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VADODARA, Dec 2: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the countrys first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to build the Babri masjid using public funds, but Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel didnt allow his plans to succeed. He also claimed that Nehru had suggested that funds collected by the common people for building a memorial for Patel after his death be utilised for constructing wells and roads. Addressing a gathering at Sadhli village near Vadodara as part of a Unity March [] The pos

By Fatima Baloch When the Afghan Taliban captured Kabul on August 15, 2021, Pakistan celebrated. The Prime Minister, military officials, and other high-profile politicians declared it a victory for Pakistan. Yet continued attacks from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the secular Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), combined with the AfghanPakistan clashes of October 1415, 2025, quickly shifted the narrative. In the context of Afghanistans improving regional relations, Pakistan now labels the Af

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: With vociferous Opposition protests over the SIR stalling Parliament proceedings for a second day, the Government on Tuesday told both Houses that it has invited leaders from various parties for talks to end the stalemate, but stressed that no timeline be set for the discussion. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was willing to discuss any issue and had invited leaders from various parties for a dialogue, but asserted [] T

Every room deserves a statement, something that instantly catches the eye and ties the entire space together. While art or furniture often takes that role, lighting can be just as powerful. A well-placed decorative light can transform a simple room into a stylish, inviting space. Whether its a cosy apartment or a spacious home, one striking fixture, when thoughtfully chosen and placed, can define your interiors. Add the flexibility of smart home lights, and you have the perfect blend of [] The p

Hard water may look harmless, but the hardness causing minerals it carries, mainly calcium and magnesium, can create significant problems for daily appliances. Over time, these minerals build up inside machines, pipes, taps, and fixtures, affecting not only performance but also long-term efficiency and maintenance costs. This is why many people now consider options like a water softener for home, as it helps ensure softer water without much daily effort. How Hard Water Impacts Different Areas of

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Amir Rashid Ali, one of the accused of the Red Fort blast, was produced before a Delhi court on Tuesday. Ali was produced before Principal and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna on the conclusion of his police custody in the case. The proceedings are underway. On November 29, the court sent three doctors and a preacher, who were arrested in connection with the Red Fort blast, to 10 days judicial custody. As of now, the NIA [] The post Red Fort blast case: Accused Amir Rashid Ali

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Relentless protest by the Opposition demanding a debate on SIR led to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings for the day on Tuesday even as the government asserted that it was ready to discuss the issue in the House without assigning a timeline. After two adjournments earlier in the day, the House met again at 2 pm amid sloganeering by the Opposition members. Dilip Saikia who was presiding over the House, urged the Opposition to allow [] The post Lok Sabha adjourned for day a

JAMMU, Dec 2: The CBI on Tuesday sought the custody of Shafat Ahmed Shangloo, arrested in the 35-year-old case relating to the kidnapping of Rubaiyya Sayeed, in the TADA court in Jammu. Shangloo was arrested on Monday. He carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh, in connection with the sensational 1989 kidnapping of Sayeed, daughter of the then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, for allegedly being part of a conspiracy hatched by members of the banned Jammu and Kashmir [] The post 1989 Rubaiyya Sa

JAMMU, Dec 2: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and expressed optimism about the future, saying that tourism in Ladakh will expand significantly in the coming days. Talking to reporters after offering prayers at the cave shrine on his birthday, Gupta said tourism in Ladakh will expand significantly. In the coming time, Ladakh will become a year-round tourist destination, benefiting all sections of society. It is steadily pro

COLOMBO, Dec 2: India has taken a leading role in immediate emergency response efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah that has killed more than 400 people and caused widespread devastation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes office said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed heartfelt condolences to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and reaffirmed that India stands firmly beside Sri Lanka and its people in this difficult hour, the presidents office said. Prime Minister Modi on M

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Biocon Biologics on Tuesday said it has inked a settlement agreement with Amgen Inc., paving the path for the commercialisation of Denosumab biosimilars in Europe and the rest of the world. The agreement allows Biocon Biologics to commercialise both biosimilars Vevzuo and Evfraxy in Europe starting December 2, 2025. The other terms of the settlement remain confidential. This settlement sets the stage for Biocon Biologics to bring our Denosumab biosimilars, Vevzuo and Evfraxy,

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said the Sanchar Saathi app, a fraud reporting app the Government wants pre-installed on all devices, can be deleted by users. Users can decide to keep the Sanchar Saathi app or delete it, Scindia told reporters on Tuesday. The Department of Telecom has directed manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to ensure that its fraud reporting app, Sanchar Saathi, is pre-installed on all new devices and installed via a software [] T

