Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to change the society's mindset about the menace of "depression" and to encourage its victims to speak up.

"We are aware about depression. However, it is true that those suffering from depression are not forthcoming to share their exprerience with others because he or she feels ashamed to do so. We should change this and encourage them to speak and share their burden," Modi said during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address. 

He said that depression was not an incurable ailment and one can get rid of it if a right psychological environment is built for him or her. 

Emphasising the importance of speaking up once more, Modi said: "Suppression of depression is not good. Expression is always good. If depressed, share your feelings with others, it will make you feel better."

He made the remarks ahead of World Health Day on April 7.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to change the society's mindset about the menace of "depression" and to encourage its victims to speak up.

"We are aware about depression. However, it is true that those suffering from depression are not forthcoming to share their exprerience with others because he or she feels ashamed to do so. We should change this and encourage them to speak and share their burden," Modi said during his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address. 

He said that depression was not an incurable ailment and one can get rid of it if a right psychological environment is built for him or her. 

Emphasising the importance of speaking up once more, Modi said: "Suppression of depression is not good. Expression is always good. If depressed, share your feelings with others, it will make you feel better."

He made the remarks ahead of World Health Day on April 7.

China's premier has arrived in New Zealand for high-level talks at a time that both countries are pushing to expand free trade.
Premier Li Keqiang arrived at Wellington Airport on Sunday, where he was greeted at the military terminal by New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English.

The premier stepped off his plane, gave a quick wave toward media and then stepped into a waiting car. His motorcade left for Premier House where he was attending a dinner.

As the motorcade left the airport, the premier was greeted by Chinese well-wishers wearing red shirts and holding banners and the flags of both China and New Zealand. Unlike on some previous visits by Chinese leaders, there weren't any visible protesters.
Li plans to be in the country until March 29. As well as a bilateral meeting with English, the premier is planning to visit a factory and a view a photography exhibition.

The premier traveled to New Zealand after visiting Australia, where he warned against protectionism and said China wanted to expand its trading relationship.

New Zealand has also been pushing to expand free trade. Last week English announced a goal to have free trade agreements cover 90 percent of exports by 2030, up from just over 50 percent at the moment.

As part of that plan, New Zealand will spend tens of millions of dollars opening a new embassy in Ireland, a new high commission in Sri Lanka, and targeting barriers it considers are holding back trade.

The approach from China and New Zealand stands in contrast to that of the US, where President Donald Trump has pulled out of a planned Pacific free-trade agreement and has expressed skepticism about other such agreements.

China and Australia represent New Zealand's largest export markets. China buys huge quantities of milk powder from New Zealand, which is used in high-end infant formula.

China and New Zealand signed a free-trade agreement in 2008. English said recently the agreement is working well but needs some fine-tuning.

China's premier has arrived in New Zealand for high-level talks at a time that both countries are pushing to expand free trade.
Premier Li Keqiang arrived at Wellington Airport on Sunday, where he was greeted at the military terminal by New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English.

The premier stepped off his plane, gave a quick wave toward media and then stepped into a waiting car. His motorcade left for Premier House where he was attending a dinner.

As the motorcade left the airport, the premier was greeted by Chinese well-wishers wearing red shirts and holding banners and the flags of both China and New Zealand. Unlike on some previous visits by Chinese leaders, there weren't any visible protesters.
Li plans to be in the country until March 29. As well as a bilateral meeting with English, the premier is planning to visit a factory and a view a photography exhibition.

The premier traveled to New Zealand after visiting Australia, where he warned against protectionism and said China wanted to expand its trading relationship.

New Zealand has also been pushing to expand free trade. Last week English announced a goal to have free trade agreements cover 90 percent of exports by 2030, up from just over 50 percent at the moment.

As part of that plan, New Zealand will spend tens of millions of dollars opening a new embassy in Ireland, a new high commission in Sri Lanka, and targeting barriers it considers are holding back trade.

The approach from China and New Zealand stands in contrast to that of the US, where President Donald Trump has pulled out of a planned Pacific free-trade agreement and has expressed skepticism about other such agreements.

China and Australia represent New Zealand's largest export markets. China buys huge quantities of milk powder from New Zealand, which is used in high-end infant formula.

China and New Zealand signed a free-trade agreement in 2008. English said recently the agreement is working well but needs some fine-tuning.

With its many remnants of World War-II, North East India, especially Manipur and Nagaland, is an important part of the reconciliation process between Japan and Britain, Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu has said.

He made these comments during a special screening of “Memories of a Forgotten War”, a feature-length documentary directed by Utpal Borpujari and produced by Subimal Bhattacharjee.

