Shreya Hipparagi receives Rs.50,000 under the ‘Sandhya and Nandkumar Scholarship’
Indian Air Force Officer Vivek Joshi has stepped forward to support young talent through the HelpChess Foundation. He has donated Rs. 50,000 to Shreya Hipparagi under the ‘Sandhya and Nandkumar Joshi Scholarship’. This young talented player has shown immense dedication by earning several medals in national and international tournaments. She has set an example to everyone that despite the challenges, anyone can achieve their dreams. Read the article to know more about her journey and the story behind this scholarship.
Throw kindness like confetti!
Chess is seen as a battle of minds, but it’s also a game that brings people together. Beyond the chessboard, the chess community believes in passion and support for each other. Every now and then, we come across stories that remind us of the kindness within this community. Many individuals come forward to nurture talent and make a difference in whatever ways they can. We have one such inspiring story of an Indian Air Force officer, Vivek Joshi.
Vivek has been passionate about chess since his childhood. As a curious young boy, the black and white squares of the chessboard and strange-looking pieces grabbed his attention. His interest started growing so much that he decided to participate in a tournament in 1998. Can you guess the result? This boy finished second in the tournament with a prize of Rs. 400! No surprise, this achievement motivated him to participate regularly in school-level tournaments.
However, after completing his 12th grade, chess took a backseat as Vivek joined the National Defence Academy. What was once a daily routine turned into a fond memory! He completely dedicated himself to serving in the Indian Air Force. But as they say, passion never truly fades… it just waits for the right moment to resurface!
This right moment came during the COVID-19 lockdown. It was a period when many people reconnected with their old interests. Similarly, Vivek also started playing chess again. He played online matches with fellow Air Force Officers and this is how he was back in the competitive arena. Soon he participated in the Indian Air Force Chess Championship in which he clinched the gold medal with his team! What a solid comeback! That’s why, in order to keep the momentum going, he participated in some FIDE-rated tournaments in Hyderabad.
Beyond tournaments, chess holds a special place in Vivek’s life. Whenever he travels to a new place, he makes it a point to visit chess clubs in the area. So far, he has visited Marshall Chess Club, Washington Square Park, and Bryant Park in New York City. In India, he has attended events at the Banglore Chess Club and even visited the Temple of Chess in Mumbai. Chess has truly become an active part of his journey now.
Apart from that, last year turned out to be a special one for him. On 30th October, he took a new step in his chess journey by earning the title of Senior National Arbiter. His eagerness to expand his involvement in chess is truly fascinating!
Yet, chess for him is not just about personal achievement. It’s also about giving back. One of the core values his parents instilled in him was to help those in need. His father, Nandkumar Joshi, was a businessman, and his mother, Sandhya Joshi, worked as a laboratory technician. After their demise, Vivek and his sister continued their parents' legacy by making charitable donations a yearly tradition.
Vivek Joshi with his mother Sandhya Joshi and father Nandkumar Joshi | Photo: Vivek Joshi
During the 45th Chess Olympiad, we announced a fundraising initiative through the HelpChess Foundation. Vivek followed the live streams and saw the impact it created in chess players’ lives. That inspired him to contribute and honor his parents at the same time. His sister and wife also supported his generous decision to donate Rs. 50,000 through the HelpChess Foundation.
Shreya Hipparagi: Recipient of ‘Sandhya & Nandkumar Joshi Scholarship’
The Scholarship money will go to Shreya Hipparagi, a 15-year-old player who is tirelessly working towards her dreams. She hails from Sankh, a small village on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border. It’s almost 130 km away from the nearest city, Sangli. Traveling from such a remote place for tournaments is a challenging task for her. Additionally, financial constraints make it even more challenging for her to fully commit to chess.
Shreya was introduced to chess by her father at the age of six. Many young players thrive when they have access to a strong chess community. But in Shreya's case, there was no chess culture around her. Instead of being discouraged, she decided to embrace that fact and started working towards her goals. She set an example that you can chase your dreams despite the struggles.
You can see her hard work reflected in her achievements. She has consistently performed well at the national and international levels. Take a look at some of her accomplishments that make her one of India's most promising young players.
1. Silver medal in U-7 National Championship in 2017
2. Silver medal in U-11 National School Championship in 2021
3. Silver medal in U-12 National Championship in 2022
4. Gold medal in U-13 National Championship in 2023
5. Bronze medal in U-14 Asian Youth Blitz Championship in 2024
Under the guidance of her coach Sumuk Gaikwad, Shreya has been training consistently for about 7-8 hours daily. She has also attended training camps led by GM RB Ramesh, which have played a crucial role in her growth. One thing you will notice in young talents like her is their incredible dedication. Despite their challenges, they push themselves to make the best out of every opportunity!
For Shreya and her family, this generous donation by Vivek Joshi is life-changing. When we informed her father about the scholarship, he was overwhelmed with gratitude. His words say it all:
Vivek Joshi is like God to me and my daughter! I have no words to describe him for recognizing such a talent in rural area and helping her. We will never forget his kindness. I pray that God gives him long life and good health. - Guru Hipparagi expressed his happiness.
This scholarship is a reminder for Shreya that someone out there believes in her potential. Someone wants to help her succeed. This gesture will push her to achieve her goals and continue making the country proud!
Chess may be played alone, but no player walks their journey alone!
If you want to be a part of someone’s journey and help young talents pursue their dreams, then reach out to us at chessbaseindia@gmail.com.
About HelpChess Foundation
The HelpChess Foundation of ChessBase India is an 80 G-recognized Charitable Trust. This means that if you contribute directly to it, you will get tax benefits. You can visit the official website here. Here are some details if you want to contribute:
Bank Details
Account Name: Helpchess Foundation
Account Number: 50200059926281
IFSC Code: HDFC0000118
UPI Details
UPI ID: helpchessfoundation.99750682@hdfcbank
Merchant Name: HELPCHESS FOUNDATION
HelpChess Foundation Details
Name: Helpchess Foundation
PAN number: AACTH4426K
12A Registration - AACTH4426KE20215 dated 23/09/2021
80G No - AACTH4426KF20213
(Donations are eligible for deduction under Sec. 80-G of Income Tax Act.)
Address: 301, Damji Shamji Trade Center, Kirol Road, Vidyavihar West Mumbai - 400086
Contact Number: 7304087464
Donor Details
When you contribute we need the following details as a part of the details that need to be submitted for 80G benefits.
1. Name of the Donor
2. PAN of the Donor
3. Address of the Donor
4. Amount of Contribution
5. Purpose of Donation (Please specify if you want to donate to a specific person or a purpose, otherwise the donation will be considered a general donation)
Work done by HelpChes Foundation in 2024
Shrenik and Purva Lad scholarship
Funds raised for the year 2023-24
Fundraiser during Chess Olympiad 2024
Pursue your Chess scholarship - 5
Chennai Grand Masters 2024 Scholarship
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The HelpChess Fundraiser during Tata Steel Chess 2025
@ 24/01/2025 by Rasika Ratnaparkhi (en) |
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HelpChess Foundation raises Rs. 1 lakh for the Chennai Grandmasters Scholarship
@ 28/11/2024 by Rasika Ratnaparkhi (en) |
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Anirudhha Potawad receives Rs. 50,001 under the Gopal and Shilpa Ved Scholarship
@ 12/11/2024 by Rasika Ratnaparkhi (en) |
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Shreya Hipparagi, the 12-year-old talent, gets the November fund of ChessBase India YouTube membership
@ 04/02/2022 by Sagar Shah (en) |