Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 22: The Centre for Developmental Education (CDE), in collaboration with the Lalitaditya Sports Education and Health Organisation (LSEHO) hosted Kanyathon Jammu 2026 at the University of Jammu, drawing over 1,000 participants in a powerful show of unity against drug abuse and in support of girl-child empowerment. The 15th edition of Indias long-running social impact run was flagged off by Shiv Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Samba-

NEW DELHI, Mar 22 : The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Sunday reviewed the situation arising out of the conflict in West Asia and a detailed assessment was made on the availability of critical needs of the common people, including food, energy and fuel security, an official statement said here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the meeting, directed that a group of ministers and secretaries be created to work dedicatedly in a whole-of-government approach to deal with the [] The p

J&K Lok Bhavan celebrates Bihar Diwas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 22: Jammu Kashmir Lok Bhavan today hosted a vibrant celebration of Bihar Diwas, at Jammu. Celebrating the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, the cultural evening brought together senior Government officials, students, and the people of Bihar living in the UT of Jammu Kashmir. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Bihar on the occasion. He paid tribute to the

Prof. (Brigadier) (Retd.) Neeraj Soni pro@iimj.ac.in Indias demographic dividend-reflected in the fact that nearly 65 percent of its population is below the age of 35 and the median age remains under 30 years-is widely celebrated as a major structural advantage for the country in the twenty-first century. In policy discourse, this youthful demographic profile is often presented as a key foundation for Indias aspiration to achieve Viksit Bharat @2047. However, this optimism risks overlooking a cr

Prof. D. Mukherjee mukhopadhyay.dinabandhu@gmail.com The Middle East has long been a geopolitical crossroads where energy resources, global trade routes, and strategic rivalries intersect. When conflict erupts in this region, its consequences rarely remain local. The ongoing war has once again demonstrated how rapidly geopolitical instability can spread through the arteries of the global economy. Energy markets are particularly vulnerable. The Middle East accounts for roughly one-third of global

Cadre based structure our strength: Manyal Excelsior Correspondent RAMGARH, Mar 22: J&K BJP president and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Sat Sharma, along with MLA, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal and other senior leaders, addressed the Bainglar Mandal Prashikshan Workshop of Ramgarh Assembly constituency under the ongoing Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Prashikshan Mahabhiyan. J&K BJP vice-president, Rekha Mahajan, and district president, Asha Rani also addressed the workshop, which was attended by part

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday flagged off the 24th Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Pavitra Chhari Yatra from the historic Kol Kandoli Temple in Nagrota. Click here to watch video The Lieutenant Governor participated in the Pratham Pooja of the Chhari Yatra, marking the commencement of the spiritual journey. He paid obeisance at the holy temple and prayed for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of all. The Lieutenant Governor also inter

Chairs key election strategy meetings Excelsior Correspondent KARIMGANJ (Assam), Mar 22: The Leader of Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly and co-incharge of the Assam Assembly elections, Sunil Sharma, chaired a series of focused meetings with party election committees in Assam, as part of the partys intensified preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections. Sunil Sharma presided over an important meeting with the Election Management Committee of the North Karimganj Asse

Excelsior Correspondent NAGPUR, Mar 22: Himachal Pradesh (HP) Governor Kavinder Gupta today stressed the importance of preserving linguistic identity, urging young people to take pride in their mother tongue while addressing the 29th National Session of Bhartiya Yuva Sansad in Nagpur. The session, held at Maharshi Vyas Auditorium, witnessed participation of around 600 youth from across the country who deliberated on key national issues. Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that language i

KURUKSHETRA, Mar 22: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday said the legal and ethical framework of the country must be rooted in human welfare. Addressing a gathering at Ambedkar Law College in Kheri Markanda village here, he emphasised that the vision of a developed India is not limited to economic progress alone, but also aims to lead a fully human-centric digital revolution. The programme was organised by the Ambedkar Education Society. On the occasion, Meghwal laid the foundation []

