INDIA

• Indians living near the Myamnsr border face a high risk of contracting HIV virus, according to the latest report released by the Southeast Asian information Network recently. HIV infection rate among drug users is the highest in Manipur.

• The minister of state for environment and forests, Rajesh Pilot, announced the setting up of an expert panel to monitor and coordinate research on neem, while inaugurating a seininar on neem in New Delhi on January 5.

• The controversial Enron project was finally cleared by the Maharashtra state cabinet on January 9. The project will nowhave a reduced cost of Rs 6,424 crore and the power tariff would be Rs 1.86 per unit.

• The Zoological Survey of India recently proposed to the Chi&a Development Authority of the Orissa government to declare a part of the Chilka lagoon as a dolphin sanctuary to ensure the safety of the animals.

• With effect from January 1996, abortion of female foetuses by misusing medical diagnostic techniques has been banned in the country. The Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, bans the misuse of techniques like amniocentesis.

• The country's first bio-medical gallery started functioning at the Government Science and Technology Museum in Thiruvananthapuram recently. The pfferywould give a picture of the biomedical engineering field through interactive, original bio-medical equipment along with animation graphics.

• A memorandum of understanding was signed by the Haryana government with the Eisenberg group of Israel on January 11, for utilising saHne and brackish water to grow vegetables, flowers and fruits.

• The Bihar government announced a Rs 694.70 crore rehabilitation programme on January 16 to provide 100 per cent twat electrification in the state by the year 2000.

• The world's first 'key-hole' surgery was performed upon a 19-year-old girt in Calcutta recently. The operation was performed using video- assisted thoracic technology, to close a hole in the heart.

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