Daily Excelsior

CHANDIGARH, Apr 19: Union Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Sanjay Seth slammed the opposition and its allies over the womens quota bill defeat, accusing them of betraying women and prioritising politics over a crucial issue. A Constitution Amendment Bill seeking to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats and implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 under Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyan was defeated in the Lower House on Friday. While 298 members voted in support of []

Srinagar/New Delhi, Apr 19: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Umer Harris, alias Khargosh (rabbit), is believed to be in Saudi Arabia after managing to escape the country using a forged passport issued in the name of Sajjad, claiming to be a resident of Rajasthan, officials said on Sunday. The Srinagar Police, which is spearheading the investigation into the inter-state LeT terror module, has shared details with central intelligence agencies, raising concerns about systemic loopholes that allow su

JAMMU, Apr 19: A conviction rate of just 12.6 per cent in corruption cases over the last six years has put a spotlight on the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Jammu and Kashmir, which sent 214 cases to various courts in the last six years but could manage only 27 convictions. According to data provided by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in reply to an RTI query by Jammu-based activist Raman Sharma, in the last six years, the ACB received a massive volume [] The post J&K ACB Report Card: 23,798 Complai

EXETER (UK), Apr 19: Social media videos are claiming that mouthwash can raise the risk of high blood pressure and potentially damage heart health. According to some of these videos, this is caused by mouthwash wiping out good oral bacteria that are important for the cardiovascular system. While its a striking message, dont throw your mouthwash away just yet. The reality is far more complex. Our mouths contain a wide variety of bacteria. Together, these bacteria form a balanced [] The post Freq

LONDON, Apr 19: Senior Cabinet ministers on Sunday rallied around UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is teetering over his decision to give Britains most important diplomatic job to Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished politician and friend of Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer will face restive lawmakers in Parliament on Monday to fight for his job after the explosive revelation that Mandelson was appointed ambassador to the United States despite failing security checks. Starmer says hes fu

SHIMLA, Apr 19: A portion of the salary of officers and employees of the Himachal Pradesh government has been deferred for a period of six months in a bid to efficiently manage financial resources, according to a notification issued by the Finance Department on Sunday. According to the notification, the deferment will be effective from May, 2026 and is temporary in nature. Thirty per cent of the salary of the chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, director general

COLOMBO, Apr 19: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake here on Sunday and held discussions on various initiatives, including the Indian housing project, and fishermen issues between the two South Asian neighbours. Radhakrishnan, who arrived here earlier in the day on a two-day visit, also discussed with Dissanayake the ongoing Indian project implementation in Sri Lanka with emphasis on the USD 450 million Cyclone Ditwah aid offered by India. Accompani

ERODE (Tamil Nadu), Apr 19: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday lashed out at the Congress and DMK for voting against the Womens Reservation amendment bill in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of betraying women from getting the quota in Parliament and state Assemblies. However, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government would not allow the conspiracy to succeed and ensure justice for the women of the country, he said. Addressing a roadshow here in support of his partys Modakurichi [] The post W

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Indias banking sector remains resilient in the backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainties, with a majority of bankers anticipating a non-food credit growth of 11-13 per cent during January-June 2026, according to the FICCI-IBA Bankers Survey unveiled on Sunday. The outlook is supported by improving balance sheets, steady economic activity, sustained demand across multiple segments of the economy with robust retail and SME credit momentum, and early signs of revival in p

Lucknow, Apr 19: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the BJP-led NDA has no right to remain in power at the Centre because its failure to get a Constitution amendment bill passed in the Lok Sabha to tweak the womens quota law has shown that it didnt represent the will of the people. The opposition, in real terms, represents peoples will, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said. Speaking at the party headquarters here, Yadav also said that [] The post Defeat of bill on wo

SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Security has been beefed up at tourist spots across Kashmir ahead of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were shot dead by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on April 22 last year, officials said here. All security agencies have been asked to remain alert for any possible subversive activities on the eve of the Pahalgam terror attack anniversary, especially around tourist spots, they said. Preparatory meetings to devise a foolproof security plan were

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: To tackle the menace of digital arrest frauds, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will on Monday unveil an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that will help people verify the authenticity of notices issued to them. The chatbot, Abhay, will be launched by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on the occasion of the 22nd D P Kohli Memorial Lecture organised by the CBI in honour of its founding director, officials said. The CJI will deliver the [] The post Digital A

