World chess champion Viswanathan Anand on Monday said he was “touched” by the enthusiasm shown by his fans who received him at the airport on his first home coming a fortnight after winning the world crown in Mexico.

The World Champion had no complains at all about the unruly scenes even as the organisers, one of the top IT education companies of the country for whom the Anand is a brand ambassador, failed to control the situation.

“I was touched by seeing the boisterous crowd. It felt very special that everyone came to airport for me at one am,” Anand said.  The waiting posse of photographers and cameramen almost climbed over each other to get a shot of the champion which didn’t amuse Anand, who quickly made his exit.

Asked if he felt any discomfort as he came out among the crowd waiting for him, Anand said he was “moved” and described people’s behaviour as “enthusiastic.” “I was just moved. It was an enthusiastic crowd,” he insisted.

This is Anand’s first visit to India after becoming the undisputed world champion last month and he has busy schedule, including meeting President Pratibha Patil.

Anand, who leaves for Chennai on Wednesday, will be formally felicitated by the All India Chess Federation in his home city. His wife Aruna said it was very overwhelming the way Anand was hailed in Mexico immediately after he won the last round game and now here.

“There the audiences immediately started making ‘Mexican wave’ when Anand won the last round. Here also it was very nice,” he said.

Anand agreed that being the World Champion would mean he was a brand ambassador of the game and would certainly promote chess. “It is really important to promote the sport when so many sports are vying for attention,” he said.

He added that he would be making it possible through “NIIT’s mindgames programme which has around 5000 children following chess at various levels.

Anand said becoming the first Asian to win the world champion in the sport dominated by Europe would give impetus to ongoing process in the country.

“We are already ahead of many European countries and the movement which has already started in India will get a boost because of this feat of mine,” he said.