Daily Excelsior

WASHINGTON, Apr 11: Amid claps and cheers, four astronauts of NASAs Artemis-II mission splashed down in the Pacific ocean after a historic flight to the moon the first by humans in more than 50 years. The path to the moon is open but the work ahead is greater than the work behind, Amit Kshatriya, Indian-origin NASA Associate Administrator told a press conference shortly after the Artemis-II crew returned to earth off the coast of San Diego at 8:07 eastern [] The post Four Astronauts Return Afte

NEW DELHI, Apr 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to renowned social reformer Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary and said his life was dedicated to the ideals of equality, justice and education. He also said Phule was a pioneer in championing the rights of women and the marginalised. Phule was born on April 11, 1827, in Maharashtra and died on November 28, 1890. On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, paying tributes to a visionary [] The post Jyotirao Ph

Narendra Modi Today, 11th April, is a deeply special day for all of us. It is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, one of Indias greatest social reformers and a guiding light for generations. This year, the occasion carries even greater significance, as it marks the beginning of his 200th birth anniversary celebrations. Mahatma Phule was a great reformer. In addition to that, his was a life of moral courage, restless enquiry and unshakable commitment to social good. Mahatma [] The po

Dr S K Gupta vprint257@gmail.com Parkinsons disease also known as Shaking Palsy was described by James Parkinson in 1817. Patients usually come with tremulous movements of hands, bending forward with stooped posture, stiffness of legs, looks depressed with expressionless face and short shuffling steps. If we see overall worldwide scenario of the disease, the disease is seen in both the sexes and its onset is after 55 years of age with wide range in age from 20-80 years. Onset at [] The post Unde

BJP rules out change in UT leadership Avtar Bhat JAMMU, Apr 10: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president, Nitin Nabin organised a meeting of State presidents, general secretaries and State in charges of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Prashikshan Varg (Training Programme) at party Headquarters New Delhi today to take feedback from State leadership on the month long programmes launched on April 5 -the Foundation Day of the party. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The meeting from J&K w

Major espionage network unearthed JAMMU/NEW DELHI, Apr 10: An espionage network with direct links to Pakistan has been unearthed, revealing how handlers across the border were remotely monitoring real-time movement of Indian Army personnel through a covert grid of solar-powered CCTV cameras installed at strategically sensitive locations across northern India, an official said on Friday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The surveillance network spanned key cities including Kapurthal

Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 10: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy, led by its Chairman Shrirang Appa Barne called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, today. The Committee is on a study visit to Jammu. Shyamkumar Daulat Barve, Member of Parliament Lok Sabha; Javed Ali Khan, Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha and Officers of Lok Sabha Secretariat, Parliament of India were present during the interaction. A delegation of Tawi Front Morning Walkers, led by BJP spokesperson and Convenor,

Move to generate employment in 124 Vibrant Villages *In absence of skills, training to be given first Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Apr 10: In a major decision, the Lieutenant Governors administration has directed the Industries and Commerce Department to ensure that at least 10 youth from every village, taken up under Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) Part-II, are engaged in the local industry coming up under new Industrial Policy Scheme. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The move is aimed a

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 10: The Cyber Crime Investigation Centre for Excellence (CICE) of the Crime Branch (CB) Jammu has filed a chargesheet against four accused persons from different states in connection with an online financial fraud case involving Rs 98,000. Officials said the challan was produced before the court of Sub Judge, Jammu for judicial determination in case FIR number 12/2023 registered under section 420 IPC read with section 66-D of the IT Act at Police Station CICE J

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 10: Security forces today recovered a suspected IED-type box containing two grenades in Thandapani area of Rajouri district, prompting authorities to cordon off the area. Reports said some locals spotted suspicious material in Thandapani area of Sunderbani sector, following which security personnel rushed to the spot and secured the area. The suspected explosive material, containing two grenades sealed in a box, was found lying near a water body. A bomb dispo

Gross violation, legally unacceptable conduct flagged Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Apr 10: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has exposed a disturbing pattern of gross violation of the provisions of the RTI Act, complete inaction and legally unacceptable conduct by multiple Public Authorities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, issuing show cause notices to the Block Development Officer (BDO) and Block Medical Officer (BMO) while cautioning other officers. Follow the Daily Excelsior chan

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 10: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army Commander, Northern Command, today visited hinterland formations and units in North Kashmir to assess their operational readiness and review the prevailing security situation. During the visit, he was briefed by senior field commanders on the current security scenario in the region. Discussions were held with focus on strengthening coordination and synergy among various security and intelligence agencies to effectiv

