Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: SR College of Competitions successfully organized a Free Seminar for IAS/JKAS Aspirants today at its Gandhi Nagar campus. The seminar was conducted by renowned mentor Ankit Bajad (Delhi), who shared valuable insights on exam strategy, preparation techniques, and effective answer-writing approaches for Civil Services examinations. During the session, aspirants were guided on smart preparation methods, techniques to crack IAS/JKAS, and strategies to handle bo

KATHMANDU, Feb 15: Thousands of Hindu devotees thronged the revered Pashupatinath temple and other Shiva temples across Nepal on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Sunday. All four gates of the Pashupatinath temple situated in the bank of holy Bagmati river were opened from 2:00 am, welcoming the devotees. This year, around 800,000 devotees, 30 per cent of whom are Indians, are expected to visit the temple. Last year, more than one million devotees visited the Pashupati area on the [] The post Th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: The Department of Science and Technology is endeavouring to chart out futuristics roadmap for biotechnology, including the UT Policy for Biotechnology. In this regard, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting wherein senior officers presented findings from their extensive study visits to Indias premier biotechnology clusters including Genome Valley (Hyderabad), Guwahati Biotech

NEW DELHI, Feb 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that by temperament, he is never fully satisfied and believes that public life demands a certain constructive restlessness, a constant urge to do more, to improve faster and to serve better. Modi, however, stressed that it is also important to acknowledge the scale of progress achieved in the journey of Reform Express. In an exclusive interview with PTI, the prime minister said there is always a strong desire [] The post I am never

COLOMBO, Feb 15 : Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Mahashivratri, saying such observances help foster harmony and compassion in society. With the hope that the darkness of ignorance be dispelled and the light of wisdom be kindled, the sacred festival of Maha Shivratri, devoutly observed by Hindus around the world, falls today, the president said in a message. Calling Maha Shivratri an auspicious occasion on which Hindu dev

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today urged the people to harness power for societal transformation and craft a blueprint for a prosperous India that lights the worlds path. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the commemorative event on the occasion of 508th Nirvan Diwas of Sant Kabir, organised by Shiromani Sant Kabir Bhavan at Chak Avtara Bishnah, Jammu. The Lieutenant Governor stated that Sant Kabirs eternal wisdom and his message paves a brighter so

MUMBAI, Feb 15 : Morocco is expecting up to 80,000 visitors from India this year, in line with the growth momentum of the previous year, with a focus on group tours, MICE, FIT and older age groups of over 50 years. We received an overall 20 million international visitors in 2025, of which there were 54,000 Indian travellers. It was over a 31 per cent increase from India from 2024, when we had a footfall of 41,000 visitors from India. [] The post Morocco eyes 80,000 footfalls from India in 2026 a

SYDNEY, Feb 15: India were clinical with both bat and ball as they defeated Australia by 21 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the first Womens T20 International to start their tour Down Under on a resounding note here Sunday. Seamer Arundhati Reddy (4/22) led an excellent bowling display as India packed off Australia for 133. Such was the Indian bowlers performance that Australia were bundled out with two overs to spare. In reply, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten [] T

MOSCOW, Feb 15 : Russian President Vladimir Putins senior aide Maxim Oreshkin will lead a large delegation for the AI Impact Summit being held in New Delhi from Monday. India is set to host the AI Impact Summit 2026, a high-profile gathering of global leaders and industry heavyweights in Artificial Intelligence from February 16-20 at New Delhis Bharat Mandapam, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and technology innovators. Oreshkin, who is deputy chief of the Kremlin staff and econo

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Feb 15: The sacred festival of Mahashivratri, which marks the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, was celebrated today with religious fervour and devotion drawing large numbers of devotees to temples and sacred shrines across Jammu and Kashmir. Click here to watch video In Jammu city, devotees visited major Shiva temples from the early hours. Places such as Ranbireshwar Temple, Aap Shambhu Temple in Roop Nagar, Peer Kho and other historic shr

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Precious metal prices are expected to witness further consolidation in the next week, with volatility likely to persist as investors track key US economic data, including inflation numbers, GDP readings and policy signals from Federal Reserve, analysts said. Traders will also closely watch the US labour data, along with Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes and speeches from Fed officials, for cues on the timing and pace of potential rate cuts, they added. Prana

Jammu and Kashmirs rise as a national leader in digital governance marks one of the most striking administrative transformations in contemporary India. In just a few years, the Union Territory has moved from limited online public services to a sophisticated, integrated digital governance ecosystem. The expansion of online services from around 60 to more than 1,500 reflects not merely technological adoption but a fundamental shift in how governance is delivered and experienced by citizens. The jo

