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Women’s Day Special: Laws and rights every Indian woman should know

Published

8 years ago

on

International Women's Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]India is the largest democracy in the world and we are proud to be a part of it. According to Indiaonlinepages.com, the total population of this huge nation (as of March 1, 2019) is 1.35 billion where the number of male population is 69.7 crore and the female population is 65.2 crore.

The females are still not equal to males in numbers but there are some special rights given by our Constitution to the ladies of our nation that make them feel independent and stronger than men.

Today on this International Women’s Day we will talk about those special rights which make every woman feel proud and safe.

Right to tie the knot with a partner of your choice

According to Indian law, if a girl is 18 years old or above she has the freedom to choose the life partner of her choice. No one can force her to marry against her wishes. Her consent is absolutely necessary for a valid marriage.

Right to monogamous marriage

According to Indian law, marriage has to be monogamous (except for Muslims), thus one cannot remarry during the lifetime of an existing spouse. Such an act is punishable under Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

For second marriage it is important to take divorce from the existing spouse with her full consent.

Woman cannot be arrested at night

According to the guidelines of the Supreme Court of India no woman can be arrested at night. If a woman needs to be arrested on urgent grounds during the night, the police must procure permission from the Magistrate by stating the reason for the urgency of arrest.

In addition, the law also states that the police can interrogate a woman at her residence only in the presence of a woman constable and family members or friends.

Women have the right to say ‘NO’

No one can compel a woman to establish sexual relations without her consent. Such an act would tantamount to rape.

A husband has presumed matrimonial consent to cohabit with his wife who is above 18 years of age, but if he sexually abuses his wife, the woman has a right to get protection orders under Section 18 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Rights at the workplace

According to Equal Remunerations Act, 1976 every woman has the right to earn as much as men. Discrimination at the time of recruitment on the basis of gender is also prohibited.

Right to maternity benefit

The amendment made in the Maternity Benefit Act in 2017 states that every working woman is entitled to full paid absence from her work for a period of 26 weeks to take care of her newborn child.

This is available for two surviving children. For more than two children the duration of leave would be twelve weeks. This leave is available to all women, whether working in the private sector or the public sector.

Woman can file a complaint if she is harassed at the workplace

According to Sexual harassment of women at workplace act, 2013, if a woman is facing sexual harassment at her workplace she has full right to file a complaint against the one who is harassing or trying to harass her.

Under this act, she can submit a written complaint to an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at a branch office within a period of 3 months.

Right to Zero FIR

An FIR that can be filed at any police station irrespective of the location where the incident occurred or a specific jurisdiction it comes under, the Zero FIR can later be moved to the Police Station in whose jurisdiction the case falls under.

Any police officer refusing to register an FIR can be punished under Section 166 A of the IPC.

Right against being stalked

According to Section 354 D of the Indian Penal code, a woman can raise her voice against the offence of stalking. Stalking in any form is punishable with imprisonment up to a term of three years and fine.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence

Section 498 of the Indian penal code enables a woman to file a complaint against harassment by husband and his relatives.

This is a non-bailable offence and is punishable by a jail term of up to three years and fine.

(Inputs from media reports)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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

on

November 12, 2026

By

Chhat Puja

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.

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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

on

September 12, 2026

By

Bank holidays

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:

CityFestival/occasion
BelapurGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
BengaluruGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
BhubaneswarGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
ChennaiGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
HyderabadGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
MumbaiGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
NagpurGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
PanajiGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
VijayawadaGanesh 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.

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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

on

August 25, 2026

By

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.

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