Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent MEERUT, Apr 3: The event Vigyanotsav 2026 culminated in a spectacular display of art and culture at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University. The final day focused on celebrating Indias rich heritage alongside modern creativity bringing the five-day mega event to a memorable conclusion. The valedictory ceremony was graced by Chancellor Stuti Narayan Kakkar, along with distinguished guests including Poinoosawmy Mehen (Vice President GIO Europe), Saju Jakob (Solicitor UK & Germ

Excelsior Correspondent ANANTNAG, Apr 3: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo dedicated the state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility to the public at Government Medical College (GMC) here today. She also inaugurated Three Modular Operation Theatres (OTs) and Virectomy Machine in the Ophthalmology department of the Associated Hospital of GMC Anantnag. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO MLA Anantnag-West, Abdul Majeed Bhat (Larmi)

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 3: Kapil Ahuja, CEO, North, Reliance Jio and Shehzan Hameed, State Business Head, Reliance Jio, J&K met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan Jammu. The meeting reflected on Jios commitment to empowering consumers in Jammu & Kashmir with cutting-edge network experiences. They briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the telecommunication scenario and Jios initiatives to extend its footprints to the remotest corners of J&K. The post CEO North, State Business H

Col Shiv Choudhary (Retd) shivchoudhary2@gmail.com Self-reliance in a geopolitically, militarily and technologically charged era in run up to a secured future is not an isolation; it is the strength to engage the world on your own terms. A war thousands of kilometres away from India can now decide the price of cooking gas in an Indian kitchen, the cost of a farmers diesel, or the stability of a young professionals job. This is the new reality of our world. The [] The post Hormuz to Home: Shaping

Excelsior Correspondent MYSURU, Apr 3 : Indias millet push received a dual institutional boost today as the Centre moved to scale both technology and grassroots capacity, with Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighting Millet recipes developed with Indian technology are being served by international food chains, including McDonalds. The Centre is now working on developing similar sustainable food recipes from Kalari , a popular cheese product originating from Udham

Delivers deeply reflective, inspiring address to law students Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 3: Delivering a deeply reflective and inspiring address to young law students, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Judge High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today emphasized that the practice of law is not merely a profession but a journey that requires unwavering discipline, integrity and perseverance. Justice Nargal, who was chief guest of the grand finale at the 7th Gavelled Moot Court Competition or

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 3: St. Peters Catholic Church, Prem Nagar, marked Good Friday today with a solemn and evocative procession commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The event, which drew hundreds of devout participants, served as a powerful reflection on the central tenets of the Christian faith: sacrifice, love, and redemption. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO The procession commenced at Candle Church Chowk in Christian Colony. Guided by prayer and reflection, the faithful marc

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 3: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, today laid the foundation stone for two important flood protection projects along River Tawi aimed at strengthening the riverbanks and safeguarding vulnerable areas from future flood risks. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO The projects included restoration of the earthen embankment on the left bank of River Tawi at Bikram Chowk upstream, allotted at a cost of Rs. 3.05 crore

Shiban Khaibri shibankhaibri@gmail.com Should the albatross of good governance , able leadership , hard work and dedication be routinely troubled without reason so much so that such a policy of most of the opposition leaders becomes a moral and political burden to be duly reckoned for retribution and redemption when the will of the people decides the issue with the vote ? And when the vivid defeat and rejection of the uncalled for and unwarranted bouts of criticism , attacks [] The post The oppo

Irregular appointments, abandoned research projects mark poor work culture Sanjeev K Sharma JAMMU, Apr 3: The University of Jammu (JU) had not prepared annual account and balance sheet since its inception indicating lack of commitment and by specifying particular makes and models, the varsity had carried out purchases from single source resulting in non-transparency in the procurement process and reduced opportunity to get better prices and products through competitive bidding. An authentic repo

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: Silver and gold prices remained flat in the national capital today amid muted demand from jewellers and retailers, according to the All India Sarafa Association. While the white metal quoted unchanged at Rs 2,37,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes), gold of 99.9 per cent purity stayed flat at Rs 1,51,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). Traders said domestic prices moved in a narrow range due to lack of fresh cues from global markets, [] The post Silver, gold prices

PANCHKULA, Apr 3: A special court in Panchkula today discharged former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Associated Journals Limited in a money laundering case linked to re-allotment of a plot in Panchkula, after closing the Enforcement Directorates case against them. The order follows a ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court dated February 25, which set aside a 2021 order that had framed charges against Hooda and others in the case. Congress veteran Hooda appeared in []

Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAJ0URI, Apr 3: The Indian Army, under its flagship initiative Operation Sadbhavana, organised the final of the Sub (Late) Ajay Singh Volleyball Tournament at Tata Volleyball ground, marking a significant step towards youth engagement and community outreach in the region. The tournament was organised by Romeo Force, aimed at promoting sportsmanship, unity and healthy competition among local youth. The initiative is part of the Armys continued efforts to provide con

COLOMBO, Apr 3: At least 152 foreigners, a majority of them Chinese, were arrested in connection with an online financial scam and remanded till April 9, police said today. The group, including 133 Chinese, 13 Vietnamese and Taiwanese, Bangladeshis and Malaysians, was produced before a court in Chilaw, the northwestern town of the island nation. They have been operating from a house obtained on a lease, police said. (PTI) The post Over 150 foreigners, majority of them Chinese, remanded in Sri La

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: India today commissioned its third indigenously-built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridaman, significantly bolstering the naval component of the nations nuclear triad, authoritative sources said. There is no official word yet on the commissioning of the boat that came amid a rapidly evolving regional security environment. Indias nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme is a closely guarded project. INS Arihant was the first boat under the

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 3: The American School Paloura celebrated its annual prize distribution function at its new branch auditorium, recognising students for their achievements during the academic session 20252026. Divya Jain, General Secretary BJP South Zone, attended as the chief guest, along with parents and other dignitaries. The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a tribute to Goddess Saraswati. Students were felicitated with certificates and trophies f

DUBAI, Apr 3: A channel affiliated with Iranian state television claimed Friday that a US fighter pilot ejected from aircraft over southwestern Iran. The US did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the claim. It was not clear what may have happened to the plane, including whether Iran was claiming it was shot down or had another issue. If the claim is confirmed, it could lead to yet another dramatic escalation in the war, nearing the end of [] The post Affiliate of Iranian state TV

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 3: The JDGD Saraf Trust felicitated winners of The Conscious Voice Essay Award 2025 at a function hosted by Model Institute of Engineering & Technology. Rohan Nagra secured the first prize and Himanshu Chib the second, both from MIET, receiving cash awards of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively from Trustee Rachna Vinod. Certificates of Excellence were awarded to Tanisha Kohli of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, along with MIET students Aniket Gu

KATHMANDU, Apr 3: Nepals mountaineering community has expressed serious concern over a USD 20 million insurance scam, even as police on Friday dismissed as misleading media reports alleging that some foreign tourists were deliberately given poisonous food to facilitate fraudulent rescue operations. As the spring climbing season for Mount Everest opened this week, Nepal Polices Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said that ongoing investigations have not found any evidence to support allegations o

The approval of 100 School Herbal Gardens across Jammu Division by the National Medicinal Plants Board marks a thoughtful convergence of education, ecology, and traditional healthcare. At a time when modern education often distances young learners from nature, this initiative offers a rare opportunity to reconnect classrooms with Indias deep-rooted medicinal heritage. Indias civilisational history is intrinsically linked with plant-based healing systems such as Ayurveda, which have evolved over

Electrical, mechanical works in progress Nishikant Khajuria JAMMU, Apr 3: In a significant boost to connectivity on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the much-awaited Digdol-Panthyal Twin Tube Tunnels Project in the Ramban-Banihal section of NH-44 is nearing completion, with around 90 percent of the work already accomplished. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Official sources told the Excelsior that down tube of the tunnel is likely to be made operational by the end of

Ayodhya is nations dynamic inspiration Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 3: Ayodhya is the cradle of civilisation and eternal fountainhead of consciousness. When we invoke Ayodhya, we summon that very consciousness which is Prabhu Shri Rams benediction and which has given meaning to human civilisation, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp He highlighted the significance of internalising Ayodhyas idea with Prabhu Shri Rams blessing and to

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has rolled out its new curriculum, launching a phased implementation of the three-language formula from Class 6 and a two-level system of mathematics and science for Class 9 starting in the 2026-27 academic session, officials said on Friday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp While the three-language formula mandated under the new National Education Policy (NEP) will be implemented from 2026 for Class 6, introduction o

Funds not released by Centre since 2024: CE Avtar Bhat JAMMU, Apr 3: About Rs 1080 crore are lying as outstanding payments of the contractors in Jammu and Kashmir with Jal Shakti Department for the works executed under Jal Jeevan Mission in the UT. Out of this, Rs 700 crore is outstanding with the Department in Jammu region while Rs 380 crore is in Kashmir Valley. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Besides, crores of rupees are outstanding of [] The post Contractors liabilities worth

Tehran fires on targets across Mideast DUBAI, Apr 3: One crew member has been rescued after an American aircraft went down in Iran, according to one US and one Israeli official, who both spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive ongoing military operations. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The rescue occurred as the US military was conducting a search and rescue operation, according to three people familiar who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitivity

