Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, today convened a meeting with senior officers to review the issues pertaining to construction of new Legislature Complex at Jammu, repair/renovation works in both MLA Hostels, arrangement for NeVa Seva Kendra for MLAs in Legislative Assembly and other ongoing development works to have a first-hand appraisal of the pace and quality of works. The Speaker also reviewed other development works

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: The J&K National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah today reaffirmed the partys commitment to the development of Jammu as a prominent business hub in North India, highlighting the regions emerging potential. His remarks came during an interactive session with the representatives of the Fruit Mandi Association of Narwal Jammu, who expressed their concerns and suggestions regarding the growth of the local fruit business. Accompanied by Rattan Lal Gupta,

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: In a significant move to re-establish Jammu & Kashmir as a powerhouse of Indian cinema, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K UT Council, successfully convened the inaugural CII J&K Film Festival. The event, marked by vibrant discussions and a collective vision, brought together the regions noted film fraternity, policymakers, and cultural custodians to unlock the UTs full potential as a content creation hub. Click here to watch video The Conclave

Ashok Sharma ashoksharma23may@gmail.com India, often described as a land of diversity, is a living example of unity in diversity. Languages, religions, customs and cuisines change every few hundred kilometres, yet a strong emotional thread binds the nation together. Festivals play a pivotal role in strengthening this bond. Among these festivals, Lohri occupies a distinctive place, particularly in North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Duggar region in the Union Territor

*Inaugurates projects worth Rs 19.05 cr, lays foundation of several works Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review the overall development scenario of Jammu district, with a focus on expediting key infrastructure projects, improving irrigation facilities, strengthening flood restoration works and ensuring optimal utilisation of funds. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakin

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Jan 12: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has greeted the people on the occasion of the festivals of Lohri, which fall on January 13th and Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14th. In his message, the Lieutenant Governor has said: On the auspicious occasion of Lohri and Makar Sankranti, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all and wish them health, bliss and prosperity. I pray that this festive season and the year that lies [] The post LG, CM greet

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Jan 12: A delegation of Muskan Charitable Trust led by its President Sandeep Mehra today called on the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and briefed him on various initiatives of their trust aimed at the upliftment and empowerment of Divyangjan. Rakesh Kumar, National-level Powerlifter also called on Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Rakesh Kumar for his impressive performance at the National Powerlifting Championship 2025 and extended his be

Mohammad Hanief m.hanief@gmail.com Education forms the bedrock of a societys progress, shaping the minds that will lead its future. In Jammu and Kashmir, the foundation of primary education has long rested on examinations that emphasize memorization rather than understanding. This exam-oriented structure has persisted for decades, rewarding rote learning instead of nurturing curiosity or creativity. With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, however, a new opportunity h

Excelsior Correspondent AHMEDABAD, Jan 12 : Indias journey from technology adoption to technology leadership received a significant boost today with the launch of the DST-NIDHI Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). The Centre of Excellence, supported and funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India, with an investment of approximately ?40 crore, was dedicated to the nation by Minister of S

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, today visited the Centre of Expertise for Drone Fabrication, Maintenance and Repair, where he reviewed facilities aimed at maintaining operational readiness and technological edge. During the visit, he was briefed on the processes involved in fabricating, repairing and maintaining drones, which play a key role in enhancing the Armys operational capabilities. He also assessed the infrastructure supportin

GANDHINAGAR, Jan 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited German universities to set up campuses in India as part of a comprehensive roadmap for higher education collaboration between the two countries. Addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, PM Modi thanked the Chancellor for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, calling it a step that would strengthen people-to-people ties. The roadmap on higher education we have developed today will give a new di

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that Indias youth are at the core of the countrys rapid transformation, describing the reform initiatives of the past decade as a Reform Express powered by Yuva Shakti. Addressing the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, he called upon young Indians to take a resolve to free the nation from the mindset of slavery and lead the march towards a developed India. [] The post Yuva Shak

BEIJING, Jan 12 : China on Monday reaffirmed its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley in the backdrop of Indias objections, stressing that the Chinese infrastructure projects in the area are beyond reproach. India last Friday criticised Chinas infrastructure development projects in the Shaksgam Valley, saying it reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests as it is an Indian territory. Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in the Shaksgam Val

