Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Jan 17: Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be developed as the hub of Indias Blue Economy. This was stated here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, while on a visit to the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) to launch and review key marine technology initiatives

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: The 3rd Chancellors Trophy (Men & Women) Championship 202526, hosted by University of Jammu, continued its exciting run on the third day of competition, with numerous intense matches across a variety of sports. The event, running from January 15 to 19, has attracted over 800 athletes, showcasing talent from across Jammu & Kashmir and neighbouring states. In Table Tennis (Men), Cluster University of Jammu triumphed over University of Ladakh with a dom

BJP leads massive VB G RAM G rally in Samba Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Jan 17: Jammu and Kashmir BJP president and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Sat Sharma CA, along with general secretary, (Organization) Ashok Koul, MLA, Surjit Singh Salathia, and MLA, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, addressed a public programme organized under the VB G RAM G initiative in Samba district today. A massive rally was also led by the BJP as part of the Viksit Bharat and G RamG [] The post Sat calls for strong

Brij Bharddwaj newsagency12@gmail.com You need the skill of a magician and vision of a genius to guess in which direction Indo-U.S. relations are moving. The ink had not even dried on the story of trade talks today between India and U.S. on AI and supply chains, when an announcement came from Washington that the U.S. has decided to impose a tariff of 25 per cent on all countries trading with Iran. India, which at present is subjected to a 50 [] The post No Quick Solution to Indo-U.S. Trade Pact

A Sound of Its Own Dr Rakesh Verma rakeshforests@gmail.com In the lanes, courtyards, and dusty open grounds of Jammu, childhood once had a sound of its own: the sharp tap of wood on wood, the clink of glass marbles colliding, the chorus of children arguing over out and not out, and the laughter that rose like sparrows from every mohalla. Games were not downloaded. They were inherited. They lived in the muscle memory of older siblings, in the tips shouted [] The post Vanishing Jammu Games of Chil

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was today presented the books published by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India. The publications include Sri Sri Paramahansa Yoganandas Autobiography of a Yogi, The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita and Solving the Mystery of Life. Prof. Vikas Abrol, Vice Chairman, Yogoda Satsanga Dhyana Kendra, Jammu, an affiliate of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India also briefed the Lieutenant Governor on meditation and spiritual activities regularly c

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Jan 17: The picturesque town of Bhaderwah witnessed a massive influx of tourists and enthusiastic participation from locals as the Winter Carnival 2026 kicked off with great fervour at Guldanda, showcasing the regions winter charm, cultural richness, and tourism potential. The Carnival is being organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, through the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with the District Administration Doda and t

*Stresses on importance of semiconductor technologies Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today remarked that Education is a powerful weapon which can change the dynamics of the world, adding that semiconductor technologies are the future now. The Minister made these remarks while addressing National Technical Conclave on India Semi-Conductor Mission (ISM) at Government College of Engineering and Technology (GC

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Jan 17: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta today inaugurated the exhibition Between Wind and Wool: Ladakh Design Today at the Innovation Gallery, National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The exhibition features works by leading Ladakhi designers including 2112 Saldon; Jigmat Norbu and Jigmat Wangmo (Jigmat Couture); Padma Yangchan (Namza Couture); and Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo. Their creations range from sculptural ins

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Jan 17: Jammu & Kashmirs young Canoe Slalom athlete Muneer Hussain brought laurels to the Union Territory by winning a silver medal in the Kayak Cross event at the recently concluded National Championship held at Maheshwar, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh). The Jammu & Kashmir Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association congratulated Muneer for his remarkable achievement in the Wild Water discipline. Competing against athletes from states with superior infrastr

CHANDIGARH, Jan 17 : The Punjab Kesari newspaper group on Saturday alleged that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab was spreading false narratives about it and its promoters, days after the media group wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claiming that it was targeted with multiple raids by enforcement authorities over its reportage. In its fresh statement, the group said that on 11, 12, 13 and 14 January, the groups business of presses all over Punjab and one hotel [] The post AAP raiding our

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: The 7th National Qwan Ki Do Championship 202526 was inaugurated today at Indoor Hall, Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu. The championship is being organized by Qwan Ki Do Association of Jammu & Kashmir under the aegis of the Qwan Ki Do Federation of India from 16th to 18th January 2026. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of renowned Padma Shri awardee Faisal Ali Dar as the chief guest, along with Dr Surjeet Singh, Director, [] The post 7th National

