Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent 28NEW DELHI, Mar 27: 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 said that Indias clean energy transition is part of a larger national strategy aimed at reducing import dependence, strengthening indigenous capacities, and enabling the country to play a leading role in the global shift towards a greener future. Addressing the Pla

Irfan Tramboo Srinagar, Mar 27: In a move to strengthen quality assurance and global credibility of Kashmirs famed Pashmina, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has procured a high-end Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC). The introduction of SEM-based testing is aimed at achieving international standards in Geographical Indication (GI) testing and certification of Pashmina and other handwoven products, officials s

Prof D Mukherjee mukhopadhyay.dinabandhu@gmail.com For over a hundred years, the Middle-East has remained one of the most strategically important and politically unstable regions in the world. Its significance is not determined by location alone, but also by its long history, religious importance, vast energy resources, and the involvement of major global powers. Positioned between Europe, Asia, and Africa, the region holds some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world, making it vital f

Mohammad Hanief m.hanief@gmail.com Jammu and Kashmir today stands at a critical juncture in its development journey, where rising aspirations, economic revival, and unprecedented mobility are placing immense pressure on a road infrastructure that is struggling to keep pace. What was once perceived as a seasonal inconvenience has now evolved into a persistent and region-wide mobility crisis, cutting across the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar, and Jammu with varying intensity but shared consequences. The

WASHINGTON, Mar 27: The White House on Friday launched its own mobile app to provide livestreams and real-time updates straight from the source, no filter. There have been a lot of launches lately.relax this ones an app, according to a video, featuring clips of attacks on Iran, posted by the White House on X. The Trump administration quipped that the information is straight from the source, no filter, an apparent reference to its repeated criticism of the media as fake [] The post White House la

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: India on Friday reaffirmed its unwavering support for Bangladeshs quest for justice against the brutal military crackdown by Pakistan and the targeted killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshi citizens in 1971. New Delhis remarks came three days after Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman described Pakistans Operation Searchlight in that year against unarmed Bangladeshi people as one of the most heinous genocides in history. We all are aware of the terrible atrocities com

BENGALURU, Mar 27: Besieged defending champions seeking to regroup after an unprecedented tragedy, decorated sides chasing lost glory, two stalwarts fighting for relevance and a clutch of hopefuls eager to impress, the 2026 IPL, starting Saturday, is poised to offer intriguing moments over the next two months. Title holders Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who host Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the tournament opener, would have liked to enter the leagues 19th edition with a lot m

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday interacted with the students from Army Goodwill School (AGS), Saujiyan, Poonch, visiting Jammu as a part of J&K Integration Tour under Operation Sadbhavana. The tour, organised as part of the outreach programme of the White Knight Corps, is aimed at fostering national integration and holistic development of children from remote border areas. The Lieutenant Governor lauded the Indian Armys continued commitment toward

MUMBAI, Mar 27: The Reserve Bank on Friday introduced the Payments Vision 2028 document, announcing various initiatives like introducing electronic cheques and also widening the regulatory ambit to include entities such as e-commerce companies. A facility for the remitter to enable or disable transactions on any digital payment mode, similar to card transactions, is also on the anvil. Introducing a shared responsibility framework would also be explored under which both the customers bank (issuer

MUMBAI/ NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Aviation regulator DGCA on Friday issued guidelines for aircraft operators flying VIPs and VVIPs, including chief ministers and governors, and emphasised that the crew should not be subjected to any undue pressure for operating a flight that might impact safety. The guidelines, applicable for non-scheduled aircraft and helicopter operators carrying VVIPs, also come against the backdrop of the fatal plane crash in January that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Aj

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: In a momentous showcase of Jammu and Kashmirs burgeoning cricketing talent, five dynamic players from the region are poised to compete for glory as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 ignites tomorrow with a high-octane clash. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the season. Leading the charge is Aqib Nabi, J&K

Excelsior Correspondent Leh, Mar 27: Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, arrived here today on an official visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh. Upon his arrival, he was accorded a warm reception by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, along with other Judges of the High Court. The reception was also attended by senior dignitaries, including the Chief Secretary [] The post CJI v

DUBAI, Mar 27: Iran state media says its nuclear facilities were attacked Friday, just hours after Israel threatened to escalate and expand its campaign against Tehran. IRNA reports that a heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production plant were struck. Yellowcake is a concentrated form of uranium after impurities are removed from the raw ore. Heavy water is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors. Word of the attacks came after US President Donald Trump claimed talks on ending the war [] The po

