Latest news with #Anurag
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Overspeeding cause of 90% road accidents in Tripura, says DGP
Agartala: Tripura director general of police (DGP) Anurag on Wednesday highlighted the alarming trend of road traffic fatalities in the state, revealing that 90% of road accidents are caused by overspeeding and that more people die in accidents than in murder cases. Speaking at an event at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala, where 16 ambulances were distributed and the Vehicle Location Tracking and Monitoring System was virtually inaugurated, the DGP said road safety remains a critical concern. "On an average, one person dies every 3.5 minutes in road accidents in India. In Tripura, two people died every three days last year. This year, it has improved slightly, with two deaths occurring every four days," Anurag said. "Thanks to a focused road safety drive, Tripura's performance is now better than the national average," he said. The DGP said the police and traffic units are adopting the '4E' approach — Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Emergency Services — to enhance road safety. Highlighting the progress, he said road traffic accident (RTA) deaths in Tripura were 13% lower in 2023 compared to the previous year. In the current year, up to June, RTA deaths have declined by 30%, and total accidents have dropped by 10%. "Over-speeding is the main cause of road accidents. While it accounts for 71% of accidents nationwide, in Tripura, it contributes to 90% of the cases. Other contributing factors include driving under the influence, poor vehicle maintenance and violation of traffic rules," he said. The DGP stressed the importance of public cooperation in adhering to traffic rules to reduce fatalities and injuries. He noted with concern that 66% of accident victims are youth between 18 and 45 years of age. "Last year Tripura recorded 226 deaths from road accidents, while 116 people were murdered. Clearly, accidental deaths significantly outnumber those caused by crime," Anurag said.
India Today
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Anurag Basu credits Irrfan for Metro In Dino: This film is a tribute to him and KK
Filmmkaer Anurag Basu recently spoke about his upcoming film 'Metro In Dino' and how it is an ode to the late actor Irrfan and singer KK. The film is set to hit theatres on July 4, 2025. The director shared that both the artistes were integral to the 2007 original 'Life In A Metro'. Basu credited Irrfan for proposing the idea of making a an interview with News18 Showsha, Anurag said, 'Post 'Jagga Jasoos', Irrfan and I were talking about a sequel to 'Life In A Metro'. He, in fact, had given me the idea to start working on it. He told me, 'Metro 2 banaate hai.' He told me about it much later, not immediately after the first film.'Back in 2017, there were reports suggesting that Irrfan had already signed on to be part of the second film. However, Basu clarified that 'Metro In Dino' was never initially planned as part of a trilogy of hyperlinked films. 'I didn't have any plans of making a trilogy. I was scared if 'Life In A Metro' would even work. It was something very different. But after that, I got the hang of it. I started enjoying writing hyperlinked films. Then 'Ludo' happened,' the director of 'Gangster' and 'Kites' That said, 'Metro In Dino' might mark the end of this storytelling style, at least for now. 'I'm not going to make such films anymore because it's like writing four films in one, and that takes too much time. But while it's challenging, it's also fun. The best part is getting to work with a whole team of actors. 'Hyperlinked films mein yeh ek maza hai. But as of now, 'Metro In Dino' feels like the final one. That's not to say that there's no possibility of making another hyperlinked film but even if I do, I don't think it's going to happen very soon,' Anurag added. The filmmaker also reflected on how dating and relationships have evolved since 2007. Citing the storyline of Irrfan and Konkona Sensharma's characters from the original film, he noted how that story was ahead of its time. 'Their characters had met online, on a matrimonial site. A lot has changed in these 18 years, and we should come to terms with it. People are less expressive in person now. They speak their hearts out, virtually. They can convey all their emotions in a true form online. Aaj kal one-to-one mein nahi hota hai (In today's time, face-to-face things don't happen),' he a personal note, Anurag also shared what love has taught him over the years. 'What love has taught me is that I've started seeing the world and stories of people from a woman's point of view. I've learnt to see things from their perspective after falling in love and that has really helped me as a creative person.'Produced by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and Anurag Basu Productions, 'Metro In Dino' features a ensemble cast including Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal. The film explores four modern-day relationship stories set across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lowe Lintas appoints Anurag Prasad as head Gurgaon office
