Daily Excelsior

Pawan Sharma pawanjk2014@gmail.com A nation is not merely a collection of geographical boundaries. It is a living construct shaped by shared history, cultural continuity, constitutional values, collective consciousness, and aspirations for a common future. When a nation achieves clarity about its identity, sovereignty, and unity, its policies inevitably reflect that clarity. In recent years, India has demonstrated such resolve with increasing consistency-most notably in its approach toward Jammu

Shiban Khaibri shibankhaibri@gmail.com Tambourine or Dafli, we know, is played at, only on occasions of joy, merry making, singing hymns, patriotic events and the like. We still proudly relish the famous patriotic song Hum uss desh kay vasie hain, jis desh main Ganga behtee hai from the famous movie -Jis desh main Ganga behtee hai where, while singing this song, as shown on the screen, Raj Kapoor was playing at the Dafli. It is another thing that many years later, [] The post Shaming the Dafli i

Prof. Virender Koundal virender_koundal@rediffmail.com The recent statement by the Chief Minister regarding the proposed National Law University (NLU) in Jammu and Kashmir has once again stirred a long-standing and deeply emotional debate in the Jammu region. When media persons asked about the controversy surrounding the decision to establish the NLU in the Kashmir province, the Chief Minister responded that there was no controversy at all. He further questioned why people did not raise their vo

MOSCOW, Jan 20: Russia and India have preliminary agreements on the purchase and localisation of Russian-made passenger aircraft SJ-100 and negotiations are ongoing, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov told Sputnik on Tuesday. There is a preliminary agreement with partners on the possibility of purchase, with the subsequent localised production of this type of aircraft on Indian territory. At the moment, negotiations are underway, Sputnik quoted Abramenkov as saying

LUCKNOW, Jan 20: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday emphasised the need for healthy competition among state legislatures on parameters such as excellence, innovation and use of technology. He was addressing the participants on the second day of the 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) at the Vidhan Mandap, which is the venue for the conference. Recalling the discussions held during the AIPOC at Dehradun in 2019, he reiterated his long-standing views on improving the efficiency

*Ladakh has emerged as Indias hub for winter sports: LG Excelsior Sports Correspondent LEH, Jan 20: The 6th Edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 was formally inaugurated today at the NDS Stadium Ice Hockey Rink in Leh, marking another significant milestone in Ladakhs emergence as a premier winter sports destination. The Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, Kavindra Gupta, officially inaugurated the Games and extended his best wishes to all participating athletes. He encouraged them to perfo

PM lists achievements of 11 years *Cong won 400 seats in 1984, now yearning to cross 100 NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated Nitin Nabin on his election as the BJP national president and declared that the young leader will be his boss in matters related to the party. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Addressing a gathering at the party headquarters here, Modi described 45-year-old Nabin as a millennial with youthful energy and vast [] The post Nitin N

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 20: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) of NABARD to review the progress and achievements under various tranches of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and to assess new projects proposed under RIDF XXXI (2025-26) across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B); Principal Secretary

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 20: In a major initiative aimed at strengthening the Basmati rice value chain and enhancing farmers income, the Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Produce Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC), today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Sarveshwar Foods Ltd, for the development of Basmati Rice Clusters in the districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua. The agreement was formally signed by Mohammad Farooq Dar, Managing Director, JKHPMC and Dr Gayatri Tandon, Project Head,

Mission to protect soul of every City Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Jan 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the newly redeveloped Amira Kadal pedestrian bridge aims to blend the citys heritage with modern amenities to create a vibrant space. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the revamped pedestrian bridge, the LG said the project, undertaken under the Srinagar Smart City, seeks to create cultural and vibrant public spaces

NAGPUR, Jan 20: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway here on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for Indias World Cup title defence in less than three weeks time. Since Suryakumar took over as Indias T20 skipper in 2024, the results have been stunningly good with a winning percentage of more than 72 per cent. It papered over [] The post 1st T20I: Captain S

BEIJING, Jan 20: China on Tuesday urged the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan to take effective measures to ensure the safety of its nationals, projects and institutions after a deadly explosion at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul. According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, 20 people were killed in the blast that took place on Monday. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. One Chinese national was killed, and five others were injured in the explosion, Chinese Forei

NEW DELHI, Jan 20 : Asserting that there is a huge interest in Karnataka governments Beyond Bengaluru campaign, the states senior minister MB Patil on Tuesday said his government is developing several other cities to attract investment. Speaking to PTI during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Patil said Karnataka is one of the most progressive states of the country, and the work started way back in the year 2000 under the leadership of the then chief minister SM Krishna, [] The post Huge