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Sunday announced that the Indian Football League 2025-26 season will kick off on February 27, releasing the full fixture schedule ahead of the start of the campaign. The season, originally scheduled to begin on February 21, has been postponed by six days, with two matches now slated for the revised opening day on February 27. Namdhari FC will take on Aizawl FC, while Chanmari FC will face Gokulam Kerala [] The post Indian Football Le

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Feb 15: A young man committed suicide by hanging himself from ceiling fan hook in his house at village Baryal in Udhampur. According to the police report, Joginder Kumar (30), son of Sansar Chand, resident of Baryal Udhampur, was found hanging from a ceiling fan hook in his house under mysterious circumstances. Family members who saw him hanging, immediately called the Police following which a Police team from Udhampur Police Station rushed to the spot and took

Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Feb 15: Member Legislative Assembly, Kathua, Dr. Bharat Bhushan today dedicated three developmental works to the public aggregating to the cost of Rs sixty lakh. MLA first inaugurated a deep covered Nallah in Ward No.2 Kathua opposite District Jail. This Nallah has been a perennial source of insanitation and the residents were exposed to risk of insanitation, and diseases due to its uncontrolled flow and resultant filth and foul smell since decades. This work has

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: Theatre group Natrang here today staged Hindi play Aakhiri Boond, written and directed by Neeraj Kant. The play highlighted the importance of water conservation and portrays the vision of Jal Jeevan Mission, J&K. On this occasion, Director Balwant Thakur of Natrang informed that the theatre group had recently produced ten theatrical quickies dedicated to Jal Jeevan Mission. The story revolves around a village celebrating the successful implementation of Jal

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 15: 508th Nirvan Divas of Saint Kabir Dass Ji was observed with enthusiasm and religious fervour across the Jammu region today, marked by special prayers, community Langars, and Shabeel arrangements at various temples dedicated to the revered saint. Among the dignitaries paying homage was former Minister and Chairman All J&K Guru Kabir Sabha J&K, Mula Ram, who addressed multiple functions in Marh,,Kot Bhalwal and RS Pura block, including Jhiri, Kalyanpur, Ghou

Dr Sonia Verma greenwarriorsoniaverma@gmail.com The forest guard, often unrecognized despite being the true guardian of our forests, toils tirelessly to protect the green wealth of the union territory. Clad in khaki, these unsung heroes work around the clock, yet they are unjustly deprived of risk allowances and the two-and-a-half-day salary benefits enjoyed by those working on a roster basis. Unlike their counterparts, forest guards operate 247, without holidays or replacements. While patwaris

Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Feb 15: To assess the progress of cases under investigation across the district and with a strong focus on timely disposal and effective law enforcement, a comprehensive crime review meeting was convened by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, here today. During the meeting, all pending cases were discussed in detail, with directions to ensure their disposal strictly on merit and within prescribed timelines. Special emphasis was laid on cases register

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Feb 15: SSP Doda, Sandeep Mehta here today flagged-off six Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) Dial 112 vehicles from District Police Lines (DPL) Doda. Under this initiative, each Police Station in the District has been provided with a dedicated emergency response vehicle, ensuring swift, effective and time-bound response to accidents, disputes, crimes and all distress calls received through Dial 112. The deployment of these ERSS vehicles is aimed at reducing r

COLOMBO, Feb 15: Ishan Kishan blended brute power with silken finesse in a breathtaking half-century before Jasprit Bumrah tore through Pakistans top order with menacing precision, powering India to a commanding 61-run win and a Super Eight berth in the T20 World Cup here on Sunday. Kishans supersonic 77 (40b) on a tacky Premadasa pitch was worth its weight in gold, carrying India to a competitive 175 for seven after they were asked to bat first. It was easily one [] The post India outplay Pakis

Jammu, Feb 15: The Lt Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, addressed the 27th Annual Day Function of the All Ladakh Students Welfare Association Jammu, here today. He congratulated the Association for its sustained contribution towards the welfare, unity and holistic development of Ladakhi students. While addressing the gathering of youth from Leh and Kargil districts in Jammu, the Lt Governor termed the Ladakh Students Welfare Association is not merely an organisation, but a reflection of the de

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Volatility in gold prices has not deterred Indian buyers, with customers increasingly treating price corrections as opportunities to enter the market, similar to equity investors, Titan Company Managing Director Ajoy Chawla said. Many consumers who had earlier deferred purchases, being fence sitters due to rising prices, have now shifted strategy, choosing to buy during dips rather than wait indefinitely, he said. People have burnt their fingers being fence sitters, so they ar

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Indias power generation capacity addition from all energy sources has crossed record the 50 GW-mark during April-January period in the ongoing fiscal year, according to an official statement. This marks the highest-ever capacity addition in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 34,054 MW achieved during 202425, the power ministry said in a statement. During the current financial year 202526 (up to January 31), a record 52,537 MW of generation capacity (from all sour

