Chess wizard and multi millionaire Vishy Anand throws open his house to people from slums affected by rains! Great indeed!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...castle-for-flood-hit/articleshow/50084418.cms
CHENNAI: Viswanathan Anand's four-year old son Akhil now has a bunch of new playmates. With the city reeling under the impact of the deluge, Anand, in a magnanimous gesture, has thrown open the doors of his house to flood-affected residents of neighbouring slums.
Anand, who is currently playing Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the London Chess Classic, is also set to announce a monetary contribution for the relief fund shortly.
Anand's wife Aruna told TOI on Monday, "Since it was difficult to leave my toddler and elderly father-in-law and at home and venture out to offer relief and assistance, we chose to open our doors to those 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 R A Puram was largely unaffected by the torrential rains and the floods that followed. Though the city fell apart, the southern metropolis is slowly finding its feet, thanks to numerous such instances of unselfish concern, transcending all barriers of caste, social divide or religion.
"Most of the slum kids whom we offered refuge were unaware that the house belongs to Anand. 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," said Aruna. "One of the young girls handed me a tiny bar of chocolate that she had received from volunteers as a birthday (December 11) gift for Vishy. It has been a thoroughly moving and fulfilling experience. It's actually the first time that I have witnessed the city go beyond chequebook charity and offer whatever they have for those in need."