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta inaugurated the International Painting Symposium 2026 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), here today. The week-long symposium, being held from January 12, brings together eminent painters from India and abroad, transforming the premier management institute into a vibrant space of creative dialogue and cultural exchange. Addressing the inaugural session, the LG said, The symposium was not merely a cultur

NEW DELHI, Jan 12 : India and Germany have signed a bilateral pact to deepen cooperation in postal, express and logistics services with a strong focus on cross-border e-commerce and time-definite international deliveries, an official statement said on Monday. The collaboration is expected to contribute to higher export volumes, improved service quality and increased participation of Indian businesses in global value chains by enhancing access to international markets and strengthening Indias l

AHMEDABAD, Jan 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday raised with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the issue of Indian baby girl Ariha Shah who has been living in a foster care in Berlin for over four years. The German authorities had taken custody of Ariha on September 23, 2021, when she was seven months old, alleging that the parents harassed her. The Centre has been pressing the German authorities for her early return to India arguing that it is important [] The post PM Modi raises issue

PESHAWAR, Jan 12 : At least six policemen including a senior officer were killed and three others injured on Monday in a blast targeting a police vehicle in northwest Pakistan, officials said. The vehicle was on patrol duty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces Tank district when unidentified miscreants targeted it with an improvised explosive device (IED). Those killed in the blast include a Station House Officer, a Sub-Inspector, three Elite Force personnel, and a driver, police said. The three inj

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: The Jammu & Kashmir Kalarippayattu team today left for Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, to participate in the National Kalarippayattu League 202526, scheduled to be held on January 17 and 18. The national-level event is being organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in association with the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation, with the aim of promoting and strengthening the traditional martial art across the country. Before departure, a f

LONDON, Jan 12 : US-based astronomer Professor Shrinivas Kulkarni has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in London for his field-defining discoveries in time-domain astronomy. Maharashtra-born Kulkarni is the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he has discovered a wide range of astronomical objects, including brown dwarfs and remote bursts of gamma rays. His RAS Gol

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday told graduating students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) that the degrees of the varsity are not just individual achievements but also a responsibility towards society. Delivering his address at the universitys convocation, the minister said the JNU has built a strong and distinctive legacy of academic excellence through decades of sustained academic contribution, and it continues to remain among the countrys prem

Dr Nisar Farhad drnisarfarhadku@gmail.com Recently, my younger brother, Aadil Gul Farhad, encouraged me to adopt high-density apple plantation on our ancestral land. After extensive discussions and careful on-ground observation, we finally decided to embrace this shift. The trellis system was installed by Dar Sajad and his team, while Mema Galla 5+ apple plants were procured from Fruits Care Agro, Mohali (Chandigarh), a leading horticulture enterprise headed by its CEO, Mr. Jaidev Kotwal, throug

Govt appoints Secy BOSE as interim chairman Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, Jan 12: Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the results of 10th and 12th standards, examinations for which were held last year, will be declared on January 14. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Minister told Excelsior that the Secretary Department of Education, Ram Niwas Sharma, will issue an administrative approval for giving powers to Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOS

SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The J&K Government today reconstituted the Search Committee for the appointment of the Chairperson of the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and the Director of the J&K State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT). Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp According to an official order, the Government has reconstituted the Search Committee for recommending panels for the posts of Chairperson, JKBOSE, and Director, JKSCERT, superseding an earlier order

Winter capital colder than Srinagar 5 flights cancelled, NH-44 clear Gopal Sharma JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Jan 12: Dense fog and bone-chilling cold gripped Jammu on Monday as the city recorded the coldest day with a record low temperature during last one decade, disrupting normal life and forcing the cancellation of five flights at Jammu Airport amidst poor visibility while the night temperature has witnessed slight rise in the Valley. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Jammu remained colder

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: In a first, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the general budget in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced on Monday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp This will be Sitharamans ninth budget presentation, one short of the record 10 budgets presented by the then Finance Minister Morarji Desai. The Budget session of Parliament begins on January 28 with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuks wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, told the Supreme Court today that the detaining authority had not applied his mind and relied on irrelevant material while detaining her husband. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp She told the court that four videos relied upon by the detaining authority have not been furnished to Wangchuk, which is a violation of his right to effective representation. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in the co

