Daily Excelsior

Pushp Saraf pushapsaraf@yahoo.com In the late 1990s, the late Ladakh leader P. Namgyal led a delegation from Leh to the then Planning Commission in New Delhi. The mood was tense. A development project sanctioned for their region had been quietly redirected to the Kashmir Valley by the State Government, which exercised near-complete administrative authority over Ladakh as part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State. The J&K Governments reasoning was not without logic why invest heavily in a sp

Pramod Jain, Rinchen Dolma Ladakh, a Union Territory in Northern India, was on the cusp of a significant transformation on August 26, 2024, when the Ministry of Home Affairs announced in-principle approval for creation of five new districts in the region namely, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass. This historic move is expected to bring governance closer to people, fostering employment and development in the region. The new districts will not only improve the delivery of public services

NEW YORK, Apr 29 : A global food initiative, inspired by the Akshaya Patra Foundation, has highlighted the need to combat the challenge of food insecurity among college students in the US, and called on the Indian-American diaspora to extend their support. The Consulate General of India in New York, in collaboration with the World Food Movement (WFM), hosted a special event titled No One Hungry here on Monday. The World Food Movement, a US-based not-for-profit organisation, had in September [] T

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 29: In a major boost to agricultural infrastructure in Jammu region, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Fruit and Vegetable Aggregation, Processing, Grading and Packing Unit at Marh. MLA Marh Surinder Kumar Bhagat, Managing Director JKHPMC, Mohammad Farooq Dar, Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta, Director Animal Husbandry

NEW DELHI, Apr 29 : Swedish firm Ericsson on Wednesday discussed its plan to expand manufacturing footprint, research and development investments, and strengthen telecom infrastructure in India with Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Ericsson at present manufactures and exports 5G gears from India. Honble Minister @JM_Scindia ji held a meeting with Mr Andres Vicente, @ericssons Head of Market Area India, South East Asia & Oceania. Discussions focused on expanding Ericssons manufacturing foot

MUMBAI, Apr 29: Ryan Rickeltons whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasens unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday. Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH. Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help [] The post Rickeltons to

MS, DyMS, AMSs to be re-designated as Prof, APs *JKAS officers to be promoted, Distts to get 9 DAOs Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Apr 29: The UT Cabinet will meet here tomorrow for the last time before shifting of Civil Secretariat to Srinagar for next six months with large items on agenda including Cadre Review and Reorganization of Jal Shakti Department, finalization of Recruitment Rules for State Motor Garages, re-designation of Medical Superintendents, Deputy Medical Superintendents and Assistant Me

NEW DELHI, Apr 29 : Exit polls for the high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on Wednesday revealed a politically uneven landscape, with West Bengal emerging as the most fiercely contested and unpredictable battleground, even as clearer and more consistent mandates appeared to take shape in the other four states. In West Bengal (294 seats), the high-voltage contest between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party has produced sha

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed amendments to vehicle emission rules to widen the scope for higher ethanol blends and alternative fuels, paving the way for flex-fuel and pure biofuel vehicles across all vehicle categories. The draft changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 aim to provide for wider use of fuels, such as E85 (a blend of 85 per cent ethanol with petrol) and E100 (which would allow vehicles to run [] The post Govt proposes Motor R

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 29: Under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), and guidance of the Chairperson and Members of the Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, a special session titled Yoga for Mental Fitness was organised at the District Court Complex, Mominabad, Srinagar for Judicial Officers and staff of Srinagar District, in collaboration with the Isha Foundation. The sess

KOLKATA, Apr 29 : West Bengals high-stakes assembly elections ended on Wednesday with a massive voter turnout of 91.66 per cent in the second and final phase, capping one of the most intense electoral contests in the recent years andsetting the stage for a far-reaching verdict on whetherchief minister Mamata Banerjee will continue her dominance or the BJP will break the TMCs hold in the state. With 91.66 per cent at the closing of the voting, and reportedly lakhs of [] The post 2026 WB poll batt

MOSCOW, April 29 : Moscow intends to further increase the military-technical cooperation with New Delhi, and it is ready for a joint development and licensed production of weapons, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with the Indian information portal Firstpost. Russia intends to continue building up military-technical cooperation with New Delhi. Supplies of military products in a wide range for all branches of the Indian armed forces are carried out at mutu

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the respondent authorities to submit a fresh status report indicating the progress made on the ground in a long-pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning healthcare gaps and deficiencies across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal passed the direction while hear

