Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent LEH, June 5: In a significant achievement for Ladakhs filmmaking community, Dutpa (The Knot), a short film based on the theme of urban migration today reached the Grand Finale of the Zee Short Film Contest Mumbai 2026. The film has secured a place among the final 20 entries, selected from nearly 2,000 submissions from across the country, marking a major milestone for regional cinema from the Union Territory. The filmmakers described the accomplishment as a proud moment no

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) and Shri Amarnathji Yatra Control Room at the Deputy Commissioners Office, Ganderbal. The Lieutenant Governor said that these facilities will ensure a smooth and seamless pilgrimage experience for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra. Jatin Kishore, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the key features of the new facility. The centr

Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, June 5: Associated Containers Terminal Limited (ACTL), Samba, has successfully handled the first-ever steel rake of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for its valued customers, M/s Patel Engineering, and M/s C S Constructions marking a significant milestone in the development of efficient, reliable, and cost-effective logistics infrastructure in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The successful operation was made possible through the collective efforts of

Excelsior Correspondent FEROZPUR, June 5: Strengthening its commitment to providing quality, employment-oriented and future-focused higher education, Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University (SBSSU), Ferozepur today introduced several new programmes designed in line with industry requirements for the academic session 2026-27. Established under the Government of Punjab, the University is currently offering 37 academic programmes, approved by AICTE and UGC, ranging from Diploma to Ph.D. level. The Un

Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra (Retd) sanjeev662006@gmail.com India is officially one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. The headlines are impressive. Roads are being built. Airports are expanding. Digital payments have changed daily life. Infrastructure has visibly improved. Yet, beneath this growth story, there is a quiet unease. The rupee remains under pressure. Foreign investors have pulled out large sums from Indian equities. Too many educated young people are still searching for s

The proposed Vertical Lift and Circular Road Bridge projects were initially projected as a game-changing intervention that would permanently alter Jammus tourism landscape. By linking the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex with the Peerkho Ropeway Station through a modern vertical lift and further connecting the complex to the Circular Road via a 250-metre-span bridge, the administration promised a seamless mobility link. This vision was intended to integrate Jammus heritage assets with its

Afreena Rahim afreenrahim00@gmail.com Every few months, another daughter is buried. Another mother cries herself to sleep. Another father stands outside police stations and courtrooms carrying the unbearable weight of grief and helplessness. Another family is destroyed forever while the country watches for a few days and then moves on. First Gool. Then Dharamkund. Now Budgam involving a minor. Before these, Kashmir had already witnessed countless stories that never received national attention. M

The devastating fire that ripped through the Flourish Stay BNB in Malviya Nagar is a major tragedy. At least 21 people perished, scores more were injured, and a building that had no right to be operating as it was stood as grim testimony to Indias most dangerous habit: the casual, institutionalised flouting of rules. Most victims were foreign nationals who had travelled to Delhi not as tourists, but as devoted family members, sitting vigil beside ailing relatives admitted to the [] The post Delh

Brij Bhardwaj newsagency12@gmail.com The Indian economy will face challenges in days to come. These challenges have come about because of wars in West Asia and Europe which have led to a sharp rise in the price of crude oil and fertilizers. Another factor which may pose a challenge is the forecast that the country may be heading for the driest monsoon of the decade in the coming months. Any single factor would be difficult to tackle and when combined these [] The post Economic challenges can be

LONDON, Jun 5: The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a historic moment for both nations that provides the commercial impetus for co-creation in the arena of mediation and arbitration, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said in London on Friday. Delivering the inaugural address at the Indian Council of Arbitrations (ICA) international conference on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a Catalyst for Strengthening India-UK Economic Partnership, CJI Kant called for ensuring a level pla

NEW DELHI, Jun 5 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the government is committed to further drive the Reform Express with decisive policy measures to ensure positive economic momentum amid global challenges. Earlier in the day, the Reserve Bank lowered its GDP forecast for FY27 to 6.6 per cent from the 6.9 per cent estimated in April, citing elevated energy and other commodity prices, as well as continued supply disruptions arising from the West Asia conflict, which are [] The p

SURAT, Jun 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said immense public anger forced the Congress to change its CM in Karnataka and accused the party of spreading chaos and uncertainty in the last 12 years and seeking political and electoral opportunities in them. He noted the current decade is proving to be a period of crises for the world and referred to the COVID-9 pandemic, wars and now energy crisis in the wake of the West Asia conflict, but [] The post People anger forced Cong to change K