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Broadband India Forum (BIF) on Tuesday flagged serious concerns over the Government directive mandating a continuous, active SIM for use of messaging apps, and urged the Centre to pause implementation timelines and hold stakeholder consultations on the SIM-binding issue. BIF said that, while well-intentioned in its stated goal of curbing cyber-fraud originating from abroad, the directions raise significant questions of jurisdiction, consumer impact, and risk, creating obligatio

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: The Offer for Sale (OFS) of Bank of Maharashtra opened on Tuesday for non-retail investors at a floor price of Rs 54 per share. At the floor price the government would mop up about Rs 2,492 crore by divesting its 6 per cent stake in the state-owned lender. The OFS will open for retail investors on Wednesday, as per the prospectus of the share sale. The floor price for the Bank of Maharashtra OFS has been [] The post Bank of Maharashtra OFS opens, Govt to offload up to 6pc stake

KARACHI, Dec 2: A female suicide bomber of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) blew herself up at the entrance of the headquarters of a paramilitary force in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, triggering a prolonged gunfight in which six militants were killed, security officials said on Tuesday. The attacker detonated herself at the main entrance of the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Nokundi town of Chagai district on Sunday night, the officials said. The BLA later identified

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: Amid growing uncertainty about the well-being of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have planned massive protests in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Amid concerns of growing unrest, Pakistani authorities have imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi, banning gatherings in response to demands to meet the former Prime Minister. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Khans three sisters, PTI activists, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi have been camping

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Model and actor Neha Sharma on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in a money laundering case linked to online betting platform 1xBet, officials said. The statement of the 38-year-old actor is being recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. Sharma is understood to be linked to the betting platform by way of certain endorsements. The federal probe agency had earlier attached assets worth Rs 11.14 cr

KOLKATA, Dec 2: The Election Commission of India (ECI) expects that roughly 43.30 lakh names will be dropped from West Bengals draft voters list, scheduled for publication on December 16, based on the current pace of digitising enumeration forms submitted by booth-level officers (BLOs). Officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, cautioned that this is an evolving estimate. Since the projection reflects the digitisation status only till Monday evening, the exclusio

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said with the growing digitalisation of the economy and emergence of new financial products, countries globally will have to cooperate with timely exchange of information, while ensuring fairness and public trust in the tax system. Speaking at the 18th Global Forum Plenary meeting, Sitharaman said technological tools like artificial intelligence, along with judgement, should be used to ensure that tax information exchanged among ju

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Home and furnishings company Wakefit Innovations Ltd is aiming to raise Rs 1,289 crore through Initial Public Offering (IPO), which opens for subscription on December 8. In a public announcement on Tuesday, the company has fixed a price band of Rs 185-195 per share for its maiden public offering, valuing the company at nearly Rs 6,400 crore. The IPO of the Bengaluru-based company will conclude on December 10 and anchor investors will be allocated shares on [] The post Wakefits

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: IT services company Wipros USD 375-million acquisition of HARMANs Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS) business unit has been completed following regulatory nods, according to a release on Tuesday. The DTS buy was announced on August 21, 2025, and, with the successful closure of the deal, it will begin operating as part of Wipros engineering global business line, the Bengaluru-headquartered IT company said in its release. The acquisition of DTS marks a significant milestone i

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 1: Aimed to bring together innovators, corporates, researchers, disability-rights leaders and athletes to reimagine how technology can transform accessibility and inclusion at work, an Assistive Tech Conference 2025 organised by Godrej Industries Group (GIG) was inaugurated here today. Celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the conference served as a collaborative platform for new ideas and partnerships that can accelerate Indias journe

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, on Monday celebrated its 85th Foundation Day. The event brought together senior scientists, dignitaries, and researchers who reflected on the institutes eight-decade-long journey and its expanding national footprint. Former Director of CSIR-CFTRI Mysuru, Dr Sridevi Annapurna Singh, graced the ceremony as the chief guest, while Dr Kannan Srinivasan, Director of CSIR-CSMCRI Bhavnagar, attended as

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 1: Jammu & Kashmir Tourism made a prominent impact at the India International Travel Mart (IITM) Pune 2025, showcasing its rich and diverse tourism offerings before a wide national and international audience. The three-day (27th-29th November) travel and trade exhibition was held at the Deccan College Ground, Pune. J&K Tourism received the Green Globe Guardian Award in recognition of its exemplary commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices. Th

Excelsior Sports Correspondent BHADERWAH, Dec 1: In a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir, Ananyaa Kotwal, daughter of Prof. Arjun Kotwal from Bhalra Bhaderwah, has been selected to represent the Union Territory in the 51st National Women Chess Championship 2025. The prestigious championship is scheduled from December 3 to 13, 2025, at the Sidhu Kanu Indoor Stadium, Durgapur, West Bengal, organized by Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha on behalf of the All India Chess Federation (AICF). During the screening

