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“No Celebration, Going To Temple”: Mother Of Chess Grandmasters Praggnanandhaa And Vaishali After Her Children Win Gold In Chess Olympiad

September 26, 2024
The Commune

Nagalakshmi, the proud mother of R Praggnanandhaa and R Vaishali, shared her joy as her children helped India secure double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad. While Indians celebrated their victory, the mother chose a simple temple visit to mark the success over a grand celebration, making a humble religious statement amidst the backdrop of rising derision of Hindu practices by Dravidianists in Tamil Nadu.

Praggnanandhaa & Vaishali Made Chess History

India made chess history on Sunday (22 September 2024) when both its men’s and women’s teams secured their first-ever gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad. The men’s team triumphed over Slovenia, with D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa winning their matches in the decisive 11th round. The women’s team clinched the title by defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5.

This achievement brought double celebration for the family of R Praggnanandhaa and R Vaishali, as both siblings were part of the gold-winning teams in this prestigious biennial chess competition. While Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa played a crucial role in the men’s victory, his sister Vaishali contributed significantly to the women’s success.

A Humble Mother – Nagalakshmi

But it’s not just Praggnanandhaa and his sister who have won hearts with their victory. Their proud mother Nagalakshmi, who is often admired for her simplicity and quiet strength, is an epitome of humility. Her calm and composed presence at chess tournaments, where she is frequently spotted accompanying her children, speaks volumes about her dedication to their success.

Speaking about her children’s victory she said that she was feeling very happy and was at a loss of words.

Nagalakshmi’s simplicity is not just in her appearance but also in her approach to life. Despite the international fame her children have gained, she remains grounded. When asked how she would celebrate she said “No celebration but going to temple.”

Her statement holds even more sweet significance given how Dravidiainsts in Tamil Nadu often derogate Hindu faith and deride going to temples.

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