Kaziah Liz Mejo has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026, becoming the first Keralite to win the national title. The 19-year-old law student and model from Mavelikkara, Kerala, won the crown at the pageant finale in Jaipur on Sunday.

With the victory, Kaziah Liz Mejo will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, which is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in November. She emerged as the winner after competing against 52 other finalists. 

Who is Kaziah Liz Mejo?

Kaziah Liz Mejo is a law student and model from Mavelikkara, Kerala. Although her latest victory has brought her national attention, she already had experience in beauty pageants before winning the Miss Universe India 2026 crown.

She won the Miss Teen Diva 2024 title at the age of 17. In 2025, she represented India at Miss Teen International and finished as the first runner-up. Earlier in 2026, she also won the Miss Universe Kerala title and became the youngest state titleholder.

Her latest achievement has added another milestone to her pageant journey, as she is the first Keralite to win the Miss Universe India title.

Kaziah Liz Mejo grew up in Abu Dhabi

Born in 2007, Kaziah spent her childhood in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She studied at Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School and Abu Dhabi Indian School.

She is currently pursuing law alongside her modelling career. Her interests also extend beyond academics and pageantry.

According to information cited from the Miss Teen Diva website, Kaziah has trained in classical dance for 12 years. She also sings and plays the drums and violin. She has explored public speaking and acting as well.

Kaziah also made her acting debut with the Malayalam film Shylock.

Kaziah Liz Mejo’s pageant journey

Kaziah’s Miss Universe India 2026 victory follows several achievements in the pageant circuit. After winning Miss Teen Diva 2024, she went on to represent India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the first runner-up.

Her 2026 journey continued with the Miss Universe Kerala title before she competed at the national pageant in Jaipur.

The finale jury included former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, who led the panel. Former Miss Universe India winners Urvashi Rautela and Celina Jaitley were also part of the judging panel.

Who were the runners-up?

Vaishnavi Gannesh from Tamil Nadu was named the first runner-up and also won the Miss International India 2026 title, while Gujarat’s Anushri Satavlekar finished as the second runner-up. 

Kaziah was crowned by last year’s Miss Universe India winner Manika Vishwakarma, who had represented India at the international pageant.

What is next for Kaziah Liz Mejo?

Kaziah Liz Mejo’s next major assignment will be the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. She is scheduled to travel there in November to represent India at the international competition.

Friendship Day 2026 is being celebrated on Sunday, August 2, across India and several other countries where the occasion falls on the first Sunday of August. The day recognises the importance of friendship and celebrates the companionship, trust and support that friends bring into people’s lives.

As people mark the occasion, many are exchanging heartfelt wishes, messages and quotes on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram to express gratitude for their closest friends.

History and significance of Friendship Day

The idea of Friendship Day was first introduced in 1930 by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards. The concept was to dedicate August 2 as a day for people to appreciate their friends by sending greeting cards. Although the tradition initially became popular, its appeal later declined in the United States.

The movement gained wider recognition in 1958 when Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho proposed celebrating friendship during a gathering in Puerto Pinasco, Paraguay. His initiative resulted in the formation of the World Friendship Crusade, an organisation that promotes peace and friendship among people worldwide.

In 2011, the United Nations officially declared July 30 as the International Day of Friendship. However, countries such as India continue to celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.

Best Friendship Day 2026 quotes and wishes

Here are some messages and quotes that can be shared with friends on WhatsApp or posted as Instagram status updates:

“Real friendship isn’t about being inseparable, but about being separated and nothing changes. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Friends are the family we choose. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Celebrating the people who make my world warmer. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who stayed. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Happy Friendship Day! Here’s to the laughs, the memories, and the unbreakable bond we share.”

“Wishing you a Friendship Day filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories.”

“Cheers to all the crazy, wonderful times we’ve shared. Happy Friendship Day!”

“True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Friendship is the greatest gift of life. Happy Friendship Day to all my dear friends!”

“To the one who has seen me at my best and stood by me at my worst—thank you for being my constant anchor. Happy Friendship Day 2026!”

“Distance might keep us apart, but real friendship doesn’t care about miles. Cheers to another year of shared memories and unconditional support. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Life is unpredictable, but having a friend like you makes every hurdle easier to cross. Happy Friendship Day!”

“Happy Friendship Day! Thanks for knowing all my weirdest habits and still choosing to be seen with me in public.”

“Happy Friendship Day! Here’s to another year of laughing at our own jokes and keeping each other’s embarrassing secrets!”

“Grateful for the ones who make quiet moments comfortable and crazy moments unforgettable. Happy Friendship Day!”

As people celebrate Friendship Day 2026, these heartfelt wishes continue to remind everyone of the enduring value of genuine friendships and the memories shared with those who stand by us through every stage of life.

Father’s Day 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, June 21, offering families an opportunity to honour fathers and father figures for their love, support, guidance and sacrifices. In India, as well as in several countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, the occasion is observed on the third Sunday of June every year.

The day is dedicated not only to fathers but also to grandfathers, stepfathers, guardians and mentors who play an important role in shaping lives and supporting families.

When is Father’s Day 2026?

Father’s Day 2026 falls on June 21, which is the third Sunday of June. The date changes each year, but the tradition of celebrating it on the third Sunday of June remains the same in many countries, including India.

History of Father’s Day

The modern observance of Father’s Day is widely linked to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by Mother’s Day celebrations, she wanted to honour her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent after his wife’s death. Her efforts led to one of the earliest Father’s Day celebrations in Spokane on June 19, 1910.

Over the following decades, support for the observance grew across the United States. Father’s Day was officially recognised as a national holiday in 1972 when then-US President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation establishing it as an annual celebration.

Significance of Father’s Day

Father’s Day serves as a reminder to acknowledge the contribution of fathers and father figures in family life. The occasion recognises their role in providing emotional support, guidance, protection and encouragement. It is also an opportunity for families to express gratitude and strengthen their bonds through meaningful interactions and shared experiences.

How is Father’s Day celebrated?

People celebrate Father’s Day in different ways, depending on family traditions and personal preferences. Common celebrations include:

• Spending quality time with family
• Organising a special meal or outing
• Giving greeting cards and gifts
• Sharing heartfelt messages and memories
• Planning activities based on a father’s hobbies and interests

Many families are increasingly choosing experiences such as dining outings, creative workshops and family gatherings over traditional gifts.

Budget-friendly Father’s Day gift ideas

You do not need to spend a large amount of money to make Father’s Day special. Some thoughtful and affordable gift options include:

• A handwritten letter expressing gratitude
• A personalised photo frame or photo collage
• A notebook, planner or quality pen
• A customised coffee mug
• A favourite book
• Homemade snacks or a special meal
• A keychain with a personal message
• A DIY greeting card
• A playlist featuring your father’s favourite songs
• A family memory scrapbook

Personalised and heartfelt gifts often carry more emotional value than expensive presents and can become cherished keepsakes.

Father’s Day 2026, which falls on June 21, is an occasion to celebrate the love, sacrifices and guidance provided by fathers and father figures. Whether through a thoughtful gift, a heartfelt message or simply spending time together, the day offers a meaningful opportunity to show appreciation and create lasting memories.