Daily Excelsior

Jammu, Feb 16: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Monday inspected the ongoing construction of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly complex and said the project is slated for completion by October next year. Being built at a cost of Rs 113 crore, the complex will be equipped with modern facilities modelled after the new Parliament building. If all goes as planned, the 2028 Budget Session is expected to be held in the new Assembly complex. We will ensure that [] The post New J&K Assembly

Scratch to reveal has always been a simple pleasure. In 2026 that habit has moved to phones where short sessions, clear rewards and a tap friendly interface make instant win formats feel at home. Australian players now sample quick games while commuting, waiting in queues or taking a coffee break. Stronger mobile design, faster payouts and better responsible play tools are pushing instant style titles into the mainstream of casual digital entertainment. Readers who want a plain language overview

Srinagar, Feb 16: A large number of daily wagers and contractual employees took out a protest march here on Monday to demand regularisation of their services in the Jammu and Kashmir government. The protesters marched from Nawa-i-Subah complex to TRC crossing, raising slogans in support of their demand for regularisation of their services in the government. The employees, who had gathered under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), were carrying placards which read nothing short

Jammu, Feb 16: The Jammu and Kashmir government will conduct a survey on drug abuse in 10 districts of the Union territory as it has launched a community rehabilitation programme, Circle of Care, to support de-addiction counsellors in every village, officials said on Monday. Jammu and Kashmir has the highest number of functional addiction treatment facilities (ATFs) in the country, with these facilities having provided around 1.5 lakh patient consultations so far. A survey will soon be launched

SINGAPORE, Feb 16: An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to five months in jail for using criminal force towards a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty, according to a media report on Monday. The court heard that Om Kumar Rai, 42, had pleaded guilty to the charge. The Straits Times reported that the victims name and the incidents location were redacted from court documents. Rai, sentenced on Friday, approached the 22-year-old woman in the early hours of June [] The post Indian-origin m

New Delhi, Feb 16: The Union law ministry is organising a regional workshop in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as part of efforts to strengthen access to justice through technology-enabled legal services. The workshop seeks to foster informed deliberations among key stakeholders, the ministry said on Monday. The event will also highlight the key outreach and implementation channels of DISHA (Designing Innovative solutions for Holistic Access to Justice), a central scheme of the Department of Justic

NEW DELHI, Feb 16: Shares of Kwality Walls India Ltd (KWIL) made a weak market debut on Monday, listing at a discount of 26 per cent to the indicative price after the demerger of the ice cream business from Hindustan Unilever Ltd. The stock listed at Rs 29.80 apiece, down 25.87 per cent from the indicative price of Rs 40.20 on the NSE. On the BSE, it opened at Rs 29.90, a decline of 21.6 per cent from the indicative [] The post Kwality Walls stock lists at 26 pc discount after HUL ice-cream deme

WASHINGTON, Feb 16: The case of confiscation of the An-124 cargo plane belonging to Russias Volga-Dnepr is still being heard in Canadian courts, Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov told RIA Novosti. The case is still being heard in Canadian courts. The owner, Volga-Dnepr, is a party. We, as a state, are not involved in this proceeding and cannot comment on the legal details of the ongoing case, Stepanov said. He added that Moscow would consider taking any specific steps [] The post Confis

LONDON, Feb 16: The UKs focus during the AI Impact Summit starting in New Delhi on Monday will be on championing how artificial intelligence can supercharge growth, unlock new jobs, improve public services and deliver benefits for people across the globe, the British government has said. Led by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, the UK delegation is keen to highlight how AI can improve everyday life in every corner of the world and make the [] The post Delhi summ

NEW DELHI, Feb 16: Shares of non-banking financial company (NBFC) Aye Finance made a flat market debut on Monday, listing at par with the issue price of Rs 129. The stock listed at Rs 129 apiece on both the NSE and the BSE. Later, it traded 3.17 per cent lower at Rs 124.91 on the NSE. Following its listing, the companys market capitalisation stood at Rs 3,079.87 crore on the NSE. The companys debut came on a day when the [] The post Aye Finance shares make flat market debut appeared first on Dai

