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UN agency ITU to set up area office for South Asia in New Delhi
Mumbai: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), is set to open in New Delhi by mid-2022. The planned area office, funded by the government of India, will enhance regional initiatives for sustainable and inclusive digital transformation in South Asia.
The ITU area office and innovation centre aims to strengthen technology cooperation and boost regional telecommunications development. Through a closer presence, ITU hopes to advance shared regional priorities, such as reducing disparities between developing and developed countries in terms of Internet access, digital skills, and other socio-economic indicators after the Covid-19 pandemic.
From India’s national capital, the new office will implement ITU initiatives and provide technical assistance and policy guidance on information and communication technologies (ICTs) in South Asia.
“Today’s agreement is an important step in the enduring partnership between ITU and the Republic of India, and between ITU and the South Asia sub-region,” said ITU secretary-general Houlin Zhao. “I’m confident that the establishment of an ITU area office for South Asia in New Delhi will help to push the boundaries of innovation and accelerate digital transformation for all people and communities across India, the region and beyond.”
India’s minister of communications Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the opportunity for closer regional and international engagement through the signing of a host-country agreement for the office.
“India is proud to partner with ITU on this progressive initiative for the region, which will advance shared regional priorities, help reduce disparities with developed countries, and strengthen South Asia’s post-Covid recovery. India is determined to bridge the digital divide and help address the ensuing inequalities in digital access affecting the entire region,” he said.
ITU promotes inclusive connectivity for all as a key part of global sustainable development. Governments, companies, research institutes, and civil society organisations from around the world, gathered at the last ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai in 2018, noted the need for an upgraded regional presence to conduct programmes and projects harnessing technologies for sustainable development.
ITU regional and area offices report to the director of ITU’s telecommunication development bureau, currently Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who said she was excited about the opening of the South Asia area office in New Delhi.
“This new office will allow ITU to broaden partnerships, building upon current work and facilitating digital innovation,” she said. “ITU will work, together with the Government of India, to ensure that the new office strengthens ITU’s regional presence, by bringing ITU closer to member countries, and further enhances ITU’s capability to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, accelerate the achievement of sustainable development, and at the same time advance digital transformation.”
ITU’s South Asia team will focus specifically on setting up an innovation centre for exchanges of ideas, success stories, innovative solutions, and global endeavours, promoting the introduction of advanced technologies, contributing to the development of ICT/telecommunication networks and services in South Asia, providing technical assistance in relation to infrastructure, e-governance, and cross-sectoral ICT applications, assisting with human resources and capacity development and conducting other activities related to ITU’s mandate to connect the world and support the UN sustainable development goals.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
