Pallam Raju meets Chess World Scool Champion Bodda Prathyusha

Hyderabad, Oct 17 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, met the child chess prodigy and current World School Chess Champion, Bodda Prathyusha, who is on her way to Georgia to participate in the World Youth Chess Championship, beginning on October 18 at Batumi, in his South Block Office at New Delhi.

Ms Prathyusha is a native of Tuni, in East Godavari, a segment in the Kakinada Parliamentary Constituency of the Minister.

According to a statement issued by the Minister's office to the media, Mr Raju complimented Prathyusha on her achievements and wished her all success in Georgia.

The Minister told her that he was proud that the child genius belonged to his Parliamentary Constituency.

Mr Raju promised her all support to realize her full potential and bring more laurels for India. He said a right coach and good sponsor were critical for her success, but advised her to focus on her game without worrying about sponsorship.

He assured her that the industrial houses would certainly respond to his appeal for support and sponsorship.

Prathyusha, who began her chess exploits at the age of 4 in Koyyuru, a remote area of Visakhapatnam district has won the bronze medal in the Asian under-10 Girls Youth Chess Tournament at Teheran in July 2005. Later she secured 4th place in the under-8 Asian Youth Chess Tournament held at New Delhi in December 2005 and in 2004 she won the team gold medal and stood 5th in individual events at Singapore.

She is well enroute to become the Youngest Grand Master.

Prathyusha comes from a very humble family background. Her father B S Prasad, a Secondary School Teacher and her Mother Ms Satya Devi is a house-wife.

The Minister appealed to all philanthropists to lend a helping hand to this child.

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