National

Menstrual Leave: Progress for Inclusivity or an Obstacle to Equality?

Published

11 months ago

March 8, 2025

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has introduced a new policy that grants female employees one day of paid menstrual leave each month, which has sparked diverse reactions. This initiative follows a similar policy enacted by the Government of Odisha in August of the previous year, aiming to provide both government and private-sector employees with one day of menstrual leave.

Akanksha Agarwal, a Chartered Accountant working at a private firm, voiced her support for the initiative. “I believe it is vital for organizations to offer menstrual leave for a day or two. My company provides up to two days, depending on the employee’s health condition,” she said. Agarwal also stressed, “Menstrual leave should be mandatory across all organizations and should not be combined with medical or casual leave, as it is a specific need affecting only female employees.”

Geeta Batra, an IT professional, highlighted the broader significance of such a policy. “Providing menstrual leave is more than just allowing time off; it reflects respect and a commitment to women’s well-being,” she remarked. “By offering this support, employers enable women to rest, recover, and perform at their best. Menstrual leave should not be perceived as a weakness but rather as a recognition of the significant physiological changes women undergo.”

However, reactions to the policy are not universally supportive. Linda Ashok, an academic counselor, criticized L&T’s approach in a post on X, arguing, “With a workforce of 60,000, and only 9 percent being women, offering one paid menstrual leave per month appears superficial and poorly thought out. Addressing dysmenorrhea is more nuanced than this solution suggests.”

Similarly, Anooshka Soham Bathwal, a social entrepreneur, questioned if the policy would genuinely foster inclusivity or lead to unintended consequences. “Is L&T’s Menstrual Leave Policy a breakthrough or a double-edged sword? While it aligns with initiatives by companies like Zomato and Swiggy, as well as policies seen in countries like Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Taiwan, stigma may still hinder many women from fully utilizing such benefits.” Bathwal further pondered, “Is this a genuine move toward workplace inclusivity, or could it inadvertently affect hiring and career advancement? This conversation has begun—will other companies follow suit?”

As the discussion unfolds, the implementation of menstrual leave remains a contentious issue, with strong opinions on both sides regarding its effects on workplace equality and employee well-being.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.