PESHAWAR, Jan 12: At least six policemen including a senior officer were killed and three others injured today in a blast targeting a police vehicle in northwest Pakistan, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The vehicle was on patrol duty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces Tank district when unidentified miscreants targeted it with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Those killed in the blast include a Station House Officer, a Sub-Inspector, three Elite Force personnel,

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah today asserted that Jammu and Kashmir are inseparable, firmly rejecting a recent demand by a BJP leader to grant separate Statehood to the Jammu region by bifurcating the Union Territory. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The former Chief Ministers remarks came even as the BJPs JK president Sat Sharma sought to distance the partys stand from the controversial proposal of Member of Legislative Assemb

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has re-designated four senior IAS officers after their recent promotions to the senior administrative grades by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp As per an order issued by the General Administration Department, Sanjeev Verma, the 2001 batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer has been designated as Principal Secretary to the Government, Election Department and Prasanna Rama

Jammu, Jan 12: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday issued orders re-designating several IAS officers of the J&K segment of the AGMUT cadre following their promotion to higher scales of the Indian Administrative Service by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. According to Government Order No. 43-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated January 12, 2026 , the re-designations have been made consequent upon the promotion of the officers to the Higher Administrative Grade (Level-15), Super Time

Jammu, Jan 12: Bone-chilling cold tightened its grip on Jammu on Monday as the city recorded the coldest day and night temperatures of the season, disrupting normal life and forcing the cancellation of five flights at Jammu airport due to dense fog and poor visibility, officials said. Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius, nearly eight notches below the seasonal average, while the minimum dipped to 3.4 degrees Celsius, around 3.5 notches below normal, marking the lowest tem

Jammu, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured the opposition BJP MLAs here that each of them would receive a detailed communication on the status of development projects. The assurance was given by Abdullah to the BJP legislators while chairing a high-level meeting to review the overall development scenario of Jammu district, with a focus on expediting key infrastructure projects, improving irrigation facilities, strengthening flood restoration works and ensurin

Jammu Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (J&K BOSE) has notified the date-sheets for classes 11 and 12 Annual/ Regular, 2026 (Feb- Mar Session) of Jammu Division (summer zone), scheduling the examinations from February 28 and February 23, respectively. In all, over 83,000 students of class 11 (43824) and 12 (39226) of summer zone Jammu Division are taking the examinations. As per the date- sheets, the examination will commence on February 23 for class 12 and [] The post JKBO

Jammu, Jan 12: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday orders assigninf of interim and additional charges for the post of Chairman JKBOSE and director SCERT. According to a notification issued by the General Administration Department (Services), Mr. Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, JKAS, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chairman, JKBOSE, as an interim arrangement. The order, issued under sub-section (1) of Section 12 of

Jammu, Jan 3: The 27-day-long Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will commence here on February 2, with the Omar Abdullah-led government set to present its budget in the House on February 6. The fifth session of the Assembly, spread over a three-month period, will begin with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on February 2. This will be the second budget of the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government after assuming office on October 16, 2024, ending [] The post

JAMMU, JANUARY 12: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today reviewed the status of availability and functionality of toilet facilities for girl students in government schools across J&K. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), Secretary, School Education Department, the Directors of School Education, Chief Engineers, and other senior officers concerned. During the review, the Chief Secretary assessed the infrastructure created under various schemes aimed

New Delhi, Jan 12: Jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuks wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, told the Supreme Court on Monday that the detaining authority had not not applied his mind and relied on irrelevant material while detaining her husband. She told the court that four videos relied upon by the detaining authority have not been furnished to Wangchuk, which is a violation of his right to effective representation. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in the court for Angmo, told a bench [] The post

Srinagar, Jan 12: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday said the fringe elements in Jammu had fallen to such a level in their hate for minorities that they forced the closure of an educational institution. The remark comes days after the National Medical Commissions abrupt decision to withdraw its letter of permission to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Jammu and Kashmirs Katra. There is a vocal minority (among Hindus) in Jammu who [] The post Jamm