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 1 :Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State for Earth Sciences; and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh todaycalled for stronger efforts to adopt Hindi across Government establishments, noting that practical use of the language in official work is key to its growth and relevance. Chairing the meeting of the Hindi Salahkar Samiti of the Department of Pers

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: In a landmark achievement for Jammu & Kashmirs sporting community, runner Vijay Sharma has qualified for the world-famous Boston Marathon after clocking an impressive 3:14:45 at the 9th Adani Ahmedabad Marathon. With this performance, he becomes the first athlete from J&K in the 45 to 50 age category to secure a spot in the prestigious global event, marking a moment of pride for the Union Territory. The marathon transformed Ahmedabad into a vibrant hu

Reasons to be given for cut, Rules to be amended Open Merit category may get at least 40 pc jobs, seats Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Dec 1: With all-important reservation issue dominating the agenda, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called Cabinet meeting here on December 3 amid reports that Government jobs and seats in educational institutions for Open Merit candidates may go up from present 30 percent to 40. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Cabinet meeting is scheduled [] The post W

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 1: Jammu and Kashmirs kayaker Mohsin Ali brought laurels to the region by winning one gold and one bronze medal at the Fourth Tehri Water Sports Cup-2025, held at Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand. The competitions were conducted from November 28 to 30. Mohsin clinched the gold medal in the 1000 mtrs K1 event and a bronze in the 200 mtrs K1 event, showcasing his skill and determination. In addition, he secured fifth place in the International [] The post Mohsin

*Praises Modi for linguistic respect Excelsior Correspondent LUCKNOW, Dec 1: Speaking at the Fifth International Urdu Conference held at Era University, former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad stressed the need for a joint campaign to preserve Urdu and Hindi. He said that both languages are hallmarks of Indian culture and should receive widespread encouragement in education, literature, and society. Azad, who was the chief guest at the International Urdu Conference, appealed to save and promote U

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The annual KC Sportathon-2025 was held at the floodlit multi-purpose sports ground of KC Public School, Jammu, with Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister presiding as the chief guest. The function was also graced by Anil Goswami (Retd), former Union Home Secretary, and SS Wazir (Retd senior police officer) as guests of honour. The Sportathon commenced with the lighting of the sports torch, followed by a welcome address by Principal AK Mishra

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Over 250 Army recruits from Jammu and Kashmir were formally inducted into the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) regiment on Monday. The 262 young cadets from Kashmir districts such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Budgam and Srinagar, took oath as soldiers and pledged to defend the nation. Lieutenant General P K Mishra, General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps, reviewed the passing-out parade held at the JAKLI Regimental Training Centre in Dhansal. Fa

*Takes appraisal of roadmap to boost dairy development Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today presided over a meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management Systems for Jammu and Srinagar, to take a comprehensive look at the measures already undertaken and those proposed for easing congestion, strengthening road safety, and improving overall urban mobility in both cities. The meeting witnessed participation of senior administrative and p

Digital devices seized Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, Dec 1: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at several locations in Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh as part of its investigations in the Delhi car bomb blast case. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Various digital devices and other incriminating materials were seized during the searches conducted at the premises of several accused and suspects, a statement issued by the federal probe agency said

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The reopening of Sir Colonel Chopra Nursing Home at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu now hinges on the approval of service rates by the Administrative Department, with the long-awaited facility otherwise fully prepared to resume operations after an eight-year closure. Click here to watch video While the Nursing Home has already been operationalized on a trial basis, the formal inauguration and complete rollout of services remain pending until rates for

He ensured JK remains integral part of India Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 1: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today joined the Sardar@150 Unity March (Padyatra) at Vadodara, Gujarat. The National Padyatra, which began at Sardar Patels family home in Karamsad, will cover nearly 190 km in 11 days, and will conclude at the Statue of Unity on 6th December. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Addressing the event on the theme Kashmir, Hyderabad and Sardar, said Sardar Vallabhbhai Pat

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: A meeting of the Committee on Petitions of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was held today under the chairmanship of Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah at Assembly Complex here. Members, Salman Sagar, Mushtaq Guroo, Vijay Kumar besides Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit were also present in the meeting. CEO ERA, Shreya Singhal, briefed the Committee on factual position and present status of compensation cases. She assured the

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 1: A shopkeeper was stoned to death in remote Khodbanji area under the jurisdiction of the Police Post Teryath and Khawas Outpost in Rajouri district, here this evening. The incident took place around 6 PM when the alleged assailant entered the shop and hit the victim with a stone following some altercation. The deceased was identified as Manzoor Hussain (40), son of Qasim Din, who was running a Photostat shop. Reports said that after a brief [] The post Shop