JAMMU, Apr 19: A court in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur has sentenced two inter-state drug peddlers from Punjab to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each in a 2020 NDPS Act case, police said on Sunday. The convicts, Jaspreet Singh and Sandeep Singh, both residents of Ludhiana, were also fined Rs 1 lakh each. In default of payment, they will undergo an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment, the police said. They were apprehended on September 9, 2020, after being found [] The post 2 Punjab

JAMMU, Apr 19: The District Administration Poonch has issued directions for the conduct of a Civil Defence air mock drills and blackout mock exercise across the district from April 20 to 24. According to an official communication from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, all key departments, including police, health, PWD, Jal Shakti, SDRF, and Fire & Emergency Services, have been asked to coordinate closely with Civil Defence authorities to ensure smooth execution of the exercise Authorities h

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Observing that expressways must not become corridors of peril due to administrative lethargy or infrastructural gaps, the Supreme Court has issued a slew of pan-India guidelines for enhancing road safety, including a ban on parking of heavy vehicles on such roads. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and AS Chandurkar pointed out that national highways constitute two percent of Indias total road length but account for nearly 30 percent of all road fatalities. A bench of [] The po

SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir and rain in the plains of the valley brought down temperatures on Sunday, officials said. Snowfall was reported in Tulail area of Gurez valley in Bandipora district, on either side of Zojila pass in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district, and along the Mughal road connecting Shopian district to Poonch-Rajouri region, they said. The plains of the valley received light to moderate rainfall in the early hours of the day, [] The post Sno

SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today visited SMHS to inquire about the health condition of the ailing father of Member of Parliament, Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Engineer Rashid). MLA Hazratbal, Salman Sagar; Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr. Iffat Hassan Shah; Medical Superintendent SMHS, Dr. Andleeb Bashir; HoDs of various specialities, Consultants, senior doctors and other staff members were also present on the occasion. During her v

SEOUL, Apr 19: North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbours said, days after the UNs nuclear watchdog warned that North Korea was making very serious advances in efforts to build nuclear weapons. The missiles fired from the Norths Sinpo area flew about 140 kilometres (87 miles) each in a direction toward the countrys eastern waters, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. It said South Korea maintains a readiness to repel any provocations

BANKURA (WB), Apr 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Trinamool Congress of betraying women by preventing the passage of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament, and asserted that the women would punish the ruling party in West Bengal in the upcoming assembly polls. Addressing an election rally at Bishnupur in Bankura district, Modi said the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, in collusion with the Congress, blocked the passage of the bill, which sought to provide 33

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: The Bangladesh Government Saturday night raised fuel prices to record highs, increasing prices by 10%-15%, reflecting fuel crisis in the country due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Under the new rates, petrol will be sold at retail outlets at 135 taka ($1.10) per litre, up from 116 taka, diesel at 115 taka per litre, up from 100 tk; and kerosene at 130 taka, up from 112 taka, reported Bangladesh daily The Daily Star. Fuel [] The post Bangladesh hikes fuel prices to recor

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: With Indias push to build global leadership talent hitting a shortage of world-class faculty, a new institute plans to bring Ivy League academics and global research partnerships to a campus in the national capital. The International Institute for Faculty & Research (IIFR), led by former Indian School of Business (ISB) dean Rajendra Srivastava and set up at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan campus in New Delhi, targeting gaps in faculty development, industry linkages and applied rese

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Following massive online backlash over a purported internal grooming document, eyewear retailer Lenskart has issued a public apology and released a standardised In-Store Style Guide that allows employees to wear religious and cultural symbols at work. In a statement on X, the company said it is making its guidelines public and transparent to address the concerns of its customers and community. The new policy explicitly and unambiguously welcomes all symbols of faith carried by

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: TVS Supply Chain Solutions has settled its debt dispute with ZTE Telecom India and withdrawn its appeal in NCLAT against an order that rejected insolvency proceedings against the telecom gear manufacturer. Earlier this week, TVS Supply Chain counsel informed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) about the settlement and requested withdrawal of the appeal. A two-member NCLAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Member (Technical) Barun Mitra allo

KOLKATA, Apr 19: Kolkata-based Nipha Group has launched a brand OneHorn, as part of a push to expand its agriculture machinery business in at least 20 states and 10 countries, including the US and European markets, company officials said on Sunday. Its chairman Mahesh Chandra Shah said the Indian agricultural ecosystem was at an inflection point where mechanisation and entrepreneurship must come together. With our brand, we are building a structured, partner-first platform that enables our chann