NEW DELHI, Jan 20 : Newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nitin Nabin offered prayers at several prominent temples and gurdwara in Delhi on Tuesday morning before taking charge as the partys 12th national president. Accompanied by BJP leaders, including Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva and Delhi ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Nabin first prayed at the Jhandewalan Temple. He then offered prayers at the Valmiki temple on Mandir Marg, Prachin Hanuman Mandi

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Jan 20: The Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, today chaired a comprehensive security review meeting at the District Police Office (DPO), Ganderbal to assess the prevailing security scenario and operational preparedness of the district. The meeting was attended by S.J.M. Gillani, Special DGP Coordination, IGP Kashmir Zone V.K. Birdi, DIG Central Kashmir Rajiv Pandey; SSP Ganderbal Khalil Ahmad Poswal, besides GOs, SHOs and DOs of Ganderbal Police. During

Illegal migration into Indias eastern border states, particularly West Bengal, is not a recent phenomenon. It has unfolded steadily over decades, largely unchecked, creating deep demographic, social, and administrative consequences. The most visible impact of sustained illegal migration is the alteration of demographic balance in several border districts. In parts of West Bengal, locals have increasingly found themselves numerically outpaced by illegal migrants, leading to cultural, linguistic,

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Jan 20: To inquire about the health condition of Azeem Akhtar, a 45-year-old woman, who was found tied up in a plastic bag in the Tandwal area of Rajouri district in a shocking and inhuman incident, a team of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), led by Mamta Dutt, BJP vice president Rajouri, visited the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, here today. The team expressed deep concern over her critical health status and extended moral support to the [] The post BB

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Jan 20: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and spokesperson Altaf Thakur today launched a sharp attack on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti over her demand to grant divisional status to Doda, Rajouri and Poonch, describing it as deeply conspiratorial, divisive and anti-national. In a statement, Thakur alleged that the demand mirrors the long-standing strategy of Pakistans ISI and has nothing to do with development, governance or public wel

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 20: A two-day Mahayagya in accordance to Vedic traditions was solemnly organised at the Community Centre, Muthi, Jammu, for invoking the blessings of Martand Tirath for betterment of mankind and salvation of thousands of sacred fish who lost their lives in holy Martand ponds recently. The Mahayagya commenced on January 18 and culminated on Monday evening with the Purnahuti followed by Prasad distribution. The sacred ritual was organised under the banner of Shri

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 20: The Department of Educational Studies, Central University of Jammu organised a panel discussion on Education for Man Making during the celebration of Yuva Shakti Saptah. Prof Asit Mantry, Head, Department of Educational Studies, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of education in shaping human values, personality development, and social responsibility. The chief guest Dr Viplove Sudan, BDO Arnia, spoke on the role of education in nation build

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 20: Bharatiya Janata Party today said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti has once again been exposed for her divisive, rabidly communal, and anti-Jammu political mindset by selectively projecting the demand for divisional status for Rajouri-Poonch and the erstwhile Doda district under the garb of administrative convenience. Fully aware of the polarising nature of her politics, Ms Mufti herself conceded that her proposal would face

Excelsior Correspondent SHOPIAN, Jan 20: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta today presided over a review meeting of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to review and assess the progress of the JJM Schemes and ensure time-bound provision of safe drinking water to every household in the district. The DDC directed concerned officers to ensure completion of projects within set timelines, adherence to quality standards and regular community engagement. He reiterated that JJM is a

Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Jan 20: A private car on way from Kathua to Jammu suddenly caught fire on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway at Ghagwal Chowk near, here on Tuesday morning. According to the information received, the driver, noticing smoke suddenly rising from the moving vehicle, showed presence of mind and stopped the car on the side of the road. The car quickly burst into flames. All the passengers in the car managed to escape and saved their lives. There were four [] The post Car

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 20: The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), University of Jammu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Jammu, to establish a collaborative partnership for the conduct of training programmes for learners enrolled in Distance Education programmes of CDOE. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) seeks to strengthen skill development, enhance digital competencies, an

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Jan 20: A shocking incident of a stray dog attack was reported from Thandikassi area of Rajouri, where a one-year-old child, identified as Pranav, sustained injuries after being bitten by a dog. According to Medical Superintendent, Dr Shamim Chowdhary the child was immediately brought to the Anti-Rabies Section, od GMC Rajouri, with a Category-III dog bite injury on the face, just below the right eye. The child received prompt and appropriate medical treatment. D

