With Chennai reeling under the impact of the flood, Anand, in a wonderful gesture, has thrown open the doors o... Read More

Viswanathan Anand's four-year old son Akhil now has a bunch of new playmates. With Chennai reeling under the impact of the flood, Anand, in a wonderful gesture, has thrown open the doors of his house for flood-affected people from neighbouring slums.

Anand, however, is not in the city as he is currently participating in the London Chess Classic and drew with world champion Magnus Carlsen in Round Three on Monday. He is also set to announce a monetary contribution for the relief fund shortly.

Speaking to TOI, wife Aruna explained: “Since it was difficult to leave Akhil and 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.”

Although situated on the ground floor, Anand's home in RA Puram , was largely unaffected by the torrential rains and the floods that followed. Though most of the city was badly affected, the metropolis is slowly finding its feet, thanks to numerous such instances of help.

“Most of the slum kids whom we 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.”

