Officiating finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's Interim Budget for 2009-10 has provided for a six-month extension of the interest subsidy scheme, for exporters' loans taken in the labor-intensive sectors.

The announced extension of the 2 percent interest subsidy scheme - for small and medium enterprises as well as long-established export areas, like leather, textiles, marine products, gems and jewellery - will be costing the exchequer nearly Rs 500 crore in 2009-10.

Indian stock market continued to remain weak as traders booked positions after non-eventful budget failed to boost investors’ reaction.

Moreover, depressing Asian markets also have contributed to the sharp fall this afternoon.

At 13:48 hrs, the Sensex lost 2.87% or 267.25 points at 9038.20, slightly off a low of 9022.67 it had touched a little while ago. Meanwhile, Nifty lost 81.65 points at 2766.85.

Dale Bhagwagar, well-known celebrity publicist, will be addressing around 1,300 students from over 70 colleges in Mumbai, spread over four public relation (PR) events, starting this weekend.

Researchers at the University of Chicago have disclosed that loneliness can be as injurious to one’s health as smoking and obesity.

The study scientists found that loneliness not only makes people sad but have a negative effect on their mind as well as heath. In fact, it may lead to high blood pressure and stress levels, general wear and tear, and the chances of having Alzheimer's disease.

The dimpled beauty Preity Zinta has been nominated for a ‘Genie Award’ in the “Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” group for her riveting performance in Deepa Mehta’s ‘Heaven On Earth’.

Due credit goes to the pretty Preity who gave her consent to play unconventional character unlikely of her bubbly image. She has been seen experimenting with her acting skills recently as she endorsed the eloquent yet significant characters in ‘The Last Lear’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Heaven On Earth’.

The Awards will be held on April 4 at Ottawa in Canada.

Indian stock market, which opened weak following negative global sentiment, continued its downward movement on account of heavy selling action in stocks cutting across sectors.

After closing negatively after a fall of 329.29 points (3.42%) on Monday (Feb 16), the 30-share index, BSE Sensex, today (Feb 17), opened at 9,213.40, down 92.05 points. US markets remained closed for Presidents Day holiday on Monday, February 16.

In today’s session, markets remained weak following yesterday’s non-eventful budget that failed to boost investors’ reaction.