Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17 : The all New Bajaj Pulsar 150 with updated, modern features, was launched at NSF BAJAJ, in a function held here today. The function was attended by a large number of valuable customers, financers, ASDs & exchange brokers. The New Pulsar 150 is loaded with new features including, the inclusion of LED headlights and LED blinkers, replacing older halogen units. It features new graphics and colour schemes (such as a green option with copper accents). [] The pos

Excelsior Correspondent JALANDHAR, Feb 17: Focusing on practical applications across sectors such as education, agriculture, robotics, enterprise technology, accessibility and health, Lovely Professional University (LPU) today presented 15 AI driven projects developed by its students and research teams at India AI Impact Summit 2026. LPU participated in the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ashok Kumar Mi

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday called for transforming the educational campuses to realise the vision of Developed India@2047. He highlighted the need for creating technological ecosystems that continuously reinvent themselves, that refuse to become static or complacent and embrace change as opportunity. Indias ambition in the technology revolution must extend beyond participation. We must become leaders. Today, Artificial Intelligence and M

Asad Mirza asad.mirza.nd@gmail.com The much-anticipated election results from Bangladesh are out. The BNP has secured 209 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami won 68, as the Election Commission disclosed the unofficial election results for 297 constituencies. But the scale of the win surprised some observers, given expectations of a tighter race and wins by Jamaat-e-Islami. The keenly watched elections in Bangladesh were important, not just for the country but for the region as a whole. At the centr

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Feb 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements for the holy month of Ramadan across Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasizing the importance of ensuring smooth public services during the sacred month, the Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to take proactive measures for the convenience and welfare of the people. The Chief Minister stressed the need for intensified sanitation drives across J&K, particularly arou

Excelsior Correspondent THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Feb 17: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, on Tuesday appealed for the country to stand together to fight for peace and dignity of the people of his state. Abdullah was speaking at the valedictory function of Vision-2031, an international seminar on development and democracy organised by the Kerala State Planning Commission here. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who listened keenly to the emotionally charged speech of the form

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Describing observance of Block Diwas across Jammu and Kashmir as unproductive, MLAs Surjit Singh Slathia and Sajad Shaheen today demanded that this futile exercise be stoppage for avoiding wastage of public money. While participating in the discussion on Demands for Grants on Tuesday, Surjeet Singh Slathia alleged no follow up on the public issues highlighted in the Block Diwas and the recommendations made by the officers. There is no fun of holding Block D

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Feb 17: The J&K Government today informed the Legislative Assembly that a committee has recommended enhancing the stipend for MBBS and BDS interns from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000 per month. The information was provided by the Health and Medical Education Department in response to questions raised by MLAs Salman Sagar and Sunil Kumar Sharma regarding Enhancement of stipend in favour of MBBS/BDS internees. The committee, according to the Government, was constituted un

Ankit Patel ankitpateliimc@gmail.com On an October morning in Pampore, the air was heavy with the scent of freshly bloomed saffron flowers. For generations, this moment defined the most fragile phase of Kashmirs most precious crop. Every flower had to be plucked by hand, every crimson stigma separated manually by painstaking work done against the clock before the sun rose too high. Today, the scene has subtly changed. At one corner of the field, an AI-enabled smart harvester hums softly. Develop

Excelsior Sports Correspondent REASI, Feb 17: Wrestler Surjeet Singh of J&K Police clinched the prestigious 28th Shiv Khori Kesari Dangal title by defeating Kanhaiya Jatt of Dinanagar, Punjab, in a thrilling main bout held at Ransoo in Reasi district on the eve of Maha Shivratri. The traditional Vishal Dangal, popularly known as Chinj, was organised at the base camp of the holy Shiv Khori shrine by the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association in collaboration with the Tourism Department, Shri Shiv

DHAKA, Feb 17 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday met Tarique Rahman shortly after the BNP leader was sworn in as Bangladeshs Prime Minister and handed over a congratulatory letter from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, officials said. Birla, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, represented India at the oath ceremony of Rahman held at the open space of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in the presence of Bangladeshs top political and military brass. Birla met [] The post Lo

GANDHI NAGAR, Feb 17 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a nearly 21-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, saying that it would inspire citizens, especially the youth, for generations to come. Addressing a gathering at the event, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled Shivaji Maharajs vision during the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindavi Swaraj, is being installed here. This ne

