NEW DELHI: If you are travelling on the Delhi Metro‘s blue line, The Lalit Hotel is just a five-minute walk away from Barakhamba Road metro station. For those driving or riding a bike, you’ll bypass the opulent Mandi House and the towering Bengali sweet shops before arriving at the gates of this five-star luxury.
Entering the hotel would feel akin to crossing a border — security guards scrutinise your presence, some quietly questioning your purpose. If you struggle to find the entry, however, one kinder soul will eventually point you in the right direction.
Once inside, you’re welcomed with warm smiles and impeccable hospitality. And if you happen to be a World Chess Champion, you’ll be greeted with fanfare: flashing cameras, garlands of fresh flowers, and an eager crowd of journalists and fans clamouring for selfies and autographs.
This was the scene the night the All India Chess Federation (AICF) organised a grand felicitation ceremony for India’s chess prodigies: the newly crowned World Chess Champion D Gukesh and two-time World Rapid Champion Koneru Humpy.
While Humpy slipped into the venue on time, Gukesh arrived fashionably late—12 minutes past the scheduled start of 6:30 PM, with passersby, journalists, and a plethora of well-wishers creating an almost celebratory roadblock for him, subsequently causing the delay.
Amid the bedlam, the programme began, with the giant screen set in the middle of the room screening both Humpy and Gukesh’s journey from childhood to becoming the world champions.
From humble beginnings to global triumph, the montages evoked a fresh round of applause. The felicitation ceremony kicked off, trophies gleaming under the spotlight.
Humpy received hers first, followed by Gukesh, who was adorned with a massive red garland. In the middle of the flashing cameras and congratulatory handshakes, the room radiated pride for India’s chess legacy once again.
Then came the announcements from AICF president Nitin Narang: Rs 1 crore for Gukesh, Rs 50 lakh for his support team, Rs 50 lakh for Humpy, and Rs 20 lakh for Vaishali Rameshbabu for her bronze medal at the World Blitz Championship.
Applause roared again, but this time it carried a tangible thrill. As speeches concluded, the formalities wrapped up, and a Q&A session gave way to dinner, photo ops, and more mingling.
Wait, there lay something curious—a forgotten souvenir sitting quietly on a table backstage. Beautifully framed, it showcased three dried leaves from the sacred banyan tree, “Akshayvat.” Inscribed in the frame was its significance:
“‘Akshayvat’ literally means ‘a banyan tree that cannot be destroyed’. This Akshayvat symbolises Vedic civilisation, as referenced in the Rig Veda. It is believed that during their exile, Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sitaji rested and prayed beneath it. According to the Puranas, all gods of Sanatan Dharma worshipped the Akshayvat. It is also thought to represent the divine union of Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva.”
The memento, striking yet abandoned, had its own tale to tell. When asked why it wasn’t presented to the champions, the event’s management told TimesofIndia.com that it was a backup—a placeholder for the actual trophies.
With the trophies arriving at 7:04 PM and the programme scheduled to start at 6:30 PM, it was indeed a race against time, keeping the Akshayvat frame prepared in case of emergency.
However, as the glass trophies finally reached the event hall and were unpacked from their bubble wrap behind the main stage, the humble “Akshayvat” found itself relegated to the sidelines — almost forgotten — its only moment of recognition now immortalised in this feature.