NEW DELHI, Mar 22 : Bharat Innovates 2026 aims to carry research and development-driven innovations from every corner of the country to the global stage, showcasing cutting-edge technologies while unlocking investment opportunities and building enduring global partnerships, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday. Pradhan was addressing the Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit at IIT Bombay. The summit, organised on March 21-22 as a national precursor to the Bharat Innovates

PATNA, March 22: BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Sunday described Prime Minister Narendra Modis 8,931-day public life as a powerful example of continuous dedication, sacrifice, and service to the nation. Nabin said that Modis journey is not merely a political career but a sustained commitment to nation-building, where every single day has been devoted to the service of the country. He made the remarks after the Prime Minister achieved the milestone of becoming the longest-serving head of g

LUCKNOW, Mar 22 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing a record 8,931 days in public life. In a post on X in Hindi, Yogi Adityanath said, Heartiest congratulations to the Prime Minister @narendramodi jee the sarathi (charioteer) of the nations Amrit Kaal, who remains committed to the happiness, prosperity and contentment of 1.45 billion Indians on becoming Indias longest-serving Head of Government. Dedicated to the realisation of a De

GURUGRAM, Mar 22 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that the state is playing a pivotal role in translating the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 into reality. The BJP leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision reflects the aspirations of 140 crore citizens, and the Haryana Government is working consistently to implement it on the ground. Addressing a rally and house allotment programme in Kakrola village under Gurugrams Badshahpur Assembly constituency, Saini sa

FAZLIKA, Mar 22: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday hit out at the opposition Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), alleging that these parties plundered the state when they were in power and were now joining hands to ruin it. Addressing a rally, Mann urged the people to come together to show the door to these parties and voiced confidence that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will win more than 100 seats in 2027 to form the government again [] The post Punjab CM Mann attacks opposition Co

SHIMLA, Mar 22: Directions were issued to evacuate nine houses in Ropdu village in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district on Sunday following a massive landslide. A landslide occurred in Kotli subdivision following intermittent rains over the past three days. A cow shed was completely damaged, while large boulders and debris remain precariously perched on the hillside, continuing to pose a grave and immediate threat to the village below. Officials and the former Pradhan (village head) rushed to the sc

JAIPUR, Mar 22 : A civilian employee posted at an Indian Air Force station in Assam has been arrested for allegedly spying and sharing sensitive information with Pakistani handlers, Rajasthan Intelligence said on Sunday. Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Prafull Kumar said the accused was arrested in a joint operation by Rajasthan Intelligence and Air Force Intelligence. Investigation began with the arrest of a suspect from Jaisalmer in January 2026, which led to the identific

THRISSUR (Kerala), Mar 22: Senior BJP leader and the party candidate in Guruvayur, B Gopalakrishnan was booked on Sunday for his alleged communal remark in a campaign video related to the upcoming Assembly polls, police said. The case was registered based on a complaint of the Returning officer in the Guruvayur constituency. The leader was booked under BNS Section 192 and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, they said. BNS Section 192 refers to wantonly giving provocation [] The

Excelsior Sports Correspondent RAJOURI, Mar 22: The Indian Armys Ace of Spades Division successfully organized the Rajouri Marathon 2026 today as part of the Pre-Rajouri Day celebrations. Conducted under the theme Hum Qadam Rajouri (Walking Together with Rajouri), the marathon aimed to promote fitness, community participation, and camaraderie between the Armed Forces and local residents. The event featured 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km competitive runs, along with a special race for specially-abled part

Modi era has transformed India, say Ministers NEW DELHI, Mar 22:Top Union Ministers today complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi for setting a record of 8,931 days in public life, first as the Gujarat Chief Minister and now as the Prime Minister, saying this reflects his deep commitment to nation-first governance, in giving rights to the poor and enhancing the nations pride on global platforms. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now the longest-serv

