Viswanathan Anand opens the doors of his house to Chennai flood victims

Anand is currently participating in the London Chess Classic

Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand has extended helping hands to all those affected by the Chennai floods by allowing flood-affected people from the nearby areas to take shelter in his home.

Though Anand himself is not in the city, his family which includes his four-year-old son and elderly father-in-law are residing in his home.

The 45-year-old said: “Since it was difficult to leave Akhil and my elderly father-in-law and at home and venture out to offer relief and assistance, we chose to open our doors for the affected.

Following the first floods, we had close to 20 people, including two pregnant women, from the neighbouring slums staying over at our place.

My maid, who lost her home and all her belongings too, came over along with her extended family and stayed with us. Food was cooked in large amounts for all those at home as well as handed over to volunteers for distribution.”

The Padma-Vibhushan awardee’s home is in the RA Puram area which was comparatively less affected than the rest of the city, as a result of which they were able to help those in need.

Anand’s wife, Aruna is currently taking care of the people who have sought refuge in their residence and said that the slum kids who have moved in got very happy when they came to know that the house belongs to Viswanathan Anand, about whom they had read in school.

“Most of the slum kids whom were offered refuge were unaware that the house belongs to Anand,” said Aruna.

“Once our maid informed them they were thrilled at the idea of living at the house of someone about whom they had read only in textbooks.

One of the young girls handed me a tiny bar of chocolate that she had received from volunteers as a birthday (December 11) gift for Vishy. It has been a thoroughly moving and fulfilling experience. It's actually the first time that I have witnessed the city go beyond chequebook charity and offer whatever they have for those in need."

"The children from the slum visit him almost every day and bring whatever snacks they can save from what is distributed to them by volunteers. They are a large, thick bunch of buddies now," she further added.

Anand is also set to announce a financial contribution to the Chennai flood relief fund shortly.