Maternity Rights in India: A Journey Through Law, Equality and the Meaning of Motherhood

Maternity Rights in India: A Journey Through Law, Equality and the Meaning of Motherhood” traces the evolution of maternity protection in India, from early provincial legislation to constitutional guarantees, statutory entitlements and recent judicial developments. Examining key laws such as the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and the Code on Social Security, 2020, the article explores how Indian courts have interpreted maternity rights in relation to equality, dignity and social justice. It also discusses landmark judgments addressing the rights of adoptive mothers, contractual and daily-wage workers, and women in different employment arrangements. Beyond the legal framework, the article highlights the continuing gap between statutory protections and the realities faced by working women, particularly in the informal sector, while making the case for shared parental responsibility and more inclusive maternity protection.

That Which Remains

“That Which Remains” is a reflective short story about love, dignity, equality, mental health and the complexities of human relationships. Framed through a mother’s bedtime conversation with her teenage daughter, the narrative explores the lives and experiences of people navigating loneliness, social expectations, gender roles and the search for companionship. Through its fictional characters, the story invites readers to reflect on the importance of empathy, understanding and the human connections that endure beyond social labels and circumstances.

The Right to Privacy in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: An Analysis of the Puttaswamy Judgment and India’s Data Protection Framework

The recognition of privacy as a fundamental right in the landmark Puttaswamy judgment strengthened the constitutional protection of individual dignity, autonomy and personal liberty in India. However, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence has created new challenges involving personal data collection, facial recognition, surveillance, algorithmic profiling, deepfakes and online harassment. This article by Aswani S. Babu examines how Indian constitutional principles, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the DPDP Rules, 2025, and emerging AI governance guidelines address these concerns, while highlighting the need for stronger accountability, transparency and safeguards to ensure that technological progress does not come at the cost of individual privacy.

Beyond Unemployment: Rethinking Kerala’s Employment Ecosystem

Kerala’s development achievements in education, healthcare and social welfare have created a strong foundation, but the challenge of providing meaningful employment remains. This article by Aswani S. Babu examines Kerala’s employment ecosystem through the challenges of youth unemployment, wage disparities, migration and labour welfare, while proposing practical measures such as district-level employment assessments, paid internships, stronger social protection and better implementation of existing government programmes. It argues that the next stage of Kerala’s development should focus not merely on creating more jobs, but on ensuring fair remuneration, economic security, dignity and well-being for workers.

Uttar Pradesh Economy Claims by Adityanath Test BJP’s Party-First Doctrine Ahead of Polls

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's claims about the state's economic capacity to pay government employees even without work are being analyzed for their potential impact on the BJP's organizational principles ahead of elections. The statements test the party's 'Sangathan Sarvopari' doctrine.

Malaysian War Drama ‘The Ghost and the Gun’ Secures Global Netflix Release

Netflix will globally stream the Bahasa Malaysia-language war drama 'The Ghost and the Gun' ('Peluru Senja'). The film, directed by Singapore-based Indian filmmaker Anshul Tiwari, explores Malaya in the post-World War II era.

International Film Festival of India Unveils Diverse Lineup Featuring ‘Ramayana,’ ‘Fatherland,’ and Global Cinema Masters

The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will open from November 20-28 in Goa, featuring Pawel Pawlikowski's 'Fatherland' as its opening film. The festival will also highlight 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' and 'Dhurandhar,' alongside tributes to cinematic masters like Pedro Almodóvar.

Himachal Pradesh’s Rampur Gears Up for the Historic Lavi Fair

The International Lavi Fair in Rampur Bushahr, Himachal Pradesh, is a historic trade and cultural event dating back to the 17th century. The fair showcases traditional crafts, woollens, dry fruits, and folk performances, continuing its legacy of commerce and cultural exchange.

India

Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris District Distributes Cakes and Cards to Over 43,000 Students for Children’s Day

Over 43,000 students in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district are receiving cakes and greeting cards as part of a statewide Children's Day initiative. The program involves the distribution of treats to more than 61 lakh beneficiaries across the state.

Coimbatore Woman Alleges Harassment, Caste Abuse by TVK Functionary; FIR Filed

A woman functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Coimbatore has filed a complaint alleging harassment and caste abuse by a party union secretary and two others. The police have registered an FIR and are investigating the matter.

Uttar Pradesh Economy Claims by Adityanath Test BJP’s Party-First Doctrine Ahead of Polls

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's claims about the state's economic capacity to pay government employees even without work are being analyzed for their potential impact on the BJP's organizational principles ahead of elections. The statements test the party's 'Sangathan Sarvopari' doctrine.

Himachal Pradesh’s Rampur Gears Up for the Historic Lavi Fair

The International Lavi Fair in Rampur Bushahr, Himachal Pradesh, is a historic trade and cultural event dating back to the 17th century. The fair showcases traditional crafts, woollens, dry fruits, and folk performances, continuing its legacy of commerce and cultural exchange.

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World

India Must Control Satellite ‘Kill Switch’, Warns Sunil Bharti Mittal

Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has called for India to maintain control over its satellite communication 'kill switch,' citing national security concerns. The government is finalizing regulations for satellite broadband deployment.

Four Injured in Washington D.C. Shooting as Police Respond to Active Shooter Incident

At least four people were injured in a shooting incident in Washington D.C.'s Logan Circle neighborhood on Thursday morning, prompting a large police response to reports of an active shooter across multiple locations. Investigations into this and other recent shootings in the city are ongoing.

Malawi Faces Funding Crisis for El Niño Preparedness

Malawi faces a critical funding shortfall in its efforts to prepare for the severe impacts of the projected El Niño weather phenomenon. The nation's plans to combat potential food insecurity and agricultural losses are at risk due to a lack of financial resources.

Editor's Pick

‘Dilli Se Chilli Tak’: The Chenab Valley Expression That Captures Distance, Power and Public Sentiment

From political rallies and protest gatherings to everyday conversations in the Chenab Valley, the phrase “Dilli Se Chilli Tak” has become a powerful expression of distance, governance and accountability. Linking Delhi—the nation's seat of power—with the remote Chilli region of Bhalessa in Doda district, the phrase is often invoked to question whether authority that reaches from the capital to the farthest mountain communities is truly serving the people. Though largely undocumented in formal literature, it has endured through oral tradition and public discourse, emerging as a distinctive part of the Chenab Valley's political and cultural vocabulary.

What’s Inside ScanPatra? A Deep Dive into the Made-in-India Document Productivity App Developed by The Chenab Times Founder

Developed by The Chenab Times Founder and Editor-in-Chief Anzer Ayoob, ScanPatra is a Made-in-India document productivity app that combines document scanning, PDF editing, OCR, digital signatures, cloud sync, AI-powered extraction, Letter Maker, and file organisation into a single platform. This in-depth feature explores how the app is designed to simplify everyday document tasks for students, professionals, businesses, journalists, and government offices, eliminating the need to switch between multiple applications.

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