Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], March 8 (ANI): Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognizing her and several other women for their contribution to women's empowerment on International Women's Day.

Ajaita Shah, the founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, took over PM Narendra Modi's social media handle on International Women's Day, highlighting the impact of government policies on rural livelihood.

She expressed gratitude towards PM Modi, stating that his support has enabled her organization to empower thousands of women

Speaking to ANI, Ajaita Shah said, 'I have been working towards the women's development in thousands of villages for the past 20 years. It is because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thinking that we women are being recognised today.'

Ajaita Shah's initiative has already empowered over 35,000 digitally-enabled women entrepreneurs, helping them become self-reliant business owners and last-mile distributors of essential products and services. This has strengthened rural economies and improved the lives of countless women.

'Crores of women are settled because of government policies on rural livelihood. It is also the reason that 35,000 women have become lakhpati didis. I am thankful that PM Narendra Modi considered us, and now we are capable of changing the world,' said Shah.

Demonstrating his unwavering commitment to women's empowerment, PM Modi handed over his social media accounts to six inspiring women on the occasion of International Women's Day.

This unique step has given these exceptional women the unique opportunity to share their remarkable journeys, achievements, and challenges with the nation.

These women come from different corners of the country encompassing South, North, East, West and Central regions. 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.

While four women presented their experiences individually, two of them--Shilpi and Elina--shared their inspiring journey jointly. These women represent various diverse spheres, including sports, rural entrepreneurship, science and technology, and more.

In a post from PM Modi's handle, Ajaita Shah said, 'A financially empowered woman is a confident decision-maker, independent thinker, architect of her future and a maker of modern India! And, our nation is taking the lead in building financially empowered women. I, Ajaita Shah, am delighted to be handling PM Modi Ji's social media handles on #WomensDay. I am the Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets.'

Through her takeover, Shah shared her vision of creating a world where women are financially empowered and confident decision-makers. She believes that with the right support and opportunities, women can become architects of their own futures and drivers of positive change.

'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 mitigating 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,' the post further read.

Shah's story is a testament to the power of women's entrepreneurship and the impact of government initiatives on rural development. As one of the six women selected to take over PM Modi's social media handle, Ajaita Shah's message of empowerment and hope inspires countless women across India and beyond.

The other five women also shared their journeys through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handle and received recognition globally.

Vaishali Rameshbabu - A chess prodigy, 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.

Anita Devi - Overcoming the barriers of poverty and adversity, Anita Devi, popularly known as the '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.

Elina Mishra and 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).

Dr Anjlee Agarwal - A leading advocate for universal accessibility 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.

Each of these exceptional women embodies the spirit of Nari Shakti, demonstrating that women are not just participants but pioneers in shaping Viksit Bharat. Their remarkable contributions reinforce the idea that Indian women are breaking barriers, achieving excellence, and shaping the country's future. (ANI)