she said.

Aruna said, �An issue has been made out of a complete non-issue. I don�t understand where this ambiguity has come in, why this doubt should arise in somebody�s mind (about Anand�s nationality). �The doctorate was supposed to be conferred yesterday itself. So, I wish, the matter had ended yesterday itself and not dragged to become such a controversy,� she said.

Asked when the chess champion would be able to accept the honour, she said �At present, it would be difficult to accept it because his schedule does not permit it as he is due to travel for his next round of tournament. His calendar is busy till February as the focus is back on chess. �So, may be at a later date, if it is mutually convenient, we will see if it is possible,� she said.

Match starts 2.30 pm (IST)