NEW DELHI, Feb 17 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday discussed scope for cooperation in the renewable sector, especially solar power, rare earth processing, carbon capture and storage with Norway Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg. In her bilateral meeting with the Union Finance Minister in Oslo, Stoltenberg said that Indias economic growth offers lots of opportunities to invest and grow. The two leaders discussed working together in the renewable sector, especially solar power, rar

MOSCOW, Feb 17 : Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar on Tuesday met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko and discussed pressing bilateral and international issues, including the situation in the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting came in the backdrop of Washingtons claim that New Delhi has agreed to stop importing Russian crude oil. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, The sides discussed the schedule of upcoming political contacts, pressing bilateral and international issues, in

*Canadas Yuvraj becomes youngest to hit hundred in T20WC CHENNAI, Feb 17: New Zealands top-order batters Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips scored unbeaten half-centuries to guide their team to an eight-wicket win over Canada in a T20 World Cup Group D match here on Tuesday. After young Canadian opener Yuvraj Samra played a defiant 110 off 65 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and six sixes to help his side post a challenging 173 for 4, New Zealands experienced batters made chasing [] The post New Z

NEW DELHI, Feb 17: The history of Indias transformation of the 21st century will not begin with silicon chips or software, but with the moment the country made connectivity a fundamental choice, Minister of State for Telecom Chandrasekhar Pemmsani said on Tuesday. While speaking at India AI Impact Summit 2026, Pemmasani said telecom is no longer just about connecting calls, but about connecting opportunities. When historians write about Indias 21st-century transformation, they will not begin wit

JOHHAENESBURG, Feb 17 : South Africas Hindu and Muslim organisations have united in objecting to a proposed law which could delay cremations and burials for several days, requiring the obtainment of electronic death certificates before it. Traditionally, cremations and burials are done on the same day of the death or as soon as possible thereafter in these religions. The proposed law will require organisations and individuals to first obtain electronic death certificates from the Department of H

MUMBAI, Feb 17 : Hours after landing in Mumbai, French President Emmanuel Macron surprised morning walkers by jogging along Mumbais iconic Marine Drive. Dressed in a navy blue athletic T-shirt, black shorts and running shoes, he almost blended into the morning crowd, while security personnel followed at a discreet distance. In a refreshing start to his India visit and just before official meetings and tight schedules took over, the French President was seen jogging at a brisk pace. A senior [] T

HM has already given an assurance in Parl Suhail Bhat SRINAGAR, Feb 17: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal today said that statehood for Jammu and Kashmir would be restored as soon as possible, asserting that the Union Home Minister has already given an assurance on the matter in Parliament. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Addressing a gathering at a regional workshop on Tele-Law activities at Sher-i-Kashmir

Thanks Shah for reopening of tourist destinations Irfan Tramboo Srinagar, Feb 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the J&K Government is in continuous dialogue with the Centre for the restoration of statehood, asserting that he remains hopeful despite the delay. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Speaking to reporters here after attending a workshop on Tele-Law organised by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Omar said the Government has been waiting for over a year for progress on the [] The po

Charges to be framed on next date of hearing Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, Feb 17: A local court here today found two former Chairmen of Jammu and Kashmir Bank and several other officials guilty in making backdoor appointments in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank and shall frame charges against them on next date of hearing. The Special Judge Anti-Corruption in an order said former Bank chairmen- Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh and Parvaiz Ahmad Nengroo- along with other bank officials have made backdoor [] The post Cou

CID/DM reports awaited only in 75 cases *No land acquired without prescribed procedures Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Feb 17: The Government today said that a Screening Committee is in place headed by the Administrative Secretary Home Department to screen and approve registration of those Kashmiri migrant families, which have at any point of time been `provisionally registered with the Relief Organization (M), J&K or registered with the condition that their confirmed registration shall be subject to cle

Speaker assures to expunge anything unparliamentary Nishikant Khajuria JAMMU, Feb 17: Massive uproar amid chaotic scenes led to disruption of the Legislative Assembly proceedings for nearly half an hour immediately after Question Hour as Congress and some ruling National Conference members along with an Independent MLA raised vociferous objections to alleged remarks made earlier by BJP legislator Vikram Singh Randhawa regarding encroachments on JDA land. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO Raising placard

By Nantoo Banerjee There is little to be excited about the defence ministrys latest clearance for the acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France at a huge cost of Rs.3.25 lakh crore (nearly $40 billion), branded as mother of all defence deals. It is a matter of major concern that even 78 years after the countrys independence, India, like Ukraine, has to rely on imported arms to defend its sovereignty Rafale from France, Poseidon jets from the [] The post Indias Reliance on Imported Arm

