Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Governments second budget, the Traders Federation Ware House-Nehru Market today put forth a series of demands, urging the Omar Abdullah-led government to address long-pending issues concerning Jammu city and its economy. Addressing a press conference at the Federation Office, Deepak Gupta, president of the Federation, highlighted the problems faced by traders of the old-age Warehouse-Nehru Market, established nearly 70 years ag

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: CGC University, Mohali emerged as a vibrant hub of intellectual exchange and cultural celebration with the successful hosting of Sahityam 2026, its official two-day Literature Festival. The festival was inaugurated by Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Haryana, whose presence marked a major milestone for the event. Addressing students and delegates, the Chief Minister emphasized that Viksit Bharat is a collective national responsibility rooted in education

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Cultivating future ready leadership in PSEs, Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE and Sumit Harjani, Managing Director, India, Harvard Business Impact (HBI) officially launched the globally acclaimed Harvard Manage Mentor (HMM) program for PSEs under the umbrella of SCOPE. Members, SCOPE Executive Board Ayush Gupta, Director (HR), GAIL; Dr Yatindra Dwivedi, Director (Personnel), POWERGRID and Sangeeta Ramrakhyani, Director (HR), CWC were also present. Specia

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: In support of their demands, massive demonstrations were held today outside various offices of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) across Jammu and Kashmir. The protests were organized under the banner of the Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association (NZIEA), Srinagar Division, as part of preparations for the nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, public sector insurance companies, banks and other organisations,

NEW DELHI, Feb 4 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his congratulations to Yumnam Khemchand Singh on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur, expressing confidence that the new leadership will work towards the development and prosperity of the state. ? In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister also congratulated Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho on being sworn in as the Deputy Chief Ministers of Manipur, and Konthoujam Govindas Singh and Khuraijam Loken Singh on [] The post

Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra (Retd) sanjeev662006@gmail.com On a winter morning in Poonch, the Pir Panjal rises in quiet authority. Snow rests gently on pine branches, tea stalls breathe out warm vapour into the cold air, and life moves with a calm resilience shaped by altitude and isolation. These mountains are more than a physical divide. Over decades, they have come to symbolise a subtle but persistent shift in perception, opportunity, and aspiration within Jammu and Kashmir, a region held together

Dr. Ashwani Kumar ashwani.e17761@cumail.in Every society must find ways to explain failure. When effort does not translate into success, individuals and communities search for meanings that can make uncertainty bearable. In this process, blame emerges not merely as a moral reaction but as a defence mechanism. Often dismissed as a sign of weakness or irresponsibility, blame is in fact deeply embedded in the structure of social life. It functions both as a source of resilience and as a trigger of

Pushp Saraf pushapsaraf@yahoo.com The spotlight has once again turned to Baloch nationalists waging an armed struggle for an independent and sovereign state separate from Pakistan. Since January 31, clashes with Pakistani security forces have intensified across the countrys largest province, marking one of the deadliest phases of the conflict in recent years. Nearly 200 people have reportedly been killed, including 22 security personnel-an unprecedented toll that has compelled the international

Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 Mir Iqbal These rules replace the earlier 2016 framework from advisory governance to enforceable accountability and reflect the countrys evolving priorities-environmental protection, accountability, digital governance, and citizen participation Indias journey towards sustainable urban living has taken a decisive step forward with the notification of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, effective from 1st April 2026. These rules replace the earlier 2016

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today interacted with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Directorate for their exemplary performance during their participation in Republic Day Camp 2026 in New Delhi. During his address to the cadets at Convention Centre Jammu, the Deputy Chief Minister congratulated them for their march on the Kartavya Path during the Republic Day Parade. He lauded their discipline, confidence a

ASHOK NAGAR (MP), Feb 4 : Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday met farmers affected by the recent hailstorm in Narkheda area of Ashoknagar district and directed the administration to provide relief and compensation at the earliest. The Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region visited the affected fields, inspected the crop damage, and listened to the grievances of the farmers, according to an official release. This disaster is not just a loss of crops

Govt to revive, conserve heritage sites Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday revealed that the assets of Sungli yatri base camp and rain shelter sheds for the Kailash yatra have been outsourced and said that this situation was inherited by his Government. Replying to a question by BJP MLA Daleep Singh Parihar (Bhaderwah) during Question Hour in the Assembly, Abdullah, who is also the Tourism minister, said that an amount of Rs 279.83 lakh had [] The pos