*Seeks truth on players representation Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has taken serious note of issues concerning democratic functioning, fairness and compliance with the Sports Code in recognized sports associations across the Union Territory, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation titled Bakhtawar Singh and Others Versus UT of J&K and others. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearin

Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Apr 29: In a commendable humanitarian initiative, the 182 Battalion of Border Security Force (BSF) organized a blood donation camp at its Unit Hospital in Mankote (Uchhad), coinciding with the observance of the 1st anniversary of Operation Sindoor and the ongoing 100-day Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The camp, held from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Battalion Headquarters Uchhad, witnessed enthusiastic participation from BSF personnel as well as local civilians, reflect

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 29: Under the leadership of Managing Director, Rahul Yadav, Jammu Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) donated vital medical supplies for the thalassemia patients registered with Thalassemia Day Care Centre, Department of Paediatrics, SMGS Hospital, Jammu. These items like infusion pumps, hemoglobinometers, along with haemoglobin estimation strips and Injection Desferrioxamine will boost treatment accessibility for the thalassemia patients. Regular blo

RAMBAN, Apr 29: The District Administration Ramban is in the process of formulating a GIS-based Master Plan for Ramban and Banihal Townships envisaging planned urban development and sustainable infrastructure growth. The draft for the plan was reviewed at a meeting held today under the directions of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan. Chief Planning Officer Dr. Shakeeb Ahmed Rather; DFO Anil V. John; CEO Municipal Council Ramban Sudershan Jamwal; Executive Officer Municipal Committee Baniha

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Apr 29: Police in Kulgam today conducted rapid urine drug abuse tests on drivers plying along the National Highway within district limits as part of a focused drive to ensure road safety and curb substance abuse. The checking drive, officials said, was aimed at identifying drivers operating vehicles under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic substances, which officials said pose a serious threat to public safety and can lead to fatal road accidents. Several

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 29: The Armed Police Headquarters J&K, Jammu today ordered the promotion of 1006 police personnel. Among the promotees are 413 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), who have promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspectors and 593 Head Constables, who have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs). An official statement said the promotion orders were issued by Armed Police Headquarters J&K, Jammu on the recommendation of the Departmental Promotion Committee

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI Apr 29: Senior BJP leader, Ravinder Raina today met the grieving family members of the victims who tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Kuwait, where six youth from Rajouri and Poonch districts were killed. The family members urged Ravinder Raina to intervene and facilitate the early return of the mortal remains of the deceased to their native places. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss, Raina extended his heartfelt condolences and assured the

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Apr 29: Police here today detained two habitual offenders under the stringent provisions of Public Safety Act (PSA). The first detained person, Mohd Rafiq, son of Mohd Sabir, resident of Sekwan Beoli, Tehsil and District Doda, is a notorious criminal and has a consistent history of involvement in theft and snatching related offences. He has been repeatedly booked in multiple cases registered at Police Station Doda. Despite previous legal action, he continued to enga

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 29: High Court directed the authorities to apprise the court about the progress of Wular lake with regard to removal of encroachments and its allied issues by next date of hearing. The authorities have failed to submit a detailed affidavit in this regard despite various directions passed by the court and the court reprimanded the Wular Conservation Management Authority (WUCMA) to remain silent with regard to compliance of court orders. After hearing the Sr.

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 29: K K Gandhi, one of Indias most prominent master artists, today attended a prestigious five-day national art camp organized at the scenic Gulmarg, in Srinagar. The camp was organized by the North Zone Cultural Centre in collaboration with the JKAACL and was inaugurated by MLA Gulmarg P F Ahmed Shah, along with Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary JKAACL and Tariq Hussain Naik, CEO of the Gulmarg Development authority, who ensured smooth organization and

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 29: The Special Crime Wing (SCW), Jammu has registered a cheating case against Ashok Kumar Kachroo for allegedly duping a complainant of Rs 15 lakh in a fraudulent land deal at Swarn Vihar. According to the complaint, the accused entered into an agreement for sale of a plot at Swarn Vihar, claiming to be the attorney holder of the owner. The complainant paid Rs 20 lakh to the owner through bank transfer and Rs 15 lakh [] The post Man booked for Rs 15 lakh fraud

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Several exit polls on Wednesday predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years. The pollsters also forecast a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry. Axis My India predicted a sweep for the BJP in [] The post Exit Polls Predict BJP Win In Assam, Edge In Bengal;