Jammu, Jan 12: From spiritual, cultural roots to new creative horizons, it is our collective responsibility to reimagine Jammu Kashmir as an art hub. In this endeavour, I hope to see the contribution of painters and writers to build the artistic future of the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday. He was speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Kesar Art Circle at Kala Kendra Jammu. At the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated [] The po

Jammu, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has released the provisional calendar for the 5th Session of the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, outlining an extensive legislative and financial agenda scheduled from February to April 2026. According to the calendar, the session will commence on February 2 with the Lieutenant Governors Address to the House, followed by a multi-day discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the LGs Address and the

SRIHARIKOTA (ANDHRA PRADESH), Jan 12: ISROs PSLV-C62 rocket carrying 16 satellites, including a foreign Earth Observation satellite, encountered an anomaly, the space agency said on Monday, signalling the failure of the mission. Disturbances in the rocket and later deviation from flight path was observed when strap-on motors were providing thrust during the flights third stage to propel the vehicle to the intended altitude, space agency chairman V Narayanan said adding a detailed analysis has be

New Delhi, Jan 12: Former vice president Jadeep Dhankhar was on Monday admitted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he will undergo an MRI after he fell unconscious twice last week, officials said. On January 10, he had two bouts of unconsciousness when he went to the washroom. Today, he had gone to AIIMS for a checkup when the doctors insisted that he should get admitted for tests, an official said. Dhankhar had blacked out on multiple [] The post Ex-VP Dhankhar Admitte

Jammu, Jan 12: The Congress held a sit-in dharna in Jammu under the banners of MGNREGA Bachao and Humari Riyasat, Humara Haq, asserting that it will not allow any dilution of the rural employment scheme or compromise the rights of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest, organised as per the directions of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Sunday, was led by Pradesh Congress Committee working president and former minister Raman Bhalla and former minister Yogesh Sawhney. Addressing the gathering,

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the third-generation fire and forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability. The flight test was conducted against a moving target in KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra on Sunday. In a statement issued here, the Ministry of Defence stated that the indigenously developed MPATGM consists of state-of-the-art technologies such as Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, a

New Delhi, Jan 12: Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha on Monday shared a video of himself dressed as a Blinkit delivery agent and delivering orders, drawing attention to the daily grind of gig workers and renewing his call for better working conditions in Indias fast-growing quick commerce sector. Chadha posted a video on X with a caption: Away from boardrooms, at the grassroots. I lived their day. The AAP leader said he wanted to step away from policy debates [] The post AAP MP Raghav Chadha Turn

Jammu, Jan 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that despite fiscal constraints, the government would continue with the budget framework initiated last year, ensure the progress of ongoing schemes, and introduce new initiatives to keep development on track. He also dismissed allegations of discrimination with Jammu over the proposed National Law University (NLU), questioning why similar concerns were not raised earlier when premier institutes like the IIT and IIM wer

New Delhi, Jan 12: Bhushan Bazaz, noted social and political thinker and founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF), passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 91. Son of renowned writer and Kashmir historian Prem Nath Bazaz, he was widely regarded as a consistent and principled Kashmiri Pandit voice advocating brotherhood and Kashmiriyat. He stood throughout his life for peace, reconciliation and dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir. As the founder of the JKDF, he articulate

JAMMU, Jan 12: The Rural Development Department (RDD) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the transfers and postings of 12 Block Development Officers (BDOs) and look-after BDOs. The post RDD Transfers 12 Block Development Officers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the up-gradation of the pay level of Panchayat Secretaries, including Village Level Workers, Multipurpose Workers and Gram Sevikas, from Level 2 to Level 4 with immediate effect. As per Government Order issued by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, all existing employees working in Level 2 will be placed in Level 4, irrespective of their length of service, while fresh recruitment to the post will also be made [] The

Jammu, Jan 12: A 40-foot-high replica of the Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is being constructed at the upcoming waste to wonder park, a flagship project of Jammu Smart City Limited aimed at combining sustainable waste management with tourism development, officials said on Monday. The park is being developed on about 40 kanals of land along the banks of the Tawi river at Bhagwati Nagar, the base camp of the annual Amarnath Yatra. It will feature replicas [] The post Stat