BANGKOK, Mar 27: Indian compound archers delivered a dominant performance, clinching the mixed team gold and womens team silver, while also sweeping the mens individual podium at the Asia Cup-World Ranking Tournament Stage 1, here on Friday. With the addition of the individual medals, Indias overall tally swelled to two gold, two silver and four bronze medals, matching their eight-medal haul from the previous edition. The Indian contingent also remained in contention in two more finals later in

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Star midfielder Hardik Singh and striker Navneet Kaur on Friday won the Hockey India Player of the Year awards in the mens and womens categories respectively. The players were honoured during a glittering ceremony in the capital that celebrated the finest performers over the past one year. Former India captain and a member of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal-winning team, Zafar Iqbal, was bestowed with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Hardik and Navneet []

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that disunity among nations often leads to decline and destruction, warning that the current crisis facing the world is a direct consequence of the lack of unity. Addressing a gathering in Beerwah, Budgam Dr. Farooq said that the world, is passing through a deeply challenging and turbulent phase. He expressed grave concern over the worsening situation in West Asia where esc

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: The overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above in the country declined marginally to 3.1 per cent in January to December 2025 from 3.2 per cent a year ago, stated a Government survey released on Friday. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, said the unemployment rate (UR) estimates indicate sustained progress in reducing unemployment across sectors and genders. The study showed the UR a

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu is set to organize its Annual Sports Meet2026 from March 28 to April 5, aiming to foster fitness, camaraderie and professional bonding among members of the legal fraternity. The announcement was made during a press conference addressed by president K Nirmal Kotwal in the presence of general secretary Pradeep Majotra, joint secretary Anshu Mahajan and treasurer Rahul Aggarwal. They informed that the event is a pro

The release of the District Good Governance Index (DGGI) 5.0 marks more than an annual administrative exercise-it offers a granular audit of governance performance across Jammu and Kashmir. By evaluating 20 districts on 58 indicators spanning 10 critical sectors, the index serves as a diagnostic tool rather than a mere scoreboard. It reflects how effectively policies translate into outcomes at the grassroots level. At the aggregate level, Jammu district retaining the top rank indicates instituti

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a Union Territory-level Standing Committee and District-level Committees for effective implementation of the Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM) across the UT. According to a Government order in this regard, these committees will ensure coordinated efforts for survey, conservation, digitization, and documentation of manuscripts in Jammu and Kashmir. At the UT level, the Standing Committee will be headed by the Chief

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 27: Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa today chaired a meeting of officers from line departments to discuss the formulation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) Action Plan for the district. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Prem Singh; PO Poshan Subash Dogra; General Manager DIC Kishore Singh Katoch, along with other senior officers. The DC reviewed the status of activities being undertaken by stakeholder departments under

Excelsior Correspondent NOWSHERA, Mar 27: Two persons were injured in a road accident in Dandesar area of district Rajouri on Friday. Reports said a Brezza vehicle bearing registration No. JK11J-6294, driven by Ramesh Chander, resident of Nariyan, was on its way from Siot towards Nowshera. The driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle and it collided with a motorcycle bearing registration No. JK11A-0270. Following the collision, both the rider and the pillion sustained injuries and were imm

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Mar 27: Authorities at Government Medical College Anantnag today suspended three employees pending an inquiry into the alleged administration of expired intravenous (IV) glucose to patients in the General Surgery ward. Medical Superintendent Dr Arshid Hussain said the hospital administration has taken cognisance of the incident that occurred on Thursday and ordered a time-bound probe. Pending inquiry, three employees have been suspended, including the incharge s

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: To celebrates the World Theatre Day & to promote the traditional folk culture l of J&K, Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan (BLSKS) presented its Dogri series musical play SADI SAANJ as part of its regular feature at open air theatre, Durga Bhawan Janipur Jammu. The programme commenced with welcome song Meri Matti Mera Desh presented by the artists of BLSKS. The programe was inaugurated by the chief guest V K Magotra, former Regional Director, Directorate []

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: Natrang Jammu today conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in Theatre for the year 2026 upon eminent theatre personality Neeraj Kant in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian theatre. The award was presented by Natrang director and Padma Shri awardee Balwant Thakur at a function attended by prominent artists, intellectuals, and theatre enthusiasts. The honour carries a shawl and a cash award of Rs 50,000. Neeraj Kant is a distinguished name

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: Samooh Theatre commemorated World Theatre Day by staging a compelling adaptation of the renowned satirical masterpiece Bholaram da Jeev along with Munshi Ji, under the direction of Dr. Sudhir Mahajan. The lead role in Bholaram da Jeev was powerfully portrayed by veteran actor Rajinder Kumar Narang, a senior and highly respected figure in Jammus theatre scene, known for his memorable performances in numerous challenging roles over the decades. The play shine