Lowe Lintas has announced the appointment of Anurag Prasad , chief strategy officer, as also the new head of the agency's Gurgaon office . Anurag takes over from Naveen Gaur , who will be moving on to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities after being there with the agency for 15 years. Anurag Prasad has been with Lowe Lintas for over twenty years and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge over his two-and-a-half-decade career span, ensuring an output befitting the agency's reputation and a work ethic that is hard to replicate. As one of the best brand strategists in the industry, he believes in small details defining the bigger picture and not losing sight of either. Anurag describes himself as roll-up-your-sleeves-and-dive-straight-in planner. He has been the spearheading strategy for several marquee businesses, notably Maruti Suzuki, Google, Havells among others, for well over a decade. Across these partnerships, his ability to integrate deep consumer insights with brand imperatives has made a lasting impact on the business outcomes. Anurag is an ardent practitioner of marketing effectiveness and a firm believer that communication and brand must ultimately drive business growth. His views and work in brand-building effectiveness have won numerous awards for the agency and placed him on the Effie Awards jury, among other accolades. He is also a strong evangelist of the agency's proprietary cultural study – State of States – and has championed its integration into brand strategies to ensure that they succeed in the many Indias that make up this complex market. Speaking on the appointment, Subramanyeswar S (Subbu), Group CEO – India and CSO – APAC, MullenLowe Global , said, 'We are absolutely thrilled to appoint Anurag Prasad as the head of our Lowe Lintas – North operations. It is a role that is as critical as it is deserving. Anurag's strategic brilliance has already been a guiding light for our agency, and now, with this expanded mandate, we're placing one of our most trusted and forward-thinking leaders at the helm of an operation that is vital to our ambitions." "His dual lens – both operationally rigorous and strategically inspired, will ensure that we not only meet the demands of today but also shape the opportunities of tomorrow for our clients, brands, and us. This is a moment of real momentum, and I can think of no one better than Anurag to lead it," he added. Subramanyeswar further added, "As we mark this transition, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Naveen Gaur, who has led Lowe Lintas – North with integrity, dedication, and heart for the past 15 years. He has left a meaningful and lasting imprint on all of us who had the pleasure of working alongside him. We wish him only the very best in whatever comes next.' Commenting on his new role, Anurag Prasad shared, 'I walked into Lowe Lintas, 21 yrs ago and immediately had the privilege to be nurtured by its numerous greats and inspired every day by its infinite talent. And therefore, this is an enormous privilege. Lintas has often ushered the future, for its brands and even the industry. And Lowe Lintas of today is transforming into what agencies of tomorrow should be. To participate and contribute to this evolution is possibly going to be my most exciting time at Lowe Lintas.' This move signals Lowe Lintas' continued commitment to nurturing leadership from within and building a future-ready organisation that stays ahead of the curve.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Irrfan Khan gave the idea for Metro In Dino, the Life in a Metro sequel, reveals Anurag Basu: ‘I didn't have any plans'
Director Anurag Basu is all set to release Metro... In Dino, the much-anticipated spiritual sequel to his acclaimed 2007 film Life in a… Metro. While the film explores themes of love, loneliness, and urban relationships across major Indian cities, what many may not know is that the idea for this sequel came from the late actor Irrfan Khan. Anurag Basu credits Irrfan Khan for Dino In conversation with News18, Anurag shared a heartfelt anecdote about how Metro... In Dino came to be. 'After Jagga Jasoos, Irrfan and I were chatting, and he suddenly said, 'Metro 2 banaate hai' (Let's make Metro 2). It wasn't right after Life in a… Metro. This was years later. But it was his suggestion that planted the seed for this film.' Irrfan played a key role in the original film, which stood out for its mosaic of interconnected stories around urban relationships. His performance became one of the defining elements of Life in a… Metro. Although there were rumours as early as 2017 that Irrfan had signed on for the sequel, the film was delayed and eventually took a different shape. Interestingly, Anurag never intended to make a trilogy of hyperlinked films. 'I didn't have any plans of making a trilogy. I was scared if Life In A Metro would even work. It was something very different. But after that, I got the hang of it. I started enjoying writing hyperlinked films. Then Ludo happened,' said Anurag About Metro... In Dino Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Anurag Basu, and Taani Basu, and directed by Anurag Basu, the film stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Neena Gupta. The story unfolds through four interconnected love stories, spanning young, middle-aged, and older couples, set against the backdrop of a bustling metro city. The trailer teases the dynamics between the pairings: Sara Ali Khan–Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sen Sharma–Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal–Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Anupam Kher–Neena Gupta. The film is set to hit the screens on July 4.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Political storm in Himachal over assault on NHAI officials
