Daily Excelsior

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Renewable energy solution provider Suzlon on Tuesday appointed Ajay Kapur as the Group CEO. The company also elevated J P Chalasani to the newly formed Group Executive Council. Aligned with Suzlon 2.0 vision, Suzlon forms a Group Executive Council (GEC) to steer strategic direction and appoints Ajay Kapur as Group CEO to drive scale and business transformation across the group, the company said in a statement. An executive management council led by the Group CEO has [] The pos

SRINAGAR, Feb 24: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued notice to the union Territory administration on a Public Interest Litigation seeking effective implementation of the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), 2011. The PIL, filed by environmentalist and social activist Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, alleges widespread non-compliance with the Act across several government departments. The petitioner contended that despite repeated government circulars mandating adherence, departments su

DEHRADUN, Feb 24: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has advocated for the nationwide implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, modelled after the one in Uttarakhand, terming it essential for unifying society. At a former servicemens event on Monday evening to mark the 100th anniversary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bhagwat said, It would be a very good thing if the UCC is implemented It would be good if it happened across the country. I believe it should be implemented in [] The post Essential

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NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government has abandoned the Palestinians and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to Israel despite that countrys attacks on civilians in Gaza continuing mercilessly. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Modi government makes cynical and hypocritical statements on its commitment to the cause of the Palestinians but in reality it has abandoned them. Israels dispossession and displacement of th

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: A Leh-bound SpiceJet aircraft returned to the national capital due to an engine issue on Tuesday morning, according to a source. There were around 150 people on board the Boeing 737 aircraft that was operating the flight SG121, the source added. When contacted, a SpiceJet spokesperson said a flight operating from Delhi to Leh on Tuesday returned to Delhi after experiencing a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers were disembarked normally, []

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: Vasant Utsav 2026 was today celebrated with great enthusiasm by NHPC, Indias 100% renewable energy company, at the NHPC Residential Complex, Faridabad. The festival was inaugurated by Bhupender Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, NHPC and Shikha Gupta, Chairperson, NHPC Mahila Kalyan Samiti. NHPC celebrates Vasant Utsav during the spring season with the objective of showcasing the richness and diversity of Indian culture. Speaking on the occasion, CMD, N

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: The second edition of Innovate to Excel was today concluded at the Institutions Innovation Council (IIC) of Jaypee University of Information Technology (JUIT), Solan in Himachal Pradesh. The primary objective of this initiative was to foster innovation-driven thinking among students, enhance awareness about entrepreneurship and strengthen intellectual engagement. The program commenced with a formal inaugural session held under the guidance and leadership of

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: In a major step towards enhancing financial inclusion and convenience, Chandigarh-based fintech startup Paymart India Pvt Ltd today partnered with several banks, including Jammu & Kashmir Bank, to provide Virtual ATM services across the country. The initiative aims to eliminate the need for customers to visit physical ATMs or bank branches for cash withdrawals. The move comes amid rising maintenance costs of traditional ATMs, limited penetration in rural ar

RANCHI, Feb 24 : An air ambulance with seven people onboard to Delhi from Ranchi crashed near Simaria in Jharkhands Chatra district, Ranchi airport Director Vinod Kumar said. The crash occurred after the air ambulance took off from Ranchi airport at about 7.10 pm, the official said. An air ambulance from Ranchi with seven people onboard crashed near Simaria in Chatra district. The report of the crash was received from the state administration, Airport Director Kumar told PTI. The ambulance [] Th

The drug menace in J&K has reached an alarming and deeply disturbing stage. What was once perceived as a sporadic social problem has now evolved into a full-blown public health emergency, steadily tightening its grip on the youth of the Union Territory. The figures placed before the Assembly reveal a grim reality that can no longer be ignored or treated with routine administrative responses. A joint survey conducted in 2022 by the Health and Social Welfare Departments across ten districts [] The

Dr Varinder Sharma drvarindersharmabjp@gmail.com Donald Trumps second-term political project, built around the idea of restoring national primacy through uncompromising America First policies, represents one of the most ambitious attempts in modern history to reshape not only domestic governance but also the global strategic balance. His ambition has gone far beyond conventional policy correction or partisan governance; instead, it has sought to re-engineer the relationship between state power,

BNPs Electoral Return B S Dara bsdara@gmail.com The recent electoral victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party opens a new democratic chapter in South Asian diplomacy, carrying the potential to recalibrate regional engagement with renewed strategic clarity and institutional pragmatism. Far from being a mere domestic political transition in Dhaka, this moment represents a significant opportunity for constructive diplomatic realignment within the India-Bangladesh-Pakistan strategic triangle. For

