Daily Excelsior

United Nations, Mar 4: In a development highlighting polarisation in the UN Security Council, the monthly programme of work for the US Presidency of the powerful UN organ could not be adopted after Russia and China raised objections concerning Iran. The United States, a veto-wielding permanent member, assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of March. As is customary, a monthly programme of work that outlines the Councils anticipated meetings and events for the m

Dubai, Mar 4: Explosions sounded in Irans capital city Wednesday as its war with the US and Israel entered a fifth day following earlier strikes on an Iranian nuclear site and retaliatory strikes by the Islamic Republic across the Gulf region. Iranian state television reported explosions around Tehran at dawn. Meanwhile, Israel said its air defences were activated due to incoming missile fire from Iran. Five days into a war that US President Donald Trump suggested would last several weeks [] The

Tehran, Mar 4: Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Khamenei, has been elected as the next Supreme Leader of Iran, Israeli media reported. He was chosen as Khameneis successor by Irans Assembly of Experts, reports added. Khamenei, who ruled the country for 36 years, was killed in the joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 when he was in his compound. Along with him, his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were killed. Khameneis wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, also died after s

Rajouri/Jammu, Mar 4: Indian Army opened fire at suspected terrorists attempting to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district early Tuesday, officials said. The suspected persons were observed trying to sneak into this side from the Turkandi forward area around 4.15 am, the officials said. They said army troops guarding the LoC opened fire to thwart the infiltration attempt. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and a massive search operation is underway. On February 19-20, army

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today called for a comprehensive study and exploration of emerging job opportunities at the local, national and international level to enhance employment prospects for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He made these remarks while chairing a high-level review meeting of the Skill Development Department (SDD) held at PWD Guest House here. The meeting was attended by Secretary, SDD, Rajiv Ranjan; Director, SDD, Owais Ahmad

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu hosted the DST iTBI Ignition Fest 2026, organized under the aegis of the DST iTBI at IIM Jammu. The event brought together promising innovators from across the country to present research-driven and scalable ventures before an eminent Governing Board comprising senior representatives from the Government of India, national research institutions, banking leadership, intellectual property experts, and industry bodies. Fo

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: The victorious Jammu and Kashmir Ranji cricket team received a rousing welcome on their arrival in Jammu today, as jubilant locals and family members gathered outside the airport to celebrate their historic achievement. Soon after the team landed at Jammu Airport, a large crowd assembled outside, dancing to the beats of dhol and chanting slogans in honour of the players. Family members, relatives and cricket enthusiasts greeted the team with garlands

MUSCAT, Mar 3: -An oil storage facility in the Omani port of Duqm was damaged on Tuesday after a UAV attack, the state-run ONA news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a security source. There are no casualties, the damage to the storage is under control, the news agency added. Qatars state-run energy giant QatarEnergy has suspended liquefied natural gas (LNG) production following drone attacks blamed on Iran, triggering a sharp spike in global gas prices across Europe and Asia. The [] The post D

DUBAI, Mar 3: Israel and the United States pounded Iran on Monday in an escalating campaign that US President Donald Trump said would likely take several weeks. Tehran and its allies hit back across the region, striking Israel and a variety of targets inside Gulf states, including energy facilities in Qatar and the American embassy in Saudi Arabia. The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the lack of any apparent exit plan [] The post Saudi A

Lt Gen Narendra Kotwal (R ), Dr Sumedha Kotwal narendrakotwal@gmail.com As spring gently unfolds across the Indian subcontinent, nature itself seems to participate in a grand symphony of renewal. Blossoms awaken, the air softens, sunlight acquires a golden warmth, and human hearts instinctively gravitate toward celebration. It is in this seasonal threshold of transition from winter inertia to vernal vitality, that Holi emerges, not merely as a festival of colours, but as a deeply layered civiliz

Sanjay Rohmetra sanjayrohmetra@gmail.com In the grand rituals of Hindu festivals, Holi represents the ultimate suspension of social stratification by shared baptism of color with Others rendering the human landscape a singular, chromatic expression of Advaita-non-duality. Holi, famously known as the Festival of Colors, is one of Indias most vibrant and ancient celebrations. It is a sophisticated ritualistic mechanism designed to facilitate the transition from the stagnation of winter to the vita

Dr Arun Sharma India is facing a silent but rapidly growing epidemic obesity and lifestyle-related diseases. Once considered a problem of the West, excess weight is now affecting millions across Indian cities and even smaller towns. Alongside it comes a sharp rise in type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), fatty liver disease and heart disease conditions that Indians are genetically more vulnerable to, even at lower body weights. Until recently, patients with sever

