Daily Excelsior

MUMBAI, Mar 29: Jio Financial Services (JFS) is hoping to start general and life insurance businesses this year, a top company official has said. The financial services company does not have any immediate plan to get into the unsecured and consumer durable lending businesses. We hope to start insurance manufacturing in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, its chief executive and managing director Hitesh Sethia told PTI recently. The company, which recently entered the reinsurance business, alo

NEW DELHI, Mar 29: The applicability of newly reimposed export windfall taxes on shipments of diesel and ATF from Reliance Industries SEZ refinery remains the key uncertainty, following Indias fuel duty overhaul, with significant implications for refining margins and government revenues, according to analysts. Under the revised framework, effective March 26, India has imposed export duties of Rs 21.50 per litre on diesel and Rs 29.50 per litre on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) while keeping petrol

NAOBOICHA (ASSAM): (Mar 29) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday announced his partys five guarantees for poll-bound Assam, with a focus on womens welfare, healthcare for all, land rights and justice in the Zubeen Garg death case. He also took a swipe at the BJP-led government in the state, accusing it of indulging in rampant corruption and working to fill the coffers of its leaders and their families. Addressing a rally at Naoboicha in Lakhimpur district, Kharge listed the partys []

DHEKIAJULI (ASSAM), Mar 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the BJP government has stopped infiltration in Assam in the last 10 years, but this is not enough, as each illegal immigrant must be sent back to their countries. Addressing a poll rally in Dhekiajuli assembly constituency in Sonitpur district, he accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of opposing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in several states to protect infiltrators. Rahul Gandhi and company are

Jammu, Mar 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that the Jammu Marathon symbolizes the profound transformation Jammu Kashmir has embraced since 2019. Peace, prosperity and enabling conditions have made the UT a destination for world-class events. Its dream realised at last, as after seven decades, J&K claims its rightful place on the global stage, the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the felicitation ceremony of Jammu Marathon at MA Stadium, Jammu.

NEW DELHI, Mar 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to reduce their sugar intake and cut down on cooking oil by 10 per cent, saying such small efforts will keep people away from obesity and lifestyle diseases. In his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, Modi said many people have commented on Instagram content creator Yuvraj Duas post, in which he had requested the prime minister to ask his father to reduce his sugar intake. I am [] The post Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi urges peopl

SRINAGAR, Mar 29: Three soldiers were injured in a fratricide incident in Jammu and Kashmirs Kuwpara district, officials said here on Sunday. A soldier allegedly opened fire on his colleagues at an army camp in the Trehgam area on Saturday night, they said. The officials said three soldiers were injured in the incident before the erring jawan was overpowered. The injured soldiers are undergoing treatment at a local military hospital, they said, adding that further details of the incident are []

New Delhi, Mar 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed Jammu and Kashmirs emergence as a hub for sporting excellence, congratulating the regions cricket team on clinching their maiden Ranji Trophy title. Addressing the nation on Sunday during the 132nd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister reflected on J-Ks historic victory in the Ranji Trophy final in Hubballi, where the Paras Dogra-led side defeated Karnataka to lift their first domestic crown. Towar

SRINAGAR, Mar 29: Fresh snowfall in many areas of the higher reaches of Kashmir has led to the closure of two national highways, while rains lashed the plains of the valley, the meteorological department said on Sunday. Under the influence of a western disturbance, the higher reaches, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Yousmarg, Gurez, Razdan Top, and Sonamarg-Zojila Axis, received light to moderate snowfall overnight, officials said. The fresh snowfall led to the closure of the Srinagar-Leh national

JAMMU, Mar 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted Indias recent sporting achievements with a strong focus on Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the region is emerging as a hub of sporting talent. Speaking during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he said Team Indias victory in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup was a proud moment for the nation, while Jammu and Kashmirs maiden Ranji Trophy win marked a historic milestone. Referring to the Ranji final played [] The post PM Applauds J&

New Delhi, Mar 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed gratitude towards Gulf nations for assistance to Indians residing there amid the West Asia conflict and noted that India is facing the global fuel crisis resolutely. In the 132nd episode of his radio show Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi asked political parties and citizens not to politicise the West Asia conflict and avoid spreading rumours. Noting the global turbulence amid the conflict between US-Israel and Iran, he said, The [] The pos

DUBAI, Mar 29: Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entered the monthlong war in the Middle East on Saturday, claiming two missile launches at Israel. About 2,500 US marines arrived in the region. And Pakistans government said regional powers plan to meet Sunday to discuss how to end the fighting. The war has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertiliser shortages and disrupted air travel. Irans grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz has shaken markets and prices. The United [] T

