Shivamogga lad wins chess gold at Para Asian games

This is the success saga of IAS aspirant turned into gold medal winner in Para Asian Games.

Kishan Gangolli, postgraduate holder in Economics from Shivamogga, has bagged a gold medal in chess (partial blind category), in Para Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia recently.

"He might not have cracked the UPSC examination as he had wished. But his gold medal in Para Asian Games has made me very proud," said Geetha Gangolli, mother of Kishan Gangolli.

Geetha Gangolli's joy knows no boundaries as her son Kishan Gangolli has bagged the gold medal. She went through anxious moments when two rounds out of the three, were drawn on the last day.

She said it is the second gold medal in an international event for Kishan, and first in the Para Asian games. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will honour all medal winners in para Olympics in Delhi on October 16," she added.

Geetha said it was her uncle Santosh, who guided Kishan. Santosh was a role model for Kishan. Kishan started playing chess when he was in class six. His uncle Santosh was the inspiration for him.

"Kishan is a five-time national champion and has won two international gold medals. But the government has not recognised him. Despite submitting an application, he was not selected for the Ekalavya award. "It is very painful... Is the government ignoring Kishan?" she questioned.

She said it was disappointing that State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa's house is close to her home at Vinobnagara in the city. "But neither he nor MLAs called to congratulate Kishan. I feel chess is neglected in India," she felt.