NEW DELHI, Feb 16: Shares of AI solutions provider Fractal Analytics made a tepid market debut on Monday, listing at a discount of nearly 3 per cent against the issue price of Rs 900. The stock listed at Rs 876, a decline of 2.67 per cent from the issue price on the NSE. Later, it went lower by 4.94 per cent to Rs 855.55. On the BSE, the shares made a flat debut, opening at Rs 900 per piece. Following [] The post Fractal Analytics shares make tepid market debut; lists at 3 pc discount appeared f

NEW DELHI, Feb 16: India has exported 2,01,547 tonnes of sugar through February in the current 2025-26 marketing year, with the United Arab Emirates the top destination, the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) said on Monday. Sugar exports remain under Government control through quotas distributed proportionally among mills. The Central Government has approved total exports of 2 million tonnes for the 2025-26 marketing year (October-September), including an additional 500,000 tonnes permit

JAIPUR, Feb 16: Seven workers were burnt alive when a fire broke out in a chemical factory in Rajasthans Bhiwadi town on Monday, officials said. Two workers remain trapped inside the unit. The fire broke out in Bhiwadis Khushkhera-Karoli industrial area. Additional District Magistrate Sumita Mishra said police came to know about the incident during a routine patrol following which a rescue operation was launched immediately. Nine people were trapped inside. Seven bodies have been taken out so fa

New Delhi, Feb 16: The Supreme Court on Monday said that a nine-judge bench will commence final hearing on a batch of petitions relating to discrimination against women in religions and at religious places, including Keralas Sabarimala Temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said the bench, which will be constituted by the CJI, will commence the crucial hearing on the petitions on April 7. It said that the hearing is [] The post 9-Jud

New Delhi, Feb 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir is steadily progressing towards lasting peace, asserting that incidents of violence have dropped significantly since the abrogation of Article 370. Addressing the 79th Raising Day celebrations of Delhi Police, Shah said the countrys internal security scenario has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past decade. He stated that violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and Left Wing Extremism-affec

New Delhi, Feb 16: After the complete implementation of the three new criminal laws in the country in the coming years, the rate of conviction in criminal cases will go up to 80 per cent, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Monday. Addressing the 79th Raising Day Parade function of Delhi Police here, Shah also said that the fight against Maoist violence is in its last phase and assured that by March this year, the menace will be put [] The post Higher Conviction In Cases After Full Implementat

Srinagar, Feb 16: The Meteorological Department on Monday stated that Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness mainly dry and stable weather conditions till February 26, with no major rain or snowfall predicted during this period. Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the overall weather scenario across the Union Territory will remain largely calm, except for brief spells of light snowfall over isolated higher reaches on select days. According to the forecast, a possibility of light sn

Securing a Personal Loan of 10 lakh can be a practical solution for managing significant expenses, such as funding higher education, home renovations, or consolidating debt. However, borrowers often hesitate due to concerns about Personal Loan fees and charges. By understanding the eligibility, application process and following the right steps, you can obtain a 10 lakh Personal Loan with minimal additional costs. Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Before applying, it is essential to ensure that yo

Tawang, Feb 16: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is not interested in the smooth functioning of Parliament, and some NGOs have tutored him that good days will come for his party and that is why he has been stalling the House. Rijiju also said that the government is not going to take any more extra steps to placate the Congress to defuse the situation in Parliament as he had made many attempts [] The post Rahul Tutored By NGOs That Go

SACHDEVA NETRALAYA, JAMMUS FIRST NABH ACCREDITED EYE HOSPITAL REQUIRES: OPTOMETRIST NURSING STAFF (GNM QUALIFIED) MULTIPURPOSE WORKING STAFF (GRADUATE) WALK-IN INTERVIEWS ON 16TH FEBRUARY, TIMINGS 3-5 PM BRING YOUR RESUME ALONG. ADDRESS- 3-B EXT., GANDHI NAGAR, NEAR VALMIKI CHOWK, JAMMU. FOR QUERIES CONTACT 0191-2430029 , 7051601833 JOIN OUR TEAM AND CONTRIBUTE TO QUALITY EYE CARE! URGENT REQUIRED 1. OFFICE ASSISTANT, GNM, MULTI PURPOSE, D.PHARMA,MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVE, OT TECHNICIAN. 2. AC

