Who Was Wing Commander Namansh Syal, Pilot Of Tejas Fighter Jet That Crashed At Dubai Airshow?

The young officer, who hailed from Himachal Pradesh and was known for his professionalism and calm precision in the cockpit, was flying Indias indigenously built Tejas

Himachal Man Who Lost Memory Reunited With Family After Second Head Injury

A Himachal Pradesh man who lost his memory after an accident and had no contact with his family for 45 years has now returned home.

Telangana, HP's drone policies be studied for replication in Delhi: L-G Saxena to chief secy after Red Fort blast

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena is examining drone policies from Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. This follows a recent blast near the Red Fort. The move aims to enhance security and balance development with safety. The government is also looking into background checks for medical professionals and improving the second-hand vehicle market database.

Governor Shukla questions states stance as Himachal faces row over timely panchayat polls

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today took a dig at the Congress-led state government over the ongoing face-off between the government and the State Election Commission (SEC) regarding the timely conduct of the panchayat elections. He asked the government to decide if the minister is bigger or the bureaucrat. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Audit Week launch in Shimla, the Governor said that holding panchayat elections is a constitutional arrangement and everyone must follow the Constitution. Asking the government to decide if the minister is bigger or the bureaucrat, Shukla said, The ministers are saying elections would be held on time, while the bureaucrats working under them, including seven deputy commissioners, have reported that they are unable to prepare for the elections in the present circumstances. Both cannot be true at the same time. There would be an atmosphere of instability in the state if the Vidhan Sabha elections are not held on time, and as far as the panchayat elections are concerned, both the State Election Commission and the government should sit and resolve the issue to hold the elections, as postponing the polls would not be conducive to democracy, he added. Shukla said he had received a closed envelope from the State Election Commissioner on Friday, but he had not yet opened it. Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta has met State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Secretary C. Paulrasu also met Khachi, and it was conveyed on behalf of the state government that it would not be possible to hold the elections before 30 January, 2026. Gupta has also conveyed to the SEC that the delimitation of some panchayats, as per the Cabinets decision, may be allowed. In a notification issued on 9 October, Chief Secretary and Chairman of the State Executive Committee Sanjay Gupta had announced that the polls would be held only after the restoration of proper connectivity, considering the damage to roads and private and public property during the monsoon season. The issue of deferment of the panchayat elections is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Himachal Pradesh High Court on 22 December. On the other hand, State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, along with other ministers, has maintained that the elections would be held on time. The elections to over 3,500 gram panchayats in the state are slated to be held in December and January 2026. The last date for conducting the elections is 23 January, and the State Election Commission has initiated the process with the preparation of electoral rolls.

Labourer killed, three injured as shuttering collapses at construction site in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: A labourer died and three were injured when the shuttering of an under-construction indoor stadium collapsed in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, police said on Friday. The deceased was identified as Tarkeshwar (34) from Kishanganj district in Bihar, they said. The shuttering of the stadium collapsed on the four labourers at the construction site in the Bargaha area on Thursday night. Other labourers immediately swung into action and pulled them out, but Tarkeshwar died, police said. The body will be handed over to Tarkeshwar's family after post-mortem. The injured labourers -- Lalu Kumar, Deenbandhu and Balkeshwar -- are undergoing treatment at Chamba Medical College, they said. The multi-storey indoor stadium, which is being built at a cost of Rs 11.12 crore, will include modern amenities such as a swimming pool, elevator, boxing ring, gymnasium, badminton courts, and a table tennis hall once completed.

JKSA seeks Himachal CMs intervention amid harassment, profiling of Kashmiri shawl sellers,students

These reprehensible actions risk inciting anti-Muslim sentiments, harming communal harmony SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Thursday condemned the alarming reports of profiling, harassment, intimidation, and sudden eviction faced by Kashmiri shawl sellers and students in Himachal Pradesh. The Association has sought the immediate intervention of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh []

Woman Dies After Husband Throws Acid On Her, Throws Her Off Roof In Himachal Pradesh: Cops

A woman, who was allegedly pushed off the roof by her husband after he threw acid on her in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi on November 15, died at PGI Chandigarh on Wednesday night, police said.

3 Killed As Car Collides With Tipper Truck In Himachal Pradesh: Police

Three people were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in collided head-on with a tipper truck near the Jio petrol pump in Tahliwal, police said on Thursday. The accident occurred on the Santokhgarh-Tahliwal main road, here.

Congress dilemma in Upper House

NEW DELHI: Still reeling from its devastating performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress now faces a critical test of biannual Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled for early next year. With the partys Assembly seats shrinking in several key states and alliance leverage weakening, it may struggle to retain its influence in the Upper House. Elections for 75 seats in the Rajya Sabha are scheduled across April, June, and November 2026. While the BJP-led NDA is expected to make net gains, the elections may present an uphill task for the Congress with its weakened MLA base and rising internal dissent. The elections will see seats vacated across multiple states, including Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, among others. Although Congress may lose some seats, it is likely to retain as many as nine seatsthree from Karnataka, two from Telangana, one each from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. With some seasoned leaders set to exit, the elections are viewed as crucial by many. Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026. While Kharge, whose term from Karnataka ends on June 25, 2026, is expected to be renominated for another term, says party sources. Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (LoP) as well. While veteran leaders may push for renomination, arguing that experienced voices are needed in the Upper House, a section of leaders also root for fielding fresh faces to revive the partys prospects in Parliament and state units. Although the official candidate selection process is months away, the sources say that some names are already doing the rounds. While Congress is expected to hold ground in Karnataka and Telangana, it risks losing seats in states where its footprint has shrunk. The partys hopes also hinge on coalition arithmetic in Maharashtra, where shifting alliances and fragmented mandates could influence the outcome Meanwhile, regional allies within the INDIA bloc will also play a critical role in negotiating seat-sharing arrangements, making strategic alliances more crucial than ever. Maharashtra will see seven seats vacant in April 2026, with Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT), and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale completing their terms. Congress is entering these elections with limited leverage. The Bihar election has reduced its bargaining power among the allies, said a senior party leader. Success will depend not just on numbers, but on negotiation skills and candidate selection. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA, buoyed by strong Assembly numbers in key states, is expected to leverage its dominance to gain additional Rajya Sabha seats, further squeezing Congress. Kharge, Singhvi among those completing terms this year Some of the leaders who complete their term in the Upper House include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh and Shakti Singh Gohil. Another leader who completes his term is senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi from Telangana in April 2026.

Tomato prices soar 50% in 15 days due to excess October rains

Tomato prices have risen sharply across the country as supplies dropped following heavy October rainfall. Government data shows retail prices have increased 25% to 100% in a month across states, with the all-India average up 27% to 46 per kg. Chandigarh recorded the steepest rise at 112%, while Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka also saw increases above 40%.

BJP's social media cell targeting me because I took stringent measures to curb corruption: Himachal CM Sukhu

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday alleged that the BJP's social media cell was targeting him because he took stringent measures to curb corruption and ensured that widows, orphans, women, labourers and farmers got their rights. Addressing a gathering at Baddi, CM Sukhu attacked the previous BJP government for allegedly turning a blind eye on corruption. He alleged that the previous BJP government gave away 5,000 bighas of land worth hundreds of crores to big industrial houses for just Rs 1.12 crore, under the guise of customised packages. The stamp duty was waived and provisions were made to supply electricity at Rs 3 per unit for five years and even free water, he said, adding that as long as I am the chief minister, I will not allow the state's assets to be plundered. We are custodians of Himachal Pradesh's resources. The BJP's social media cell is targeting me because I took stringent measures to curb corruption and ensured that widows, orphans, women, labourers and farmers got their rights, he said in a statement issued here. The previous BJP government allegedly left behind a debt of Rs 75,000 crore and liabilities of Rs 10,000 crore pertaining to employees. For electoral gains, it opened various institutes in the last six months of its tenure without proper budgetary provisions and staff, he further alleged. The state government was safeguarding the interests of Himachal, and that's why we returned Rs 30 crore received from the Centre for the bulk drug park and decided to develop it on our own, he said. He also said that the government is going to make large-scale recruitment in various departments. Earlier, Sukhu announced the opening of a Public Works Department (PWD) Division in the Doon Assembly constituency of the Solan district. He also announced the upgradation of Baddi Civil Hospital to 100 beds and Rs 25 crore for construction of the SDM office and Rs 10 crore for construction of a sports stadium. He said that facilities in Baddi must match the growing population, adding that a modern bus stand would be constructed at Baddi, for which adequate funds would be provided. He announced that the Baddi, Barotiwala and Chandi schools would have CBSE curriculum from the next academic session. He reiterated that he has repeatedly offered to accompany all the seven BJP MPs to seek financial assistance from the Centre for the monsoon disaster-affected families. The prime minister himself had announced a package of Rs 1,500 crore but we have not received the funds yet, and we were helping the families with our own resources, the CM said. He distributed Rs 17,62,000 to 18 families as per Himachal Pradesh Relief Manual and cheques of Rs 17,03,000 to 15 beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin as final instalment in Doon constituency.

Chandigarh Diary | Vehicle type influences road behaviour, says DGP

Haryana DGP OP Singh sparked a controversy by stereotyping Thar owners as prone to a type of road behaviour. He stated, The choice of vehicle reflects your mindset, and cited an incident where an ACPs son, driving a Thar registered in the fathers name, ran over someone. He wanted his son freed, and we asked him whose name the car is registered in. Its in his name, Singh added. Singh later clarified on X, saying his remarks were made during a discussion on traffic management. His point was that police should avoid causing jams and should instead target vehicles which people are fed up with to prevent stunts and unruly driving. AAP MLA Dhaliwal back in the spotlight AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal from Ajnala constituency is back in the spotlight, as the party on Friday announced his name as AAPs chief spokesperson. This came more than four months after he was divested of his post as state cabinet minister. The announcement came on the day AAP retained the Tarn Taran assembly by-election, with its candidate, Harmeet Singh Sandhu, defeating his SAD rival by 12,091 votes. After his removal from the cabinet, Dhaliwal was first seen in public during the floods in the state. The new role marks a reversal of fortune after Dhaliwals political wilderness following an initial period of prominence. Sukhu goes spiritual in the mountains Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has offered prayers at the newly constructed Panjpiri Sheetla Mata Temple in Kangra district, along with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living. Praising the latter, Sukhu stated that the spiritual Guru has been tirelessly working across the world to promote peace, tolerance, and human values. It is a matter of pride for Himachal Pradesh that he has established the Kailash Ashram in the lap of the Dhauladhar ranges, where disciples from around the globe will revitalize themselves with renewed energy, said the CM. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasised the importance of spiritual practice in ones life. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Sikkim to review operational preparedness

NEW DELHI: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), arrived in Sikkim on Tuesday on a two-day official visit. This follows his comment on Monday that relations between India and China have improved a lot over the last year . He attributed this change to a rise in communication at various levels between the two countries. General Dwivedi will be meeting the commanders posted there and review the operational preparedness of the force. The Trishakti Corps based in Sukna, West Bengal, is mandated to defend the 220-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) along Sikkim. There has been disengagement of Indian and Chinese forces from all standoff points in October 2024. But the troops, along with their equipment and armaments, remain deployed close to the 832-km LAC in eastern Ladakh. China had carried out a massive force deployment in eastern Ladakh after PLA soldiers clashed with Indian Army troops at Finger 4 in May 2020. Around a year after the May 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, a new hotline between the two countries was established. The New Indian Express earlier reported that the new hotline was established between Indian Army in Kongra La, North Sikkim, and PLA at Khamba Dzong in the Tibetan Autonomous Region to further the spirit of trust and cordial relations along the borders. The armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at ground commander level. There are now six hotlines, with two in eastern Ladakh, two in Sikkim and two in Arunachal Pradesh. The other five hotlines have been established along the meeting points at the LAC at Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in eastern Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim, and at Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. India shares a 3488-km border with China that runs along the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The length of the border along Sikkim is 220 km. Sikkim also shares borders with Nepal and Bhutan To the south of Sikkim lies the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch adjoining Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, measuring about 170x60km, and at its narrowest, around 20-22km, which holds tremendous geopolitical importance. Functioning as a crucial link connecting the northeast of India with the rest of the country, it accommodates major national highways, railway lines, pipelines, and optical fiber connectivity. In 2023, it was announced that border guarding forces are set to play a pivotal role in fortifying the security of the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chickens Neck, during peacetime.

