Daily Current Affairs and GK | 17 and 18 November 2024

Topic: Awards and Prizes

1. At the 38th Leeds International Film Festival, Manoj Bajpayee starrer 'The Fable' won the Best Film award in the UK.

• "The Fable" has won the award at the Constellation Feature Film Competition, which honours the best "new, pioneering cinema" from around the world.
• "The Fable" has been directed by writer-director Ram Reddy.
• The award follows the recent success of The Fable, which included its world premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival 2024.
• In October 2024, 'The Fable' also won the Special Jury Prize at the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
• Founded in 1987, the Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) is the largest film festival in England outside London.
• The festival is held annually in November at various venues across Leeds, West Yorkshire, screening a wide range of films.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

2. 8 MoUs signed between Andhra Pradesh Government and IIT Madras to launch transformational initiatives in various sectors.

• The Andhra Pradesh government signed the MoU as part of its plan to transform the capital Amaravati into an international city.
• These MoUs included the establishment of an international deep-tech innovation hub in Amravati, expansion of digital skills platforms like SWAYAM+ and IITM Pravartak, and launching mentorship programs for students and teachers.
• This also includes plans to develop Kuppam and Puttaparthi as logistics hubs and enhance Visakhapatnam's role as a global internet gateway.
• Other initiatives include marine research, smart sports infrastructure in Amaravati, and integrating artificial intelligence and data science into real-time governance society (RTGS) operations.
• These efforts are aimed at promoting growth and innovation in the state.
• Additionally, IIT Madras has decided to work closely with the State Government to train undergraduate and postgraduate students as per the industry needs, conduct advanced research and engage in socially beneficial activities.

Topic: International News

3. On November 15, 2024, the first trilateral power transaction, from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian Grid was inaugurated.

• Through a virtual event, Power Minister Manohar Lal jointly inaugurated power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh.
• Adviser of Bangladesh Ministry of Power, Fouzul Kabir Khan, and Nepal’s Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, also attended the inauguration.
• According to the External Affairs Ministry, this historic occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction conducted via the Indian grid.
• Last year, the government announced its decision to conduct the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through the Indian grid with an export of up to 40 MW of power.
• Later, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board signed a tripartite power sales agreement on 3rd October 2024 in Kathmandu.
• It is anticipated that the beginning of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh via India will improve sub-regional power sector connectivity.

Topic: Important Days

4. International Day for Tolerance: 16 November

• International Day for Tolerance is commemorated every year on 16 November.
• To commemorate UNESCO's 50th anniversary, the UN General Assembly established International Day for Tolerance in 1995.
• The Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was adopted by UNESCO in 1995.
• A resolution to celebrate November 16 as the International Day for Tolerance was voted by the UN General Assembly in 1996.
• In 1995, the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize was established to encourage tolerance and nonviolence.
• On the International Day for Tolerance, it is given once every two years.