Daily Excelsior News

Srinagar, Dec 25: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has granted permission to recognised private educational institutions across the Kashmir Division to conduct remedial and supplementary teaching classes during the winter vacation for the academic session 2025-26. According to a circular issued by the Joint Director (Elementary Education), Directorate of School Education Kashmir, the decision was taken after receiving multiple applications from heads of private schools seeking

Srinagar, Dec 25: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday expressed concern over the reports of assault on a Kashmiri trader in Uttarakhand, and urged the state administration to take legal action against the perpetrators. National Conference (NC) Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi said coercing any citizen to prove patriotism through compelled speech violates constitutional freedoms. Reports from Uttarakhand indicating that a Kashmiri trader was assaulted for refusing to chant a slogan on r

Jammu, Dec 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today paid tributes to Babu Markandeya Singh, a well-known socialist leader and former President of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Students Union. Speaking at his commemoration event in Varanasi, the Lieutenant Governor shed light on the life works of Babu Markandeya Singh. Babu Markandeya Singh guided the youth with determination, wisdom and dedication. His life is an inspiration, guiding the young generation to contribute in the nation-building Ba

NEW DELHI, Dec 25:Samsung Electronics has ruled out listing of its India business for now, saying it will instead focus on accelerating artificial intelligence adoption across its products and expanding its consumer finance arm to drive sales in one of the most important growth markets. In an interview with PTI, JB Park, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, said the South Korean giant is looking to deepen its manufacturing footprint in India and has applied under the production-linked [

DHAKA, Dec 25: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned home to a rousing welcome on Thursday after over 17 years in self-exile, a move that is expected to energise his party workers ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections. Rahman, the 60-year-old son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime ministership in the polls even as the countrys Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has been trying to throw a stiff co

Reasi, Dec 25: Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Subedar Surjeet Singh, a resident of Bhaga Sirla village in Reasi district, was on Thursday cremated with full military honours amid emotional scenes. Reports reaching that Subedar Surjeet Singh sustained a gunshot injury under suspicious circumstances while part of an operation in the Bari Brahmana area of Samba. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, laying down his life in the service of t

Venkatapalem (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 25: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, calling him an extraordinary patriot. He was speaking at the conclusion of Atal-Modi Good Governance Yatra, which was launched by the Andhra Pradesh BJP on December 11 to bridge the governance ideals of Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Minister also unveiled a statue of Vajpayee at Atal Smruthi Vanam here in Gunt

Lucknow, Dec 25: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the vision of India envisaged by BJPs ideologues Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Deendayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being realised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a rally at the inaugural event of the Rashtra Prerna Sthal here on Vajpayees birth anniversary, Singh, who is also the sitting Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow, welcomed the prime minister and greeted Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yo

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: The Enforcement Directorate has searched 11 locations across five states in connection with an anti-money laundering case in a digital arrest scam in which Ludhiana-based industrialist S P Oswal lost more than Rs 7 crore, officials said on Thursday. The searches were conducted on Monday at 11 locations in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Various incriminating documents and digital devices

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: A Delhi court has discharged two persons who were accused of conspiring to revive the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Indian Mujahideen (IM), saying that the prosecution failed to make a prima facie case against them. Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal was hearing a case against Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Abdus Subhan alias Tauqueer and Ariz Khan alias Junaid alias Salim in a case under Sections 18 and 20 of the Unlawful [] The post Delhi court dischar

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, today inaugurated the National Workshop on Good Governance Practices 2025 in Delhi. Addressing senior officers of Govt of India, policymakers and stakeholders on the occasion of Good Governance Day, observed annually on 25th December, the Minister highlighted that good govern

Mumbai, Dec 25: Domestic carrier IndiGo on Thursday cancelled 67 flights from multiple airports due to forecasted bad weather and operational reasons, according to the airlines website. Of the 67 cancelled flights, only four were for operational reasons, and the rest were due to forecasted bad weather at various airports, including Agartala, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Varanasi, Bengaluru, among others, as per the website. Aviation regulator, DGCA, has announced the period between December 10 and Febr

SRINAGAR, Dec 25: Churches across Kashmir were decked up as Christians in the valley celebrated Christmas on Thursday with religious fervour, and held special prayers for peace and prosperity for the people. The biggest mass gathered at the Holy Family Catholic Church at Maulana Azad Road here, where the members of the Christian community held special prayers and celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. The priest of the Church, Father John Paul, said the devotees prayed for peace and calm [] The p