Hiramatsu, who is a keen advocate of the reconciliation process for several decades now, has visited Manipur, Nagaland and Assam in the recent past and is planning to visit Manipur again to participate in the annual World War-II commemoration programme in the state in May.

The screening on March 24 evening was hosted by Hiramatsu at his official residence for the senior officials of his embassy as well as representatives of a few Japanese organisations, including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan Information Centre, a release issued the director of the film said.

Hiramatsu also stressed on the efforts to collect the bones of dead Japanese soldiers from various parts of the region. He said it would be a ongoing process aimed at enabling the soldier's families and the people of Japan to pay their last respects to those who laid down their lives for the nation.

He appreciated the unbiased and humanitarian approach of the film, which had its world premiere as part of the Indian Panorama at the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa last year.

Addressing the gathering, Bhattacharjee said the film was an effort to bring out a positive aspect of the North East and tells an important historical narrative of the region that is often projected in a negative way in the rest of the country.

Borpujari said the film was part of his continuing efforts to bring out untold stories from the North East through the medium of cinema.
Among those present at the screening were senior Embassy officials such as Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Yukata Kikuta, Minister (Political Affairs) Hideki Asari, First Secretary Kenji Aya, First Secretary Daisuke Kodama, Deputy Head (Political Section) Shunichi Inoue, Japan Information Centre director Mizuho Hayakawa, JICA senior representative Takayoshi Tange and representative Yoshiki Ehara.

Also present at the screening was tbe film's executive producer Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, the release said.
 

With its many remnants of World War-II, North East India, especially Manipur and Nagaland, is an important part of the reconciliation process between Japan and Britain, Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu has said.

He made these comments during a special screening of “Memories of a Forgotten War”, a feature-length documentary directed by Utpal Borpujari and produced by Subimal Bhattacharjee.

Hiramatsu, who is a keen advocate of the reconciliation process for several decades now, has visited Manipur, Nagaland and Assam in the recent past and is planning to visit Manipur again to participate in the annual World War-II commemoration programme in the state in May.

The screening on March 24 evening was hosted by Hiramatsu at his official residence for the senior officials of his embassy as well as representatives of a few Japanese organisations, including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan Information Centre, a release issued the director of the film said.

Hiramatsu also stressed on the efforts to collect the bones of dead Japanese soldiers from various parts of the region. He said it would be a ongoing process aimed at enabling the soldier's families and the people of Japan to pay their last respects to those who laid down their lives for the nation.

He appreciated the unbiased and humanitarian approach of the film, which had its world premiere as part of the Indian Panorama at the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa last year.

Addressing the gathering, Bhattacharjee said the film was an effort to bring out a positive aspect of the North East and tells an important historical narrative of the region that is often projected in a negative way in the rest of the country.

Borpujari said the film was part of his continuing efforts to bring out untold stories from the North East through the medium of cinema.
Among those present at the screening were senior Embassy officials such as Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Yukata Kikuta, Minister (Political Affairs) Hideki Asari, First Secretary Kenji Aya, First Secretary Daisuke Kodama, Deputy Head (Political Section) Shunichi Inoue, Japan Information Centre director Mizuho Hayakawa, JICA senior representative Takayoshi Tange and representative Yoshiki Ehara.

Also present at the screening was tbe film's executive producer Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, the release said.
 

Anushka Sharma has emerged as one of the most successful young stars of Bollywood but the actress says she cannot imagine herself handling the stardom the way Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan do.

Anushka, who made her debut with Shah Rukh in "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi," went on to star opposite Aamir Khan in "PK" and Salman in last year's blockbuster "Sultan".

The 28-year-old actress says she has not achieved the superstardom yet, but whatever she has scares her.

"I sometimes think about this (referring to stardom) and get scared. I haven't experienced superstardom like Salman, Shah Rukh or Aamir. But even this (my stardom) can give a false sense, forget about what they face.

"I won't be able to handle it. It's a talent the way Salman, Shah Rukh handle their stardom," Anushka told PTI.

Citing an example of SRK, with whom she has collaborated for the third time in Imtiaz Ali's upcoming project, the actress says, "I recently worked with Shah Rukh and the dedication with which he works, the enthusiasm, the amount of respect he gives to the director despite coming a long way in life, is not easy." 

Anushka may have had a great run at the box office but the actress does not take her success seriously.

Anushka Sharma has emerged as one of the most successful young stars of Bollywood but the actress says she cannot imagine herself handling the stardom the way Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan do.

Anushka, who made her debut with Shah Rukh in "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi," went on to star opposite Aamir Khan in "PK" and Salman in last year's blockbuster "Sultan".

