Daily Excelsior

Ranbir Singh Pathania rspathaniamla@gmail.com In an era of global economic headwinds-tight monetary policies, fractured supply chains, and geopolitical storms-Union Budget 2026-27 emerges as a beacon of fiscal churn for India. Presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it caps the fiscal deficit at a disciplined 4.3% of GDP while ramping up capital expenditure to a record Rs 12.2 lakh crore, a 9% jump from last year. This is no populist giveaway; its a structural pivot from short-term rel

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is seen as a trusted partner for growth and it was reflected in the recent trade deals it has agreed with various countries, including the UK, USA and the EU. Addressing a community programme here, Modi said the Indian diaspora served as a living bridge between India and Malaysia and announced a new consulate in the archipelago nation and the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to enable students to study in [] The post Trust has bec

Maj Gen Ranjan Mahajan (Retd) I retired at 58 years of age after a thrilling 35+ years as an Indian Army Infantry officer, where every day tested the limits of body and mind. The life forged unbreakable fitness and resilience, but it exacted a steep price: summoning raw courage to cling to healthy routines amid brutal field postings, freezing high-altitude battles, and relentless counter-insurgency or anti-terror operations. Exercise and runs often fell by the wayside as operational duties consu

Historical Settlements of Jammu Lalit Gupta lalitguptajammu@gmail.com Known as the Land of Sapphire and Saffron, Kishtwar lies beyond the ramparts of the Pir Panjal, to the east-south-east of Kashmir, bounded by Ladakh to the north, Padar and Chamba to the east, and Bhadarwah to the south. Nearly 230 km north-east of Jammu, the ancient town rises upon a back-of-the-whale-like plateau, spread across about 20 square kilometres, poised between longitude 754330 and 754700 E and latitude 331730 and 3

Chethan Prabhakar chetanprabhakar@gmail.com Sporting excellence is never accidental. It is the outcome of sustained planning, professional coaching, functional infrastructure, and institutional accountability. Every medal earned at the national or international level reflects not just individual talent, but the strength of the system supporting that athlete. In Jammu & Kashmir, however, the trajectory of swimming has long reflected a different reality-one marked by prolonged neglect, missing fun

Dr Manuj Wadhwa manuj.wadhwa@gmail.com For decades, the story of knee replacement surgery has been written in bone cement-a dependable grout that has helped millions walk again. Cemented implants brought predictability and stability, and for many years, they served patients well. However, medicine does not stand still. As knee arthritis begins affecting younger and more active individuals, expectations from joint replacement have changed. Patients today are not just asking for pain relief-they w

The tableau of Jammu and Kashmir was one of main attractions of 77th Republic Day Excelsior Correspondent The tableau unfolded like a silken tapestry, presenting the region as a seamless cultural continuum where craftsmanship and performance merge into a single, luminous narrative. On one side, the tableau celebrated the splendour of traditional arts: the gleaming samavaar with intricate metal engraving; exquisitely woven Kani shawls rich with symbolic patterns; hand-knotted carpets rising from

Dr Anoop Singh dranoop8998@gmail.com As examination results are announced across India, the national conversation once again centres on percentages, ranks and success stories. What remains largely absent from public discourse is the emotional cost borne by students who struggle to meet these expectations. In an education system increasingly driven by performance metrics, mental well-being has been pushed to the sidelines with devastating consequences. According to the National Crime Records Bur

Adhiraj Verma anjalisanjay04@gmail.com A Time When Work Stayed at Work There was a time when office gates closed at 5 pm and, with them, work stayed behind. Parents returned home, loosened their ties, picked up their children, and stepped into playgrounds and living rooms without the shadow of tomorrows tasks hanging over their heads. Home was home. Office was office. When WhatsApp Became the Office That boundary has now vanished quietly, almost invisibly with the arrival of one [] The post Th

True joy for children begins with inner balance and awareness in parents MAAsterG Most parents often wonder- How to raise happy children in todays times. When the word happy arises, its opposite-sad-inevitably follows. Happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin. If you experience happiness, sadness will also come, because happiness is not a permanent state. One is always followed by the other. When someone agrees with us, we feel happy; when they do not, we feel sad. [] The post How to

A Cure for Most Worries B L Razdan bl_razdan@yahoo.com If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, thank you, that would suffice. (Meister Eckhart) Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people. (Samuel Johnson) If you practice gratitude daily, no matter how much or how little you have, you will be happy. Living in gratitude is a powerful, science-backed approach that can significantly reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, [] The post Livin

Enthusiasm of tourists to visit UT hasnt diminished *HM reviews development in key sectors Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today reviewed the progress of development projects in Jammu and Kashmir highlighting the need to utilise the full potential of hydropower projects in the Union Territory. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Lok Bhawan here on third day of his Jammu visit, Shah said under Prime Ministe

