A pig heart transplant in Assam in 1997 RAHUL KARMAKAR ‘cUWAHATI On January 7, doctors at the University of Maryland Med- ical School in the U.S. made news when they transplant- ed a genetically modified pig heart into a 57-year-old man. Few remember now that Dhaniram Baruah, a cardio- thoracic surgeon’ based in Sonapur near Guwahati, transplanted the organs of a pig into a human body in 1997. However, Dr. Baruah’s proce- dure ended badly. “Itis not easy for a human body to accept the organs of, a pig. Time will tell whether the human body will accept the organ of a genetically-al- tered pig,” the 72-year-old doctor, who lost his voice af- ter undergoing throat sur- gery some time ago, said via S.A. Achrekar, a senior tist at his research institute in Sonapur. At an international confe- rence in 1995, Dr. Baruah had said pigs are close to hu- mans in various aspects. He had at the time developed an “electric motor-driven artifi- cial biological heart made of ox pericardium that was im- planted in a pig”. Dr. Baruah said he had carried out 102 animal expe- iments on xenotransplanta- tion. He transplanted a pig's heart, lung and kidneys to Purno Saikia, a 32-year-old end-stage organ failure pa- tient, on January 1, 1997. Jo nathan Ho, a Hong Kong- based doctor, had assisted him in the transplantation at his research centre. But Sakia died a week la- ter, triggering an uproar. The two doctors were arrested on January 10 under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, booked for culpable homicide and im- prisoned for 40 days. Subse- quently, the Assam govern- ment formed an inquiry committee that found pig heart implants to be unethi- cal and unlawful.India, UK. kick off talks for free trade agreement ‘Open to interim pact while talks continue for complete FTA’ SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK. Trade Secretary Anne- Marie Trevelyan kicked off talks for an ambitious, com: completed within a year. “India stands to gain from ‘ports growth in leather, tex- tiles, jewellery, processed agri:products," said Mis Goyal after the start of the ‘negotiation that would cover ae oar , \ Sources said bilateral trade of $50 billion is expected to double to $100 billion in 10 years. Mr. Goyal had earlier said such discussions were under way with the UAE, Australia, Canada and Israel. A joint statement quoted both sides as saying they would consider the option of = Gels iaceee while negotiations for a com- prehensive pact continue. “By 2050, India_will be nomy with a middle class of almost_250_mullion_shop- ers. lock huge new market for our ‘great British producers and ‘manufacturers across nume- rous industries from food and drink to services and au: fomotive,” said Ms, Treve: Ian, This is the first major negotiation exercise that the UK. has held with India since Bresit, The first round starts on January 17 and subsequent rounds would take place aud ears fan ealiesNot possible to demilitarise Siachen Notan ideal DINAKAR PERI We are “not averse” to de- rmilitarisation of th ‘@acier but the pre-condition is in has to accept the separate chief General Mano} Naravane said_on Wednesday, raising a fresh debate over the world's high: est battlefield, with experts saying it may not be ideal in the backdrop ofthe stand-off fn eastern ladakh and the Chinese build-up. In contrast to the present comments, the Army chief had two years ago termed Siachen a8 a point of “collu- sive threat” between Pakis- tan and Cite and 60 “we should keep control”. Ho: wwever, with the stand-off in eastern Ladakh and massive build-up and expansion by the People’s Liberation Ar. my PLA) in sub-sector north which is very close to the Ka- rakoram range and Soltoro ridge, several serving off- cials and experts noted that it would not be possible for India to vacate the crucial positions on the glacier. At the annual press confe- rence, Gen. Naravane sai “Pakistan has to accept what are their positions and has to accept_what_are_our_posi He said the situation had occurred due to a unilateral waeupe by Pakistan a change the status quo. The Line of Control (LoC) had been delineated to a point called N] 9842, and thereaf- ter, the understanding was that it will remain unoccu pied. But Pakistan had made an attempt to occupy territo- ry and “we were forced to REWAW DLs take our