Viswanathan Anand reunites with family

CHENNAI: After enduring an agonizing three months of self-isolation in Germany and a 14-day quarantine period on his arrival in India, Viswanathan Anand finally got to be with his family --- wife Aruna and son Akhil --- here on Sunday.
Anand --- who had arrived in the city last weekend after finishing the 7-day institutional quarantine in Bengaluru --- went on to complete the other half quarantine at home.The 50-year-old chess ace had an eventful reunion with his nine-year-old son as they two spent ample amount of the day in playtime.
"It was a lovely surprise for our son Akhil who got to be with his father after so many months. We celebrated the occasion with home-made brownies, pasta and garlic bread. It was just nice to be a family again," Anand's wife Aruna told TOI.
Anand was understandably pleased to be able to be with his loved ones. "Just happy and relieved to be finally with my family after over three months," he said.
Aruna was thankful for everyone who lent a helping hand in the hour of crisis. "We are grateful to the Indian Embassy in Germany, our central government, the medical staff who took care of Anand and the hotel in Bengaluru. I can't but think of so many people who had to suffer a lot in the pandemic. Some lost loved ones and some couldn't see their loved ones. A moment to be thankful and think of the people in pain," she said.
Anand left for Germany in February to be part of the Bundesliga chess season where he turns out for OSG Baden-Baden. The matches got cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Anand went into self-isolation as a precautionary measure. However, the subsequent travel restrictions imposed by the Indian government and the nationwide lockdown forced Anand to extend his stay in Germany.