India becoming ‘Vishwaguru’ is certain to happen, don’t doubt country’s future: Bhagwat

By

-

April 25, 2026

NAGPUR, Apr 24 : RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said India will certainly become a ‘Vishwaguru’ and nobody should harbour any doubts about the country’s future.

Earlier, people doubted if Ram temple will ever be built, but it came into being. Similarly, India becoming a ‘vishwaguru’ (teacher to the world) is certain to happen, he said.

Bhagwat was speaking after laying the foundation stone of Bharat Durga Mandir here.

The vision of India becoming a vishwaguru would be realised through consistent efforts and collective discipline, he said, expressing confidence that such a transformation could be witnessed in the present generation.

Doubts about India’s future should be abandoned, he said.

“Don’t doubt India’s future. Live with courage and self-reliance and practise these values in daily life. India will be strong and will guide the world,” he said.

“There should be no confusion whether it will happen or not. What is destined will happen,” he said, citing the Ram temple movement as an example of perseverance leading to eventual success.

“If we act according to our resolve step by step, India will become strong, virtuous and a global guide,” he added.

Bhagwat said that to truly understand India, people must first understand Bharat deeply and then begin to live it in their everyday lives.

“To worship Bharat Mata, we must become Bharat ourselves,” he said, adding that the country must be understood from its own civilisational values rather than through a colonial or Western lens developed over 150 years.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief urged citizens to shed “layers of Western thinking” and reconnect with Indian traditions in thought and conduct.

This transformation would begin with small but meaningful changes in daily life such as language, clothing, food habits and cultural practices, he said.

“India must be known, accepted and lived in daily life,” he said, stressing that only through such a process of self-realisation can the vision of a strong and confident India be achieved.

The idea of worshipping Bharat Mata is not limited to rituals, but requires individuals to transform themselves into Bharat in their own lives, he said.( PTI)

Gold, silver drop for 3rd day on strengthening of US dollar

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

NEW DELHI, Apr 24 : Precious metal prices extended losses for the third straight session in the national capital on Friday, with gold declining Rs 200 and silver plunging Rs 3,000 amid a firm US dollar and elevated global uncertainty.

According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity slipped Rs 200 to Rs 1,55,900 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Thursday’s closing level of Rs 1,56,100 per 10 grams.

Silver also dropped Rs 3,000 to Rs 2,47,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,50,000 per kg in the previous market session.

“Gold continued to face pressure, trading near a two-week low with a negative bias as ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia kept market sentiment cautious,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has kept energy prices elevated, reinforcing inflation concerns and limiting the upside in gold, he added.

“A firm dollar and steady US Treasury bond yields have added to further the downside pressure. The dollar index is on track for its first weekly gain after three consecutive declines, reducing the appeal of non-yielding assets like gold,” Gandhi said.

In the international markets, spot gold rose marginally to USD 4,708.17 per ounce, while silver gained nearly 1 per cent to USD 75.96 per ounce.

Price action continues to be driven by developments in West Asia, particularly tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the US presence in the Strait of Hormuz, which have kept uncertainty elevated, Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.

With conflicting signals and no clear resolution, gold is likely to remain volatile and driven by news flow, he added.

Kaynat Chainwala, AVP Commodity Research, Kotak Securities, said April’s preliminary University of Michigan inflation expectations surged to 4.8 per cent, marking the sharpest monthly increase since April 2025.

The final reading due later in the day will be a crucial input ahead of the April 28-29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision, which is expected to provide further direction on monetary policy path and near-term trajectory for bullion prices, she added. (PTI)

APS Cluster-1 Football tourney concludes

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

Winning team posing along with trophy alongside dignitaries during a programme.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: The Inter APS Cluster Football Tournament 2026, hosted by Army Public School Samba, concluded after a week-long sporting event held from April 18 to 24. The tournament featured enthusiastic participation from various Army Public Schools across Cluster-1 in the U-15 and U-17 boys’ categories.
In the U-15 final, a closely contested match between APS Samba and Army Public School Jammu Cantt ended in a thrilling tie-breaker. APS Samba emerged victorious with a 3-1 win in penalties, while APS Jammu Cantt secured the first runner-up position. Army Public School BD Bari finished as second runner-up.
In the U-17 category final, APS Samba displayed strong teamwork and dominance, defeating APS Jammu Cantt by 3-0 to clinch the championship title. APS Jammu Cantt secured the first runner-up position, while Army Public School Kaluchak stood third.
Winners and runners-up were awarded trophies, medals and certificates. The Principal of APS Samba congratulated all participating teams and highlighted the importance of sports in building discipline, teamwork and overall personality development among students. The event concluded on a high note, promoting sportsmanship, unity and competitive spirit among young players across the cluster.

