Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 26: The general Body meeting of Jammu Printers Association (JPA) was held here today. The welcome address was presented by the associations president, Sanjeev Verma. The proceedings were marked by a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, with members engaging in a constructive and productive dialogue. The atmosphere remained cordial throughout, providing a platform for members to share their perspectives and offer valuable suggestions for the growth of the

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: Executive Director (ED) of NHPC, Ram Swaroop today inaugurated Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar Library-cum-Computer Centre within the premises of Guru Ravidass Gurudwara, Krishna Nagar, Jammu. Director KVIC Rajesh Kumar was the guest of honour, while Prof Sanjay Kumar Bhasin attended as special guest. The centre has been set up to provide free library and computer facilities to poor and marginalised sections of society. Speakers said the project was established w

Excelsior Correspondent 27JAMMU, Apr 26: The all-new Renault Duster was launched here at the Renault showroom in Kunjwani marking an exciting addition to the regions SUV segment. The launch event was graced by the chief guest, Dilawar Singh Manhas, Yuva Rajput Sabha president, who unveiled the vehicle and highlighted its strong road presence and advanced features. A handout stated that the new Renault Duster delivers a compelling blend of performance, comfort and modern technology, engineered sp

BEIJING, Apr 26: Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari, currently on a visit to China, took a tour of SANY Heavy Industry Co Ltd in Changsha, Hunan province, on Sunday. He was briefed by Chairman of Sany Group Tang Xiuguo, on the companys advanced manufacturing systems, product lines and ongoing investments in research and development, Pakistans state-run APP news agency reported. Pakistans Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Zardari is scheduled to visit China from April 25 to May 1 with [] T

LUCKNOW, Apr 26: After Lucknow Super Giants walked with them toe-to-toe in regulation time, Kolkata Knight Riders found a familiar saviour in Sunil Narine to register a tight Super Over victory in their IPL match here on Sunday. Both Super Giants and Knight Riders ended up at 155 when a total of 40 overs were bowled, but Narine made all the difference in the Super Over. Conjuring his years of experience, the spinner dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram to [] The post Rinku, Narine shine a

ARAMBAG (West Bengal), Apr 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged the TMC government in West Bengal is not run from the state secretariat but by criminals sheltered by the party. Addressing his second rally of the day in the Haripal area of Arambag in the Hooghly district, a day before the poll campaign ends, he said the TMCs dependence on anti-social elements in ruling the state often forces the Calcutta High Court or the Supreme Court to [] The post Bengals TMC govt not run from s

Excelsior Correspondent BHADERWAH, Apr 26: Senior NC leader and Minister for Jal Shakti, Forests and Tribal Affairs, Javed Rana, stated that despite delays in the restoration of Statehood, the Omar-led Government is making significant development strides in Chenab region, particularly in Bhadarwah. While addressing a workers meeting here today during the third leg of his Chenab visit, Rana said that despite numerous challenges, the Omar led Government is working to bring Bhaderwah back on the pa

NEW DELHI, Apr 26 : The agriculture ministry on Sunday asserted that Indias wheat production for 2025-26 crop year remains stable and resilient despite localised damage caused by unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms, even as an industry body pegged output significantly below the governments earlier forecast. The Roller Flour Millers Federation of India (RFFI) on April 24 projected wheat output at 110.65 million tonnes for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June), marginally higher than 109.63 million ton

Anil Anand a.anil.anand@gmail.com There are many firsts to the credit of the current central dispensation, both in its governance and political formats, as the penchant is now widely known. Mostly the firsts, for the purpose of claiming credit, are related to success and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads from the front to claim credit and rightly too. What about the first of a different variety, a failure? The unfavourable outcome of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, related to the

There are crises that unfold with a thunderclap earthquakes, floods, fires and then there are those that advance with the quiet, inexorable cruelty of a slow bleed. The vanishing of lakes across J&K belongs emphatically to the latter. No siren has wailed. No emergency has been declared. And yet, according to a damning report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, 315 lakes nearly half of all catalogued water bodies in J&K have disappeared entirely, [] The post Vanishing Lakes Crisi

Indias renewed push at the United Nations to have The Resistance Front formally designated as a terrorist organisation is not merely a diplomatic formality. It is a moral imperative. That the monitoring team of the UN Security Council is still considering the matter, long after the Pahalgam terror attack that shook the nation, exposes a deeply troubling truth: the worlds foremost multilateral body moves at a pace that terrorists exploited long ago. The TRF is no obscure militant faction. It [] T

Mohd Yunus Bhat yunusbhatt586@gmail.com Every year, India spends public money on research that few read, fewer cite, and almost no industry uses. Yet quietly, something is changing and the real question is whether the country is ready to see it. Somewhere in a university laboratory, a young doctoral scholar is bent over a spectrometer at midnight, measuring isotopic ratios in geological samples that might one day help explain the tectonic formation of the Indian subcontinent-earning a Junior Re

