New Delhi [India]: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Anita Devi, a resident of Anantapur village in Nalanda district, Bihar, took over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media account to share her inspiring journey of self-reliance and women empowerment.
Anita Devi is the founder of Madhopur Farmers Producer Company Limited, established in 2016, which now employs hundreds of women. Her story reflects a powerful message of economic independence and self-reliance for rural women in India.
A Journey of Struggle and Self-Reliance
In a post shared on PM Modi’s X (formerly Twitter) handle, Anita Devi narrated her journey:
मैं अनीता देवी, नालंदा जिले के अनन्तपुर गांव की रहने वाली हूं। मैंने जीवन में बड़े संघर्ष देखे हैं। लेकिन मेरा हमेशा से मन था, अपने दम पर कुछ करने का। 2016 में मैंने खुद स्वरोजगार करने का निर्णय लिया था। उसी दौर में स्टार्ट-अप्स का इतना क्रेज बढ़ गया था। इसलिए 9 साल पहले मैंने भी… pic.twitter.com/DFrQ8sDJd2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
आत्मनिर्भर महिला, आत्मनिर्भर समाज!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
मेरे साथ काम करने वाली महिलाओं को आत्मनिर्भर बनते देखना मेरी सबसे बड़ी खुशी है। मैं मानती हूं कि आर्थिक स्वतंत्रता ही महिलाओं के सम्मान और सामाजिक स्थिति को मजबूत करती है। आज जब मेरे साथ की महिलाएं अपने परिवार के लिए कुछ अच्छा करती हैं, तो मुझे…
अगर मैंने कर दिखाया, तो आप भी कर सकती हैं!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2025
मेरा मानना है कि अगर मैं ये काम कर सकती हूं, तो ये कोई भी कर सकता है। मेरा देश की सभी बहनों को यही संदेश है कि वो आत्मनिर्भर बनें और अपने साथ साथ अपने परिवार का जीवन बदलने के लिए भी काम करें। अगर आप अपनी लगन और परिश्रम से आगे बढ़ने का… pic.twitter.com/Xw6n6Vhc17
“I am Anita Devi, resident of Anantapur village of 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,” the post read.
Her startup focuses on mushroom production and has paved the way for hundreds of women in her village to become financially independent. Anita’s company also provides farmers with fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides at affordable rates.
Empowering Women Through Mushroom Farming
With support from the Bihar Government’s Jeevika Project and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Anita Devi received training in mushroom production. She then extended this knowledge to hundreds of women in her community, enabling them to earn a sustainable livelihood.
“Today, I am working to take my family forward through mushroom production. 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 cheap rates,” Anita shared through PM’s handle.
A Vision for Economic Independence
Anita emphasized that economic independence is crucial for enhancing the dignity and social status of women. Her dream is to see every woman in her village stand on her own two feet.
“My greatest joy is to see the women working with me become self-reliant. I believe that only economic independence strengthens the dignity and social status of women. Today, when the women working with me do something good for their families, I get the most satisfaction from it,” she added.
She also expressed her interest in exploring opportunities related to makhana (fox nut) production following the announcement of the Makhana Board.
A Message of Hope and Determination
Anita Devi concluded her message with an inspiring call to action for women across India:
“If I did it, you can do it too! I believe that if I can do this work, then anyone can do it. My message to all the sisters of the country is that they should become self-reliant and work to change their lives as well as the lives of their families. If you vow to move ahead with your dedication and hard work, then no power in the world will be able to stop you,” she stated.
PM Modi’s Initiative to Highlight Women’s Achievements
Earlier on February 23, PM Narendra Modi had announced that his social media accounts would be handed over to a select group of inspiring women on International Women’s Day. The initiative aimed to showcase the achievements of women making a mark in diverse fields.
Anita Devi’s story of transforming lives through entrepreneurship and community leadership serves as a beacon of hope for countless women aspiring to achieve financial independence and self-reliance.