Chess icon Viswanathan Anand gets hero's welcome

WHITE KNIGHTS: Chess grand master Viswanathan Anand is a sporting icon and a delight for hero-starved India

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Chennai: Chess Grand master and world champion Viswanathan Anand was welcomed at Chennai International Airport after his victory in the Championship at Bonn. It was a hero's welcome in the wee hours of Friday, November 21.

It was a sportstar returning after conquering the world and for a change, it was not a cricketer that the people were going crazy over at the international airport.

Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand is back home from Bonn, and he has brought home the title as the reigning World Chess Champion.

"It feels great to be back. The reception has been absolutely fantastic," said Vishy, as Viswanathan Anand, the Chess Grandmaster is popularly known.

The excitement was palpable and Anand's fans, chess enthusiasts of all ages, couldn't get enough of their star.

As for wife Aruna, it was yet another proud moment.

"The reception has been great and now we are hoping to get pampered. I'm sure all the pampering will start soon," said Aruna Anand, Viswanathan Anand's wife.

Anand could see hundreds of school kids carrying placards, a band playing non-stop music, a traditional south Indian welcome and thousands of fans screaming out his name.

It was a welcome Anand will remember for a long time to come.