Excelsior Correspondent VIJAYAWADA, Feb 7: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singhtoday stated that Andhra Pradesh, along with other coastal states, will emerge as the torchbearer of Indias Blue Economy transformation. Referring to the Prime Ministers repeated emphasis from the Red Fort on making the Blue Economy a national priority mission, the Minister

MUMBAI, Feb 7: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav batting just like he does and Mohammed Sirajs incisive first spell headlined defending champions Indias scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse in the opening encounter of the T20 World Cup here on Saturday. A veteran of many-a-battle here at the Wankhede Stadium, Suryakumars 49-ball unbeaten 84 was a blend of fine rescue act and a defiant counter-attack against a USA attack that proved to be more [] T

Takes Govt to task for slashing budgetary allocations Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 7: Stunning every one with her maiden fierce speech in the Assembly today, the BJPs MLA from Nagrota constituency, Devyani Rana said I am making my maiden address with heavy heart but hope in this House today. Participating in the debate on annual budget for 2026-27 in UT Assembly which was presented by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah yesterday who is also holding the Finance portfolio, Devyani Rana said [] Th

Focus to operationalise existing ones Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Government has no intention of creating new administrative units at present and is focused on operationalising those already sanctioned. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Omar was replying to supplementary questions by members in the Assembly seeking new administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir. This issue should end here. The Government, as of now, has no in

POKHARA, Feb 7: Fielding an U-17 side, India thrashed Bangladesh 4-0 in the final to clinch the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-19 Womens Championship title here on Saturday. Captain Julan Nongmaithem (42nd minute) opened the scoring before Elizabed Lakra (63rd), Pearl Fernandes (68th) and substitute Anwita Raghuraman (83rd) completed a commanding triumph, as the Young Tigresses emphatically avenged their earlier round-robin defeat (0-2) against Bangladesh. India had sent their U-17 wom

Allege corruption, fraud; call for inquiry *Govt rules out relaxation in norms Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Feb 7: The BJP MLAs today made a sensational charge in the Legislative Assembly that a senior officer got title of over 500 kanals land converted at village Maksudpur in Kathua district and it was sold at very high rates. They demanded an inquiry into the issue. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The charge was initially made by BJP MLA from Jasrota (Kathua), [] The post BJP MLAs say

Home Stay Prog successful, being extended to other areas Bivek Mathur JAMMU, Feb 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today informed the Legislative Assembly that over 1.77 Crore tourists, including both domestic and international visitors, arrived in the Union Territory during the year 2025. The information was shared by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the charge of Tourism Minister, while replying to a starred question raised by National Conference MLA Hasnain Masoodi. Sharing the

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 7: The Cycling Association of Jammu & Kashmir (CAJK) has selected cyclists to represent Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the 22nd National MTB Cycling Championship for Senior, Junior, Sub-Junior and Under-14 Boys and Girls categories. The championship will be held from February 12 to 15, 2026 at Roing, Arunachal Pradesh. The selected cyclists include Ulfat Mustaq and Mehak Mustaq in the Senior Women category; Mohammed Tahir Mir and Shahid Mushtaq in

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Feb 7: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma today visited Manjakote and adjoining areas to take stock of ongoing digitization and management of revenue records. At a public gathering, Jamabandi records were read out in the presence of land owners and local residents, enabling them to verify their land details on the spot. The Deputy Commissioner listened to the grievances & objections from the locals regarding their land records. He assured them that all

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Feb 7: To review the utilization of District Capex budget for the financial year 202526 and to assess the progress of works achieved under different sectors, a comprehensive meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo at Meeting Hall of the DC Office here today. The meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Superintending Engineer SMC, Assistant Commissioner Panchayats, Executive Engineers from R&B, PHE, I&FC, UE

The successful elimination of three JeM terrorists in twin encounters at Udhampur and Kishtwar marks a significant tactical victory for security forces at a crucial time. The operations demonstrate both preparedness and operational depth of the security grid. Reports confirm that two self-styled JeM commanders were neutralised in a prolonged Udhampur operation, while another terrorist was eliminated in Kishtwar during ongoing search operations. The Basantgarh-Udhampur encounter stands out as a m

Niraj Dubey singer2671@gmail.com The history of codes used for product design-specifically for identification, tracking, and logistics-evolved from simple, manual markings into complex digital systems designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and data capacity. Key milestones include the invention of the linear barcode in the 1940s, the adoption of the Universal Product Code (UPC) in the 1970s, and the rise of 2DQR codes in the 1990s. The QR code story began in 1994 at Japans Denso Wave (a car p