*Stresses quality justice, Bench-Bar harmony Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Administrative Judge for District Samba, undertook an official visit to the District Court Complex, Samba today. He was accorded a distinguished welcome by the Principal District & Sessions Judge, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, senior Judicial Officers, officers of the civil and police administration, and the members of the Bar. Click here to watch video In a deeply reflective, eloquent and visi

NEW DELHI, Feb 4 : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed dramatic scenes as women opposition MPs charged towards the Prime Ministers seat holding banners ahead of his scheduled speech, leading to adjournment of proceedings for the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not present in the House and BJP member P P Chaudhary was making his remarks on the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents Address when the opposition members trooped into the Well of the House. Government floor [] The post Women opposi

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Feb 4: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched the first Open Call of the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), with the objective of strengthening Indias innovation ecosystem by supporting the co

NEW DELHI, Feb 4 : Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday reviewed the progress of drone research and development, as well as component manufacturing activities. At the meeting, the minister said the aim is to make India the third-largest drone market globally by 2030, according to a release issued by the ministers office. Our emphasis is firmly on indigenous technology. Making India the third-largest drone market in the world is not just an aspiration, but a clear goal [] The pos

House adjourned as legislators seek apology No such region exists, area was Chandrabhaga division: Sunil Sanjeev Pargal Jammu, Feb 4: Seven Alliance MLAs from twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch today created ruckus in the Assembly seeking apology from Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma for what they called his remarks against Pir Panjal region even as the LoP stood by his remarks saying such a region doesnt exist in Jammu and Kashmir and he will not apologize. Follow the [] The post Upro

IMPHAL, Feb 4 : The first Cabinet meeting of the newly formed Manipur government was held under the leadership of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the chief ministers bungalow on Wednesday night, officials said. The meeting was held about an hour after Singh was sworn in as CM, they said. Chief secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel also attended the meeting along with deputy chief miniser L Dikho and newly sworn-in ministers Govindas Konthoujam and K Loken Singh. The first [] The post Manipur C

Dy CM-Para spar over nepotism allegations Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed ur Rehman Para today engaged in a heated verbal exchange in the Legislative Assembly over the allegation of honouring Nasir Sogamis son with the State Award on the 77th Republic Day. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The ruling dispensation, particularly the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, took strong note

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Feb 4: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu & Kashmir president and Rajya Sabha (RS) Member, Sat Sharma, CA, raised key issues concerning the functioning, financial health and strengthening of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir during the ongoing session of the Rajya Sabha. Through a Starred Question, Sat Sharma sought comprehensive details regarding the implementation status of AMRUT 2.0, financial allocations, progress of works,

KHARGONE (MP), Feb 4 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said India is not merely a geographical entity but it embodies the spirit of service, action and collective welfare. Speaking at a programme at Lepa village in the district, Bhagwat said the Indian tradition is rooted not in seeking favours from others but in the spirit of service, and serving others is Bharats dharma. Service purifies the human mind, and true happiness lies within a person, [] The post Servi

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Aneesha Sharma, a trainee of Mission Olympics Shooting Academy Jammu (MOSAJ), has once again brought laurels to Jammu by clinching the Individual Silver Medal in the 10m Air Rifle event, scoring an impressive 630.8, at the All India Inter-University Shooting Championship held at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Representing PSPS Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Aneesha has been undergoing rigorous training under the guidance of her coaches Vishal Meh

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Feb 4: The Government supports Indian space startups in accessing the international market through policies and mechanisms. The Indian Space Policy 2023 provides the primary framework supported with the Liberalized Foreign Direct Investment Policy for the space sector. These changes in policy framework offer financial and operational facilitation for global expansion. This update was shared in the Lok Sabha today by the Minister for Space, Dr Jitendra Singh. In

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today inaugurated the SARAS Aajeevika Mela at Kala Kendra here. The event showcases the finest crafts, products and culinary delights created by the rural women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from across the country. Among those present on the occasion were Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD), Mohammad Ajiaz Asad; MD JKRLM Dr. S

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 4: Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo today said that the Government is presently prioritizing enhancement of overall enrolment, strengthening of academic offerings and improving utilization of existing institutional resources for the benefit of students in Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister said this while replying to a question of Legislator Nizam-ud-Din Bhat regarding H.K Government Degree College (GDC) Bandipora in the House.

