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2007
World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand felicitates winners of West Zone Finals of NIIT MindChampions Academy’s Chess Master 2007
Raipur, December 18, 2007: World Chess Champion and NIIT MindChampion Viswnathan Anand was in town to felicitate winners of the West Zone Finals of the NIIT MindChampions Academy’s Chess Master 2007 event.  NIIT MindChampions Academy is a joint initiative of NIIT, a leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s No. 1 Trainer and World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand to initiate young minds into the World of Chess. 
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr Raman Singh joined NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand as Chief Guest and gave away the prizes to the winners of the West Zone. Mr Ajay Chandrakar, Hon’ble Minister of School Education, Govt of Chhattisgarh also graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
Winners from over 16,000 students from nearly 1200 Government and Private Schools spread across 4 states participated at the West Zone level contest held in Raipur today. The NIIT MindChampions Academy Tournament 2007, an annual chess event conducted by the academy in over 5,000 schools across the country, was flagged off by NIIT Mind Champion Viswanathan Anand in New Delhi recently. 
The Chief Minister exhorted the young MindChampions to exhibit the same passion and excellence in academics as they have shown their exemplary skills of playing Chess in NIIT MindChampions Academy Chess Master 2007.
According to Mr. L. Balasubramanian, President-School Learning Solutions, NIIT, “The NIIT MindChampions Academy is focussed at initiating young minds on a path of excellence in academics as well as sports.”
We have received an overwhelming response from the state Government and school children across the nation, who turned out in large numbers to participate in the NIIT MindChampions Academy Chess Tournament, this year," he added.
At the Zonal finals conducted today, 12 NIIT MindChampions (state level winners) from schools across the 4 states vied for the coveted slot for competing in the finals. The state level winners also got an opportunity to play a game of chess with the World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand.
The winner from the West Zone finals will receive the award from the Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand at the National Finals of the tournament scheduled to be held in the Capital on December 21st.
Speaking on the occasion World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand said, ““Chess is a Mind Game. It requires consistent performance through focus and practice, combined with passion and determination to do well. NIIT MindChampions Academy is our initiative to provide a platform to young minds to get initiated into the Game of Chess. It is heartening to note that young students from across the country have embraced the game in large numbers.”
“As good players of this game, I am confident that if the children apply the principles of playing the game of Chess in their academic pursuits, they are sure to emerge as winners and flag bearers of excellence”, added Anand
Winners of the West Zone Finals of NIIT MindChampions Academy Tournament 2007 will go on to represent the zone at the National Finals. The National winner will be awarded by the World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand at this mega event in New Delhi.
Since 2004 NIIT has in a phased manner introduced the NIIT MindChampions Academy in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The initiative has received tremendous response from the Government, school authorities, students and their parents alike. NIIT as project partner of the state in Directorate of Public Instructions initiative is providing computer and computer assisted education to nearly 2,00,000 students spread across the region.
Started in 2002, NIIT MindChampions Academy is joint initiative of World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and NIIT, to initiate young minds into the World of Chess. The Academy has fostered nearly 5280 clubs with over 100,000 students as its members across the network of schools where NIIT offers computer-aided learning. The young members of the Academy get to play Chess in both online and offline format and are given coaching using NIIT’s technology. 
The students use computer-based tutorials, during and after school as a virtual playfield to hone their skills in the game of Chess. Apart from tutorials, promising Chess players get an opportunity to interact with NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand, in person.
Leveraging its inherent strength in technology, NIIT MindChampions Academy has created a virtual community of Chess enthusiasts in the country. The Academy has Viswanathan Anand, Rajendra S. Pawar and L. Balasubramanian, President of NIIT’s School Learning Solutions Business, on its Advisory Board.
NIIT through its School Learning Solutions division is reaching 1.4 million kids in government and private schools, mostly in rural areas, equipping them with crucial IT skills to prepare them for tomorrow’s knowledge society. NIIT is working actively to make computers an intrinsic part of the lives of children and also those of the socially and economically challenged sections of the society, who may never have had a chance to integrate with the emerging 21st century environment, to give a better prospect to their future.
About NIIT
NIIT, Asia’s No. 1 trainer and leading Global Talent Development Corporation, offers learning and knowledge solutions to 5 million students across 32 countries.
Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the Top IT Training Company Award 2006. Rated among India’s Superbrands (2003-05), NIIT’s Individual Learning Business offerings include: Industry-endorsed programs for students seeking careers in IT: GNIIT, Integrated ANIIT for Engineers (IAE) and Advanced Technology Programs for IT professionals.
For working professionals, NIIT Imperia, Centre for Advanced Learning, offers Executive Management Education Programmes in association with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Ahmedabad, Indore and Kolkata.
NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (IFBI), formed with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers programs to develop talent for the banking industry.
NIIT School Learning Solutions (SLS) offers turn key IT and ICT integration program for schools. NIIT SLS has provided computer-based learning to over 5000 government and private schools.
NIIT’s Corporate Learning Solutions, offers integrated learning solutions (including strategic consulting, learning design, content development, delivery, technology, assessment and learning management) to Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations and Publishing houses.
Element K delivers learning solutions for customers and partners through a tailored combination of catalog learning products, technology, and services. The offerings include: vLab®: hands-on labs, instructor-led courseware, comprehensive e-reference libraries, technical journals, and KnowledgeHub™: hosted learning management platform. 
NIIT together with Element K is now the first and the best choice for comprehensive learning solutions, worldwide.
For media queries, please contact:
Prateek Chatterjee, NIIT Limited, Ph: +91 9910201085, +91 124 4293041; Email: prateek.chatterjee@niit.com or Visit www.niit.com