Woman Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh receives Dynamite News Young India Award; CJI Surya Kant praises her historic FIDE World Cup victory.
New Delhi: Woman Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh was lauded by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday as the nation eagerly anticipates her next milestone in chess, during the presentation of the Dynamite News Young India Country Award.
“It is a proud moment for us. These young achievers have brought immense pride to the country. We look forward to your future accomplishments,” said CJI Surya Kant. He also praised the Dynamite News Award jury for recognising exceptional young talent across various fields.
Senior IAS officer Sanjay Kothari applauded Divya’s outstanding achievements and commended her parents, Dr. Namrata and Dr. Jitendra Deshmukh, for their support and encouragement throughout her journey.
Dynamite News Chairperson Rani Tibrewal welcomed the CJI, while Editor-in-Chief Manoj Tibrewal Aakash expressed gratitude for his presence and for presenting the award.
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After receiving the honour, Divya described it as a moment of great pride and said, “At this stage of my career, this recognition will motivate me to achieve even more.”
The 19-year-old chess sensation captured global attention by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to secure the prestigious title. In an all-Indian final, Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1.5–0.5 in rapid tie-breaks, scripting a historic victory.
A four-member jury comprising Justice Ranjana Desai, Sanjay Kothari, Prof. Chinmay Pandya, and Dr. M.C. Mishra selected three awardees for the Dynamite News Young India Country Award: Divya Deshmukh, Manu Bhaker, and Ruma Devi. Each award includes a citation, plaque, shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.
Earlier, awards to Manu Bhaker and Ruma Devi were presented by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, and Supreme Court Judge Justice Rajesh Bindal.