CHANDIGARH, Apr 3: Two suspects have been identified in connection with a blast outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Sector 37 here, a senior Chandigarh police official said on Friday. He further informed that the suspects have been identified as Gurtej Singh and Amanpreet Singh of Punjabs Rupnagar district, and efforts are on to nab them. Further investigations are on, he added. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO According to sources, the Chandigarh police are coordinating with their Punjab counterpar

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Apr 3: A moderate-intensity earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region today, with tremors felt across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp According to initial data, the quake occurred at 16:12:58 UTC, with its epicentre located at coordinates 36.52N latitude and 71.01E longitude, at a depth of 175 kilometres. Residents in Kashmir reported tremors, triggering panic as people rushed o

Srinagar, Apr 3 : A moderate earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border Region on Friday evening, with tremors felt across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. According to initial data, the quake occurred at 16:12:58 UTC with its epicenter located at coordinates 36.52N latitude and 71.01E longitude, at a depth of 175 kilometres. The information was shared by Kashmir Weather, citing data from GFZ. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been r

JAMMU, Apr 3: The Jammu and Kashmir government failed to submit utilisation certificates for grants exceeding Rs 12,000 crore received from the Centre until March 2024, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has said. The apex auditing body said non-submission of utilisation certificates (UCs) implies that authorities have not accounted for how the funds were utilised over the years. Utilisation certificates amounting to Rs 12,074.25 crore (3,663 UCs) were outstanding indicating lack of in

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: Five Indian nationals were among 12 people reportedly injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday by debris from an intercepted missile. Local authorities said the people sustained minor to moderate injuries in the incident. The incident caused minor to moderate injuries to five Indian and six Nepali nationals, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on social media. It said another Nepali citizen sustained a major injury. The incident occurred in the Ajban area of Abu Dhabi when [] The post 5 Indi

Jammu, Apr 3: Over 18 lakh kanals of land are encroached across Jammu and Kashmir, with only 29,000 kanals retrieved so far from squatters, official data said. As per official data, a total of 18,38,735.42 kanals of land have been encroached upon, including 17,22,993 kanals of state land and 1,15,742.42 kanals of forest land. The data said encroachment entries in revenue records have been expunged. Revenue department officials said they took action under the provisions of the Land Revenue Act []

Srinagar, Apr 3: Few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Friday, while the plains were lashed by rains, officials said. They said a few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir, including Mughal Road in south Kashmirs Shopian, and Sadhna Top in north Kashmirs Kupwara, received fresh snowfall. Srinagar and other plains of the valley were lashed by rains, which continued at many places when the last reports came in, the officials said. A strong [] The post Fresh Snowfal

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: The Centre has directed states and Union Territories to take strict action against hoarding and black marketing of petroleum products and LPG, amid supply concerns triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Invoking provisions under the Essential Commodities Act and the LPG Control Order, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) asked states to intensify enforcement, conduct daily raids and inspections in coordination with oil marketing companies, and maintain s

JAMMU, Apr 3: Jammu and Kashmirs Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth moderated to 11.18 per cent in 2024-25, down from 12.51 per cent in the previous financial year, though it has remained in the 11-12 per cent range over the past four fiscals, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The CAG report on Union Territory Finances for the year 2024-25 was tabled in the legislative Assembly by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday, also showing that [] The post Jammu And

NEW DELHI, Apr 2: Ayodhya is not merely a geographical space but a symbol of Indias cultural and civilisational continuity, and the holy city can become a centre of Indias soft power, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday. In his address at the Ayodhya Parv 2026 hosted at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) here, he also said amid times of global volatility, the values of amity, sacrifice and shared prosperity espoused by [] The post Ayodhya Can Become Centr

KATHMANDU, Apr 3:A Chinese national has been arrested in connection with his alleged involvement in cheating people through operating a multi-million rupees crypto currency scam, police said Friday. A team of police arrested Zhu Yi-eng, 35, from the capitals Thamel area on Thursday along with transaction details of crypto currency worth Nepalese rupees (NRs) 179.97 million, said Pavan Kumar Bhattarai, spokesperson at Kathmandu District Police Circle. The police also recovered from him three mobi

OTTAWA, Apr 3: Senior diplomat Mahaveer Singhvi has assumed charge as Indias new consul general in Toronto amid efforts by New Delhi and Ottawa to further expand the bilateral ties in a range of areas, including trade, investment and energy. Singhvi, a 1999 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, was serving as an additional secretary in the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi before taking up the new responsibility. His appointment comes at an important moment [] T