CHENNAI, Apr 19: French auto major Renault is adopting a two-platform strategy in India to address the segment below Rs 10 lakh while pursuing a full multi-energy flexibility for vehicles longer than 4 metres, as it looks to expand its product portfolio to seven by 2030. The company, which offered models, such as Kwid, Kiger and Triber on its CMFA platform in the past, is evolving into a new RGEP Renault Group Entry Platform as it aims to [] The post Two platforms, CNG, hybrids to electric, Re

NEW DELHI, Apr 19: South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung sees innovation and education as both an enabler of progress and a catalyst for inclusion in India, according to its Southwest Asia Corporate Vice President SP Chun. The company, which increased its CSR commitment in India to Rs 193.89 crore for 2025-26, from Rs 144.48 crore in 2024-25, has helped 15 lakh people benefit from Samsung Indias citizenship programmes. As we complete three decades in India, we see innovation and [] The

Anantnag, Apr 19: Intensifying its war against drugs, Anantnag Police on Sunday registered three cases and arrested six drug peddlers in separate operations, recovering over 3.7 kilograms of narcotics along with cash amounting to 10,450. In a statement, Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking, Anantnag Police achieved major success with the arrest of six persons and seizure of over 3.7 kg of narcotics along with cash 10,450 recovered in three separate operations. PS Anantnag:

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Dubai, Apr 19: Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and fired on a tanker attempting to pass the waterway on Saturday. It also warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence a new [] The post Iran Fir

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 18: The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), University of Jammu, in collaboration with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Jammu, organized an interactive session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) skill training for its students today. Two skill-based training programmes-Fundamentals of Data Annotation Using Python and Fundamentals of Data Curation Using Python-are currently being conducted for the students of C

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 18: Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo, an eminent physician from Village Poshkreri in District Anantnag, J&K, has been conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Society for Public Health (FRSPH), United Kingdom. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), one of the UKs leading public health organizations, grants Fellowship status to individuals who have shown distinguished achievement and dedication in the field. The honour places Dr Itoo among a global

JEDDAH, Apr 18 : The first batch of Indian pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for the annual Haj pilgrimage, the Indian mission in Saudi Arabia said. The first group of Indian Hajis was received at Madinah Airport by Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Consul General @CGIJeddah Shri Fahad Suri, along with Deputy Ministers @HajMinistry H.E. Prof. Abdulaziz A. Wazzan and H.E. Eng. Ayad Abdulrahman Rahbini and other senior Saudi officials, Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted on [] The po

NEW DELHI, Apr 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday delivered a combative address to the nation, turning a significant legislative setback into a political rallying point by casting the failed Womens Reservation push as a broader moral and ideological battle between his government and what he described as an anti-reform Opposition. Speaking a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 fell short of the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, Modi accused Opposition p

Dewanshi Verma dewanshivermaa@gmail.com Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most important and auspicious festivals in Hinduism. In 2026, it will be celebrated on 19 April 2026 (Sunday). It falls on the third day (Tritiya) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Baisakhi. The word Akshaya means never diminishing, and it is believed that any good deed, charity, or investment made on this day continues to grow and bring lifelong prosperity and success. In Hindu religion, Akshaya Tritiya [] Th

Nishikant Khajuria nishikantkhajuria@gmail.com Over the past week, while working on this feature, I noticed a surprising sense of envy toward some students at the University of Jammu all because of the degree program they are pursuing. I wish I could turn back the clock to my late teens and enrol myself in that very program just to design the future entirely of my choosing. Youve likely guessed which one I am talking about: the undergraduate Design Your Degree program [] The post Design Your De

Mohammad Ayaz Raina ayazraina@gmail.com In todays fast moving digital world, mobile phones have become an important part of our daily lives. They help us communicate, learn, and stay entertained. However, when their use crosses healthy limits, especially among children, they begin to harm more than they help. What starts as a convenience can slowly turn into dependency, affecting a childs mind, behaviour, and overall development. One important point every parent must remember is this, if a child

Race against time at Mubarak Mandi Palace Sunny Dua sunnydua55@gmail.com Once the seat of power from where the Dogra rulers governed their kingdom, the Mubarak Mandi Palace today stands as a hauntingly beautiful yet fragile reminder of a glorious past. Spread across nearly 12 acres and comprising 25 buildings over more than 400,000 square feet, this grand complex once housed coronations, royal residences, the army headquarters and even the nerve centre of governance. Over time, it evolved into a

Anil Kumar Sharma aksjkb@gmail.com When Time Begins to Speak, Wisdom Must Learn to Listen There comes a quiet moment in life often unnoticed at first when the pace slows, the noise fades, and time, instead of chasing us, begins to sit beside us. For those who have crossed sixty, this moment is not a decline, but a profound transition. It is not an ending, but a reorientation of life itself. Yet, the grace of this phase depends not on years [] The post Fortunate to be senior citizen, life after s

