Daily Excelsior

Srinagar, Feb 20: National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah on Friday urged people to cherish and protect the linguistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. On the eve of International Mother Language Day, Abdullah paid heartfelt tributes to the rich linguistic cultures of Jammu and Kashmir, urging people to preserve and proudly enunciate in the languages that define their identity. Ones mother tongue is not merely a means of communication, it is the heartbeat of culture, the cradle of memory an

Srinagar, Feb 20: IGP Kashmir V K Birdi on Friday reviewed the security measures in the Valley ahead of Vice President C P Radhakrishnans visit to attend the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir on February 26. Senior officers from various security and intelligence agencies attended the security review meeting chaired by Birdi, a police spokesman said. At the meeting, detailed security plans were presented and reviewed to ensure comprehensive arrangements for the VVIP visit, he said. Th

Jammu, Feb 20: Security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district on Friday after troops foiled an infiltration bid in the area a day before, officials said. The recovery was made during a comprehensive search operation conducted in the Nathua Tibba area of Sundarbani sector along the Line of Control (LoC), a day after troops thwarted an infiltration attempt on early Friday, they said. Officials said troops spotted blood-stai

Jammu, Feb 20: BJP MLA Devyani Rana on Friday suggested the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) during selection in sports trials in Jammu and Kashmir to promote transparency and ensure that the most deserving athletes are chosen. Demanding transparency in sports trials, reports and livestreaming, Rana stated that AI tools could significantly improve sports training and performance monitoring. Between December 2025 and January 2026, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed controversies over suspec

JAMMU, Feb 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday offered a threefold resolution for the future: We must transform India into the preeminent nation of the world, forge it into the most formidable global power, and establish it as the ultimate sanctuary of knowledge and intellectual wealth on Earth. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that every citizen must honor the glorious heritage with full responsibility. He said that the devotion that preserved our culture through adversity must now

JAMMU, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today ordered a major administrative reshuffle, transferring and posting 22 officers across the Union Territory. According to an order issued by the General Administration Department, among those transferred are 20 IAS and two JKAS officers. Shri Ashwani Kumar, IAS (AGMUT: 1992), has been posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Power Development Department. He will also hold the additional charge of Administrative Secretary,

Rajouri, Feb 20: Security forces on Thursday recovered war-like stores during a search operation in the Nathua Tibba area of Sundarbani sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district, a day after an infiltration bid was foiled, officials said. Troops of the Armys Crossed Swords Division under the White Knight Corps launched a comprehensive search operation in the area following intelligence inputs. During the operation, heavily blood-stained tracks were observed, i

JAMMU, Feb 20: The General Administration Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government today relieved three IAS officers from the Union Territory following their transfer orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per separate Government orders issued by the department, Santosh D Vaidya, the 1998 batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, has been relieved to join his new posting in Delhi. Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, the 2012 batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, has been relieved to take up [] The post 3 I

JAMMU, Feb 20: The General Administration Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government today relieved two IAS officers from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir following their transfer orders issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per a Government order, Santosh D Vaidya, the 1998 batch AGMUT Cadre IAS officer, has been relieved to join his new posting in Delhi, while Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, the 2012 batch AGMUT Cadre IAS officer, has been relieved to take [] The post IAS officers V

New Delhi, Feb 20: Highways authority NHAI is considering discontinuing cash payments at highway toll plazas from April 1, requiring commuters to use only digital modes such as FASTag or UPI for toll payments. Post implementation, all toll payments at National Highway fee plazas will be processed exclusively through digital modes, using FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said. The authority said it is contemplating completely discontinuing

SRINAGAR, Feb 20: Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district on Friday, officials said. Ceasefire violation took place around noon at TMG (Toot Mar Gali) in Nowgam Sector of Kupwara (in north Kashmir) when PoK posts fired through small arms on Indian posts, the officials said. The firing stopped after some time, they mentioned further, adding there was no loss of life or injury. (Agencies) The post Pak Violates Ceasefire Along LoC In J&

NEW DELHI, Feb 20:India has the opportunity to double its share in the global media market through bold adoption of artificial intelligence, JioStar India Vice Chairman Uday Shankar on Friday said, urging industry stakeholders to embrace disruption rather than resist it. The global media market is valued at nearly USD 3 trillion, and is projected to reach USD 3.5 trillion by 2029, said Uday Shankar in his keynote address at the ongoing AI Impact Summit 2026. Indias share is currently [] The post

New Delhi, Feb 20: Global pop icon Shakira, popular for global chartbusters such as Hips Dont Lie, Whenever Wherever and Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), is all set to perform in Delhi and Mumbai this April for the Feeding India Concert 2026. The Colombian superstar and multiple Grammy-winner is hugely popular in India. She will headline shows in Mumbai on April 10 and in Delhi on April 15, the organisers announced in a release. Feeding India, a not-for-profit along [] The post Shakira headed t