Punjab CM Mann secures deferral on key state issues at Northern Zonal Council meeting

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the BJP-led Centre had agreed to defer as many as 11 agenda items related to the state, which were part of the deliberations during the meeting of the North Zonal Council (NZC) in Faridabad on Monday. Speaking to reporters, CM Mann said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered a status quo on most of the issues related to Punjab. The issue about staff appointment in the administration and institutions of Chandigarh has been referred to the NZC standing committee, he added. Mann criticised the NZC members including Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh for attempting to infringe the rights of the states. He said that it is unfortunate that Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh are unnecessarily mounting pressure on Punjab. The Punjab CM alleged that the leadership of these states have made a mockery of the platform by making unjust demands seeking a share in the resources of the state and even its rivers. He said that in the NZC meeting, all the member states put forth their views, and as the head of the state, he also presented the case of Punjab. Out of a total 28 agenda items, 11 were related to Punjab, and for the first time, due to the strenuous efforts of the state government, all of them were deferred, he said. Those who are making a fuss over river waters must understand one thing, a real-time assessment of the availability of river waters should be made, for which the presence of water must be reviewed, Mann said. Mann quipped that Haryana has made a very strange demand --that Punjab should be restrained from constructing mini hydel projects on the Bhakra Main Line (BML) on the grounds that it would hamper the flow of water. He said it was surprising that the naive leadership of Haryana was indulging in such baseless tantrums far removed from facts. He added that issues related to the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) can be resolved only through the Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL), which would ensure the judicious use of Yamuna water. Punjab, he stressed, has no surplus water to divert through the SYL, and no scientific calculation has ever been carried out regarding water availability. Mann categorically reiterated that Punjab has no spare water to share with any state --there is no question about it, he said. In the wake of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, he said there is now a significant opportunity to resolve long-pending water-related issues concerning the states represented at the meeting. There is a possibility, he added, of linking the Chenab river with the Ravi and Beas rivers, over which dams already regulate downstream water flow. He said that linking the Chenab with the Ravi and Beas would allow the surplus water inflow to be used productively by downstream states, including Punjab, for both power generation and irrigation. The additional water, he said, would also help Punjab bridge its water shortfall, particularly in the border areas. On the issue of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Mann said he had strongly opposed the proposal to appoint a whole-time member in the BBMB from Rajasthan, arguing that the board was constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, and concerns only the successor states of Punjab and Haryana. Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh are already represented as ex officio members, he said, and creating additional whole-time posts would only increase expenditure --most of which is borne by Punjab-- without serving any useful purpose. Mann said he had also forcefully reiterated Punjabs longstanding demand for the transfer of Chandigarh to the state, noting that after the reorganisation of Punjab, the Indira Gandhi Agreement of 1970 clearly stated that the capital project area of Chandigarh will, as a whole, go to Punjab, reflecting an explicit commitment from the Centre. The Rajiv-Longowal Accord, signed on July 24, 1985, he added, reaffirmed that Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab. On maintaining the 60:40 ratio in the intake of service personnel from Punjab and Haryana in the functioning of the UT of Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that preserving the status quo was essential. He expressed concern that IAS and PCS officers from Punjab were being excluded from key positions in the Chandigarh administration. Posts in departments such as Excise, Education, Finance and Health, he said, were now being opened to cadres like the UT cadre (DANICS), thereby undermining Punjabs role in the effective functioning of the UT administration. He said Haryana and Himachal Pradesh had unilaterally withdrawn their colleges from Panjab University in 1973 and 1975 respectively, set up their own universities, and stopped funding Panjab University altogether. He said Punjab alone had supported and nurtured the university for 50 years, and questioned why Haryana now wanted to affiliate its colleges with Panjab University when they have been affiliated for decades with Kurukshetra University, an A+ NAAC-accredited institution. Mann reiterated that there should be no change in the status of Panjab University, adding that Panjab University is our university, and we will continue to support and fund it in the future as well.

What Is Raulane Festival? Know History And Significance Of Himachal Pradesh's Unique Tradition

The Raulane Festival is a unique and sacred winter festival celebrated in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district.

No anticipatory bail for two accused of cheating former Karnataka CM Sadananda Gowda

BENGALURU: A city civil and sessions court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to two persons accused of cheating former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda of nearly Rs 3 lakh in September. Sriu Tenzin Pelyon, 32, of Himachal Pradesh and Yeshi Chodon, 31, from Odisha, directors of Lhakar Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Domlur, Bengaluru North, had applied for anticipatory bail. Considering the objections filed by the prosecution, Judge Gangappa Irappa Patil, 52nd Additional City Civil and Sessions Court, said that in the FIR, the names of the accused have not been mentioned. It is true that the FIR has been registered against unknown persons. Money has been transferred to the bank account of the company of the accused... At this stage, it is not a fit case to grant bail to the petitioners, he said. In his complaint filed at the North CEN crime police station, Gowda said that he had purchased a new Innova car and on September 11, he received a message purportedly from India Post stating that the Registration Certificate (RC) of his vehicle has been sent. But it did not reach him. Later, when he tried to track the speed post sent to him on the Indian Speed Post Tracking system, he received a link that sought certain details. He submitted alldetails, including the tracking ID. Subsequently, he received a WhatsApp call from cellphone No. 84******03, claiming to be from India Post courier customer care centre. The caller requested him to make a nominal payment of Rs 2 for verification of the tracking ID. Gowda tried to make the payment through PhonePe, but failed. Then, the unknown caller informed Gowda that the RC card will be sent to his residential address. Gowda stated that when he checked his savings accounts withSBI, Axis Bank and HDFC banks around 9am on September 17, he found that Rs 2,85,999 had been withdrawn without his knowledge. Meanwhile, the investigation took theCEN police to the accuseds company. Fearing their arrest, the accused approached the court for anticipatory bail.Claiming that they haveno role in the crime, the accused said the bank account of their company has been wrongly and inadvertently linked to the offence, despite having no transaction or monetary link with the accounts of Gowda. Neither their company nor its directors used the cell phone No. 84******03, they claimed. The public prosecutor filed objections stating that the investigation is pending and the police are yet to file the chargesheet. If the petitioners are granted anticipatory bail, their presence cannot be secured easily. Further, the petitioners are from other states, though they work in Bengaluru. If they are granted anticipatorybail, they may tamper with witnesses and hamper the investigation.

CM highlights JKs development vision

Faridabad, Nov 17:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday attended the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) held in Faridabad, Haryana. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah. The Northern Zonal Council comprises the States and Union Territories of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu & [] The post CM highlights JKs development vision appeared first on Northlines .

Vacancies in Information Commissioner posts undermining RTI Act: Supreme Court

Observing that the vacancies in the Information Commissioner posts undermine the functioning of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Supreme Court on Monday directed Himachal Pradesh to fill all vacant posts in its State Information Commission (SIC) within two months. It also instructed Jharkhand to complete its long-pending appointment process within one month. A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Surya Kant and including Justice Joymalya Bagchi, was hearing a petition filed by Anjali Bhardwaj, Commodore Lokesh Batra (Retd.) and Amrita Johri. The plea was on the prolonged failure of the Union government and several states to appoint Information Commissioners. Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, pointed out that the Central Information Commission (CIC) has been without a chief for more than two months and that eight of the ten sanctioned Information Commissioner posts are vacant. He submitted that the CIC currently faces a backlog of nearly 30,000 cases. Bhushan contended that several SICs are also functioning with serious shortages. Bhushan further noted that the situation in several State Information Commissions was also alarming. In Jharkhand, the SIC has been defunct for more than five years and now the commission has even stopped registering new cases. In Himachal Pradesh, the SIC has been defunct for more than four months. He highlighted that in Chhattisgarh, the SIC is functioning with a single commissioner despite pendency of nearly 35,000 appeals and complaints. Similarly, in Maharashtra, the SIC is functioning with eight commissioners. while three posts are lying vacant and the backlog of cases is nearly 1 lakh, Bhushan pointed out. In Tamil Nadu, the government has sanctioned only seven posts of commissioners even though the SIC has among the largest backlogs in the country at 41,000, he said. In Madhya Pradesh, the SIC is functioning with four commissioners. while 20,000 matters are pending, he added. In several other states also, despite large backlogs, several posts of commissioners are lying vacant. It was highlighted that governments are completely undermining peoples Right to Information by not appointing information commissioners in a timely and transparent manner, leading to buildup of large backlogs and long delays of more than one year in the disposal of appeals and complaints. The issue of ensuring transparency in the appointment process as laid down in the Anjali Bhardwaj judgment of 2019 was also highlighted. The lawyer added that since the last hearing on October 27, 2025, the Karnataka government has filled all the vacancies in the commission and the SIC is now functioning at its full strength of 11 commissioners. The counsel for the Union of India stated that the selection committee meeting will be held at the earliest and the appointment process will be completed.

CM Omar Abdullah Highlights J&Ks Development Vision At 32nd Northern Zonal Council Meeting

FARIDABAD, Nov 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today attended the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) held in Faridabad, Haryana. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah. The Northern Zonal Council comprises the States and Union Territories of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Chandigarh. Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the launch of Mission YUVA, the governments focused push on strengthening the [] The post CM Omar Abdullah Highlights J&Ks Development Vision At 32nd Northern Zonal Council Meeting appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal Pradesh Board Class 10, 12 Date Sheet 2026: Check Expected Dates, Past Year Trends

HPBOSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2026: Based on the past year trends, students can expect the exams to begin in March, 2026.

Shah to chair N-Z Council meet today

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday chair the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Haryanas Faridabad, where issues like education, health, electricity, speedy investigation of cases of sexual offences against women and children, among others, are likely to be discussed. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The Northern Zonal Council comprises the States and Union Territories of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh. Chief Ministers, [] The post Shah to chair N-Z Council meet today appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Locals block devotees from entering court-declared illegal Sanjauli mosque in Shimla; six booked

CHANDIGARH: Six people, including four women, have been booked by the Himachal Pradesh Police for preventing devotees from offering prayers at the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla, which had earlier been declared illegal by a local court. Sources said the incident occurred on Friday when several people from other states were headed to the mosque to offer prayers (namaz). This reportedly did not go down well with sections of the local population, following which the accused, associated with the Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, gathered at the spot and stopped them. They prevented the devotees from entering the mosque, claiming that the structure had been declared illegal by the court and, therefore, offering namaz should not be permitted. Police personnel arrived at the spot to resolve the issue; however, the accused continued to oppose the devotees. Officers said they raised slogans while asking Muslims to show their IDs and questioned how they could offer prayers in a mosque that was declared illegal and ordered to be demolished. The women stated that they would not allow Muslims to pass by their houses, claiming that they peered inside their homes. A video of the incident went viral on social media. Some locals also stopped the visiting crowd from offering prayers and sent them back. Taking cognisance of the issue, the police booked the accused for disturbing communal harmony and law and order, adding that further investigation is underway. After the incident, the Samiti submitted a letter to the office of a senior police officer in Shimla, demanding restrictions on the increasing number of people coming to the site for namaz, asserting that their identities cannot be ascertained. It also requested that electricity and water connections to the mosque be cut off, as it had been declared illegal by the court.

Himachal Pradesh launches anti-heroin drive

No refuge for drug traffickers, vows Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Govt Asks Centre To Reopen Trade Through Shipki La Pass

The chief minister also announced that Rampur school will follow the CBSE curriculum from the next academic session.

Map on Rahul Gandhis 95 defeats becomes BJPs key attack line amid NDAs Bihar lead

As the BJP appears poised for a sweeping victory for NDA in Bihar , projected to secure well over a two-thirds majority in the high-stakes assembly election, the party has intensified its offensive against the Opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandh, branding him a symbol of repeated electoral losses. Rahul Gandhi, who undertook a 16-day Voter Adhikar Yatra across 20 districts ahead of the polls, had centred his campaign on allegations of vote chori, accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to engineer a favourable result. The Congress and the INDIA bloc had pitched the election as a crucial battle to save the Constitution from what they described as a vote-thief government. Gandhi was one of the Congresss star campaigners in the state. However, the rhetoric failed to translate into electoral gains, with both the Congress and the broader INDIA alliance heading for what is being seen as an embarrassing defeat. Bihar election results: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party fails to make waves in emerging trends Leading the BJP's charge, the partys IT cell chief Amit Malviya declared, Rahul Gandhi! Another election, another defeat! If there were awards for electoral consistency (of losing polls), hed sweep them all. At this rate, even setbacks must be wondering how he finds them so reliably. A map circulating on social media, amplified by BJP leaders, lists 95 electoral losses attributed to the Congress, which the party claims happened under Rahul Gandhi over the past two decades. Malviya posted the graphic, which he said catalogues Congress defeats between 2004 and 2025 in elections where, according to the BJP, Gandhi played a central campaign role. The list spans almost every major state: Himachal Pradesh (2007, 2017), Punjab (2007, 2012, 2022), Gujarat (2007, 2012, 2017, 2022), Madhya Pradesh (2008, 2013, 2018, 2023), and Maharashtra (2014, 2019, 2024). It also includes losses in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the Northeast, southern states, Union Territories, and setbacks in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi! Another election, another defeat! If there were awards for electoral consistency, hed sweep them all. At this rate, even setbacks must be wondering how he finds them so reliably. pic.twitter.com/y4rH6g62qG Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 14, 2025 BJP MP Sudhanshu invoked a couplet by poet Kabir Das to taunt the Congress. I would like to quote Kabir Das for Congress: Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura na milya koi. Jo mann khoja apna, to mujhse bura na koi (When I went looking for evil, I found none. But when I searched within my own heart, I found no one worse than me). As the NDA widened its lead, the Congress reiterated allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the early trends suggested Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was acting against the will of the people of Bihar. This fight is not merely between the BJP, Congress, RJD, and JDU, Khera asserted. It is a direct confrontation between Gyanesh Kumar and the people of India. The Aam Aadmi Party too backed Congresss allegations, accusing the authorities of hijacking the election and pointing to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted shortly before the polls. I had earlier said this election has been hijacked and holds no meaning, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said. Gyanesh Kumar has already given the winning certificate to Modi ji. What will be the results in a state where 80 lakh votes were deleted, 5 lakh votes are duplicates, and 1 lakh votes are unknown? We should congratulate NDA, Modi ji and Gyanesh Kumar that they have won the Bihar elections with the blessings of Gyanesh Kumar. Bihar Election Results 2025: JD(U) surge drives NDA to unprecedented win, Nitish set to return as CM Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the allegations, terming the BJPs massive lead an electoral conspiracy and accusing the administration of manipulating the process. BJP is not a party, it is deceit, he said. Yadav added that the game allegedly played through SIR in Bihar would not be allowed in states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. This electoral conspiracy has been exposed. From now on, we will not let them play this game. Like CCTV, our PPTV, meaning PDA Sentinel, will stay vigilant and thwart the BJP's intentions, the former UP Chief Minister said. Opposition parties collectively alleged large-scale electoral malpractice, claiming that the recent revision of voter lists was deliberately aimed at excluding communities that largely back the Mahagathbandhan.