DAVOS, Jan 20: Showcasing Indias own international financial services centre, GIFT City, before the world, its chief, Sanjay Kaul, has said global players are seeing it as a pathway to access Indian markets and as a base for the Asia-Pacific. Kaul, who has more than 40 bilateral meetings and several roundtable meetings lined up during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting here, said the world needs to know that there is a smart city and an international financial services centre [] The post Gl

Jammu, Jan 20: Consequent upon the placement of services of two Junior Scale JKAS officers at the disposal of the Transport Department, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered transfers and postings in the department in the interest of administration with immediate effect. As per an order, Varun Bhasin, awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as ARTO BOI (Passenger), Jammu, while Muazzam Ali has been transferred from ARTO, Flying Squad, Srinagar, to ARTO, Anantnag. Further, Mubash

NEW DELHI, Jan 20 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh recommended the use of steel slagbased technology for sustainable road construction, particularly in difficult and hilly terrains, noting that its adoption in the Himalayan States and UTs remains limited and needs to be accelerated through targeted outreach and training. Addressing an event marking the signing of an agreement between the Technology Development Board (TDB) and Visakhapa

Leh, Jan 20: The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has constituted Standing Sub-Groups of Administrative Secretaries to ensure coordinated and time-bound implementation of policies, regulations and development projects across the UT. See Order Copy Click Here The post Ladakh UT Forms Standing Sub-Groups To Ensure Time-Bound Policy Implementation appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jammu, Jan 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested a man, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly murdering his friend in Samba district with the intent of grabbing his compensation money, an official said on Tuesday. The mutilated body of Jeevan Ahirwar, a resident of Bijawar tehsil of Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh, was recovered in Bari Brahmana area of Samba on January 7, with the police registering a murder case in this connection, the official said. Following extensive efforts, [] The

Terms fairness and responsibility as hallmarks of legislative power LUCKNOW, Jan 20: Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, today addressed the 86th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) 2026 at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Abdul Rahim Rather spoke on the Accountability of the Legislature towards the people to improve mechanisms for the legislature to be more responsive and accountable to citizens. The Speaker, while addressing the conference, mentioned verses

Jammu, Jan 20: As the Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is scheduled to start on February 2, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday began pre-budget consultations with key departments here, an official spokesman said. Abdullah reviewed departmental priorities, assessed public needs and stressed the importance of aligning proposals with the overall development goals of the Union Territory, the spokesman said. The chief minister laid emphasis on people-centric initiatives, efficien

Srinagar, Jan 20 : Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday trapped and arrested four officials, including two PWD employees, a Patwari and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), in three separate cases of demanding and accepting bribes, officials said here. They said, the arrests were made following complaints lodged by citizens who refused to pay illegal gratification, prompting the ACB to conduct discreet verifications and catch the accused red-handed during sting operations. Acco

New Delhi, Jan 20: The Central Information Commission has said that third-party evaluation reports prepared by the NITI Aayog on women safety schemes implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development should be placed in the public domain. The CIC said that these reports which evaluate the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of such schemes are institutionally independent and evidence-based assessments intended for policy reforms, mid-course correction and improved governance.

New Delhi, Jan 20: Aviation watchdog DGCA on Tuesday said sustained regulatory oversight as well as corrective measures have helped stabilise operations at IndiGo, and the airline now has an adequate number of pilots to ensure compliance with the new flight duty norms without disruptions. Days after slapping penalties totalling Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo for last months massive flight disruptions, the regulator also said it was closely monitoring the airlines operations with particular emphasis on

Bengaluru, Jan 20: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he will travel to New Delhi if summoned by the Congress high command to discuss the leadership issue involving him and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. I will go if I am called by the Congress high command, Siddaramaiah told reporters when asked about the possibility of visiting Delhi. The leadership tussle in the ruling party has intensified amid speculation of a possible change in the chief ministership after [] The

JAMMU, Jan 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all departments, PSUs and educational institutions to celebrate National Voters Day on January 25, 2026, with the theme My India, My Vote. As per the instructions issued by the General Administration Department, events such as debates, discussions and competitions including drawing, painting, essay writing and cultural activities will be organised in schools and colleges to promote voter awareness. The Election Commission of India has

Leh, Jan 20: Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday declared open the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 at the state-of-the-art NDS ice hockey stadium here, marking another milestone in Ladakhs journey as Indias emerging hub for winter sports. The Games are being held over seven days and will conclude on January 26, coinciding with the celebration of Republic Day. Teams from 19 states comprising 1,060 participants including athletes, technical officials, support staff, and voluntee