Dr Banarsi Lal kvkreasi@gmail.com Monkeys are wreaking havoc in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Their burgeoning population and habitat shift from forests to towns has created a new level of man-animal conflict in this hilly UT. Monkeys damage the crops and leave farmers grappling with losses that have badly affected J&K economy thus affecting the livelihood of the farmers. Due to the damage of agricultural crops some farmers are abandoning agricultural occupation and searching some ot

We got 100 pc blessings of Nari Shakti NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned the Congress and its allies that the women of India will severely punish them for the sin of foeticide after they killed a bill on womens reservation in Parliament and state assemblies. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp In an address to the nation, Modi apologised to the women, and said the Government may have lost the vote but it [] The post Women will severely punish Cong, all

Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, Apr 18: The Government today took over the management of 57 schools associated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) across Kashmir. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp An official said that the schools were directly or indirectly affiliated with the JeIs Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) and the Government took over their management. He said that the takeover followed Government order No. 149/Edu/JK dated 17.04.2026 issued to this effect yesterday. Click here to watch v

CM prays for successful completion Irfan Tramboo Srinagar, Apr 18: The annual Hajj pilgrimage from J&K commenced today with the departure of the first batch of 432 pilgrims for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, from Srinagar International Airport. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The pilgrims, who had assembled at Haj House Bemina earlier, were transported to the airport amid coordinated arrangements by authorities, marking the formal start of this years pilgrimage from the Union Territory.

Meetings to give nod to start shortly Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Apr 18: The Government has given major weightage to the MLAs in finalization of district Capex (Capital Expenditure) Plans as they are now only elected representatives after the District Development Councils (DDCs) too ceased to exist in February this year while the Block Development Councils (BDCs), Panchayats and Municipalities have already been rendered non-functional due to no elections. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsAp

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha dedicated a Memorial, Museum, and Library in Rajouri to honor the lasting legacy of Martyr ADDC Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa. Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa attained martyrdom in unprovoked shelling by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to Dr. Thapa, recalling his selfless service and steadfast dedication to public welfare. This memorial will inspire generations to come, he said. The event also featured a d

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Flexible and transparent gold investment options are likely to remain popular alongside physical buying on this Akshaya Tritiya, to be celebrated on Sunday, as investors show a clear shift towards modern alternatives to the yellow metal, say analysts. With Akshaya Tritiya traditionally considered an auspicious occasion for gold purchases, analysts said investor participation is gradually evolving, with growing interest in financial investment avenues alongside traditional phys

Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Apr 18: In a firm step towards strengthening administrative discipline and accountability, the Deputy Commissioner constituted dedicated teams to conduct surprise inspections across Government offices in the district. Acting on these directions, the teams carried out surprise visits across the entire district including the District Headquarters. During the inspections, 172 employees were found absent from duty without authorization. Consequently, show cause notice

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted an advisory body to provide specialised technical, policy, and strategic expertise to support the functioning of the recently constituted AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG). As an advisory body for the AIGEG the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) will provide it expert inputs necessary to make well-informed decisions on policy design, regulatory measures and Indias engagements in A

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 18: State Election Commissioner, Jammu & Kashmir, Shantmanu today conducted an extensive tour of Udhampur and Jammu districts to review the ongoing progress of the revision of Panchayat Electoral Rolls-2026. He inspected special camps at Panchayat Ghar Tikri, Mand East and West and Panchayat Ghar Garnai in Udhampur district besides Panchayat Ghar Jhajhar Kotli, BDO offices Dansal and Nagrota in Jammu district. The State Election Commissioner inspected the on

When Mohammad Ashraf Mir, a Government employee in Jammu and Kashmir, learnt that his ten-year-old son was battling ependymoma a serious neurological tumour classified Grade II by the WHO the instinct of every parent took over. He moved the child first to SKIMS Soura, and when the gravity of the condition demanded more specialised intervention, he did what any father would: he spent the money and sought care wherever that care could be found. The bill came to [] The post Medical Reimbursement

* BJP deprived women of 33 % quota: Bhalla Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 18: JKPCC chief, Tariq Hameed Karra today said that Prime Minister Modi has no moral right to continue in the office and should step down following failure of his Government to get through the ill conceived constitutional amendment bill, aimed at delimitation through backdoor under the garb of women quota. Addressing a rally of party workers at Bahu in Jammu, JKPCC chief said that Modi Government failed [] The post Mod