Viswanathan Anand during a felicitation, at Gorky Sadan, on Sunday. Picture by Gautam Bose

Calcutta: Four-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand, among the greatest of sportspersons, is happy that the eligibility criteria for the Bharat Ratna has been modified, but he definitely won’t be “lobbying” for India’s top civilian award.

“It’s good that the criteria has been modified (to cover achievements in any field of human endeavour)... We used to have this debate and it has been sorted out... The Union government’s decision clarifies things,” Anand, the reigning world champion, told The Telegraph.

In the city for nine hours on Sunday, Anand, who is humility personified, added: “I’m aware that Sachin Tendulkar’s name has come up... My name, too, but you won’t find me lobbying for anything... However, both of us do come in the ambit.”

Till the other day, the Bharat Ratna could only be conferred on an exceptional achiever from the field of art, literature, science and public services. Now, that has changed, thanks mainly to the efforts of Union sports minister Ajay Maken.

It’s worth noting that Anand, 42, is the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (the country’s highest honour in sport) and is also the first sportsman to receive the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award.

World champion in 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2010, Anand will be defending his title in Moscow next May. He’s up against Boris Gelfand, “a very tough opponent.”

Back from Europe a few days ago, Anand is taking a short break before starting preparations for Gelfand’s challenge. He’s going to be based in Europe for most of his training.

After 14 years of residing in Madrid (and being caught in the Real Madrid vs Barcelona ‘war’), Anand and wife Aruna shifted back to Chennai in 2010. There has since been an addition to the family — son Akhil, born earlier this year.

Of course, Anand has plans to introduce Akhil to the game mastered by him. “Perhaps when he turns three or so,” the champion remarked, grinning.