NEW YORK, Feb 20: A 57-year-old Sikh man has allegedly been kidnapped from the Tracy area in Californias San Joaquin County. The San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office in a Facebook post identified the victim as Avtar Singh, described as 57 and around 200 lbs, wearing light-coloured traditional Sikh clothing, at the time of the incident. According to surveillance footage, Singh was picked up by three unidentified individuals dressed in dark clothing in a white SUV at approximately 2:30 pm (local []

TOYYO, Feb 20: Japan continues to adhere to its policy of resolving the territorial issue and concluding a peace treaty with Russia, and also proceeds from the necessity of resolving existing problems by ensuring appropriate interaction and communication, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Friday. Relations between Japan and Russia are in a difficult situation, but the Japanese government adheres to the policy of resolving the issue of the ownership of the Northern Territories [southern

DUBAI, Feb 20: Saudi Arabia could have some form of uranium enrichment within the kingdom under a proposed nuclear deal with the United States, congressional documents and an arms control group suggest, raising proliferation concerns as an atomic standoff between Iran and America continues. US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden both tried to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom to share American technology. Nonproliferation experts warn any spinning centrifuges within Saudi Arabia could open

Long before October 7, 2023, became a date etched in Jewish memory, Adam Milstein was documenting concerning trends across America and the Western world. The Israeli-American philanthropist, born in Haifa in 1952, had spent decades building a successful business in California real estate while simultaneously developing an analytical framework for understanding contemporary challenges facing Jewish communities and American democracy. The Making of a Strategic Thinker Adam Milsteins journey from I

Jammu, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said three tourism projects have been completed in in Ramgarh constituency at a cost of Rs 307.12 lakh under the Capex budget and another project is currently in progress Abdullah was replying to a question raised by BJP MLA from Ramgarh constituency Devinder Kumar Manyal that was asked on his behalf by BJP MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia during the question hour. The tourism development plan for the year [] The post 3 Tourism Pro

Srinagar, Feb 20: Emphasising that the interim Indo-US trade deal would take a toll on the nations farmers and fruit growers, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revisit the deal and implement a 50 per cent import duty on apples to protect Jammu and Kashmirs horticulture industry. The farmers of our country had certain safeguards before this Indo-US trade deal, but now those protections are gone. This will affect farmers across the country, [] The post

Jammu, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has suspended Mr. Balbir Kumar, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bandipora, with immediate effect pending an enquiry into his conduct. As per Government Order No. 79-JK (Edu) of 2026 dated 20.02.2026, the action has been taken under Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The order states that pending investigation, Mr. Balbir Kumar stands placed under suspension. During the suspension period,

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: A group of Indian Youth Congress workers on Friday staged a dramatic shirtless protest at an AI Impact Summit exhibition hall, walking around holding T-shirts with slogans against the government and the India-US trade deal printed on them, before being whisked away by security personnel. A senior police officer said that around 10 people were detained when they were protesting at the AI Summit. They were removed immediately and were taken to Tilak Marg police station. [] The p

Jammu, Feb 20: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that Er. Imtiaz Ahmad, In-charge Executive Engineer (Civil), Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), has been placed under suspension with immediate effect pending an inquiry into his conduct. The action follows a complaint raised by the legislator from Eidgah constituency regarding the dilapidated condition of Waganpora Grid Tehsil Office Road and allegations of use of sub-standard material in the

Chandigarh, Feb 20: Expelled Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has renewed her attack on Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the partys Punjab unit chief, alleging that he bought 100 acres of land in Zirakpur, of which 60 acres were snatched illegally from innocent people using fake signatures and thumb impressions. Warring, on his part, has rubbished the charge and said he would not comment on a person whose mental condition is not right. In a post on X on Thursday night, [] The post Expelled Congress

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: The government has disbursed Rs 28,748 crore under PLI schemes for 14 sectors, including electronics and pharma, since the launch of the support measure to boost domestic manufacturing, the government on Friday said. In 2021, the government announced Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for 14 sectors with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore. As many as 836 applications across 14 sectors, involving cumulative investment of over Rs 2.16 lakh crore, have been approved under the

Srinagar, Feb 20 : Northern Army commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Friday reviewed the anti-infiltration grid in Kashmir and assessed the operational preparedness of the forces along the Line of Control (LoC). Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC, visited #NorthKashmir to review the anti-infiltration grid and assess operational preparedness along the #LoC, the armys Northern Command said in a post on X. It said that during his visit, the army commander interacted with the troops, commending them for