JAMMU, Apr 29: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today launched the book, Healer in Exile: The Untold Story of Dr. Sushil Razdan authored by his son Sachin Razdan. Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that Dr. Sushil Razdan stands among Indias leading neurologists and his contributions in the medical field remain unmatched. The story of Dr. Sushil Razdans life conveys a significant lesson of committing yourself to the selfless service of others. It is a sacred duty to place

EROs Asked to Join VC Meeting to Assess Progress of 2026 Roll Update Srinagar, Apr 29: The State Election Commission, Jammu & Kashmir, has convened a review meeting to assess the procedures and progress related to the Revision of Panchayat Electoral Roll-2026. As per an official notice, the meeting will be held on May 4, 2026 (Monday) at 03:00 PM onwards through video conference from the Meeting Hall at Darul Intikhab, M.A. Road, Srinagar. All Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) of [] The pos

JAMMU, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has issued a clarification regarding admissibility of Additional Quantum of Pension or Family Pension in cases where a pensioner is drawing both service pension and family pension. The department said the age-linked benefit is personal to the pensioner and cannot be granted on more than one pension for the same individual. As per the clarification, where a J&K Government pensioner is also receiving J&K family pension of a spouse, the additi

JAMMU, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has directed all Administrative Departments to expedite installation of pre-paid smart electricity meters in Government offices, Corporations, PSUs, local bodies, universities and residential quarters owned by the Government. See Circular Click Here.. The post J&K Govt Directs Installation Of Prepaid Smart Meters In Offices, PSUs appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jammu, Apr 29: Chief minister Omar Abdullahs visit to inaugurate development projects and address a public gathering in Kathua districts Bani area was cancelled on Wednesday due to inclement weather conditions. Due to bad weather and rain, the Chief Ministers programme had to be cancelled, which has left us quite disappointed. The people are also very disheartened, Bani MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh told reporters. He said the chief minister, along with Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo, was sc

JAMMU, Apr 29: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reviewed the security situation and preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra at a meeting here, official sources said. The security review was held ahead of the annual Darbar Move, with the secretariat scheduled to close in the winter capital Jammu on April 30 and reopen in Srinagar on May 4. The meeting, chaired by Sinha, was attended by senior Army, police, security, intelligence and administrative officials, inc

Jammu, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered transfer, posting and assignment of additional charge of posts of Superintending Engineers in the Jal Shakti Department. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post J&K Govt Orders Posting, Additional Charges Of Superintending Engineers In Jal Shakti Dept appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

ISLAMABAD, Apr 29: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the US-Iran war has dealt a serious blow to Pakistans economic progress made over the past two years, as he asserted that his government will continue its efforts to help ease tensions between the two warring sides and restore peace in West Asia. Noting that fuel prices in the global markets had risen sharply since the war started in February, he said, Our weekly pre-war oil bill was around [] The post US-Iran war dealt seri

JAMMU, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved an 18% increase in maximum chargeable fare for various categories of commercial passenger vehicles across the Union Territory. According to a notification issued by the Transport Department, the revised fare will apply to big buses, medium and mini buses, taxis, maxi cabs, tourist cabs, auto-rickshaws and Tata Magic vehicles. The order has been issued under the Motor Vehicles Act and partially modifies an earlier notification of March

NEW DELHI, Apr , 29: India has significantly expanded its Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network since 2014, increasing from 14 operational units to 50, marking over 250% rise. These additions, covering over 87% of the country, improve forecasting for cyclones, heavy rain, and thunderstorms under the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with 50 more planned under Mission Mausam. This was stated here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences,

JAMMU, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has accorded sanction to the placement of 57 Assistant Accounts Officers of the J&K Subordinate Accounts Service as Incharge Accounts Officers in the Jammu and Kashmir Accounts (Gazetted) Service on a stop-gap basis. According to a Government order, the officers will hold the charge in their own pay and grade along with charge allowance as admissible under rules for a period of six months or till the available vacancies are filled on [] The post 57

New Delhi, Apr 29: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday launched the Parenting Calendar for the academic session 2026-27, aimed at strengthening structured engagement between schools and parents and promoting students holistic well-being. The calendar was launched through a live event streamed on CBSEs official YouTube channel, with participation from school principals, teachers, counselors, wellness educators and parents. In alignment with the vision of the National Educ

SRINAGAR, Apr 29: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday promoted 1,785 personnel to their next ranks, a police spokesman said. A departmental promotion committee, constituted under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V K Birdi, assessed the suitability of eligible head constables, selection grade constables, and constables before approving the promotions, he said. The promoted personnel include 300 head constables, 1020 selection grade constables and 465 constables, who