Belagavi police bust international VoIP scam targeting US citizens

BELAGAVI: In a major breakthrough, Belagavi police on Thursday busted an international online fraud racket that had duped hundreds of US citizens over the past seven months. The well-organised call centre, operating secretly from Kumar Hall, off Bauxite Road in Belagavi city, was running a sophisticated Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) scam to siphon off money from unsuspecting Americans. Police Commissioner Bhushan Borse revealed the operators had collected sensitive information, including bank details and residential addresses of several US citizens. Using advanced software and fake identities, the accused lured victims into sharing financial data before extorting money through intimidation and deceit. Acting on intelligence inputs, a special police team raided the call centre at midnight Wednesday, seized 37 laptops and 37 mobile phones, and arrested 33 individuals on the spot. All the accused hailed from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with one suspect reportedly from Nepal. During preliminary interrogation, police found the gang used 11 pre-written scripts to cheat clients, tailoring each to manipulate or threaten them. They would inform a US resident that he had placed an order for an expensive gadget, such as an iPhone. The victim would deny it, and be directed to another number which was actually controlled by the fraudsters. Once connected, the scammers gained access to key personal and banking details, said Commissioner Borse. Some members impersonated officials of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), convincing victims that their phone numbers and email accounts had been hacked or misused elsewhere. The victims, believing the narrative, often revealed sensitive data or made panic payments. The racket employed multiple digital camouflage techniques and Urban VPN to hide their IP addresses, and VoIP technology to make and receive calls that appeared to originate from foreign locations, though operating from Belagavi. The group also used sophisticated software to manage real-time communication, Borse said. Most of the international calls were handled by operators from Gujarat and West Bengal. Two more suspects are expected to be arrested soon. The seized laptops and phones will undergo forensic imaging and analysis to trace the money trail and identify victims, police said. Preliminary findings show the call centre employees were paid Rs 18,000 to Rs 45,000 per month, besides incentives and performance bonuses. Borse said multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked and investigations are on to determine the extent of the scam and whether international collaborators were involved.

JP Singh: Top Cop Who Took Retirement To Make Political Debut In Bihar

JP Singh is a 2000-batch IPS officer and former Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in Himachal Pradesh.

Teachers association flags delayed salaries at Himachal Pradesh University

The State governments decision to shift the universitys funding of staff salaries on the basis of grant-in-aid instead of a regular budget had created recurrent financial uncertainty, the associations president said

Which place is known as the Switzerland of India? Exploring the cultural and natural charm of Khajjiar

Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh, is dubbed 'Mini Switzerland of India' for its saucer-shaped meadows, glacial lake with a floating island, and dense Deodar forests. Perched at 1,900 meters, it offers panoramic Dhauladhar range views, vibrant flora, and wildlife within the Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cold wave warning for Delhi, other states of north India, predicts IMD

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cold wave conditions to continue its grip over Northern, Eastern, and Central India during the next few days. According to the Met department, the minimum temperatures in Northwest India are expected to drop by 2-3Celsius in the coming days. Cold to severe cold wave conditions are likely to persist in isolated areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, East and West Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Jharkhand, and Odisha over the next three-four days, it added. As per the weatherman, cold wave occurs when the minimum temperature at a particular weather station drops significantly below normalspecifically by 4.5-6.4C or moreand when the absolute temperature reaches or falls below certain thresholds (such as 10C in the plains or 0C in the hills). Currently, cold wave and severe cold wave conditions have al ready been reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with cold wave conditions affecting isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh since November 9. The IMD has observed that minimum temperatures range from 7-10C in various regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, northern Haryana, Uttarakhand, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. In these areas, minimum temperatures have dropped below normal by 5.1C or more, creating potential health hazards. Additionally, temperatures in Telangana are expected to fall by 3-4C for two-three days, with no significant changes afterward. The IMD has warned that the sudden decline in minimum temperatures could increase the likelihood of various illnesses. Do not ignore shivering; it is the first sign that the body is losing heat. Get indoors, read a health advisory issued by the weather office. In its Agromet advisory, the IMD recommended light and frequent irrigation for standing crops in the evening to protect them from low temperature stresses or cold injuries. Shivering Minimum temperatures in northwest India set to drop by 2-3C Cold to severe cold wave conditions likely to persist in isolated areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Odisha over the next 3-4 days Minimum temperatures range from 7-10C in states including J&K, Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, northern Haryana, Uttarakhand and others Agromet advisory: Light and frequent irrigation recommended for standing crops in the evening

Cold wave to persist across North, East, and Central India for next four days: IMD

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the continuation of cold wave conditions across northern, eastern, and central India for the next four days. Minimum temperatures in northwest India are expected to drop by 23C in the coming days. According to the IMD, cold to severe cold wave conditions are likely to persist in isolated areas of west Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, east and west Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Jharkhand, and Odisha over the next three to four days. A cold wave, as defined by the IMD, occurs when the minimum temperature at a particular weather station drops significantly below normalspecifically by 4.5C to 6.4C or moreand when the absolute temperature reaches or falls below certain thresholds (10C in the plains or 0C in the hills). Currently, cold wave and severe cold wave conditions have already been reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, while isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have also been affected since November 9. The IMD has observed that minimum temperatures are ranging between 7C and 10C in various regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, northern Haryana, Uttarakhand, east Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh. In these areas, temperatures have dropped below normal by 5.1C or more, creating potential health hazards. The department predicts that minimum temperatures in northwest India will remain below normal by 23C over the next four to five days. Additionally, temperatures in Telangana are expected to fall by 34C for two to three days, with no significant changes thereafter. The IMD has warned that the sudden decline in minimum temperatures could increase the likelihood of illnesses such as flu, stuffy nose, and nosebleeds, which can worsen with prolonged exposure to cold. The health advisory cautions, Do not ignore shivering; it is the first sign that the body is losing heat. Get indoors. In its agromet advisory, the IMD has recommended light and frequent irrigation for standing crops in the evening to protect them from low-temperature stress or cold injury in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

Shimla teachers put scorpion in 8-year-olds pants, booked

Himachal Pradesh: An eight-year-old boy in Himachals Shimla was a victim of caste-based abuse at school, with the teachers once placing a scorpion in his pants. The police, on November 3, confirmed that the headmaster Devendra and two teachers, Babu Ram and Kritika Thakur, were arrested under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Ranji Trophy: Mumbai Crush Himachal Pradesh By an Innings and 120 Runs

After putting on board 446 in the first innings, Mumbai ran through a frail Himachal Pradesh batting line-up twice in as many days on a dusty BKC Ground track to record a comprehensive victory, their second of the season

Three Sainik School staff arrested after 12-year-old cadet's death in Arunachal Pradesh

GUWAHATI: Three staff members of Sainik School, Niglok, in Arunachal Pradeshs East Siang district have been arrested in connection with the death of a 12-year-old cadet on the school campus. The arrested individuals are house masters Devendra Singh from Uttar Pradesh, Kangge Darin from Arunachal Pradesh, and hostel superintendent Amar Singh Thakur from Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba said in a statement that the arrests followed a detailed investigation involving the examination of available evidence, witness statements, and analysis of the sequence of events leading to the incident. Calling it a very sensitive case, police stated that lapses were found on the part of the school management. Eight students, all minors, had earlier been arrested in connection with the case. Two days ago, the sister of the deceased alleged that he had been bullied and tortured by senior students. 12-year-old dies by suicide at Arunachal Sainik School, family alleges torture by seniors In a video message, Miss Arunachal 2024, Tadu Lunia, said the school authorities informed her family on 1 November that her brother was missing during his morning physical training session and that his body was later found a few hundred metres away. She said it was initially assumed that he had taken his own life by jumping from an overhead water tank. When our family went to collect his belongings, his classmates and dormmates told us that on the night of 31 October, a group of 11 senior students eight from Class 10 and three from Class 8 entered the Class 7 dormitory and ragged everyone there, Lunia said. Apart from my brother, they asked all the other students to cover their heads with blankets. My brother was taken alone to the Class 10 dormitory. We dont know what happened behind closed doors, she added. Quoting her brothers dormmates, she alleged that he had been prevented from sleeping and was mentally and physically harassed in the Class 10 dormitory. Some said he was forced to write that he was a thief because he had taken some books from seniors without permission. The investigating officer showed us a short CCTV clip in which my brother appeared to be moving restlessly that morning, clearly showing how stressed and disturbed he was, Lunia said. He was also seen entering a classroom and writing a note. His last words were, Seniors tortured me a lot, and I dont know what I will do now, she added. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)

Congress moves to set House in order in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Congress is reorganizing its state unit after two years. The party high command is meeting MLAs to finalize leadership. A formula of one state president and four working presidents is being considered. The rivalry between former CM Virbhadra Singh's family and CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is a key factor.

Himachal BJP MLA Hans Raj booked under POCSO Act for alleged sexual assault on minor

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Hans Raj has been booked by the state police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a complainant accused him of assaulting her when she was a minor. The 42-year-old legislator of the saffron party from the Churah Assembly constituency in Chamba district was booked under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was lodged on Friday at the Womens Police Station. Last week, the woman went live on Facebook, leveling serious allegations of sexual exploitation and intimidation against the MLA and his aides, claiming to possess supporting evidence. She uploaded a seven-minute video alleging that the legislator had ruined her family and that she feared for her life. In response, Hans Raj released a video terming the allegations baseless and politically motivated. Subsequently, her father told the media that the MLAs aides had kidnapped them, broken their mobile phones, and threatened to burn down their house if they did not withdraw the case. A senior police officer said that a case was registered at the Womens Police Station in Chamba on Friday evening after the victim, who is in her early twenties, alleged that she was sexually abused by the MLA when she was a minor. Her statement was recorded before a magistrate, and a medical examination was conducted, he said. This development comes shortly after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Hans Raj on November 6 under Sections 140(3), 115(2), 351(2), 324(4), and 3(5) of the BNS at the Tissa Police Station for offences related to kidnapping, wrongful confinement, assault, and criminal intimidation. The complaint, filed by the victims father, accused the legislator, his personal secretary Lekh Raj, and another associate, Muniyan Khan, of forcibly taking his daughter and him to Shimla and threatening them with dire consequences if they did not change their earlier statement. In August last year, a case had also been registered against the legislator at the Womens Police Station in Chamba on the complaint of the same woman, who had alleged that the MLA was sending obscene messages, demanding nude photos, and threatening her. However, a few days later, she went live on social media and withdrew her allegations, claiming she had made them under mental duress. Responding to the renewed allegations, Hans Raj described them as a politically motivated conspiracy aimed at maligning his image. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Womens Commission Chairperson Vidya Negi has sought a report on the case from the Chamba Police. Hans Raj is the third BJP leader from the state to face sexual assault charges in the past month. On October 11, the Solan police arrested 81-year-old Ram Kumar Bindal, elder brother of Himachal Pradesh BJP President Rajiv Bindal, for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman. On October 14, a rape case was registered against Brijeshwar, son of former Shimla MP Virender Kashyap, for allegedly having physical relations with a woman on the pretext of marriage. She lodged the complaint after discovering that he was already married.

Mhatre replaces Jaiswal in Mumbai squad for Ranji

Mumbai, Nov 6: Young opening batter Ayush Mhatre on Thursday replaced India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh beginning here on Saturday. The 42-time champions Mumbai, who have one win and two draws so far this season, will play their second home game at the BKC []

Six Himachal Congress leaders summoned to Delhi; new State Chief likely within 10 days: CM Sukhu

The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee is accelerating the appointment of a new president, with six key contenders meeting the party high command in Delhi. Chief Minister Sukhu confirmed the announcement within ten days, following months of organizational limbo after the dissolution of state units. The decision aims to rejuvenate the party ahead of upcoming elections.

