Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman S. Somanath met Indian Chess Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa at his residence in Chennai on Monday. Somanath hailed Praggnanandhaa for his achievement and said that there is a Pragyan on the moon, and he is a Pragyan on the ground. "What we did for India on the moon, he has accomplished on the land," the ISRO chief said. He also said that Praggnanandhaa is also going to work to promote space, and he will work with the space agency to inspire young people to take science, engineering, and technology.
"Like every Indian, we are very proud of him (Praggnanandhaa) for his accomplishment. He is a world no. 15 now... He will become world no. 1... Chess is an old game started in India... We are the origin place of it... it is a play of mind and brilliance... It is a play of intelligence, planning, and strategy, that's what India is very famous for... We are proud that there is a Pragyan on the moon, and he is Pragyan on the ground... What we did for India on the moon, he has accomplished on the land... He is also going to work with us to promote space... Working with us in inspiring young people to take science, engineering, and technology and make India a powerful nation," S Somanath said, as quoted by ANI.
After meeting ISRO chief Somnath, R Praggnanandhaa said, "We are very proud to meet ISRO Chief S Somanath. I remember watching Chandrayaan 3 take-off and landing...We discussed my journey and training. He has invited me to visit Thiruvananthapuram where rockets are made and also to Sriharikota. So, I'll definitely go there".