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Jammu & Kashmir UT created history in Indian Taekwondo as young athlete Samrat Singh won a gold medal in the Sub-Junior Boys U-35 kg category at the 39th Sub-Junior National Taekwondo Championship 202526 held at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The prestigious championship was organised by the Delhi Taekwondo Association under the aegis of the Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI) and supported by the J&K Sports Council (JKSC). Representing Jammu &

PRAYAGRAJ (UP), Jan 17: Around 1.5 crore devotees took a dip in Ganga river at Triveni Sangam here on Saturday as part of the 45-day Magh Mela festival, officials said. This comes a day before the auspicious Mauni Amavasya, the new moon day in the Hindu month of Magha, when it is considered auspicious to observe silence and take a dip in the Holy river. A mela administration official said the influx of devotees to the fair venue for Mauni [] The post UP: 1.5 crore devotees take a dip at Sangam a

MUMBAI, Jan 17 : Aviation watchdog DGCA on Saturday imposed a Rs 22.20-crore penalty on IndiGo for last months massive flight disruptions and issued stern warnings to airline chief Pieter Elbers as well as two other senior executives. Besides, the regulator directed the airline to furnish Rs 50 crore bank guarantee to ensure compliance with its directives and long-term systemic correction. IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights early in December, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the

Actor Emraan Hashmi says the state of theatrical business is worrisome as audiences are turning up to watch only event films and not mid-size movies, which is why his rejection process has become more elaborate. Hashmi, who is seen in Netflixs series Taskaree as a customs official, had two theatrical releases, Ground Zero and Haq, in 2025. The thing is, it has become extremely difficult for theatrical films to put stuff out there. There is a lot of stuff that [] The post Theatrical business worr

NEW DELHI, Jan 17: Japans Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Saturday took a ride on the Delhi Metro, accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to India Keiichi Ono, during his visit to the national capital. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) stated that the visiting minister and his delegation were briefed on the Delhi Metro project by senior officials at the Central Secretariat Metro station. The corporation mentioned that the delegation undertook a train ride from Central Secretariat to Pate

SHIMLA, Jan 17: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that his recent meetings with union Ministers in New Delhi were productive and addressed several key concerns of Himachal Pradesh. Interacting with media after returning from the national capital, the Chief Minister said that union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had assured him that the Centre would examine the need for a region-specific approach while finalising fiscal devolution, grants and disaster management framewo

Create system for no doubt on selection process Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the two-day National Level Sports Conference SRIJAN, organised by Department of Youth Services and Sports, here today. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Conference will identify the actionable strategies to further strengthen sports systems in J&K UT, prepare a roadmap for effective implementation of the National Sports Policy 2025 & J&K Sports Poli

Shahnaz Husain glmahajan@gmail.com Winter is upon us. The season of blankets, quilts and snow is finally here! Well, several people must have already planned their winter travel to experience snow-covered landscapes, festive vibes, and cosy moments. As the weather tends to change quickly, especially during winter, travelling during the season can make the skin dry and dull. The drop in temperature, low humidity levels, and harsh winds strip moisture from the skin, leading to dryness, irritation,

Funds crunch cripples Polluter Pays enforcement Deliberations held, but issue remains unresolved Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Jan 17: The Polluter Pays Principle, mandated by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and upheld by the Supreme Court, has run into implementation hurdles in Jammu and Kashmir as Urban Local Bodies and other development agencies continue to default on Environmental Compensation payments while the private sector has largely complied. The legal framework was set in motion following t

BULAWAYO, Jan 17: Off-spinner Vihaan Malhotra produced a sensational spell of 4 for 14 to trigger a dramatic Bangladesh batting collapse as India pulled off an 18-run victory via the DLS method in a rain-hit Under-19 World Cup match here on Saturday. Bangladesh, who bowled out India for 238 in a reduced 49-over contest, were firmly in control of the chase before losing eight wickets for 40 runs to lose the match from a winning position. It was Indias second [] The post U-19 World Cup: India beat

Procedural delays at top, distress at grassroots Nishikant Khajuria JAMMU, Jan 17: Thousands of teachers working in the School Education Department across Jammu Division have not been paid their salaries for the month of December, triggering widespread resentment and anxiety among the teaching community. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The delay has been attributed to the non-release of the revised budget for the financial year 202526, which, official sources said, is still under

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Jan 17: Meraj-un-Nabi (PBUH) was observed across Kashmir today with religious fervour and the largest congregation witnessed at the Dargah Hazratbal here Men, women, elderly people and children thronged the Hazratbal shrine to offer prayers and witness the display of the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which was shown after every prayer throughout the day. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Thousands of devotees assembled at the Dargah to mark