The 28-year-old actress says she has not achieved the superstardom yet, but whatever she has scares her.

"I sometimes think about this (referring to stardom) and get scared. I haven't experienced superstardom like Salman, Shah Rukh or Aamir. But even this (my stardom) can give a false sense, forget about what they face.

"I won't be able to handle it. It's a talent the way Salman, Shah Rukh handle their stardom," Anushka told PTI.

Citing an example of SRK, with whom she has collaborated for the third time in Imtiaz Ali's upcoming project, the actress says, "I recently worked with Shah Rukh and the dedication with which he works, the enthusiasm, the amount of respect he gives to the director despite coming a long way in life, is not easy." 

Anushka may have had a great run at the box office but the actress does not take her success seriously.

At least six persons, including two police officers, were killed in two explosions in Bangladesh's Sylhet city, police said on Sunday.

More than 40 others were injured in the blasts on Saturday near a militant hideout in the city, some 240 km from capital Dhaka.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Zedan Al Musa said the explosions came a day after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the country's main airport in Dhaka.

That attack has been claimed by Islamic State.

The seriously wounded include Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Intelligence chief who has been flown to Dhaka for better treatment.

One of the injured, Gulzar Ahmed, told bdnews24.com that some onlookers stopped a person carrying a black polythene bag.

"The blast occurred just after he said that there was red spinach in the bag. Five to six people were injured in the explosion," he said.

"Another large explosion occurred when police and RAB rushed to the scene. Around 25 people were injured in the second blast," he added.

Witnesses earlier blamed two people riding a motorcycle for the explosion at one end of the street where the militant hideout is located.

The blasts came within an hour of a media briefing on a raid at the hideout housing two buildings – one five-storey and the other four-storey.

Police said the militants rented a flat some months ago. 

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condemned the twin blasts. "Strongly condemn the suicide attack in Sylhet. My solidarity with the brothers and sisters in Bangladesh," Banerjee tweeted.

At least six persons, including two police officers, were killed in two explosions in Bangladesh's Sylhet city, police said on Sunday.

More than 40 others were injured in the blasts on Saturday near a militant hideout in the city, some 240 km from capital Dhaka.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner Zedan Al Musa said the explosions came a day after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the country's main airport in Dhaka.

That attack has been claimed by Islamic State.

The seriously wounded include Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Intelligence chief who has been flown to Dhaka for better treatment.

One of the injured, Gulzar Ahmed, told bdnews24.com that some onlookers stopped a person carrying a black polythene bag.

"The blast occurred just after he said that there was red spinach in the bag. Five to six people were injured in the explosion," he said.

"Another large explosion occurred when police and RAB rushed to the scene. Around 25 people were injured in the second blast," he added.

Witnesses earlier blamed two people riding a motorcycle for the explosion at one end of the street where the militant hideout is located.

The blasts came within an hour of a media briefing on a raid at the hideout housing two buildings – one five-storey and the other four-storey.

Police said the militants rented a flat some months ago. 

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condemned the twin blasts. "Strongly condemn the suicide attack in Sylhet. My solidarity with the brothers and sisters in Bangladesh," Banerjee tweeted.

Two of the three persons involved in a rifle snatching incident in Jammu have been arrested, the police said on Sunday.

"We have arrested two persons belonging to the Kashmir Valley in yesterday's (Saturday) rifle snatching incident," Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal told IANS here.

"The third person is still at large with the stolen weapon, but will be arrested soon," Jamwal said.

The official did not mention whether the incident was connected with militancy in the valley.

Three persons on Saturday snatched an AK-47 rifle from policeman Muhammad Hanief near the Tawi Bridge here.

Hanief was deployed as the personal security guard (PSO) of Maulana Dehlavi, Chairman of Anjuman-e-Minhaj-e-Rasool, a religious organisation. 

The Islamic cleric is visiting Jammu. The policeman was returning to the district police lines after dropping Dehlavi at the state guest house here when he was attacked and his AK-47 was snatched.
 

Two of the three persons involved in a rifle snatching incident in Jammu have been arrested, the police said on Sunday.

"We have arrested two persons belonging to the Kashmir Valley in yesterday's (Saturday) rifle snatching incident," Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal told IANS here.

"The third person is still at large with the stolen weapon, but will be arrested soon," Jamwal said.

The official did not mention whether the incident was connected with militancy in the valley.

Three persons on Saturday snatched an AK-47 rifle from policeman Muhammad Hanief near the Tawi Bridge here.

