Daily Excelsior

JAMMU, June 4: A portion of the wall of the nearly 200-year-old Gadadhar temple collapsed outside the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex in Jammu on Thursday following rain, triggering concerns among locals who blamed the ongoing excavation and restoration work near the shrine for the collapse. No casualties were reported in the incident. The temple dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi was constructed during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh in the mid-19th century. It is managed by the Dharmarth Trust.

AHMEDABAD, June 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared open the inaugural World Yogasana Championship here and said that the event will help Yoga gain a new identity as a competitive sport. Highlighting the role of the championship, PM Modi said, Ahead of International Yoga Day, the World Yogasana Championship Brings a Double Dose of Health and Wellness. Every living tradition enters new phases with time. This World Championship of Yogasana Sports marks the beginning of such a new

WASHINGTON, Jun 4: An Indian Army major has won two academic awards at a prestigious US Army leadership programme that included 951 officers from the US and partner nations at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Major Prabhat Mishra of India received the Birrer-Brookes Award for Outstanding Master of Military Arts and Science Thesis and the General Douglas MacArthur Military Leadership Writing Award during the graduation ceremony of the US Army Command and General Staff Colleges Command and General Staff

NEW DELHI, Jun 4 : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the demise of renowned Constitution expert Subhash C Kashyap is extremely sad and offered condolences to his family. Former Lok Sabha secretary general Kashyap passed away on Thursday at his Delhi residence after prolonged illness. He was 97. The news of the demise of Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap Ji, former secretary general of the Lok Sabha and renowned Constitution expert, is extremely heartbreaking, Murmu said in a post on [] The post Dem

Saving the Fragile Crown Kumar Rohit write2kumarrohit@outlook.com Where the Rivers of Civilization Begin As the world observes World Environment Day on June 5, few regions deserve deeper reflection than Jammu and Kashmir. Revered as the Crown of India and the great Water Tower of the subcontinent, the region is far more than a landscape of mountains, lakes, and forests. Its glaciers and river systems sustain millions across northern India and beyond. The Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus rivers flowing

P K Nanda World Environment Day is celebrated on the 5th of June every year with the objective of highlighting the roles and responsibilities of every individual on this planet toward protecting and preserving the environment. It reminds humanity of its collective duty to maintain a healthy and congenial environment for present and future generations, while also shaping sustainable cities and towns for a better future. The theme for 2026, A Global Call for Climate Action, focuses on addressing t

There is a particular cruelty in failing students-not through the rigour of examinations but through the recklessness of Administration. The unfolding crisis surrounding CBSEs on-screen marking system for Class 12 board examinations is precisely such a failure one that strikes at the heart of a system millions of young Indians trust with their futures. What was billed as a progressive leap into digital evaluation has proved a nightmare of the boards own making. The errors reported by students a

Internalizing the spirit of Mission Karmayogi Dr Monika Koul drmkoul@gmail.com Always first learn to be a servant, and then you will be fit to be a master Swami Vivekananda As India moves forward to become a developed country by 2047, the Rashtriya Karmayogi initiative is an action-oriented programme of the Government of India to ensure good governance across all service sectors. It is a capacity-building initiative envisaged to bring about a behavioral change, a nudging attempt, to evoke the fe

MOSCOW, Jun 4 : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hailed Moscows strategic partnership with New Delhi and asserted that Western attempts to force India into scaling back its cooperation with Russia are futile and damaging to global stability. In an interaction with heads of leading global news agencies including PTI, Putin lauded Indias economic growth and its independent foreign policy and said Russia is determined to expand its economic engagement with the country. India is among th

India respects unity in diversity Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, June 4: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today said that Jammu and Kashmir will not become drug-free in 100 days but it is sufficient to break the back bone of the menace. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Speaking at Rishiwar Inter-Faith Conference 2026 at SKICC in Srinagar here, the LG said that the campaign against drug addiction in J&K will continue. I know that J&K will not become drug-free in 100 [] The post 100 days su

NEW DELHI, Jun 4 : Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said India now has the potential to shift from being an energy-importing nation to an energy exporter, with the changing geopolitical scenario due to the West Asia crisis, and the countrys progress on ethanol, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel. Speaking at the launch of Maruti Suzukis first flex fuel car in India, Gadkari further said Indias dependence on fossil fuels is both an economic burden, as Rs 22 lakh [] The post India has

TORONTO, Jun 4 : Canada and the UAE have condoled the fire incident in New Delhi that killed at least 21 people, including 12 foreigners, and left dozens injured. A massive fire broke out in a building in south Delhi on Wednesday, killing 21 people most of them were foreigners who had either come for medical treatment or were accompanying patients in a private hospital nearby. Deeply saddened by the tragic fire that claimed at least 21 lives and [] The post Canada, UAE condole Delhi fire that k

