Financially independent woman confident decision-maker: Entrepreneur Ajaita Shah on PM's X account
New Delhi: Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media accounts on International Women's Day on Saturday, delivering a powerful message on financial empowerment and rural entrepreneurship for women.
She shared how her venture helped in addressing the challenges faced by women in rural areas.
"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," Shah posted from Modi's account on X.
Shah, who has spent two decades working to address the financial and infrastructural challenges faced by women in rural areas, said she is proud of not just her journey but also of the many women who are rising to the occasion and driving change.
In 2011, she founded Frontier Markets with the belief that supporting rural women would enable them to achieve the impossible.
"Our combined efforts have ensured a powerful network of thousands of women who are becoming self-reliant and providing livelihoods to others. Over the last few years, meaningful conversations have emerged around bank coverage, social security, healthcare, and sanitation, making it easier for women to pursue their dreams and create value for society," she said.
Shah emphasised the role of technology in women's financial inclusion and skilling, highlighting the 'Meri Saheli' app as an initiative to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to support rural women entrepreneurs.
"It has enabled the world to see the strengths of our women in diverse areas like agriculture, healthcare, consumer durables, and financial literacy," she added.
Encouraging women to take charge of their futures, she urged them to become part of the India growth story.
"Our nation is a promising market with an innovative spirit, and this journey will only get stronger with women's participation. Many have shown how to break barriers, and my own experience says that the sky is the limit. Be self-reliant and give a better life to future generations," Shah said.
Alongside Shah, farmer-entrepreneur Anita Devi, chess grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu, nuclear scientist Elina Mishra and space scientist Shilpi Soni also operated the prime minister's social media platforms.
Prime Minister Modi, in his Women's Day message, reaffirmed his government's commitment to women's empowerment.
"We bow to our Nari Shakti on #WomensDay! 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 on X before handing over his account to the women achievers.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
I, @Ajaita_Shah, am really delighted to be handling PM… pic.twitter.com/Jx0ony2hwS
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Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
