Page 29 - EW February 2025_Neat

Young Achievers

a microfinance company, I ranked #4 worldwide, during a rapid
conceptualised the idea of rating tournament. Though he did
Nambikkai Alai in the sum- not qualify initially, a last-minute
mer of 2023, and decided to opening allowed him to participate
write an independent research as a substitute. This stroke of luck
paper on this struggling com- placed Anish on a fast track, expos-
munity,” says Turiya, whose ing him to high-level competition
research paper was accepted and igniting an ambition to earn his
by the International Women’s first official rating.
Research Conference 2024 and The only child of a school-teacher
published in the peer reviewed and homemaker mother (the couple
International Journal of Hu- prefers to remain anonymous to
manities and Social Sciences. avoid media glare), Anish is a nurs-
Turiya’s cooperative model ery student of Kolkata’s top-ranked
requires formation of three St. James School. “Anish has always
groups of ten fisherfolk. Within been outstanding in math. At age 2.5
each group, women leaders years, he easily memorised tables
TURIYA UMA KALYAN are appointed to evaluate requests until 25. When he turned three,
his uncle gifted him a chess board.
for financial assistance and trained
to maintain accounts. These leaders Fascinated by his new acquisition
uriya Uma Kalyan (17), a allocate funds to those most needy. and curious to know more about the
Chennai-based fisherfolk The decision-making process is fully game, we introduced him to the You-
Tevangelist, recently launched decentralised, fostering ownership Tube channel Gotham Chess, which
an informal cooperative christened and trust among members. has over 5.5 million subscribers.
Nambikkai Alai (“Tide of Trust” in A consistent academic topper, Once on a train journey from Agra,
Tamil) — comprising a group of 30 Turiya has set her sights on a career Anish joined an older child in the
fishermen and women — to address in development economics. Even as adjoining seat playing online chess.
the socio-economic challenges of she is currently focused on her class By the end of the journey, Anish was
the fisherfolk community. XII ‘A’ level exams of the Cambridge winning hands down,” recalls his
A socially aware class XII student (UK) board, she continues to make mother.
of the city’s APL Global School, time for the fisherfolks thrift society. Recognising his natural aptitude
ranked among Tamil Nadu’s Top “I intend to enroll in a US university for this mind game, his parents
15 international day schools in the to specialise in finance and policy enrolled him in the city’s Dhanuka
EW India School Rankings 2024-25 formulation. Meanwhile continu- Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess
(and also reputed for nurturing first ous expansion and strengthening Academy run by GM Dibyendu
generation learners and children Nambikkai Alai will also remain Barua. Since then, the young whiz
with special needs), Turiya is the one of my top priorities,” says this follows a weekly regimen of partici-
only child of Gururaj Kalyan, a precocious teen with a strong social pating in chess camps and investing
management consultant, and Uma conscience. 28 hours of rigorous practice under
Krishnamurthy, a former leader- Shivani Chaturvedi (Chennai) the watchful eyes of academy men-
ship coach. It’s noteworthy that tors, including GM Barua.
Turiya recently also co-founded a Chess aficionados around the
club titled World Issues Network world will be watching this young
together with three classmates. ANISH SARKAR prodigy very intently in the years to
Ably supported by her parents, come.
this plucky teen launched a ‘thrift Wind beneath your wings!
society’ to fund her co-operative olkata-based chess prodigy Baishali Mukherjee (Kolkata)
initiative. With the funds col- Anish Sarkar (4) who earned
lected thus far (Rs.90,000) from Kthe distinction of becom-
30 members at the rate of Rs.3,000 ing the youngest FIDE rated
each, she provides fisherfolk loans (1555) player in history last
at subsidised interest rates of 1-2 October (2024), is the latest to
percent per fortnight — compared join the elite league of celebrat-
to 20 percent per day charged by ed Indian chess players.
loan sharks — to fund the repair of Anish made his debut at
their boats and nets, and day-to-day age three years and eight
expenses, particularly during the months at the first All Bengal
non-productive monsoon season. Rapid Rating Open 2024 in
“Inspired by conversations I September where he scored an
have had since childhood with our impressive five points from 11
household help, who is from the games. Weeks later, Anish had
fishing community, and an intern- the opportunity to play against
ship opportunity with Chaitanya, Grand Master Arjun Erigaisi,

FEBRUARY 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 29