*Also reviews delimitation, WA conflict NEW DELHI, Apr 10: The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday to deliberate on the Governments move to amend the womens reservation law, the proposed delimitation exercise and the West Asia conflict. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The meeting, chaired by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, was attended by former party chief Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Sachin Pilot, Ka

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Apr 10: Addressing the VAKTAVYA 2026 organised by Hindu College, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the significance of Indias indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), stating that it marks a major milestone in Indias journey towards s

Rs 26.41 crore pegged for survey of 190 km length Nishikant Khajuria JAMMU, Apr 10: In a significant development aimed at strengthening rail connectivity to border districts in the Jammu region, the Ministry of Railways has approved the conduct of a Final Location Survey (FLS) for the proposed Reasi-Poonch new railway line under the Northern Railway. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp According to an official communication, issued by the Railway Board , the survey will cover an appro

In the gathering dusk of a Kuwait evening, on a busy ring road near Saad Abdullah town, five men from the hills of Poonch and Rajouri met a fate no family should ever have to hear described. Their vehicle, returning from a days labour, collided head-on with another and caught fire. Most could not escape. They were charred to death where they sat far from home, far from the mountains they knew, far from the families for whom they [] The post Tragic Kuwait Accident appeared first on Daily Excelsi

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 10: 12-year-old tennis prodigy Erin Mir from Srinagar has won the All India Tennis Association (AITA) Under-18 Championship Series in Delhi, competing against significantly older players. According to reports, Erin participated in the Under-18 category and emerged as the champion, a rare and noteworthy feat in Indian junior tennis. Earlier, she had already scripted history by becoming the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to break into the Top 10 of

NEW DELHI, April 10 : Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, announced on Friday that India is in talks with 20 additional countries to open market access and broaden trade opportunities. He said these negotiations are aimed to build on nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed over the past three-and-a-half years. These FTAs provided preferential access to 38 developed nations. Piyush Goyals remarks came while addressing the business leaders in Coimbatore. We are in discussions w

Senior Mens North East Camp Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 10: In a significant achievement for Jammu and Kashmirs sports fraternity, Sunny Verma has been appointed as Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Senior Mens North East Camp at the Centre of Excellence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The camp is scheduled to be held from April 20 to May 14, 2026, in Ranchi, highlighting the BCCIs focus on developing cricketing talent from the North East [] The post Sunny appoi

PORT LOUIS, Apr 10 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday called on Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool and conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our conversation reflected the warmth of our friendship and the steadfast commitment to further advancing India-Mauritius partnership, he said in a post on X after meeting President Gokhool. Jaishankar, who is in Mauritius to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, also met Pravind Kumar

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: As the world grappled with the cascading fallout of the West Asian conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke to his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi largely focusing on passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Motegi also conveyed Japans condolences on the killing of a number of Indians in the conflict. Since the hostilities began on February 28, eight Indian nationals have been killed and several others injured in the region. Good to [] The

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today felicitated International Para-Archer Payal Nag, at Lok Bhavan. The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Payal Nag for scripting history by winning Gold at the World Archery Para Series 2026 in Bangkok. He extended his best wishes to the athlete for her future games. Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Abhilasha Chaudhary, Archery Coach, and other senior officials of the Shrine Board were

LAHORE, Apr 10: Over 2,200 Sikh pilgrims from India on Friday arrived in Pakistans Punjab province through the Attari-Wagah border to participate in the Baisakhi festival and the 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations. Pakistan Punjabs Minority Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (Shrines) Nasir Mushtaq received the pilgrims at the Wagah border. Pakistan had issued 2,800 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi festival scheduled to be held on

NEW DELHI, 10 April: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday visited the residence of Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva to offer condolences on the demise of his father, Shyam Lal Sachdeva, and paid floral tributes in his memory. Shyam Lal Sachdeva passed away on April 7 at the age of 94. The last rites of Shyam Lal Sachdeva were performed at Nigam Bodh Ghat on Wednesday in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, [] The post Rajnath Singh pay

BHOPAL, Apr 10 : Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms have damaged standing rabi crops, particularly wheat, across approximately 2.49 lakh hectares so far across several states, with the full extent of losses still being assessed by multiple agencies. The assessment of the crop damage is still underway. The assessment is being done by three different departments, Chouhan told reporters ahead of the launch of Unnat Krishi Mela in Raisen dist

JAMMU, Apr 10: The Power Development Department (PDD) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has placed 30 degree and diploma holder Incharge Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) of the Electrical Wing as the incharge Executive Engineers (XENs) on officiating basis in their own pay and grade. The post J&K PDD Places 30 Incharge AEEs As Incharge XENs appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