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: SR College of Competitions successfully organized a Free Seminar for IAS/JKAS Aspirants today at its Gandhi Nagar campus. The seminar was conducted by renowned mentor Ankit Bajad (Delhi), who shared valuable insights on exam strategy, preparation techniques, and effective answer-writing approaches for Civil Services examinations. During the session, aspirants were guided on smart preparation methods, techniques to crack IAS/JKAS, and strategies to handle bo

KATHMANDU, Feb 15: Thousands of Hindu devotees thronged the revered Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples across Nepal on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Sunday. All four gates of the Pashupatinath temple situated in the bank of holy Bagmati river were opened from 2:00 am, welcoming the devotees. This year, around 800,000 devotees, 30 per cent of whom are Indians, are expected to visit the temple. Last year, more than one million devotees visited the Pashupati area on the [] The post Th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: The Department of Science and Technology is endeavouring to chart out futuristics roadmap for biotechnology, including the UT Policy for Biotechnology. In this regard, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting wherein senior officers presented findings from their extensive study visits to Indias premier biotechnology clusters including Genome Valley (Hyderabad), Guwahati Biotech

NEW DELHI, Feb 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that by temperament, he is never fully satisfied and believes that public life demands a certain constructive restlessness, a constant urge to do more, to improve faster and to serve better. Modi, however, stressed that it is also important to acknowledge the scale of progress achieved in the journey of Reform Express. In an exclusive interview with PTI, the prime minister said there is always a strong desire [] The post I am never

COLOMBO, Feb 15 : Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Mahashivratri, saying such observances help foster harmony and compassion in society. With the hope that the darkness of ignorance be dispelled and the light of wisdom be kindled, the sacred festival of Maha Shivratri, devoutly observed by Hindus around the world, falls today, the president said in a message. Calling Maha Shivratri an auspicious occasion on which Hindu dev

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today urged the people to harness power for societal transformation and craft a blueprint for a prosperous India that lights the worlds path. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the commemorative event on the occasion of 508th Nirvan Diwas of Sant Kabir, organised by Shiromani Sant Kabir Bhavan at Chak Avtara Bishnah, Jammu. The Lieutenant Governor stated that Sant Kabirs eternal wisdom and his message paves a brighter so

MUMBAI, Feb 15 : Morocco is expecting up to 80,000 visitors from India this year, in line with the growth momentum of the previous year, with a focus on group tours, MICE, FIT and older age groups of over 50 years. We received an overall 20 million international visitors in 2025, of which there were 54,000 Indian travellers. It was over a 31 per cent increase from India from 2024, when we had a footfall of 41,000 visitors from India. [] The post Morocco eyes 80,000 footfalls from India in 2026 a

SYDNEY, Feb 15: India were clinical with both bat and ball as they defeated Australia by 21 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the first Womens T20 International to start their tour Down Under on a resounding note here Sunday. Seamer Arundhati Reddy (4/22) led an excellent bowling display as India packed off Australia for 133. Such was the Indian bowlers performance that Australia were bundled out with two overs to spare. In reply, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten [] T

MOSCOW, Feb 15 : Russian President Vladimir Putins senior aide Maxim Oreshkin will lead a large delegation for the AI Impact Summit being held in New Delhi from Monday. India is set to host the AI Impact Summit 2026, a high-profile gathering of global leaders and industry heavyweights in Artificial Intelligence from February 16-20 at New Delhis Bharat Mandapam, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and technology innovators. Oreshkin, who is deputy chief of the Kremlin staff and econo