Punjab tests emergency preparedness with statewide blackout, mock drills

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

CHANDIGARH, April 24: The Punjab administration conducted a comprehensive state-wide exercise on Friday to evaluate the emergency response capabilities of its districts in the event of a potential wartime scenario.
As part of the preparedness drive, a 15-minute blackout was observed across various districts between 8:00 PM and 8:15 PM, requiring residents and establishments to switch off all lights to simulate wartime conditions.
The exercise, however, faced a brief administrative hiccup in Mohali, where lights were switched off prematurely, ahead of the designated siren. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal took immediate cognizance of the lapse and reprimanded the concerned officials.
Following the correction, the lights were restored briefly, and the blackout was subsequently executed in adherence to the proper protocol, following the activation of the sirens.
Beyond the blackout, the administration orchestrated large-scale mock drills in major cities, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Pathankot, and Mohali. These drills were designed to simulate various emergencies, ranging from fire-fighting operations and high-rise rescue missions to the extraction of trapped civilians and the medical management of casualties during combat conditions.
The operations saw coordinated efforts between civil administration teams, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Civil Defence personnel, and NCC cadets.
A spokesperson for the Punjab government urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the activities were strictly part of a planned mock exercise, and requested continued cooperation from the citizens.
This state-wide drill is part of a recurring security strategy; similar measures were previously implemented in May of the preceding year following reports of potential cross-border escalation after the Indian security forces initiated ‘Operation Sindoor’.
The administration reiterated that such exercises are vital for maintaining high levels of vigilance and ensuring that public safety protocols remain robust in the face of evolving security challenges.
(UNI)

RBI imposes penalty on Bandhan Bank, Muthoot Housing Finance Company

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

MUMBAI, Apr 24 : The Reserve Bank on Friday said it has imposed a Rs 41.8 lakh penalty on Bandhan Bank for non-compliance with certain norms, including directions on Know Your Customer.

While imposing a penalty on Bandhan Bank, the RBI said the bank failed to carry out periodic review of risk categorisation of certain categories of accounts, and had sanctioned director-related loans.

“The action is based on deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers,” the RBI said.

In another statement, the central bank said it has slapped a penalty of Rs 80,000 on Muthoot Housing Finance Company for non-compliance with certain directions issued by the RBI on ‘Fair Practice Code’.

In this case also, the RBI said, the penalty is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers. (PTI)

MRS Sports Club to host Dogra Legacy Half Marathon on Apr 26

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

Dignitaries unveiling Dogra Legacy Half Marathon jersey during an event on Friday.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: The Maharaja Ranbir Singh Sports Club (MRS Sports Club), RS Pura, Jammu, has announced the organisation of the first-ever “The Dogra Legacy Half Marathon” on April 26, on the theme “Say No to Drugs”, aimed at spreading awareness on fitness and a drug-free society while promoting the rich Dogra heritage.
The event is being dedicated to the memory of late Pranav Mahajan, popularly known as “Shan-e-RS Pura”, a former Ranji player and a respected sports personality known for his lifelong mission of promoting fitness among youth, especially in border areas. His dedication continues to inspire young athletes to adopt sports as a way of life.
The announcement was made during a press briefing cum jersey unveiling event held at RS Pura by marathon runners and members of MRS Sports Club, including SSP Surinder Choudhary (Dy Commandant IR 14th Battalion), DySP Naresh Sharma (Ex National Handball Player), Harmeek Singh, Vikram Sharma, Anil Kapoor and Puneet Mahajan.
The 21.1 km half marathon will begin at 5:00 am from Shaurya Resort, Kullian (Miran Sahib,) and proceed up to Octroi Post, Suchetgarh border and back. In addition, 10 km and 5 km races will also be conducted, with prizes to be awarded across various age categories for both men and women. More than 500 participants have already registered.
The event is being organised in collaboration with the Border Security Force and RS Pura administration as part of the ongoing 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir campaign. Inspector General Shashank Anand of BSF Jammu Frontier will be the chief guest, while the event is being managed by Real Time Sports, Jammu.

UK man jailed for life for religiously aggravated rape of Sikh woman

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

LONDON, Apr 24: A 32-year-old man who had pleaded guilty to the religiously aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in UK’s Walsall was sentenced to life imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

John Ashby, a British man arrested last October days after the attack that sent shockwaves within the West Midlands community, had initially denied charges of sexual assault, strangulation, racially aggravated actual bodily harm and robbery before admitting the crimes.

He has now been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 14 years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.

The judge described Ashby as a “deeply unpleasant racist and Islamophobe” after the court had previously heard that he had directed anti-Muslim rants at the woman during the attack.

