Daily Excelsior News

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: India today voiced concern over the damage to the Preah Vihear temple complex in the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border clashes and hoped that all measures will be taken to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage Site that New Delhi is helping to conserve. Following reports of bombing of the Preah Vihear temple premises in the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, India appealed to both countries to exercise restraint and urged them to return to the path [] The post

Prof K S Chandrasekar vc@clujammu.ac.in To succeed in this competitive world, any organization needs to embrace the latest in marketing. Marketing strategy consists of decisions and actions focused on building a sustainable differential advantage, relative to competitors, in the minds of customers and to create value for stakeholders. Strategy arose from a military context: The forces available must be employed with such skill that even in the absence of absolute superiority, relative superiorit

Lt Col Ankit Sharma ankit.cloudnine@gmail.com IndiGo, Indias largest domestic airline, plunged into its worst operational crisis in years. What began as a crew-rostering problem triggered by new regulations quickly snowballed into a full-blown travel nightmare. Over days, flights across the country were cancelled enmasse, passengers were left stranded at airports, luggage went missing and the airlines assurances of refunds and hotel stays rang hollow for countless travellers. What was presented

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Dec 12: The Food Safety Department in Anantnag today declared Priyagold Butter Delite biscuits unsafe for consumption and directed traders to immediately withdraw the product from their shelves. The department has in this regard imposed a strict ban on the sale of the product (Batch No. E25KPO2FB) after laboratory tests confirmed that the product contained sulphite levels beyond the permissible limit. According to the Designated Officer, Food Safety Anantnag, th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) today announced the appointment of Rakesh Bhat as co-chair of the FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council in 2025-2026. Rakesh Bhat is a distinguished industrialist and visionary leader with over three decades of entrepreneurial excellence in the manufacturing sector. As the Founder and Managing Director of the Shalimar Group of Companies comprising Shalimar Carpet Industries, Shalimar Floorings Priv

Dheeraj Jandial dtoudhm@gmail.com Finally, the long wait for a confirmed pay revision may soon turn into reality as discussions around the Fitment Factor Hike 2025 gain momentum across government departments and policy circles. TheUnion Cabinet on October 28 approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC), which will review salaries, allowances and pension benefits for central government employees and pensioners. The 3-member commission, comprising Chairperson

* Pleads not to allow hospitals in Ind Zone Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: A delegation of Association of Industries (AOI), Gangyal led by its president Virendra Jain and comprising office bearers- Sanjay Langar, Ajay Mahajan and Jatinder Singh called on Vikramjeet Singh, Commissioner/Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, in the presence of Dr Arun Manhas, Director Industries & Commerce, Jammu and discussed issues related to Industries. The meeting was conducted in a cordial and p

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a free trade agreement between India and Oman, which is expected to be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Oman on December 17-18, sources said. Talks for the free trade agreement, officially termed as CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), formally began in November 2023 and the negotiations concluded this year. Prime Minister Modi will embark on a four-day visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman from December 15,

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the outcome of the Census 2027 will serve as the new compass for development, mirroring Indias latest population data with more accuracy. Shah said the Union Cabinet approved the budget for Census 2027 by earmarking Rs 11,718.24 crore for the largest administrative and statistical exercise in the world. In a message posted on X, he said, The precision in data will accelerate Modi Jis vision of delivering the [] The post Outcome of C

Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Dec 12: In order to enhance connectivity, promoting tourism and strengthening emergency support for people living in remote areas of the Union Territory of Ladakh, LG Kavinder Gupta inaugurated the newly revised and expanded B-3 Helicopter Services, here today. Speaking on the occasion, the LG said, The improved air connectivity is not merely a convenience but a necessity for many residents. The revised subsidised fares and expanded routes including Leh Kargil, Leh

DUBAI, Dec 12: Vaibhav Suryavanshi was at his imperious best while smashing a 171 off 95 balls, powering India to a mammoth 234-run win over hosts UAE in the inaugural match of the U19 Asia Cup here on Friday. The 14-year-old from Samastipur, Bihar, unleashed a stunning display of batting, hitting 14 sixes the most by any batter in a single innings in the U19 level en-route to his breathtaking innings. Half-centuries from Vihaan Malhotra (69) and Aaron [] The post Record-breaking Suryavanshi p

NEW DELHI, Dec 12 : India is now home to over 2 lakh government-recognised startups, with over 44,000 entities recognised this year alone, the highest in a year since the inception of the Startup India initiative, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. Under the Startup India initiative launched in 2016, the recognised units are eligible to avail incentives such as income tax relief. What makes this success sweeter is that nearly 48 per cent of these startups [] The post Ind

