New Delhi, Sept. 25 -- Anyone looking after family at home, regardless of gender, is a 'homemaker.' Further, a homemaker incapacitated in a motor accident is entitled to seek compensation no less than someone with a paid job.

With that observation in late August, the Karnataka high court struck a big blow for how women are generally viewed in India. For the first time, the term 'homemaker' has become gender-neutral, with the role given novel dignity by a work right placed on par with that of earning jobs.

This image recast has been a rather long wait. The reality is that if she-for it is usually a 'she'-were to step out of home for a job, engaging help to take care of her household chores, her status would suddenly be elevated to that o...