Six decades wait ends Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: After six decades of wait, the people are finally going to witness the foundation laying ceremony for Shankaracharya Ji Temple by LG Manoj Sinha tomorrow. The temple is situated on the adjoining hillocks of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The concept for construction of Shri Shankaracharya Ji Temple was originally conceived in 1967. During 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMV

Govt to develop Viksit village in each Assembly segment * Investors need not to worry for deposits: Govt Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Feb 17: The Minister for Agriculture Production, Horticulture, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Javed Ahmed Dar today said that there is liability worth Rs 184 crores of the SCARD Bank and the deposits of the investors are safe, while the Government has earmarked Rs 770 crores for seven milk plants in the Jammu and [] The post

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: A steady rise has been recorded in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in Jammu and Kashmir during last three financial years. This was stated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds charge of the Finance Department, in response to a written question of National Conference MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmed. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Total GST collections in Jammu and Kashmir stood at Rs 24,080.79 crore during past three financial ye

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 44 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and, of them, 24 are making losses while four others are non-functional. This information was given in the Legislative Assembly today by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary in response to a written question of MLA Javaid Riyaz. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Union Territory has 10 profit-making PSUs, 24 loss-making PSUs, four non-functional PSUs, two statutory Cor

Jammu, Feb 17: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday called for transforming the educational campuses to realise the vision of Developed India@2047. He highlighted the need for creating technological ecosystems that continuously reinvent themselves, that refuse to become static or complacent and embrace change as opportunity. Indias ambition in the technology revolution must extend beyond participation. We must become leaders. Today, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are resh

Srinagar, Feb 17: In a significant crackdown on anti-national activities, the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir on Tuesday filed a detailed chargesheet before the competent court against two individuals allegedly involved in propagating secessionist and pro-terror content linked to the proscribed outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. In a statement , SIA Kashmir has today filed a comprehensive charge sheet before the Competent Court against two accused persons Altaf Hussain Wagay, resident of Reban

SRINAGAR, Feb 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements for the holy month of Ramadan across Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasizing the importance of ensuring smooth public services during the sacred month, the Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to take proactive measures for the convenience and welfare of the people. The Chief Minister stressed the need for intensified sanitation drives across J&K, particularly around major places of worsh

New Delhi/Mumbai, Feb 17: India and France on Tuesday elevated their relations to a special global strategic partnership and vowed to boost cooperation in key sectors of defence, trade and critical minerals with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron describing the bilateral ties as a force for global stability in the face of increasing geopolitical turbulence. The two leaders, following their talks in Mumbai, also virtually inaugurated an assembly line in Karnatakas V

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 17: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, on Tuesday appealed for the country to stand together to fight for peace and dignity of the people of his state. Abdullah was speaking at the valedictory function of Vision-2031, an international seminar on development and democracy organised by the Kerala State Planning Commission here. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who listened keenly to the emotionally charged speech of the former Chief Minister of Jam

KALYANI (WEST BENGAL), Feb 17: Auqib Nabi delivered a performance to remember, claiming a nine-wicket match haul as his counter-attacking 42 at No. 9 has put Jammu and Kashmir on the cusp of a historic maiden Ranji Trophy final appearance after bundling out Bengal for 99 on day three, here on Tuesday. Even a superb effort from an out-of-favour Mohammed Shami, who returned with career-best figures of 8/90 from 22.1 overs, could not prevent Bengals slide as the home team [] The post Nabis Nine-For

SRINAGAR, Feb 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today underscored the vital role of the Tele-Law initiative in expanding access to justice and easing the burden on courts, particularly for people living in rural and remote areas. Speaking at the Regional Workshop on Tele-Law organized by Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the scheme would be further strengthened through collectiv

Jammu, Feb 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday appointed Shantmanu, IAS (Retd.), as the State Election Commissioner for the Union Territory of J&K. According to a notification issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the appointment has been made under sub-section (3) of Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. As per the notification, Shantmanu shall hold the office for a period of five years or till he attains the age [] The p

In India, ketamine infusion therapy is an emerging treatment that has gained traction for the management of treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. So, for this treatment, lets look into rehabilitation centres in India that have effectively and safely included ketamine infused therapy in their psychiatric services. Depression is an acute condition that affects several people all over India. The recent global trends have seen a 25% rise in anxiety and depression, and in India, one in 5

Hyderabad has officially cemented its status as one of Indias most robust startup hubs in 2026. Hyderabad offers a distinct environment for emerging enterprises, ranging from the advanced technological hubs of HITEC City to the emerging innovation districts of Gachibowli. However, you must meet the legal requirements before you can start your business. The first and most important thing you need to do is get all your paperwork ready. Although the government (the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, or