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Nalwa XI and Shaheed Jasjit Tral XI registered emphatic victories in the ongoing 2nd Sikh Cricket Premier League (SCPL) at the University of Jammu grounds. In the first match, Nalwa XI defeated Lt. Sheetal Singh Cricket Club by a massive 101 runs. Batting first, Nalwa XI posted 201/7 and then bowled out Sheetal Club for 100 runs in 16.4 overs. Sahil Singh was declared Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring 57 [] The post Nalwa XI,

KUWAIT CITY, Mar 3 : The Embassy of India in Kuwait on Tuesday said the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class X and XII examinations scheduled for March 5 and 6 in the country due to the ongoing regional situation in the Gulf. In a press release, the embassy said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure in view of prevailing developments in the region. Fresh dates for the postponed examinations will be announced later. The [] The post CBSE postpones Class X, XI

MATHURA (UP), Mar 3 : More than 44 lakh devotees have visited Mathura, Vrindavan and other sites in the Braj region this year to take part in the famed Holi celebrations associated with the divine love of Radha and Lord Krishna, police said on Tuesday. Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat said the figure was based on inputs gathered from various events organised as part of the traditional Braj Holi festivities. Devotees from across the country and abroad [] The post U

Excelsior Sports Correspondent GULMARG, Mar 3: The All India Inter-University Winter Games 202526, hosted by the Central University of Kashmir (CU Kashmir), concluded at Gulmarg, witnessing fierce competition across Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding and Ski Mountaineering. Universities from across India participated, with athletes showcasing grit, skill and endurance amid challenging snowy conditions. The closing ceremony featured AIU Observer Dr Rina Poonia, University of Kashmir Director Sports Dr S

HOUSTAN, Mar 3: A 21-year-old Indian-American student is among four killed in a shooting outside a bar in Austin that is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism. Savitha Shan, an Austin native and a dual-degree senior at the University of Texas at Austin, was fatally shot when a gunman opened fire in a crowded entertainment district on West Sixth Street on Sunday. She was months away from graduation and was described by university officials as an outstanding student [] The post Indian-

NEW DELHI, Mar 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended warm wishes to the nation on the sacred occasion of Attukal Pongala, emphasising the festivals special significance for women and its message of harmony and togetherness. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, Warm wishes on the sacred occasion of Attukal Pongala. This festival has a special importance for our Nari Shakti. May this auspicious day bring prosperity and good health in everyones lives. May the spirit [] The post PM

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 3: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Northern Army Commander, today chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar to review the security scenario in the Kashmir Valley. The meeting was attended by formation commanders and representatives of other security and intelligence agencies to assess the prevailing situation and operational preparedness. During the review, detailed discussions were held on strengthening coordination among various agencies and maintaining a

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Unique International Public School, Gadigarh inaugurated its newly constructed Skating Rink amid enthusiasm and celebration on the school campus today. The initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting holistic development among students. The ceremony was graced by chief guest Randheer Singh, SSP CID, Jammu, who lauded the school management for encouraging sports alongside academics. Addressing the gathe

Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Mar 3: Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, here today attended the historic Matho Nagrang Festival at Matho Monastery, Leh where he was warmly welcomed by former MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal along with monks of the Monastery. Speaking on the occasion the LG described the Matho Nagrang Festival as one of Ladakhs most significant cultural and spiritual events. He noted that this 500-year-old tradition, rooted in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Budd

Excelsior Correspondent RAMNAGAR, Mar 3: Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, MLA Ramnagar, today spearheaded a massive developmental blitz across the constituency by formally kick-starting and inaugurating a series of high-impact projects, The days proceedings were headlined by the commencement of the 4 km PMGSY Road from Main Road Dheeran to Band Baryalta, a project sanctioned at the cost of Rs 9.52 crore. This vital artery, which serves as a long-pending demand of Panchayat Dheeran, was recently digitally inau

e-Office saves crores during Durbar move Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Expressing optimism that J&K Government will come closer and partner with Centre in writing Indias growth story, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of Ministries of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today said it is high time that underexplored potential of J&K should be exploited to play a critical role in Indias Viksit Bharat Yatra. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Talking to reporters o

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: The foundation stone for the construction of a six-classroom block at Government Girls High School (GGHS), Gole Gujral, was laid on Tuesday by Arvind Gupta, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jammu West. The project is being executed under the Jammu & Kashmir School Education Department through the PWD (R&B) Division at an estimated cost of Rs 1.6 crore. The new block will comprise classrooms on the ground and first floor, aimed at enhancing infrastruc

Discusses welfare, security of Indian community NEW DELHI, Mar 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday, and expressed concern over attacks on their countries during the ongoing conflict in West Asia, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp During his telephonic conversations, Modi also discussed with thes

Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Mar 3: Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan today conducted a surprise inspection of Community Health Centre (CHC) Batote to review the functioning of the healthcare facility and assess the quality of services being provided to the public. SSP Arun Gupta; ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak; Addl. SP Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and other concerned officers accompanied the Deputy Commissioner during the visit. During the inspection, the DC inspected wards of the hospital and

Viksit Bharat can only be reality when every region develops Avtar Bhat JAMMU, Mar 3: Strongly condemning the killing of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked which law gave United States and Israel the right to attack. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Talking to reporters on the sidelights of a National Conference on Holistic Development of Districts: Transforming Governance for Viksit Bharat organised by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public G

Thousands of landowners facing inconvenience *Decade later, administrative units face staff, infra shortage Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Mar 3: Thousands of landowners in many districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are facing inconvenience as even after repeated Government directives the missing and dilapidated Mussavis (cadastral maps) have not been reconstructed. Moreover, numerous administrative units, which were created more than a decade back, are still reeling under shortage of man

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: All J&K Sadguru Kabir Sabha, under the leadership of its president Shamsher Chand, celebrated the 508th Nirvan Diwas of Sant Kabir with great reverence and spiritual fervour at Kabir Mandir, Salehar Kothey in Arnia. A large number of devotees gathered at the shrine to pay homage to the revered saint, poet and social reformer whose teachings continue to inspire generations. The programme commenced with floral tributes to Sant Kabir, followed by bhajans and re

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 3: The administration has ordered closure of the schools for this week and continuation of restrictions in Kashmir that were imposed after protests broke out in the region after the killing of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israel strikes. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO The restrictions that were imposed on Monday after protests broke out on Sunday following killing of Khamenei will continue. The restrictions continued for second d

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Three individuals were arrested for allegedly jumping the police naka at Domana area here today. A police official said during routine naka checking at Domana, a suspicious load carrier (JK02CX-6225) was intercepted but the driver of the vehicle accelerated the speed, defied the signal, and broke through the naka in an attempt to flee from the spot. He, however, said that alert naka party chased and intercepted the vehicle at Machine Domana Link Road and []

Gourav Sabharwal Holi, the vibrant Festival of Colors, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Hindu culture. Beyond the playful exchange of colors and festive gatherings, Holi carries deep mythological, historical, spiritual, and social importance. It reflects the essence of Indian civilization the victory of good over evil, devotion over arrogance, and unity over division. Importance in Hindu Mythology The foundation of Holi lies in powerful mythological narratives p

BK Prof. ( Dr.) Jayadeba Sahoo Faculty, Brahma Kumaris & Professor (Ex-Dean & Head), Dept of Eduaction, Rajiv Gandhi (Central) University, Itanagar The burning of Holika is a beloved sight of Rama, auspicious, and brings destruction of all sins and blessings to all. Prologue Bharat is one of the ancient countries of the world. It has a great heritage of glory and an elevated way of life. Even now it is very well known for being the land of [] The post Holi: The Quintessential Spiritual Odyssey

Excelsior Extends Holi Greetings To All its Readers. Offices of Daily Excelsior and Excelsior Printers Pvt. Ltd. will remain closed on March 4 (Wednesday) on account of Holi festival. Therefore, there will be no issue of your newspaper on March 5 (Thursday). Editor The post Excelsior Extends Holi Greetings To All its Readers. Offices of Daily Excelsior and Excelsior Printers Pvt. Ltd. will remain closed on March 4 (Wednesday) on account of Holi festival. Therefore, there will be no issue of your

Jammu, March 3: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Jammu Division of Northern Railway has undertaken transportation of rare zoo animals from Jammu to Chennai by train, marking a significant milestone in long-distance wildlife transit. Two leopard cats and two black bears were dispatched from Jammu Railway Station on Tuesday in a special parcel van attached to train 16032, railway officials said. The consignment will cover nearly 2,800 km to reach MGR Chennai in Tamil Nadu in about 54 hours,

Srinagar, Mar 3: Armys Northern Commander, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, today chaired a high-level security review meeting, engaging with Formation Commanders and representatives of sister agencies to assess and deliberate on the prevailing security situation. In a post on X, Armys Northern Command said that Lt Gen Sharma, chaired a meeting in Srinagar to review the evolving security situation in Kashmir Valley. The Army Commander engaged with Formation Commanders and representatives of sister agencies

JAMMU, March 3 : Union Minister of State ( Independent Charge) Science & Technology , MoS for for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that Jammu & Kashmir has the potential to be a key player in Indias Viksit Bharat story and closely partner with the Central government in the writing of India growth story. As for J&K, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Department of Administrative Reforms DARPG in the Union Ministry of Personnel [] The post J&Ks Transit