NEW DELHI, Feb 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the milestone of 30 lakh households getting rooftop solar power under the PM Surya Ghar scheme and said the initiative is part of the governments efforts to build an energy-secure and future-ready India. Modi said this in response to Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshis announcement that India has taken a historic leap towards a solar-powered future. Joshi said 30 lakh households across the nation are [] The po

SINGAPORE, Feb 23: Singaporean companies will scale up their presence in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised after he met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday and the Indian leader secured investment pledges amounting to Rs 6,650 crore on the first day of his visit to the Southeast Asian nation. Companies from his country were investing in Uttar Pradesh in various sectors, particularly logistics, connectivity, and infrastructure development, and there was potential for dee

HUBBALLI, Feb 23: Jammu and Kashmirs entry into their maiden Ranji Trophy final is a heartwarming tale of grit and passion but to grab the title, the underdog side would need to pull off a giant-sized miracle against eight-time former champions Karnataka over the next five days, starting Tuesday. The tag of favourites is attached to Karnataka not merely because of their rich legacy, but it is a well-earned one after a season in which they consistently rose above opponents, [] The post Ranji Trop

NEW DELHI, Feb 23: Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he is misleading the nation on the India-US trade deal and attempting to incite unrest in the country. Singh also said that Gandhi should undergo brain mapping. Criticising the shirtless protest of Youth Congress activists at the India AI Impact Summit here, the Textiles Minister said he fears that Gandhi might turn up in a vest during the Lok Sabha session, when it [] The post Giriraj s

NEW DELHI, Feb 23: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday asserted that quality must become the cornerstone of Indias manufacturing and export strategy, stating that the countrys ambition to become a USD 30-35 trillion economy by 2047 hinges on embedding world-class standards across sectors. Addressing the first National Quality Conclave organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in collaboration with the Quality Council of India, Goyal said Prime Min

GUWAHATI, Feb 23: Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday launched several initiatives and handed over to the Assam government the approval letter of Rs 1,819 crore sanctioned for road projects in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Chouhan also inaugurated the newly constructed building of Assam Seeds Corporation Limited, launched a new mobile application called Krishi Sarathi for the Agriculture Department and another app Rural One for

Teen talent targets Winter Olympics Excelsior Sports Correspondent Srinagar, Feb 23: Three young alpine skiers training under double Winter Olympian Mohammad Arif Khan have set their sights on putting India on the global winter sports map, as the Khelo India Winter Games spotlight emerging talent in Gulmarg. Syed Zain, Faizan Ahmad Lone from Kashmir and Sahil Thakur from Himachal Pradesh, considered among the countrys brightest prospects in Alpine skiing, recently returned from an advanced train

NEW DELHI, Feb 23 : The government on Monday halved the rate of duty benefits under the export support scheme, RoDTEP, prompting the exporting community to seek a reconsideration of the decision. The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, launched in 2021, provides for a refund of taxes, duties and levies that are incurred by exporters in the process of manufacturing and distribution of goods, and are not being reimbursed under any other mechanism at the [] The post

OTTAWA, Feb 23 : Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that he will travel to India, Australia, and Japan from February 26 to March 7 to diversify Canadas trade, unlock new opportunities for Canadian workers and secure new partnerships in energy, technology, and defence. In a more divided and uncertain world, Canadas new government is focused on what we can control. We are building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy. We are building our strength at home, diversifyin

CHANDIGARH, Feb 23 : Expressing grave concern over the brutal murder of two Punjab Police personnel at a border outpost in Gurdaspur, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday termed the incident a direct assault on the security of a sensitive border state. While offering his condolences to the families of the fallen officers, Chugh asserted that the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved and vowed that their ultimate sacrifice would not be forgotten. Given the location of [] T

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: Iron Tribe athletes Aman Gupta and Sawan Nagpal delivered a commendable performance at the prestigious Tata Mumbai Ultra Marathon held in Lonavala, successfully completing the challenging 50-km race in less than five hours. Competing against nearly 1,800 participants, both athletes secured positions among the top 70 finishers, marking a significant achievement in their endurance sports journey. Seasoned ultra runners and accomplished Ironman finisher

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: Andhra Veterans emerged champions of the 3rd edition of the Legend Masters T20 Cricket Championship, while host side Jammu & Kashmir Veterans put up a spirited performance to finish runners-up. The closing ceremony was graced by chief guest Manik Batra, Chairman ASSOCHAM J&K, in the presence of Rajat Randhawa, PDP Spokesperson, Vikrant Dogra, Chairman UAMMCL, Rajinder Jamwal, Sports Promoter; Aman Cheema, Senior NC Youth Leader and Vivek Suri, Genera