NEW DELHI, Jan 17: Indian boxing icon Vijender Singh has been appointed as a member of the Asian Boxing Council, marking another significant milestone in his journey from an elite athlete to global sports administrator. Vijender, Indias first Olympic medallist in boxing, brings with him nearly two decades of experience at the highest level of the sport, both in amateur and professional boxing. His appointment to the Asian Boxing Council reflects his deep understanding of the sport and his contin

Most districts see over 90% shortfall Irfan Tramboo SRINAGAR, Jan 17: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a near-total dry spell during the first fortnight of January this year, with rainfall across most districts plunging far below normal levels, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMDs seasonal rainfall data for the period January 1 to 14 showed that the J&K subdivision received just 1.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 33.3 mm, recording a massive deficit []

BEIJING, Jan 17 : The launch of the Shijian-32 satellite in Chinas Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-3B carrier rocket failed on Saturday. The rocket blasted off at 12:55 a.m. (Beijing Time) at the launch center in southwestern Sichuan Province, but an anomaly occurred during its flight. The cause of the failure is under investigation.(UNI ) The post Chinas Shijian-32 satellite launch mission fails appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SRINAGAR, Jan 17: Northern Army commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Saturday comprehensively reviewed the operational environment in the Kashmir valley. Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC visited formations and units across North and South Kashmir and carried out a comprehensive review of the operational environment, the Armys Northern Command said on X. It said the Army commander interacted with troops and staff at the Joint Control Centre, emphasising close coordination and unified synergy to coun

JAMMU, Jan 17: The Power Development Department (PDD) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the transfers and postings of 10 engineers, with some of them assigned the additional charges to smoothly run the department. See Order Copy Click Here The post J&K | PDD Transfers 10 Engineers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jammu, Jan 17: A woman has been booked for allegedly not complying with orders prohibiting the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services on mobile phones for security reasons in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district, police said on Saturday. Meena Sharma, wife of Mohan Lal, has been booked under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Majalta police station for allegedly violating the order of the district magistrate, issued on January 3, prohibiting the use of [] Th

Jammu, Jan 17: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the two-day National Level Sports Conference SRIJAN, organised by Department of Youth Services and Sports at Jammu. The Conference will identify the actionable strategies to further strengthen sports systems in J&K UT, prepare a roadmap for effective implementation of the National Sports Policy 2025 & J&K Sports Policy 2022 and highlight measures for shaping a resilient and future-ready generation. In his address, the Lieute

New Delhi, Jan 17: Faridabad-based Al Falah University had appointed three doctors two arrested by the National Investigation Agency and the third an alleged suicide bomber of the November 2025 Red Fort area blast apart from other specialists without police verification or scrutiny, the Enforcement Directorate has found. The agency, as part of its money laundering probe against the promoter of the university, is understood to have furnished statements of various senior executives and faculty o

New Delhi, Jan 17: The Congress on Saturday accused the Modi government of indulging in communalisation of education following the withdrawal of permission for MBBS course at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) and demanded that the college be reopened. Earlier this month, the National Medical Commission (NMC) revoked the Letter of Permission to J&Ks Katra-based college, citing non-compliance with minimum standards and extensive deficiencies in faculty strength, clin

JAMMU, Jan 17: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today remarked that Education is a powerful weapon which can change the dynamics of the world, adding that semiconductor technologies are the future now. The Minister made these remarks while addressing National Technical Conclave on India Semi-Conductor Mission (ISM) at Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu, The Conclave is being organised by GCET Jammu in technical collabo

Srinagar, Jan 17: Ruling National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq has submitted a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, calling upon the Centre to review the decision to revoke the permission for MBBS course to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College. The National Medical Commission (NMC) revoked the Letter of Permission to the college, citing non-compliance with minimum standards and extensive deficiencies in faculty strength, clinical material and infrastructure. According to sources, Sadiq

New Delhi, Jan 17: Several Indians, including students, have arrived here in commercial flights from Iran amid widespread protests in the Islamic nation and Tehrans crackdown that has so far killed more than 2,500 people. The flights arrived at the Delhi airport late on Friday night. It was not immediately known how many Indians had arrived in these commercial flights. Upon arriving at the airport here, Ali Naqui, who was a part of a group of 12 to 13 travellers, [] The post Several Indians Retu

Srinagar, Jan 17: Police in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district said on Saturday that they have recovered 4 kg charas (marijuana) in two separate operations during which three peddlers were arrested. A police statement said, Budgam Police today arrested three drug peddlers in two separate operations conducted in Magam and Hardpanzoo areas of the district, leading to the recovery of a substantial quantity of contraband substances. In the first operation, a police team from Police Station Magam app