Excelsior Correspondent Leh, Feb 4: Shatrujit Kapur, Director General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), accompanied by Akhoon Saberwal, Inspector General, ITBP, today paid a courtesy visit to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. During the meeting, the Director General briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the operational preparedness, deployment, and welfare measures concerning ITBP personnel stationed in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Issues related to border management, security challenges in hi

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr. Rakesh Minhas today chaired a Block Diwas program at Upper Chakroi in Suchetgarh Block, where he listened to public grievances and directed stakeholder departments to ensure quality redressal of the same. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner assured that irrigation water would be ensured up to the tail end. A comprehensive plan will be formulated to fix breaches and maintain adequate flow in all canals he said. He a

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Humanity Public School organized its prestigious Achievers Award Ceremony with great enthusiasm and dignity to honour the outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements of its students. The event was graced by the presence of eminent dignitaries. The chief guest, Romi Kumar Vasheshta, Joint Director, Directorate of School Education, Jammu, honoured the ceremony with his presence, while Surinder Balgotra, Zonal Education Officer, Vijaypur, attended as gu

NEW YORK, Feb 4: The US said India will lower tariffs on a vast array of American industrial and agricultural goods, such as fruits, vegetables, to zero per cent under the trade deal announced by President Donald Trump. The US described this as a big win while noting that India will continue to control certain key areas that enjoy protection. This is it. The time has come, and now we have the deal. Well finish papering it, but we know [] The post India will lower tariffs on wide array of US indu

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: The Central University of Jammu (CUJ) today was awarded A Grade consecutively fourth time in the recently declared results of the online courses offered by SWAYAM NPTEL. The National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a joint venture of the IITs and IISc, funded by the Ministry of Education (MoE) Government of India and was launched in 2003. SWAYAM NPTEL offers online certification for its courses by which the students get an opportunity to [

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 4: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raman Suri today expressed grave concern over the deteriorating healthcare facilities in Jammu, stating that recent surprise inspections of government hospitals have been reduced to mere formalities with no concrete outcomes for patients. Reacting to reports highlighting the non-functional diagnostic machinery in major hospitals, Raman Suri in a statement issued, said ,It is shocking that critical equipment such as

Imphal, Feb 4: BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday became the 13th Chief Minister of Manipur, nearly a year after the resignation of BJP leader N Biren Singh following months of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the state, leading to the imposition of Presidents Rule. The 62-year-old leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at a ceremony held at the Lok Bhavan, hours after the Presidents rule was revoked [] The post BJPs Kh

Jammu, Feb 4: Encounters are taking place even in 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday in a veiled jibe at the BJP over its claim that terrorism would end following the abrogation of Article 370 that happened in 2019. Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in encounters with security forces in the higher reaches of Ramnagar in Udhampur and Chatroo in Kishtwar districts on Wednesday, taking the death toll in nine gunfights in the Jammu region [] The post No End T

Jammu, Feb 4: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Wednesday hailed the Centres foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of undermining the countrys security and sovereignty through his remarks in Lok Sabha. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Gandhi recently slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US trade deal and India-China conflict in 2020. This led to uproar in Lok Sabha on

JAMMU, Feb 4: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management Systems for Jammu and Srinagar cities to review plans and proposals aimed at easing congestion, strengthening road safety, and improving overall urban mobility in the twin capital cities. Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary impressed upon the departments of Housing & Urban Development, Traffic Police, and the Municipal Corporations to move towards ground-lev

Kishtwar, Feb 4: A terrorist was killed in an ongoing encounter that broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Bichaar area of Chhatroo in Kishtwar district on Wednesday, officials said. Official sources said that the exchange of fire erupted during a search operation launched by security forces following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. They said one terrorist has been neutralised so far, and additional forces have been rushed to the spot

BEIJING, Feb 4: Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks via video on Wednesday, Chinese state media said. There were no immediate details on their conversation. The virtual meeting came in the middle of a series of meetings between Xi and Western leaders who have sought to boost ties with China despite differences over Russias war in Ukraine. The British and Canadian prime ministers visited Beijing last month and the German chancellor is expected to later [] The