BJP gears up for Prashikshan Mahabhiyan2026 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a series of strategic meetings at the BJP Headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, here, today focusing on upcoming party programmes, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Prashikshan Mahabhiyan 2026 and organizational preparedness across Jammu & Kashmir. The meetings were led by Sat Sharma CA, president, J&K BJP, and MP (Rajya Sabha), Sunil Sharma, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, and Ashok

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Feb 23: A five-day multimedia exhibition on various Central Government schemes began at Government Degree College (GDC) here today under the aegis of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC). The inaugural ceremony was graced by MLA, Udhampur West, Pawan Kumar Gupta, as the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, Gupta said the multimedia exhibition focuses on Startup India and Mission Aroma. He lauded the CBC for setting up the exhibition for the benefit of the

The latest debate in the assembly has once again brought into sharp focus the deepening crisis confronting Pampores saffron fields. Once celebrated as the saffron bowl of the Valley, Pampore symbolised both heritage and economic resilience. Today, however, production has fallen to less than a quarter of its earlier levels, raising troubling questions about policy execution, ecological stress and institutional accountability. The decline of the famed Kashmir saffron is a cultural and economic eme

Excelsior Correspondent KATRA, Feb 23: As part of their academic and industry exposure visit, a group of 34 B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) students from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) visited the AI Summit 2026, in New Delhi. The visit provided students with an opportunity to closely observe the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence and related technologies through interactive sessions and large-scale industry exhibitions. During the summit, students explored a

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: Chairman Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (ESWA) Akhnoor, Lakhbir Singh Sohal, along with all the members of ESWA paid tribute to Jemadar Parkash Singh Chib on his 81st martyrdom anniversary. Jemadar Parkash Singh Chib was awarded Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery during World War II on February 16, 1945. The event was organized by Swaran Singh Chib, president of the Management Committee of the Victoria Cross Charitable Society, Nud, Akhnoor. Br

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Feb 23: A two-day training programme on investigation of economic offences and financial frauds began at the Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA) here today. The course has been organised under the guidance of the Director SKPA to strengthen the investigative skills of police officers in dealing with complex financial crimes. A total of 20 officers and officials from different units are taking part in the programme. The training has been designed to provide deta

Shivaji Sarkar Artificial Intelligence was supposed to be Indias next moonshot moment the arena where its vast pool of engineers, data scientists and entrepreneurs would finally challenge Western technological dominance on equal terms. It was a confident global showcase but had its mix of successes and failures. Goof-ups, mismanagement, confused coordination and embarrassing no-shows did cast a long shadow over Indias prestigious AI summit on the one hand and on the other the lineup of world le

Excelsior Correspondent REASI, Feb 23: The Central Prabhari Officer of Aspirational Block Thakrakote, Nitish Suri, who is also Director Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, Government of India today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of developmental works being implemented in Aspirational Block Thakrakote. The meeting was attended by district and block-level officers, who briefed the chair on the status of ongoing projects under key sectors inc

Excelsior Correspondent KATRA, Feb 23: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has taken a significant step towards establishing the upcoming International Goddess Museum by unveiling a dedicated official online portal in pursuance of the approval accorded during the 76th meeting of the Board held under the chairmanship of Manoj Sinha, Chairman, SMVDSB (Lt Governor, JK-UT). The launch of the portal https://suggestions.smvdsbimog.org/#/museum, marks a major milestone in the conceptualiza

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Feb 23: Residents of Tulail and Gurez in north Kashmir today staged a protest, demanding the return of 34 teachers to their original postings and calling for the reinstatement of suspended Chief Education Officer (CEO) Bandipora, Balbir Kumar. The protest comes a day after the Government suspended Kumar for cancelling the deputation of 34 teachers appointed in Education Zone Gurez but working in other zones of Bandipora district without formal approval. The prot

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: Ek Sath Rang Mandal (ESRM) here today staged a street play Nasha Mukti Ki Alakh Jagao. Sunder, a well educated man was trapped in drug addiction but suddenly there appears a saintly figure Ram Ji Kalyan, a retired teacher, committed to reform the bad elements of society and help the youth to come out of addiction. He tells Sunder that drug addiction has never brought any prosperity but destroyed health of the addict person. Kalyan [] The post ESRM stages st

Jammu, Feb 23: The Jammu and Kashmir government has recorded a 13.6 per cent decline in road accidents over the past three years, with the number of incidents falling from 6,120 in 2023 to 5,287 in 2025, officials said on Monday. The downward trend is attributed to improved enforcement, extensive road safety awareness programmes and the strengthening of road safety mechanisms across the Union Territory. Official data show that accidents dropped to 5,726 in 2024 before further decreasing in 2025.