NEW DELHI, Jun 4 : The government is rolling out 50-100 ethanol fuel stations in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur, with an aim to reduce imports of fossil fuels, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday. He expressed hope to expand this network of ethanol fuel stations to 500 by the end of 2026. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Indias first flex fuel car by Maruti Suzuki, Puri said he anticipates that by [] The post Govt rolling out 100 ethanol fuel stat

NC MLA resists sanction sought by PHE Ministry *BJP legislator suggests CBI probe Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, June 4: Amidst uproar and submission of separate notes, the House Committee on Jal Jeevan Mission Irregularities set up by Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather following massive uproar in the House during budget session of the Legislature in March 2025, finalized and adopted its report in Srinagar this afternoon. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The report will reach the Speaker,

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today handed over disbursal letters to 6 beneficiaries worth Rs 1.12 crore under Mission YUVA here at the Civil Secretariat. Under Mission YUVA, Rs 209 crore has been disbursed in 3,367 cases during April and May, reaffirming Governments focus on youth entrepreneurship and employment generation. During the event, it was informed that out of a total of 5,016 sanctioned cases amounting to Rs 269 crore, Rs 209 crore covering 3,3

KATHMANDU, Jun 4 : The fourth edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), bringing together leading voices from literature, culture, cinema, music, diplomacy and academia among others, will be held in Nepals Lalitpur district on June 6 and 7. Former prime minister Sushila Karki, who was also the first woman chief justice of Nepal, will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. The central theme of the festival will be Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a changing [] The

Procedural delays slow roadmap for planned development *No agency finalized despite repeated official reviews Mohinder Verma JAMMU, June 4: Despite repeated official announcements regarding preparation of comprehensive Master Plans for Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) across Jammu and Kashmir, the exercise has yet to make any significant headway with the administration still to shortlist an agency for the task. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The delay has slowed efforts aim

LONDON, Jun 4 : Emergency fire crews on Thursday continued to battle a blaze at Tata Steel UKs steelworks at Port Talbot in south Wales, which a workers union said had caused substantial damage. The Mid and West Wales Fire Service rushed several firefighters to the site on Wednesday evening and soon confirmed that on-site workers had all been accounted for and safely evacuated. The company said emergency services remain on site and are working with local teams to completely [] The post UK fire c

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 4: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha attended the Rang-e-Kashmir Cultural Festival here today. This week-long event showcases J&Ks priceless handlooms and handicrafts and draws both art lovers and buyers. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that Jammu Kashmir is a living canvas, painted with centuries of wisdom, innovation, artistry, and craft. A nations true strength lies not only in its wealth or might, but also in richness of its sp

The decision by the Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department to cancel Olas motor vehicle aggregator licence marks yet another disappointing setback for the regions public transport modernisation programme. In a Union Territory that proudly boasts a staggering annual tourist footfall exceeding one crore, the complete absence of any nationally renowned, app-based taxi service is both baffling and deeply regressive. While contemporary global destinations leverage digital integration to seamlessly st

Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 4: The District Level Inter-Zonal Athletics tournament for Under-14 and Under-17 Boys, organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, Udhampur, concluded with great enthusiasm and active participation of young athletes from various zones of the district. In the Under-14 boys category, Aditya Singh of Zone Udhampur won the 100m race, while Mohd Shakeel of Zone Chenani secured first position in the 200m. Adil Ali of Zone Majalta and Akshay

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: The Inter-Zonal District Level Cricket Competition for Under-14 Boys, organized by Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), Jammu, continued at Khel Gaon, Nagrota, with Bhalwal Zone registering a convincing nine-wicket victory over Miran Sahib Zone in the third quarterfinal. After winning the toss, Bhalwal Zone elected to field first. Batting first, Miran Sahib Zone scored 103 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 15 overs. Aksha

Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAJOURI, June 4: Govt PG College Rajouri today organized a felicitation ceremony to honour Asian Gold Medalist boxer Mohd Yasser of Rajouri for bringing laurels to the nation at the Asian Championship. The ceremony was held in the office chamber of Principal Dr Anwer Shah, where the college fraternity gathered to celebrate his achievement. Mohd Yasser was felicitated with a shawl and a cash award of Rs 60,000, jointly contributed by the Principal and college staff.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 4: The three-day Volleyball Tournament organized under the 100-Day Action Plan of the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan concluded today at Shaheed Inspector Kamal Singh (SIKS) Government Higher Secondary School (Boys), Udhampur. The tournament was organized by Range Police Headquarters Udhampur in collaboration with Ayan Humanity Foundation and in coordination with the District Youth Services and Sports Office and various volleyball clubs of the d