*25 estates await agencies, 19 crawl ahead sans deadline Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Mar 22: Nearly two years after the ambitious announcement, the plan to develop 46 new Industrial Estates to fulfill the goal of Made in Jammu and Kashmir remains mired in delays with no concrete timeline for their completion. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp On July 23, 2024, rapid development of 46 new Industrial Estates was announced by the Government to attract investment and create employment opportu

6 pc increase in terror-related fatalities ISLAMABAD, Mar 22:Pakistan has been ranked number one on the Global Terrorism Index for the first time, following a 6 percent increase in terrorism-related fatalities during 2025. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the country recorded 1,139 deaths last year, highlighting a deteriorating security landscape. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The comprehensive report, which

New Delhi, Mar 22: Bilal Arif Sarafi, a commander of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was stabbed and shot dead by his family members after the Eid prayers in Pakistan, sources said. The incident reportedly took place near the destroyed Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters near Markaz in Muridke. The exact reason behind the murder is not known yet, but intelligence sources suspect a family dispute. Those involved in the murder have been arrested, sources added. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on

KATHMNADU, Mar 22 : Restrictive orders were re-imposed on Sunday in southern Nepals Kapilvastu district that had witnessed a clash between two communities turn violent. As the situation remained tense, the District Administration Office, Kapilvastu re-imposed the restrictive orders in parts of Maharajgunj Municipality in the district. According to Janardan Gautam, Chief District Officer of Kapilvastu, the step was taken as per the decision of the district security committee. The order restricts

Party to expose NC for negating poll promises Avtar Bhat JAMMU, Mar 22: BJP is all set to expose what it called the anti people stance of the National Conference (NC) Government. The party which held a meeting of MLAs here today under the chairmanship of BJP UT president and MP Rajya Sabha, Sat Sharma (CA) decided to corner the Government during the budget session resuming after the Ramzan and Navratra break on March 27. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel [] The post BJP to strongly demand separ

CHANDIGARH, Mar 22: Police have booked former Punjab Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar in connection with the suicide of a state warehousing corporation official, officials said today. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, allegedly took his own life by consuming a poisonous substance on Saturday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The police also booked Bhullars father, Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and personal assistant Dilbag

JERUSALEM, Mar 22: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the recent missile attacks on Diego Garcia shows that Iran has the capacity to reach deep into Europe and poses danger to the entire world. Netanyahu was visiting the southern Israeli city of Arad which faced Iranian missile strikes on Saturday evening when he also said his country and the US are fighting together on behalf of everyone. If you want proof that Iran endangers the entire world, the [] The post Netanyahu vis

PARIS, Mar 22: French voters are returning to the polls Sunday for the second and final round of municipal elections in over 1,500 communes. The vote is a test of the balance of power on Frances local political map before the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape. It is also a measure of whether the far right can convert national momentum into control of major cities, where it has often struggled to break through. The most closely watched contests [] The post French voters head to polls in

NEW DELHI, Mar 22 : Emphasising the need for continuous engagement and timely resolution of service-related matters, 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 said that structured dialogue with employee representatives is essential to ensure administrative efficiency and career progression across depart

CHANDIGARH, Mar 22: Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the Border Security Force, busted a cross-border smuggling module and recovered 24.5 kg heroin and Rs 21.5 lakh cash from three individuals, a senior police officer said on Sunday. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had links with Pakistan-based handlers, officials said. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the accused have been identified as Jagjit Singh alias Rana, Manpreet Singh and Roshan Singh, all residen

NEW DELHI, Mar 22:Dredging Corporation of India is looking to more than double its topline to Rs 3,000 crore in the next five years, the companys MD & CEO Capt S Divakar said, adding that the company is looking to explore new markets and areas to achieve this goal. Visakhapatnam-based Dredging Corporation of India Ltd (DCIL) is the countrys premier dredging company with around five decades of experience in dredging operations, maritime infrastructure and inland waterways. We are one of [] The po