Himachal Pradesh: Attempted abduction sparks communal tension in Sundernagar

CHANDIGARH: Communal tension erupted on Wednesday evening in Sundernagar town, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, as members of two communities came face to face, leading to a fight and heated arguments over allegations of harassment and an attempted abduction of a 13-year-old schoolgirl by a 38-year-old married man from a minority community. Sources said that the 38-year-old man had allegedly been stalking the girl for several days. On Wednesday, he reportedly arrived in an SUV near the minors house and attempted to abduct her. The girls family intervened, but the accused allegedly misbehaved with them. This prompted locals to gather at the spot, thrash him, smear his face with black paint, and hand him over to the police. As the police recorded statements from the victim and her relatives, members of the accuseds community reportedly entered the police station, created a disturbance, and engaged in heated arguments with the people accompanying the girls father. The incident also caused a traffic jam in the area. Additional police forces were called in as members of both communities gathered outside the police station, and the situation was eventually brought under control. The incident resulted in the registration of three First Information Reports (FIRs). Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sundernagar, Bharat Bhushan, confirmed that one FIR was registered against the man who attempted to abduct the minor under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the vehicle involved has been impounded. The second FIR was registered against the relatives of the accused for creating a disturbance at the police station, while the third FIR was filed against those who assaulted the accused. The police stated that the accused will be produced in court.

Homeland Group Expands Footprint to Gurugram, Strengthening Its North India Presence

Homeland Group , one of North India’s fastest-growing real estate developers, has announced its strategic expansion into the National Capital Region with the inauguration of its new corporate office on the top floor of Baani The Statement, Golf Course Road, Gurugram. The move marks a major step in the Group’s journey from its roots in Punjab to India’s most dynamic real estate hub, reinforcing its ambition to become a pan-India brand built on trust, innovation, and quality.   Homeland Group unveils its new corporate office in Gurugram, strengthening its North India presence Guided by the foresight of Shri Krishan Aggarwal, Director, Unity Group, and Shri Hemant Jindal, and led by Mrinaal Mittal and Abhay Jindal, Managing Directors of Homeland Group , the company continues to diversify its portfolio while staying rooted in its core values of quality, trust, and innovation. Speaking on the Group’s broader vision,  Umang Jindal, CEO, Homeland Group , said, “ Homeland began with a simple vision — to create developments that people are proud to own and experience. Over time, that commitment to quality and credibility has shaped our reputation. Expanding to Gurugram is a natural progression of that vision — it places us at the center of India’s real estate capital and opens a new chapter of growth for the Group. With a robust project pipeline and consistent performance across premium real estate segments we are now preparing for its public listing in FY27, signaling the next phase of growth as one of North India’s most trusted and future-focused real estate developers .” The inauguration ceremony began with a Sunderkand Path by Shri Ajay Bhai Ji, followed by a dinner gathering attended by the Group’s leadership, associates, and well-wishers. Homeland Group has built a strong track record across the Tricity region, having delivered over 3 million sq. ft. of premium developments and currently developing over 10 million sq. ft. for the next four to five years. Its landmark projects — Homeland Heights, Homeland Regalia, and CP67 Mall — have established benchmarks in quality, design, and value within the Mohali market. The Group’s flagship upcoming project, Homeland Global Park, spans nearly 5 million sq. ft. and is positioned as North India’s largest mixed-use development, integrating commercial, retail, hospitality, and residential spaces in Mohali. Under its luxury brand Ikaahi, the Group is entering the second homes and resort-living segment with projects planned in Goa and Himachal Pradesh. Building on its strong delivery record, Homeland Group is actively expanding its footprint across North India with new launches planned in Amritsar and Ludhiana, while also evaluating larger mixed-use opportunities across Delhi NCR and other high-growth destinations.

Centre withdraws notice dissolving Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University

CHANDIGARH: Following political backlash, the Centre withdrew the earlier notification dissolving 143-year-old Panjab University's senate and syndicate, and replacing them with nominated bodies. The Centre also put a hold on the immediate overhaul of the university, hours after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vowed to challenge the move in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A fresh notification issued by the Union Ministry of Education reads, In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), read with sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the Central Government hereby rescinds the notification dated October 28, 2025. The Punjab University Act, 1947 (East Punjab Act 7 of 1947) shall have effect from the date, as appointed by the Central Government, subject to the following modifications, the new notification stated. The Centres clarification is being seen as a tactical pause amid the escalating tensions over what critics have called an unconstitutional and anti-federal move, while supporters maintain the reforms are vital to free the university from political interference. The development comes in the wake of intense protests by students, farmer unions and opposition parties against the Centre's earlier decision to dissolve the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, and replace them with nominated bodies. The October 28 notification suggested amendment of the Panjab University Act, 1947, reducing the strength of universitys top governing body from 91 members to 24, abolishing the graduates constituency completely, and replacing its elected Syndicate with a largely nominated structure. With the withdrawal of the October 28 notification, the Senate and Syndicate will continue to function under their existing framework as defined by the Panjab University Act, 1947. Mann had termed this move unconstitutional, asserting that the Union govenrment had overstepped its powers. The Punjab government will approach the high court against the issuance of a notification unconstitutionally dissolving the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, Chandigarh. A panel of the countrys eminent and specialist lawyers will be formed to tenaciously fight against this act of high-handedness, he posted on X. He had also argued that the Centre had no authority to amend the Panjab University Act through a notification. Either the Assembly can amend it, or the matter has to be taken to Parliament. But none of that happened. By issuing the notification, the BJP has revealed its anti-Punjab face, the matter would be raised in the Assembly to strengthen Punjabs position legislatively, he said. Established in 1882 at Lahore, Panjab University is one of the oldest universities in the country. After partition, a new campus of the university was built in India. Again, when Punjab was split into Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, the university became an inter-state body corporate under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, passed by Parliament. Despite the fact that the university is controlled by the Union government, the Punjab government continues to hold a major stake. As an inter-state body corporate, PU does not have the status of a full-fledged central university. While visiting the university in 2015, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) underlined the need to revisit the governance structure especially in terms of appointments of faculty deans, it was pointed out. A 2021 committee set up by then Vice President and Chancellor Venkaiah Naidu under Prof R P Tiwari had also recommended heavily paring down of the PU Senate and Syndicate.

Fresh Snowfall In High Altitude Areas Of Himachal

Shimla, Nov 5: Fresh snowfall was recorded in high altitude areas in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, bringing cheers to the locals and tourists who braved extreme cold conditions. The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti and the higher reaches of Kinnaur, Kullu and mountain passes received fresh snowfall, causing a drop in mercury and creating chilly weather in adjoining valleys. Videos of the snowfall have surfaced on the internet. The Lahaul valley, Rohtang Pass and other higher reaches were wrapped [] The post Fresh Snowfall In High Altitude Areas Of Himachal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal CM Sukhu prioritises quality technical education, innovation, and EV-Tech course for employable youth

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasised that the state governments priority is to provide quality technical education and market-relevant skills to students. Reviewing the Technical Education Department, he expressed concern over vacant buildings worth Rs 126.45 crore and directed their optimum use. Sukhu announced plans to fill vacancies, introduce new-age courses like M Tech (EV-Tech), and promote innovation through the upcoming Digital University and the State Innovation and Start-Up Policy-2025.

India's Naturally Made Apple Cider, ANIMAL, Wins Gold in the Blind Tasting Category AT Spiritz 2025

ANIMAL , India’s first 15% Apple Cider crafted with Himalayan apples, has won the Gold Medal in the Blind Tasting Category at the Spiritz Conclave & Achievers’ Awards 2025. Made by the Indian Wine Company (IWC), ANIMAL is known for being naturally fermented, no added ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol), and no expiry date: making it one of the most naturally crafted drinks available in India today.   Moksh Rajpal and Divesh Gupta receives award in the blind tasting category at Spiritz 2025   The Spiritz Awards recognise the finest beverages in India for their taste and quality. Winning Gold in a blind tasting, where judges don’t know which brand they are sampling, proves the authentic flavour and natural quality of ANIMAL.   Every sip of ANIMAL comes from apples from Himachal Pradesh. Made through a natural fermentation process.   Moksh Rajpal, Chief of Staff, Indian Wine Company . “We wanted to create something that feels real, honest, and proudly Indian. It’s made for everyone who loves great taste without compromise.”   This achievement not only cements ANIMAL’s place within the fraternity, but also highlights the rise of Indian-origin, innovation-led brands redefining global quality benchmarks. With its distinctive 15% cider composition and unapologetically bold character, ANIMAL is spearheading a new era of experimentation and craftsmanship in the Indian beverage space, one where local ingredient meets international standards.   At a competitive price, ANIMAL offers consumers a drink that’s both premium and natural, blending India’s richness with world-class quality. Whether you’re celebrating, relaxing, or sharing moments with friends, ANIMAL stands apart as the drink that’s naturally perfect, and perfectly natural.   About ANIMAL ANIMAL is India’s first 15% Apple Cider, made from Himalayan apples. Naturally fermented and NO ENA. Born in India and crafted by the Indian Wine Company (IWC), ANIMAL is made for those who value purity, taste, and authenticity in every sip.

LG Sinha Inaugurates Jhiri Mela, Urges People To Follow Baba Jittos Path Of Selfless Service

JAMMU, Nov 4: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated the 10-day annual Jhiri Mela on the outskirts of Jammu city. Every year around 10-12 lakh devotees, mainly from Jammu region, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, visit the fair to commemorate the sacrifice of Baba Jittoo, who gave up his life in protest against the oppressive demands of a landlord about 500 years ago. The LG urged people to take a pledge to embrace the path of [] The post LG Sinha Inaugurates Jhiri Mela, Urges People To Follow Baba Jittos Path Of Selfless Service appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Cough syrup tragedy: SIT arrests wife of accused doctor in MP case

CHHINDWARA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cough syrup tragedy that claimed the lives of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh has arrested the wife of accused Dr Praveen Soni, an official said on Tuesday. Dr Soni, based in Chhindwara, was arrested last month for alleged negligence after prescribing the contaminated cough syrup Coldrif to several ailing children who later died due to kidney failure. His wife, Jyoti Soni, another accused in the case, was arrested from her residence in Parasia town of Chhindwara district on Monday night, according to Sub-Divisional Officer of Police and SIT in-charge Jitendra Jaat. She is the proprietor of a medical shop from where the cough syrup was sold to several of the victims, the official added. So far, seven people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy. Following the deaths, the Tamil Nadu government revoked the licence of the cough syrups manufacturer, Sresan Pharma. Those arrested include Sresan Pharmas owner G. Ranganathan, medical representative Satish Verma, chemist K. Maheshwari, wholesaler Rajesh Soni, and pharmacist Sourabh Jain. A total of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh, most under the age of five, reportedly died from suspected kidney failure after being administered Coldrif cough syrup. At least three similar deaths were reported in neighbouring Rajasthan. The tragedy prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to issue an alert against three substandard oral cough syrups identified in India, Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife. The cough syrup catastrophe On October 2, the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drugs Control found that Coldrif samples were not of standard quality. Three days later, Madhya Pradesh authorities reported that one sample of Coldrif contained 48.6 per cent diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical, far exceeding the permissible impurity limit of 0.1 per cent. The Madhya Pradesh police subsequently arrested Dr Praveen Soni for alleged negligence. Following the deaths, the sale of the syrup was banned in Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, West Bengal, and Delhi. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that those responsible would not be spared. The state government also suspended the drug controller and assistant drug controller for negligence in testing random samples of the medicine, and formed the SIT to investigate the case. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has sealed Sresan Pharmas manufacturing unit after the deaths came to light.

Renuka Used to Play Cricket With Boys During Childhood: Mother Sunita

Renuka, who hails from Himachal Pradesh's Parsa village in Rohru tehsil in Shimla district, played a major role in the Indian team's maiden World Cup title win

Punjab seeks Amit Shahs intervention over Centres move to add BBMB members from Rajasthan, Himachal

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government has now sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Union Government decided to appoint two new members to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, terming it incremental federal erosion. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written a letter to Amit Shah urging him to advise the Ministry of Power not to create additional posts of whole-time members. Further, the ministry may fill the vacant posts of members following the earlier arrangement under which one member got appointed from Punjab and another from Haryana, he wrote, adding that there could not be more than two whole-time members of the board. Drawing attention to Section 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, Mann stated that Punjab has already challenged the constitutional vires of Sections 78 and 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, in the Supreme Court. A civil suit (No. 2 of 2007) is still pending for decision, he said. On October 10, the Union Ministry of Power had written to the four partner states - Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh - seeking their comments on its proposal to increase the number of whole-time members from two (one each from Punjab and Haryana) to four. The ministry said that based on requests from Rajasthan and Himachal for increasing the number of whole-time members, it had proposed amendments to Section 79(2)(a) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Punjab Government has been objecting to granting equal representation to Rajasthan and Himachal, saying its share was 58 per cent and it bore the maximum expense of the board.