BRUSSELS, Feb 4: Citizens across the European Union want more unified, stronger and ambitious leadership of the 27-nation bloc as it faces military threats, economic pressures and climate instability, according to an official EU poll. The Eurobarometer survey was conducted before US President Donald Trumps ordered a military operation that captured the former Venezuelan leader and rattled European nations by threatening to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. It did not specif

New Delhi, Feb 4: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre if there was any possibility for the government to relook at the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk considering his health condition. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale observed that Wangchuks health report was not good and asked Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, to seek instructions in the matter. Apart from submissions, counter submissions and law points, just give [] The

Srinagar, Feb 4: Security forces on Wednesday carried out a surprise cordon and search operation in the Ab Guzar area of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The operation comes just three days ahead of the scheduled visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the valley. Security forces sealed all entry and exit points leading to the Abi Guzar locality, which houses several residential and commercial establishments, including shops, the officials said. They said searches of several prem

PESHAWAR, Feb 4: Armed militants abducted a police constable from his residence and later shot him dead in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, police said. The attackers raided the house of Constable Dastgir in the Nasar Khel area on the outskirts of Sarai Naurang tehsil in Bannu district, officials said. The assailants subjected women, children and elderly family members to violence, set the house on fire and held the family hostage before forcibly taking the constable away. The

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 4: Six Lesotho nationals were killed and several others injured in a shooting near the town of Meyerton in South Africas Gauteng Province on Tuesday, local police said. The victims were traveling in a minibus when it was ambushed by a group of suspects who opened fire on the vehicle without provocation, Gauteng Police Deputy Commissioner Fred Kekana said at the scene. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Kekana said three suspects have been [] The

Hyderabad, Feb 4: BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday alleged that the Revanth Reddy-led government in Telangana is indulging in appeasement politics and is suppressing the Telugu people, language, and the present social fabric. Addressing the party workers at Mahabubnagar, Nabin said the CM openly raised slogans that destroy culture and Sanatani traditions and slogans like Congress in Muslim, Muslim in Congress reflected the mindset behind their politics. Temples in Telangana came under atta

CAIRO, Feb 4: The United States and the United Nations are seeking to rally international support for humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Sudan, kicking off a new Sudan Humanitarian Fund with $700 million in contributions from the United Arab Emirates and the US. The Trump administration said Tuesday that it would contribute $200 million to the initiative from a basket of $2 billion it set aside late last year to fund humanitarian projects around the world. The UAE said it would [] The post US, UN l

Kolkata, Feb 4: Despite major advances in diagnostics, treatment, and technology, lung and cervical cancers in India continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages, largely due to gaps in awareness, screening, and access, oncologists from leading hospitals in Kolkata said on World Cancer Day. Late diagnosis is not limited to cervical cancer, with lung cancer also often detected at advanced stages, even among non-smokers, women, and younger Indians, they said. World Cancer Day, observed on February

New Delhi, Feb 4: The civil services examination rules are part of an evolving framework and the government continuously undertakes reforms besides remedial measures to ensure a level playing field, Union minister Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Singh was responding to a query seeking details of any proposal under the governments consideration to exempt aspirants from Ladakh from qualifying Indian language paper as part of civil services (main) examination. The civil services exa

Jammu, Feb 4: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday revealed that the assets of Sungli yatri base camp and rain shelter sheds for the Kailash yatra have been outsourced and said that this situation was inherited by his government. Replying to a question by BJP MLA Dalerp Singh during Question Hour in the Assembly, Abdullah, who is also the Tourism minister, said that an amount of Rs 279.83 lakh had been spent on the construction of Yatri [] The post Situation Inherited By U

JAMMU, Feb 4: The Public Works (R&B) Department has ordered the transfers and postings of three engineers. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post J&K | PWD Transfers Three Engineers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Feb 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has extended the deputation tenure of Er Girdhar Gopal Gourav, Incharge Executive Engineer (Civil), Public Works (R&B) Department, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). As per a Government order, his deputation as Deputy General Manager (Technical) in NHAI has been extended for a further period of one year, from October 01, 2025 to September 30, 2026. The extension has been granted in relaxation of the relevant provisions of the Jamm

New Delhi, Feb 4: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday issued a notification revoking Presidents Rule in Manipur, effective immediately. As per a proclamation published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), President Droupadi Murmu has revoked the Proclamation issued under Article 356(2) of the Constitution in relation to the state of Manipur. The earlier proclamation was issued on February 13, 2025. The fresh proclamation, signed by the President on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), states th