Why no protests when Hindus were burnt in Bdesh, asks BJP BJP legislators clash with Cong MLA, Marshals intervene Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Mar 27: Pandemonium broke out in the Legislative Assembly as the budget session was resumed after over a month-long break with legislators from ruling NC and its allies Congress and CPM besides the Opposition PDP and some Independents holding protests and raising slogans against United States and Israel for waging war against Iran, killing of Irans Supreme Leade

DyCM stresses self-regulation alongside Govt measures *Pathania demands strict law, 36-hour takedown rule Bivek Mathur JAMMU, Mar 27: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, today called for framing a comprehensive legal framework to effectively tackle the growing challenge of fake news and misinformation across the Union Territory, emphasizing that the issue has serious implications for governance, public trust and social harmony. The Speaker made these remark

Srinagar, Mar 27: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Fact Check unit has flagged as fake certain social media posts and news reports claiming the existence of an alleged Iran donation scam in Jammu and Kashmir. In a post on X, the MEA Fact Check unit, cautioned the public against circulating or believing such false and baseless claims being shared online. The post carried screenshots of viral reports, clearly stamped as FAKE, to counter misinformation. The advisory urged citizens to [] The p

Jammu, Mar 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha spoke to the senior officials and took stock of the rescue and relief operations following the tragic avalanche at Zojila, Ganderbal. The Lieutenant Governor has extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He has directed the officials to ensure the safety of the stranded persons and extend all possible assistance to those af

JAMMU, Mar 27: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (JKLA), Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday emphasized on the urgent need for framing a comprehensive legal framework to effectively tackle the growing challenge of fake news and misinformation across Jammu and Kashmir. The Speaker made these remarks while speaking during Short Duration Discussion held in the Legislative Assembly on measures to address the spread of fake news and misinformation in Jammu & Kashmir Highlighti

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reviewed with chief ministers of all but poll-bound states their preparedness and plans in the wake of the West Asia conflict. The virtual meeting was aimed at ensuring synergy of efforts in the spirit of Team India, official sources said. This is the first time that the prime minister held such a meeting with the chief ministers on the West Asia conflict which started on February 28 with the attack [] The post West Asia Conflict: PM Modi

Jammu, Mar 27: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Friday appealed to the public not to panic or hoard essential commodities, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation and there is no shortage of fuel or cooking gas in the Union Territory. He said that global developments can have a cascading effect on India, including inflation, but stressed that the present situation does not warrant panic buying. Today, through your channel, I would like to [] T

JAMMU, Mar 27: Two government officials a forester and a forest guard were arrested after they were caught red-handed taking a bribe in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said. The two were caught after the ACB laid a trap following a complaint by a local alleging that Forester Ajaz Ahmed and Forest Guard Mohd Zaman had demanded money to allow him to construct a septic tank and an underground water tank [] The post Forester, Guard Arrested For Tak

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: The government has set up an informal group of ministers led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to look into the issues arising due to the West Asia conflict, sources said on Friday. Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri are among the members of the informal group of ministers (IGOM), they said. The arrangement comes in view of the issues arising due to the impact of the West Asia conflict, the sources said. [] The post West Asia Crisis: Govt Sets

Srinagar, Mar 27 : At least seven persons were killed and five others injured after an avalanche struck a passenger vehicle at Zojila Pass on Friday, officials said. A senior official said that the vehicle came under a massive snow slide, leading to on-the-spot deaths of seven occupants, while five others sustained injuries. Soon after the incident, rescue teams rushed to the site and launched an operation to evacuate the injured and retrieve the bodies from the debris. The injured [] The post 7

Jammu, Mar 27 : Jammu Division of Northern Railway has successfully implemented a fully biometric sign-on and sign-off system across its TTE lobbies as a significant stride towards modernisation and transparency, an official said on Friday. The Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) lobbies were the modern system was installed include Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Srinagar, and Pathankot, the official said. Under this new arrangement, he said, the attendance of t

JAMMU, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued fresh guidelines for recording Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APRs) of gazetted officers for the financial year 202526 through the SPARROW online portal. As per a circular issued by the General Administration Department, all designated custodians across departments have been directed to collect and upload required information of officers in a prescribed format to ensure timely generation and completion of APRs. See Order Copy Clic