Make J&K vibrant academic hub Excelsior Correspondent BENGALURU, Apr 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today interacted with a delegation of education sector representatives in Bengaluru, highlighting the opportunities created by the recently notified J&K Private University Act. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, senior officers and several education representatives were present during the interaction. During the meeting, Omar invited institutions to invest

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: The J&K Judicial Academy today organised a one-day orientation programme on Criminal Justice Administration with special reference to New Criminal Laws at Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu. The programme was held under the patronage of Chief Justice of High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli. Judges of the High Court, judicial officers, prosecutors, police officers, legal aid defence counsels and law students from across Jammu province atten

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Apr 26: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh today reviewed plans to set up Space laboratories in Universities and Colleges across India, with seven such labs to be established in the first phase to provide hands-on exposure to students in satellite systems, rocketry and mission design. The initiative is aimed at building a strong pipeline of skilled youth for Indias expanding space sector, which has attracted over USD 600 million in

*Highly acclaimed book: Sat Sharma Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: Satyarth Panditas maiden story book Grammar of the Void was released at an impressive function at Writers Club here this afternoon in presence of galaxy of intellectuals, educationists, academicians and social activists. MP Rajya Sabha and J&K BJP president, Sat Sharma (CA) was the chief guest on the occasion while Bureau Chief of Daily Excelsior and renowned journalist, Sanjeev Pargal and Javed Rahi, Secretary Kala Kendra

Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Apr 26: With an aim to strengthening and promoting Ladakhi Pashmina and positioning it as a global brand, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, visited the Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi. Noting that Ladakh had immense potential to emerge as a global Pashmina hub, the Lt Governor emphasised the need to ensure better value realisation for local farmers and artisans. He stressed the importance of minimising wastage of raw wool and [

BENGALURU, Apr 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah participated in the 18th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru held in Bengaluru on Sunday, as the city witnessed a massive turnout of runners and enthusiastic spectators. The prestigious 10-kilometre road race, a World Athletics Gold Label event, saw the participation of elite international athletes alongside over 30,000 amateur runners from across India and abroad, reinforcing Bengalurus reputation as a major hub for distance r

*Dogras lost identity, jobs under BJP: Lal Singh Excelsior Correspondent BASOHLI, Apr 26: JKPCC president, Tariq Hameed Karra has said that Jammu region suffered more than Kashmir post 2019 and blamed BJP of selling false dreams and hopes to the people especially youths, who are suffering the most due to lack of job opportunities and uncertainty. Addressing a largely attended Congress rally at Basohli today, Karra hit out at BJP for befooling the innocent people giving hopes of a better [] The p

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: BJP spokesperson and convenor, International Affairs, Gaurav Gupta here today called on Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha and submitted a memorandum highlighting the growing parking crisis in Jammu city. He proposed utilisation space under the flyovers for structured parking facilities. Gupta drew attention of the LG towards increasing traffic congestion in Jammu caused by unplanned roadside parking and the shortage of organised parking infrastructure i

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) conducted the Common Entrance Test (CET) for B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Paramedical and B.Sc. Technology Courses-2026 for the academic session 2026-27 today at the designated Centres within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The test was conducted in 48 examination centres across J&K with 37 in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu Division, wherein 25090 candidates appeared out of 26237 applicant

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today attended Naman Diwas an event dedicated to honor organ donors and their families. He paid his gratitude to organ donors and their families and said they have brought happiness in the countless lives. Because of you, someone is able to read today. Because of you, someone is seeing the colors of the world for the very first time. Because of you, someone is experiencing hope, freedom, and joy anew. I [] The post Organ don

223 control rooms functional, 1,500 personnel deployed for fire season Bivek Mathur JAMMU, Apr 26: A total of 926 forest fire incidents were reported across Jammu and Kashmir during the financial year 2025-26, nearly 300 fewer than the previous financial year, affecting around 2,105.57 hectares of forest land, the Government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT). During 2024-25, as many as 1,243 forest fire incidents were recorded in the Union Territory, damaging 3,503.70 hectares of fo

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 26: A notorious criminal died during a police action after he and his associate allegedly opened fire on a police party at a naka in the Miran Sahib area here late on Sunday night. Officials said acting on specific intelligence about the movement of the accused, a special team of Police Station Miran Sahib laid a trap near the naka point. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp During checking, they said the accused, identified as [] The post Notorious c

Excelsior Correspondent KATRA, Apr 26: Everyone gains wisdom with time, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta quipped on Sunday on multiple AAP MLAs switching to the BJP. Gupta was speaking to reporters before leaving for the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi here. Reacting to the development, Gupta said, With time, everyone gains wisdom. I believe that in the interest of the nation, everyone should come together so that all citizens can move forward and work collectively-that is the right path. Click [] T

