Daily Excelsior News

Srinagar, Dec 13 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the Centre cannot claim normalcy in the Union territory until the destinations, closed after the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, are reopened. He also called for a review of the decision to close several tourist spots after the attack. Speaking to the reporters after throwing open Asias longest ski drag lift at Gulmarg, Abdullah said the elected government can only build or improve the tourism-related infrastru

Srinagar, Dec 13: An NIA court here declared Dr Muzaffar Ahmad Rather, an accused in the white collar terror module busted by Srinagar police in October that was behind the November 10 car blast near Delhis Red Fort, a proclaimed offender under Section 84 of the BNSS. The proclamation notice, issued by a special judge designated under the NIA Act last week, was pasted on the house of Rather at Qazigund on Saturday, officials said. The court has directed Rather [] The post NIA Court Declares Absc

JAMMU, Dec 13: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has announced winter vacations for all government and recognised private schools falling in the summer zone areas of Jammu Division, as per an official order issued on Saturday. According to the order, issued by DSEJ , students from pre-primary to Class 5th will observe winter vacations from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026. For students of Classes 6th to 8th, the vacations will be from December 26, 2025, to [] The post Phase

JAMMU, Dec 13: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued an order declaring public holidays for the calendar year 2026 under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. In a separate but related order, it has also notified the list of holidays to be observed in Government offices and educational institutions across the Union Territory. See Order Copy Click Here. See Order Copy Click Here. The post J&K Government Notifies Holidays For 2026 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Srinagar, Dec 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday appreciated the unwavering dedication, compassion, and personal sacrifice of the medical community to care for others and contributing to the nations growth. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the Valedictory Ceremony of SKIMS Annual Festival Week in Srinagar. The event also marked the commencement of 29th Post-Graduate Research Presentation Programme (PGRP-2025) and felicitation of PGRP Awardees, Doctors, Nursing Staffs and Empl

New Delhi, Dec 13: Former Law Secretary Raj Kumar Goyal has been appointed as the head of the Central Information Commission while eight others, most of them former civil servants, were chosen as Information Commissioners. With this, the 11-member Central Information Commission (CIC) acquired full strength for the first time in the past seven years. The central transparency panel has been headless since September and has been working with just two Information Commissio Goyal will take oath as th

Srinagar, Dec 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday threw open Asias longest ski drag lift at the famous skiing resort of Gulmarg, officials said. He also inaugurated the worlds highest revolving multi-purpose hall at the Affarwat area in the resort, which also houses a restaurant, they said. Abdullah said the ski drag lift at Kongdori in Gulmarg, in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, will significantly enhance skiing infrastructure in the resort and strengthen its stand

Raipur, Dec 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Naxalism does not benefit anyone neither those who take up arms nor the security personnel, and asserted that only peace can pave the way for development. Reiterating the Narendra Modi governments resolve to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026, he said the Centre has decided to transform Chhattisgarhs Bastar division, comprising seven districts, the most developed tribal region in the country in the next five years. Addressing the [] The

Jammu, Dec 13: Eight illegal structures, including houses belonging to alleged drug peddlers, were demolished in a major drive here, while a person was arrested along with 6.64 grams of heroin in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district on Saturday, officials said. In a major action against drug peddlers and land grabbers, the officials said district administration Jammu carried out a demolition drive at village Narwal Bala in Bahu Tehsil on the directions of district magistrate Jammu, Rakesh Minhas,

CARACAS, Dec 13: The appointment of former Egyptian Tourism Minister Khaled El-Enany as UNESCOs director general may help stop the pro-Western politicization of the UN cultural agency, Venezuelan Permanent Representative to UNESCO Rodulfo Humberto Perez Hernandez told Sputnik. From our point of view, all member states will benefit from depoliticization of UNESCO. We believe that the appointment of Professor El-Enany may put an end to UNESCOs politicization and prevent the West from using it agai

Srinagar, Dec 13: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday detained around 200 suspected over-ground workers (OGWs) of terror outfits as part of a massive crackdown in the valley, officials said here. The police, along with other security forces, launched the operation against the OGW network in many areas of the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar city, and raids have been carried out at several locations, they said. During these raids, around 200 suspected OGWs have been detained, the officials sai

Jaisalmer, Dec 13: Pushing for a unified judicial policy, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a seamless experience for citizens, regardless of their location. He said high courts due to the federal structure have had their own practices and technological capacities, and regional barriers can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem. Delivering the keynote address at the W

