"Bharat is full of energy and dreams" - PM Modi Acknowledges India's Double Gold in Chess Olympiad 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "Bharat is full of energy and dreams" as he aknowledged Team India's double gold victory at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad 2024 on Sunday (September 22) during his speech in the United States.

India delivered an outstanding performance in Budapest, securing their first-ever gold medals in both the men's and women's events in the Chess Olympiad.

Addressing Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, PM Modi praised the achievements of both teams. "Bharat is full of energy and dreams. Every day we see new achievements. Today, both India men's and women's teams have won gold medals in Chess Olympiad," Modi said.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had taken to social media to congratulate both Indian men's and women's team for their historic gold medal wins at the Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest.

"Congratulations to our incredible Men's and Women's Chess Teams. This remarkable achievement marks a new chapter in India's sports trajectory. May this success inspire generations of chess enthusiasts to excel in the game," PM Modi posted on X.

Apart from Modi, some of the other top leaders in the country, including Rahul Gandhi, HD Kumaraswamy and Mallikarjun Kharge, also congratulated the Indian teams for their feat in Budapest.

Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi took to his official X handle and hailed India's men's team for winning the first-ever Gold Medal in the Open Section at the Chess Olympiad.

"Thrilled to see Team India clinch its first-ever Gold Medal in the Open Section at the Chess Olympiad Huge congratulations to Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Pentala Harikrishna, Srinath Narayanan, and their teams.

"Your remarkable talent, brilliant strategies, and dedication have paid off. Wishing you all continued excellence. Your golden victory has made the country immensely proud. Jai Hind," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.

Rahul Gandhi also congratulated the women's team and said that he is incredibly proud of the champions.

"Double Gold for India at the Chess Olympiad! Incredibly proud of our champions - Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali, D Harika, Tania Sachdev, Vantika Agrawal, their Captain Abhijit Kunte and their teams. Heartfelt congratulations to each of you.

"Your brilliance, teamwork, and dedication have made this remarkable victory possible. You are a shining example of what India's daughters can achieve and a source of inspiration to millions across the country. A truly historic day for India," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X while congratulating the women's team.

In the final round, India's men's team, comprising D Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, triumphed over Slovenia to clinch the gold medal.

Wins from Gukesh and Erigaisi gave India a 2-0 lead, and Praggnanandhaa's subsequent victory, along with a draw from Vidit, sealed the gold with a 3.5-0.5 victory.

Meanwhile, the Indian women's team, featuring Harika Dronavalli, R. Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal, and Tania Sachdev, also won gold by defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5. Harika, Divya, and Vantika each won their matches, while Vaishali drew her match.