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) will not be a challenge in India, and policymakers should ensure that solutions are offered to people ethically without compromising their data privacy, according to Arundhati Bhattacharya, President and CEO of Salesforce, South Asia. Addressing a session at India AI Summit 2026, she also stressed the need to democratise technology to have an impact. AI is going to solve a lot of problems which otherwise in a populous nation like []

MUMBAI, Feb 20: Tata Motors on Friday launched the facelift version of the Punch EV and said it expects the latest offering to democratise the adoption of entry-level EVs, which account for almost two-thirds of electric car demand. The company, which commanded 40 per cent of the total 1.76-lakh electric car sales in India in the 2025 calendar year, also said that the entry of more players, including bigger players in the space, will be beneficial to the countrys overall [] The post Tata Motors e

MUMBAI, Feb 20: Private sector lender IndusInd Bank on Friday announced that it has nearly doubled the number of branches selling gold loans to 500. The bank said the addition of 245 branches doing gold loans is driven by the need to make secured credit more accessible, convenient, and reliable for customers. The announcement comes at a time when lenders have been doubling down efforts on selling gold loans considered very secure amid the surge in prices. Some volatility in [] The post IndusInd

VISAHAPATNAM, Feb 20: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the international community to work collectively to address the increasingly complex and interconnected challenges in the maritime domain, guided by mutual respect and a spirit of cooperation. Addressing Navy Chiefs and Heads of Delegations from 74 countries during the inaugural ceremony of Exercise MILAN here on Thursday Singh asserted that traditional threats now coexist with emerging challenges such as piracy, maritime terrorism,

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday asked newly established campuses of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to balance rapid expansion with quality, urging them to prioritise patient-centric care while strengthening teaching and research. Addressing a leadership conclave of Presidents and Executive Directors of new AIIMS institutions in New Delhi, Nadda said the growing network must avoid letting scale dilute standards. With several AIIMS at varying stages of d

NATHANPUR (Assam), Feb 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme, which will cover 1,954 border villages in 15 states and two Union territories, from Assams Cachar district. The programme is a part of the Centres efforts to strengthen border villages and promote inclusive development in these areas, an official statement said. The Vibrant Villages Programme-II is a central sector scheme with an outlay of Rs 6,839 crore up to the [] Th

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: The outer area of the retina, or the peripheral retina, could offer a window into an early detection of Alzheimers disease long before irreversible brain damage occurs, and a routine eye exam may thus potentially help with an early diagnosis of the neurodegenerative condition, according to a new study. The eyes are indeed a window into the brain, but our study reveals that we have been looking at the wrong part of the window. While most [] The post Peripheral retina may help d

SRINAGAR, Feb 20: Kashmir is experiencing an unusually warm winter, with day temperatures settling 9-11 degrees above the normal in several areas making the month of February so far the warmest in about a decade, officials said on Friday. The day temperature has been hovering several degrees above the seasonal average for the last few days as bright sunshine marks the winter days, they said. On Thursday, the maximum day temperature remained 9-11 degrees above the normal in many parts [] The post

JAMMU, Feb 20: Nearly, 92 restoration works worth Rs. 9.84 crore were taken up post 2025 floods across Marh Constituency in Jammu. This was informed by the Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, while replying to a question raised by Surinder Kumar in the Legislative Assembly. The Deputy Chief Minister apprised the House that an amount of Rs. 8,87,000 under SDRF norms was also disbursed among 90 affected families in the Constituency. He acknowledged the significant losses incurred by Marh Co

JAMMU, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said that the Union Territory has witnessed a sharp surge in tourist arrivals in the post-2019 period, with over 7.85 crore tourists visiting between 2023 and 2025, compared to 4.76 crore visitors during 201618. Replying to a question by NC MLA Javid Hassan Baig in written form in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who heads the tourism department, detailed destination-wise tourist footfall data and comparative figu

Srinagar, Feb 20: Director Meteorological Department, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, on Friday said that no major rain or snowfall is forecast across Jammu and Kashmir till the end of February. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad said that weather conditions are expected to remain generally dry from February 20 to 25. On February 26, the weather is likely to be partly to generally cloudy, while light rain or snowfall at isolated places cannot be ruled out on February 27 and 28 under partly to [] The post No Major Rain Or Sno

Jammu, Feb 20: PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Friday questioned the non-release of Rs 70 crore and Rs 200 crore under the Marriage Assistance and Ladli Beti schemes respectively in the last three financial years, including the current one. Para took a dig at the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir for failing to address this constituency of poor people, for whom such schemes were carved out. In a post on X, he said of the Rs 300 crore [] The post PDP Raises Question On Pend

