It was not the reception Dronavalli Harika was looking for on arrival from China at the Rajiv Gandhi Airport in Shamshabad on Monday. She arrived in the city after becoming the second Indian woman chess player (after Koneru Humpy) to win the Grandmaster title in men's section.
For, with the exception of Andhra's first International Master (IM) Lanka Ravi, who presented a bouquet, no one from the chess fraternity was present to welcome the champion player. The fact that it did not take much time for Harika to walk out of the airport with only her mother Swarna and elder sister Anusha and a few family members who were present was a reminder of the lukewarm response from the officials taking care of the sport in the State.
But, unlike many, Harika's family was in no mood to make an issue. “Maybe they were not aware of the arrival schedule,” they said trying to downplay it. “It is a great feeling no doubt to be a GM in men's section. I hope to keep doing good things in future also,” said Harika in an informal chat at the airport.
What exactly was Harika's schedule during the Chinese Grandmasters tournament? “Get up at 5 a.m. Sometimes skip breakfast. Start preparing for the games, depending on the opponent till half-an-hour before the contest begins. Sometimes I used to order hotel food for want of time,” she recalled. “After the game, I normally relaxed watching movies and cooking dinner. Yes, initially I felt the absence of my mother and grandmother who were always there. But now we have to face all this as we grow up,” she remarked.