countermeasures”, Gen, Naravane said. have en termed “low hanging fruits” in the past for resolution between India and Pakistan and the two countries have held 13 ‘feaads of Delench Sactatary ‘enario in view of stand-off in Ladakh and Chinese build-up: experts level talks on Siachen, the last one in June 2012. Former Northern Army Commander Lt, Gen. DS. Hooda said the Indian Army has not been averse to a dis: engagement at Siachen but it thas not happened due to a reluctance by the Pakistan Army to accept the positions that are occupied by the In: dian Army. “Now the situation has completely changed with the PLA aggression in the sub sector north in eastern La- dakh, With the Siachen sec tor facing threats from both ‘west and east, there is per- hhaps no question of any dis- ‘engagement from Siachen,” he told The Hindu.Covishield booster effective against Omicron: AstraZeneca study claims Biopharmacesical in Sora Asazeneca ot ‘hrc sl peli sy analy of onging Safely and inninogety tal hs leat thatthe y's COMDAD. wae Ee wi niletired at sad as Cv. ihn nda, when gen SS td dose boos, ‘Gensel sntbdy response {Othe onion vant "The yal noted ha the booster domage of Vx mr so incest he tune response to Bet, Del Apia and Gann Shu var “he rests sere ob served among. naiuals Previously ecm th thee Yaw or a BIRNA ace, Ce ms tai: Study covered inavicuals vaccinated with Covshield franmRNA vaccine. ‘tute of tia, which manu actures Covisheld, Adar Poonawalla, said in tweet “This i encouraging news, asper Professor sir Andrew} Pollard, chiet investigator and director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, new data from ongoing. Astazeneca/ Oxford vaccine trials has shown that three doses give ‘ood protection agains eeetn also boosts immunity against other variants *Vaxzuvela has protected hundreds of millions of peo- ple from COVIDAD around the world and these data shove that st has an impor tant role to play as a dose booster, including ‘when used after other vac ines” Mete Pang, exec: lutlve” vice-president (bio. pharmaceuticals RED) of Astrazeneca, sald in a ‘statement, Me. Pollard said, “these ‘important studies show that a third dose of Vaxzevria a {er two tniial doses of the same vaccine, of ater MRNA oF inactivated vac ines, strongly boosts i: ‘munity against COVED. "The vaccines suitable as ‘an option to enhance im ‘munity in the population for ‘Culteies considering baos ler programmes,” Mr, Pl ientnaeeThe State Department asks China ‘to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea’ ‘The US. on Wednesday a ‘ut ont detalles yt Seana Beings unawtl> aims tn the Seu Sea rejecting both the geo raphe and historic bases forts vast dvsve map. Ina fag research pp x, the Sate Departments Bred of Oceans and Inter talloal Bonen and Scenic Alas ald Chita had bass under interne tonal aw for lam that have put Beijing oma cll som course withthe Pl pines, Vietnam and other Boneas Asan tons "The overlleflect_of these marke asta the PRC snl cain Soeregnty o some for of cise Jursaicion ver mos of the. south China Sea the paper aid, refer tng othe Pople’ Repub _— Rising tenslons: ne photo af Chinese vesses anchored at ‘Whitsun Reet inthe dsputed South China ea. sso “qespaca eae sdermine.the the_oceans_and_ numerous ‘universally recognized pro sions of international aw e= feted n the Convention,” Saud, refering 0.8 1982 LIN ineaty.on the law of the sea auied by China ~ but not eus, "Rolensine the sudV. a state nepartment statement Gale sgn on Boling "0 cess il a er ie ater te Sth inant Chine back on Thre day lamin the report" cots ners i Ae sea pue™ the Us fies to gn ie ae 26a ude and wantonly ls ‘ors the ueaty? said Fortn Ministry spokesinan Wang Wenbin ata briefing. “in secting ia owns ier i Sums tall Har dds Grenry out lied manipulation? The papers a update of a 20H study that similarly disputed the socalled ninedish line’ tthtforis the bal for much of Belin’ stance. International ruling 2016, an_nermaional ‘our sided with dhe Philp ines in als complnts over (Chinas claims, Belling replied by offering ‘new justlicatons. Including ‘Saying. that China-had "hi toric rights" over the area, ‘The State Department paper said that such histor ‘abbased clams had "no le fal basis" and that China had ‘ot offered specifi, ‘Wiierwaktemevidicunn: raphe justifications for Ci ‘a’ claims, saying