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New Delhi, Jan 25 - Viswanathan Anand, one of the winners of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civil award, is a fitting tribute to a chess exponent who became the world champion just a three months ago.
Besides Anand, 38, national football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and ace woman swimmer Bula Chowdhury were named as deserving winners of Padma Shri, the fourth highest civil accolade.
Anand's achievement - he became sole world No. 1 in April last year after winning Morelia-Linares tournament in Spain - is without parallel as chess is an individual sport and he has achieved everything virtually on how own.
When the Chennai-born Anand, one of the only four players in history to have gone past the 2,800-elo ratings barrier, was crowned the world champion in Mexico City in September last year he was richer by $390,000. But more the money it was honour and prestige associated with the title that was lauded around the globe. He is a world champion is every sense of the term.
Anand's achievements are astounding, built on hard work and perseverance. His work ethic is rarely matched. 'I normally practise for six hours every evening, but if it is a very intense camp, it can go up to nine or 10 hours,' he had told IANS a few years on a visit to the city.
Also called 'Lightening Kid' for his rare ability to play fast, Anand's favourite chess players are the legendary Bobby Fisher of the US and Mikhail Tal of Russia.
Based in Spain, Anand also follows tennis, and John McEnroe of US has been one of his all-time favourite. 'I respect Sachin Tendulkar as a great player,' he says.
To wins, Anand watches movies, especially Arnold Schwartzneggar's Terminator series, which he likes 'very much'.
Bhutia, 31, is easily one of the most popular and skilful footballers of India. The sublime dexterity of this forward gave a new image to the game even the country lagged behind many tiny islands on the world scene.
Bhutia has starred in many triumphs for his clubs - from East Bengal in Kolkata to Bury in England. He captained India to the Nehru Cup title in New Delhi last year, after being persuaded by football officials to continue playing once he had decided to switch to television commentary.
Bhutia attended St. Xavier's School in Pakyoung, Sikkim, and then the Tashi Namgyal Academy in Gangtok. Having learnt the nuances of the game at the school and local club level in Sikkim, he came to national limelight during the 1992 Subroto Cup schools tournament in Delhi.
Aged 16, Bhutia quit school to join East Bengal in 1993 and has never looked back since. In 1999, he represented Bury and a few years alter guided East Bengal to the Asean Cup Club Championship.
Chowdhury is one of the most decorated swimmers of the country. In 2005, the Bengali ace became the first woman to conquer sea channels in five continents by successfully swimming from Three Anchor Bay to Robben Islands near Cape Town, South Africa.
Having started long distance swimming in 1989, Chowdhury crossed the English Channel in the same year and repeated the feat in 1999 to become the first Asian woman to conquer the channel twice. She won six gold medals at the 1991 South Asian Federation Games.
She continued on her long-distance swimming spree and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 2000, Tiranian Sea in Italy in 2001, Great Toroneos Gulf in Greece in 2002, Catalina Channel in the US in 2002 and Cooks Straits in New Zealand in 2003.
She was presented the Arjuna Award, one of the top sports prizes, in 1990.
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