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NEW DELHI, Mar 29: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday recalled that in June 2010, as the then environment minister, he had written to the then-Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, calling for conservation efforts to revive the Great Indian Bustard population in the grasslands of Kutch. As usual, all credit is being given to the PM for the initiative to protect the Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat. It is being put out that he thought of this idea in 2011, [] The post Wrote To Then-Gujarat CM

JAMMU, Mar 29: Braving incessant rain, thousands of enthusiastic runners took part in Jammus first-ever international marathon, flagged off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also joined the participants, here on Sunday. The marathon started at sunrise from the M A Stadium, featuring three race categories, including Half Marathon (21 km), 10 km Fitness Run, and 5 km Fun Run. A total prize pool of Rs 1.33 Crore will be distributed among the winners. The event blended fitness with entertainment

Bandipora, Mar 29: Vehicular movement on the 85-kilometre-long Bandipora-Gurez road has been suspended as a precautionary measure, as fresh snowfall continues to blanket the higher reaches of Bandipora district, including Gurez and Tulail. Accordign to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), widespread light-to-moderate snowfall and rain are expected from March 28-31 over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, with isolated heavy snow likely on March 30 over the Kashmir Valley. A

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 28: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Saturday presented 93 awards, including 52 individual honours and 41 unit citations, to Army personnel in recognition of exceptional courage and distinguished service at the Northern Command Investiture Ceremony 2026 held here. The awards acknowledged acts of extraordinary valour in counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude deployments and sensitive border missions across Jammu and Kashmir, L

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Galgotias University has steadily evolved over the years as a growing contributor to technology-focused education in India and its recent recognition in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026 by subject (Computer Science and Information Systems) reflects this ongoing journey. The ranking is not just a milestone, but a result of decades of consistent effort toward building a strong academic and research ecosystem. In the 2026 rankings,

Excelsior Correspondent RAMGARH, Mar 28: Reaffirming its commitment to delivering quality healthcare to the people of the Jammu region, a free urology screening camp organized by the Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, in association with SIBA Foundation, was held at Dera Swami Shingara Giri Ji Maharaj, Palouta Sahib, Ramgarh. The camp was led by renowned urologist Dr Manbir Singh, who, along with his team, provided consultations and screenings to a large number of patients. Around 300 patients b

K.Kumar, Akshat Dogra Situated in the Jammu division of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Udhampur District is a land where history and mythology blend with breathtaking landscapes and ancient culture. While the district is known for its scenic beauty and pilgrim trails, it is equally rich in historic and heritage sites that reflect centuries of architectural craftsmanship, religious devotion, and strategic importance. From ancient temple complexes predating the medieval era to majestic

Lt Gen Narendra Kotwal (R ), Dr Sumedha Kotwal narendrakotwal@gmail.com Humanity today stands at a profound and uncomfortable crossroads. Never before has science achieved such extraordinary heights-unlocking the secrets of the atom, decoding the genome, mapping distant galaxies, and engineering molecules that can alter the very fabric of biology. Yet, paradoxically, never before has the Earth appeared so fragile, so wounded, and so burdened by the very intelligence it nurtured. What we proudly

Prakash Premi Folk literature is the living expression of a communitys collective mind and memory, shaped and preserved not in books but in voices, gestures, and shared experiences. It includes folk songs, folktales, ballads, proverbs, riddles, and devotional compositions, passed from one generation to the next through oral tradition. It is spontaneous, fluid, and deeply rooted in everyday life. In regions like Duggar, folk literature finds its most natural expression in fairs, festivals, season

Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Mar 28: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant today inaugurated the newly constructed District Court Complex at Melong Thang in Leh, marking a major boost to judicial infrastructure in the Union Territory of Ladakh. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO The function was attended by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Justice Arun Palli, along with Justice Sindhu Sharma and other senior judicial office

Excelsior Correspondent REASI, Mar 28: District Police Reasi today carried out attachment proceedings against the property of a LeT terrorist in the Mahore Sub-division. The property belonging to LeT terrorist Mohd Qasim, son of Late Mohd Shafi, linked with the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, was formally attached under Section 25 of the UAPA. The action was carried out in the presence of local residents and family members to ensure transparency and adherence to due legal procedure. The

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs today appointed six Advocates as Law Officers in the Jammu and Srinagar Wings of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. As per the order, Advocate Meharban Singh has been appointed as Additional Advocate General, Advocate Meenakshi Slathia as Deputy Advocate General and Anishwar Chatterji Koul as Government Advocate in the Jammu Wing of the High Court. Similarly, Advocate Shabaz Sikandar Mir has be

