16th November, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL 

PM Modi Inaugurates 1st Bodoland Mohotsav, Celebrating Peace and Progress.
•    Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever Bodoland Mohotsav in Delhi, a two-day event celebrating the language, literature, and culture of the Bodo community. The event underscores the significant progress achieved after the Bodo Peace Accord in 2020, marking the end of decades of conflict and violence. 
•    The festival aims to foster unity, promote the Bodo culture, and highlight the region’s development under the current government’s leadership.
•    The Prime Minister highlighted significant investments in the region, with the Central Government providing a Rs 1500 crore development package for Bodoland. The Assam Government has also allocated over Rs 700 crore for infrastructure development in sectors like education, health, and culture. Modi stressed that over 10,000 youth have now joined the mainstream after giving up arms, contributing to Bodoland’s progress.

INTERNATIONAL 

Belarus expresses willingness to resume cooperation with EU regarding illegal migration.
•    Belarus has expressed its willingness to resume cooperation with the European Union (EU) at the border regarding illegal migration. Addressing an international conference in the capital Minsk yesterday, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov stated that his country is ready to work on solutions to illegal migration and collaborate with other nations.
•    Belarus has invited Western nations to join the conference on regional cooperation against illegal migration. He added that to address the issue, the EU must either work with the countries from which migrants are fleeing or cooperate with Minsk.
•    Illegal migration on the border between Belarus and the EU countries has worsened since 2021. Poland and the Baltic states refused to accept refugees from the Belarusian side and have been pushing them back.

Nepal Starts Supplying Power to Bangladesh Via Indian Grid.
•    India, Nepal and Bangladesh have achieved a major milestone in energy cooperation with the launch of the first power transaction of up to 40 Megawatt from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian grid. 
•    Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal jointly inaugurated the power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh, along with Mohammed Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser of the Power Ministry in Bangladesh and Mr. Dipak Khadka, Energy Minister of Nepal. In a statement, the Ministry of Power said that Muzaffarpur Substation and Behrampur Substation will be the injection point and drawl point from the Indian side. The Ministry noted that the start of this power flow is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector.
•    A tripartite power sales agreement between NTPC, Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board was signed last month in Kathmandu, Nepal.

ECONOMY 

Hyderabad Airport Earns Global Recognition for Digital Innovations.
•    GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) has received global recognition at the prestigious ‘Airport Excellence Awards’ during the Saudi Airport Exhibition 2024, held on November 12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. 
•    This marks a significant milestone in the airport’s journey toward leveraging advanced technology to enhance airport operations and passenger experiences.
•    Digital innovations are revolutionizing airport operations globally by improving efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience. These technologies help airports manage resources effectively, respond to real-time challenges, and streamline operations. GHIAL’s success demonstrates the growing importance of such innovations in shaping the future of aviation.

SPORTS 
Indian Tennis Star Prajnesh Gunneswaran Announces Retirement.
•    Prajnesh Gunneswaran, the Indian tennis star who won a bronze medal in singles at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, announced his retirement from professional tennis. The 35-year-old Chennai-born player reflected on his career, expressing gratitude for the journey and the lessons learned along the way. Known for his resilience and achievements, Gunneswaran made significant contributions to Indian tennis.
•    Prajnesh Gunneswaran, a prominent Indian tennis player, announced his retirement on Instagram.
•    Shared heartfelt gratitude and nostalgia for his journey spanning over three decades.