COLOMBO, Apr 26 : A group of 22 people dressed as monks has been arrested for allegedly carrying Kush and Hashish narcotics at the Bandaranaike International Airport here upon arrival from Thailand, Sri Lankan police said. The Narcotics Bureau said the haul worth 1.1 billion Sri Lankan rupees was the largest drug seizure at the airport. The 22 individuals were arrested on Saturday for allegedly carrying 120 kg of Kush and Hashish narcotics on false bottomed suitcases, police said. They [] The po

NEW DELHI, April 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mourned the death of legendary Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai, calling it an irreparable loss to the worlds of photography and culture. In a post on X, Modi paid homage to Rais extraordinary artistic legacy and his lifelong effort to capture Indias essence through his lens. Shri Raghu Rai Ji will be remembered as a creative stalwart, who captured Indias vibrancy through his lens. His photography had extraordinary sensitivity, depth an

NEW DELHI, Apr 26: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh said on Sunday that he has submitted a petition to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan seeking the disqualification of seven party MPs in the Upper House, who recently quit the AAP and announced their merger with the BJP. Addressing a press conference, the AAP Rajya Sabha member also said the party would pursue legal action in the matter if needed, alleging that the move by the seven MPs violated [] The post AAP seeks termination of 7 defecto

LONDON, Apr 26: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday called US President Donald Trump to express his relief that he was safe following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington DC. Trump had been hurriedly evacuated from the venue after an armed man rushed past a security checkpoint on Saturday night. A US Secret Service officer was shot at from close-range in the clash but saved by his bullet-proof vest. He [Starmer] extended his best [] The post UK P

SRINAGAR, Apr 26: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Sunday said the Constitution Amendment Bill could have led to concentration of legislative power within five Hindi-speaking states of the country if it would have been passed. Talking to reporters during a constituency visit here, Mehdi said the Womens Reservation Bill was unanimously passed by the parliament in 2023, but opposition has defeated a bill that could have led to a flawed delimitation process under the garb of implem

JAMMU, Apr 26: The Meteorological department on Sunday issued a heatwave alert for five districts of the Jammu region. The weather is expected to remain pleasant in the rest of the union territory over the next five days. Hot and dry weather is likely to continue in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Udhampur districts during the next two days with heat wave conditions at a few places on 26-27 April, an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official said. The official noted [] The post Jammu: Heat

KOLKATA, Apr 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the BJP will end goonda raj and syndicate raj in West Bengal if the party comes to power in the state. Addressing a public rally at Tehatta in Nadia district, Shah also claimed that voters wiped out the Mamata Banerjee government in the first phase of the assembly polls itself. The BJP has already won 110 seats in the first phase of polls held on April 23, he said. [] The post BJP will end goonda raj, syndicate raj if it comes to powe

SRINAGAR, Apr 26: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday released Srinagar Khel Sankalp document at the end of the three-day Chintan Shivir, outlining a collective national vision to strengthen sports culture through cooperative federalism, with a focus on athlete-centric development and expansion of infrastructure. The document recognised sport as a driver of economic growth and nation-building boosting tourism, attracting international events, spurring local industry and reinforcing Indi

Bengaluru, April 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah participated in the TCS World 10K held in Bengaluru on Sunday, describing the race as a world-class event marked by high enthusiasm and strong participation. Speaking to reporters after completing the run, Abdullah said the event stood out for its organization and energy. Amazing event, world-class event, enthusiasm fantastic, he said, reflecting on his experience at one of Indias premier road races. He added that while he began

LONDON, Apr 26: Police in Northern Ireland have declared a security alert in the town of Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast, after reports that a car bomb exploded near a police station. Homes in the vicinity have been evacuated, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Sunday. It is distressing and disturbing to wake up to the news that a car bomb exploded outside Dunmurry police station [] The post Police in Northern Ireland dec

DAMASCUS (Syria), Apr 26: The first public trial in Syria of officials linked to the rule of former President Bashar Assad opened in Damascus Sunday. Atef Najib, a former Syrian army brigadier general who was head of the Political Security Branch in southern Syrias Daraa province under Assad, appeared in the courtroom to face charges related to crimes against the Syrian people, state-run news agency SANA reported. Najib was in that position in 2011 when teenagers who scrawled anti-government gra

JAMMU, Apr 26: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday appealed to citizens to take a pledge for organ donation and said the gift of life is respected across faiths. I appeal to every citizen to take the pledge for organ donation today. Let society remember that each one of us is a potential donor. Each one of us holds the extraordinary power to save lives even after we are gone, Sinha said as he attended Naman Diwas, [] The post LG Manoj Sinha Champions Organ Donation, Urges Mass Aw

