10-yr-old British-Indian Bodhana Sivanandan defeats Grandmaster Peter Wells
2025 British Chess Championships
LIVERPOOL: Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old British chess player of Indian descent, made history at the 2025 British Chess Championships by defeating Grandmaster Peter Wells in the tournament’s final round. The chess prodigy set a new record as the youngest female player to beat a grandmaster, surpassing the previous mark set by American Carissa Yip in 2019, reported The Indian Express.
Born and raised in London, Bodhana’s family originally hails from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Her father, Sivanandan Velayutham, an IT professional, relocated the family to the UK in 2007. At a very young age Bodhana became a prominent figure in British chess circles. She was also invited to 10 Downing Street by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023.
Young Bodhana uses a cushioned seat to reach the chessboard. Her father said that she began playing at five after discovering a chessboard at home. Initially, he supported her learning by downloading free instructional videos on Chess.com, not expecting her to pursue the game seriously.
Since then, Bodhana has garnered three world junior titles. Her victory over the experienced 60-year-old Wells was a surprise, as she faced considerable difficulty mid-game. By the 19th move, Wells’ knights were threatening her king and by the 26th move, she seemed likely to lose. Even at move 37, the outlook was bleak. However, a tactical error by Wells followed by precise moves from Bodhana reversed the position, leading to Wells’ resignation. English Chess Federation commentator Danny Gormally described the win as almost magical.
She chose to compete in the open event. Bodhana earned 24 rating points with her win and her joint was placed 26th open category. Her favourite players are Judit Polgar and Magnus Carlsen.
According to the report, Bodhana appreciates the way chess uses the brain and involves strategy and calculation. Bodhana also plays piano and violin.
Tim Wall, Director of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, lauding Bodhana's poise and maturity on the board, said that she would reach the grandmaster level within three to four years.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
