New Delhi, August 24: There is no question, there is no issue. There is no question of nationality. This was what Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said after his department raised questions over world chess champ Viswanathan Anand’s nationality.
The controversy arose over the University of Hyderabad conferring an honorary doctorate on Anand and HRD ministry objecting to it. As the media brought the issue to light, Sibal explained at a hurriedly-convened media conference here today that he spoke to Anand on phone and expressed regret and the chess wizard has agreed to accept the university honour.
“I told him that the honorary degree could be conferred today itself. He indicated to me that he had some problem about this evening. Then I told him any date of his convenience for the function was okay. He has accepted it.”
Sibal clarified that the nationality of Anand – who has made Spain his second home and lives there for the best part of the year - was never questioned by his ministry.
Sibal said, “Viswanathan Anand has done India proud like Arjun Atwal (winner of a top professional golf championship in the US yesterday). We should be proud of those who climb the heights of global excellence.”
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