LONDON, Feb 7: A student from a village in Kerala, who recently completed his Masters in macro-economics from London School of Economics (LSE), has launched a unique tour guide service to earn a living wage and boost the morale of fellow graduates as they navigate a tough job market in the UK. Jame Thomas Mathew from Mallapally in Thiruvalla decided to turn social entrepreneur with Thomas Tours, named after his grandfather, and offering new jobseekers like himself an opportunity to [] The post I

NEW DELHI, Feb 7 : Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday described Prime Minister Narendra Modis reference to Tamil heritage in his address at a community event in Kuala Lumpur as heartening. He said the prime minister very aptly highlighted the deep historical and cultural bonds between India and Malaysia and emphasised the vital role of the Indian diaspora as a living bridge between the two nations. His words celebrating Tamil heritage Tamil is Indias gift to the world. [] The post PMs

Dr Tina Bhat The seasonal change brings with it shifts in temperature, sunlight, shrinking day light hours, climate effects etc. As the seasons evolve, so can our cognitive health. There are several scientific studies that confirm a significant association between weather and psychological wellbeing of the individuals. This phenomenon is often called as weather reactivity or meteosensitivity. The transition from autumn to winter with changes in sunlight and temperature stresses the immune system

Jammu, Feb 7: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Saturday rubbished the demand for restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that Article 370 is a historical provision that now stands buried. Addressing mediapersons outside the assembly here, Sharma said the Constitution does not mention special status in connection with Jammu and Kashmirs accession or merger with India. He criticised National Conference (NC) legislators for raising the demand, alleging that it amounted to

JAMMU, Feb 7: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu welcomed its newest MBBS batch with a grand Freshers Day ceremony, marking the commencement of a significant academic and professional journey for aspiring medical professionals. Presiding over the event, Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu, delivered an inspiring and comprehensive address, warmly welcoming the new students and congratulating them on securing admission to one of the nations premier

SRINAGAR, Feb 7:- The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, on Saturday along with SSP Traffic Police, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat visited the Shankaracharya Temple to review and finalize arrangements for the upcoming festival of Mahashivratri, scheduled to be celebrated on February 14th & 15th, 2026. The festival holds immense religious and cultural significance and is observed with great devotion, particularly by the Kashmiri Pandit community. Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mir Imti

Jammu, Feb 7 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said there is no proposal under consideration to relax the norms related to change of land use (CLU) in the Union Territory. The information was provided by minister Javed Ahmed Rana in the Assembly in reply to a question raised by MLA Surjit Singh Salathia. The minister was replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Rana said, The government does not intend to grant any relaxation in CLU [] The post No Proposal To Relax Change

MENDHAR/JAMMU, Feb 7: An army porter was injured in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said. Zulufqar Ahmad (24), a resident of Slotri-Patiya village, was injured when he accidentally stepped on a landmine in a forward area in Mankote sector at around 2.10 pm, the officials said. As part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, the forward areas are dotted with landmines, which sometimes get washed away by [] The pos

Indore, Feb 7: Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi made a blazing impact by scalding former champions Madhya Pradesh with a seven-wicket haul as his team took a first-innings lead on day two of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal here on Saturday. The 29-year-old quick from remote Kreeri in Jammu & Kashmir returned superb figures of 7 for 40 as he single-handedly decimated Madhya Pradesh for 152, helping J&K take a 42-run first-innings lead against the former Ranji champions. However, despite [] The po

Jammu, Feb 7 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the progress of development projects in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, highlighting the need to utilise the full potential of hydropower projects in the Union Territory. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Lok Bhawan here, Shah said under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, the Centre is firmly committed to the vision of building a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting continued for nearly two hours and was []

Srinagar, Feb 7: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against then Tehsildar South Srinagar, for allegedly abusing his official position and demanding illegal gratification. The case arose following a verification based on a complaint regarding illegal encroachment and alleged bribery linked to restoration and demarcation of land in 2021. In a statement, ACB Registered Case against Maeen Azhar Kakroo, the then Tehsildar South Srinagar for abusing official position, Searches con

NEW DELHI, Feb 7: In a first-of-its-kind approach towards patient care, a doctor-led AI healthcare ecosystem is providing real-time medical supervision beyond hospitals to people with chronic conditions, preventing their escalation into serious illness, officials said. At the core of the ecosystem iLive Connect is a small wireless biosensor patch paired with a wearable wristband, which continuously captures vital physiological parameters. These include two-lead ECG, heart rate, respiratory rat

