On March 8, 2025, the world celebrated International Women's Day under the theme of 'Empower Every Woman: Equality, Progress, Inclusion'. The excitement among people around the over the day can be understood by the fact that 'women's day wishes' was the top most searched query in India. Talking about India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pulled out a special gesture as a mark of respect for women in India and around the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over his social media handles, i.e. Instagram, X (former Twitter), Meta (formerly Facebook), etc, to 5 women achievers of India.
Below is all you need to know about the 5 women achievers who are handling PM Modi's social media handles-
1) Vaishali Rameshbabu
Vaishali, 23, is a Chess grandmaster of India who emerged victorious in the Women's Grand Swiss Tournament 2023, securing qualification for the Women's Candidates Tournament 2024. Vishaliu on International Women's Day 2025, posted about herself on PM Modi's social media handle that reads, "I am @chessvaishali and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru Narendra Modi 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.
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 more…
I want to give a message to all the women out there, especially the young girls- follow your 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!
I want to further improve my FIDE ranking and make my country prouder. Chess has given me so much and I look forward to contributing more to the sport I love. In the same spirit, I want to tell young girls to pursue any sport they feel like. Sports is among the best teachers."
2) Elina Mishra
Elina Mishra is a nuclear scientist who has excelled in space technology. Elina posted on PM Modi's social media about herself that reads, "I am Elina Mishra, a nuclear scientist and I am thrilled to be helming the PM’s social media properties on #WomensDay.
I hail from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. I come from a family with a strong academic background and thus, they created a ripe environment to learn science. My interest and inquisitiveness for science developed due to my father, who is my inspiration and whom I have seen relentlessly working towards his research.
My dream of working in the scientific domain was fulfilled when I was selected in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.
I was fortunate enough to be associated with a group working in the field of electromagnetism, accelerator physics and technology. I was associated with the development of magnetic and RF (Radio Frequency) characterisation of Drift Tube Linac cavities for Low Energy High Intensity Proton Accelerator (LEHIPA). It was indeed a very proud and satisfying moment when a 20 MeV proton beam was successfully accelerated.
Under Indian Institutes Fermilab Collaboration (IIFC), we have indigenously designed and developed several focusing quadrupole magnets and beam steering dipole corrector magnets for 800 MeV Proton Improvement Plan (PIP-II) project of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Chicago. BARC designed and developed magnets are now a part of PIP-II beamline."
3) Shilpi Soni
Shilpi Soni is another nuclear scientist who managed PM Modi's social media on Women's Day. Shilpi Soni posted about herself that reads-
"I am Shilpi Soni, a space scientist and I am overjoyed to be helming the PM’s social media properties on #WomensDay.
I am from Sagar in Madhya Pradesh. I belong to a very humble background but my family has always been passionate about learning, innovation and culture. After a stint at DRDO, it was a dream come true to work with ISRO, where I have contributed towards design, development and induction of state-of-the-art RF and Microwave subsystem technologies for more than 35 communication and navigation mission of ISRO over the last 24 fruitful years.
What I like about ISRO is that there is no glass ceiling and offers immense opportunities for all, to address complex challenges with innovative solutions thereby making a long-lasting impact. It’s totally onto us, how we convert these chances into opportunities, expand our wings and fly high.
Some of our collective successes make me proud. Pleased to share that ISRO has successfully indigenised highly complex and guarded Space Travelling wave tube technology that is available globally with only a handful of nations. It is a leap forward for India towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in space technology.
My current assignment includes serving as Associate Project Director for GSAT-22/23 communication payload to cater communication needs for India’s citizens."
4) Anita Devi
Hailing from Nalanda, Bihar, Anita Devi has excelled in the field of mushroom production. On PM Modi's post, Anita Dev narrated her journey that reads-
"I am Anita Devi, a resident of Anantapur village in Nalanda district. I have seen a lot of struggle in life. But I always wanted to do something on my own. In 2016, I decided to become self-employed. During that period, the craze for start-ups had increased so much. That is why 9 years ago, I also established my Madhopur Farmers Producer Company Limited.
From mushroom production to self-reliance!
Today, through mushroom production, I am working to take my family forward. 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 affordable rates. Today, hundreds of women working in this company are getting a life of self-respect along with livelihood.
My inspiration – making women self-reliant!
With the help of Bihar Government's Jeevika Project and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), I took training in mushroom production. After this, I have also connected hundreds of women with mushroom farming. Now my dream is that every woman in the village should stand on her own feet. After the announcement of the establishment of Makhana Board, I am also thinking about the work related to Makhana.
Self-reliant women, self-reliant society!
It is my greatest happiness to see the women working with me becoming self-reliant. I believe that economic independence strengthens the respect and social status of women. Today, when the women with me do something good for their family, I get the most satisfaction from it."
5) Ajaita Shah
Ajaita is the 5th women achiever who handled PM Modi's social media profile on Women's Day. Ajaita Shah who is CEO of Frontier Markets narrated her story on PM Modi's profile that reads-
"I, @ajaita , am really delighted to be handling PM @narendramodi Ji’s social media handles on #WomensDay. I am the Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets.
One issue that remained close to my heart was the challenges women face in rural areas. These challenges could be financial, access to infrastructure and more. Thus, I have spent the last two decades to mitigate this. And, 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.
In 2011, I founded Frontier Markets with a simple belief that if we support our rural women, no force will stop them from achieving the impossible. Our combined efforts have ensured a powerful network of thousands of women who are becoming self-reliant and giving livelihoods to other women.
It is gladdening that over the last few years, there are very meaningful conversations happening on this subject. With things like bank coverage, social security, access to better healthcare and improved sanitation, women are finding it much easier to pursue their dreams and create value for society.
Our emphasis has always been on integrating technology to ensure skilling and financial inclusion of women. It would amaze you all, the ease with which India’s women are adapting to technology. Our ‘Meri Saheli App’ is a small contribution to harnessing tech and AI to help rural women become entrepreneurs. It has also enabled the world to see the strengths of our women in diverse areas like agriculture, healthcare, consumer durables and financial literacy."