Despite the global downturn slowing mergers and acquisitions (M and amp;A), 20 such deals worth $9.15 billion took place in the country's telecom sector this fiscal, said an industry lobby study released Wednesday.

To emphasise that he has no wish to leave the company he heads, Pyramid Saimira Theatre chairman P.S. Saminathan Wednesday said he had a more 'attractive offer' for his holding even before receiving a fake directive to sell out.

The modernisation work of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport here will be completed by May 2011, a senior official familiar with the projectsaid.

India Wednesday pledged $100 million credit to the Maldives by signing a pact that will enable the island nation to invigorate and diversify its tourism-centric economy.

The two-day diaspora meet 'Ente Naadu', billed as a platform for the Kerala diaspora to invest in tourism projects in the state, concluded here Wednesday with an investment of over Rs.10 billion expected to take place in the coming years, a minister said.

K. Chandramouli, a 1975 batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) with Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been named the next central provident fund Commissioner, it was announced Wednesday.

Christmas eve failed to bring any cheer to Indian equities markets Wednesday as stocks continued their losing streak and a key sensitive index fell for the third consecutive day this week to end trade 1.22 percent lower than its previous close.

Indian equities markets ended trade lower Wednesday, with a key index losing 88 points (provisional) over Tuesday's close.

State-owned power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has bagged two orders worth Rs.21 billion (Rs.2,100 crore) from National Thermal power Corp (NTPC), the company announced Wednesday.

A Vadodara-based firm will prepare the master plan for the new capital area to develop Patna as a metropolitan city, a senior official said here Wednesday.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Wednesday said the design for Chandrayaan II has been completed and it will be launched by 2012.

Indian stocks remained dull Wednesday with a key index trading over 80 points lower than its previous close at 2.45 p.m.

Winsome Textile Industries chairman Satish Bagrodia Wednesday formally took charge as the president of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, succeeding L.K. Malhotra.

The Himachal Pradesh government is promoting farming inside modern greenhouses called polyhouses to improve the earning potential of farmers in the state, especially during the harsh winters.

A crystal-clear sky in this tourist town in Himachal Pradesh Wednesday morning once again dashed hopes of partygoers of celebrating a White Christmas.