JAMMU, Feb 7: Ashok Samyal, has been elevated to the rank of Inspector General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). As per the handout issued on Saturday, hailing from village Gho Brahamana, Vijaypur, District Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, IG Samyal, son of Mani Ram Samyal, with 35 years of exemplary service, joined the force February 4, 1991 and served in some of the challenging internal security environments of the country, including Punjab during the militancy period, Jammu and Kashmir []

Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], Feb 7: Showcasing a warm and personal rapport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared a car ride with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, following the formers arrival in Malaysia as part of his two-day visit in the Southeast Asian nation, as both leaders head towards a community event in Kuala Lumpur. Sharing glimpses from the car ride on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said, Celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect! PM Anw

Jammu, Feb 7: Amid a setback to the tourism industry due to last years Pahalgam terror attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir has not diminished. Shah was addressing a review meeting in Jammu to assess the progress of development projects in the Union Territory. The enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit Jammu and Kashmir has not diminished. There is a [] The post Enthusiasm Of Tou

KYIV, Feb 7:The US has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters. If the June deadline is not met, the Trump administration will likely put pressure on both sides to meet it, he added. The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule, Zelenskyy said, [] The post Zelenskyy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7:Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim received a rousing welcome at the Indian diaspora event here on Saturday to dance performances by over 800 participants. Over 800 dancers showcased a tapestry of Indian classical and folk dances, including Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, Lavani and Odisi. Modi and Ibrahim, who travelled to the venue in the same car, arrived on the stage amid slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and chant

KARACHI, Feb 7:The supply of cost-effective vaccines from India that stopped after the May 2025 conflict has put a strain on Pakistans economy, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Saturday. Pakistan earlier procured the cheap vaccines through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), a global public-private health partnership working to provide vaccines for children from the worlds poorest countries. Right now, Pakistan imports vaccines at an annual cost of around USD 400 milli

NEW DELHI, Feb 7: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the Government objective is to achieve bilateral trade of USD 500 billion between India and the United States annually. Addressing a presser on India-US joint statement on Saturday, he said , India-US joint statement will significantly widen access for Indian exporters to the US market under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) framework, opening up major new trade opportunities. The US market will open wider for Indian exporters with MFN status, w

BENGALURU, Feb 7:India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 will prioritise indigenous chip design, their productisation, attracting ecosystem partners and development of talents, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday. The minister said the Government will continue to work on setting up semiconductor manufacturing plants and target to produce chips as small as 2 nanometer node size. In Semicon 2.0, the topmost priority will be design companies. Design companies, design startups who can design a

Kargil, Feb 7 : The AN-32 Kargil Courier Service commenced today for the winter season, ensuring continued air connectivity for the people of Kargil during the harsh winter months. On the occasion, the Indian Air Force crew was warmly welcomed at Kargil by Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Mohd Feroz, along with Deputy Commissioner, Kargil Rakesh Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil Imteeaz Kacho, and Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kargil Shafiq Ahmed. The Executive Cou

NEW DELHI, Feb 7: Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries, on Saturday announced acquisition of a majority stake in Australia-based Goodness Group Global Pty Ltd. The deal, which includes acquiring Better-For-You beverage business, will help RCPL enter the Australian market and help expand its overseas presence. Under the strategic partnership, RCPL will help promote Goodness Groups flagship healthy beverages brands like Nexba and PACE a hydration brand co

SRINAGAR, Feb 7: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Kashmir on Saturday conducted raids at the residences of a serving Tehsildar in connection with an ongoing investigation of a case, sources said. An ACB team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), along with personnel from concerned Police Stations, carried out searches at the residence of one serving Tehsildar identified as Maeen Azhar Kakroo, a resident Baramulla at present Rose Avenue Colony, HMT Zainakote Kakroo is presently poste

CHENNAI, Feb 7:Private sector Karur Vysya Bank, strengthening its presence across the country, inaugurated its 900th branch here, a top official said on Saturday. The banks Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Babu, formally inaugurated the branch at Tondiarpet in the city. Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department Additional Secretary S Uma, along with senior officials of the bank, was present on the occasion, a statement said. For over a century, Karur Vysya Bank has gro

JAMMU, Feb 7: During his visit to forward areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir today, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in the area and interacted with personnel at forward locations. He commended the troops for their high morale and operational readiness. During the visit, the Army Chief also stopped at Kamsar village in Poonch, where he met Subedar (Honorary Captain) Parvez Ahmed (Retired) of 18 Jammu and Kashmir [

Patna, Feb 7: Maintaining that debate and discussion are part of the democratic process, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said the decorum of the House must be maintained at any cost. Birla was addressing a function on the foundation day of the Bihar assembly, where he unveiled the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), aimed at creating paperless legislative processes. Elected representatives must maintain the decorum of the House. Members of the assemblies and Parliament have the privileg