New Delhi, Mar 22: A 14-year-old girl suffering from a rare form of cancer that left her unable to swallow food, which significantly affected her daily life and nutrition, was given a new lease of life at a city hospital here. Doctors successfully treated the teenagers aggressive form of cancer, known as signet ring cell carcinoma, at the gastro-oesophageal (GE) junction, where the food pipe meets the stomach. Due to the severe impact of her condition on her daily life, [] The post New lease of

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, Mar 22:The Air India Group has been significantly impacted by the Middle East conflict and the financial impact is yet to be fully felt, according to Air India chief Campbell Wilson, who has also stressed the need for having a tighter-than-ever control of unnecessary expenditure. Loss-making Air India and Air India Express have been grappling with operational disruptions like other airlines since the start of the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28. In th

NEW DELHI, Mar 22:With 70 per cent of its best-selling electric vehicle model Windsor coming from non-metros, JSW MG Motor India is stepping up efforts to accelerate sales by leveraging the opportunity through increased awareness, according to a senior company official. The MG Windsor has clocked cumulative sales of about 65,000 units since its launch in October 2024. Of the total sales of the model, four metros Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai accounted for 30 per cent and rest [] The post

NEW DELHI, Mar 22:Insolvency appellate tribunal NCLAT has exempted IL&FS Group companies categorised as red and amber from corporate social responsibility (CSR) on account of interest expenses accrued on their loan amount. The order will benefit around 50 amber and red companies of the debt-ridden IL&FS Group, which are protected under the moratorium granted by the NCLAT from its order dated October 15, 2018. These red and amber entities have not been accruing interest on their outstanding deb

NEW DELHI, Mar 22:Czech automotive brand Skoda is eyeing up to 12 per cent sales growth in India this year on the back of ten product actions and network expansion in the country, according to a senior company official. Skoda Auto India, which has launched the facelift version of its mid-sized SUV Kushaq, has set its eyes on crossing the 1 lakh annual sales milestone in future, but not in 2026, having sold close to 72,000 units in 2025, its [] The post Skoda Auto India eyeing up to 12 pc sales g

NEW DELHI, Mar 22: The combined market valuation of five of the top-10 most-valued firms eroded by Rs 1 lakh crore last week, with HDFC Bank taking the biggest hit. Last week, the BSE benchmark Sensex dipped 30.96 points, or 0.04 per cent, and the NSE Nifty slipped 36.6 points, or 0.15 per cent. Markets ended the week on a largely flat note with a negative bias, reflecting underlying caution among participants. The tone remained positive during the first three [] The post Mcap of five of top-10

KOLKATA, Mar 22:The poll promise by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) to raise the minimum daily wage of tea garden workers to Rs 300 has drawn a cautious response from industry stakeholders, who said any wage revision must take into account the fragile financial condition of the sector and follow the established consultative mechanism involving employers, trade unions and the government. In its election manifesto for the West Bengal assembly polls, the ruling party pledged to increase the

KOCHI, Mar 22: A case has been registered against two US nationals for allegedly flying a drone near the Coast Guard Headquarters in Fort Kochi, police said on Sunday. The accused Katie Michelle Phelps (32) and Christopher Ross Harvey (35) are from California. According to police officials at Fort Kochi police station, the duo had arrived in Kochi as tourists and were spotted flying a drone to record videos near the Coast Guard Headquarters on Saturday morning. They were noticed [] The post Two

Leh (Ladakh), Mar 22: Leh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who returned to the region after his release from detention has said he is ready to engage in dialogue on issues linked to Ladakh. Wangchuk said he felt positive about returning to the mountains after nearly six months. I am feeling very good. After 170 days, coming to these mountains and meeting people, I hope that a new sun will rise for the cause for which we are working. We are [] The post New Sun Will Rise For The Cause: Sonam

