Daily Excelsior

NEW DELHI, May 2: Actor-director Rishab Shetty, known for his hit venture Kantara, called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday. In a post on social media platform X, Shah said, It was truly engaging to speak with you about films and culture. The way you present Indian civilisation and culture through your films, with such understanding and sensitivity, is genuinely admirable and leaves a lasting impact. I am confident that you will continue to inspire people through your [] The post Kant

CHENNAI, May 2: Chennai Super Kings produced a thoroughly professional display to outclass Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in a critical Indian Premier League match and significantly boost their playoff prospects here today. Afghanistan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad led a disciplined bowling effort to help CSK restrict a lacklustre Mumbai Indians to 159 for seven. Noor returned excellent figures of 2/26 in four overs while Anshul Kamboj grabbed 3/32, even as Naman Dhir top-scored for MI with 57 of

Excelsior Correspondent KARGIL, May 2: Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian today interacted with minority beneficiaries in Kargil and urged them to take full advantage of Central Government welfare and loan schemes for improving livelihoods. The programme was organised at Hotel The Kargil by Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDCO) in collaboration with National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC). Beneficiaries appre

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Renowned orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon, Dr Ranjit Singh was honoured with the Healthcare Excellence Award at The Times of Indias Healthcare Pioneers event held at Ludhiana. The award was presented by Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh in recognition of Dr Singhs outstanding contribution to knee replacement surgeries and surgical innovation. Dr Singh has emerged as a trusted name in North India for complex knee replacements, with thousands of pat

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 2: A delegation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Forum led by its Founder Chairman Rajnish Goenka, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today. Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 15 Corps also called on Lieutenant Governor. Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir, former Vice Chairman District Development Council, Kupwara also called on Lieutenant Governor. Meanwhile, a delegation of Kashmir Road Safety Foundation

Excelsior Correspondent GANDHINAGAR, May 2: The 7th batch of the National Law University phase of the induction training programme for direct recruit Enforcement Officers/Accounts Officers of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Batch 2025, concluded at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar on May 1. The 28-day programme was held from April 6 to May 1 and ended with a valedictory session attended by Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I and Chief Learning Officer at PDUNA

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch (BTSM) organized its national executive meeting and Vichar Goshti at the Galaxy College of Education, Sainik Colony, Jammu. The programme focused on the theme Himalayas in the 21st Century: Indias Security, Challenges, and Future Dimensions, bringing together distinguished thinkers, policymakers, and social leaders to deliberate on critical national issues. The event was held under the guidance of Indresh Kumar, Senior Pracharak, Ra

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today conducted inspections of new Assembly Complex and other important ongoing infrastructure works in Jammu. During inspection the Deputy Chief Minister called for speedy and quality work completion of new Assembly Complex and timely execution of development projects and strengthening public infrastructure in Jammu. Taking stock of the pace and quality of construction, he directed the concerned officials to ensure

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Maintaining that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the BJP has transformed political communication in the country by directly connecting with the masses through technology, transparency, and public-centric governance, J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP, Sat Sharma urged party workers to actively expose the hypocrisy of opposition parties and take the achievements of the Modi Government to every household. Sat Sharma, while chairing a m

BHOPAL, May 2: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday reviewed wheat procurement in his Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, and assured to take strict action against those indulging in negligence or irregularities. The procurement work is underway and arrangements have improved across the four districts of Raisen, Vidisha, Sehore and Dewas, he said. Farmers need us and we must stand with them, the former MP chief minister said. Over 80 per cent farmers have co

SHIMLA, May 2 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of four lives in a tragic accident in the Ani area of Kullu district. According to official information, the incident occurred when a tree suddenly fell on a vehicle carrying seven persons that was on its way towards Ani. Four people died on the spot, while the injured were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment. The Chief Minister conveyed his [] The post CM Sukhu expresse

03NEW DELHI, May 2: The Punjab Police has booked Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who recently quit the AAP to join the BJP with six of his colleagues, sources said on Saturday. Two FIRs have been lodged against Pathak under non-bailable sections, they said. No further details about the FIRs have been disclosed yet. Pathak was among the seven Rajya Sabha MPs who quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently. A Punjab police [] The post Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep P

NEW DELHI, May 2: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has appointed noted lyricist, writer and communications expert Prasoon Joshi as Chairman of Prasar Bharati, marking a significant leadership appointment at Indias public broadcaster. Joshi is a distinguished creative professional with wide-ranging contributions across literature, advertising, cinema, and public communication. Known for his impactful writing and deep cultural sensibility, he has played a significant role in shaping co

