Lifestyle

Indians feel older earlier than Japanese, Swiss: Study

Published

8 years ago

March 13, 2019

Indians feel older earlier than Japanese, Swiss: Study

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]People living in India experience the health problems associated with ageing at an early stage as compared to those living in Japan or Switzerland, according to a first-of-its-kind study published in The Lancet Public Health.

Researchers at the University of Washington in the US found that a 30-year gap separates countries with the highest and lowest ages at which people experience the health problems of a 65-year-old.

They found 76-year-olds in Japan and Switzerland, and 46-year-olds in Papua New Guinea have the same level of age-related health problems as an “average” person aged 65. The analysis also found that people living in India experience the similar health problems well before they turn 60.

“These disparate findings show that increased life expectancy at older ages can either be an opportunity or a threat to the overall welfare of populations, depending on the ageing-related health problems the population experiences regardless of chronological age,” said Angela Y Chang, lead author of the study and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington in the US.

“Age-related health problems can lead to early retirement, a smaller workforce, and higher health spending. Government leaders and other stakeholders influencing health systems need to consider when people begin suffering the negative effects of ageing,” Chang said in a statement.

These negative effects include impaired functions and loss of physical, mental, and cognitive abilities resulting from the 92 conditions analysed, five of which are communicable and 81 non-communicable, along with six injuries.

The study is the first of its kind, according to Chang. Where traditional metrics of ageing examine increased longevity, this study explores both chronological age and the pace at which ageing contributes to health deterioration.

The study uses estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD). The researchers measured “age-related disease burden” by aggregating all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a measurement of loss of healthy life, related to the 92 diseases.

Although most countries have similar rankings between age-standardised, age related and all-burden rates, countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa perform better in age-related disease burden relative to all burden. Countries such as China and India are performing better in all-burden rankings, researchers said.

The findings cover 1990 to 2017 in 195 countries and territories. For example, in 2017, people in Papua New Guinea had the world’s highest rate of age-related health problems with more than 500 DALYs per 1,000 adults four times that of people in Switzerland with just over 100 DALYs per 1,000 adults.

The rate in the US was 161.5 DALYs per 1,000, giving it a ranking of 53rd, between Algeria at 52nd with 161.0 DALYs per 1,000 and Iran at 54th with 164.8 DALYs per 1,000.

Using global average 65-year-olds as a reference group, Chang and other researchers also estimated the ages at which the population in each country experienced the same related burden rate.

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Festivals

Chhath Puja 2026: Check 4-day schedule from Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya

Chhath Puja 2026 will begin on November 13 with Nahay Khay and conclude on November 16 with Usha Arghya. Check the complete four-day schedule and key timings.

Published

10 hours ago

November 12, 2026

APNLive Desk

Chhath Puja, the four-day festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, will be observed from November 13 to November 16, 2026. The festival begins with Nahay Khay and concludes with Usha Arghya on the final day.

The main Chhath Puja and Sandhya Arghya will be observed on November 15, while devotees will offer Usha Arghya to the rising Sun on November 16.

Chhath Puja 2026 full schedule

November 13 — Nahay Khay

The first day of Chhath Puja is known as Nahay Khay. Devotees clean their homes, take a ritual bath and begin preparations for the festival. A traditional sattvic meal is prepared as part of the day’s observance. Chana dal, rice and pumpkin curry are among the foods traditionally associated with Nahay Khay.

November 14 — Kharna

The second day is observed as Kharna, also known as Lohanda and Kharna. Devotees observe a fast during the day and perform the evening ritual before consuming the Kharna prasad. Traditional preparations include jaggery-based kheer and roti. After Kharna, the prolonged waterless fast continues until the final morning ritual.

November 15 — Sandhya Arghya

The third day is dedicated to offering Arghya to the setting Sun. Devotees gather at Chhath ghats and offer water and other traditional offerings while praying to the Sun God.

According to the New Delhi timing cited in the calendar, Sandhya Arghya will be offered at around 5:28 pm on November 15. Timings can vary according to location.

November 16 — Usha Arghya

The fourth and final day is marked by Usha Arghya, when devotees offer prayers to the rising Sun. This ritual brings the four-day Chhath observance to an end.

For New Delhi, sunrise on November 16 is listed at approximately 6:44 am, with Usha Arghya performed around the morning sunrise. Devotees complete the ritual and then perform Parana, ending the fast.

Chhath Puja 2026 at a glance

November 13, Friday: Nahay Khay
November 14, Saturday: Kharna
November 15, Sunday: Sandhya Arghya
November 16, Monday: Usha Arghya and Parana

The exact Arghya timings should be checked according to the local Panchang because sunrise and sunset timings vary by city.

India News

Bank holiday on September 14: Banks closed in these cities

Banks will remain closed on September 14 in nine cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, due to Ganesh Chaturthi and related festival observances.

Published

2 months ago

September 12, 2026

APNLive Desk

The bank holiday on September 14 will affect branches in select cities across India as banks observe a regional holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi and related festival observances.

September 14, 2026, falls on a Monday and is listed as a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Puja, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Vinayakar Chathurthi and Hartalika in certain banking centres.

Bank holiday on September 14: Full city-wise list

According to the holiday listings, bank branches will remain closed on September 14 in the following centres:

City	Festival/occasion
Belapur	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Bengaluru	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Bhubaneswar	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Chennai	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Hyderabad	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Mumbai	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Nagpur	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Panaji	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Vijayawada	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances

The holiday is therefore not applicable to bank branches across the entire country. Bank holidays in India vary by state and banking centre, depending on local festivals and occasions.

Why are banks closed on September 14?

September 14 marks Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026. The festival falls on Monday this year, with the date confirmed as September 14.

The banking holiday calendar uses different names for the observance across centres, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Puja, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Vinayakar Chathurthi and Hartalika.

The National Stock Exchange’s 2026 holiday circular also lists September 14 as a trading holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Will online banking services work on September 14?

The closure applies to physical bank branches in the affected centres. Customers can generally continue to use digital banking channels such as mobile banking, internet banking and UPI, although specific services can depend on the bank.

Customers who need to visit a branch for cash deposits, withdrawals, account-related work or other in-person services should check the holiday status of their particular branch before visiting.

What about banks in other cities?

Banks in cities that are not covered by the September 14 regional holiday are not automatically closed because of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The bank holiday calendar is centre-specific, so customers should check their bank’s branch holiday schedule before planning a branch visit.

Lifestyle

Who is Kaziah Liz Mejo, the 19-year-old who won Miss Universe India 2026?

Kerala’s 19-year-old law student and model Kaziah Liz Mejo has won Miss Universe India 2026. She will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico.

Published

3 months ago

August 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

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.