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Feb 15: The sacred festival of Mahashivratri, which marks the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was celebrated today with religious fervour and devotion drawing large numbers of devotees to temples and sacred shrines across Jammu and Kashmir. Click here to watch video In Jammu city, devotees visited major Shiva temples from the early hours. Places such as Ranbireshwar Temple, Aap Shambhu Temple in Roop Nagar, Peer Kho and other historic shr

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Precious metal prices are expected to witness further consolidation in the next week, with volatility likely to persist as investors track key US economic data, including inflation numbers, GDP readings and policy signals from Federal Reserve, analysts said. Traders will also closely watch the US labour data, along with Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes and speeches from Fed officials, for cues on the timing and pace of potential rate cuts, they added. Prana

Jammu and Kashmirs rise as a national leader in digital governance marks one of the most striking administrative transformations in contemporary India. In just a few years, the Union Territory has moved from limited online public services to a sophisticated, integrated digital governance ecosystem. The expansion of online services from around 60 to more than 1,500 reflects not merely technological adoption but a fundamental shift in how governance is delivered and experienced by citizens. The jo

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Sunday announced that the Indian Football League 2025-26 season will kick off on February 27, releasing the full fixture schedule ahead of the start of the campaign. The season, originally scheduled to begin on February 21, has been postponed by six days, with two matches now slated for the revised opening day on February 27. Namdhari FC will take on Aizawl FC, while Chanmari FC will face Gokulam Kerala [] The post Indian Football Le

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Feb 15: A young man committed suicide by hanging himself from ceiling fan hook in his house at village Baryal in Udhampur. According to the police report, Joginder Kumar (30), son of Sansar Chand, resident of Baryal Udhampur, was found hanging from a ceiling fan hook in his house under mysterious circumstances. Family members who saw him hanging, immediately called the Police following which a Police team from Udhampur Police Station rushed to the spot and took

Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Feb 15: Member Legislative Assembly, Kathua, Dr. Bharat Bhushan today dedicated three developmental works to the public aggregating to the cost of Rs sixty lakh. MLA first inaugurated a deep covered Nallah in Ward No.2 Kathua opposite District Jail. This Nallah has been a perennial source of insanitation and the residents were exposed to risk of insanitation, and diseases due to its uncontrolled flow and resultant filth and foul smell since decades. This work has

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: Theatre group Natrang here today staged Hindi play Aakhiri Boond, written and directed by Neeraj Kant. The play highlighted the importance of water conservation and portrays the vision of Jal Jeevan Mission, J&K. On this occasion, Director Balwant Thakur of Natrang informed that the theatre group had recently produced ten theatrical quickies dedicated to Jal Jeevan Mission. The story revolves around a village celebrating the successful implementation of Jal

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: 508th Nirvan Divas of Saint Kabir Dass Ji was observed with enthusiasm and religious fervour across the Jammu region today, marked by special prayers, community Langars, and Shabeel arrangements at various temples dedicated to the revered saint. Among the dignitaries paying homage was former Minister and Chairman All J&K Guru Kabir Sabha J&K, Mula Ram, who addressed multiple functions in Marh,,Kot Bhalwal and RS Pura block, including Jhiri, Kalyanpur, Ghou

Dr Sonia Verma greenwarriorsoniaverma@gmail.com The forest guard, often unrecognized despite being the true guardian of our forests, toils tirelessly to protect the green wealth of the union territory. Clad in khaki, these unsung heroes work around the clock, yet they are unjustly deprived of risk allowances and the two-and-a-half-day salary benefits enjoyed by those working on a roster basis. Unlike their counterparts, forest guards operate 247, without holidays or replacements. While patwaris

Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Feb 15: To assess the progress of cases under investigation across the district and with a strong focus on timely disposal and effective law enforcement, a comprehensive crime review meeting was convened by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, here today. During the meeting, all pending cases were discussed in detail, with directions to ensure their disposal strictly on merit and within prescribed timelines. Special emphasis was laid on cases register

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Feb 15: SSP Doda, Sandeep Mehta here today flagged-off six Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) Dial 112 vehicles from District Police Lines (DPL) Doda. Under this initiative, each Police Station in the District has been provided with a dedicated emergency response vehicle, ensuring swift, effective and time-bound response to accidents, disputes, crimes and all distress calls received through Dial 112. The deployment of these ERSS vehicles is aimed at reducing r