Himachal woman alleges BJP MLA Hansraj of harassment; he says she is like my daughter

SHIMLA: A woman from Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh has accused BJP MLA Hansraj of harassing her and threatening her family, allegations the legislator has dismissed as an attempt to trigger communal tension. A purported video of the woman making the allegations has surfaced on social media. The woman had filed an FIR against the MLA last year, accusing him of sending obscene messages and demanding nude photographs. In the video, she alleged that some people were trying to defame her by claiming she had accepted money to level charges against Hansraj, who represents the Churah constituency in Chamba. She also claimed she was under pressure to withdraw her complaint. If any harm comes to my family members, I will not spare the MLA, she said tearfully in the clip. The woman further alleged that Hansrajs wife had been threatening that he would settle scores once he becomes a minister, claiming the MLA had ruined my life and that she had nothing to lose now. She said she took to social media because she had no faith in the police or other authorities, accusing them of taking no action and pressuring her to reach a compromise with the MLA. She also accused a doctor and a junior engineer of misbehaving with her father. Hansraj, a three-time MLA, later posted a video refuting the allegations, saying the woman was like my daughter and that she had made similar accusations last year as well. He claimed that the police had investigated the matter and submitted a closure report. The MLA said he was unable to understand her motive, alleging that the latest claims appeared to be a sinister move to trigger communal violence. He urged police to investigate the matter thoroughly and said he would file a defamation case to get to the root of the issue. Hansraj maintained that the allegations were an attempt to halt development work in Churah and tarnish his image as an emerging leader from Chamba.

Western disturbance likely to reduce temps in northern, central India

NEW DELHI: A fresh Western Disturbance is set to affect the Western Himalayan region this week, bringing snowfall to higher reaches and rainfall to lower areas, marking the onset of winter in North and Central India. Following this, the temperatures are expected to drop by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This may offer temporary relief from pollution across Northwest India. According to the IMD, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 km/h are likely over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, and Gilgit-Baltistan from November 4 to 6. Rain and thunderstorms are also expected in Rajasthan on November 3 and 4, Himachal Pradesh on November 4 and 5, Uttarakhand on November 4, and Punjab on November 4 and 5. Experts suggest that after the passage of the Western Disturbance, we will see the formal arrival of winter in the Northern, Central and Eastern plains. Night temperatures are likely to fall from the second week of November due to radiational cooling (less cloud cover and water vapour), and advectional cooling (horizontal transfer of cold air), said Debasish Jena, an agrometeorology researcher at GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. Meanwhile, Haryana and Delhi may receive light to moderate rain on November 4 and 5, with shallow fog already observed at Safdarjung Airport. Winters at hand Temperatures in northern, central India to drop by 3-4C Thunderstorms, gusty winds predicted over J&K, Ladakh, from Nov 4 to Nov 6 Winters to start formally in the Northern, Central, and Eastern Plains post western disturbance Night temperatures to drop from 2nd week of November in north, central & east India Low-pressure areas over northeast Arabian Sea & east-central Bay of Bengal observed

She Is Like My Daughter: Himachal MLA Denies Allegations Of Harassment

A woman in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh has accused BJP MLA Hans Raj of harassing her and threatening her family members, even as the legislator dismissed the allegations.

Kharge, Rahul, Priyanka among Congress' 40 star campaigners for second phase Bihar polls

NEW DELHI : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Kanhaiya Kumar and Independent MP Pappu Yadav, are among the party's 40 star campaigners for the second phase of the Bihar assembly polls. AICC in-charge of Bihar Krishna Allavaru, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram, Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel, Sachin Pilot, Randeep Surjewala and Syed Naseer Hussain, as well as senior leaders Ashok Gehlot, Tariq Anwar, Gaurav Gogoi, Mohammad Jawed and Akhilesh Prasad Singh, are also on the list. The Bihar polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and results will be announced on November 14. The opposition INDIA bloc, which has RJD, Congress and Left parties as the main constituents, on Thursday declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav its chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar polls. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, senior leaders Digvijaya Singh, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, Meira Kumar, Pramord Tiwiri, Ajay Rai, Imran Pratapgarhi, Pawan Khera, Shakeel Ahmed, Ranjeet Ranjan, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, Jignesh Mevani, Anil Jaihind and Rajendra Pal Gautam are also on the star campaigners list for the second phase of polls released by the party.

Building farm resilience when hills crumble & fields flood

Prof B N Tripathi vcskuastjammu@gmail.com Climate change has ceased to be a distant scientific term; it has become a lived reality for farmers across India. When rains concentrate into hours rather than days, steep slopes fail, gullies widen, and agricultural terraces collapse. The recent heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides in the hilly regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, coupled with flooding in the plains of Punjab, have once again reminded us how fragile our agricultural systems are when [] The post Building farm resilience when hills crumble & fields flood appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal records wettest October in 20 years; receives 173% above normal rainfall: IMD

Himachal Pradesh recorded its wettest October in two decades, with rainfall 173% above normal. Sirmaur, Kangra, and Solan districts received the highest precipitation, while Naina Devi and Solan experienced extremely heavy rainfall. The state anticipates light rain or snow on November 4 and 5, with dry weather expected for the remainder of the week.

Fading charm: Tourists give Naini lake a miss

NAINITAL: Despite the state governments efforts to boost tourism under the ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava (The Guest is God), the lake town of Nainital is failing to draw back its once-flourishing community of foreign visitors. Once a premier destination known for its serene lake, stunning natural beauty, and tranquil atmosphere, Nainital is now grappling with a noticeable slump in international footfall. Just a few years ago, foreign tourists were a common sight strolling through the bustling markets of Mallital and Tallital, enjoying boat rides, or simply soaking in the lakeside vistas. Today, those same lanes seem to yearn for that. The number of foreign tourists has significantly dropped over the past few years, noted one long-time hotelier. Where every hotel used to host international guests during the peak season, bookings are now negligible. Many international travelers, it appears, are opting for alternative destinations like Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, or locations in South India. Furthermore, perennial issues within Nainital, such as crippling traffic jams, limited parking facilities, and overcrowding, are reportedly making the experience inconvenient for overseas visitors. Tourism experts stress the urgent need for the city to adopt a Sustainable Tourism Model if it hopes to see global visitors return. Nainitals relationship with tourism stretches back to its very inception as a settlement in the 19th century. Professor Ajay Rawat, a renowned historian based in Nainital, shared his insights with this paper. Tourism in Nainital began in the 19th century when urbanization started in 1841. At that time, the town gained popularity as a health resort, Professor Rawat explained. English residents stationed in the plains would visit Nainital to recuperate. Later, towards the end of the 20th century, Mary Jim Corbett, mother of the famous hunter Jim Corbett, gave tourism a new dimension. He detailed how World War I temporarily halted the influx, but tourism boomed again afterward. After World War II, the town hosted Royal Air Force personnel. The presence of war graves of British soldiers also attracted their families here. However, according to critics, governmental apathy has nearly extinguished international tourism here.

Meghalaya storm into semifinals of Sub-Junior Boys NFC

By Our Reporter Shillong, Oct 30: Meghalaya marched into the semifinals of the Sub-Junior Boys National Football Championship 2025-26 (Tier 2) with a commanding 4-0 victory over Himachal Pradesh in their final Group C encounter held at Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday morning. It was yet another dazzling performance from Meghalayas in-form striker Marbiang Marwein, who []

Justice Surya Kant appointed as next Chief Justice of India, will take charge from November 24

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) with effect from November 24, 2025. In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025. I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tweeted on Thursday. On October 27, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai had recommended the name of Justice Kant to the Centre as his successor. The CJI's recommendation came after he received a letter from Meghwal who asked him to nominate his successor. It is a convention that the sitting CJI recommends the seniormost judge after himself as the next CJI. The incumbent CJI Gavai will step down on November 23. Justice Kant will be taking charge at a time when the judiciary is grappling with huge pendency of cases. Elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant will retire on February 9, 2027 after one year, three months and 15 days. He will also be the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, with effect from November 12, 2025. As per the Supreme Court website, the 63-year-old Justice Kant was born in Hisar in Haryana and graduated from the Government Post Graduate College there in 1981. He acquired his Bachelor's degree in Law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He started practising law at the District Court, Hisar, in 1984, and shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practise in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Specialising in Constitutional, service and civil matters, he represented a number of universities, boards, corporations, banks and also the High Court itself. He was appointed as Advocate General (AG) of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and was designated as Senior Advocate in March 2001. He held the office of Advocate General, Haryana, till his elevation as a permanent judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. Justice Kant was nominated as a member of the governing body of the National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007, for two consecutive terms till February 22, 2011. He is presently a member of various committees of the Indian Law Institute, a deemed university under the aegis of the Supreme Court. He earned another distinction of standing first in his Master's degree in Law in 2011 from the Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra University. He assumed charge as Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh with effect from October, 5, 2018. Justice Kant has pronounced several landmark verdicts and orders. He was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir and the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme, citing a violation of citizens' right to information. Justice Kant also authored the majority opinion validating Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, part of the Assam accord. He also upheld the validity of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for the armed forces. Justice Kant was part of the bench that appointed an expert panel in the Pegasus spyware case, stating the state cannot use national security as a free pass for surveillance. He has been involved in cases concerning the appointment of the Delhi Police Commissioner and the protection of public water bodies, emphasizing they are public utilities and their takeover is illegal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was on a bench that directed authorities to consider releasing prisoners to alleviate overcrowding in jails.

Sukhu urges Nadda to increase allocation under NHM by Rs 200 crore

NEW DELHI, Oct 30: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to raise the states allocation under National Health Mission (NHM) by Rs 200 crore. Sukhu sought approval to establish three dedicated Intensive Care Units in the state at the earliest during a meeting at Naddas residence here on Wednesday evening. The chief minister also requested that the Centres share under the Ayushman Bharat scheme be maintained at 90:10, considering the challenging [] The post Sukhu urges Nadda to increase allocation under NHM by Rs 200 crore appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

HP TET admit card 2025 released at hpbose.org: Direct link to download hall tickets here

The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) has released the admit cards for the Himachal Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (HP TET) 2025. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official website, hpbose.org. The HP TET November session will be held from November 2 to 16, 2025, in two shifts each day.

CM Himachal meets Dr Jitendra, discusses strengthening disaster forecast, preparedness for State

Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 29: The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and discussed the strengthening of weather forecasting and disaster preparedness infrastructure in the hill state. During the meeting, the Chief Minister conveyed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for installing a Doppler Weather Radar in Himachal Pradesh, which has significantly enhanced the accuracy of [] The post CM Himachal meets Dr Jitendra, discusses strengthening disaster forecast, preparedness for State appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SIR will weed out fake voters, identify infiltrators, oppn shouldnt have problem with it: Kangana

SHIMLA, Oct 29: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday said the opposition parties should not have any problem with the special intensive revision of electoral rolls as the exercise would weed out fake voters, and identify infiltrators and those selling voter cards. Interacting with reporters after chairing a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi, the actor-politician said the electoral roll cleanup exercise would bring more transparency to the system. It will identify fake [] The post SIR will weed out fake voters, identify infiltrators, oppn shouldnt have problem with it: Kangana appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal CM urges FM to increase additional borrowing limit for state by 2 pc

In a strategic move to strengthen Himachal Pradesh's fiscal framework, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu engaged with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, advocating for a significant increase in the state's borrowing capacity. Additionally, he appealed to Union Minister Jitendra Singh to prioritize advanced weather monitoring technologies and the establishment of bio-manufacturing centers.

Himachal seeks Centres help for Doppler radar, 150 weather stations to tackle climate disasters

CHANDIGARH: In the wake of recent cloudbursts and flash floods, the Himachal Pradesh government has urged the Union Government to provide one Doppler weather radar and 150 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across the state to ensure that every district, particularly the disaster-prone areas, is better equipped to handle future weather-related challenges. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting with Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday evening and requested that adequate Doppler weather radar and automatic weather stations be provided to ensure early and quick warnings related to natural disasters in the state. Sukhu said that due to the geological positioning of Himachal Pradesh and the growing impact of global warming and climate change, the state has witnessed an alarming rise in the occurrence of natural disasters. He noted that the state was suffering huge losses as a result and requested that one Doppler weather radar and 150 automated weather stations be provided before the next monsoon season so the state could benefit from timely weather updates. He also thanked the Union minister for approving a Doppler radar for Lahaul-Spiti. Sukhu said that weather-related data should be integrated with centrally recognised national early warning agencies so that the state could receive accurate and timely alerts about adverse weather conditions. The Chief Minister further requested the establishment of a seismic laboratory and data analysis centre in the Kangra-Hamirpur zone, which falls within seismic zone-V and is highly prone to earthquakes. He also urged the installation of two additional air monitoring systems in higher reaches of the state, a weather data centre at Hamirpur, and compact weather radars in shadow areas. Sukhu stressed that modern warning, monitoring, and data analysis systems must be set up in Himachal due to the rising frequency of natural disasters in recent years, calling it the need of the hour. He also called for the setting up of a bio-manufacturing hub to make better use of plant-based natural resources in the state and emphasised the need to establish plant-based packaging units to promote environmental protection and sustainable development. In addition, he sought support to strengthen space science education in the state through initiatives like the Space on Wheels programme, AI-related refresher courses, and other advanced science education modules. A detailed discussion was also held during the meeting on natural farming, land management, and renewable energy-based smart agriculture in Himachal Pradesh. Jitendra Singh appreciated the states proactive approach and reiterated that the Central Government remains fully committed to supporting all states in their efforts toward climate resilience and disaster mitigation. He said that the Ministry of Earth Sciences has been continuously expanding the countrys meteorological network, especially in hilly and remote regions, to ensure timely dissemination of critical weather information to the public and local authorities. Singh noted that advanced meteorological tools like Doppler Radars and AWS play a crucial role not only in disaster preparedness but also in sectors like agriculture, hydropower, and tourism, which form the backbone of Himachal Pradeshs economy. He assured full central support in expanding this infrastructure to cover vulnerable zones and enhance public safety. The meeting reflected a shared commitment between the Centre and the State Government to strengthen the scientific framework for forecasting and disaster management, ensuring that development in the hill state is sustainable and resilient to climate risks. Both leaders agreed that close coordination between the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the state authorities will further enhance Himachal Pradeshs capacity to respond effectively to extreme weather events.