HAZIRA (Surat), Jun 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Larsen & Toubros Hazira facility in Gujarats Surat on Friday, where he reviewed the ongoing industrial operations and infrastructure projects. PM Modi visited the AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex, L&Ts state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, and was shown around the facility by the company officials. He was briefed on the Zorawar tanks and other defence equipment manufactured at the facility. The Defence Research and Development Orga

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, June 5: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today presided over a Public Darbar at Malhori Playground, Kalotha, district Doda, where he held an extensive interaction with public representatives, district officers, sectoral officers, and local residents to review developmental issues and address public grievances. The public darbar was attended by MLA Doda West Shakti Raj Parihar, DC Doda, Krishan

NEW DELHI, Jun 5: India on Friday said it lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over Islamabads plans to hold general elections to the so called Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, maintaining that the region is Indian territory that has been illegally and forcibly occupied. New Delhi asserted that such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in the territories illegally occupied by Pakist

KAKAMIGAHARA (JAPAN), June 5: The Indian hockey team showed incredible character to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in a high-voltage semi-final match of the U18 Mens Asia Cup here on Friday. Trailing 2-3 until the final quarter, India produced an outstanding attacking display in the final minutes to secure their place in the summit clash. The match began with a quiet and tense opening, as both teams fought hard for control in the midfield. India found their rhythm in the 12th [] The post India

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 5: The University of Jammu Employees Cricket (Men) Tournament 2026 concluded on a high note today. The tournament was organized under the aegis of the Campus Sports Committee, University of Jammu, under the overall supervision of Dr Daud Iqbal Baba, Chairman, Campus Sports Committee and Raj Kumar Bakshi, Incharge PTI and Cricket Coach, University of Jammu. In the much-anticipated final, Team J outclassed Team F by nine wickets to emerge as the tournamen

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 5 : Two Indian peacekeepers were honoured posthumously by the United Nations for their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty as the world body commemorated the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, who was deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). They were honoured posthumous

NEW DELHI, Jun 5 : India on Friday said it and the US held positive and constructive conversations in finalising a bilateral trade agreement. In February, the two sides released a joint statement about agreeing on a framework for an interim trade deal for reciprocal and mutually-beneficial trade. Since then, both sides are holding negotiations to firm it up. A delegation from the US Trade Representative (USTR) visited India from June 1 to 4 to advance discussions on the trade [] The post India,

AGARTALA, Jun 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the governments smart border project is in the final stage, and the new security grid will feature cutting-edge technology and local administration, besides the border sentinels. Shah, addressing BSF personnel at Lankamura Border Outpost in Tripura, said wherever troops of the force are deployed, we will build smart borders there. Smart borders will be introduced soon with a new security grid to include cutting-edge tech, local admini

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 5: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Yatri Bhawan at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla, Ganderbal. After dedicating the facilities to the public, the Lieutenant Governor said that the new Yatri Bhawan will substantially improve the pilgrimage experience at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple by providing safe, hygienic and comfortable accommodation facilities. Click here to watch video Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla is one of the most re

It is a new chapter in history of IMD Avtar Bhat JAMMU, June 5: Union Minister in PMO with independent charge for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Ministries, Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the new Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Jammu and termed it a new chapter in the history of Indian Meteorological Department which started from here. He said the Jammu Metrological Centre will be the seventh in the country and will serve Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and [] The post Dr Jitendra

Repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent MUMBAI, June 5: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday kept its benchmark repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent, as expected, and announced a raft of measures to attract foreign capital and support the rupee amid growing risks to growth and inflation from the prolonged West Asia conflict, elevated energy prices and global supply-chain disruptions. To support the rupee, the measures included scrapping taxes on interest income and capital gains for [] The pos

LAB too asked to draft paper, it starts process with legal team help Home Ministrys representative delivers message Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, June 5: Controversy shrouding exclusion of a significant clause from draft minutes of the Union Home Ministry on May 22 meeting seems to have died down with the MHA through its representatives sounding the Leh Apex Body (LAB) that they are preparing draft concept of UT-level legislative body and District Councils for Ladakh and has also asked the Apex [] The p

Concept to be implemented in 7-8 places as pilot project AGARTALA, June 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Governments smart border project is in the final stage, and the new security grid will feature cutting-edge technology and local administration, besides the border sentinels. Shah, addressing BSF personnel at Lankamura Border Outpost in Tripura, said wherever troops of the force are deployed, we will build smart borders there. Smart borders will be introduced soon with a ne