Lt Gen Narendra Kotwal (R), Dr Sumedha Kotwal narendrakotwal@gmail.com The deepest inquiry of human existence has never truly been about what we achieve, accumulate, or become, but about a far more fundamental questionWho am I?This question, echoed through the Upanishads as(Koham), forms the very core of Vedic wisdom and spiritual exploration. At first glance, the answer appears obviouswe identify ourselves with our body, our mind, our personality, our profession, and our relationships. Yet, upo

JABALPUR, May 2: The bodies of two boys were recovered on Saturday evening from the Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, raising the death toll in the cruise boat tragedy that occurred two days ago to 11, while search continued for two missing persons. The boat, operated by the state tourism department, capsized during a storm on Thursday evening with some of the survivors alleging negligence and safety lapses such as life jackets not being distributed in time. [] The post MP boat t

NEW DELHI, May 2: Delhi should be seen as a tourist destination rather than a transit hub, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. While attending a tourism stakeholders conference, she said Delhi, as the national capital, has unique features. We are trying to positively rebrand Delhi in the tourism sector so that tourists see this city as a destination and enjoy its unique features, not just as a transit point, the chief minister said. She said, In Delhi, there [] The post Delhi should be

PRAYAGRAJ (UP), May 2: The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition seeking a direction to authorities to provide security and permission to offer namaz on a piece of land in a village of Sambhal district, saying right to practice religion is subject to public order and cannot be exercised in a manner that interferes with the rights of others. The court observed that introduction or expansion of a religious use or practice not previously prevalent, particularly where it disturbs [] The post

PATNA, May 2: With the completion of the West Bengal elections, focus has now shifted to a possible cabinet expansion in Bihar, where the first BJP-led government was formed on April 15, with Samrat Choudhary sworn in as the states first Chief Minister from the BJP. Political activity in the state has intensified, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary leaving for Delhi on Saturday night. His visit is being linked to the anticipated cabinet expansion, fuelling speculation in political circles. He

NEW DELHI, May 2 : A Delhi court on Saturday rejected the regular bail application filed by the Al Falah University group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in a money laundering case. Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan made the decision after hearing arguments from both Siddiqui and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A detailed order is pending. The ED opposed the bail plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the stage of the investigation. Siddique was arrested for his in

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 2: The High Court has allowed the plea of the Government seeking withdrawal of benefits of SRO 59 and granting higher pay scale to the employees of Jal Shakti Department erroneously but restrained to recover the amount from them which they have received under the SRO. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The division bench of Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sanjay Parihar has partly allowed the plea of Government filed through Commissioner Secret

Maj Gen Ranjan Mahajan (Retd) At 60, retired Brigadier Birender Singh, son of the soil, stands as a living testament to unbreakable discipline and peak physical prowess, defying the stereotypes of aging with a physique honed sharper than many in their prime. A veteran of Kargil War, high-altitude battles in Kashmir and the rugged terrains of the Northeast, he retired from the Indian Army after three decades of service, only to channel his unyielding fitness regimen into a mission for [] The post

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 2: Police today arrested a terrorist associate and recovered arms and explosives during a joint operation in Pulwama district. The operation was carried out by the J&K Police in coordination with the Rashtriya Rifles (44 RR, Shadimarg) and the Central Reserve Police Force (183 Battalion) in the Qasbayar area along CB Nath Road. Click here to watch video He has been identified as Mohd Umar Malik, son of Abdul Majeed Malik and a resident of Kachipora. [] The p

Prof Mudita Raj ashokogra@gmail.com Step into any Indian home today and a quiet transformation is hard to miss. A child sits curled up on a sofa, not with a storybook but with a smartphone. The soft glow of the screen reflects in their eyes, outside, the sounds of street cricket and evening laughter fades away. India is no longer just a country of shared courtyards and bedtime stories narrated by grandparents. It is also a nation of high-speed internet, viral [] The post Raising Children in Digi

KOLKATA, May 2: Repolling in 15 booths of two assembly constituencies in West Bengals South 24 Parganas district concluded at 6 pm today, with around 87 per cent turnout recorded an hour before the close of voting, an official said. A voter turnout of 86.90 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, with the figure from one booth still awaited, he said. Voting began at 7 am and continued till 6 pm. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Polling [] The post 87 pc turnout in Bengal repoll appeared f

CHANDIGARH, May 2: Punjab Police on Saturday said it has arrested one more person in connection with the freight corridor railway track blast in Shambhu in Patiala. Gurjinder Singh alias Baba Beant has been arrested by the State Special Operation Cell in Amritsar, Patiala Police and Counter Intelligence wing in Pathankot in a joint operation, said Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Gurjinder is a key associate of Jagroop Singh, who was killed

