PANJIM: Bhakti Kulkarni will travel with her parents to Delhi to receive the Arjuna awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 30.
“It was my father’s dream that I should win this award,” she said. “This award would motivate many young players to start playing the game. Chess, she said, had been in the limelight in the last few years especially after the country won the bronze medal at the chess Olympiads.
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The win has enthused the chess community in the state. Vinay Tendulkar, President of Goa Chess Association said it was a proud moment. “It’s for the very first time the Arjuna award has come to a chess player in Goa. I’m sure this will excite young people in the State.”
For AIM (Arena International Master) Ethan Vaz who is currently in Sri Lanka, representing India at the Commonwealth Chess Championships, this award is very inspiring. Ethan said, “IM Bhakti Kulkarni is a trailblazer. She is my role model, and she keeps inspiring me. I’m very happy that she has been awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award, and I would like to congratulate her on this big achievement.”
Vasant Naik, a premier player, said, “Bhakti has reached this level through hard work. She plays at a very high standard and very aggressively. This is the perfect reward.”
Goa’s other GM Anurag Mahabal said it was a big achievement for women from Goa and for chess which had a dry spell in terms of awards. He said, “This will enthuse parents to encourage their children to take up chess.”
