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The 30 share BSE Sensitive Index shot up by 237 points ending at a respectable 16, 429 points as the volatile week ends. Amidst welcoming the budget for the fiscal 2010-11 and lower fiscal deficit projection, BSE gained 1.47% over the last week level during the week.

NSE's 50-share Nifty closed 1.6% up i. e. 77 points at 4,922 levels as compared to the last week-end. Pranab Mukherjee pegged the fiscal deficit at 5.5% of GDP for the next financial year during his budget speech. In fact, he also proposed a reduction in surcharge on corporate tax for the domestic companies by 2.5% from the 10% level.

In a country which is dominated by just one sport which is played for more than half of the year, other sports have taken a backseat, be it the national sport Hockey.

The hockey World Cup is just round the corner and there is hardly any one talking about it except the Hero Honda campaign.

But, in a country where cricketers get all the awards, the money and the brand endorsements, a rare gesture by the steel giant SAIL (Steel Authority of India) has announced rewards for the hockey-team.

Lower than anticipated net government borrowing announced in Union Budget for financial year 2010-11 helped government bond yields to soften a little on Friday providing a good selling opportunity for investors who wanted to make an exit.

Government bonds had been stressed over the past month amid expectations and concerns around the congress-led union government's borrowing plans for the next fiscal. Market expectations were pegged at a borrowing of nearly Rs. 360,000 crore. But Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji announced a figure of Rs. 345,000 crore in his budget.

India's leading IT Company Infosys' former chief Nandan Nilekani has been associated with government for quite sometime now. The responsibility range of Nandan Nilekani in the government has widened as the former chief has been assigned as a technology advisor for projects that are undertaken to ensure effective tax administration and financial governance.

Mr. Nilekani is already heading the panel for the Congress's much awaited and ambitious UID (Unique Identity Card) project.

This year's budget has been getting a mixed review from the economists and analysts. There were a lot of things where the prices went up and just a few where there were relaxations.

For the Cigarettes and Guthka consumers there is some bad news that they will now have to pay more, not just in terms of the health but the money too.

Indian real estate sector, which is trying to revive from the slump it witnessed in 2008, received a boost from Union Budget 2010-11.

To encourage affordable housing, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji, in his budget, extended the interest subvention scheme of one per cent on individual housing loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to all units that cost below Rs. 20 lakh. The sector being interest sensitive, would be helped by in increasing demand by reducing EMI and affordability.

Demand will also get a support from the substantial reduction in personal income tax announced in the budget.