Nuclear, space scientists to Chess Master, women team takes over PM Modi's social media on Women's Day

New Delhi: On the occasion of International Women's Day, women who have excelled in various fields took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media accounts on Saturday (Mar 08). 

In her first post shared on PM Modi's X handle, Chess master Vaishali Rameshbabu wrote, "Vanakkam! I am @chessvaishali and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru @narendramodi Ji’s social media properties and that too on #WomensDay. As many of you would know, I play chess and I feel very proud to be representing our beloved country in many tournaments."

Earlier on February 23, as a special gesture, PM Modi said that on Women's Day (March 8) he would hand over his social media accounts, including X and Instagram, to a select group of inspiring women for a day during which they could share their work and experiences with their countrymen.

In his address in the 119th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said that these women, who have excelled in various fields, will use the platforms to share their achievements, experiences, and challenges with the nation.

Nari Shakti Takes Center Stage on International Women’s Day

Reaffirming his dedication to women's empowerment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a historic step by allowing six inspiring women to take over his social media accounts on International Women’s Day. This initiative provided these remarkable women with a platform to share their journeys, accomplishments, and challenges with the nation.

These women represent diverse regions across India, spanning the South, North, East, West, and Central parts of the country. The group includes Vaishali Rameshbabu from Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Dr. Anjlee Agarwal from Delhi; Anita Devi from Nalanda, Bihar; Elina Mishra from Bhubaneswar, Odisha; Ajaita Shah from Rajasthan; and Shilpi Soni from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh.

1. Vaishali Rameshbabu – A chess prodigy, Vaishali has been competing at the highest level since the age of six. Her dedication to the game culminated in her achieving the prestigious title of Chess Grandmaster in 2023. She continues to make India proud on the global stage with her strategic brilliance and perseverance.

2. Anita Devi – Overcoming the barriers of poverty and adversity, Anita Devi, popularly known as “Mushroom Lady of Bihar”, took a bold step towards self-sufficiency by establishing the Madhopur Farmers Producers Company in 2016. Through mushroom cultivation, she has not only uplifted but has also created employment opportunities for hundreds of rural women, paving the way for financial independence and economic empowerment.

3. Elina Mishra & Shilpi Soni – These two distinguished scientists exemplify the contributions of Indian women in cutting-edge research and technology. Elina Mishra is a nuclear scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, while Shilpi Soni is a distinguished space scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

4. Ajaita Shah – As the Founder & CEO of Frontier Markets, Ajaita is transforming rural entrepreneurship by empowering over 35,000 digitally enabled women entrepreneurs. Her initiative helps these women become self-reliant business owners and last-mile distributors of essential goods and services, bridging the gap between rural markets and economic growth.

5. Dr. Anjlee Agarwal – A leading advocate for universal accessibility, Dr. Agarwal is the founder of Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility.With a career spanning three decades, she has dedicated her life to ensuring inclusive mobility and barrier-free infrastructure. Her efforts have been instrumental in making schools and public spaces across India more accessible for people with disabilities.