NEW DELHI, May 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today welcomed the inauguration of the Sacred exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata in Leh, describing it as a moment of immense delight and highlighting its cultural and spiritual significance for the region. In a post on X, Modi said the exposition, inaugurated on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, showcases revered relics linked to the Piprahwa Stupa, which were excavated in the late nineteenth century. These revered relics embody the [] Th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Shaurya International School organized a function today in its premises. Dr Arun Manhas, Director Industries & Commerce Department J&K, grace the event as chief guest. The event was further graced by Harinder Mahajan, Chairman, Shaurya Educational Society, Vice-Chairman Sahil Mahajan, Trustees Pooja Mahajan and Miho Mahajan. The function began with an invocation through Ganesh Vandana and a welcome song. In her address, Principal Dr Swati Kapoor provided an

NASHIK, May 2: A court in Nashik on Saturday rejected the anticipatory bail application of Nida Khan, an accused in a case related to alleged sexual harassment and forcible religious conversion at the Nashik unit of TCS, after the prosecution stressed the need for her custodial interrogation. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The offence is a serious one, Nida Khan is one of the prime accused and therefore her custodial interrogation is necessary. The court rejected Nida Khans [] Th

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 2: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has achieved another significant milestone with the selection of three officials and four players for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) camps, reflecting the steady rise of cricketing talent from the Union Territory. Among the officials, P Krishnakumar, bowling coach of JKCAs Senior Mens team, has been appointed as Bowling Coach for the U-19 Mens High Performance Ca

NEW DELHI, May 2: The Centre on Saturday appointed academician Joram Aniya and scholar-author R Balasubramaniam as full-time members of the Niti Aayog, taking the total number of such members in the government think tank to seven, along with a vice-chairman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chairman of the Niti Aayog. In continuation of the Cabinet Secretariats notification dated 24.04.2026, the prime minister has approved the appointment of the following persons as full-time members of the N

JAMMU, May 2: Amid much fanfare, the commercial operation of the first direct Vande Bharat Express between Jammu and Srinagar commenced on Saturday, two days after its inauguration by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The train with 20 coaches will operate six days a week barring Tuesdays, and reduce the travel time between the two destinations to less than five hours, officials said. The train previously operated from Srinagar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and now it will go up [] The post

Srinagar, May 2: The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has ordered the transfer and posting of several doctors across healthcare institutions in Anantnag district in the interest of administration and patient care. As per Order No. 476/Gaz of 2026 dated May 2, Dr. Mohammad Akhter Naikoo, Consultant Paediatrics at SDH Bijbehara, has been transferred to SDH Achabal, while Dr. Imtiyaz Hussain has been shifted from Achabal to SDH Bijbehara. Dr. Nisar Ahmad Khanday, In-charge Consultant S

New Delhi, May 2: The Government of India has approved the extension of central deputation tenure of two senior officers serving as Directors in the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), according to an official memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training. As per the order, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has granted a one-year extension to Shri Parthiban P., IAS (AGMUT:2011), extending his tenure beyond June 25, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Similarly,

KULGAM, May 2: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today inaugurated a newly constructed primary school building at Zambalnard in DH Pora area of Kulgam district. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister emphasized that education remains a top priority for the government and efforts are being intensified to upgrade infrastructure, ensure quality teaching and improve overall learning outcomes in educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. Acc

LEH/JAMMU, May 2: The Department of Posts in Jammu and Kashmir Postal Circle on Saturday released a special cover to commemorate the grand exposition of the holy relics of the Tathagata Buddha at Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the exposition of the holy relics of Tathagata Buddha and the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations in Leh during his two-day visit to Ladakh. Officials said the special cover was unveiled at a [] The post DoP Release

NEW DELHI, May 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the inauguration of the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata in Leh, and said it offers a valuable opportunity for people from across Ladakh to pay their respects. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated a sacred holy relics exposition of Tathagata Buddha and the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations in Leh during his two-day visit to Ladakh. It is a matter of immense delight that [] The post Inauguration

DHAKA, May 2: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday initiated a riverfront development project along the Surma River in Bangladeshs Sylhet district, according to a media report. The project focuses on constructing flood protection infrastructure and improving the river banks through beautification measures, state-owned news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangsthan (BSS) reported. The project is part of wider efforts by the government to strengthen urban infrastructure in riverine areas, and it ai

NEW DELHI, May 2: The US Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady through 2026, as persistent inflationary pressures and internal divisions among policymakers reduce the likelihood of any near-term rate cuts. At its latest meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept the benchmark rate unchanged at 3.5-3.75pc for the third consecutive time. The decision, however, was not unanimous, reflecting a split within the central bank. While some members favoured maintaining or e

