SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION BY SHRI P.R.VENKETRAMA RAJA

We are very pleased to note that the All India Chess Federation continues to be in the safe hands of our President ,Mr. P.R.Venketrama  Raja, Chairman, Ramco Group of Industries.

Hailing from  Rajapalayam from South Tamilnadu,Mr. Raja hails from an illustrious family of industrialists. After completing his Masters from University of Michigan, USA Mr. Raja was inducted into the family business which includes among others manufacture of Cement, Yarn and software. Their business is pan India and in several countries. He heads the Ramco Industries, Ramco Cements, Rajapalayam Mills and Ramco Systems. He is known to run one the most reputed business houses in the country known for its ethical business practices.

PRV Raja is a keen follower of chess. Being a chess player himself since  his College days, Mr. Raja has been found focusing on important chess matches for hours at a stretch in Chess Olympiads. He takes time to meet chess players  and address their problems and suggestions personally. He met the players personally during the Chess Olympiad 2016, heard their grievances and took all necessary steps to resolve those issues amicably within a short time.

Taking into consideration the players views on selection of the Indian team to Olympiad, World & Asian team Championships, he called for a meeting of the officials and was instrumental in changing the format by which International rating (Elo rating) was the prime factor to assemble TEAM INDIA. The prize money for Senior Nationals & Senior Women Nationals were increased manifold under his guidence.

A philanthropist by nature, Mr. Raja has sponsored many talented players of India. He was the first sponsor of Viswanathan Anand even before Vishy became a World beater. Ramco supported Anand in a very big way for more than a decade. He has been the main sponsor of wonder boy R. Praggnanandhaa and R. Vaishali, both of whom have brought laurels to India.

It will not be an exaggeration, to say that Mr P.R.Venketrama Raja AICF President and Chairman Ramco Group has been continuously supporting Chess players and the Game of Chess in a very big way for the past three decades.

His support continued and as President of the Tamilnadu State Chess Association he supported many activities of the Association which is hailed as a model State Chess Association for governance. Though there are umpteen instances of his support to many players, his significant contribution went a long way to successfully organise the World Junior Chess Championship in 2012 at Chennai.

He was instrumental in motivating TNSCA to bid for the World Chess Championship match between Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlson and also  by his munificent contribution running to several lakhs by constructing the glass house at the Five star hotel venue and also helping in other logistic enclosures to make the Championship a grand affair.

His support continued unabated after he took over the reins of the All India Chess Federation in 2014. He contributed substantially towards cash award presented to the bronze medal winning India team at the Tromso Olympiad in 2014. He fully sponsored the Olympiad  team 2018. Special mention must be made that he ensured that all the conditions of the players are met. He also made provision for dedicated internet servers and a backup team of Grandmasters to enable the Indian team prepare before the rounds. He hired the services of 4 young GM’s to the Indian team contingent to assist the main coaches and in the process, help build a young army of Indian coaches who are all growing into major force multipliers for our country.

He Contributed substantially to the India team’s participation in World team Championship during 2019. He has also supported many young chess talents over the years. Due to constrain of place we limit to a few of his very significant contributions.

We have no doubt that Indian chess will continue to grow under the able leadership of Mr. PRV Raja who has an excellent pro player image.