New Delhi Jan 20: Jammu & Kashmir Bank on Tuesday reported a 11 per cent growth in net profit at Rs 589 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025. The bank had a net profit of Rs 531 crore in the October-December period of last fiscal. Total income rose to Rs 3,593 crore during Q3 of FY26, from Rs 3,448 crore in the corresponding quarter of FY25, J&K Bank said in a regulatory filing. The banks gross non-performing [] The post J&K Bank Q3 Net Profit Rises 11 Pc At Rs 589 Cr appeared fir

New Delhi, Jan 20: The Supreme Court has ruled that state police authorities can investigate and file a chargesheet against central government employees when it comes to the offences of bribery and corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court has also made it clear that no prior permission from the CBI is required before registering a case against a central government employee by the state police. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Satish Chandra Sharma said [] The post State

Jammu, Jan 20: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and people of the Valley are eagerly awaiting their return. The former chief minister also suggested that reservation of two Assembly seats for Kashmiri Pandits would be preferable. Kashmiri Pandits must take their own decision. We are eagerly waiting for their return as the Valley is incomplete without them, Mehbooba told reporters at PDP headquarters in Gandhi Nagar h

New Delhi, Jan 20: Riding high on GST 2.0 revving up commercial vehicles demand, Tata Motors is looking to leverage the momentum with a new range of trucks across electric and internal combustion engine versions, according to its MD & CEO Girish Wagh. The company, which has been present in the electric last-mile delivery logistics segment, is now expanding its electric offering into heavier trucks, Wagh told PTI in an interview. Besides, he said, the companys new internal combustion engine [] Th

New Delhi, Jan 20: Ola Electric Mobility Ltd has appointed Deepak Rastogi as its Chief Financial Officer following the resignation of Harish Abichandani from the post, according to a regulatory filing by the company. The board of the company at its meeting held on January 19, 2025 approved the appointment of Deepak Rastogi as Chief Financial Officer, who would also be key managerial personnel and part of senior management personnel with effect from January 20, 2026, Ola Electric Mobility said. [

New Delhi, Jan 20: HDFC Bank on Tuesday said it plans to disburse Rs 20 crore under the FY26 edition of the Parivartan Startup Grants programme for supporting social impact-driven innovations. The programme will support 10 strategic initiatives across priority sectors including climate innovation, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods, manufacturing and MSME innovation, financial inclusion, and gender diversity and inclusion, along with emerging areas including AI and deep technology. It foll

New Delhi, Jan 20: The Ficci Manufacturing Index reached an all-time high in the third quarter, with 91 per cent of firms reporting steady or higher production, up from 87 per cent in the previous quarter, despite production costs remaining on the higher side. The Ficcis 68th edition of Quarterly Survey on Manufacturing (QSM) assessed the performance and sentiments of manufacturers for eight major sectors in the third quarter. These include auto components, capital goods, chemicals, fertilisers

New Delhi, Jan 20: Indias sugar production rose 22 per cent to 15.9 million tonnes by January 15 in the 2025-26 season from a year earlier, supported by higher cane supplies and better yields, industry body ISMA said on Tuesday. Output stood at 13 million tonnes in the same period last year, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said in a statement. Around 518 mills were operational as of Jan 15, compared with 500 a year ago. The [] The post Indias sugar output jumps 22p

Kampala (Uganda), Jan 20: The health of jailed Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye is failing, his party said on Tuesday, after he was driven overnight to a medical facility in the capital Kampala. Besigyes health has reached a critical and deteriorating state, the Peoples Front for Freedom said in a statement that also demanded unrestricted access to Besigye by his personal doctors and family. Besigye, a veteran politician who was Ugandas most prominent opposition figure before the rise of

Kabul, Jan 20 (AP) The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an explosion at a Chinese restaurant in Afghanistans capital that killed at least seven people, including a Chinese national. The cause of the blast was still under investigation, authorities said Tuesday. The militant group said in a statement posted on its Aamaq news agency late Monday that a suicide bomber entered a restaurant frequented by Chinese nationals in the city and detonated an explosive vest during a gathering

Jerusalem, Jan 20 (AP) Israeli crews have begun bulldozing a United Nations headquarters in east Jerusalem as Israels government tightens restrictions on humanitarian groups that provide aid to Palestinians. UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said on X that Israeli forces had confiscated staff devices and forced them out of their headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. This is an unprecedented attack not only against UNRWA and its premises. It constitutes a serious viola

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 20: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will not endorse elections in military-ruled Myanmar, Malaysias foreign minister said Tuesday, citing concerns over the lack of inclusive and free participation. Myanmars military-backed political party appeared headed for a parliamentary majority after the second round of voting earlier this month in the countrys first general election since the army ousted a civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The takeover t