Support girls, encourage them to pursue dreams: Chess player Vaishali writes on PM's X account
New Delhi (PTI): Chess player R Vaishali Saturday took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media accounts on International Women's Day, delivering a powerful message of supporting and encouraging women to pursue their dreams.
Vaishali, who has been playing chess since the age of six and is the sibling of chess prodigy and grandmaster Praggnanandhaa, shared her journey and encouraged young girls to follow their dreams.
"Vanakkam! I am @chessvaishali and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru @narendramodi 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," she posted.
"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," she wrote from PM Modi's account on X.
Vaishali also emphasised the importance of family support in achieving one's dreams.
"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, Praggnanandhaa, and I also share a close bond. I have also been fortunate to have excellent coaches and teammates and of course, I am very inspired by Vishwanathan Anand sir," she added.
Vaishali highlighted the growing support for women athletes in India, stating the country is making significant progress in providing training, exposure, and opportunities to female sportspersons.
She also expressed her aspirations to further improve her FIDE ranking and contribute more to the sport she loves.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier marked the day by reaffirming his government's commitment to women's empowerment through various schemes and programs.
Keeping with his earlier promise, he announced that his social media accounts would be taken over by women who have made remarkable contributions in diverse fields.
"We bow to our Nari Shakti on #WomensDay! Our Government has always worked to empower 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!" PM Modi said in a post on X.
This is not the first time the Prime Minister has taken such an initiative.
In 2020, on Women's Day, he handed over his social media accounts to seven women achievers, giving them a global platform to inspire others.
Vanakkam!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
I am @chessvaishali and I am thrilled to be taking over our PM Thiru @narendramodi 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. pic.twitter.com/LlYTmqE2MQ
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