JAMMU, Apr 10: In a significant move towards strengthening digital governance and ensuring fiscal prudence, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has launched a Centralized Aadhaar Data Vault (ADV) to streamline public service delivery and enhance oversight of social security schemes across departments and financial institutions. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, who underscored the transformative potential of the initiative and directed the concerned dep

Srinagar, Apr 10: A fire broke out at Jamia Ashraf-ul-Uloom, Hyderpora area of Srinagar on Friday, leaving two civilians and one fireman injured, officials said. An official said that fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot and firefighting operations were launched to douse the flames. He said the blaze has now been brought under control. During the operation, one fireman sustained injuries while battling the fire, while two civilians were also injured in the incident and were shifted f

JAMMU, Apr 10: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged significant spatio-temporal changes in land use and water cover of the iconic Dal lake, pointing to a shrinkage of the water body from 15.40 square kilometres in 2007 to 12.91 square kilometres in 2020, registering a decline of 10.15 per cent in 13 years. The CAG recommended a robust lake management policy to ensure effective functioning and upgrade of sewage treatment plants (STPs) to ensure proper treatment of sewage [] The p

JAMMU, Apr 10: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that Jammu and Kashmir stands at a very critical juncture and called for a united mass movement to combat the growing menace of drug abuse among the youth. Jammu and Kashmir will launch a massive assault on the drug addiction ecosystem and is all set to roll out a 100-day intensive campaign under Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan from April 11, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewing its preparedness [] The post J&K At Crit

Leh, Apr 10: In a proactive step towards ensuring long-term water security in the cold desert region, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today launched Project Him Sarovar. The project aims at scientific snow harvesting and the creation of water bodies to address the pressing challenge of water scarcity in Ladakh. The initiative focuses on harvesting snow and conserving snowmelt to strengthen water security across Ladakh, where water availability remain

Bengaluru, Apr 10: PTI) Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, on Friday underscored the urgent need for Indias armed forces to evolve into an integrated, agile and technologically driven warfighting instrument capable of operating seamlessly across multiple domains. He also said that modern warfare is rapidly transcending traditional boundaries and timelines. Delivering the closing address at the Ran Samvad seminar, he highlighted that Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) are no longer a concep

Leh, Apr 10: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated the Old Age Home (Zimskhang) for senior citizens at Saboothang, marking a significant step towards strengthening social welfare and inclusive development in the region. This Old Age Home has been constructed at a cost of 19.74 crore, spread over an area of 1,925 square metres. The facility has been designed as a state-of-the-art structure to accommodate 50 to 55 elderly residents, in

KOLKATA, Apr 10: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday turned the BJPs manifesto launch into a hard-edged ideological pitch, promising Uniform Civil Code in West Bengal within six months, a son of Bengal as chief minister and Ram Rajya in the state. Launching the Sankalp Patra, he sought to blend the partys stance against infiltration and appeasement with a welfare push and an attempt to blunt the TMCs attack that the BJP would interfere with Bengali food habits. There [] The post Bengal: Shah

BHADERWAH/JAMMU, Apr 10: The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda, Kartik Shrotriya, on Friday said that maintaining peace and brotherhood and providing foolproof security to tourists, especially at high-altitude destinations of Bhaderwah valley, will be their first priority. Shrotriya, who has recently taken over as the district police chief of Doda following a massive reshuffle of the police administration by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on April 2, laid focus on ensuring a safe envir

SRINAGAR, Apr 10: National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah on Friday said it is unfortunate that someone is demanding a Nobel Peace Prize for brokering peace between the US and Iran, asserting that the cause of humanity is much bigger. He was asked about the calls within Pakistan for the Nobel Peace Prize for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Gen Asif Munir, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. One doesnt work for the Nobel Prize, one works [] The post Unfortunate: F

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the Modi governments proposed delimitation exercise to implement the womens quota law would have grave consequences and warrants thorough deliberation, asserting that his party would formulate a collective strategy with others in the opposition to move forward unitedly on this issue. Kharge said the Modi government is convening the sitting of Parliament from April 16 with the sole intention of securing political advantage, w

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: The government on Friday extended the minimum import price (MIP) on natural honey for nine months till December 31 this year, a move aimed at discouraging inbound shipments of cheap honey. The MIP is USD 1400 per tonne. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said, The validity of the existing MIP of USD 1400 FOB (freight on board) per metric ton on the export of natural honey is extended till December 31, 2026. In a [] The post Govt extends MIP for natural honey appea