Excelsior Sports Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 4: The two-day Table Tennis Championship organized by the J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the District Table Tennis Association Udhampur concluded today at Indoor Hall, Subash Stadium, Udhampur. The championship witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 120 players across various age groups, showcasing talent, sportsmanship and competitive spirit. The closing ceremony was graced by ADDC Udhampur Jugal Anand as the chief guest, who app

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: Renowned spiritual teacher MAAsterG who visited Jammu today as part of his mission 800 crore initiative shared details about Mission 800 crore and its vision during a press conference here. He highlighted some of the major social challenges that exist today particularly the rapidly increasing levels of mental stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse amongst the youth. He emphasised the urgent need for greater aware

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: Dogra Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, today organized a leadership programme for the academic session 2026-27 with great enthusiasm and dignity. The programme began with a welcome address by Eisha Gupta and presentation of a bouquet to chief guest Dr Samar Dev Singh Charak, Secretary, Dogra Educational Trust, by Principal Major Bhawna Devi (Retd). Floral tribute were paid to the schools founder and former Dogra Sadar Sabha president, Thakur Gulchain

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: KC Public School brought laurels to the institution by securing the best school delegation trophy at the 5th KC International Youth Conclave (KCIYC) 2026. The three-day event witnessed participation from leading schools of the region, including Jodhamal Public School, GD Goenka Public School, Jammu Sanskriti School, DPS Kathua and KC International School. A contingent of 39 delegates from KC Public School participated in various committees, including the Un

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: Dewan Devi Public School (DDPS), Rajpura Mangotrian, celebrated its Annual Day with great enthusiasm and cultural fervour. The programme, dedicated to the theme of Mothers Day, witnessed the participation of students, parents, staff members and several distinguished guests. MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta graced the occasion as the chief guest. Among those present were BJP leader Bawa Sharma and Team Jammu Chairman Zorawar Singh Jamwal as guests of honour. BJP

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: The University of Jammu Employees Cricket (Men) Tournament 2026 witnessed thrilling action on the third day as Team F and Team J registered impressive victories in their respective matches. The event aims to promote sportsmanship, physical fitness, teamwork and camaraderie among the teaching and non-teaching employees of the University. In the first match, Team F registered a massive 124-run victory over Team B. Batting first, Team F scored 198 for 7

A Reflection on Environmental Responsibility and Sustainable Communities Divya Sharma biotech.divyakhajuria@gmail.com Earth is my mother and I am her child. As the world prepares to observe World Environment Day, humanity is once again reminded of a truth that is both simple and profound: Earth is not merely a physical space where life existsit is our only home. It is the silent foundation of our survival, the source of every breath we take, every drop of water we drink, and every [] The post En

SRINAGAR, Jun 4: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today attended the Rang-e-Kashmir Cultural Festival in Srinagar today. This week-long event showcases J&Ks priceless handlooms and handicrafts and draws both art lovers and buyers. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said that Jammu Kashmir is a living canvas, painted with centuries of wisdom, innovation, artistry, and craft. A nations true strength lies not only in its wealth or might, but also in richness of its spirit, depth

SRINAGAR, Jun 4 : Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) has achieved a significant milestone in the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, securing 2nd position (First Runner-Up) in the country for the month of May 2026 for RTS Applications, Installations and Inspections. The award was conferred by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, during the national event 2 years of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana held at New Delhi. [] The post

GANDERBAL, Jun 4: In a major crackdown ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Ganderbal Police have foiled an alleged fraud racket and arrested a man accused of impersonating a government employee to deceive vendors and service providers associated with the pilgrimage. According to police, Police Station Sonamarg received credible information on May 27 that a person identified as Mohd Ayob Jara, son of Abdul Rehman Jara and a resident of Androola, Poonch, was operating in the Domail area []

JAMMU, Jun 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a UT-Level High Powered Steering Committee (UTHPSC) and a UT-Level Technical Committee (UTLTC) for implementation, monitoring and review of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) Scheme across the Union Territory. See Order Copy Click Here The post J&K Govt Constitutes UT-Level Panels For Urban Challenge Fund Scheme appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SRINAGAR, June 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a Technical Committee to carry out a Third Party Inspection (TPI) of the Light and Sound Show System installed inside Hari Parbat Fort, Srinagar. See Order Copy Click Here The post Panel Framed For Inspection Of Hari Parbat Light And Sound Show Project appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

MUMBAI, Jun 3: Superstar Aamir Khan has confirmed that he will tie the knot with partner Gauri Spratt on July 5. Several reports on Wednesday claimed that Aamir and Spratt are planning an intimate wedding next month. However, the actor hadnt responded to the speculation. On Thursday, Aamir confirmed the news. (Agencies) The post Aamir Khan Confirms Marriage To Gauri Spratt, Couple Set To Tie The Knot On July 5 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NEW DELHI, Jun 4: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Thursday said the reported exposure of JEE (Advanced) 2026 candidate data due to a cloud storage configuration issue in the results portal showed how incompetent people were running the countrys education system and digital infrastructure. The leaders of the campaign, which began on social media and went on to take a life of its own, also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately sack Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,

