It was a “dream comes True moment” for Goan Superstar Bhakti Kulkarni – a proud member of INDIA “A” team in the forthcoming Chess Olympiad at Mahabalipuram next month. “I felt blessed in the presence of such towering personalities, ” exclaimed the former Asian and Commonwealth Champion from Madgaon.Woman Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni of Goa shared the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, World Chess Federation President Arkady Dorkovich , 5 times World Champion Viswanathan Anand on the day the PM inaugurated the Torch Relay for the Olympiad.
Bhakti said,”I was thrilled to know that our Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Savant had deputed Sports Minister Mr. Govind Gaude and SAG Director Mr.Ajay Gaude to attend the ceremony. It was like meeting our family members unexpectedly.”.
The Goan minister congratulated Bhakti on her selection and assured a glittering function when the Olympiad torch would arrive in Goa on 3rd July. ” I shall surely try to adjust my training sessions so that I shall be in Goa that day,” said Bhakti.
“Sharing dais with PM Modi, FIDE President Arkady Dorkovich and of course 5 times World Champion Viswanathan Anand was never expected in my life,” said the online Olympiad Gold medalist. ” I wanted to go and pay my respects to our Prime Minister but he was in deep conversation with Mr. Dorkovich who was the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.
Bhakti has left Delhi for Chennai for pre olympiad training camp.