New Delhi, Feb 23: Ahead of the Holi festival, food regulator FSSAI has asked state food commissioners to increase surveillance and take strict actions against adulteration in milk products and cooking oils. In a letter to state food commissioners, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that the demand for sweets, savouries, edible oil and milk & milk products (such as ghee, khoa, paneer, etc.) and other food items witnesses a significant surge during the upcoming Holi festiva

KOLKATA, Feb 23: In a public appeal to West Bengal voters weeks before the declaration of Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was heartbroken by the deceit and anguish faced by the cross-section of the states citizens under the current Mamata Banerjee regime and vowed to correct it by building a Viksit Paschim Banga. Modi said while a political change was inevitable, a judicious choice by voters could align the state with the accelerated development seen [] The post He

NEW DELHI, Feb 23: The government on Monday unveiled the countrys first counter-terrorism policy, Prahaar, setting out a multi-layered strategy based on zero tolerance, intelligence-led prevention and disruption of extremist violence that aims to deny terrorists, their financiers and supporters access to funds, weapons and safe havens. The policy unveiled by the home ministry is based on seven key pillars to counter the terror threats emanating from India or abroad prevention, responses, aggreg

NEW DELHI, Feb 2:Union Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday said the newly launched cooperative cab service Bharat Taxi will guarantee a minimum base rate per kilometre for all drivers on its platform, asserting that existing ride-hailing aggregators had deliberately avoided setting such a floor to maximise corporate profits at the expense of workers. Addressing a town hall interaction with cab and auto drivers from Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, Shah said the cooperative ride-hailing platform would return 8

PESHAWAR, Feb 23: Five personnel of the Federal Constabulary (FC) were injured in a quadcopter attack on the paramilitary forces headquarters in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, police said. The attack targeted the FC installation located in Karak district. A quadcopter was used to strike the building, leaving five FC personnel wounded, police said. Militants also opened fire on an ambulance transporting the injured to the hospital, injuring two rescue officials, police said. A h

TEHRAN, Feb 23: Iran on Monday said that it does not support the idea of an interim agreement in its negotiations with the US authorities, and instead conditioned a swift and result-oriented deal centred on lifting sanctions and resolving nuclear-related issues. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, addressing a weekly press conference in Tehran said all speculation about a temporary arrangement had no basis, further stressing that any agreement would have to be jointly shaped at the neg

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: Opposition lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) on Monday staged a protest outside the Supreme Court, demanding that all pending legal cases against Imran Khan be fixed for immediate hearing, and a meeting between him and his family members be arranged at the earliest. Khan, imprisoned since August 2023, is currently serving a 14-year sentence at Adiala Jail in connection with a ?190 million corruption case. He was also recently convicted in a separate case [] The

AMARAVATI, Feb 23: The Andhra Pradesh police arrested IPS officer Sunil Nayak in Bihar on Monday in connection with the alleged custodial torture of the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly, K Raghurama Krishna Raju, during the previous YSRCP administration. Guntur district superintendent of police (SP) Vakul Jindal said the arrest was recorded and Nayak is being brought to Andhra Pradesh. The IPS officer could be brought to the southern state and produced in a court in Guntur on Tuesday, [] The

GULMARG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed that it is not merely the governments intention but its consistent and sustained effort to develop Gulmarg into an international ski destination, emphasizing that this vision will create opportunities and benefit all sectors associated with sports and tourism in the region. The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, which were formally inaugurated earlier in the day by

Jammu, Feb 23: An ambulance was damaged after it caught fire in the parking area of Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said. No injuries were reported in the incident, they said. According to the officials, the fire began in the patient compartment of the critical care 108 ambulance and engulfed the parked vehicle within minutes. The blaze was controlled by the hospital staff and the fire services personnel, they said. [] The p

NEW DELHI, Feb 23: The Delhi Police has dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate with alleged links to the United Kingdom and seized over 18 lakh psychotropic tablets worth Rs 9 crore in the illicit market, an officer said on Monday. Five people have been arrested in this connection with the case, which exposed an organised pharmaceutical drug network that operated through logistics firms, courier services and export consignments to smuggle prohibited medicines abroad. The case dat

GUWAHATI, Feb 23 : Development and peace share a reciprocal relationship, when peace prevails, development accelerates, and when development reaches people, it strengthens peace, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, while addressing a Pre-Retirement Counselling (PRC) Workshop at Guwahati, Assam, today. The workshop was organised by the Department of Pen

JAMMU, Feb 23: Two balloons with a Pakistani Rs 5,000 currency note and a US dollar attached to them were recovered from a forward village in the Akhnoor sector near Jammu on Monday, officials said. The aeroplane-shaped white and red balloons were found stuck on a tree at Gunara village in the Khour border belt, they said. The balloons, also carrying a Pakistani mobile number and a QR code, appeared to have drifted to this side of the International Border [] The post Pak Balloons With Foreign Cu