that more than 100 features Beling Ihighlghts inthe South China Sex are submerged by water during high tie and there- fore are "beyond the Lswful Tits of any state’ territorial elfing_cltes_such_geo: {our island groupe,” which the Slate Departaient study said did not meet criteria for Doasellnes under the UN con: ‘ention. The report was i Sued asthe US, increasingly challenges China om the glo Dal stage, dentiying the is Ing communist power as its ce fong-term threat ‘The South Ching Sea ie ‘home fo aul flan gas deposits and shipping lanes, and__eijig's_neighbours ‘have frequently voiced con: ‘corn that thelr giant neigh Dour was seoking to expand —-Better to focus more on local containment, Modi tells CMs Safeguarding economy, livelihood SS CON eRe VL Pa Te mame the a ie tes — f oe me sa Mere ‘Side nice ye he as iu tae Ie panic and he otal re Siena Ang inert neds ahd Loong of th en ne tn mae Brey ean at pestobend ‘sd mtganingthe Cetunsieove'De peraeycoMD issasten nd a reached md ccna be elo hes ct cmon ‘popes tha defeat he is the sera Catia faces aad of ey sterling th ing cise Ge Rinehinast pug ey Mea Si iat reget of. held edhe fn acon owed eae ine eed wiih pendcme "e gest pandeme 00 ses now ete : : l mor oor Westone Mchsad cy opdon Me, 0 coe ome tn 5600 spclom any larson ut ‘amoaig te matte, plc da vl rey Dasncrsndmene tan OO ace the paseo os iene Liiger tues Seg center spew qld AOR augerae memibagnadeItincludes a $400 mn currency swap and deferred payment of $500 mn, India_on_Thursday_con- firmed .a $400 milion cur: reny swap with Sei Lanka ‘while deferring another $500 milion. due for serie: ment to-the-Asian Clearing Union CAC, Ina_move almedat helping the Island sedented economic crisis, ‘ma tweet on Thursday, the Indian mission in Colom: bo stid High Commissioner Gopal_Baglay met, Central Bank Governor Ajth Nivard Cabraal and expressed “In dla’ strong support to Sri ‘Lanka’ inthe wake ofthe Re- serve Bank of India extend: ing facilis of $900 milion cover the last week “Had an excellent discus: sion with Indian High Com missioner to #Stanka HE Gopal Baglay’ at my office this morning where he con- oud cles tekane Gai by RD and other forms obi Interaleooperaion? Me baal sida twee, India’s assistance follows a request from Sri Lanka during Finance Minister Bx si Rajapaksa visit to New Deli ecenber or ome cy’ franca assistance, {cluding Lines of cre for importing esentials anda currency sap to boost St tankers draining foretgn re serve. sri Lanka i facing ian dole ech Hat economists ay might ead to 2 defa on extemal debt and ees food shortage in the importsreliat nation. Colombo mis service over $7 billion oustanding debt in 2022, including bond re- Ppments of $500 milion in January ane bilion in july. "The Cental Bark of Si Lanka has expressed conf dence about paying of the foreign debe. Ruling out an ee oo baal on Wednesday said Co Jombo isin talks with Bejing, for anew loan, addition 0 the $600 million loan and $15 billion currency swap extended by Beijing as pan demic time support. The re {quest according to local me- dia ‘reports, "was also discussed during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Vis visit to Colombo last week, Sti Lanka owes China over $5 billion already, and Co- Tombo has requested Beijing to restructure it to provide some relief, The developments have ‘prompted political commen: {ators in Sti Lanka to pit In- dia and China against each ‘other, in providing timely 28 ‘stance othe island nation In July 2020, the RBI ex: tended a similar swap facil ty--of400 million —tohelp Sti Lanka cope with the im- pact ofthe fist wave of the ‘pandemic, and later provid ‘ed a three-month roll over until February 2021, when the Central Bank of Sri Lan ka sented it ‘Thursday's announce ‘ment on RBI assistance in chides deferring the pay- ‘ment of $500 that Sei Lanka ‘owes tothe ACU, a regional Initiative with the Central Banks and Monetary Author ities of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India ran, Maldives, Myan mar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri tanks, Significantly, India’s com- firmation of the swap comes ‘a week after the two coun tries signed a long-pending agreement on joinly deve- loping the strategically locat ‘ed Trincomalee oi tank farm along the north-eastern ‘const ofthe island. Diplomat