GORAKHPUR (UP), Feb 15: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday that India stands as a global centre of goodwill and social harmony, asserting that the countrys civilisational ethos is rooted in a sense of oneness and mutual belonging rather than transactional relationships. Addressing a Samajik Sadbhav (social harmony) meeting organised by the RSS Goraksh province at Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium in Taramandal here to mark the organisations centenary year, Bhagwat said society is defined by interc

CHANDIGARH, Feb 15: Two persons, allegedly involved in the shooting at migrant labourers in Punjabs Moga district, were arrested following an exchange of gunfire with the police there on Sunday. Jobanpreet sustained a bullet injury in his leg following an encounter near Ghalkalan village, while his accomplice, Akashdeep, was also nabbed, said police. Two migrant labourers were injured after three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire at a group of workers in the district

New Delhi, Feb 15: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladeshs next prime minister, Tarique Rahman, on February 17. It is learnt that Bangladesh had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ceremony to be held in Dhaka. Om Birla, the Lok Sabha Speaker, will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday. Rahman [] The p

Jaipur, Feb 15: On International Childhood Cancer Day, a group of doctors here on Sunday emphasised that timely diagnosis and proper treatment can save over 80 per cent of children affected by cancer. Paediatric oncologist Dr Shivani Mathur of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital said that cases of childhood cancer differ from those of adult cancer and often progress rapidly, requiring specialised treatment. However, recovery rates among children are higher. The most common types of cancer in childr

Srinagar, Feb 15: Mahashivratri or Herath as it is known here in Kashmir was celebrated with religious fervour across the valley on Sunday as Kashmiri Pandits visited temples to offer prayers. The largest gathering took place at Shankaracharya Temple, which overlooks the Dal Lake. Multi-coloured lights illuminated the temple, and the air resonated with chants from the devotees. A large number of people, including tourists, paid their respects, offering flowers and fruits to the deity and seeking

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Macroeconomic data, global geopolitical developments and rising concerns over AI-related disruptions are likely to dictate sentiment in the stock market next week, even as investors may remain cautious amid ongoing volatility, according to analysts. Besides, the trading activity of foreign investors and domestic currency movements will also guide market movement during the week. In the near term, with tariffrelated concerns easing and the domestic earnings season drawing to a

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Realty firm Signature Global plans to develop a branded luxury housing project in Gurgram with an estimated revenue of around Rs 5,000 crore, a top company official said. Signature Global Chairman Pradeep Aggarwal expressed confidence that the company will achieve the revised sales bookings target of Rs 10,300 crore for the current fiscal. He also highlighted that construction activities, which were affected in the December quarter due to a ban in view of high pollution levels

Jammu, Feb 15: In a swift and coordinated operation amid extreme weather conditions, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Sunday reopened the strategic BhaderwahBaniBasohli national highway, restoring connectivity between Doda and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said. The recent spell of intense snowfall at Chattergala Pass had disrupted vehicular movement along the 65-kilometre stretch, temporarily snapping the crucial link between the mountainous regions, the spoke

Gandhinagar, Feb 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies and misleading farmers over Indias trade pacts with the US, UK and the EU, asserting the government has fully safeguarded the countrys agriculture and dairy sectors. He termed as laughable the Opposition partys allegations that trade agreements would harm Indian farmers. I feel like laughing when Congresss Shahzada Rahul Gandhi stands in Parliament and talks about prote

New Delhi, Feb 15: A group of over 500 CISF inspectors has petitioned the paramilitary force seeking a fair cadre review to ensure time-bound promotions, as they are experiencing unprecedented stagnation, given they receive only one post upgrade over a span of 30 to 34 years in their careers. PTI has seen multiple communications sent by these officials to their headquarters, citing a favourable order of the Supreme Court issued on February 2, which disposed of their special leave petition [] The

New Delhi, Feb 15: Upping the ante against the government over the India-US interim trade deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday posed a string of questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that we are witnessing a betrayal of Indian farmers. Gandhi, who has been attacking the government and accusing it of a sell-out through the deal, said this issue concerns the future and asked whether India is allowing another country to gain a long-term hold over Indias [] The post Witnessin

Rudraprayag, Feb 15: The portals of the revered Kedarnath Temple in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand will reopen for devotees on April 22 after remaining closed for nearly six months during winter, a temple committee official said on Sunday. Harish Gaur, Public Relations Officer of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, said the auspicious date and time for reopening the shrine were decided on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday at the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath the Omkareshw

New Delhi, Feb 15: Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehrus message to Congress MPs during the debate in 1954 on the Oppositions resolution to remove then Speaker G V Mavalankar was that they are not bound by any whip or direction, as he urged all legislators to consider the matter regardless of party affiliations. He had urged Lok Sabha MPs to look at the issue not through the lens of the party but as a matter concerning the dignity of [] The post Nehrus message to Cong MPs during 1954 LS

New Delhi/Srinagar, Feb 15: Security agencies have busted an ever-growing ecosystem of mule accounts in Jammu and Kashmir that serves as the financial backbone of global scam networks, with officials fearing that the funds routed through these accounts could be used for separatist and anti-national activities. The officials said more than 8,000 mule accounts operating in the region have been identified and frozen over a period of three years, exposing a sophisticated network of money laundering.

