Kolagatla Alana Meenakshi, an 11-year-old chess sensation from Visakhapatnam, has been conferred the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2023 in the Sports category. The award, presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, recognises her remarkable achievements in the world of chess at both national and international levels.
A true prodigy, Alana holds the title of Woman FIDE Master (WFM) and was ranked World No. 1 in the Under-12 Girls’ Category by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). She has represented India in multiple global tournaments and brought home several accolades, including gold medals at the Asian Schools Chess Championship and the Western Asia Youth Chess Championships.
Alana began playing chess at the age of 6 and has since dominated age-group categories with her tactical brilliance and disciplined game. Her talent has been recognised not just nationally but internationally as well, making her a rising star in the global chess community.
During the Bal Puraskar award ceremony, she had the opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised her talent and perseverance. The award also includes a medal, certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
- Historic Ranking: First Indian girl in years to achieve World No. 1 in her category.
- Young Champion: Secured major international victories before the age of 12.
- Government Recognition: The Andhra Pradesh government announced a ₹1 crore corpus fund and a 1,000 square yard plot in Visakhapatnam to support her chess journey.
Currently studying in Class 6, Alana aspires to become an International Grandmaster and bring home further global glory. With unwavering family support and institutional encouragement, she is set to make a lasting mark on the global chess stage.
Congratulations to Kolagatla Alana Meenakshi—Andhra Pradesh’s pride and a future Grandmaster in the making!