“I have no doubt that you are a very dangerous man,” Justice Pepperall told him during the sentencing hearing.

“You pose an extreme danger to women and no reliable way to say how long you remain a danger,” he said.

According to a BBC court report, Justice Pepperall detailed some of the aggravating factors that had resulted in his life sentence ruling as Ashby’s drug use, previous offending, using the stick as a weapon and the “severe psychological harm” his actions had on the victim for being targeted in her own home.

During the trial earlier this week, the jury heard how the victim – in her 20s – was followed by Ashby from the bus stop to her home.

Later, CCTV footage showed that he had been riding the same bus as her on October 25 last year. He went on to subject her to a tirade of anti-Muslim abuse, wrongly believing her to be of that faith.

In an impact statement read out in court on Friday, the victim whose anonymity is protected by law revealed how the attack had changed every part of her life.

“Immediately after the incident, I knew I had to move house. I could not go back into the place I once called home,” she said in her statement.

The court heard how she and her partner were due to marry in January until her life was “drastically changed” by the attack.

“I feel like that version has been stripped away with no explanation. I feel lost,” she said.

After her attacker had pleaded guilty, the victim who was in court and visibly upset during the course of the sentencing hearing said she “finally felt free” and no longer “trapped”.

“I know he can no longer get to me or hurt me anymore… I refuse to let this define me and stop me from living my life to the fullest,” she added.

Earlier, the court heard that the attack only came to an end because Ashby was “evidently spooked by a noise outside” and ran away, taking the victim’s jewellery and a mobile phone.

The woman raised the alarm before police arrived, and later picked her attacker out at an identity parade days later.

In a video interview played in the court this week, the victim told police that her attacker had a stick in his hand and verbally abused her.

According to local media reports from Birmingham, Ashby’s guilty plea followed a heated outburst from a member of the Sikh community in the public gallery during an earlier hearing. (PTI)

Chirag Paswan visits Khatu Shyam, Salasar Balaji temples in Rajasthan

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

JAIPUR, Apr 24 : Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday offered prayers at the Khatu Shyam temple and the Salasar Balaji temple in Rajasthan.

Paswan, who was accompanied by his family, first visited the Khatu Shyam temple in Sikar district.

“Today, I offered prayers at the famous Khatu Shyam ji temple in Rajasthan with my family and prayed for happiness, prosperity and peace for all citizens. Jai Shri Shyam,” he said in a social media post.

Speaking to reporters later, Paswan claimed the NDA would come to power in the five states and Union territory where assembly elections were held recently.

“A strong NDA government is going to be formed in the states where assembly elections have been held,” he said.

Paswan later visited the Salasar Balaji temple and offered prayers there. (PTI)

RBI cancels banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

MUMBAI, Apr 24: The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it has cancelled the banking licence issued to Paytm Payments Bank.

The licence was cancelled as the “affairs of the bank were conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the bank and its depositors”, the RBI said in a statement.

“The general character of the management of the bank is prejudicial to the interest of depositors as also the public interest,” it said.

Consequently, Paytm Payments Bank is prohibited from conducting any “banking” business, it said.

The RBI also said it will make an application to the high court to wind up the bank.

“Paytm Payments Bank Limited has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up of the bank,” it said.

Paytm Payments Bank has been barred from onboarding new customers with effect from March 11, 2022. (PTI)

Drug Controller flags off bike rally to Sonamarg

By

Daily Excelsior

-

April 25, 2026

Drug Controller, J&K, Rajesh Kumar, flagging off a bike rally from Church Lane, Residency Road, Jammu.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: State Drug Controller, J&K, Rajesh Kumar today flagged off a bike rally organized as a group ride from Church Lane, Residency Road, Jammu to Sonmarg, Kashmir.
The rally was led by Kelvin Bhatti, president of We Care Team, in collaboration with the Drug & Food Control Organization J&K, as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan.
The primary objective of the rally was to raise awareness about the growing menace of drug abuse. A large number of volunteers and officials participated, aiming to sensitize the public and promote a collective responsibility towards building a drug-free society.
While addressing the gathering, Rajesh Kumar emphasized that the fight against drug abuse is a “moral and social emergency.” He stated that the success of the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan depends on active public participation and ownership. He further highlighted that the Union Territory administration has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to eliminate drug abuse from society.
He stressed that the role of parents, teachers, and religious leaders is crucial and cannot be undermined, as they serve as the first line of defence against drug addiction. He urged participants to act as role models in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse among the masses and to share collective responsibility in combating this serious issue.
He also informed that the department has intensified its crackdown on the illegal trade of habit-forming drugs being in fluxed in the Union Territory through unregulated channels. He further informed that surprise checks of all drug sale establishments across J&K are being conducted to ensure compliance.