International Sporting and Chess Excellence

In a significant recognition of excellence, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) has announced cash rewards totalling ₹23 lakh for six students and an alumna in appreciation of their outstanding achievements at international competitions, bringing pride and distinction to both the institution and the nation. The felicitation ceremony was organised to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the institution’s students and alumna at the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, as well as those of three students who earned the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title during the academic year 2025–26. The event was presided over by Dr. T. R. Paarivendhar, Founder-Chancellor, SRMIST. At the Asian Games, Thirumuru Ganesh Mani Ratnam, a third-year BCA (Data Science) student, emerged as one of the outstanding performers, winning Gold in the Compound Men’s Team event and Bronze in the Compound Individual event in Archery. Shameena Riaz, a second-year B.Tech (ECE) student, won a Bronze Medal in Women’s Squash, while SRMIST alumna Nethra Kumanan, who completed her MBA, secured a Bronze Medal in the ILCA 6 Women’s Sailing event. In recognition of their outstanding international achievements, SRMIST is awarding ₹20 lakh to the three Asian Games medal winners. While Thirumuru Ganesh Mani Ratnam will receive ₹10 lakh, Shameena Riaz and Nethra Kumanan will receive ₹5 lakh each. Adding another historic milestone to SRMIST’s sporting achievements, three of the institution’s chess players, Srihari L.R., Hari Krishnan A. RA, and V. S. Rahul, earned the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title during the academic year 2025–2026. This makes SRMIST the first university in India to produce three Grandmasters in a single academic year. Srihari, a third-year B.Com student at the Vadapalani Campus, became India’s 86th Grandmaster. Hari Krishnan, a second-year M.Com student at the Vadapalani Campus, became India’s 87th Grandmaster, while Rahul, a second-year MBA student at the Kattankulathur Campus, became India’s 91st Grandmaster. Recognising this extraordinary accomplishment, SRMIST is awarding ₹1 lakh each to the three Grandmasters, amounting to ₹3 lakh. In total, SRMIST is extending cash rewards amounting to ₹23 lakh to honour the six achievers for their exceptional accomplishments, with ₹20 lakh awarded to the three Asian Games medal winners and ₹3 lakh to the three Grandmasters. In his comments, *Dr. T. R. Paarivendhar* said, “At SRMIST, we believe that excellence is achieved through dedication, discipline, perseverance, and the determination to push boundaries. The remarkable accomplishments of our students and alumna at the international level, along with our three students earning the prestigious Grandmaster title in a single academic year, are a testament to the talent nurtured at our institution. These achievements bring immense pride to SRMIST and the nation. “ These achievements reflect the Honourable Founder Chancellor’s vision and commitment to nurturing sporting talent, promoting excellence and developing future champions to contribute to India’s 2036 Olympic aspirations.