JAMMU, Apr 29: The Chief Education Officer Rajouri has placed 4 teachers of Middle School Namblan in Zone Rajouri under suspension with immediate effect after a surprise inspection found them absent from duty without sanctioned leave. The post 4 Teachers Suspended Over Unauthorized Absence In Rajouri School appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

What if the key to building wealth isnt how much you make, but how little you lose? Picture this: you turn a $10,000 account into $50,000 in just a few weeks, but then you make a bad choice, and it all goes away. Big profits get the most attention on social media, but careful risk management is the real hero. It protects your money during times of high volatility and lets you make steady, long-term gains. This article explains why [] The post Why Risk Management Matters More Than Profits in Trad

MUMBAI, Apr 29: The rupee depreciated 14 paise to close near its all-time low at 94.82 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, pressured by rising Brent crude oil prices, hovering around USD 115 per barrel, and continued foreign capital outflows. Forex traders said the elevated crude oil price is likely to sharply impact Indias import costs, while the ongoing West Asia crisis and concerns over potential wider conflict are fuelling investor anxiety. Also, analysts said that investors we

Leh, Apr 29: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has approved the constitution of the Ladakh Union Territory Haj Committee, with the appointment of its chairman and members for a period of three years. The decision follows the completion of the tenure of the previous UT Haj Committee in 2025. Ghulam Abbas Abidi has been appointed as the Chairman of the UT Ladakh Haj Committee, while the other members include Ashay Mallo, Mohammad Hussain, [] The post LG

MUMBAI, Apr 29: Czech auto maker Skoda Auto India on Wednesday said it has formed a strategic partnership with government-backed e-commerce platform Common Services Centre Grameen eStore to expand its footprint across non-metropolitan and semi-urban markets in the country. As part of the collaboration, the company will make available its compact SUV Kylaq, subcompact crossover SUV Kushaq, and compact sedan Slavia through the CSCs digital-first non-metropolitan network. This will facilitate produ

If youve ever stood in a pharmacy aisle staring at two bottles of minoxidil wondering which one to pick, youre not alone. The difference between 2% and 5% isnt just a number it actually matters quite a bit depending on whos using it, where theyre losing hair, and what stage theyre at. Getting this wrong doesnt just waste money. It can affect how well the treatment works or whether you experience unnecessary side effects. What Minoxidil Actually Does Before [] The post Who Should Use Minoxidil 5

SRINAGAR, Apr 29: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off a 20-coach Vande Bharat Express train between Jammu and Srinagar on April 30, while the services for the general public will commence on May 2. The direct train services between Srinagar and Jammu will reduce the travel time between the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir, and boost tourism, besides providing an all-weather surface transport link. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first direct train service be

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Sagar Adani, Executive Director of Adani Group entity Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), on Wednesday called for building robust domestic infrastructure to ensure energy security in a bid to withstand global shocks and disruptions, especially wars and conflicts. Addressing a session at Resilient Futures Summit organised by Economist Enterprise, the industrialist advocated for energy security and noted that countries should shift their priorities from how fast they can grow to how

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: E-commerce company Flipkart on Wednesday said it has appointed Sharayu Jadhav as Vice President of Legal and Varun Gupta as Vice President of Corporate Development. Jadhav returns to Flipkart after working in leadership roles at Acko and Razorpay. During her previous stint at Flipkart, she handled legal responsibilities for its wholesale division and Myntra. In her new position, she will manage the legal operations for Flipkarts marketplace, supply chain, data privacy, technol

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: The countrys exports have shown a healthy increase during the first-three weeks of April so far despite the ongoing West Asia crisis, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. He also said that free trade agreements finalised by India would give a huge boost to the domestic industry. There is an increase in exports during the first three weeks of April as compared to the same period of last April Despite the war in [] The post Healthy rise in exports in Ap

Jammu, April 29: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has announced a change in school timings for the summer zone areas of Jammu Division. According to an order issued on April 28, 2026, all Government and recognized private schools up to the Higher Secondary level will now operate from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The new timing will be effective from May 1, 2026, and will continue till September 30, 2026. The post DSEJ Orders Change Of School Timings In Summer Zone appeared first on Daily

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: A Neo Alternative Asset Managers on Wednesday announced the first close of its second infrastructure income fund, raising Rs 1,500 crore against a total target corpus of Rs 5,000 crore. The fund, Neo Infra Income Opportunities Fund II, will invest in operational, revenue-generating infrastructure assets backed by long-term contracted cash flows, primarily from government counterparties, the company said in a statement. The strategy will focus on sectors, such as roads and rene