Jammu, Mar 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday hailed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his historic decision to insulate households from supply disruptions triggered by the West Asia crisis. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor has said: Prioritizing citizen welfare, PM Narendra Modi Ji has taken historic decision to insulate households from supply disruptions triggered by West Asia crisis. The measures reflect his commitment to protect the standard of living for ordinary Indian

JAMMU, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said the Union Territory possesses an estimated hydropower potential of about 18,000 MW, of which nearly 15,000 MW has been identified, and that it is on a fast track to triple its installed capacity to around 11,000 MW by 2035. Replying to a question of MLA Javaid Iqbal in Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Friday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: J&K has an estimated hydropower potential of around 18,000 MW [] The post J&K Aims To Triple I

Jammu, Mar 27: Members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), joined by several BJP MLAs, took out a rally in Jammu demanding a National Law University (NLU) in the region but were stopped by police from marching to the Civil Secretariat at the assembly. The BJP and its youth wing BJYM have been accusing the ruling National Conference government of dividing the Union territory on religious and regional lines by announcing an NLU for Kashmir while denying one to [] The post BJP Youth Wing Ho

Srinagar, Mar 27: Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport will be restricted between April and July for carrying out runway works, Airport Authority of India (AAI) said on Friday. According to a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Indian Air Force, runway works commencing in the first week of April will temporarily restrict operational hours for scheduled flights until 5 pm from April 6, to July 31, the AAI Srinagar posted on its officials X handle. It said at [] The post Flight O

Zojila, Mar 27: A snow avalanche struck near Zero Point at Zojila Pass on Friday, trapping several passenger vehicles under snow and blocking the strategic road, officials said. Initial reports indicate that at least three to four vehicles were caught in the avalanche, leaving occupants stranded as heavy snow accumulated along the route. The incident highlights ongoing risks along the Zojila axis, a key mountain pass connecting Kashmir with Ladakh, where avalanches are common during late winter

MUMBAI, Mar 27: From the confines of his room in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir star Auqib Nabi watched a large crowd celebrate his entry into the IPL on auction day. But, he says, the ultimate goal is to play and win matches for India. Long before he lifted the Ranji Trophy with his J&K teammates, Nabi had grabbed attention for his exploits with the red ball. His persistent line, length, and discipline were key factors in the states maiden triumph [] The post Auqib Nabi Sets Sights On Ultimate Go

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Doctors at AIIMS Delhis Dr B R Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (Dr BRA-IRCH) successfully removed a massive 21.8-kg tumour from a 46-year-old woman diagnosed with advanced uterine sarcoma this week. The Delhi resident, who was also recently diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, had endured progressive abdominal fullness for four months, followed by severe distension, pain, and functional limitations over the last three months. However, she reported no bowel or bl

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has again arrested Al Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui in a new money laundering case linked to fraudulent acquisition of a Rs 45 crore worth land in Delhi. The 61-year-old was first arrested by the federal probe agency in November 2025 in a different money laundering case linked to the alleged cheating of students of his educational institutions by misrepresenting the accreditation and recognition of his institutions. The

NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Around 1,068 hectares of land owned by Indian Railways is under encroachment across the country, which is only 0.21 per cent of the total 4.99 lakh hectares of land, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Replying to supplementary queries during Question Hour, the minister said that if one sees the utilisation of all railway land, nearly 80 per cent of the land is near the tracks, 5 per cent around it, while [] The post Around 1,068 hectares of r

ALAPPUZHA (Kerala), Mar 27: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday said any alleged deal between the CPI(M) and the BJP would not work in the elections, asserting that the Congress has a deal with the people. Speaking to reporters during an election campaign in Kayamkulam, Tharoor said if any such understanding exists, it could only be between the CPI(M) and the BJP. The Lefts aim is to continue in power. The BJPs aim is to eliminate the Congress. So if [] The post Kerala Polls: Tharoor says any C

SRINAGAR, Mar 27: Flight operations at Srinagar airport will be restricted between 8 am to 5 pm from April 6 as the Indian Air Force has to undertake runway upgrade which is expected to continue through the summer months. At present, around 60 flights, including arrivals and departures, operate daily between 8 am and 10 pm at the airport. However, as per a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Indian Air Force, operational hours for scheduled flights will be [] The post Flights At Srinagar Airp

SRINAGAR, Mar 27: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday attached immovable properties of three proclaimed offenders in Sopore sub-district as part of sustained action against the terror ecosystem. According to a police statement, the attachment was carried out by Sopore Police in connection with FIR No. 02/2008 under Sections 2/3 of the E&IMCO Act registered at Police Station Panzalla. Police said the attachment proceedings were conducted at Nadihal in collaboration with the Revenue Department agai