COLOMBO, Feb 15: Ishan Kishan blended brute power with silken finesse in a breathtaking half-century before Jasprit Bumrah tore through Pakistans top order with menacing precision, powering India to a commanding 61-run win and a Super Eight berth in the T20 World Cup here on Sunday. Kishans supersonic 77 (40b) on a tacky Premadasa pitch was worth its weight in gold, carrying India to a competitive 175 for seven after they were asked to bat first. It was easily one [] The post India outplay Pakis

Jammu, Feb 15: The Lt Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, addressed the 27th Annual Day Function of the All Ladakh Students Welfare Association Jammu, here today. He congratulated the Association for its sustained contribution towards the welfare, unity and holistic development of Ladakhi students. While addressing the gathering of youth from Leh and Kargil districts in Jammu, the Lt Governor termed the Ladakh Students Welfare Association is not merely an organisation, but a reflection of the de

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Volatility in gold prices has not deterred Indian buyers, with customers increasingly treating price corrections as opportunities to enter the market, similar to equity investors, Titan Company Managing Director Ajoy Chawla said. Many consumers who had earlier deferred purchases, being fence sitters due to rising prices, have now shifted strategy, choosing to buy during dips rather than wait indefinitely, he said. People have burnt their fingers being fence sitters, so they ar

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Indias power generation capacity addition from all energy sources has crossed record the 50 GW-mark during April-January period in the ongoing fiscal year, according to an official statement. This marks the highest-ever capacity addition in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 34,054 MW achieved during 202425, the power ministry said in a statement. During the current financial year 202526 (up to January 31), a record 52,537 MW of generation capacity (from all sour

GORAKHPUR (UP), Feb 15: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday that India stands as a global centre of goodwill and social harmony, asserting that the countrys civilisational ethos is rooted in a sense of oneness and mutual belonging rather than transactional relationships. Addressing a Samajik Sadbhav (social harmony) meeting organised by the RSS Goraksh province at Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium in Taramandal here to mark the organisations centenary year, Bhagwat said society is defined by interc

CHANDIGARH, Feb 15: Two persons, allegedly involved in the shooting at migrant labourers in Punjabs Moga district, were arrested following an exchange of gunfire with the police there on Sunday. Jobanpreet sustained a bullet injury in his leg following an encounter near Ghalkalan village, while his accomplice, Akashdeep, was also nabbed, said police. Two migrant labourers were injured after three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire at a group of workers in the district

New Delhi, Feb 15: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladeshs next prime minister, Tarique Rahman, on February 17. It is learnt that Bangladesh had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ceremony to be held in Dhaka. Om Birla, the Lok Sabha Speaker, will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday. Rahman [] The p

Jaipur, Feb 15: On International Childhood Cancer Day, a group of doctors here on Sunday emphasised that timely diagnosis and proper treatment can save over 80 per cent of children affected by cancer. Paediatric oncologist Dr Shivani Mathur of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital said that cases of childhood cancer differ from those of adult cancer and often progress rapidly, requiring specialised treatment. However, recovery rates among children are higher. The most common types of cancer in childr

Srinagar, Feb 15: Mahashivratri or Herath as it is known here in Kashmir was celebrated with religious fervour across the valley on Sunday as Kashmiri Pandits visited temples to offer prayers. The largest gathering took place at Shankaracharya Temple, which overlooks the Dal Lake. Multi-coloured lights illuminated the temple, and the air resonated with chants from the devotees. A large number of people, including tourists, paid their respects, offering flowers and fruits to the deity and seeking

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Macroeconomic data, global geopolitical developments and rising concerns over AI-related disruptions are likely to dictate sentiment in the stock market next week, even as investors may remain cautious amid ongoing volatility, according to analysts. Besides, the trading activity of foreign investors and domestic currency movements will also guide market movement during the week. In the near term, with tariffrelated concerns easing and the domestic earnings season drawing to a