Lahore, Jan 17 : At least 14 people, including six children, were killed when a truck carrying about a dozen passengers fell from a bridge due to dense fog in Punjab province of Pakistan on Saturday. The accident took place in Kot Momin, Sargodha district, some 200 kms from Lahore, in the early hours. According to the spokesperson of Punjab Emergency Services Rescue 1122, the truck had on board 23 people, mostly of an extended family, going to attend a [] The post Six children among 14 killed in

Islamabad, Jan 17 : American and Pakistani troops concluded joint training at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Pabbi during exercise Inspired Gambit 2026. Training exercises like this between the US and Pakistan strengthen our long-standing defence ties, Dawn reported on Saturday, quoting a statement issued by the US Central Command (Centcom). The exercise concluded this week focused on combined infantry skills and tactics, and counterterrorism operations, the statement added. The two-we

New York/Washington, Jan 16 : Indian-American President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among the leaders named to the Board of Peace for Gaza redevelopment under President Donald Trumps comprehensive plan to end the conflict. The White House on Friday released a list of appointed members to the founding Executive Board of the Board of Peace, which it said comprises leaders with experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic

Washington, Jan 17 : The Federal Aviation Administration has urged US aircraft operators to exercise caution when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing military activities and satellite navigation interference. The warning was issued in a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the FAA on Friday. They say, Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of

Malda, Jan 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday mounted a sharp attack on the TMC government in West Bengal, alleging that large-scale infiltration altered the states demography, triggered riots in districts like Malda and Murshidabad, and thrived due to the ruling partys patronage and syndicate raj. Modi also sought to reassure refugees such as the Matuas, who had migrated to India after facing religious persecution, amid the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

Singapore, Jan 17 : Ships of the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy, INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and the Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, are engaged in a range of training, professional and social programmes during their port call here. The four ships arrived in Singapore on January 15, as part of a Long Range Training Deployment (LRTD) to Southeast Asia, and will remain till January 18. The visit underscores the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between India and [] The post Indi

Kolkata, Jan 17 : The State Bank of India has terminated the lease for its Global Markets Unit (GMU) premises in Kolkata, a move that has drawn objections from a civil society forum, which has urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to intervene and stop any closure of the unit without regulatory approval. An SBI notice dated January 14, 2026, issued to a vendor, stated that the bank is terminating the lease for the 11th to 16th floors of [] The post SBI terminates GMU Kolkata lease; civil society

Jammu, Jan 17: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday said that the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, which suffered a major setback following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent adverse weather conditions, is gradually showing signs of recovery, with tourist arrivals picking up as conditions improve. Dulloo said that a major project has been conceptualised to promote sustainable tourism in emerging destinations with the objective of reducing pressure on traditional hotspots across J&K,

New Delhi, Jan 17: On the 10th death anniversary of Dalit student Rohith Vemula on Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the reality for youngsters from the community has not changed on campuses and stressed the need for an anti-discrimination law. Vemula, a 26-year-old Dalit student of the University of Hyderabad, died by suicide on January 17, 2016, following alleged harassment. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, Today marks 10 years since Rohith Vemulas passing. But Rohiths [] The po

New Delhi, Jan 17: The Rashtrapati Bhavan (Circuit 1) will remain closed for the general public from January 21 to 29 in view of the upcoming Republic Day Parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony, an official statement issued on Saturday said. Circuit 1 takes the visitors on a tour of the main building of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan (Circuit-1) will remain closed for the general public from January 21 to 29, 2026, due to the upcoming Republic [] The post Rashtrapati Bhavan

MALDA, Jan 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the countrys first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya) from Malda Town station in north Bengal. He also virtually flagged off the return GuwahatiHowrah Vande Bharat sleeper train from here. Modi interacted with children and school students inside the train. Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an airline-li

Chandauli (UP), Jan 17: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday laid the foundation of integrated court complexes for six districts in Uttar Pradesh, and said these will set a benchmark for the entire country. These six districts are Chandauli, Mahoba, Amethi, Shamli, Hathras and Auraiya. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, CJI Kant said, Once these (integrated court complexes) are built, I feel that Uttar Pradesh will set an example for the entire India. These complexes will become []

Srinagar, Jan 17: Cold conditions tightened its grip in Kashmir with a drop in minimum temperatures as the meteorological department forecast spells of wet weather, especially in the higher reaches of the valley over the next few days. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Friday night, down from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius the previous night. Shopian in south Kashmir was the coldest recorded place in the valley, with the mercury settling at a low of minus [] The post Cold Condit