ie sources had earlier indi ‘cated that any financial sup port from New Delhi to Colombo would have to fol low the simming of the deal.Forest, tree cover in India up by 2,261 sq. km in two years AP. followed by Telangana, Odisha saw most increase; report Forest and tree cover in the country has increased. by 2.261 square kilometres since the last assessiment in 2019, according to the India State of Forest Report-2021 released on Thursday Releasing che report, En vironment and Forest Minis: ter Bhupender Yadav said the total forest and tree cov- cer was 80.9 million hectares, which accounted for 24 62% of the geographical area of the country, The report said 17 States and Union Territo- ries had more than 33% of their area under forest cov. et. Mi. Yadav said the Naren: tira Modi government's fo- cus was to enrich the forests qualitatively. ‘The _report_found_that there Fad been a 1,540 sa, km increase in forest cover and 72 sq. kun increase in luce cover since the last re: port in 2019, Top 3 states “Increase in forest caver has been observed in open for cst followed by very dense forest. Top! three States showing increase in forest cover are Andhra Pradesh (647 sq. km) followed by Te Fangana (632 sq km) and Od- iS ks Miisry Groen cover: Total forest, tree cover is 80.9 milion hectares, accounting fr 24.62% of geographical ates. Madhya Pradesh had the largest forest cover, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra. ‘The top five States in terms of forest cov tetas percentage of their to tal geographical area were Mizoram (84.53%), Aruna chal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76%), Manipur 4.a4%) and Nagaland (73.90%. Mangrove cover The total mangrove cover in ithe country had increased sq.km. The total carbon 0 million tones, an increase of 294 rnlllon ones f The Ministry said the vey used mid resolution sa tellire data, followed by “ri ‘gorous ground truthing” and information from other “The accuracy level achieved in the current as sessment. is signcantly high. The accuracy of forest cover classification has heen assessed 92.99%. The accu: racy of casification bet: ween forest and nonforest classes has been assessed 98.79% aginst internation: ally accepted accuracy of classification of more than 85%," the Ministry saidPreparing for CLAT ? ZN Gibreducing The Anchor MENTORSHIP BY MASTERS Weekly LIVE Revision GK classes and Live Monthly GK quizzes Ce aE Oe UT RS mee Ce MOT na SUS ean oe Red Live Monthly GK quizzes Seman eae) Past Year Papers of CLAT, AILET, and all other entrance exams Access to our premium monthly Current Affairs and Legal emer Hty4th round of talks between military commanders did not yield breakthrough ere ‘genio yn oc ee fica matin Sage” ‘wa ots tal aaron a mec retro. é. nave yet doagge n towranah crv ihe twecsaainng ues of eee 4 bin came er eee Saas Sis rape tha ogres halbeen mae Drenemnced ithe pros but tat iter werk Wat Iie tnitcy” caches ee Dereon the two ies drs" The sae ad the Imgthe Mtv roand of Caps tno nde ie Clgmmderietee fl Sune oma a ne onthe Chine se fhe Staite ae ‘ate chels sod pms aruckserpor smal saptioms Niven age peas sole eA Pounce sd Settee ala ‘nGcber th hrnd Seog tates ‘widoomsies dg sud be he ae Suanaes minds ithe wee dscibed Thatound sao Indhspropoiear nes commandes rom each se Jeane whee {taney ee fea nba neuer Eire ier Commune Si he lene Coe Sow cane nate Reviead ote Pash pan (te two sss aed“ ‘ort for the rerio ot Sete ame Souithep im esorasrof Foe and taney long Bette Newer Set cece atom ie tat Srchng dg ‘erie seh se ase sale gene, beat se Sone sre ota atten Sonata Panne ho 3 oy rer eukogrets ene inerom a Tren, sy cees pretene ater soe eee eerie th reece ee ieeve Traces Sa nlans soarens Ree irae ena =30 people injured in first jallikattu of the season in Tamil Nadu 587 bulls, 217 tamers take part in event Bui tamers try ther luck at strict on Thursday. «stcne amanconent ATUBLENE ANTONY wearing and had provided Fitment Janse foal ‘Thiny people suffered mi- Police had a tough time nor injuries in the first checking. the vaccination Othe year held at certificates of all entrants schankurich In Puduk According 36.0, al par Kowal stricon Thursday. tipans ncn bul ‘medical tam deplogedst tartare chd ower id the aie tended bo the le produce ceriicates for fal jred blltamers and