Author: Agencies

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated three major initiatives of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), two state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) in Raipur and Mangaluru, a new Solar Power System at Mausam Bhawan, and a Meteorological Museum dedicated to students and young learners. Addressing the gathering after the launch, the Minister said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, IMD is rapidly implementing the dream project ‘Mission Mausam’, which Prime Minister…

JAMMU: Former MLC Vikramaditya Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir, participated in the General Council Meeting of Mayo College, Ajmer, held to commemorate the institution’s landmark 150th year. A Patron Member of the General Council, Vikramaditya’s presence reaffirmed the longstanding and distinguished association of the Dogra royal family with the prestigious institution. Vikramaditya Singh was inducted as a Patron Member of the Mayo College General Council in late 2024, becoming the only Patron Member from outside Rajasthan. In this capacity, he contributes to upholding the institution’s legacy, strengthening its educational framework, and guiding its vision as…

SRINAGAR: In a dramatic escalation of internal discord within the National Conference (NC), Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday skipped the party’s crucial Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting — reportedly after being left out of the invite list — and instead launched a political outreach programme in Ganderbal, the home constituency of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This is the first time since 2002 that Ruhullah, a permanent member of the CWC, was not asked to attend the meeting. The timing of his parallel visit — in Omar Abdullah’s stronghold and on the day the NC leadership met to review…

JAMMU: Four students from MV International School were honoured by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Ministry of Science & Technology, during the Curtain Raiser ceremony of the 11th India International Science Festival 2025 (IISF-2025) held at the Central University of Jammu. Dr. Singh congratulated the young innovators for their creative project “BioChar Sponge Pellets”, praising their scientific curiosity and problem-solving approach. The event was jointly organised by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and the Himalayan High Altitude Atmospheric and Climate Research…

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has permanently blacklisted M/s LMES IT LLP and its director Maharaj Krishan Wali, prohibiting them from participating in any future recruitment-related tenders in the Union Territory. The action comes in connection with serious irregularities detected in the 2020 Firemen and Firemen Drivers recruitment, conducted by the Fire & Emergency Services Department. The decision has been formalised through Government Order No. 1540-JK(GAD) of 2025, issued by the General Administration Department (Vigilance), following a detailed, multi-stage probe into the recruitment process. According to the order, the UT government had constituted an inquiry committee in December 2022…

JAMMU: Displaying remarkable skill and competitive grit, Shashwat, a student of Class 8F at Heritage School, has achieved a remarkable double triumph in the Under-13 badminton circuit, bringing pride to his institution. At the 52nd UT Badminton Championship, Shashwat clinched the U-13 Doubles Title, demonstrating excellent teamwork, agility, and court awareness. His strong performance continued in Srinagar, where he secured the Gold Medal in the U-13 Boys Inter-District Championship, held from 18–19 November 2025 and organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports. Heritage School has lauded his exceptional achievements and extended heartfelt congratulations, wishing him continued success and…

NEW DELHI: In a landmark auction in Haryana, the vehicle registration number HR88 BB 8888 has become the most expensive licence plate ever sold in India, fetching an astounding ₹1.17 crore on Wednesday. The bidding war unfolded on the state government’s official VIP number auction portal, where the price had already surged to ₹88 lakh by midday before crossing the crore mark later in the afternoon. The number belongs to the Kundli RTO series under Sonipat district. Although the reserve price for numbers in the HR88 series was fixed at ₹50,000, this particular registration attracted 45 enthusiastic bidders, pushing the…

JAMMU: Jammu Police have apprehended a 19-year-old youth, originally from Reasi district and currently residing in the Bathindi area, who has emerged as a key suspect in FIR No. 331/2025, registered under Section 113(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Bahu Fort. According to the preliminary investigation, the accused had been undergoing online radicalisation and was allegedly planning to execute a terror-related act. JLN Initial inputs also indicate that he had been in contact through mobile communication with certain numbers based in Pakistan and other foreign locations. Police have seized his digital devices, which are now undergoing…

SRINAGAR: The cold spell sweeping across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh intensified further, pulling down temperatures across most parts of the region. Srinagar recorded its coldest night of the season at -4.4°C. In south Kashmir, Shopian remained the coldest inhabited area, plunging to -6.5°C. Nearby Pulwama and Baramulla followed closely, registering minimum temperatures of -5.8°C and -5.5°C, respectively. The districts of Anantnag and Kulgam also saw sharp dips, settling at -5.7°C and -2.4°C. In north Kashmir, Bandipora and Kupwara both recorded lows of -4.5°C. Central Kashmir was no exception, with Budgam freezing at -4.6°C and Ganderbal touching -3.3°C. The harshest…

MUMBAI: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) continued its upward momentum on Wednesday, with its shares rising nearly 2 per cent and pushing the company’s market capitalisation past the ₹21 lakh crore milestone. On the BSE, the stock gained 1.99 per cent to close at ₹1,569.75 after touching a 52-week high of ₹1,571.80 during the trading session. At the NSE, Reliance shares advanced 1.96 per cent to finish at ₹1,569.90, also hitting an intra-day 52-week peak of ₹1,571.60. With this rally, the conglomerate’s market valuation climbed to ₹21,24,259.89 crore by market close. This marks the second consecutive day of gains for RIL,…