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 28: A policeman was injured when the gun of his colleague accidentally went off at district police office in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian on Friday, officials said here. Constable Ashiq Hussain, working as canteen boy, sustained bullet injury in his lower abdomen due to accidental discharge from another policemans rifle in the canteen, the officials said. They said Hussain was admitted to 92 Base Hospital of the Army here. The post Cop injured in accidental fi

MUMBAI, Mar 28: A robust Mumbai Indians outfit will begin their bid to end a five-year title drought in the Indian Premier League when they take on a depleted Kolkata Knight Riders in their tournament opener here on Sunday. It has been a while since Mumbai Indians, the joint most successful team in the IPL, laid their hands on a trophy which they claimed five times between 2013-2020. Last year, the Hardik Pandya-led side finished third after losing to runners-up [] The post All-round Mumbai Indi

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Hockey J&K UT Men Championship entered its decisive stage on Day 5 at the KK Hakku Hockey Stadium, Jammu, with Jammu North and J&K Police storming into the finals after commanding semifinal victories. The championship has drawn participation from 17 teams across the Union Territory. In the first semifinal, Jammu North dominated Poonch with a convincing 6-0 win. Jotveer Singh (No. 2) netted two field goals in the 16th and 31st minutes. Captain []

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Ishmeet Singh and Kumaresh A were leading the field with five points each after five rounds in the ongoing International Rating Chess Fiesta at International Delhi Public School (IDPS), Junior Wing Extension, C Sainik Colony. Close on their heels were Akshat Negi and Maxim Singh with 4.5 points, while nine other players remained in contention with four points each. With four rounds still to be played, the tournament has entered an exciting phase, esp

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Annual Sports Meet 2026 of the J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu commenced today at a positive note in which the spirit of sportsmanship was showcased by the advocates from all the 10 district of Jammu province. The sports meet was inaugurated by president of Bar Association Nirmal K Kotwal (Senior Advocate) along with general secretary Pardeep Manjotra, joint secretary Anshu Mahajan and treasurer Rahul Aggarwal. On day one of the tournament,

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 28: Sopore Police today organized the grand finale of sports activities under the Civic Action Programme (CAP) 2025-26, marking the successful culmination of a series of youth-centric sporting events conducted across Police District Sopore. DIG North Kashmir Range, Maqsood-ul-Zaman, was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was attended by SSP Sopore Iftkhar Talib, other senior officers of police and civil administration, members of civil society

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SAMBA, Mar 28: Samba Police organized a volleyball tournament under the Civic Action Programme (CAP) 2025-2026 at Government Higher Secondary School Kharra Madana, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Samba. The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from five teams from across the district and drew a large number of local spectators, reflecting strong community engagement and sporting spirit. In the final match, village Madana team clinched th

Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAMBAN, Mar 28: District Ramban Taekwondo Championship 2025-26 concluded today at Government Model Higher Secondary School, Gool. The championship witnessed enthusiastic participation of around 80 players from various schools and clubs across district Ramban. The event was organized by the Taekwondo Association of district Ramban under the aegis of the J&K Taekwondo Association and the J&K Sports Council. In the overall medal tally, Khelo India Taekwondo Centre Goo

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 28: District Anantnag Taekwondo Championships 2025-26 concluded successfully at the Indoor Sports Hall, Bijbehara, after a two-day event held from March 27 to 28 under the My Youth My Pride initiative. Organized by the Taekwondo Association of district Anantnag under the aegis of the J&K Taekwondo Association and the J&K Sports Council, the championship witnessed participation from around 70 players representing various schools and clubs across the di

JUPITER ISLAND (USA), Mar 28: Tiger Woods was released on bail late Friday, hours after his Land Rover clipped a truck, rolled onto its side and the golfer was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, officials said. Woods had been traveling at high speeds on a residential road and after the crash showed signs of impairment, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said, adding that investigators believe he had taken some kind of medication or drug. He described Woods [] The post Tiger

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 28: The Taekwondo Association of District Pulwama is set to organize the District Pulwama Taekwondo Championships 2025-26 under the aegis of the J&K Taekwondo Association and the J&K Sports Council. The two-day championship will be held at the JKSC Indoor Stadium, Rajpora, Pulwama from March 29 to 30 under the My Youth My Pride initiative. The event will feature competitions in Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior and Senior categories, offering a platform to yo

The busting of a major terror-linked arms trafficking module by Delhi Police in the NCR is a stark reminder that the threat landscape in India remains both active and evolving. The recovery of sophisticated foreign-made weapons-including a submachine gun and high-end pistols-points not merely to criminal enterprise but to the possible prevention of large-scale, high-impact terror incidents. What makes this case particularly alarming is the clear cross-border dimension. The supply chain, traced b