Australian paraglider who crashed near Seven Sisters Peak in Manali rescued after 20 hours

CHANDIGARH: A 51-year-old Australian paraglider, Andy, who crashed yesterday evening near the Seven Sisters Peak located at an altitude of 13,500 feet in the Manali subdivision of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, has been rescued after 20 hours. Sources said that the paraglider Andy, hailing from Australia, is believed to have crashed due to air pressure and adverse weather conditions. A paraglider pilot flying with him witnessed the accident and informed the rescue team, requesting assistance. Ramesh Kumar Jogi, in charge of the rescue team of the Manali Adventure Tour Association, said that Andy, who was lying on a dangerous and narrow ledge on a high mountain, was finally rescued with the help of a chopper. He is now being treated at the hospital and is out of danger. Both the pilots had come from Bir Billing in Kangra district to Manali and were flying back to Bir Billing when the crash took place. A rescue team was dispatched immediately on Monday evening to rescue Andy, who was trapped in the inaccessible hills. Andy's close call isn't rare, as paragliding accidents at popular sites like Bir Billing in Himachal have been taking place, with recent incidents involving flyers from Canada, Austria, and Russia, too. A few days ago, Megan Elizabeth, a 27-year-old Canadian paraglider who had gone missing, was found dead, while a 47-year-old Austrian paraglider, Jacob, was rescued from the high mountains of the Dhauladhar range. In the last five years, 26 paragliding crashes have been reported in Kangra and Mandi districts of the hill state, resulting in the death of 12 paragliders, including foreign nationals, and injury to many. In some incidents, neither the pilot nor the glider could be located.

GOC Rising Star Corps Reviews Operational Readiness at Palchan Station

Jammu, Oct 28: Lieutenant General Rajan Sharawat, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Rising Star Corps, on Tuesday reviewed the operational readiness of troops stationed at the Palchan Military Station in Himachal Pradesh. During the visit, the Corps Commander commended the high standards of preparedness and lauded the efforts of all ranks in maintaining mission [] The post GOC Rising Star Corps Reviews Operational Readiness at Palchan Station appeared first on Northlines .

GoC Rising Star Corps Reviews Operation Readiness At Palchan Military Station

JAMMU, Oct 28: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Rising Star Corps, Lieutenant General Rajan Sharawat on Tuesday reviewed the operational readiness of troops at the Palchan Military Station in Himachal Pradesh. He appreciated the high standards of preparedness and the efforts of all ranks in maintaining mission readiness. GOC Rising Star Corps reviewed the operational readiness at Palchan Military Station and Pandoh, PRO Defence Jammu said on X. The post GoC Rising Star Corps Reviews Operation Readiness At Palchan Military Station appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jammu Police wrestler Ishaq lifts 6th Kalka Kesari Dangal Title

Excelsior Sports Correspondent REASI, Oct 27: Jammu and Kashmir Police wrestler Ishaq Ahmed clinched the 6th Kalka Kesari Dangal Title by defeating Sonu of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh in a high-voltage first malli bout that lasted nine minutes at Kalka Akhara, Nai Basti, Reasi. Ahmed was honoured with a cash award of Rs 61,000, while runner-up Sonu received Rs 40,000. The Kanta Kushti Dangal was organized by Kalka Akhara Dangal Committee in association with J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association under [] The post Jammu Police wrestler Ishaq lifts 6th Kalka Kesari Dangal Title appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal suffered losses of Rs 46,000 crore due to natural calamities in 4 years: Report

Over the past four years, Himachal Pradesh has faced staggering losses of 46,000 crore attributed to the escalating impacts of climate change and a series of natural disasters. The recent monsoon season tragically claimed 1,700 lives, while vital water sources continue to dwindle and forest fires have reached alarming frequencies.

HDI index of Himachal higher than national average: Human Development Report 2025

CHANDIGARH: The average Human Development Index (HDI) of Himachal Pradesh is 0.78, which is higher than the National average of 0.63 as per the Human Development Report-2025. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, after releasing the 'Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report-2025' here today, said that this document reflects the States progress, resilience, and the aspirations of its people. Despite the States harsh geographical conditions and weather challenges, the report presents an exemplary story of development, made possible by the strong willpower and hard work of the people of Himachal Pradesh. He said, It is a matter of pride that according to the Human Development Report-2025, the average Human Development Index (HDI) of Himachal Pradesh is 0.78, which is higher than the National average of 0.63. He further stated that Himachal Pradesh has recently achieved the distinction of becoming a fully literate state. The literacy rate of the state stands at 99.30 percent. He said that in a recent national survey, Himachal Pradesh was ranked fifth in the country in reading and writing competencies, whereas in the year 2021, it was at 21st position. Besides this, the infant mortality rate in Himachal Pradesh has dropped to 21 per 1,000 live births, which reflects the success of the States health system. Sukhu said that the government has not only invested in roads, industries, agriculture and horticulture, but has also ensured investments in fundamental sectors such as education, health, women empowerment, elderly care and rural development to build an ideal and strong foundation for the future. He added that the life expectancy in the State has now increased to 72 years, symbolising the success of the healthcare ecosystem. He said that the poverty rate in the state has fallen significantly and is now it is below seven per cent. All these achievements reflect the governments consistent efforts towards holistic and inclusive development. Expressing concern over climate change, the Chief Minister said that it has emerged as a serious global issue and if a sustainable solution is not worked out immediately, both the present and the future generations would have to face its severe consequences. He said that Himachal Pradesh has always been proactive and sensitive, advocating environment-friendly development and has adopted a sustainable development framework. The State has never exploited its forests, rivers or mountains irresponsibly but the effects of climate change are not confined to one place; it has far-reaching effects globally, he remarked. During this years monsoon, Himachal has already suffered heavy losses due to the climate change pattern. Many precious lives were lost, and both public and private property were damaged due to heavy rainfall, landslides and floods due to cloudbursts. He said that currently mountains, rivers, forests and glaciers of the State are victims of global warming, due to which the State is grappling with problems like excessive rainfall, floods and landslides. Sukhu said that to meet these challenges, the world must act as one family and join hands to conserve the environment together, ensuring planned economic development. He stressed that the future must be human-centric and climate-resilient for the safety of the coming generations. He said that to reduce the impact of global warming, the State Government has launched the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 680 crore. Under the first phase, a 50 percent subsidy is being given for the purchase of e-taxis. Under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Solar Energy Scheme, a provision of interest subsidy has been made at the rate of five percent in tribal areas and four percent in non-tribal areas for setting up ground-mounted solar energy projects ranging between 100 kW to 2 MW. Himachal Pradesh, he said, has become the first hill State to adopt a strong electric vehicle policy, setting an example. The goal is to electrify public transport by 2030 to achieve Green targets. Department Secretary Sushil Kumar Singla gave detailed information about the report. UNDP Senior Economist Amy Mishra made a detailed presentation on the UNDP report. UNDP representative Dr Angela Lusigi commended the efforts of the Chief Minister for green budgeting, climate-sensitive programmes, besides initiatives towards sustainable development and decentralised and participatory governance for building resilience.

SIR in India: ECI announces special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states; final list on Feb 7, 2026

The Election Commission on Monday launched the second phase of the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, covering 12 states and Union Territories, including poll-bound West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. States like Maharashtra and snow-bound regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Ladakh will be covered later.

CJI Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as next Chief Justice of India

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has recommended Justice Surya Kant, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. Chief Justice Gavai, in his recommendation, described Justice Kant as suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm, adding that both shared a similar social background marked by perseverance and struggle. Justice Surya Kant, the second senior-most Supreme Court judge after the incumbent CJI Gavai, is set to become the 53rd CJI on November 24 after CJI Gavai's retirement on November 23. The CJI's recommendation came after he received a letter last week from the Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who asked him to nominate his successor Justice Surya Kant as 53rd CJI on November 24, 2025. As per the Supreme Court website, Justice Kant was born on February, 10, 1962 at Hisar (Haryana) to a middle class family. He graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar in 1981, and acquired his Bachelor's degree in Law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He started practicing Law at the District Court, Hisar in 1984, and shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Kant specialises in Constitutional, Service and Civil matters. He represented a number of Universities, Boards, Corporations, Banks, and even the High Court itself. He was appointed as Advocate General (AG) of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and was designated as Senior Advocate in March, 2001. He held the office of Advocate General, Haryana till his elevation as a permanent Judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 09, 2004. Justice Kant was nominated as a Member of the Governing Body of National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007, for two consecutive terms till February 22, 2011. He is presently a Member of various Committees of Indian Law Institute a deemed university under the aegis of Supreme Court. He earned another distinction of standing First Class First in his Master's degree in Law in 2011 from the Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. He assumed charge of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh with effect fromOctober, 5, 2018. He was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir and the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme, citing a violation of citizens' right to information. Justice Kant also authored the majority opinion validating Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, part of the Assam accord. He also upheld the validity of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for the armed forces. Justice Kant was part of the bench that appointed an expert panel in the Pegasus spyware case, stating the state cannot use national security as a free pass for surveillance. He has been involved in cases concerning the appointment of the Delhi Police Commissioner and the protection of public water bodies, emphasizing they are public utilities and their takeover is illegal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was on a bench that directed authorities to consider releasing prisoners to alleviate overcrowding in jails. Elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant will be retiring on Feb 9, 2027. He is also the Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, with effect from November 12, 2025.

Sparks Fly As Bike Skids During High-Speed Stunt In Himachal, Rider Dies

A 22-year-old man died on Saturday night while attempting a high-speed bike stunt in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi.

HP: Cabinet approves 40 percent subsidy for e-taxi conversion, triples student loan income limit

SHIMLA, Oct 25 : The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister SS Sukhu, today approved the conversion of 1,000 existing diesel/petrol taxis into electric taxis. This move provides a 40 percent subsidy under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Yojna. The Cabinet approved significant amendments to the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojna to benefit more students. The family income limit for beneficiary students was tripled, increasing from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per annum. Additionally, the education [] The post HP: Cabinet approves 40 percent subsidy for e-taxi conversion, triples student loan income limit appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal Pradesh: Rice infested with weevils, moth worms discovered at anganwadi centres

CHANDIGARH: In Himachal Pradesh, rice meant for distribution among children at 10 Anganwadi centres in the Kupvi subdivision of Shimla district was found infested with rice weevil larvae and moth worms. During a routine inspection conducted by the State Food Commission, the centres under the Dhar Chandna Circle in Kupvi subdivision including Gaonkhar, Dhar-I, Dhar-II, Sharad, Bethadi, Dak, Bavat, Oran, Mushadi, and Majhgaon were found locked. The staff were called to open the premises, and upon inspection of the nutritional supplies, the contamination was discovered. Taking serious note of the lapse, State Food Commission Chairman Dr. S.P. Katyal ordered the suspension of distribution of the contaminated food items and directed strict action against the responsible personnel. The Child Development Project Officer, Chopal, has been instructed to conduct a detailed inquiry and take immediate, appropriate action as per established norms. The commission emphasized that such lapses in maintaining food quality and hygiene at Anganwadi centres pose a potential health risk to children and will not be tolerated. Accountability will be fixed at all levels. Sources stated that the inquiry report is expected soon, after which departmental action will be initiated against the erring staff.