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, today visited the Ladakhi Girls Hostel at Muthi, where he interacted with the students and took first-hand stock of the issues and challenges being faced by them. The visit was part of his ongoing outreach programme to assess public facilities catering to students from Ladakh studying outside the Union Territory. During his interaction, the officials concerned and students apprised the LG about matters relat

Excelsior Correspondent LONDON, Dec 1: Son of the soil Dr Mukesh Chugh, Consultant Anaesthetist, was conferred the UK National Award for Outstanding Contributions to Equality and Diversity. He was conferred this award during the three-day Annual Conference by British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) from 28th to 30th November in London, celebrating excellence, leadership, and innovation across the UKs medical community. This distinguished award recognises individuals who have d

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The Ex-Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) Welfare Association today urged the Government of India (GoI) to address the long-pending grievances of serving and retired CAPF personnel and ensure parity in benefits with defence forces. The appeal was made here during a press conference held on the 61st Raising Day of the Border Security Force (BSF). VK Sharma, retired DIGP and Chairman of the Association, paid tributes to BSF martyrs and saluted the Veer Naris f

COLOMBO, Dec 1: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes office on Monday announced setting up a special fund with public and private sector participation to help recover from the devastation caused by catastrophic floods and landslides due to Cyclone Ditwah. The announcement came as the death toll due to floods and landslides rose to 366 with 367 missing by 6 pm on Monday, the Disaster Management Centre said. Kandy district reported the maximum 88 deaths followed by 75 in Nuwara [] The po

MUMBAI, Dec 1: The impact of AI is going to be huge on the media and entertainment sector, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju said on Monday and urged the industry to embrace the technology and make the best use of it. Jaju also said that multiple rounds of proof-of-concept studies are being done at IIT Kanpur for the ambitious direct-to-mobile broadcasting project and many of these are going through a process of stakeholder consultations. The impact of AI is [] The post I&B Secy

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president for Jammu & Kashmir UT, Darshan Rana, has strongly opposed the recent statutory amendments introduced by the University of Jammu which allow non-domicile candidates to be considered for reserved category teaching posts, including Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professors positions. In a formal memorandum submitted to the Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Darshan Rana stated that the amendment violates the

CHANDIGARH, Dec 1: Punjab Police on Monday said it has unearthed a Pakistan-linked cross-border arms smuggling module with the arrest of two persons. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Police also recovered seven weapons from their possession. Acting swiftly on intelligence inputs, Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantles a #Pakistan-linked cross-border arms smuggling module and apprehends two operatives, recovering seven sophisticated pistols (three PX5 and four .30 bore), Direct

SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 01: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited the Nishat Water Treatment Plant to review its functioning and evaluate the treatment processes. The Minister was accompanied by legislators Showkat Ganai, Ali Mohammad Dar and Ghulam Mohiuddin. The Minister accompanied by concerned officers conducted a comprehensive inspection of the plants filtration, treatment and distribution mechanisms. They closely observed the

BISHNAH, Dec 1: MLA Bishnah, Dr. Rajeev Kumar Bhagat, here today started construction work of a critical link road leading to Kanjak Devsthan at Sultanpur. The project will incur an estimated expenditure of Rs. 54 lakh. The new link road connecting the revered shrine to the main Bari Brahmana-Bishnah road is expected to vastly improve connectivity and provide significant relief to the local populace and will also enhance economic activities of Sultanpur village and adjoining areas. The MLA said:

RAMGARH, Dec 1: MLA Ramgarh, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal here today started blacktopping work worth Rs. 2.70 crore. The project will upgrade the crucial road stretch from village Abtal to SM Pura strengthening local road infrastructure and enhancing connectivity for commuters. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Manyal said this long-standing demand of the local residents has finally been fulfilled. He emphasized that the upgraded road will ensure smoother, safer and more reliable travel, benefiting dai

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has reconstituted the Union Territory level Screening Committee (UTLSC) and District Level Committee(s) (DLCs) under the Vibrant Village Programme-II. As per an order, the new UT level Screening Committee shall be headed by the Chief Secretary, with Administrative Secretaries of the Tourism, Agriculture Production, Power Development, Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, Social Welfare, Cooperative, Skill Development,

Ram Rattan Sharma Environmental change, especially climate change, is significantly intensifying and increasing the frequency of natural disasters. The warming of the planet alters earths climatic systems, leading to more extreme weather events. These changes affect disasters related to weather and water such as droughts, floods, storms and wildfires. How environmental change drives Natural Disasters:-The primary mechanism is the increase in global temperatures, which affects the planets energy