SHILLONG, Jun 4: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired the 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council, where leaders from the eight northeastern states resolved to work towards a stronger and more prosperous region and deliberated on the North East Vision Plan 2047. The session brought together governors, chief ministers, deputy chief ministers and senior officials from across the Northeast. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister for DoNER Jyotiraditya M Scindia, govern

NEW DELHI, Jun 4: The BJP on Thursday announced candidates for upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in five states, fielding party national general secretary Tarun Chugh from Madhya Pradesh and Satish Poonia from Rajasthan. The names of Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian did not figure in the list of BJP candidates. Both ministers term in the Upper House ends on June 21. While Bittu is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan, Kurian represents Madhya Pradesh currently in the [] The post BJP

JAMMU, June 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has reconstituted the Tree Authorities for the Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations under the provisions of the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000. As per a Government order, the Commissioner of the respective Municipal Corporation will head the authority as Chairman, while senior officials from the Municipal Corporation, Urban Forestry and Horticulture departments will serve as members. The authorities have been tasked with ensuring the pres

JAMMU, Jun 4: The Public Works (Road & Building) Department has ordered the promotion of 3 Junior Engineers (JEs) and 7 Assistant Engineers (AEs) to higher ranks in the interest of the administration. See Order Copy Click Here.. See Order Copy Click Here.. The post J&K PWD Promotes 3 JEs, 7 AE appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SRINAGAR, Jun 4: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting of all the concerned Government stakeholders to review the progress of large-scale solarization initiatives being undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir and to resolve the bottlenecks identified by the Science & Technology Department in advancing these efforts across the Union Territory. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for sustained and result-oriented follow-up by the Science & Technology Depart

NEW DELHI, Jun 4 : In a major step towards strengthening Indias research ecosystem, 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 today announced an ANRF-supported digital portal aimed at facilitating training in patent filing and research paper writing for researchers, students and innovators across the country.

JAMMU, Jun 4: A heritage complex housing a cafeteria, a library, a 12D theatre and an entertainment hub for children is now open for visitors at the historic Mubarak Mandi Palace here, marking a significant step towards transforming the iconic Dogra-era site into a major cultural and tourism destination. Mubarak Mandi, a palace complex located in the heart of the old walled city of Jammu, served as the principal seat of the Dogra dynasty, which ruled the erstwhile princely state [] The post Heri

MUMBAI, June 4: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended almost flat in a choppy trade on Thursday, as investors preferred to stay on the sidelines amid continuing uncertainty in West Asia and relentless foreign fund outflows. Caution also prevailed in the market ahead of the RBIs monetary policy decision on Friday, an expert said. The 30-share BSE Sensex went up marginally by 13.84 points, or 0.02 per cent, to settle at 74,360.01. During the day, it hit a high of [] The post Stock markets end f

LONDON, June 4: A British lawmaker said Thursday she is suing Elon Musks company xAI for invasion of privacy, alleging that fake images of her were created using the Grok chatbot. Jess Asato, a legislator with the governing Labour Party, says someone used Grok to create fake images of her in a bikini without her consent in January after she criticised the spread of deepfake pornography online. She filed a claim Wednesday at the High Court in London, citing misuse [] The post CUK lawmaker says sh

MOGADISHU (Somalia), June 4: Supporters of opposition political figures and state security forces fought in armed clashes Thursday that erupted in Somalias capital Mogadishu on Wednesday evening ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration. No official casualty figures were immediately available from the violence that prompted calls for restraint from the United Nations and the United States as the government and opposition traded blame for the violence. Residents reported heavy gunfire and

SRINAGAR, Jun 4: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today handed over disbursal letters to 6 beneficiaries worth 1.12 crore under Mission YUVA here at the Civil Secretariat. Under Mission YUVA, 209 crore has been disbursed in 3,367 cases during April and May, reaffirming Governments focus on youth entrepreneurship and employment generation. During the event, it was informed that out of a total of 5,016 sanctioned cases amounting to 269 crore, 209 crore covering 3,367 cases have been disbursed between

Ganderbal, Jun 4: In preparation for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, on Thursday conducted a comprehensive review of security and logistical arrangements at the Baltal Base Camp in Ganderbal district. The IGP was accompanied by Rajiv Pandey and Sudhanshu Dhama during the visit. The officers inspected various facilities established for personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Armed Police Forces deployed for