Srinagar, Dec 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir is set to receive an investment of about Rs 5.5 billion in the tourism sector under an externally funded project, asserting that the push, combined with collective effort, would help the Union Territory once again establish itself as Indias leading adventure tourism destination. Addressing a gathering during the 17th annual convention of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), the Chief Minister

New Delhi, Dec 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a watershed moment in Keralas politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the spectacular results. The Left parties suffered a major setback in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, held by them for 45 years, as the BJP-led NDA surged ahead with a huge lead. Reacting to the civic body results, the prime minister said it is a day [] The post ND

KOLKATA, Dec 13: Chaos erupted at the Salt Lake stadium here on Saturday as thousands of fans protested after failing to get a clear glimpse of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi during a much-hyped event, prompting police to baton-charge and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to order a high-level enquiry. What was billed as a marquee football spectacle turned into anger and disorder as Messis brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of [] T

DHAKA, Dec 13: A massive fire broke out early Saturday on the ground floor of a 12-storey mixed-use building in a market in Bangladeshs capital city, officials said. However, no casualties were reported in the blaze at Jabal E Nur Tower in the Babu Bazar area of Keraniganj, and fire service officials rescued at least 42 people from the building, the state-run BSS news agency reported. The incident marks the second major fire in a multi-storey building in Dhaka [] The post Fire breaks out in 12-

MOSCOW, Dec 13: Dual Russian-French citizen Anna Novikova, detained in France on suspicion of espionage, said in a letter obtained by RIA Novosti that she did not lose heart and received letters of support from different countries. On November 25, Le Parisien newspaper reported that French intelligence services had detained three members of the SOS Donbass organization, which provides aid to residents of Donbas, including the associations head, Anna Novikova. They are suspected of spying for Rus

KARACHI, Dec 13: The families of 11 Pakistani fishermen, including two teenage boys, who have been arrested by Indian maritime authorities this week, have appealed for their release, pleading they are just poor fishermen. The families urged the Pakistan government to get them released through diplomatic channels. Ahmed Brohi, the father of one of the arrested fishermen, Ghulam Mustafa, said they all lived close to each other in Ibrahim Hyderi, a fishing village in west Karachi. We are all [] Th

SURIN (Thailand), Dec 13: Fighting continued to rage on Saturday morning along the border of Thailand and Cambodia, even after US President Donald Trump, acting as a mediator, declared that he had won agreement from both countries for a ceasefire. Thai officials have said they did not agree to a ceasefire, and Cambodia has not commented on Trumps claim. Its defence ministry instead said Thai jets carried out airstrikes Saturday morning. Cambodian media reported Trumps claim without elaborating

NUSEIRAT(Gaza Strip), Dec 13: Sitting in her wheelchair, Haneen al-Mabhouh dreams of rebuilding her family, of cradling a new baby. She dreams of walking again. But with her leg gone, her life in Gaza is on hold, she says, as she waits to go abroad for further treatment. An Israeli airstrike in July 2024 smashed her home in central Gaza as she and her family slept. All four of her daughters were killed, including her 5-month-old baby. Her husband [] The post Gaza amputees struggle to rebuild li

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: India is engaged with Mexico over the South American nations decision to unilaterally raise tariffs on a number of products to find mutually beneficial solutions, even as New Delhi reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of its exporters, an official said on Saturday. These duties are announced against countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. The official said

Srinagar, Dec 13 : Jammu and Kashmir police along with other security agencies launched a massive crackdown against Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of terrorists in several parts of the Kashmir Valley, with over 150 suspects detained, sources said. A top official said that over 150 suspected individuals have been detained so far in Srinagar while crackdown is going on against OGWs in several parts of the Valley. He said that the crackdown has been launched against OGWs to dismantle the [] The post Ma

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Temasek-backed e-commerce enablement platform Shiprocket has filed updated draft papers with markets regulator Sebi to raise a little over Rs 2,342 crore through its initial public offering (IPO). The IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 1,100 crore along with an offer for sale of Rs 1,242.3 crore by the selling shareholders, according to the updated draft red herring prospectus (UDRHP). As part of the OFS, Lightrock, [] The post Shiproc

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: State-owned steel maker SAIL on Saturday said it recorded a 14 per cent year-on-year growth in sales at 12.7 million tonnes (MT) in April-November 2025, amid price pressures and demand volatility. The Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), a leading integrated player in the steel sector, had posted sales of 11.1 MT in the corresponding period last year. The company said, This resilient performance was possible due to a strong sales strategydespite many challenges including [] T

