Bharat Ki Laxmi: Alisha Abdullah - India’s first F1 woman racer

#BharatKiLaxmi was launched on social media by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 57th episode of 'Mann ki Baat' to honour women and empower them. Government of India's citizen engagement platform on Twitter shared the inspiring story of Alisha Abdullah- India’s first F1 woman racer and India’s first female national racing champion. Here is the tweet posted by the Twitter handle MyGovIndia:

Started winning go-karting races at the age of 11!

Alisha Abdullah is the daughter of R A Abdullah, the famous racer who is a seven-time national champion. Alisha started winning go-karting races when she was 11. Alisha won the MRF National Go-Karting Championship in the National Level Formula Car Racing in the open class when she was 13, and then moved on to full-fledged professional car and bike racing. She has been honoured with Nari Shakti Puruskar for her achievements. Alisha became the first Indian woman to get a podium finish in an international motorsport competition — the Toyota Vios Cup in 2014 which took place in Thailand. Alisha also has a racing academy called Alisha Abdullah Academy for Women, to groom youngsters who can’t afford the expensive sport. 

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India's first woman auto-rickshaw driver

Government of India's citizen engagement platform on Twitter also shared the story of Shila Dawre, India’s first woman auto-rickshaw driver. The post mentioned Shila Dawre defied stereotypes and fought through the obstacles and boasts of having driven for over 13 years. In the year 1988, Dawre came to Pune from Parbhani district to become the country’s first female auto-rickshaw driver – in what is still considered a male-dominated profession. She started driving autos when regular drivers went on leave and soon saved enough money to buy her own. She has been recognised in the Limca Book of Records and conferred with 'First Ladies' award

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