New Delhi, Mar 3: An explosion just 300 metres from their dormitory has left Indian students in Irans Urmia city fearful, a Kashmiri medical student told PTI on Tuesday as hostilities continue in the region. Labeeb Qadri from Srinagar, a final-year MBBS student at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, said attacks have been taking place continuously. The situation has not been good at all for the last few days. Here in Urmia, attacks are taking place continuously. About one hour [] The post Kash

JAMMU, Mar 3: The Finance Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has assigned additional responsibilities to 11 Accounts Officers in the interest of the administration. The post J&K Finance Dept Assigns Addl Charge To 11 Accounts Officers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Srinagar, March 3: The University of Kashmir has postponed all examinations scheduled to be held on March 4, 2026, according to an official notification issued by the Office of the Controller of Examinations. The notice states that all University examinations slated for Wednesday stand postponed. Fresh dates for the conduct of the postponed examinations will be notified separately. The order, issued by the Assistant Controller of Examinations (Conduct), has been circulated to the concerned autho

SRINAGAR, Mar 3: Sakina Itoo on Tuesday announced that all schools and colleges across the Kashmir Division will remain closed till March 7, 2026. The announcement was made through her official post on X, where she stated, All schools and colleges of Kashmir Division to remain closed till 7th of March 2026. The decision comes amid the prevailing situation, with authorities taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. Officials said further updates rega

New Delhi, Mar 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman and Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and expressed concern over attacks on their countries during the ongoing conflict in West Asia, officials said. In his telephonic conversations, Modi also discussed with the two leaders the welfare and security of the Indian community residing there. The prime minister spoke to two important leaders from the Gulf regio

New Delhi, Mar 3: India holds sufficient crude and fuel inventories to meet domestic demand for petrol, diesel, and other fuels for six to eight weeks, top government sources said, cushioning the country against any short-term supply disruption amid escalating military conflict in West Asia. About half of Indias crude and LPG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz the key energy chokepoint that has seen disruptions following US and Israeli attacks on Iranian government, military and nuclear facil

JAMMU, Mar 3: Several delegations and individuals today called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Public Outreach Office Raabita in Jammu, and apprised him of a range of public, developmental and sector-specific issues. Former Minister Raman Bhalla, accompanied by a delegation of civil society met the Chief Minister and highlighted various concerns pertaining to their welfare. The delegation sought sustained policy attention to address pending issues and ensure equitable development. Former Mini

ABU DHABI, Mar 3: The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates to avoid unnecessary travel and remain vigilant in view of the current regional situation. In its advisory, the Embassy advised members of the Indian community to take due care, follow safety guidelines, and adhere to advisories issued by the UAE authorities and the mission from time to time. It said, The Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the [] The post Embassy of India is

New Delhi, Mar 3: A new study has found breast cancer to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women worldwide, with India registering a staggering 477 per cent increase in breast cancer cases and 352 per cent increase in deaths caused by the disease between 1990 and 2023. The study published in the Lancet Oncology estimated the number of breast cancer cases globally to rise to 3.5 million by 2050 rising by a third from 2.3 [] The post Nearly 500 per cent increase in breast cancer ca

NEW DELHI, Mar 3: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has completed mandatory biometric updates of students across more than 1 lakh schools within six months of starting the drive, helping around 1.2 crore school children, an official statement said on Tuesday. The mission mode mandatory biometric updates (MBU) drive is ongoing for six months and UIDAI has made MBU in Aadhaar for children in the 7-15 age group free of cost for a period of one year beginning [] The post UIDAI cov

NEW DELHI, Mar 3: GST authorities have issued a demand notice of Rs 6.37 crore to Britannia Industries, and the company is exploring legal remedies. The bakery food company received the order from the Office of the Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Thane on Monday, according to a regulatory filing from the company. The order has been passed under Section 74 of the GST Act for FY 2020-21 to FY 2023-24, alleging non-payment of tax due to incorrect classification [] The post GST authorities sl

NEW DELHI, Mar 3: The Ministry of Power has extended the timeline seeking stakeholders comments on the Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 by one month till March 19. The timeline has been extended on the request of several stakeholders who have sought additional time to examine the provisions of the draft electricity policy, the Ministry said in a notification dated February 25. Earlier, the last date to submit comments and suggestions was February 19. The National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2

MUMBAI, Mar 3: Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said the regulator has no concerns over the futures segment of the derivatives market, but remains watchful of speculative activity in short-dated options. Pandey said the regulators recent interventions are focused specifically on curbing excesses in short-tenor options, while preserving the crucial role of futures and derivatives in price discovery and liquidity. Responding to a question on the derivatives segment, Pandey said the issue should no