Shimla, Dec 13: The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is working with a carefree mindset, alleged BJP national president J P Nadda and stressed that double engine government is the only way to ensure development of the state. Addressing an event here, Nadda accused the state government of corruption and of misusing funds given by the Centre under various heads, including the construction of houses, road repair and smart cities. He said the Congress governments mindset is Khao Piyo [] The

TEHRAN, Dec 13: Iran introduced a new pricing tier on Saturday for its nationally subsidised gasoline, attempting to rein in spiralling costs for the first time since a price hike in 2019 that sparked nationwide protests and a crackdown that reportedly killed over 300 people. Cheap gasoline has been viewed for generations as a birthright in Iran, sparking mass demonstrations as far back as 1964 when a price increase forced the shah to put military vehicles on the streets [] The post Iran raises

Ramanagara (Karnataka), Dec 13: A ruling Congress MLA, H A Iqbal Hussain, on Saturday predicted that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will become Chief Minister on January 6. He said the post, presently occupied by Siddaramaiah, should be vacated for Shivakumar. Shivakumar should be given a chance to become chief minister, the Ramanagara MLA told reporters. There is a 99 per cent chance that he becomes chief minister on January 6, Hussain, who is a staunch supporter of Shivakumar, [] The pos

Srinagar, Dec 13: There was a slight respite from cold conditions across Kashmir as the minimum temperatures increased a bit owing to overcast skies, even as the meteorological department forecast light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of the valley, officials said on Saturday. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius on Friday night, up from the previous nights minus 3.6 degrees Celsius. The night temperature was 1.7 degrees

SRINAGAR, Dec 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 39 Next of Kins (NoKs) of terror victims from Kashmir Division, at Lok Bhavan Srinagar. The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his commitment to delivering justice, jobs and dignity to terror victim families. The family members, whose loved ones were mercilessly killed by terrorists, narrated the horrifying incidents and the trauma they suffered for decades in silence. For these families, today the long

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: The Commission for Air Quality Management on Saturday invoked stricter GRAP Stage-III restrictions, including shifting schools to hybrid mode up to Class 5 and restrictions on construction and demolition work, in Delhi-NCR after pollution levels rose sharply amid unfavourable meteorological conditions. The national capitals 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 349 but jumped to 401 by 10 am on Saturday, owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable wea

Latur, Dec 13: The last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil were performed with full state honours in his home district Latur in Maharashtra on Saturday, with many top leaders in attendance. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre were among those present. A prominent member of the Lingayat community,

BANGKOK, Dec 13: Myanmars military on Saturday acknowledged there was an airstrike on a hospital in the western state of Rakhine, which a local rescuer and media reports said killed over 30 people, including patients, medical workers and children. In a statement published by the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, the militarys information office said armed groups, including the ethnic Arakan Army and the Peoples Defence Force, pro-democracy militias formed after the army takeover

LOS ANGELES, Dec 13: Actor LaKeith Stanfield is set to feature in 48 Hours in Vegas from Lionsgate, where he will essay the role of NBA (National Basketball Association) legend Dennis Rodman. The film is directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who also co-wrote it alongside Jordan VanDina. Actor Jonathan Majors was previously roped into the project but was later dropped from it. Inspired by the untold story of Rodmans legendary trip to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA Finals, the [] The post LaKeith Stanfield

Sujoy Dhar Nestled in the heart of Bhubaneswars creative corridor, the Odisha Crafts Museum Kalabhoomi captures the essence of the states rich heritage. The museum celebrates the craftsmanship of Odishas artisans by putting on display their breathtaking masterpieces. Built with the authenticity of local materials the exterior uses laterite stone reminiscent of some of Odishas oldest monuments Kalabhoomi immerses visitors in a cultural experience from the moment they arrive. Kalabhoomi is divid

Sajid Illahi Indian youth in 2025 are more connected than any previous generation, yet many feel more lonely, anxious, and stressed than ever. Smartphones, cheap data, and 24/7 social media have changed how young people study, make friends, and see themselves. Behind the selfies and status updates, however, a silent mental health crisis is growing among students and young professionals in India. Rising Mental Health Problems Among Youth Surveys and studies indicate a sharp rise in anxiety, depre