Snow leopard population in doubled Himachal; two new species recorded for first time

CHANDIGARH: The highly endangered snow leopard population in Himachal Pradesh has almost doubled, rising to 83 from 44 individuals recorded in 2021, according to the latest survey jointly conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation and the Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. Significantly, for the first time, two new species, the Pallass cat and the woolly flying squirrel, have also been spotted during this survey. The second state-wide snow leopard assessment report, The Status of Snow Leopard in Himachal Pradesh 2025 , confirms the species strong presence across high-altitude landscapes, particularly in Spiti, Pin Valley, Upper Kinnaur and Tabo, which recorded the highest densities. The copy of the report, which is with this newspaper, reads, Our sampling resulted in 44 individual adult snow leopards identified from 262 independent detections across the six sites. At the level of the sites, our sampling from high occupancy stratum resulted in USL having 12 individual snow leopards from 90 detections, Tabo with 6 individual snow leopards from 46 detections, Pin with 8 individual snow leopards with 35 detections and Kinnaur having 9 individual snow leopards from 58 detections. From the low occupancy stratum, Lahaul-Pangi had 8 individual snow leopards from 32 detections, and Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) had 1 individual snow leopard from 1 detection. The survey found snow leopard density ranging from 0.16 to 0.53 individuals per 100 km. Using large-scale camera trapping across six representative sites covering nearly 26,000 km, researchers photographed adult leopards 262 times, leading to an estimated state-wide count of 83 adults, excluding cubs. At the state level, our SECR analysis resulted in the estimated snow leopard density of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.23 - 0.53) snow leopards per 100 km and abundance of 83 (95% CI: 67 - 103) adult snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh. Density and abundance in the high occupancy strata were 0.46 (0.37 - 0.57) snow leopards per 100 km and 59 (48 - 73) snow leopards. In the low occupancy strata, density and abundance were 0.18 (0.14 - 0.23) snow leopards per 100 km and 24 (19 - 30) snow leopards, it added. The report further stated that mountain ungulates such as blue sheep and ibex are key determinants of the snow leopard population. It is widely accepted that the availability of wild ungulates determines the population of large carnivores. We found fluctuations in wild ungulate abundance over the years, and the snow leopard density has largely remained constant. Blue sheep fluctuated in abundance from 786 in 2020 to 1,094 in 2024, whereas ibex fluctuated in abundance from 92 in 2020 to 146 in 2024, it read. It is not just snow leopards; during this survey, two new species the Pallass cat and the woolly flying squirrel were also recorded for the first time. This large-scale camera trapping exercise across the state also recorded other mammals residing in snow leopard landscapes of Himachal Pradesh. In 2024, we got a newer and first-time record for two species, the Pallass cat recorded near Nako in Kinnaur, and the Woolly flying squirrel recorded from Miyar Valley in Lahaul, stated the report. The survey states that blue sheep, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan wolf, Himalayan ibex, common leopard, mountain weasel, Himalayan musk deer, red fox, stone marten and yellow-throated marten were also recorded. The incidental detections of these mammals contribute to refining range maps, documenting previously unrecorded occurrences, and identifying critical biodiversity hotspots within the landscape. These findings enhance understanding of species distribution, habitat use and potential ecological corridors, offering crucial data for conservation planning beyond snow leopards. As seen from the ensemble outputs, the two main prey species of the snow leopard, ibex and blue sheep, are found dispersed across the snow leopard landscape of Himachal Pradesh. The Ibex occurs primarily in rugged areas from around Pin Valley in Spiti going west, including regions of Kibber to Lossar in Spiti and large areas of Lahaul including Bhaga, Miyar and Chandra valleys. Parts of Chamba (Pangi and Bharmour) are also regions of high occurrence for them. The blue sheep on the other hand are a bit more restricted with high occurrence areas around Hangrang valley of Kinnaur and across the Spiti region, particularly Tabo and USL. They prefer more undulating areas with proximity to cliffs, it reads. It further added, Musk deer were predicted to occur predominantly across the Greater Himalayas with particularly high occurrence in Chamba (especially Pangi), parts of Lahaul, Kullu and lower Kinnaur. Musk deer detections were mostly in areas near tree cover. Brown bears were found to occur predominantly across the valleys in Lahaul, Chamba (Pangi and Bharmour), and parts of Kinnaur. Additionally, they were found to occur at the edge of Pin Valley connecting towards the Kullu and Kinnaur regions. They seem to prefer regions along the valley, especially near meadows. Wolves were seen to occur in more rolling, plateau-like areas around Spiti and Lahaul. Interestingly, common leopards were found to have high occurrence along the southern rims of the snow leopard distribution within Himachal Pradesh, with increased occurrence in parts of Kinnaur (upper and lower) and high elevations of Kullu and Chamba. They also were seen to occur in pockets of Lahaul, it concluded. The study followed the Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India protocol, developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in line with the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP). Talking to this newspaper, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Spiti Wildlife Division, Goldy Chhabra said, The Spiti landscape is one of Indias most ecologically significant and biodiverse regions. Going forward, our vision is to deepen scientific understanding of the movement ecology of the snow leopard, a keystone species and apex predator of this landscape. Simultaneously, we aim to document lesser-known species, including herpetofauna and amphibians, among others, to showcase the true species richness and ecological importance of the Spiti landscape to the world. Leopard sighting in Haryana A search operation for a leopard was launched and an alert sounded by the forest department in Dhulkot after receiving information about the big cats sighting in a village in Ambala district of Haryana. CCTV footage from the nearby area purportedly showed a wild animal resembling a leopard, they said, but the forest department is yet to confirm its presence. The forest department made an announcement in the village, urging residents to remain vigilant. A search for the animal is underway, according to officials.

Chandigarh Diary | Vikramaditya rejects royal titles for himself

Reflecting changing times, Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, scion of the Bushahr royal family and son of former six-time chief minister, the late Virbhadra Singh, has appealed to the public to stop addressing him as ``Raja Ji or Tikka Ji. In a social media post, he wrote,`many people call me `raja ji or `tikka ji with affection and respect. I am grateful to you for this affection, but over time, societys thinking has moved forward. Such addresses are certainly part of our glorious history, but in todays age, they are not needed. My only humble wish is that you all call me by my name. Union minister counters AAP flak on flood relief While countering Punjabs AAP governments criticism on flood relief, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was in Ludhiana recently to attend the programme at the Indian Institute of Maize Research, made a pointed remark that his visits to Punjab were not for tourism purposes, but to bring relief from the Centre for the states flood-hit areas. He recalled his earlier visit to Punjab when floods ravaged farms and houses. At that time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately directed his ministers to visit the state and assess the ground situation, he said, adding that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should rise above politics. Haryana DGP flags excessive screen time Haryanas new DGP O P Singh recently converted a late-night accidental call from a child into a statewide public-safety advisory, broadening the policing lens to include the silent epidemic of digital addiction among children. He personally verified the callers well-being and also spoke briefly with the family. He then posted a short account of the interaction on X, using the moment to warn parents about excessive screen time. `` Let kids grow with mud on hands, not glass in palms, he wrote, emphasising the importance of outdoor play and real-world social interaction instead of addiction to digital devices, which disrupt sleep. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com

Make online portal for registration of homestay units in 10 days: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has ordered the creation of an online portal for homestay registrations within ten days. He also directed that all payments in Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation hotels and government guesthouses be made online. Tenders will be issued for user-friendly online portals across departments. Professional architects will be empanelled for tourism projects.

Fresh snowfall transforms Himachals high altitudes into winter wonderland

SHIMLA, Oct 23: The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh are draped in a white blanket since last night as fresh snowfall brought a spectacular transformation to the states mountainous landscapes, delighting tourists and locals alike. Snowfall began suddenly yesterday, covering both ends of the Atal Tunnel Rohtang and blanketing the valleys of Lahaul and Pangi. While Kullu witnessed heavy rainfall, Lahaul recorded its second major snowfall of the season. However, the wintry charm also brought disruptions. Vehicular movement has been [] The post Fresh snowfall transforms Himachals high altitudes into winter wonderland appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal Pradesh's Manali, Lahaul and Spiti receive fresh snowfall

Fresh snowfall has hit Himachal Pradesh's higher regions. Temperatures have dropped in Lahaul and Spiti district and Manali. This winter weather has brought joy to tourism businesses. They anticipate more visitors arriving soon. Light rains were also recorded in several parts of the state. Key locations like Manali and Bharmaur saw significant rainfall.

Himachal Pradesh: Canadian paraglider dies; 2 foreign pilots rescued

Canadian paraglider found dead, Australian rescued from Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh

CHANDIGARH: Megan Elizabeth, a 27-year-old Canadian paraglider who had gone missing, was found dead, while a 47-year-old Austrian paraglider, Jacob, was rescued from the high mountains of the Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh in the last 48 hours. Both paragliders had flown in separately from the international Bir-Billing paragliding site in Kangra district and encountered emergencies at different locations. Elizabeth, who was a solo flier, had taken off from Billing and was expected to land at Chogan. However, she was not familiar with the topography of the Dhauladhar region and lost her route and crashed near Talan Jot, north of the Himani Chamunda temple, at an altitude of about 3,900 metres. Megan Elizabeth was an experienced solo flier. She had taken off from Billing and was expected to land Chogan but lost en route, said Anurag Sharma, President of Billing Paragliding Association. The Baijnath authorities, with the help of climbers and volunteers from the Bir Billing Paragliding Association (BPA), had launched a rescue operation on Sunday. Rahul Singh, a member of the rescue team, was the first to be air-dropped into the area on Sunday evening. He reached the crash site later that night and found the paraglider unresponsive. Elizabeth had likely died due to exposure to extreme cold and injuries sustained during the landing on rocky terrain. Five more members of the rescue team were flown in yesterday morning, and they relocated the body about 500 metres uphill from the crash site to facilitate airlifting. Sources said that her body was brought to Gaggal Airport and will be handed over to the Canadian Embassy after the post-mortem. Another SOS was received from an Australian paraglider, Jacob, who was stranded at an elevation of about 3,302 meters in the mountains of Polling-Barot valley in Kullu district, said sources. He was rescued and dropped off at Chogan in Bir. In the last five years, 26 paragliding crashes have been reported in Kangra and Mandi districts of the hill state, resulting in the death of 12 paragliders, including foreign nationals, and injury to many. In some incidents, neither the pilot nor the glider could be located.

No Diwali in Sammoo: Village follows centuries-old curse

For yet another year, residents of Sammoo village in Himachal Pradesh will mark Diwali in silence. Bound by a centuries-old belief in a 'satis curse,' the village continues to shun festive celebrations. The post No Diwali in Sammoo: Village follows centuries-old curse appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .

Himachal government to introduce new welfare schemes for orphans: CM Sukhvinder Singh

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday said the state government will soon launch new welfare schemes aimed at orphans and vulnerable children to ensure their holistic development. The chief minister visited the Tutikandi Bal Ashram in Shimla where he celebrated Diwali with the residents, interacting with children and distributing gifts and sweets. He was welcomed by the children and staff of the ashram with traditional earthen lamps and cultural performances. Sukhu interacted with the children, distributed sweets and gifts, and extended his heartfelt Deepawali greetings to them. The true spirit of Diwali lies in sharing joy, compassion and togetherness. These children are our future and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they grow up with love, dignity and opportunities, he said. He said the state government has adopted orphaned children as the children of the state and is bearing not only their education expenses but also providing them Rs 4,000 per month as pocket money. He said the residential facilities would be upgraded in the Bal Ashrams of the state, besides enhancing other facilities. Sukhu announced that the government would soon launch new welfare schemes specifically aimed at orphans and vulnerable children to ensure their holistic development. Sukhu also announced that a sports day would be organised for the children of the Bal Ashram on 14 November every year, for which the state government would make adequate budgetary provision. He said students of the Bal Ashrams would be sent on educational tours outside the state to provide them better exposure and learning experiences. He exhorted the children to focus on their studies and thereafter serve the nation in different capacities, bringing laurels to the state.

Uttarakhand secures Rs 100 crore incentive in Mining Readiness Index, BJP targets Congress

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand has secured second place in its category in the latest State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI), making the Himalayan state eligible for a Rs 100 crore central government incentive. Launched by the Union Ministry of Mines, the SMRI aims to promote reforms in the mining sector at the state level. This central recognition has quickly become a political tool for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttarakhand, where mining is a contentious issue often sparking sharp political debates. The incentive is part of the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26 by the Finance Ministrys Department of Expenditure. The scheme has a total allocation of Rs 5,000 crore, with Rs 900 crore reserved for the top three performers across Categories A, B, and C of the SMRI rankings, ensuring each qualifying state receives Rs 100 crore. States were classified into three categories based on their mineral wealth: Category A for mineral-rich states, Category B for those with moderate resources, and Category C for states with limited mineral resources. Uttarakhand placed second in Category C, securing the central reward. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the achievement and said that, Mining is a significant contributor to the states revenue, and the state government is emphasising eco-friendly and legal mining practices. We have consistently cracked down on illegal mining and taken strict action against tax evasion. Dhami highlighted an unprecedented increase of Rs 800 crore in mining revenue, stating it demonstrates the efficacy, transparency, and strength of the states new mining policy. He noted that officials from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are studying Uttarakhands model. The BJP immediately leveraged the news politically, targeting the main opposition party, Congress. State Media Head Manveer Singh Chauhan described the surge in mining revenue as a pleasant sign and a sharp slap in the face of the Congress. Chauhan told the TNIE , The revenue figure from mining is historic. The Congress, which has been spreading political disinformation on this issue, must now clarify its stance. In 2019-20, the revenue was less than Rs 400 crore. It was a clear loss-making situation benefiting the mafia, whereas now the revenue is accumulating in the state's treasury. He credited the success, where Uttarakhand ranked ahead of Punjab and Tripura in Category C, to transparent policies. The Central Ministry of Mines has recognised Uttarakhands administrative efficiency in the SMRI 2025. Chauhan added that Uttarakhands mining reforms, transparency, and efficiency generated over Rs 1,000 crore in revenue in FY 2024-25.