Hanief was deployed as the personal security guard (PSO) of Maulana Dehlavi, Chairman of Anjuman-e-Minhaj-e-Rasool, a religious organisation. 

The Islamic cleric is visiting Jammu. The policeman was returning to the district police lines after dropping Dehlavi at the state guest house here when he was attacked and his AK-47 was snatched.
 

More than 30 persons were injured when several houses collapsed in a suspected gas explosion in Britain, the media reported on Sunday.

Houses shook and windows were smashed late Saturday night in the blast — described as sounding like an earthquake — which left bricks and debris strewn on roads in Bebington, Wirral county, the BBC reported.

Of a total 34 injured, two are said to be in a serious condition, according to a senior fire service official.

People from a number of houses in the area were evacuated, and more than 100 persons were moved overnight to a nearby church.

A dance studio for children, Complete Works, which was unoccupied at the time, was destroyed.

More than 30 persons were injured when several houses collapsed in a suspected gas explosion in Britain, the media reported on Sunday.

Houses shook and windows were smashed late Saturday night in the blast — described as sounding like an earthquake — which left bricks and debris strewn on roads in Bebington, Wirral county, the BBC reported.

Of a total 34 injured, two are said to be in a serious condition, according to a senior fire service official.

People from a number of houses in the area were evacuated, and more than 100 persons were moved overnight to a nearby church.

A dance studio for children, Complete Works, which was unoccupied at the time, was destroyed.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee will not be hiring its own PhD students as faculty members on completion of their course despite their academic and research credentials.

“We are not open to hiring our own PhD students as faculty members and would prefer to hire best faculty from across the country and the globe. Hiring your own students is like marrying in your own family,” IIT Roorkee Director Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi told PTI.

“It is a very regressive practice as somebody who has studied here only will not get fresh ideas as their umbilical cord will never be broken. He or she will have seniors and teachers to support and guide so the person will never develop an individuality despite his academic and research credentials,” he added.

The premier institute, however, is welcoming its BTech students to pursue PhD on completion of their engineering degrees. It also plans to hire more foreign faculty members as the government has relaxed norms for hiring foreign faculty in IITs.

“There are foreign faculty members in IITs right now as well, but they are just a handful because of stringent government norms. However, the norms are getting relaxed now to let us hire more foreign nationals,” Chaturvedi said.

Foreign faculty in IITs can work as contractual employees for five years. The contract is renewable and though they are not offered permanent positions, they get paid at par with faculty members in India.

After paving the way for direct admission of BTech students in PhD courses, the HRD Ministry has also come up with a Prime Minister's Research fellowship under which Selected PhD fellows at receive Rs 75,000 per month but will have to return the entire amount if they leave the course midway. The scheme, however, is yet to get the Cabinet nod.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee will not be hiring its own PhD students as faculty members on completion of their course despite their academic and research credentials.

“We are not open to hiring our own PhD students as faculty members and would prefer to hire best faculty from across the country and the globe. Hiring your own students is like marrying in your own family,” IIT Roorkee Director Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi told PTI.

“It is a very regressive practice as somebody who has studied here only will not get fresh ideas as their umbilical cord will never be broken. He or she will have seniors and teachers to support and guide so the person will never develop an individuality despite his academic and research credentials,” he added.

The premier institute, however, is welcoming its BTech students to pursue PhD on completion of their engineering degrees. It also plans to hire more foreign faculty members as the government has relaxed norms for hiring foreign faculty in IITs.

“There are foreign faculty members in IITs right now as well, but they are just a handful because of stringent government norms. However, the norms are getting relaxed now to let us hire more foreign nationals,” Chaturvedi said.

Foreign faculty in IITs can work as contractual employees for five years. The contract is renewable and though they are not offered permanent positions, they get paid at par with faculty members in India.

After paving the way for direct admission of BTech students in PhD courses, the HRD Ministry has also come up with a Prime Minister's Research fellowship under which Selected PhD fellows at receive Rs 75,000 per month but will have to return the entire amount if they leave the course midway. The scheme, however, is yet to get the Cabinet nod.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez enjoyed a romantic dinner date in Beverly Hills just days after returning from their whirlwind getaway to the Bahamas.

The pair was spotted leaving the Bel-Air Hotel together in a luxury car, reported E! Online.

Lopez, 47, wore her signature gold oversized hoop earrings to accessorize her light ensemble, while Rodriguez wore a black wool coat and matching shirt.

"All his friends can tell he really likes JLo (but) in the beginning they thought this may just be a fling. Friends are slowly thinking this may actually be a great match.

"He calls JLo his 'lady'. He would wife her up in a heartbeat… She is different than other people he's dated," a source said.