JAMMU, Feb 20: A total of 41,944 claims have been received across Jammu and Kashmir under the Forest Rights Act, with 28,925 individual forest rights claims and 13,019 community forest rights claims, the Union Territory government informed the assembly on Friday. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, also known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, aimed at recognising the rights of forest-dwelling scheduled tribes and other traditio

New Delhi, Feb 20: Gold prices climbed by Rs 1,315 to Rs 1.56 lakh per 10 grams in the futures trade on Friday, tracking firm global trends amid renewed geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, which boosted the safe-haven asset. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the yellow metal for April delivery appreciated by Rs 1,315, or 0.85 per cent, to Rs 1,56,134 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 7,355 lots. In the international market, Comex gold futures [] The post Gold Futures Climb To Rs 1

NEW DELHI, Feb 20:Sovereignty in artificial intelligence (AI) does not imply isolation or complete self-reliance, but rather strategic control, Sunil Gupta, MD and CEO of Yotta Data Services, said on Friday. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026, Gupta stressed that global interdependence in technology is inevitable. We will always remain interconnected and interdependent across the world. He further said that some countries will excel at chips, others at raw materials, data, models, talent, or

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: Shares of Novartis India surged 20 per cent to hit the upper circuit limit on Friday after its parent firm Novartis AG agreed to sell a majority stake in its Indian unit to private equity firm ChrysCapital. The stock zoomed 20 per cent to Rs 996.50 apiece its upper circuit limit on the BSE. Meanwhile, the markets are trading in the positive territory, with the 30-share BSE Sensex climbing 341.59 points, or 0.41 per [] The post Novartis Indias stock surges 20 pc after parent

New Delhi, Feb 20: Stepping up his attack on the government over the interim US trade deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the answer to why Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to a deal, where India gives so much and appears to get so little, and make an abject surrender lies in the grips and chokes placed on him. The leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha also claimed that with this deal, India is going to [] The post Answer to abject surrender lies in grips, chokes placed on

New Delhi, Feb 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday discussed the potential of harnessing artificial intelligence technology in various sectors like agriculture, environmental protection, and promoting higher education in mother tongue, among others, with CEOs of AI and deeptech startups. CEOs and founders of 16 AI and deeptech startups presented their ideas and work at a roundtable meeting with the prime minister. Modi underscored the need for strong data governance, cautioned against mis

JAMMU, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said the India Meteorological Department is planning to introduce a hyper-local weather forecasting system for himalayan states and has identified seven districts for this, with special focus on early warnings for cloudburst-induced rainfall. The IMD plans to install four additional doppler weather radars and 34 automatic weather stations and snow gauges in Jammu and Kashmir, the government said. In a written reply to a question of Nation

JAMMU, Feb 20: The Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that over Rs 1,684 crore in compensation has been released so far for land acquired for Ring Road projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to a question tabled by MLA Devyani Rana, the Revenue Department, said the Ring Road in Jammu passes through Jammu and Samba districts, while in Kashmir, the project covers six districts, including Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal and Bandipora. The government said the com

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of Delhi Police on a bail plea by Olympian Sushil Kumar in the murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. Justice Anup J Bhambhani issued notice to Delhi Police and the kin of the deceased, and asked them to file a status report and a reply, respectively. Noting that the Supreme Court had cancelled the bail granted to Kumar by the high court in [] The post Chhatrasal Stadium murder case: Delhi HC seek

Jammu, Feb 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday clarified in the Legislative Assembly that the recent order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar regarding regulation of charity donations during Ramadan was not arbitrary, but based on inputs from local religious leaders and committees. Speaking in the House, the Chief Minister said that during yesterdays proceedings, MLA Bandipora and MLA Bashir Veeri had raised objections, alleging that the government was interfering in religious mat

Jammu, Feb 20: Amid a row over an order regulating the collection of donations during Ramzan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the decision was taken after consultations with local religious leaders and should not be politicised. Citing concerns over unauthorised fund raising, the deputy commissioner of Kishtwar had on Wednesday issued an order regulating the collection of donations during the holy month. Responding to concerns raised by Congress MLAs Gulam Ahmed Mir

JAMMU, Feb 20: In a major push to expand its footprint in key metropolitan cities, the Jammu and Kashmir government is pursuing the construction of new, state-of-the-art Bhawans in Dwarka and Navi Mumbai, even as its ambitious redevelopment plan for the high-value property at 5, Prithviraj Road in the national capital remains entangled in stringent heritage norms. Providing a detailed status update in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, the minister in-charge of the Hospitality & Protocol Depart

JAMMU, Feb 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that a staggering 96 percent of developmental works envisaged under the District CAPEX for the current fiscal are already on the ground, countering concerns over procedural delays in the Union Territory. In a detailed written reply to a query raised by legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the government, through the Minister in Charge of the Finance Department provided a comprehensive status report on the