NEW DELHI, Apr 26: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of party worker Debdeep Chatterjee allegedly by TMC goons, and said his party will not bow before this politics that stains Indias non-violent tradition. Chatterjee was brutally murdered in Asansol during post-poll violence. He was closely associated with Asansol North Congress candidate Prasenjit Puitandi, the party claimed. The worker was attacked and beaten by those linked to the ruling All India Trinamoo

NEW DELHI, Apr 26: Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday dismissed claims that party MLAs in Punjab are in contact with Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently joined the BJP, labelling such developments as misinformation and rumours. Singh accused the BJP and Raghav Chadha of deliberately spreading these rumours and noted that protests are being held across Punjab against the betrayal by Chadha and other Rajya Sabha MPs who left AAP to join the BJP. The public sentiment [] The post BJP sp

LEH, Apr 26: Ladakh has the potential to become a global hub for finest Pashmina wool, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Sunday and stressed the need to maximise returns for farmers and artisans through value addition and better market access. To strengthen and promote Ladakhi Pashmina and position it as a global brand, Saxena visited the Pashmina Goat Farm at Upshi. The visit underlined the administrations commitment to establishing Ladakh as a premier hub for world-class Pashmina

BENGALURU, Apr 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today interacted with a delegation of education sector representatives in Bengaluru, highlighting the opportunities created by the recently notified J&K Private University Act. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, senior officers and several education representatives were present during the interaction. During the meeting, the Chief Minister invited institutions to invest in the higher education sector and partn

WASHINGTON, Apr 26: World leaders expressed relief that US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania and other guests were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents dinner here on Saturday night and asserted that political violence has no place in a democracy. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has had frequent run-ins with Trump, described the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton hotel as a disturbing event. I am relieved that the President, the First Lad

NEW DELHI, Apr 26: The Government has asked public sector banks to initiate the process of negotiations for the 13th Bi-partite settlement in a time-bound manner and finalise it in the next 12 months. The wage revision for employees and officers of public sector banks would be due from November 1, 2027. Public sector banks (PSBs) and financial institutions, including insurance companies revise wages of their employees every five years. As part of the settlement, the Indian Banks Association (IBA

Jammu, Apr 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended Naman Diwas an event dedicated to honor organ donors and their families. The Lieutenant Governor paid his gratitude to organ donors and their families and said they have brought happiness in the countless lives. Because of you, someone is able to read today. Because of you, someone is seeing the colors of the world for the very first time. Because of you, someone is experiencing hope, freedom, and joy anew. I [] The post LG Sinha Atte

NEW DELHI, Apr 26: Noting the growing popularity of Indian cheese globally, Prime Minister Modi on Sunday stated that the Indian dairy sector is undergoing a major transformation. In his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, Modi highlighted that the taste of India is making its way to plates internationally, and how the dairy sector has been crucial to giving Indian traditional flavours a new identity. The prime minister informed that two Indian cheese brands received prestigious awards at an []

New Delhi, Apr 26: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday reviewed plans to set up space laboratories in universities and colleges across India, according to a statement released here. The initiative involves establishing seven such labs, which would provide hands-on exposure to students in satellite systems, rocketry and mission design. The aim is to build a strong pipeline of skilled youth for Indias expanding space sector, which has attracted over USD 600 million in private investment over t

NEW DELHI, Apr 26: A parliamentary committee has said it was taken aback to find that crucial regulations issued by the National Medical Commission were not vetted by the Union law ministry, an essential prerequisite to prevent future infirmities. In its report on Infirmities in the regulations framed under the National Medical Commission Act, the Lok Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation said getting draft rules and regulations vetted by the law ministry from the legal, constitutional and

JAMMU, Apr 26: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will convene a meeting of the sub-committee for political dialogue on Ladakh on May 22, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on Sunday. The LG said the meeting will carry forward the process of constructive democratic dialogue with key stakeholders of Ladakh and pave the way for an enduring solution to address the aspirations of the people of the Union Territory. The proposed meeting is part of the Centres ongoing engagement [] The post MH

PRAYAGRAJ, Apr 26: The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by an advocate seeking expeditious disposal of a maintenance case against his wife, terming the litigation vexatious and born out of pretences. Justice Vinod Diwakar imposed a compensatory cost of Rs 15 lakh on the petitioner-husband for suppressing material facts in his affidavits and subjecting his wife to systemic depletion. The court observed that the man, an able-bodied practising advocate, had not only concealed a p

JAMMU, Apr 26: Jammu and Kashmir Police have ordered the transfer and posting of 4 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in the Jammu region with immediate effect in the interest of administration. According to an order issued by Police Headquarters Jammu, Tahir Amin Sheikh, DSP DAR Jammu has been transferred and posted as SDPO Domana, while Dheraj Singh Katoch, SDPO Border Kathua, has been transferred and posted DSP DAR Jammu. Similarly, Mudassar Hussain, SDPO Domana, has been transferred and