Attack on National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials in Himachal by the panchayati raj minister Anirudh Rana on Tuesday has brewed a political storm in the state with the Opposition leaders targeting the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led Congress government. Reacting strongly over the assault, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday condemned the 'heinous assault'. (File) Himachal Pradesh panchayati raj minister Anirudh Singh Rana on Tuesday had assaulted a NHAI official, Achal Jindal, during a site inspection where a five-storeyed residential building had collapsed. When another official, engineer Yogesh, tried to intervene, he too was beaten up. The NHAI officer is undergoing treatment at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla. Reacting strongly over the assault, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday termed the action 'heinous'. Calling the incident 'deeply reprehensible', Gadkari wrote on X: 'The heinous assault on Achal Jindal, manager, NHAI PIU Shimla, allegedly by the minister of panchayati raj, Himachal Pradesh, and his associates, is deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law. Such a brutal attack on a public servant performing his official duties not only endangers individual safety but also erodes institutional integrity.' 'I have taken serious cognizance of the matter and spoken with the chief minister, urging immediate and exemplary action against all perpetrators. Accountability must prevail, and justice must be delivered without delay,' Gadkari wrote. NHAI is presently executing 17 National Highway projects worth ₹ 23,729 crore in Himachal. Anurag, Jai Ram lashes out at Congress Lashing out at the government, Himachal leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Monday said,'The government, the police administration, all kept suppressing this matter. When no excuse worked, leniency was shown in filing the case as well,' said Thakur, while adding that 'When BJP leaders staged a democratic protest, a case of attempt to murder was filed against them but on the other hand those who beat up public servants, hit pots on their heads, they are booked under milder sections.' He further said, 'The chief minister should take action against the minister and Anirudh should be dropped from cabinet immediately. The state will not tolerate such dictatorship.' Senior BJP leader and Hamirpur Member of Parliament Anurag Thakur also targeted the state government. 'The chief minister must act decisively if he wants to save his government's image and ensure central schemes are implemented. Otherwise, what message are we sending? That officials will be beaten for doing their duty?' said Anurag. 'The CBI probe in the Vimal Negi case is still ongoing, and now another officer's head has been fractured. Are government officers in Himachal even safe anymore? Will they be driven to suicide? These are serious questions, and the CM must answer them,' said Anurag while talking to the media in Shimla. 'What could be more unfortunate than a minister being named in an FIR and an official complaint for assaulting an officer in a closed room and injuring him?' the MP added. 'Thousands of crores of rupees are being provided by the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi for four-lane highways, NDRF operations, and railway projects in Himachal. But while funds are being sent, officers on the ground are being assaulted in closed rooms by state ministers and their aides,' Anurag further added. NHAI chairman writes to Himachal chief secy Meanwhile condemning the attack, NHAI chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav has written a strongly worded letter to the chief secretary Prabobh Saxena seeking 'detailed enquiry into the incident and appropriate legal action against those responsible'. Yadav said that the such incidents demoralise field engineers and could delay the execution of infrastructure projects. 'The officers of NHAI have sustained grave injuries and were later hospitalised... In view of the above-mentioned incident, I request you to kindly conduct a detailed enquiry into the matter and all people responsible for the manhandling of NHAI officers be tried as per law...' the letter further read. 'Such an event not only raises questions on the deficiencies in the law-and-order system of the state, but also hampers the morale of the officers of NHAI working at field level,' the letter mentions. In solidarity with Jindal, the NHAI Engineers Association asked all officers of the highway authority to proceed on half-day leave from 2pm on Tuesday as a mark of protest. Matter has been brought to CM's notice 'I don't have full details about the incident, but Union minister Nitin Gadkari has raised the issue with me. The matter has been brought to the notice of the chief minister, and whatever action is appropriate will be taken,' said PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday.
