Applying Thought Charitably

"Applying thought." A feature in the game of chess that comes closest to Wipro's positioning statement. It's then hardly surprising that the IT major has identified Chess as a game it will support and sponsor.

"India has the potential become a superpower in Chess. Wipro has the ambition to make a significant difference to the game in India - both in terms of quantity and quality. We realise that it will be a long haul, and we are prepared for it," says Vineet Agrawal, Corporate Vice President, Mission, Quality, Innovation, Brand, Marketing and Communication.

If corporates extend help, Chess can bring a lot more laurels to India. We already have six male Grandmasters, 2 Women Grandmasters and many more International masters. Wipro will be supporting talented and deserving players and ensure they reach the pinnacles of success," he says.

Currently the company is sponsoring India's youngest Grandmaster 15-year-old P Harikrishna and Aarthie Ramaswamy, the Woman's under 18 World Champion.

The sponsorship of chess players is part of our desire to support audacious human endeavor. Wipro believes it should support players who have the urge to excel, and the capacity to excel, but need the organisational support to bear their playing expenses and help them professionalise their approach to the game, he says.

"Harikrishna epitomises the power of Indian intellect. Young talents like him will help India succeed in fields apart from software. He is a hope for other young talents who are yet to be discovered. We will be choosing such young talent and polishing their talent in the years to come, he adds.

Wipro began supporting Harikrishna in April 2000, after which his rise was meteoric. He attained his first GM Norm in November 2000, the second in January 2001 and finally the third norm in August 2001, thereby becoming India's youngest GM ever.

Wipro gifted a computer notebook to Hari to help him practice better, arranged for five special coaching camps under Super Grandmaster Evegeny Vladimirov, reputed international coach from Kazakhstan, besides bearing his expenses (travel, boarding and lodging, and entry fees) at several international tournaments.

The company is also supporting Aarthie Ramaswamy, currently playing in Europe on the quest of her third GM norm towards becoming India's third woman Grandmaster. She will be representing India in the World Championships to be held in Moscow, later this year.

"We are not expecting anything from the Chess players in return. We want them to concentrate on becoming better and better. We had asked Hari to play a simultaneous game with our employees and their children in Hyderabad to encourage chess internally and build awareness," Agarwal says.