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Recent changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework simplified tax structure, removal of tax on drugs and medical equipment and increased taxation on tobacco products mark an important policy shift towards making cancer care more affordable and accessible, AIIMS researchers have said. In a commentary published in Frontier, Oncologist Dr Abhishek Shankar and Scientist Dr Vaibhav Sahni from the Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer H

NEW YORK, Feb 15: A 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student who went missing in the US less than a week ago has been found dead, the Indian mission here has said. Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a student at the University of California, Berkeley, hailing from Karnataka, had been missing since Monday. In an X post , the Indian Consulate in San Francisco confirmed the recovery of his body. The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the [] The post Indian student

JAMMU, Feb 15: In a major administrative reshuffle, the Delhi Government has ordered the transfer and posting of 72 IAS officers across departments. Among them are six IAS officers of the AGMUT cadre who have served in Jammu and Kashmir or are transitioning from the J&K segment to take up important assignments in the national capital. As per an order, Bipul Pathak, the 1992 batch AGMUT Cadre IAS officer, presently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (Social Welfare) holding additional charge [

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: AI in India will drive productivity, quality, and role redesign in the near term rather than mass unemployment, but the country must pursue a sovereign by design approach, maintaining control over its data and capabilities while staying globally integrated to ensure AI benefits everyone, according to BCGX. Indias talent base is a real advantage, with 13 per cent of the global AI talent pool as new centres of influence emerge beyond AI superpowers US and China, [] The post Indi

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Lenovo India has reported a 7 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 8,145 crore for the third quarter of FY26, driven by a broad-based digitisation momentum in India, rapid AI adoption, and strong performance across the mobile, PC, and infrastructure business segments. Shailendra Katyal, Vice President and Managing Director of Lenovo India, stated that the performance reflected sustained demand rather than a one-off spike. We are very encouraged by the broader digitisation momentum i

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: French cosmetics major LOreal is not satisfied with its performance in the Indian market, where it has not gained any market share in 2025 despite recording high single-digit growth, said its global CEO Nicolas Hieronimus. India, which currently contributes roughly one per cent of LOreals turnover, is very small and needs a lot of effort, both financial and human, to change gears in India, Hieronimus said while responding to a query on the fourth-quarter earnings call [] The p

Prayagraj (UP), Feb 15: On the occasion of Mahashivratri, the last bathing day of the ongoing Magh Mela, 21 lakh devotees have taken a holy dip in the Ganga and Sangam by 10 am, an official said on Sunday. A mela authority official said that devotees have been arriving at the fair area and bathing since late Saturday night. By 10 am on Sunday, 21 lakh devotees have bathed in the Ganga and Sangam, the official said. District Magistrate Manish [] The post 21 Lakh Devotees Take Holy Dip In Ganga, S

New Delhi/Srinagar, Feb 15: The white-collar terror module recently busted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police indicates that the doctors arrested in the case had been radicalised since 2016 and formed a new terror organisation named Ansar Interim to carry out subversive activities in the Union Territory as well as in the hinterland, officials said on Sunday. The case, which is now being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), also brings to light that Dr Umer-un Nabi the [] The post Whi

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Magicpin aims to grow its active user base to 20 million in 2026 with food delivery as a key growth driver, the hyperlocal platforms CEO and Founder Anshoo Sharma said on Sunday. The company crossed 15 million active users last year across various categories including e-commerce, ticketing and food delivery, is focusing on the value conscious segment for further expansion of its food delivery vertical, Sharma told PTI in an interview. Our focus is on building [] The post Magic

NEW DELHI, Feb 15:British multinational consumer goods maker said fundamentals of its business in India, its second largest market after the US, are improving. In the fourth quarter, Unilever, in the home care segment, reported a 4.7 per cent underlying sales growth along with a volume growth of 4 per cent, which, according to the company, was supported by continued strong volume in India. India was a key contributor to this momentum, with Home Care delivering mid-single-digit volume growth, led

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended their greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said he prays that Adidev Mahadev continues to shower his blessings on everyone. May his blessings bring prosperity to all, and may our India attain the pinnacle of prosperity, he said. In his social media post, Vice President Radhakrishnan said that from Kashi to [] The post Vice Pre

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