No Diwali in cursed Sammoo village of Himachal Pradesh

Hamirpur: A satis curse means the Sammoo village of Hamirpur district will not celebrate Diwali even this year, a tradition it has followed for many centuries. The deliberate darkening on the day of the festival of lights has been followed by the locals ever since a woman burned herself on her husbands pyre and cursed Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Himachal govt pensioners hold demonstrations demanding release of pending DA, arrears

Pensioners in Himachal Pradesh held protests across district headquarters. They are demanding pending dearness allowance instalments and arrears for revised pay and pension. Many elderly pensioners are facing hardship due to non-payment of dues and medical bill reimbursements. The Himachal Pradesh Pensioners' Joint Front plans to meet the Chief Minister.

Centre to hold pre-test exercise for Census 2027 from Nov 10; self-enumeration window opens Nov 1

NEW DELHI: Setting the process in motion for Census-2027 , the Centre has announced that citizens will be able to file their personal information digitally through a self-enumeration window from November 1 to 7, 2025, as the pre-test exercise for the first phase of Population Census 2027. The first phase, which includes Houselisting and Housing Census, will be conducted in selected sample areas across all states and union territories from November 10 to 30, 2025, an official said on Friday. In a Gazette notification, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, said that an option for self-enumeration will be available from November 1-7, 2025. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, for the pre-test under Section 17A of the Act, they said. The pre-test exercise aims to assess the efficacy of the Census, which will be conducted between April 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027, in two phases - Houselisting and Housing Schedule and Population Enumeration (PE), the officials said. They added that the pre-test will help test systems, identify challenges and refine methods before the full-scale Census 2027. Census- 2027 is going to be the first-ever digital exercise in India, and also for the first time, will enumerate the caste of citizens after Independence. During the test phase, all aspects of the exercise - from questions, data collection, training, logistics and mobile application to software performance - will be assessed and evaluated to identify and correct any procedural or technical issues. In Phase-1, the Houselisting Operation (HLO), data on housing conditions, assets and amenities of each household will be collected. In Phase-2, the Population Enumeration (PE), demographic, socio-economic, cultural, and other details of every person in each household will be recorded. The Population Enumeration process is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2027, the officials said quoting the notification. The reference date for the Census will be March 1, 2027, for most parts of India, while for Ladakh and snow-bound regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, it will be October 1, 2026. Over 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors, along with around 1.3 lakh Census functionaries, will be deployed for the massive data collection exercise. This will be Indias 16th Census since the exercise began and the eighth Census after Independence. The official Gazette notification of the governments intent to conduct the Census was published on June 16, 2025. The last Census was conducted in 2011. It was supposed to be taken up in 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delhi Police nabs 12 in nationwide cyber fraud racket defrauding victims of Rs 2.6 crore

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has arrested 12 members of a well-organised cybercrime network allegedly involved in digital arrest frauds, fake investment rackets and online romance scams, which defrauded victims of over Rs 2.6 crore, an official said on Friday. The arrests came following a week-long coordinated operation, spanning Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, he said. In one case in south Delhi, an elderly victim was defrauded of Rs 42.49 lakh after fraudsters, posing as police officials, falsely accused him of money laundering and coerced him into transferring funds. Three men were arrested from Pali, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, while Rs 7.08 lakh was recovered and refunded through court orders. In Agra, Uttar Pradesh, two persons were arrested for allegedly defrauding a victim of Rs 40.27 lakh through an online romance and investment scam. The accused, police said, used social media to lure the victim with promises of marriage and high investment returns. One of them, Devender Kumar, had opened multiple bank accounts to hide the source of ill-gotten money by doing a series of transactions. His associate Shivam alias Ashu was found involved in several criminal cases. As long as the cybercriminals business model works, companies are vulnerable to attack A separate team apprehended a key facilitator from Jalandhar, Punjab, who had supplied multiple mule bank accounts for cyber frauds. The accused, Anil, was found linked to earlier cases of similar nature registered in Punjab. In another operation in Una, Himachal Pradesh, police arrested Naman Puri (26), who was allegedly part of a digital arrest scam where victims were conned by fake TRAI and police officials. The complainant had lost Rs 30 lakh, of which Rs 11 lakh has been recovered, police said. In Meerut, Md Parvez was arrested in connection with an online investment scam that defrauded a teacher. Of Rs 33.9 lakh lost in the scam, Rs 1.75 lakh was recovered. Parvez allegedly handed over his bank account to an associate for commission-based fraudulent transactions. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Heres how to stay safe from scams Two more accused, identified as Deepak Saini and Mudit Arora, were nabbed from Saharanpur for duping an IT professional of Rs 29.74 lakh in a stock market investment fraud. They allegedly posed as SEBI and Morgan Stanley officials to convince the victim to invest in a fake AI-enabled trading platform, police said in an official statement. In Kanpur, police arrested Mehvish Akhtar in connection with a share market scam involving multiple layered transactions amounting to Rs 31 lakh, while in Mahoba, Neelesh Kumar was held for a similar fake investment fraud of Rs 26.9 lakh. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aditya Gautam said that over Rs 2.61 crore was involved in the frauds linked to the arrested accused, and technical surveillance and financial tracking were crucial in identifying their movements. Myanmar scam centres booming despite crackdown, using Musk's Starlink: Investigation

Mondelez India Strengthens its Sustainability Agenda with Climate-tech Investment in Promethean Energy

Mondelez India has announced an investment in Promethean Energy, a homegrown climate-tech company focused on decarbonizing industrial heat. The move underscores Mondelez India’s commitment to advancing scalable, innovative solutions that address industrial emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Promethean Energy leverages proprietary, IoT-enabled technology to capture and reuse waste heat, significantly reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions. To date, the company’s platform has helped abate over 100,000 tons of CO emissions across diverse sectors. Speaking about the investment, Ophira Bhatia, Vice President, India & Lead, AMEA, Corporate & Government Affairs, Mondelez International , said “ At Mondelez, sustainability is embedded into every aspect of our business strategy—it’s not an isolated priority. Our investment in Promethean Energy reflects our belief in the power of innovation to accelerate climate action. As we expand our sustainability footprint, we remain focused on measurable progress and long-term impact for both people and planet .” Mr. Ashwin Krishna K P, Head-Energy Efficiency from Promethean Energy Pvt. Ltd. said, " At Promethean, our mission has always been to decarbonize industrial heat at scale. This partnership with Mondelez is a strong validation of our technology and vision. Together, we will accelerate the transition to low-carbon facilities, showing that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand ." This investment is being made through Sustainable Futures, Mondelez International’s global impact investment platform that backs early-stage ventures driving social and environmental innovation. It builds on earlier partnerships such as the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund and reflects Mondelez’s broader ambition to embed sustainability across its global value chain.   About Mondelez India Foods Private Ltd. Mondelez India Foods Private Limited (formerly Cadbury India Ltd.) has been present in India for more than 75 years. The company introduced Cadbury Dairy Milk and Bournvita in India in 1948 and since then has been a leader in the chocolate category in the country. Part of Mondelz International, the company has iconic brands like Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk, Cadbury Celebrations, Cadbury Bournville, Cadbury 5Star, Cadbury Perk, Cadbury Fuse, Cadbury Gems, Cadbury Bournvita, Tang, Oreo, among several others in its portfolio. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company has sales offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai and manufacturing facilities at Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, in addition to a global Research & Development Technical Centre and Global Business Hub in Maharashtra and a vast distribution network across the country.   About Mondelez International x.com/MDLZ .   About Promethean Energy Founded by IIT Bombay alumni, Promethean Energy builds industrial-grade heat pump systems and waste heat recovery solutions to replace fossil-fuel-based heating in large factories and commercial establishments. The company’s proprietary systems combine high-efficiency thermal technology with thermal storage, smart controls, and real-time energy monitoring to deliver clean, reliable, and cost-effective heating.   prometheanenergy.com

Cosmo Foundation and Border Security Force (BSF) Join Hands in Expanding Delhi's Green Cover with a 15,000 - Miywaki & Fruit Bearing Forestry

Cosmo Foundation , the community outreach arm of Cosmo First Ltd., in a significant display of its commitment to climate action, has launched a large-scale “ Miyawaki & Fruit Bearing Forestry ” plantation drive in collaboration with the 25 Battalion Border Security Force (BSF) at its Chhawla campus in New Delhi. The initiative marks yet another major milestone in creating an extensive green cover within the BSF campus, strengthening Cosmo Foundation’s continued dedication to environmental sustainability.   Cosmo Foundation, 25 Bn BSF plant 15,000 trees   Inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, IPS, Director General, Border Security Force, through this initiative, Cosmo Foundation aims to plant 15,000 native trees across the campus. To support this, the BSF will be providing the necessary land, water, and resources to ensure the long-term maintenance and growth of the plantation, with Prayas Youth Foundation as the implementation partner. During his address, Mr. Chaudhary highlighted how BSF has grown over the years, and also remembering the contribution of Late Shri Ashwini Kumar, Padma Bhushan, former DG of BSF. Last year, Cosmo Foundation had planted 7,500 saplings of Miyawaki at the same campus and in order to cater to the water requirements, Cosmo had supported with laying of a borewell with piping & sprinkler system.   “The Border Security Force is deeply committed to the well-being of our nation, and that commitment extends to protecting our environment,” said Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, IPS, Director General, BSF , speaking on the occasion. “We are proud to partner with Cosmo Foundation in this meaningful effort. Planting 15,000 trees here at the Chhawala Campus is not just about adding greenery—it’s a vital step toward climate resilience and a powerful example of the synergy between national service and corporate social responsibility. We are immensely thankful to Cosmo Foundation for their continued contribution and in making our campus much greener.”   The event was graced by Mr. Ashok Jaipuria, Chairman, Board of Trustees – Cosmo Foundation and Chairman & Managing Director – Cosmo First Ltd., and Mrs. Yamini Jaipuria, Managing Trustee – Cosmo Foundation and Whole-time Director – Cosmo First Ltd. Senior BSF officials, senior team from Cosmo First Ltd, and Cosmo Foundation, students from BSF School and Jamia Hamdard University, Invitees and the implementation team were also present, contributing to the plantation drive.   In their joint statement, Mr. & Mrs. Jaipuria reaffirmed, “At Cosmo First, we believe that true industrial progress is measured not only by innovation and productivity but also by the positive footprint we leave on the environment. Our continuous investments in cleaner technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable operations reflect our long-term vision of growth that respects both people and the planet. This plantation drive strengthens that purpose—turning intent into action for a greener, more responsible future.”   This Miyawaki and Fruit Bearing Forestry drive is a part of Cosmo Foundation’s ongoing environmental mission, which has already resulted in the planting of over 1.6 lakh (1,60,000) trees across 179 acres in Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Notable successes include the creation of a Biodiversity Hub in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), where 40,000 trees have been planted, with plans for an additional 35,000 by FY 2025-26, establishing it as one of Maharashtra’s largest biodiversity zones.   Alongside this, Cosmo Foundation’s comprehensive environmental work includes maintaining urban green spaces, creating rainwater harvest systems, and conducting plantation drives with schools, BSF, Indian Army, and farmers. All of these are conducted while focusing on native tree plantation, Miyawaki, and agroforestry to improve air quality, support the environment and generate livelihood for farmers. Cosmo Foundation is also actively involved in education, and empowerment related activities – contributing to the 3E mission, while also making strides in health, and sanitation initiatives. Over the years, these community led initiatives have demonstrated Cosmo Foundation’s holistic approach to development and sustainable living – while adapting a People First approach.   About Cosmo Foundation Established in 2008, Cosmo Foundation is the community outreach initiative of Cosmo First Ltd., working to uplift underdeveloped communities near its operational locations in Karjan (Vadodara District) and Gangapur (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District), as well as in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and the tribal district of Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh). The Foundation’s programs focus on Education, Environment, and Empowerment, impacting more than 7.5 lakh (750,000) beneficiaries through various initiatives.   About Cosmo First Ltd. Established in 1981 and founded by Mr. Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo First is a global leader in Specialty films for Packaging, Labelling, Lamination, Industrial & Synthetic Paper (BOPP, BOPET and CPP), Cosmo Speciality Chemicals (Masterbatches, Adhesives, & Coating), Cosmo Plastech (Rigids - IML Containers and Specialty Sheets of PP / PET and HIPS) and Cosmo Sunshield (Window, Privacy and Security Films), along with a digital-first Omni channel Pet care business under the brand name ‘Zigly’. Cosmo First is into D2C, B2B2C and B2B businesses and has operations in India, Japan, Korea, Europe and Americas. Visit www.cosmofirst.com for more details.