NEW DELHI, May 2: TVS Motor Company on Saturday reported a 7 per cent growth in total sales at 4,73,970 units in April 2026 as against 4,43,716 units in the same month last year. Total two-wheeler sales grew 6 per cent at 4,55,333 units last month as against 4,30,150 units in April 2025, TVS Motor Company said in a statement. Domestic two-wheeler sales were at 3,48,545 units in April 2026 as against 3,23,647 units a year ago, up 8 per [] The post TVS Motor Co total sales up 7 pc at 4,73,970 unit

MUMBAI, May 2: Kotak Mahindra Bank on Saturday reported 10 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 5,423 for the fourth quarter of financial year 2025-26. In the year-ago period, the profit stood at Rs 4,933 crore. On a standalone basis, it reported a 13 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit at Rs 4,027 crore. Core net interest income of the bank increased 8 per cent to Rs 7,876 crore from Rs 7,284 crore a year ago. [] The post Kotak Mahindra Bank Q4 profit up 10 pc at Rs 5,423 cr appe

NEW DELHI, May 2: Lyricist Prasoon Joshi has been appointed chairman of Prasar Bharati, Indias public service broadcaster. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated Joshi on his appointment, calling him is a rare creative spirit. My heartfelt congratulations to Shri Prasoon Joshi ji on his appointment as Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board. Prasoon ji is a rare creative spirit celebrated across the world in advertising, literature, art and cinema, yet his heart beats unmistakably for India,

AGARTALA, May 2: Tripura Gramin Bank Chairman Satyendra Singh on Saturday said lack of industrialisation in the state was the reason behind its low credit deposit ratio (CDR). The northeastern state has shown a declining trend in CDR during the past three years from 52 per cent in the 2023-24 fiscal, 51 per cent in 2024-25 and 50 per cent in 2025-26, according to a report by the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC). In Tripura, we dont have many [] The post Tripuras low credit deposit ratio due

KOCHI, May 2: ESAF Small Finance Bank has reported a sharp turnaround in its financial performance for the fourth quarter of FY26, registering a 166.1 per cent year-on-year growth in pre-provisioning operating profit, driven by strong expansion in its MARG portfolio and improved asset quality. The bank posted a net profit of Rs 24 crore during Q4 FY26, compared to a loss of Rs 183 crore in the corresponding quarter last year and a profit of Rs 7 crore in [] The post ESAF Small Finance Bank posts

SRINAGAR, May 2: Mobile phone users in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday received an emergency alert on their cellphones with a loud beep as India tested its nationwide emergency alert system, officials said. Mobile phone users in the Union territory were surprised on Saturday morning as their phones buzzed loudly and received a flash message, the officials said. They said the alert, sent out at 11.42 am, was a part of the emergency alert system testing. This is part of [] The post J&K | Test Alert

KANKER, May 2: Three personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), including an inspector, were killed and another jawan was injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) went off while they were trying to neutralise it in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, police said. This was the first blast incident linked to Naxalite activity in the state since the country was declared free from armed Maoists on March 31. The explosion occurred in a forest area under Chhotebethiya police []

SURAT, May 2: Union Minister JP Nadda on Saturday said India must convert prevailing global uncertainties into opportunities to build domestic strength, calling for higher manufacturing capacity, resilience and self-reliance to achieve the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Addressing the valedictory function of the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for south Gujarat, Nadda said recent global developments underline the need to reduce strategic dependencies and strengthen supply chains. T

LEH/JAMMU, May 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed the need for a focused approach on sustainable development in Ladakh, with plantation and water security identified as key pillars for the regions overall progress, Ladakh LG VK Saxena said on Saturday. The LG apprised him of the ongoing work to create 50 water bodies in different villages under Project Him Sarovar and a recent plantation drive. While emphasising the spiritual nature of his visit to Leh on the pious occasion [] The post Ho

SRINAGAR, May 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of three workers in a bridge collapse incident at Bantalab on the outskirts of Jammu city. In a message of condolence, the Chief Minister extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident. The Chief Minister has directed that a thorough inquiry be conducted to ascertain [] The post C

JAMMU, May 2: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today conducted inspections of New Assembly Complex and other important ongoing infrastructure works in Jammu. During inspection the Deputy Chief Minister called for speedy and quality work completion of New Assembly Complex and timely execution of development projects and strengthening public infrastructure in Jammu. Taking stock of the pace and quality of construction, he directed the concerned officials to ensure adherence to set deadlin

NEW DELHI, May 2: What began as a family trip to attend a housewarming ceremony in Madhya Pradesh turned into a devastating tragedy for a Delhi family after three of its six members died when a cruise boat capsized in the Bargi reservoir on the Narmada river, relatives said on Saturday. After attending the ceremony at a relatives home in Jabalpur on Tuesday, the Massey family from the Delhi Cantonment area decided to spend a day sightseeing before returning to [] The post Save me: Delhi womans l