Srinagar, Dec 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday handed over appointment letters to family members of terror victims at Lok Bhavan Auditorium, Srinagar, reiterating the administrations commitment to provide justice, jobs and dignity to the affected families. Addressing the gathering, the LG said the administration stands firmly with every victim family in Jammu and Kashmir and will continue to support them in every possible way. Sinha said the initiative to provide government jobs t

Mumbai, Dec 13: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said the ruling parties should be ashamed for not having leaders of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislature, claiming it reflects their fear of the post and weakens democratic processes. Speaking to reporters, Raut also criticised Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule over his remarks suggesting the creation of a separate state of Vidarbha, allegedly backed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Raut said Shiv Sena (UBT) woul

New Delhi, Dec 13: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday led Parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to those who died fending off terrorists who attacked the Parliament House in 2001. On the 24th anniversary of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Radhakrishnan, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chair, were among the first to offer tributes. A brief function is held outside the now old Parliament building (Samvidhan Sadan) every December 13 to mark the day. CISF personnel [] The pos

Kolkata, Dec 13: Thousands braved the December chill and waited past midnight to give a rousing welcome to Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for his whirlwind three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025. The Barcelona legends 2.26 am touchdown in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into an frenzy. Gate 4 of the international arrivals turned into a roaring sea of chants, flags and flashing phones, with fans sprinting between gates for even a [] The post Mess

JAMMU, Dec 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has accorded sanction for the grant of Selection Grade (Non-Functional) to seven members of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Secretaries to Head of Departments (Gazetted) Service. See Order Copy Click Here. The post Selection Grade Granted To 7 Members Of J&K Private Secretaries Service appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

New Delhi, Dec 13: The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group. Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India [] The post Cong takes swipe at PM over Ind

Hyderabad, Dec 13: Asserting that war and warfare is at the cusp of a major revolution, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Saturday said the Indian Defence forces are committed to adapting to changing environment and imbibing reforms to remain ready and relevant. Addressing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of 216 Course held at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near here, General Chauhan said Indias strength rests on robust institutions, democratic stability, and unwavering

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Srinagar, Dec 13: Cold conditions continued to prevail across Jammu & Kashmir as night temperatures remained low, with several areas in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimums. Pulwama emerged as the coldest inhabited area at -4.2C, while Shopian followed closely at -3.7C, indicating a sustained cold wave across south Kashmir. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -2.9C, while its outskirts were colder, with Srinagar Airport touching -4.0C. Qazigund settled at -1.6C, Pampore at -2.5C

Srinagar, Dec 13: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against four individuals in connection with a 53 lakh land-sale fraud case. In a statement , The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a Chargesheet before the Honble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, in case FIR No. 23/2025, against four accused individuals for their alleged involvement in a major land-sa

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: India today voiced concern over the damage to the Preah Vihear temple complex in the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border clashes and hoped that all measures will be taken to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage Site that New Delhi is helping to conserve. Following reports of bombing of the Preah Vihear temple premises in the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, India appealed to both countries to exercise restraint and urged them to return to the path [] The post

Prof K S Chandrasekar vc@clujammu.ac.in To succeed in this competitive world, any organization needs to embrace the latest in marketing. Marketing strategy consists of decisions and actions focused on building a sustainable differential advantage, relative to competitors, in the minds of customers and to create value for stakeholders. Strategy arose from a military context: The forces available must be employed with such skill that even in the absence of absolute superiority, relative superiorit

Lt Col Ankit Sharma ankit.cloudnine@gmail.com IndiGo, Indias largest domestic airline, plunged into its worst operational crisis in years. What began as a crew-rostering problem triggered by new regulations quickly snowballed into a full-blown travel nightmare. Over days, flights across the country were cancelled enmasse, passengers were left stranded at airports, luggage went missing and the airlines assurances of refunds and hotel stays rang hollow for countless travellers. What was presented

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Dec 12: The Food Safety Department in Anantnag today declared Priyagold Butter Delite biscuits unsafe for consumption and directed traders to immediately withdraw the product from their shelves. The department has in this regard imposed a strict ban on the sale of the product (Batch No. E25KPO2FB) after laboratory tests confirmed that the product contained sulphite levels beyond the permissible limit. According to the Designated Officer, Food Safety Anantnag, th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) today announced the appointment of Rakesh Bhat as co-chair of the FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council in 2025-2026. Rakesh Bhat is a distinguished industrialist and visionary leader with over three decades of entrepreneurial excellence in the manufacturing sector. As the Founder and Managing Director of the Shalimar Group of Companies comprising Shalimar Carpet Industries, Shalimar Floorings Priv