Project to transform healthcare in Kashmir: Mehbooba Irfan Tramboo Srinagar, June 5: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo today questioned former Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftis review of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Awantipora project, asking under what authority it was conducted and suggesting that a power centre in Delhi may have been behind the exercise. Itoo, a fierce critic of Mufti and the PDP, reacted sharply to the former Chief Ministers visit to

NEW DELHI, June 5: India on Friday said it lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over Islamabads plans to hold general elections to the so called Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, maintaining that the region is Indian territory that has been illegally and forcibly occupied. New Delhi asserted that such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in the territories illegally occupied by Pakis

ST PETERSBURG, June 5: Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered New Delhi Russias fifth-generation stealth aircraft Sukhoi Su-57 and even suggested that the combat jet could even be jointly produced in India in line with the strong strategic partnership between the two countries. For decades, Russia has served as Indias primary defence supplier. However, persistent supply chain disruptions and delivery delays stemming from the war in Ukraine have forced New Delhi to aggressively diversify it

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 5: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said his party will attend the meeting of the INDIA bloc in Delhi on June 8. The meeting is going to take place. Omar (Abdullah) or I, one of us will go. Obviously, we are part of that. We will be there, Abdullah told reporters in Hazratbal here. Click here to watch video To a question on LoP Sunil Shamras remark about Article 370 having been burried, he [] The post NC to attend INDIA blocs meeting

CHANDIGARH, June 5: The Amritsar commissionerate has apprehended six persons including an Afghan national and two juveniles over suspected links with a cross-border arms and drug trafficking network, and illicit hawala transfers, a top Punjab Police official said on Friday. Over 1 kg of heroin, five sophisticated pistols and Rs 5 lakh in suspected drug money was recovered from their possession, Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said. Among the arrestees is Baz Mohammad (62),

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 5: An emergency meeting of all the wings of the Rainawari Kashmiri Pandit Action Committee (RKPAC), Jammu, was convened today to discuss the alarming encroachment upon the Mandir property situated at Bagh Jogi Lanker, Rainawari, Srinagar, by the Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDC)/PDD. The Committee expressed its grave concern and strong resentment over the installation of high-rise electric poles and the proposed erection of a step-down transformer o

Asad Mirza asad.mirza.nd@gmail.com The latest phase of the US-Iran confrontation presents a paradox. While President Donald Trump publicly dismisses negotiations as boring and claims indifference to their outcome, Washington and Tehran continue exploring a possible agreement. Yet escalating Israeli military operations in Lebanon threaten to derail diplomacy and deepen regional instability. For much of the past three months, the Middle East has been trapped between the prospects of a historic dip

KULGAM, Jun 5: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review the tourism potential of the picturesque Panchanpatri area in Kulgam district. During the meeting, the Minister took detailed assessment of various measures to be taken for bringing the Panchanpatri area of Kulgam on tourism map of Jammu and Kashmir. She directed the officers to establish all kind basic amenities in this picturesque area

BENGALURU, Jun 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on the sidelines of an event in Bengaluru and congratulated him on assuming office as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. The two leaders met during The Hindu Huddle, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also participated in a discussion session. Congratulating Chief Minister Shivakumar on his elevation, Omar Abdullah wished him a successful and impactful tenure in service of the people of Karnataka. He

JAMMU, Jun 5: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday announced the restructuring of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with the launch of a regional meteorological centre (RMC) in Jammu, saying the move marks the beginning of a new chapter in the 151-year history of the countrys weather forecasting agency. Singh said that a decision was taken to decentralise the workload of the Delhi regional meteorological centre and improve weather forecasting, early warning dissemination and disast

Srinagar, Jun 5: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jammu and Kashmir has registered a case against several officials and a private contractor following allegations of corruption, financial irregularities, and procedural violations in development works carried out at Zawoora Garden in Srinagar. According to an official statement, the case was registered after a Joint Surprise Check conducted by Police Station ACB Srinagar into the execution of works related to the Centre of Excellence project at Z

JAMMU, June 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed teaching staff and other Government employees engaged in Census-2027 duties to carry out their responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner, warning that refusal, negligence or failure to perform assigned work may attract penalties under the Census Act, 1948. See Circular Click Here.. The post J&K Govt Directs Employees To Ensure Timely Census-2027 Work, Warns Of Action For Lapses appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NEW DELHI, Jun 5: A Delhi court on Friday ordered framing charges against several top leaders of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) outfit, observing that there is grave suspicion of a conspiracy to overthrow the Indian government and establish an Islamic caliphate by 2047. Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma ordered framing charges under the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against 25 PFI members as well as the organisation. Considered as a whole, the materi