MUMBAI, Apr 10: The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day 17 paise lower at 92.68 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, weighed down by risks from rising global tensions, especially the US-Iran conflict. Forex traders said the rupee witnessed high volatility as the deadline for the RBIs instructions to banks to curb their overnight positions to USD 100 million closes on Friday amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opene

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: SP Group Chairman Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry on Friday again pressed for listing of Tata Sons, saying it is not merely a regulatory compliance but a necessary evolution in the public interest, reposing faith in the government and RBI to act decisively on the matter. In a statement, Mistry said the SP Group has full faith in the government of India and the Reserve Bank of India to act decisively on the matter of listing of Tata [] The post Tata Sons listing in public interest; h

MUMBAI, Apr 10: Hyatt Hotels, which has 55 properties and 10,500 keys in India, is actively looking at opportunities to introduce its The Standard and UrCove brands and is considering acquisitions in partnership with financial institutions and developers. We have 36 brands globally, of which we currently have 9 in India that will go up to 10 with the addition of The Destination in Jaipur expected this year. India is our top market presenting opportunities for all our brands. Over [] The post Hya

HONG KONG, Apr 10: Chinas exports of passenger cars accelerated in March, an industry association said Friday, as Chinese automakers stepped up their push to grow overseas markets. Passenger car exports jumped 82.4 per cent year-on-year last month to around 748,000 vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, up from the 586,000 vehicles exported in February. Exports of new energy passenger vehicles including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids surged mor

New Delhi, Apr 10: The two new tuberculosis vaccines could be safe for use in adults and children in India but may not provide protection against all forms of the infectious bacterial disease, according to phase-3 trial results published in The British Medical Journal. Phase-3, a randomised clinical trial, is a final-stage study that compares a new treatment against a current procedure to determine safety and efficacy. Researchers, including those from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICM

PANAJI, Apr 10: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Friday that it is encouraging to see a significant number of women coming forward to serve the nation and that the womens reservation law will strengthen their representation in legislatures. While addressing students at Goa University, Birla also said that many young people claim to stay away from politics, but it remains a powerful tool to address societal challenges and improve lives. Birla said it is encouraging to see a [] The post Womens R

BEIJING, Apr 10:Indian author and journalist Pallavi Aiyar has launched her latest book, Travels in the Other Place: Pursuing the Self in Eight Acts, at a get-together here. Travels in the Other Place is a blend of her memoirs, philosophy, and travel writing. The book, in her words, is an original and introspective collection of eight essays that explore identity and belonging across shifting geographies-both physical and emotional. Spanning a life that stretches from a bookish childhood in 1980

DUBAI, Apr 10: A former Iranian foreign minister who once suggested Tehran could seek a nuclear weapon died late Thursday after being wounded in an airstrike last week, Iranian state television reported. Kamal Kharazi had served as a foreign minister for Irans reformist President Mohammad Khatami, then as a foreign affairs adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In 2022, he told news network Al Jazeera that Tehran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb, but [] The p

LONDON, Apr 10: Protests over high fuel prices in Ireland entered a fourth day on Friday, sparking concerns about fuel shortages and emergency services as demonstrators clogged roads and blocked access to refining and distribution sites around the country. The Irish government is set to meet with farmers, truckers and agricultural contractors on Friday to discuss the crisis, triggered by rising gasoline and diesel costs as the conflict in the Middle East restricts oil exports from the region. Wh

JAMMU, Apr 10: Highlighting that India is at a crucial data inflection point, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today stated that the upcoming Census 2027 is not merely an enumeration exercise but a National Digital Transformation Mission that will set the bedrock for a Viksit Bharat and evidence-based policy planning. The Chief Secretary made these remarks while speaking at the Census 2027 Summit held today at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. The summit was participated by the senior administrators, developme

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: Special Cell of the Delhi Police has busted an inter-state terror, arms and espionage module allegedly backed by handlers from Pakistan and its intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence, an official said on Friday. The team uncovered a covert surveillance network involving solar-powered CCTV cameras installed near sensitive military locations across Punjab and Rajasthan, the official said. The operation, carried out in two coordinated strikes, led to the arrest of 11 acc

Jammu, Apr 10: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday said he was shocked to find officers, who had earlier been suspended or transferred on serious allegations, still working at the Directorate of Mining office in Jammu, and announced that an inquiry would be initiated into the matter. Speaking to reporters DyCM Choudhary said, I was shocked to see officers suspended by me still working at the Director Mining office Jammu. These employees were either suspended or transferred to Kash