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 12:BJP Jammu and Kashmir, president,Sat Sharmaalong with MLA Akhnoor,Mohan Laltoday called on Union Minister of State (independent charge), PMO,Dr Jitendra Singh, and discussed several major developmental issues pertaining toAkhnoor AssemblyandChhamb Assembly constituency with him. The meeting focused on crucial infrastructure needs, border-area connectivity gaps, agricultural concerns and long-pending public demands. During the meeting, the BJP leaders pro

NEW DELHI, Dec 3: Of the 1.16 lakh drug samples tested in 2024-25, 3,104 were declared not of standard quality while 245 were found to be spurious or adulterated, Union Health Minister J P Nadda told the Lok Sabha on Friday. Responding to a question, Nadda also informed that of the 1.06 lakh samples tested in 2023-24, 2,988 were not of standard quality and 282 were found to be spurious or adulterated. In 2022-23, 96,173 samples were tested, of which [] The post Over 3,000 drug samples declared n

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Kartikeya Puri and Puneesh Puri delivered outstanding performances at the 63rd National Roller Skating Championship 2025, held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from December 5 to 15, bringing glory to Jammu & Kashmir. Senior athlete Kartikeya Puri clinched a Gold Medal in the 3000m Road Race, dominating the competition, while Saamrjot Singh (J&K) secured silver and Daikin Mittal (Punjab) took bronze. Kartikeya also earned a Bronze Medal in the highly

Dulloo reviews PMUY implementation *Deptt records resolution of 88,000 grievances Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a detailed review meeting of the JK Samadhan public grievance redressal system, taking an extensive assessment of grievance disposal performance across departments, districts, and their allied offices. The review meeting attended by all the Administrative heads along with Secretary Grievances, Niraj Kumar and other concerned officers

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 12: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met the families of Nowgams accidental blast martyrs in Srinagar today and handed over appointment letters on compassionate grounds. The Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to the martyrs and expressed gratitude to their families. He said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families to ensure they live a life of comfort and dignity. The Lieutenant Governor said the whole country is proud of J&K Police f

NEW DELHI, Dec 12 : Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Friday said human rights have long formed part of the countrys philosophical and cultural tradition. Addressing an event organised by the Law Commission to mark Human Rights Day, Meghwal spoke about how ideas of human dignity and ethical conduct have been articulated across Indias civilisational journey, drawing from the teachings of thinkers and great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. To m

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 12: Shopian police in south Kashmir today took legal action against 29 two-wheelers and 87 four-wheelers bearing registration number from other states for operating without completing mandatory ownership transfers after sale-purchase. A police spokesperson said special teams were deployed across the district to identify vehicles in violation. During the drive, several vehicles were found operating without proper ownership transfer and mandatory re-registrati

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 12: An Over Ground Worker (OGW) was today apprehended by police and a grenade was recovered from him. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A police spokesman said that he has been identified as Musaib Nazir, resident of Ladoo, Khrew, and was apprehended by Police Station Khrew in Awantipore. A grenade was recovered from his possession. An investigation is underway, he said. The post OGW arrested in Awantipora appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 12: Former minister and BJP vice president for JKUT, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali on Friday visited several remote and hilly areas of Rajouri district, including Khawas, Udhaan, Gundha, Delhari and Gundi, to assess local issues and interact with residents. During his tour, locals raised multiple grievances such as non-payment of flood relief claims, pending compensation related to the Badhal tragedy, delayed MGNREGA wages and material payments, poor progress under J

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has declined to grant bail to Abdul Rashid, who is facing trial for allegedly transporting 101 kilograms of poppy straw, a commercial quantity under the NDPS Act. The accused was arrested after a police team at Rakh Barotian intercepted a truck travelling from Jammu towards Punjab in October 2021. Upon checking, the police recovered eight concealed boxes of poppy straw hidden beneath layers of apple and [] The po

MUMBAI, Dec 12: IndiGo said it has operated over 2,000 flights today as per its revised scaled down schedule. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Under the winter schedule, which commenced in the last week of October and will run through the last week of March next year, IndiGo was allowed to operate 15,014 flights per week, or 2,144 per day, on domestic routes. IndiGo has operated over 2,000 flights today, as per its revised scaled-down schedule, the airline [] The post IndiGo operat

Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Dec 12: Continuing its drive against illegal mining, Samba police has seized six dumpers in the jurisdiction of Police Stations (PS) Samba and Ghagwal which were being used for illegal transportation/mining of the construction material. A police spokesman said teams headed by SHO PS Ghagwal, in charges of Police Posts (PP) Supwal and Rakh Amb Talli of PS Samba and in charge Police Post, Rajpura of PS Ghagwal while performing patrolling duty in their jurisdictional

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 12: Three persons lost their lives while two others were seriously injured in two different road accidents in the mountainous Doda district today. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The first accident took place this morning on Bhaderwah-Chamba road in Thanhala village when a van with four persons onboard plunged into a gorge leaving one of the travellers dead on spot and three others injured. Immediately after the accident locals along with cops und