Jammu, Dec 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday paid tributes to Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion of their birth anniversary. The Lieutenant Governor said the ideals and vision of Mahamana and Atal Ji for Developed India and their message of social harmony, equality and justice will always inspire the people. They are the visionary architects of Modern India, he said. He was speaking at a commemorative event at Pandit

SINGAPORE, Dec 25: The Hindu Endowments Board, a statutory body that manages key Hindu temples in Singapore, has appointed a seasoned public service leader as its new chief executive officer. Sarojini Padmanathan was appointed to the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) on Wednesday. Throughout her 40-year distinguished career, she played a key role in hospital restructuring in the 1990s and in boosting organisational resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic. She held senior roles at the Ministry of Heal

DAR ES SALAAM(Tanzania), Dec 25: Five people have died after a helicopter crashed on Africas highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The accident Wednesday evening happened on one of the most popular tourist climbing routes, in what police said was a rescue mission to pick up patients on the mountain. Two foreigners, who police said had been picked up in a medical evacuation, were among those killed. A local doctor, a tour guide and a pilot were also killed [] The post Helicopter on r

LONDON, Dec 25: King Charles III has chosen Westminster Abbey as the site of his Christmas Day speech on Thursday, reflecting the idea of pilgrimage that is expected to be a theme of the annual address to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The central London landmark, known for the lavish coronations and royal weddings it has hosted for more than 1,000 years, is also the focus of an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Edward the Confessor, which [] The post King Charles III picks Westminster

HOUSTON, Dec 25: Indian-origin physician Padmaja Patel has been appointed to the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee by Governor Greg Abbott, according to a press release. Midland-based physician, Patel, will serve on the committee through September 1, 2029. The panel advises the state on diet and nutrition and examines the role of food in preventing and managing chronic diseases. Members are appointed by the governor for staggered terms and represent a range of medical and public health discipli

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Dec 25: Indias successful launch of an American communication satellite is a very important and big day for the partnership between Washington and New Delhi and caps a series of achievements in 2025 in bilateral space cooperation. These remarks were made by Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, underlining growing Atmanirbharta in the sector. It is indeed a very important day today for India-US partnership in the field of space, Kwatra told PTI in an exclusive [] T

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Indian exporters in various sectors like agriculture, petroleum, pharma, apparel, electronics and auto have potential not only to scale up shipments to New Zealand but also help the island nation reduce its dependence on China. According to think tank GTRI, in 2024-25, New Zealand imported goods worth over USD 10 billion from China compared to just USD 711 million from New Delhi. Wellingtons total imports in that fiscal year were USD 50 billion. GTRIs report [] The post India

Jammu, Dec 25: Two wanted criminals were arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on the outskirts of Jammu and shifted to a jail in Poonch district, police said on Thursday. The accused have been identified as Paramjeet Kumar alias Jungi, a resident of R S Pura and Shubam Saini alias Mundi, of Arnia area. According to the police, Paramjeet was booked under the PSA following formal detention orders issued by the District Magistrate of Jammu. He was subsequently moved [] The post Two Criminals

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Indias petrol pump network has crossed the 1,00,000-mark, doubling since 2015 as state-owned fuel retailers aggressively expanded outlets to defend market share and push fuel access deeper into rural and highway corridors amid a sustained boom in vehicle ownership. At the end of November, the country had 1,00,266 petrol pumps the third largest after the US and China with a much bigger geographical area, according to data available from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis [] Th

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: India overhauled its tax regime in 2025 with sharp cuts in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and a higher income tax exemption limit, with the spotlight now turning to customs duty rationalisation and procedural simplification in the coming Budget. Next year will see the new simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, to come into effect from April 1, replacing the over six-decade-old current Income Tax Act, 1961. Also, two new laws one to levy additional [] The post India revamps tax

New Delhi, Dec 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said irregularities in team selection and sports that often happened before 2014 came to an end a decade ago, and now children from even the poorest families can rise to the top levels purely through hard work and talent. Addressing the Sansad Khel Mahotsav, a sports and fitness festival aimed at promoting a sporting culture and leadership among the youth, PM Modi said the scale of the Mahotsav is as [] The post Nepotism That Existed In