spec” Saccnation and COVID-!9 tars negative reports, Neverthe: ‘Ss many S87 bulls and less the organisers aimed 2ri tamers participated af to have rigorously followed ier mandatory serening inthe COVIDA9 protoea.Vo- the event inaugurated by lunteers were stationed at Misr for Law Sieger varius sont pots to futhyand Miniter keep check on COVIDAS Tana SieaNeyycnt_appropine beni hn inthe presence of ethe ‘bull mers and Govector Kavita Rams, bull owners, who emerged etorios, were showered Norms violated i is such fan, min Theevent, eld amid arag- ers grinders and beds, third wave of COVID.G, froin various ~spontors Molted the stipulated cap MLA. Udhayanidh Stalin £150 spectators. However, sponsored 2 gold coi for the onpoiners ‘aid’ that the best Umer” organiser fe etna ee ae ee ek es‘SC should restrain political parties from using aq epee Pica pl rope impr gy eel eed As is away welcome. Ea this month, rt Aaa Rast Ns cacy we ln prmahimererbeert neon Are Spt 20 Teg nro erty ty and ang tne oft pred Er paren out tn ue Cs soil x eer rr pentane peeecaeten cman are! Champs estan oe ofthe toa avin ton Ay te eddonl DOP Geer) of Pa, snd ob nagenmccen ef i aj fo rend Hig Gur Teco fa hay ced he seed rant ime Maer progam nit dy Oneper te pre eit he ben oe ‘stituted only to avoid one-sided inquiries at the in- ‘Secnctale au us pecan canna seems wl gre tq ne rg poe pearl asl yelp ice Lear was taken to the apex court, only an inquiry of this na- evel aus ofr pcp Facog eit hide omega eke cane actometeaes teeataee Tet fpremensow anestote Ce Serenry croc? of Pur, demands repose vin Dons rtd eta he Bees inl ges ode bat avereershe been put ov hl. Howe tne Some Mee see ase auc iea bbe hee SS rayocoieees tenpertrenngrer son dren hr frobe atthe aon one par of ao {xb bane on he uj permet td Cow fron wh bln tog ee ae ernat enti eigen el ne oe ea Pee (armas made some uted earned Soa baie conc cee ae aoa denandng Me Come res end cig coupe elle Pine Miser ls caro -visive narrative is sought to be built by key functionar- {Sortie tr nto hy hve rnc om Sisuwonelraneens sy cope fpr ohh Boe hon sity ech fneeeinde AY tanan, aed fear sere sb an xen pat Pa fprerea caoc Beie e greme Got {Sr maapedtoenncptte ign pot below cand eens deen ae yh wou bene sf ins he Febgerreaereeeuey gen cay sacral propaga! joel pres ‘lectoral propaganda and resraineTaking oer asf chairperson. He ceed Stan th aly came thea SRO afer hvinged the efor VSS. Mr Soman the hd cosecae Sharpen of SRO wo have a master’ ee in eng tering Forth nan Ins of sone The opr cat ts Ges cout of Ce rset on of belogled ty engineer tlstobe sen ife Somnath speste expert nang norton in eke em fom, eyoqnic engine ernest hae fire developments tO. eaer he MSO GR wee ete ie recnts tr pers yee ing jst © pe khmer and Ghia had het arttipaon hgh thc new charpenon wilevence he iaiakeg ce ens Rei jeogaece Lege ae Th Jes topted and praia vio wilbe oor ar dest vesment in pace ddd scence, pec cally, Solar physi: The sim to take space observatory sth Lagrangian pont. one Ll study the Sun offers ‘et another frontier for S80 to breach ‘Mr Somanath wil ao lead a ransiton inthe stance of ISRO towards privatisation. Until a few years ago, 1S RO hid remained largely preoccupied wth deriving so cio-economic benefits from space technology and ap Pllcations that were used by the Government of India and some international collaborations. Ofcourse, these ‘entures hada song industry participation, but priv ‘sation reforms have been pursued hard recently. The fist announcement came in 2019, wit the NewSpace Inia Limited (NS) being floated in Mach, and the commercial arm of ISRO was mate firmly established, ‘Apart from bulling and launching satelite, the com> pany will provide launch services, build cstomised Jauneh vehicles, provide services of Earth observation and comnicaton tough stlites and also tanser ‘echnology to Indian industry. As. seul to the esta: ‘ouspace actives, The countr’simagination to get up {ospeed wit ther competing nations would be puto thetest under the nw leadership. SRO ands ter oF ganisations have much tf in the form of spin-ots land technology transfer. nderying these questions the anvcpation which stems from the very nature of space sciences it ot only contibtes omens lear ing and perspective but also unfolds the very horizon, ‘Giamitezetianal ilies Banani