SRINAGAR, Jun 5: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said narco-terrorists those sitting in neighbouring countries or operating inside the Union territory will have to pay a heavy price, asserting that their days are numbered. Sinha led a Nasha-Mukt Jammu Kashmir rally in Ganderbal district, and addressed a large gathering on the occasion. Having visited every district in Kashmir valley and accompanying every march (under the anti-drug campaign), I can say that a historic movem

DODA, June 5: Four injured after a car skidded off the road and plunged into a river near Nalthi Park in the Bhaderwah area of Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Friday, officials said. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll down into the river, they said. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the occupants to Sub-District Hospital, Bhaderwah, for treatment. The injured, all residents of Pathankot in Punjab, have [] The post Four Injured Afte

SRINAGAR, Jun 5: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated Yatri Bhawan at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal and said it would enhance the capacity of the shrine to host pilgrims visiting from across the country and abroad. The temple at Tulmulla is one of the most revered shrines in Jammu and Kashmir. Dedicating the new facilities to the public, the LG said the new Yatri Bhawan will substantially improve the pilgrimage experience by providing safe, [] The post

JAMMU, Jun 5: Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday announced the establishment of an automatic weather station in the cloudburst-affected Chisoti area of Kishtwar district, a major step to strengthen weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in the region. Jammu and Kashmirs Chisoti village, the gateway to the revered Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar district, was devastated by a cloudburst on August 14, 2025, in which 65 people, mostly pilgrims, lost their lives. More than 30 people ar

JAMMU, Jun 5: In a move aimed at speeding up financial decision-making, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has doubled the advance withdrawal sanction limit for Administrative Departments from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. As per a notification issued by the Finance Department, Administrative Departments can now approve advance withdrawals up to Rs 2 crore with the concurrence of the Director Finance/Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer, without seeking approval from the Finance Department. Ho

NEW DELHI, June 5: IT Secretary S Krishnan on Friday dismissed concerns around artificial intelligence, urging the industry to seize the opportunity and deploy the technology across sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education to drive economic growth and improve lives. Alluding to concerns about AIs disruptive impact on the IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) sector, Krishnan emphasised that there is no reason to fear and that AI is a technology that India must embrace. T

NEW DELHI, June 5: Gaming and sports media firm Nazara Technologies on Friday said its board has approved the allotment of over 1.82 crore warrants on a preferential basis to investors. The warrants, convertible into equity shares, were issued at a price of Rs 260 apiece (including a premium of Rs 258), the company said in a regulatory filing. Nazara has received 25 per cent of the warrant issue price as an upfront subscription amount, aggregating to Rs 118.50 crore. [] The post Nazara Technolog

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW, Jun 5: The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradeshs Ballia district has been designated as Indias 100th Ramsar site, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, an environmental treaty established in 1971. In a post on X, Modi said, A century as far as Ramsar sites are concerned! Glad that the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh has been desi

NEW DELHI, June 5: Myntra hit a record high in weekly active users in the week beginning May 25, as Indias consumer internet sector showed diverging trends with strong gains in e-commerce, according to a report by brokerage CLSA. Myntra added 8.4 million weekly active users (WAU) week-on-week, taking its total to around 60 million its highest ever level in a week marking the standout performance in a largely mixed week for digital platforms. Within beauty retail, Nykaa [] The post Myntra adds

MUMBAI, June 5: The rupee appreciated 81 paise to close at 94.93 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday after the Reserve Bank announced measures to support foreign capital inflows and strengthen forex liquidity. Forex traders said the announcements in the RBI policy boosted investor sentiments after the apex bank asserted that the countrys forex reserves provide a sufficient buffer against external shocks. The Reserve Bank on Friday expectedly kept interest rates unchanged for the second

VISAKHAPATNAM, (Andhra Pradesh), June 5: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the country should target marine product exports worth USD 30 billion over the next five years, up from the current USD 8 billion. Addressing the National Workshop on Seafood Exports here, Commerce and Industry Minister said that in 2013-14, India exported marine products worth about USD 5 billion. Honble Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh and I discussed this only a week ago when we conceptualised this programm

WELLINGTON, June 5: More than 100,000 live cockroaches illegal to keep in Australia were confiscated from a single breeder in the countrys largest-ever seizure of exotic invertebrates, officials said Friday. The haul of Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches, worth 200,000 Australian dollars (USD 142,000), was seized in May from a commercial breeder in the city of Bathurst in New South Wales state, according to Australias Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.