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order suspending the jail term of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case. The petition filed by advocates Anjale Patel and Pooja Shilpkar has sought a stay on the high court order. They contended that the HC passed the order without considering that the trial court observed that Sengar must remain in jail for the rest of [] The post Unnao rape case: Plea filed in SC against

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday rejected allegations levelled by the Congress that more than 90 per cent of the Aravallis will not be protected under the redefinition of the hills, saying the party is rattled because the government has issued a total ban on mining in the Aravallis. The Congress on Thursday claimed that more than 90 per cent of the Aravallis will not be protected under the redefinition of the hills and will [] The post Environment Ministe

Gwalior, Dec 25: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated the Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit here, and also launched as well as performed the groundbreaking ceremony of industrial projects of Rs 2 lakh crore. Shah also inaugurated the Gwalior Fair and dedicated to people the renovation work carried out at the Atal Museum on this occasion. According to officials, 25,000 beneficiaries and thousands of entrepreneurs and investors are participating in the summit, organised to ma

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 25: A helicopter crashed on Tanzanias Mount Kilimanjaro, killing five people, the civil aviation authority said on Thursday, while local media reported that the aircraft was on a medical rescue mission. The helicopter crashed near the mountains Barafu Camp on Wednesday, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. Mwananchi newspaper and East Africa TV, citing Kilimanjaro regions head of police, Simon Maigwa, reported that the helicopter was on a medical rescue missi

Dhaka [Bangladesh], Dec 25: After spending 17 years in exile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, returns to Dhaka on Thursday, in what is expected to be a major political event in the countrys history after the ousting of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year during the July Uprising. Rahman, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter, Zaima Rahman, arrived from London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, bdnews24 reported. The flight made a

New Delhi, Dec 25: President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the dignitaries who attended a prayer ceremony at Sadaiv Atal, the memorial of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Thursday to pay tributes to him on his 101st birth anniversary. Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers J P Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, NDA ally JD-U leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, several other

SRINAGAR, Dec 25: Cold conditions returned to Kashmir after a brief respite, with minimum temperatures dropping several degrees to settle below the freezing point owing to clear night skies, officials said on Thursday. Earlier this week, the cold conditions eased in Kashmir due to overcast night skies after snowfall and rain. That changed on Wednesday night, with weather stations across Kashmir recording sub-zero temperatures. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius,

New Delhi, Dec 25: The Congress on Thursday claimed that over 90 per cent of the Aravallis will not be protected under the redefinition of the hills and will open them up for mining and other activities. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said there is no connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modis global talk and local walk when it comes to environmental concerns. He also accused the government of launching a determined assault on ecological [] The post No connection

New Delhi, Dec 24: Researchers have developed experimental drugs targeting mitochondria the energy powerhouse of a cell to work harder and burn more calories, which may make way for new treatments for obesity. The team, led by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, focussed on mitochondrial uncouplers molecules that make cells burn energy less efficiently and release fuel as heat instead of converting it into energy the body can use. Mitochondria are often called [

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Srinagar, Dec 25: In a major breakthrough against fraud and economic offences, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has filed a chargesheet in a high-profile fake jobs and land allotment scam, exposing how a government employee allegedly duped unemployed youth and poor families by issuing forged allotment and appointment orders using fabricated official seals and signatures. In a statement, The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has submitted a chargesheet i

PANCHKULA, Dec 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday unveiled a bronze statue of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the eve of his 101st birth anniversary here. Shah inaugurated the 41-feet-tall statue at the Atal Park in the presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and several Haryana ministers, among others. He also visited an exhibition based on the life and thoughts of Vajpayee. Shah, who was in Panchkula to take part in multiple events on [] The post Amit Shah i

*Directs to blacklist non-performing contractors Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: In a decisive push to fast-track infrastructure development and enforce financial discipline, Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, today chaired a high level review meeting to assess the progress on works being executed under the Approved Plan for 2025-26 of Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Divisions of Jammu region. The meeting was attended by the Chief Engineer, I&FC Jammu; Director Finance, Jal Shak

Michael wazir michaelwazir0@gmail.com A star in the night sky, a manger in a humble stable, and a child wrapped in cloth these simple images form the heart of Christmas. Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem over 2,025 years ago, is one of the most influential figures in history. His life and teachings have inspired billions across centuries, shaping culture, ethics, and faith worldwide. As December arrives, streets sparkle with shimmering lights, homes fill with the warm aroma of festive [] The pos

Sat calls for mass adoption of Indian products Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party, Jammu & Kashmir, organized Swadeshi Mela at Bahu Plaza, here today, aimed at promoting indigenously manufactured products, empowering local artisans, traders and entrepreneurs, and strengthening the spirit of Atmanirbharta and Swadeshi among the masses. Click here to watch video The event was graced by J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP, Sat Sharma, J&K BJP general secretary (Org)

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings to the people on the joyous occasion of Christmas. In a message, the Lieutenant Governor said, On the joyous occasion of Christmas, I convey my warm greetings to the people. I hope that this occasion of festivity ushers in love and harmony amongst the people. The festival, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, serves as a reminder to embrace Lord Christs teachings of love, compassio

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Jammu & Kashmir Bank has won the Best MSME Bank Winner award at the MSME Banking Excellence Awards 2025. The Bank also secured the runner-up position in the CSR Initiative & Business Responsibility category. The awards were presented by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal at a ceremony held in New Delhi. The honours were received on behalf of the Bank by Chief General Manager Business Development, Sunit Kumar and GM/Divisional Head [] The

Excelsior Correspondent LUCKNOW, Dec 24: Uttar Pradeshs rapidly rising stature in Indias and the global education landscape owes much to the significant contribution of Galgotias University, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while lauding the university during a special interaction held recently. Praising Galgotias Universitys impressive performance in the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, the Chief Minister described the institution as a lea

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today chaired a meeting of the Sub-Committee constituted to examine the issues related to Gair Mumkin Khads in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Departments, Javed Ahmad Rana and Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, as members of the Sub-Co

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jammu & Kashmir illuminated thousands of earthen lamps on the evening preceding the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna former Prime Minister, Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which is observed as Good Governance Day on December 25. Hundreds of lamps were lit at all the places, including Atal Jis statue at Atal Chowk near Ambphalla, BJP Headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, BJP office Kachi Chawni, and several other locations across Jamm

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 24: High Court held the location of public convenience and amenity is in sole discretion and under the domain of Government but balance between administrative discretion and public fairness must be kept in mind. Justice Moksha Kazmi made these observations while deciding a matter filed by the residents of Udhampur challenging the proposed construction of a Health Sub Centre at Ward 5 of the village instead of Ward 7 of the panchayat village. The court has []

NEW DELHI, Dec 24: BJP president J P Nadda and several other leaders on Wednesday remembered former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the eve of his birth anniversary by lighting earthen lamps at the party headquarters here. Former vice-president of India M Venkaiah Naidu, who has been elected the president of the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, also participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said similar events were organised across all []

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: Jammu & Kashmir moved closer to their fourth consecutive innings victory in the U-16 Mens Vijay Merchant Trophy at CK Pithawala Ground, Surat thanks to a masterful century by Karman Singh and a sensational 8-wicket haul by Athrav Sharma. Opting to bat first, J&K amassed a commanding 405/9 declared in 85 overs. Karman Singh anchored the innings with 142 off 258 balls, while Hadi Amin (54) and Hammad Firdous (50) provided crucial support. Arslan [] The

NEW DELHI, Dec 24 : India on Wednesday voiced concern over the demolition of a statue of a Hindu deity in the ongoing military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. New Delhi said such disrespectful acts hurt sentiments of followers around the world, even as it urged both Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy. We have seen reports on the demolition of a statue of a Hindu religious deity, built in recent times, and located [] The post India express

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMM, Dec 24: Jammu & Kashmir registered a dominant 10-wicket victory over Chandigarh in their Vijay Hazare One-Day Trophy match at Sanosara Cricket Ground B, Rajkote producing a clinical all-round performance. Bowlers, led by Lone Nasir Muzaffar, laid the foundation before openers Qamran Iqbal and Shubham Khajuria completed the chase in emphatic fashion. Chasing a gettable 209, J&K openers Qamran and Shubham scripted an unbroken 209-run partnership, romping home i

NEW DELHI, Dec 24 : In a major boost to Delhis infrastructure, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved three new Metro corridors, including a 9.91-km stretch from the RK Ashram Marg to Indraprastha, which will connect all Kartavya Bhavans, India Gate, Bharat Mandapam, the National War Memorial and other important installations in Lutyens Delhi. According to the government, the new Central Vista corridor will provide connectivity to all the Kartavya Bhavans, offering doorstep connectivity to offi