Dr. Pallavi Sharma, Dr. Vishal Sharma pallavisharmajmu@gmail.com Bowlis are natural water reservoir. In hindi, these reservoirs are known as Bowlis, in dogri called as Baan and in English, these are step-well. The word Baan, symbolizes clean mountain water sources that were once integral to community life, ecology and spirituality. This water is not just an element, it too, has spiritual and health significance. As the English name suggests, it has a series of steps which lead down to the ground

Whole of Govt approach required to dismantle ecosystem Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the progress of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in the UT of Jammu Kashmir, at a high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan Jammu. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Sinha directed for a massive crackdown on smuggling networks that target the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. Deliberate and sinister efforts are being made to push the youth of Jammu Kashmir into

Ashok Sharma Food has always been an essential element of human culture. It reflects the environment, traditions and social life of a community and often tells stories about the people who prepare and share it. In the hilly district of Udhampur in the Duggar region of Jammu, traditional food represents a rich cultural heritage shaped by rural life, agriculture and close-knit social relationships. For the Dogra community of this region, food has always been closely associated with celebration, ho

Joint operation by JKP, PP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: In a joint operation, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and Punjab Police (PP) have apprehended two suspected foreign terrorists and their local supporter from village Sherwani Kote in Malerkota area of Punjab. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp This has averted what could have been a major tragedy in future as some persons have already been arrested in Malerkotla for radicalisation of local youth. Plan of the terrorists

Maj Gen SK Sharma shiv_k_sharma@yahoo.co.in In Kashirah village of Udhampur district, the temple of Raja Mandleek is very popular. On every Sunday, one can see hundreds of Hindus and Muslims gathering there to pay obeisance and get blessings of the lord, depicting a pleasant scene of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. This temple serves as a center of social and religious unity. History of Raja Mandleek Raja Mandleek, the family deity (kul devta) of many communities in northern states of India is known [

Cable Cars alone cant drive tourism growth *Adequate stock of essential items in UT Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Mar 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Government will soon float a fresh Expression of Interest (EOI) slightly relaxing terms and conditions for attractive potential operators to outsource International Yoga and Wellness Centre at Mantalai in Udhampur district. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Omar, who holds charge of the Tourism Department, gave this information in the Assembly duri

Legislation vetted by Law Deptt, FD gave concurrence Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo today said that a bill on drug de-addiction is likely to be brought in the Assembly during ongoing budget session of the Legislature. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Replying to supplementaries of Congress MLA Iftikhar Ahmed in the Assembly during Question Hour, she said the bill is ready and the Government will try to int

Speaker, Members for time bound & fair investigation ] Nishikant Khajuria JAMMU, Mar 28: Cutting across party lines, the ruling as well as opposition members in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today demanded a high level judicial probe into recent assassination attempt on National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, who had a miraculous escape on March 11 when a 63-year old man opened fire on him during a marriage function in Jammu. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Terming the [] The po

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 28: J&K National Health Mission Employees Association (NHMEA) has expressed serious concern over long-pending demands related to salary revision and job security of National Health Mission (NHM) employees across the Union Territory, warning of peaceful protests if the issues remain unresolved. The concerns were raised during a meeting attended by the Associations leadership, including members of its reformation committee, president, senior vice president, co

JAMMU, Mar 28: Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather today chaired the High Level Apex Committee (HLAC) meeting at Assembly Complex here to review and accelerate the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project in J&K Legislative Assembly. The meeting was attended by MLAs Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi, Nizamuddin Bhat, Tanvir Sadiq, Arjun Singh Raju, Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, Waheed ur Rehman Para and Dr Bharat Bhushan; Secretary J&K Legislative Assembly, Manoj K

JAMMU, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed three important Bills through voice vote, marking a significant step towards governance reforms, social equity and strengthening of the judicial framework in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bills were moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and were subsequently put to vote by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who presented bills before the House for passage. The House passed L.A. Bill No. 01 of 2026, which seeks to amend certain enactments t

JAMMU: March 28 The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that as many as 3,192 schools across the Union territory have reported less than 10 or zero enrolment since 2022, with 2,518 teachers posted in them. In a written reply to a question by BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania in the Assembly, Education Minister Sakina Itoo shared details of such schools and the staff strength compiled division-wise. According to the data, 1,494 schools with 1,934 teachers reported less than [] The post 3,19

JAMMU, Mar 28: Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday attached the immovable property of a terrorist associate linked with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit in Reasi district, an official said. The attachment proceedings under Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the accused, Mohd Qasim, were part of the drive to dismantle the terror eco-system, a police spokesman said. He added that Qasim has been named in an FIR registered under the UAPA, Arms Act and Exp