NEW DELHI, Feb 17: AI is a hugely transformational technology which is going to disrupt every single way of life, former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Tuesday, emphasising it must be accessible, affordable, accountable, and multilingual to avoid deepening global inequalities. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit here, he also said India leapfrogged decades of progress in a short span because its systems were built on open-source architecture, open APIs, and global interoperability. Make no mis

JAMMU, Feb 17: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu has appointed five advocates as Oath Commissioners for a term of two years with effect from February 17, 2026. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post J&K High Court Appoints 5 Advocates As Oath Commissioners For 2 Years appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

New Delhi, Feb 17: Nervousness before entering the exam hall turned into relief and confidence for several students who stepped out after appearing for the Class 10 and 12 examinations on Tuesday, saying the paper was easy to moderate. They said the paper was largely based on the syllabus of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The Class 10 and 12 board examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education began on Tuesday across the country [] The post

Jammu, Feb 17: Two Pakistani nationals, who escaped from a juvenile home in a border village here, were arrested within 24 hours of the incident, officials said on Tuesday. However, the local gangster who also escaped with them remained at large and efforts are on to arrest him, they said. Karajeet Singh alias Gugga, a resident of Dablehar in R S Pura, and Pakistan citizens Mohammad Suna-ullah and Ahsan Anwar allegedly attacked police personnel and fled from the juvenile home [] The post Two Pak

Srinagar, Feb 17: Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Meghwal on Tuesday said statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored soon, prompting a quick response from Chief Minsiter Omar Abdullah who said that he hoped that the wait is not too long. After attending a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here, Meghwal told reporters that while it was a very sensitive issue, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said in the LoK Sabha that J-Ks [] The post Decision

New Delhi, Feb 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to boost ties in key sectors such as trade, defence, energy and critical technologies. Macron landed in Mumbai early this morning on a three-day visit to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and meet PM Modi. After the talks with Modi, Macron will attend a ceremony to launch the India-France Year of Innovation. His visit comes days after India cleared [] The post PM Modi H

LEH/JAMMU, Feb 17: The Armys Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Tuesday met Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta in Leh and they discussed the security situation, officials said. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, was accompanied by General Officer Commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla during the meeting. Gupta appreciated the Armys role in safeguarding the borders and ensuring the safety of the people, while the GOC-in-C reaffirmed the Armys commitme

MUMBAI, Feb 17: India is engaging with international partners more intensively and from a position of strength, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, citing a string of recent trade agreements as evidence of the countrys growing economic clout. In an address at the Global Economic Cooperation conference, Jaishankar highlighted the successful negotiation of several high-profile deals, including a significant trade pact with the United States. The Global Economic Cooperation is a

Srinagar, Feb 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for reopening 14 tourist destinations in the Union Territory, which were closed in April last year following the Pahalgam terror attack. Recently, the Union home minister had come to Jammu and I had talks with him. Before that, I met him in Delhi as well. My request with regard to tourism was that the areas which have been closed should be reopened. [] The post Omar Thanks Home Minis

Jammu, Feb 17: Six police personnel were suspended over alleged dereliction of duty after three inmates two Pakistan nationals and a local gangster escaped from a juvenile facility in R S Pura sector here, officials said on Tuesday. Karajeet Singh alias Gugga, a resident of Dablehar in R S Pura, and Pakistan citizens Mohammad Suna-ullah and Ahsan Anwar allegedly attacked police personnel and fled from the juvenile home around 5.15 pm on Monday. Two cops were injured in [] The post Six Cops Sus

NEW DELHI, Feb 17:When you open an AI chatbot, generate an image, or use a smart app, it feels seamless, polished and effortless. But beneath that sleek interface lies something most users never see a vast global web of developers quietly building the digital foundations that make it all work. Software developers are the invisible architects of the AI age, and India stands at the centre of this all, OpenUK CEO Amanda Brock said in an interview with PTI [] The post Developers key architect of AI

NEW DELHI, Feb 17: Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions, a commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy provider, on Tuesday said its Rs 3,100-crore initial public offering will open for subscription on February 23. The company has fixed a price band of Rs 1,000-1,053 per share, valuing it at Rs 12,325 crore at the upper end. The companys IPO will conclude on February 25, while the bidding for anchor investors will take place on February 20. The proposed IPO comprises a [] The post CleanMax to