India, Aug. 20 -- Chess Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi's Tuesday began like any other day, until his phone didn't stop buzzing with congratulatory messages as he walked out of the Delhi airport. It was only when Vidit got a call from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) that he understood the reason behind the sudden flurry of messages - his selection as an Arjuna awardee this year. "My wife (Dr Nidhi Kataria) was there to receive me, so she was the first one I told. The most special feeling for me was to hear the happiness in her voice and my family's voice when I rang them up to tell them the news," he shares. The Nashik-born has had several landmark moments in his career, including winning the 2023 FIDE Grand Swiss, captaining India to gold at the 2020 Online Chess Olympiad and being part of the victorious Indian team at the 2024 Chess Olympiad. He had also defeated World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen at the Pro Chess League in 2023 and secured back-to-back wins against World No. 3 Hikaru Nakamura at the FIDE Candidates Tournament in 2024. And he does not shy away from admitting that he had hoped for the recognition to come sooner. "There were many significant moments in my career that would have justified me receiving this honour earlier. Especially, when I was in my prime between 2022 and 2024 and winning gold medals across the world and was at the peak of the world rankings. At that time, I felt disappointed that I was not considered. It was bothering me then but was not in my control so I had to detach myself (from the thought) for my own mental peace. But today, I feel glad that it has finally happened," he shares. For Vidit, the Arjuna Award is more than a personal milestone. "Such an honour gives one credibility. But it's also a huge thing for the sport, because youngsters will see how chess players are being celebrated. Then they'd want to say, 'I also want this'," he ends....