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: A Thar driver was booked for allegedly hitting an Alto car near Rotary Chowk area here today. On the basis of information received from Police Control Room (PCR) regarding an accident reported near Rotary Chowk area around 3:20 PM and spot verification, owner of a rashly driven Thar vehicle (JK02DP-5666), whose name and residential details were not known immediately, has been booked in case FIR number 142/2025 under section 281 of the BNS registered at [] T

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 12: The Food Safety Department today collected 22 egg samples from multiple locations across Kashmir following allegations that eggs sold in the markets contain residues of carcinogenic veterinary drugs. Officials said a video circulating on social media, naming a particular brand, prompted the Government to intervene and order district-wide sampling as a part of the probe. We are lifting samples from both organised and unorganised sectors. These will be sen

By R. Suryamurthy Indias decision to establish a domestic rare-earth magnet industry may seem like a technical footnote in a week crowded with political and economic headlines. In reality, it marks one of the countrys most important strategic turns in years. The Union Cabinets approval of a 7,280-crore scheme to build a complete ecosystem for sintered rare-earth permanent magnets (REPMs) is more than industrial housekeeping. It is New Delhis clearest admission that India can no longer afford to

Her quirky portrayal of the naive, dim-witted Hansa Parekh in Khichdi made her a 2000s TV icon, although actor Supriya Pathak now has little interest in television, saying the medium declined once it shifted toward daily-soap formats. Describing her long stint on television from Idhar Udhar (1985) and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1999) to Baa Bahoo Aur Baby (2005) and Chhanchhan (2013) as its golden period and something that she is proud of, Pathak lamented that [] The post TVs quality went downhill

JAMMU, Dec 12: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a review meeting on the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and assessed the LPG stock availability in the Kashmir Valley for the forthcoming winter months. The meeting besides Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir was attended by Director, FCS&CA, Jammu/Kashmir; and senior officers from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), who shared district-wise progress, implementation challenges and pre

Jammu, Dec 12: Police on Friday arrested five alleged members of a drug trafficking network from the outskirts of Jammu city and recovered 340 gm heroin from their possession, officials said. During a routine checking at a naka point at Purmandal Morh, a police team intercepted a Swift vehicle moving suspiciously and signalled it to stop. The police detained the occupants and conducted a thorough search of the vehicle, recovering 340 grams of heroin, officials said. Five persons identified [] T

Leh, Dec 12: The Union Territory of Ladakh marked a significant milestone today as Honble Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta inaugurated the newly revised and expanded B-3 Helicopter Services, aimed at enhancing connectivity, promoting tourism, and strengthening emergency support for people living in remote areas of the region. Recognising Ladakhs vast geographical spread, harsh terrain, and challenging weather conditions, the Lt Governor said that improved air connectivity is not merely a convenience b

Srinagar, Dec 12: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met the families of Nowgams accidental blast martyrs in Srinagar today and handed over appointment letters on compassionate grounds. The Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to the martyrs and expressed gratitude to their families. He said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families to ensure they live a life of comfort and dignity. The Lieutenant Governor said the whole country is proud of J&K Police for stopping terror in it

Jammu, Dec 12: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said an indigenous tank, developed and named after Dogra warrior General Zorawar Singh, will honour his legacy and prove to be a force multiplier for the armed forces. He was paying tribute to Singh on his martyrdom day. According to officials, the Zorawar light tank is Indias first indigenous advanced light tank, developed for high-altitude mountain warfare, especially along the China border. The Lieutenant Governor (LG)

SINGAPORE, Dec 12: The High Commission in Singapore has opened a One Stop Centre (OSC) as part of the Governments scheme to support Indian women in distress overseas. The initiative has been taken under the Indian Governments Sakhi One Stop Centre scheme, marking a major step in extending women-centric welfare initiatives overseas. The establishment of One Stop Centre at the High Commission of India in Singapore will provide a comprehensive support system to Indian (national) women in distress,

MOSCOW, Dec 12: Russias central bank on Friday described the European Unions decision to freeze its assets as illegal actions and threatened to file lawsuits to recover damages. The Bank of Russia intends to recover damages caused to the Russian regulator from the Belgian depository Euroclear and will file a corresponding lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court, a statement from the bank said. The central bank made this decision in connection with the illegal actions of the Euroclear depository,

KATHMANDU, Dec 12: Nepals Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday inducted four new ministers in her cabinet, bringing the strength of the council of ministers to 14. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the four newly appointed ministers of the interim government at a ceremony in the Office of the President. The newly appointed ministers are Shraddha Shrestha, Madhav Chaulagain, Rajendra Singh Bhandari and Kumar Ingnam, according to officials at the Prime Mi

