PM Congratulates Anand

New Delhi: Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Congress President Sonia Gandhi Wednesday congratulated Viswanathan Anand for winning his fifth World Chess title.

Hamid Ansari said the victory would serve as an inspiration to the country's youth.

"You are a great inspiration to the youth of our country, particularly the sports enthusiasts," the prime minister said.

"You have made the nation proud of you with this monumental achievement. I wish you many more successes in the future," he said.

Anand, the defending champion, clinched the championship title for the fifth time defeating Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in a rapid-chess tie-breaker in Moscow.

Sonia Gandhi said Anand's feat was "indeed stupendous".

Meira Kumar also hoped that the success would inspire the youth to excel in sports.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari also congratulated the chessmaster.