New Delhi, Mar 22: Terming it a milestone rooted in service, hard work and unwavering commitment, Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that Narendra Modi setting a record of 8,931 days in public life, first as the Gujarat chief minister and now as the prime minister, reflect a deep dedication to nation-first governance, integrity in action, and tireless service to every citizen. In a message on X, Shah said Prime Minister Modi on Sunday surpassed the 8,930-day record of [] The post Milestone R

Mangaluru (Karnataka), Mar 22: An LPG cargo ship from the US arrived at the New Mangalore Port on Sunday, amid the supply constraints due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The vessel Pyxis Pioneer, which left Port of Nederland in Texas on February 14, brought 16,714 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for discharge to Aegis Logistics, officials said. The vessel follows the Russian Aqua Titan ship in reaching the port within the span of a day. [] The post US LPG Cargo Ship From Te

New Delhi, Mar 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting Sunday evening with senior ministers to review to take stock of petroleum, power, and fertiliser sectors in view of the evolving West Asia situation, sources have said. The focus of the meeting is to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and efficient distribution across the country, and the government is taking proactive steps to this end, they said. Continuous monitoring of global developments to protect consumer and

New Delhi, Mar 22: The notices moved by the opposition MPs in Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have accused him of acting under the thumb of the executive, besides blaming him for mass disenfranchisement through the SIR exercise, and raising questions on his appointment. The notices submitted in the two Houses of Parliament on March 12 list seven charges against the chief election commissioner (CEC) as grounds of proved misbehaviour, calling for his rem

Nagpur, Mar 22: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that a high-level inquiry under the director general of police (DGP) is underway in the case involving Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman arrested for rape, and asserted that no one will be spared. Kharat, who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and was known as captain, had several political leaders visit him over the years, allegedly for seeking spiritual advice. He was arrested by the Nashik police [] The po

NEW DELHI, Mar 22: Former JD (U) leader KC Tyagi on Sunday joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in the presence of its president and Union minister Jayant Choudhary here at an event. Tyagi had on Tuesday announced his exit from the JD (U), without citing any reason. Tyagi was associated with the JD(U) since it came into existence in October 2003 with the merger of the Samata Party and the Janata Dal. He served the JD(U) in various capacities, [] The post Former JD (U) leader KC Tyagi joins RLD app

Jammu, Mar 22: The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district resumed on Sunday after its temporary suspension due to heavy rush, officials said. Authorities on Saturday suspended the pilgrimage to the cave shrine due to a heavy rush at the Bhawan, as 39,000 devotees paid obeisance at the temple till late in the afternoon. Chaitra Navratri started on March 19 and will end on March 27. The yatra has been [] The post Pilgrimage To Mata Vaishn

Uri, Mar 22: The strategic Uri-Baramulla National Highway (NH-1), the only all-weather road connecting the border town of Uri to the rest of the valley, was blocked on Sunday following a massive landslide, officials said. Eyewitnesses said a large portion of a hillock collapsed onto the carriageway, burying the road under heavy debris and bringing traffic to a grinding halt. Officials said men and machinery were rushed to the spot to clear the debris. No casualties or injuries were reported [] T

Dubai [UAE], Mar 22: Indias 11-year-old Formula 1 hopeful, Atiqa Mir, has surpassed expectations in her first year of karting in the age 12-14 category on the highly competitive European circuit, said a release. Racing remains a male-dominated sport, and boys older than Atiqa often try to bully her on the track. With special talent and ability on her side, the first Indian to be backed by the Formula 1 Academy doesnt shy away from bullying them back in a [] The post They Bully Me, I Bully Them B

JAMMU, Mar 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday flagged off the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Pavitra Chhari Yatra and participated in the auspicious rituals. In a post on X, Office of J&K LG, wrote, Flagged off Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Pracheen Marg Pavitra Chhari Yatra, today. Also, joined the devotees for the auspicious Pratham Puja & offered prayers at the revered Kol Kandoli Temple, Nagrota. The post further read, Wishing all [] The post LG Manoj Si