New Delhi, Dec 12: Silver prices rallied on Friday to breach the record Rs 2 lakh per kg mark in futures trade for the first time, riding on strong investor demand and positive global trends. Rising for the fourth consecutive day, the white metal futures for March delivery appreciated by Rs 1,420, or 0.71 per cent, to touch a lifetime high of Rs 2,00,362 per kg on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX). In the international markets, Comex silver futures rose to [] The post Silver Prices Hit Record R

Ayodhya, Dec 12: The second anniversary of the consecration of the Ram temple will be celebrated on December 31, with flag hoisting ceremonies planned on the spires of seven sub-temples in the temple complex, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said on Friday. According to the Trust, this years anniversary will be marked as Pratishtha Dwadashi. A meeting scheduled for Saturday will finalise the framework for the celebration. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minist

NEW DELHI, Dec 12 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today emphasized that judicious use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a boon for healthcare and pharma sectors, while underscoring the governments strong collaboration with the private sector in emerging biotechnology and gene therapy projects. Addressing the Confederati

Jammu, Dec 12: Security forces on Friday apprehended an intruder near the International Border in the Pargwal area of Jammu district. A top police officer said that the intruder, identified as Abdul Khalik, was intercepted by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and was found in possession of a weapon, the officer said. He was subsequently handed over to Police Post Pargwal, under Police Station Khour, for further legal proceedings, the officer added. (KNC) The post BSF Apprehends Armed Intrude

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today ordered the immediate transfer and posting of four senior officers within the School Education Department. As per an order, Abdul Rashid Mir, who was serving as the In-charge (I/c) Principal of DIET Bandipora, has been posted as the new incharge CEO of Baramulla. In addition to his new primary role, Mir will also hold the additional charge of Principal, DIET Sopore. In a similar move, Manzoor Ahmad Najar, the current I/c Principal of [] The post J&K

JAMMU, Dec 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has designated the Tribal Affairs Department as the Nodal Department for implementing the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, across the Union Territory. Meanwhile, the Administrative Secretary of the department has been appointed as the Nodal Officer to coordinate with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for monitoring progress and reporting on initiatives under the Act, including those cover

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on Friday in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that as on March 31, 2025, the total land in possession of the Indian Railways was about 4.99 lakh hectares, out of which 1068.54 hectares were encroached in various parts of the country for quite a long period. While responding to questions regarding the land parcels of the railways presently under encroachment in the country, Vaishnaw said that the railways [] The post Out of 4.99 lakh

Srinagar, Dec 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday launched a special enforcement drive against vehicles operating without mandatory transfer of ownership documents after sale or purchase a move aimed at preventing misuse of non-transferred or non-local registrations. The drive was carried across several districts in the Valley, police said, adding that teams were deployed to identify and impound vehicles that have not been transferred in the name of the new owner after sale, along with v

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: SBI Chairman C S Setty has said that the bank would adopt a calibrated approach for funding mergers and acquisitions, which was recently permitted by the Reserve Bank. The bank has always taken a cautious and gradual approach while entering the new verticle of funding mergers and acquisitions in the domestic market, Setty told PTI in an interview. Citing an example of home loan business, he said, even in that secured segment, the bank did not [] The post Calibrated approach to

MUMBAI, Dec 12: Tech giant Microsofts India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok on Friday said artificial intelligence will not steal jobs, asserting that the real pink slip is going to be refusal to learn. However, he said the widespread adoption of new-age technology will unbundle tasks, adding that ours is the last generation to enjoy stable, long-term careers. Will AI steal jobs? I dont think AI will steal jobs. It will dissect jobs. It will unbundle jobs, Chandok [] The post AI wont st

Buying diapers online has become a modern necessity for busy parents who juggle work, household responsibilities, and the needs of a newborn. Having baby essentials delivered directly to their doorstep not only saves time but also significantly reduces stress, making daily parenting routines smoother and more manageable. Digital solutions now allow parents to shop seamlessly, browse carefully curated products, and access everything from diapers and wipes to skincare items, feeding essentials, an

MUMBAI, Dec 12: Benchmark stock index Sensex rallied nearly 450 points while broader Nifty closed above 26,000 level on Friday following buying in metal shares and positive global trends. Rising for the second day, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 449.53 points or 0.53 per cent to settle at 85,267.66. During the day, it jumped 502.69 points or 0.59 per cent to 85,320.82. The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 148.40 points or 0.57 per cent to 26,046.95. Among Sensex firms, Tata Steel, [] The post Sensex j

Union Cabinet approves Rs 11,718 crore for Census 2027: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw The post Union Cabinet approves Rs 11,718 crore for Census 2027: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw appeared first on Daily Excelsior .