Indian chess Grandmaster R Vaishali, and scientists Elina Mishra and Shilpi Soni were among the six women who took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s X handle on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Saturday.
In a post from his handle, the women — Ms Vaishali, Ms Mishra, Ms Soni, Anjlee Agarwal, Anita Devi and Ajaita Shah said they were “thrilled” to take over his social media account and shared their messages to inspire other women.
“Vanakkam! I am Vaishali, and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru Narendra Modi Ji’s social media properties and that too on Women’s Day. As many of you would know, I play chess and I feel very proud to be representing our beloved country in many tournaments,” R Vaishali wrote.
The 23-year-old said she has been playing chess since the age of 6 and that playing the game has been a “learning, thrilling and rewarding journey” for her.
I was born on 21st June, which coincidentally is now popular as International Yoga Day. I’ve been playing chess since the age of 6! Playing chess has been a learning, thrilling and rewarding journey for me, reflecting in many of my tournament and Olympiad successes. But there is…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
In her message to all the women, “especially the young girls”, she told them to “follow their dreams, no matter the hurdles”.
“Your passion will power your success. I want to encourage women to follow their dreams and break barriers in any field they choose because I know they can,” Ms Vaishali, one of the top-ranked women chess players in the world, said.
“I’ve also got a message for parents and siblings – SUPPORT GIRLS. Trust their abilities, and they’ll do wonders. In my life, I have been blessed with supportive parents, Thiru Rameshbabu and Thirumathi Nagalakshmi,” she added.
I’ve also got a message for parents and siblings- SUPPORT GIRLS. Trust their abilities and they’ll do wonders. In my life, I have been blessed with supportive parents, Thiru Rameshbabu and Thirumathi Nagalakshmi. My brother, @rpraggnachess and I also share a close bond. I have… pic.twitter.com/iSL538BzNH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
Ms Mishra and Ms Soni also shared their messages and said that India is the “most vibrant place” for science, and called upon more women to pursue it.
“Both of us, Elina and Shilpi are seeing the wide range of opportunities opening up in our respective sectors. It was unimaginable that a sector like nuclear technology would offer so many opportunities for women in India. Similarly, the increasing participation of women and the private sector in the world of space makes India the most happening place to innovate and grow! Indian women surely have the talent and India surely has the right platform,” they wrote.
Both of us, Elina and Shilpi are seeing the wide range of opportunities opening up in our respective sectors. It was unimaginable that a sector like nuclear technology would offer so many opportunities for women in India. Similarly, the increasing participation of women and the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
Anita Devi, popularly known as the “Mushroom Lady of Bihar”, shared her story of moving towards self-reliance through mushroom production.
“I have not only made my path easier but have also made hundreds of women self-reliant by giving them employment opportunities. Now my company also provides essential items like fertilizers, seeds and pesticides to farmers at cheap rates. Today, hundreds of women working in this company are getting a life of self-respect along with a livelihood,” she said.
मैं अनीता देवी, नालंदा जिले के अनन्तपुर गांव की रहने वाली हूं। मैंने जीवन में बड़े संघर्ष देखे हैं। लेकिन मेरा हमेशा से मन था, अपने दम पर कुछ करने का। 2016 में मैंने खुद स्वरोजगार करने का निर्णय लिया था। उसी दौर में स्टार्ट-अप्स का इतना क्रेज बढ़ गया था। इसलिए 9 साल पहले मैंने भी… pic.twitter.com/DFrQ8sDJd2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
Ajaita Shah, the founder of Frontier Markets, said she has spent the last two decades mitigating the challenges women face in rural areas.
“I feel proud that not only have I been able to make a difference, I am also seeing many more women rising to the occasion and doing the same,” her post on PM Modi’s X handle read.
A financially empowered woman is a confident decision-maker, independent thinker, architect of her own future and a maker of modern India! And, our nation is taking the lead in building financially empowered women.
I, @Ajaita_Shah, am really delighted to be handling PM… pic.twitter.com/Jx0ony2hwS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
Anjlee Agarwal, the founder of Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility, said she wants to ignite a spark of transformation and seek a call to action – forget labels, forget barriers.
“Let’s ensure that every woman, every individual, can navigate their life with dignity and independence. Let us build on the recent gains and improve lives for persons with disabilities,” she said.
Namaste India and Happy #WomensDay.
I am Dr. @access_anjlee, founder of @samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility. Through PM @narendramodi‘s social media handle, which I have the honour of taking over today, I want to ignite a spark of transformation, and seek a call to… pic.twitter.com/HTTgSYHpZd— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
This is not the first time that women achievers have taken over PM Modi’s social media accounts. On International Women’s Day in 2020, his social media accounts were operated by seven women achievers, which provided them a global platform to inspire others.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister paid tributes to ‘Nari Shakti’ on International Women’s Day and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through various schemes and programmes.
“We bow to our Nari Shakti on Women’s Day! Our government has always worked for empowering women, reflecting in our schemes and programmes. Today, as promised, my social media properties will be taken over by women who are making a mark in diverse fields,” he said in a post on X.