Meet The Women Who Took Over PM Modi's Social Media Accounts

Seven women achievers from across the country have taken over the social media accounts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today as they share their journeys to mark International Women's Day and inspire people across the country.

This comes days after PM Modi announced on Twitter that he was "thinking of giving up social media accounts". "This Women's Day, I will give away my social media accounts to women whose life & work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in millions. Are you such a woman or do you know such inspiring women? Share such stories using #SheInspiresUs" (sic)," he posted on Tuesday.

He sent out the greetings on Women's Day this morning and wrote: "As I'd said a few days ago, I'm signing off. Through the day, seven women achievers will share their life journeys and perhaps interact with you through my social media accounts."

Greetings on International Women's Day! We salute the spirit and accomplishments of our Nari Shakti.
As I'd said a few days ago, I'm signing off. Through the day, seven women achievers will share their life journeys and perhaps interact with you through my social media accounts.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

Chennai-based Sneha Mohadoss - founder of non-profit "Foodbank India" - was the first one to share her story. "You heard of food for thought. Now, it is time for action and a better future for our poor. Hello, I am Sneha Mohandoss Inspired by my mother, who instilled the habit of feeding the homeless, I started this initiative called Foodbank India," she tweeted along with a video where she introduced herself and explained about her non-profit.

You heard of food for thought. Now, it is time for action and a better future for our poor.

Hello, I am @snehamohandoss. Inspired by my mother, who instilled the habit of feeding the homeless, I started this initiative called Foodbank India. #SheInspiresUs pic.twitter.com/yHBb3ZaI8n

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

"I'm using the PM's handle to spread awareness on the need to remove hunger. Will you and others help me?" another post read.

President awardee Dr Malvika Iyer, who identifies herself as a disability activist on Twitter, was the next to share her story on PM's handle as she explained how she survived a bomb blast at the age of 13, went on to get a PhD with her family's support. "I survived a gruesome bomb blast at the age of 13 that blew off my hands and severely damaged my legs. Yet, I worked and went on to get my PhD," read a tweet by Malvika Iyer with the hashtag "#SheInspiresUs".

Acceptance is the greatest reward we can give to ourselves. We can't control our lives but we surely can control our attitude towards life. At the end of the day, it is how we survive our challenges that matters most.

Know more about me and my work- @MalvikaIyer #SheInspiresUs pic.twitter.com/T3RrBea7T9

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

"Acceptance is the greatest reward we can give to ourselves. We can't control our lives but we surely can control our attitude towards life. At the end of the day, it is how we survive our challenges that matters most," read one of the posts that she put out from PM Modi's handle.

A Srinagar-based woman enterpreneur's story followed next. "I always dreamt of reviving the traditional crafts of Kashmir because this is a means to empower local women. I saw the condition of women artisans and so I began working to revise Namda craft," read a tweet by Arifa, who says she wants to create jobs in Kashmir.

I always dreamt of reviving the traditional crafts of Kashmir because this is a means to empower local women.

I saw the condition of women artisans and so I began working to revise Namda craft.

I am Arifa from Kashmir and here is my life journey. #SheInspiresUs pic.twitter.com/hT7p7p5mhg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

"When tradition meets modernity, wonders can happen," Arifa tweeted, adding that her "first business activity was participating in an exhibition of handmade items in New Delhi".

Hyderabad's Kalpana Ramesh, an architect by profession and a TedX Speaker, shared how she is working towards creating "a water secure future" for the next generation. "Small efforts can make a big impact.  Water is a valuable inheritance we got. Lets not deprive our next generations. Contribute by using water responsibly, harvesting rainwater, saving lakes, recycling used water and creating awareness," her tweet read. 

Be a warrior but of a different kind!

Be a water warrior.

Have you ever thought about water scarcity? Each one of us can collectively act to create a water secure future for our children

Here is how I am doing my bit. @kalpana_designs pic.twitter.com/wgQLqmdEEC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

Several social media users interacted with these women achievers as they responded to their tweets. 

A person is only as disabled as their environment and beliefs of the people around them. Let's celebrate differences, because in this world it takes a lot of courage to be different. Let's each one of us here make a promise to work towards inclusion- @MalvikaIyer #SheInspiresUs https://t.co/mtYLyFZU2h

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

Thanks for your wishes and greetings- I would urge you to take similar steps in your community to make India hunger free. I believe in Mahatama Gandhis quote - The World has enough for everyone's need but not for everyones greed. - @snehamohandoss #SheInspiresUs https://t.co/LpiaQmT2eX

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

The fifth woman to take over PM's social media account was Vijaya Pawar, an artisan from Banjara community of rural Maharashtra. "You have heard about handicrafts from different parts of India. My fellow Indians, I present to you handicrafts of the Banjara community in rural Maharashtra. I have been working on this for the last 2 decades and have been assisted by a thousand more women," she wrote. 

You have heard about handicrafts from different parts of India. My fellow Indians, I present to you handicrafts of the Banjara community in rural Maharashtra. I have been working on this for the last 2 decades and have been assisted by a thousand more women- Vijaya Pawar pic.twitter.com/A3X47245E3

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

Kalavati from Kanpur shared how she collected funds to stop open defecation, encourage cleanliness in her neighbourhood.   

मैं जिस जगह पे रहती थी, वहां हर तरफ गंदगी ही गंदगी थी। लेकिन दृढ़ विश्वास था कि स्वच्छता के जरिए हम इस स्थिति को बदल सकते हैं।

लोगों को समझाने का फैसला किया। शौचालय बनाने के लिए घूम-घूमकर एक-एक पैसा इकट्ठा किया।

आखिरकार सफलता हाथ लगी।

कलावती देवी, कानपुर #SheInspiresUs pic.twitter.com/t9b6deXt4g

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

The seventh woman to handle PM's social media account was Veena Devi. She shared how hard work helped her earn respect, recognition and the position of Sarpanch in Bihar's Munger village.

जहां चाह वहां राह… इच्छाशक्ति से सब कुछ हासिल किया जा सकता है।

मेरी वास्तविक पहचान पलंग के नीचे एक किलो मशरूम की खेती से शुरू हुई थी।

लेकिन इस खेती ने मुझे न केवल आत्मनिर्भर बनाया, बल्कि मेरे आत्मविश्वास को बढ़ाकर एक नया जीवन दिया।

वीणा देवी, मुंगेर #SheInspiresUs pic.twitter.com/MkfyZ8mnZp

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2020

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year to celebrate social economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year's theme is "I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights".