Daily Excelsior News

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today undertook a comprehensive review of the projects being executed by the Public Works (Roads & Buildings) Department at a high-level meeting held at the PWD Conference Hall, Gandhi Nagar here. On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of R&B projects worth Rs 119 crore through virtual mode and also e-inaugurated R&B projects worth Rs 33 crore. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kuma

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: In order to strengthen innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship in media, Entertainment and Broadcasting (B&E), WaveX today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi. The MoU was signed by the teams of WaveX and FITT, in the presence of Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Under this collaboration, FITT, IIT Delhi will support

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6 : In an era defined by rapid technological shifts, evolving business models, and heightened global interconnectedness, the Chitkara Business School (CBS), a constituent of Chitkara University steadily emerged as an institution that recognises this shift and responds to it with clarity and purpose. Established in 2010 under the Chitkara Educational Trust, CBS has developed a learning environment where academic rigour is aligned with practical understanding, en

Launches Tourism Kashmir website, skiing courses Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today unveiled the 2026 calendars of the Tourism Department and the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation at the Civil Secretariat. The calendars highlight prominent tourist destinations and tourism-related infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. Congratulating the concerned departments, the Chief Minister observed that such initiatives would contribute significantly to the promot

Ashok Ogra ashokogra@gmail.com Some images travel fast. The reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from inside their palace in the capital city Caracas was no exception. Images like these quickly create the feeling that a long and painful conflict has finally come to an end, signalling success. For those who have lived with fear and uncertainty, they offer hope. For others, they raise a different concern-the fear that instability may follow. History off

Ranbir Singh Pathania rspathaniamla@gmail.com Change is as spontaneous as the flow of water. In public policy, stagnation is often the ugliest choice of all. Laws and policies are not relics to be preserved in a steel frame; they are living instruments meant to respond to evolving realities and exigencies. For nearly two decades, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has enjoyed cult status in Indias welfare politics. Question its design or efficacy, and one risks

Ronik Sharma roniksharma21@gmail.com Bharat has exposed Pakistan, Pakistani agencies, and Pakistani establishment for their neck deep involvement in sponsoring, supporting terrorism for its spreading around the globe and also providing shelter to the most wanted fugitives inside Pakistan. As per many reports, reported by various security agencies and it was also discussed at International foras, including United Nations (UN) that Pakistani establishment plays a key role in funding terrorism and

MARYLAND, Jan 6: The father of a 27-year-old Indian-origin woman who was stabbed to death in Howard County, Maryland, has demanded strict punishment for the accused as conflicting reports emerged over the suspects arrest in India. Nikitha Godishala, living in Ellicott City, was found dead with multiple stab wounds and other trauma to her body on January 2, days after she was allegedly killed on New Years Eve. Howard County has identified Arjun Sharma (26), Nikithas former roommate, as the [] The

WELLINGTON, Jan 6 : New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said that the Free Trade Agreement with India will boost exports and open doors for farmers, growers, and businesses. India and New Zealand have recently finalised the FTA, expected to take effect in seven to eight months. The deal aims to enhance market access and promote investment flows, including a FDI commitment of USD 20 billion over a period of 15 years. Weve concluded a Free Trade Agreement with [] The post FTA with Ind

TIRUPATI, Jan 6: Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool visited the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanoor near here on Tuesday evening and offered prayers to the presiding deity. On arrival at the temples main entrance, President Gokhool was warmly received by TTD Joint Executive Officer Veerabrahmam. After having darshan of the deity, he was presented with sacred prasadams. The visit was attended by District SP Subbarayudu, CV&SO Muralikrishna, several TTD officials, and temple priests.

Statement misleading; doesnt reflect peoples aspirations Suhail Bhat SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Cabinet Minister Javed Rana today said that Jammu and Kashmir has already faced multiple divisions and further fragmentation is neither demanded by people nor sustainable. Rana told reporters here in response to a question on the remarks made by a BJP legislator suggesting separate statehood for Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The Minister said that the issue was serious and needed to be viewed in its historical c

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) has directed the Gymnastics Association of Jammu and Kashmir to depute two gymnasts who have successfully qualified the Rhythmic Gymnastics Judges Course to officiate at the National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship scheduled to be held at Pune, Maharashtra, from February 2 to February 5. According to the directive, the selected qualified judges will officiate during the national-level championship, while their tra

NEW DELHI, Jan 6 : Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday emphasised the evolving global security landscape and the changing character of modern conflicts, underscoring the importance of technology in todays warfare. The Army chief is currently on an official visit to the UAE. General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, today addressed officers of the UAE National Defence College (NDC). In his address, the COAS highlighted the evolving global security landscape and the changing character of mod

ISLAMABAD, Jan 6 : Deepening bilateral defence ties, the air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held detailed discussions on the potential procurement by Dhaka of Islamabads JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, said Pakistan militarys media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday. According to the ISPR, Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan called on Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu in Islamabad, where he

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: As part of the nationwide commemoration of the 10th Veterans Day, the Dhruva motorcycle rally was flagged off from the war memorial at Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu, following a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Tuesday, a defence spokesperson said. The ceremony paid homage to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Senior Army veterans, civil dignitaries and serving personnel participated in it. The event also

NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh on Tuesday said Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has assured that he will look into various issues raised by the workers union, including the demand to raise the minimum pension. A high-level delegation of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) met the minister and apprised him of long-pending issues, the union said in a statement. The minister has promised to look into the issues raised by BMS, particularly increasing the ceiling limits of ESI and EPF [] The po

DEHRADUN, Jan 6 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said the Uttarakhand government is prepared for any investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, adding that a final decision would be taken only after consulting her parents and following their wishes. Opposition parties have been holding protests, demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter. Speaking to reporters here, the chief minister alleged a conspiracy to disturb the peace in the sta

COLOMBO, Jan 6 : Three Indian nationals were arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly possessing 50 kg of cannabis, valued at LKR 500 million (over Rs 14.5 crore), in the largest narcotics haul at Colombo international airport, officials said on Tuesday. The suspects, including two women, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on a flight operated by SriLankan Airways from Bangkok, the police said. The two women suspects, aged between 25 and 27, hailed from Mumbai and were teachers.

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Against the continued illegal settlement of Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in the Jammu region, activists of National Awami United Party (NAUP) staged a protest here today. The demonstration was led by senior NAUP leader Shikha Bandral, who called for urgent Government intervention to safeguard the security and demographics of Jammu. The protesters expressed deep concern over the alleged involvement of these illegal immigrants in criminal activities and

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K unit here today staged a protest demonstration against the ongoing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest was led by Shiv Sena J&K president, Manish Sahni and the protesters torched the flag of Bangladesh. The protesters were holding placards with Ensure Safety to Hindus in Bangladesh etc written on them. While addressing the protesters, Sahni said that attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are going on unabatedly and in the []

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Live for Others-Being Helpful Foundation (LFO-BHF), in collaboration with Talla Jewellers, organized a winter hygiene kit donation drive at Balgran, Channi. The activity was conducted under the guidance of Vivek Parihar, Director and CEO of LFO-BHF and it focused on promoting health, hygiene and overall well-being of children by providing them with essential care items and winter comforts. As part of the initiative, 100 complete hygiene kits, each containing

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Reinforcing its commitment to the welfare of the displaced community, a delegation of the BJP Kashmir Displacement District (KDD), led by district president, Rajiv Pandita, conducted an extensive tour of Ganga Nagar and Bharat Nagar in the Bantalab area today. The visit was aimed at assessing the ground-level challenges faced by residents and ensuring that the party remains a steadfast advocate for their developmental needs. The delegation, which included se

Archival photos, memorabilia to narrate rail history *Work apace on Rs 1.05 crore heritage project Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Jan 6: The historic Railway Station at Ranbir Singh Pura, a silent witness to Jammus first rail connectivity, has been taken up for conservation and heritage-based redevelopment, marking a significant step towards preserving the regions pre-Partition transport legacy and promoting heritage tourism in Jammu district. Under the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and M

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: All JKPDD Engineering Draftsmen Association conducted its executive body election at Gladni Guest House, Narwal, Jammu and JKPDD Guest House Bemina, Srinagar. For the post of President, Varinder Kumar was declared elected while Vishal Sharma was elected as Vice-President, Gourav Sharma as General Secretary and Davinder Singh as Treasurer. The election committee members were Gulzar Ahmed from Kashmir, Pawan Sharma, Ankush Bhardwaj, Rajesh Singh, Raman Charak

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Dr. Nusrat Malik was today elected President of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) J&K Srinagar branch, with the election held unanimously during the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) here. The AGM and election meeting were conducted as per the approved agenda, during which office-bearers for various posts were elected unopposed through consensus. Dr. Nusrat Malik chaired the meeting following her election. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Malik stressed th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 6: Nrityanjali, a classical dance academy presented its annual production Raas Rang under the banner of Rangyug, here today. The production was a soulful ode to Lord Krishna, reflecting devotion, grace and the vibrant spirit of Indian classical dance. The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the chief guest, Pallavi Mishra, SDM Marh, along with Dr Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu and Suresh Sharma, receiver, Panchvaktar M

Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Jan 6:- In a major success against drug peddlers, Kathua police under the overall supervision of SSP Kathua, Mohita Sharma has booked a notorious drug peddler under the PITNDPS Act following multiple involvements in serious NDPS-related offences. A police spokesman said on the directions of Divisional Commissioner Jammu a detention warrant vide Order No. PITNDPS-01 of 2026 dated 02-01-2026 was issued against the accused Mohd.Sadiq alias Siku son of Sheru alias Mat

Jammu, Jan 6: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday outlined the key challenges facing the region, including the demand for restoration of statehood, the upcoming Budget session of the Assembly beginning February 2, and the tourism season. I do not know what is going to happen this year. Its only been six days since the New Year started. Who knows what challenges we will face this year? Last year, nobody was expecting an attack like Pahalgam, or [] The post Statehood, Budget

Srinagar, Jan 6: A massive fire broke out in a scrap yard and a carpet godown in a slum area here on Tuesday, officials said. No casualties were reported, while the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, they said. Fire emerged from slums in the Tengpora locality of the city here, where scrap was stored for transportation to factories for recycling. The flames also spread to an adjacent carpet godown, the officials said. Both sites were functioning [] The post Fire Breaks Out In Scrap Y

Kupwara, Jan 6: Security forces on Tuesday busted a terrorist hideout during a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Putusai area of Sogam in north Kashmirs Kupwara district. Official sources said that the troops of 47 Rashtriya Rifles, 31 Battalion BSF and 08 Sector Rashtriya Rifles launched the operation in the general area of Putusai under the jurisdiction of Police Station Sogam early in the morning, which continued till evening. During the search, arms, ammunition and explosives w

Surat, Jan 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Under-16 team clinched the Vijay Merchant Trophy Plate Group title, the Union Territorys first-ever BCCI crown, after defeating Mizoram by an innings and 182 runs on the third day of the final here on Tuesday. J&K won the four-day match with one day to spare. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the J&K U-16 cricket team on winning the Vijay Merchant Trophy for the first time. A historic BCCI title and a dominant [] The post J&K Wins First BCCI Title

NEW DELHI, Jan 6 : A Labour Union delegation representing leading telecom units and postal pensioners organisations, affiliated to Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), called on Union Minister Incharge DoPT, Dr Jitendra Singh at DoPT headquarters, Kartavya Bhavan, and discussed a range of issues concerning services, employment and pensions, while expressing appreciation for what they described as the Modi Govts employee-friendly approach. The delegation members conveyed that they were highly appreciat

JAMMU, Jan 6: A meeting of the Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) was held here today under the Chairmanship of MLA, Ali Mohammad Sagar, at Assembly Complex, Jammu to review audit para number 5.1 pertaining to Health & Medical Education Department (Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited) contained in CAGs Audit Report for the year 2018. Legislators, Saifullah Mir, Ali Mohammad Dar, Ranbir Singh Pathania, Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Showkat Hussain Ganie and Tanvir Sadiq besid

JAMMU, Jan 6: Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (J&KACB), registered a case against public servant, namely, Pardhan Singh, Patwari, Patwar Halqa, Laddha Tehsil Moungri, District Udhampur and concerned Girdawar for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from the complainant. The said accused public servant demanded the bribe amounting to Rs 10000 from the complainant for Virasiti Intkal and providing nakal thereof. Since, the complainant did not want to pay bribe and approached Anti

Doda, Jan 6: Three persons were injured after a matador was hit by a shooting stone near Kalotha area of Doda district on Tuesday, officials said. An official said a matador bearing registration number JK06A-9890 came under a shooting stone/boulder near Kalotha, resulting in injuries to three occupants of the vehicle. Soon after the incident, the injured were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda for treatment, he said. The local police team rushed to the spot immediately after receiv

JAMMU, Jan 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has introduced new detailed heads for booking Grant-in-Aid expenditure to ensure uniform classification and better financial discipline from the financial year 202627. According to a circular issued by the Finance Department, Grant-in-Aid expenditure will no longer be booked under a single head but will be classified under three distinct headsGIA (General), GIA (Creation of Capital Assets), and GIA (Salary). The move followed recommendations from th

NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Adani Enterprises Limiteds (AEL) Rs 1,000 crore public issue of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) was lapped up within 45 minutes of opening, according to stock exchange data. The base issue of Rs 500 crore was snapped in just 10 minutes and subscription crossed Rs 1,000 crore after including the greenshoe option in under an hour. The issue, which opened on Tuesday, closes on January 19, 2026, with allotment on a first-come, first-served basis. It [] The post Adani raises Rs

NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Retail sales of vehicles across categories in India in 2025 grew by 7.71 per cent at 2,81,61,228 units as compared to 2,61,45,445 in 2024, with GST 2.0 helping overcome a subdued start to the year, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said on Tuesday. Passenger vehicle (PV) retail sales stood at 44,75,309 units in 2025 as against 40,79,532 units in 2024, a growth of 9.7 per cent, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said in a [] The post Automobile ret

NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Apex body for apparel exporters, AEPC, on Tuesday said A Sakthivel has taken charge as its chairman. He has replaced Sudhir Sekhri. Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said that Sakthivel has become the chief for the fifth time. He is also the founder of Poppys Knitwear Pvt Ltd, a leading knitwear export firm. Sakthivel has played a key role in transforming Tiruppur into a global knitwear hub, with exports from the region growing from a [] The post A Sakthivel takes charge

New Delhi, Jan 6: A study suggests that a persons internal body clock may influence dementia risk, with weaker circadian rhythms characterised by greater disruption and irregularity being associated with a higher likelihood of developing the condition. Circadian rhythms peaking later in the day, such as post-afternoon, instead of earlier, were linked to a 45 per cent higher risk of dementia. Disruptions in circadian rhythms may alter body processes like inflammation, and may interfere with sle

NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday asked Bureau of India Standards (BIS) to develop new standards expeditiously and also modernise testing labs for ensuring quality products and services to people. He said that the BIS has been regulating the quality standards eco-system in an efficient manner, but now it should also focus on creating an enabling environment where the manufacturing industry itself do not make products below certain standards. Add

LAS VEGAS, Jan 6: Samsung Electronics has said it will prioritise governance, protect privacy and secure its services to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a true companion of users. The South Korean consumer electronics giants announcement comes amid a raging debate about consumers security and privacy in the rapidly evolving AI era. Samsung, which is planning to embed AI in all its products and services starting this year, said its hybrid AI model ensures personal data remain

LAHORE, Jan 6: A church has been attacked by a group of Muslim men who ransacked it and desecrated the Bible in Punjab province of Pakistan, police said on Tuesday. The Feroz Din Memorial Church in Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur district, some 50 kms from Lahore, came under attack in early hours of Monday by a group of unidentified men. Police, however, claim to have arrested a prime suspect, Allah Rakha, and booked him under blasphemy and other charges. According [] The post Church ransacked in Pakist

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, Jan 6: Thailands caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a media interview on Tuesday that the countrys military has lodged a protest with Cambodia over an explosion in the border area that injured a Thai soldier. Earlier Tuesday, Thailands 2nd Area Command stated on social media that Cambodia violated the ceasefire agreement by firing a mortar round in the border area at around 7:25 a.m. local time, leaving one Thai soldier injured. The Thai Ministry of Foreign

Jammu, Jan 6: The chairman and chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, on Tuesday met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here and held detailed discussions on issues of mutual interest concerning the people of the two Union territories, officials said. During the interaction, Akhoon highlighted the concerns of the students from Ladakh seeking admission to educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed the

Ambala, Jan 6: Haryana Police on Tuesday arrested a man for allegedly spying on the Ambala Air Force Station and sharing sensitive information with Pakistan, officials said. The accused, Sunil Kumar, a resident of Sabka village under the Saha area in Ambala, had been in contact with a woman on a Pakistani social media platform for the past seven months, they said. The accused was also in touch with a contractor working at the Air Force Station and frequently visited [] The post Man Spying On Amb

Leh/Jammu, Jan 6: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated the office of the Directorate of Census Operations in Leh, marking the beginning of preparations for the exercise in the Union Territory in 2027. The Union Cabinet on December 12 last year approved an outlay of Rs 11,718 crore for conducting the Census of India, 2027, which will include caste enumeration for the first time. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta today inaugurated the office of the Directorate of Ce

SRINAGAR, Jan 6: The day is not far when Ladakh will once again become a part of a united Jammu and Kashmir, as there is no other alternative for the Centre, J-K minister Javed Rana said on Tuesday. Rana, who holds the Jal Shakti, forest, ecology and environment, and Tribal Affairs portfolios, was responding to a question on the demands of a separate state for the Jammu region. I believe that the day is not far when Ladakh will again [] The post Day Not Far When Ladakh Will Become Part Of United

Jammu, Jan 6: A notorious drug peddler was booked under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua while two others were arrested along with heroin in Samba district on Tuesday, police said. Mohd Sadiq alias Siku, a resident of Galak village of Ramkot, is a habitual drug peddler named in three FIRs registered at police station Billawar between 2023 and 2025 and was detained under PIT-NDPS Act, a [] The pos

NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday called upon corporates to direct their CSR spending towards combating malnutrition, describing it as crucial for Indias future and their own business interests. Speaking at the National CSR Conclave on Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nutrition Security and Malnutrition Mitigation, organised by the NDDB Foundation, Goyal said a malnutrition-free India is essential for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047. A holistic