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: A Kashmiri familys wait of more than three decades for ex-gratia relief for their property gutted in a militancy-related incident on the night of December 7-8, 1992, has reached the Central Information Commission, with the second generation now seeking answers on the fate of the compensation. According to the appellant, Pran Nath, the property comprised a three-storey residential house, along with a multi-storey cowshed and a wooden granary, built on about 10 marlas of land in

Leh, Apr 3: : The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Friday ordered a fresh reshuffle of officers, effecting transfers, postings and additional charge assignments in the interest of governance, according to an official order issued by the General Administration Department. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post Ladakh Admin Orders Transfers, Assigns Additional Charges To Officers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: With the West Asia crisis continuing to drive volatility in the global energy market, Russia has offered to increase supply of crude oil and natural gas to India even as the two sides agreed to further enhance the overall bilateral ties. The energy cooperation figured prominently in meetings Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov held with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, people familiar with the matter sai

Jammu, April 3: Police on Friday apprehended two inter-district drug peddlers and recovered heroin from their possession during checking in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district, officials said. A police team, while conducting routine checking at a motor shed in Chenani, intercepted a Toyota Glanza that was on its way from Udhampur towards the Kashmir valley, they said. During checking, four persons were found travelling in the vehicle. Upon conducting a personal search of the driver and co-drive

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Srinagar, Apr 3: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu & Kashmir, has presented a charge-sheet before the competent court against two public servants in connection with a bribery trap case registered in Baramulla district. The accused have been identified as Altaf Hussain Khan, then Naib Tehsildar Uri, and Pardeep Kumar, Patwari Halqa Uri. The charge-sheet has been filed in FIR No. 12/2024 of Police Station ACB Baramulla. According to ACB, a complaint was received from a resident of Uri on Sep

Walk through a semi-urban town today and youll notice a quiet shift happening. People are managing funds on their phones more than at bank counters. From shop owners to salaried, digital habits are shaping day-to-day savings. What is driving this change is convenience, trust, and increasing financial awareness. A digital savings account is no longer viewed as urban-only; it is becoming the new normal. Lets break down how and why this transition is happening so fast. Easy account opening with []

DUBAI, Apr 3: Iran fired on targets across the Middle East, sparking multiple blazes at a Kuwaiti oil refinery, while American and Israeli airstrikes hit the Islamic Republic early Friday as the war neared the end of its fifth week unabated and the UN Security Council prepared to meet over Tehrans stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Despite claims from the US and Israel that Irans military capabilities have been all but destroyed, Tehran has continued to keep the pressure [] The post Iran fire

BANGKOK, Apr 3: Myanmars parliament on Friday elected Min Aung Hlaing, a general who ousted Aung San Suu Kyis civilian government in 2021 and kept an iron grip on power for the past five years, as the countrys new president. The move marks a nominal return to an elected Government but is widely considered to be an effort to keep the army in power after an election organised by the military that opponents and independent observers deemed neither free nor [] The post Myanmars parliament elects rul

WASHINGTON, Apr 3: The White House is set to release President Donald Trumps 2027 budget Friday, a sweeping blueprint that could boost Pentagon spending to USD1.5 trillion, the largest of its kind in decades, as the US focuses on military investments rather than other domestic programs. Even before the US-led war against Iran, the Republican president had indicated he wanted to bolster defense spending to modernize the military for 21st-century threats. Separately, the Pentagon last month propos

NEW DELHI, Apr 3:Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd on Friday reported a 23 per cent rise in total tractor sales with a record 2,14,951 units in 2025-26 as compared to 1,74,785 units in the preceding fiscal. The company concluded the fiscal year on a strong note, delivering 37.4 per cent growth in March 2026, Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE) said in a statement. It also achieved the highest-ever domestic sales with both the companys brands, Massey Ferguson and Eicher [] The post TAFE tractor

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is aiming to scale up its service network to around 8,000 touchpoints by FY 2030-31, its Managing Director & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said on Friday. The company added 502 new service touchpoints in FY 2025-26, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) said in a statement. As our customers are spread across the nation and their requirements continue to evolve, we are continuously innovating and expanding our service touchpoints Currently, we have 5,926 touchpoints, []

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: Coal India arm NCL on Friday said that it supplied a record 137.08 million tonnes (MT) of coal to its customers in power and other sectors during 2025-26, significantly reinforcing Indias energy security amid surging domestic demand and shifting global dynamics. Of the total dispatch, approximately 86 per cent, equivalent to 117.85 MT, was supplied to coal-based power plants. Amid evolving global energy dynamics and rising power demand in the country, NCLs consistent performanc