World champion Anand 145;touched146; by reception

Anand today said he was 8220;touched8221; by the enthusiasm shown by his fans who received him at the airport on his first homecoming a fortnight after winning the crown in Mexico. 8220;I was touched to see the boisterous crowd. It felt very special that everyone came to the airport for me at 1 am,8221; he said.

Anand said he was 8220;moved8221; and described people8217;s behaviour as 8220;enthusiastic8221;. 8220;I was just moved. It was an enthusiastic crowd,8221; he insisted.

This is Anand8217;s first visit to India after becoming the undisputed world champion last month and he called on President Pratibha Patil.

Earlier at the airport, the waiting posse of photographers jostled with each other to get a good shot at the champion, who made a quick exit, trying to avoid the shoving and pushing. Anand was supposed to talk to reporters at the airport, but the situation soon spiralled out of control.

The organisers had hired a large number of 8216;volunteers8217; who were supposed to greet Anand wearing especially prepared T-shirts, but they only added to the chaos. Several chess players, including prodigy Sahaj Grover, were there at the airport but did not get a chance to meet their idol.