Thousands of children still slog it out in tiny shoe-making units despite a ban on employing them in factories in and around a city that remains in international limelight because of the Taj Mahal. What's more, the industry has come to be plagued by liquor addiction.

Around 400 million workers in India's unorganised sector who often get a raw deal can now hope for old age pension, health insurance and other benefits, thanks to a newly passed act of parliament, says the reputed NGO SEWA which had been demanding it for years.

Retail chain Cafe Coffee Day has opened a 'square' in the heart of India's IT hub, across the evergreen Cubbon Park, to give a flavour of original brews from the world over to coffee lovers. Complete with a wi-fi enabled conference room, customers can even do business at the new cafe.

The fashion fraternity may be known for its late night parties, but in the shadow of the Mumbai terror attack, it is still unsure about New Year Eve plans. Most designers and models are planning a quiet celebration with family and friends.

Around 150,000 public sector insurance employees will strike work Tuesday, protesting against the government's move to amend the Insurance Act and the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act.

The government will not take a decision on further reduction in fuel and cooking gas prices soon, a senior petroleum ministry official said here Monday.

The Rs.15-billion ($375-million) IT park, Smart City Kochi, will request the state government to see that it gets special economic zone (SEZ) status without any strings.

Three state-owned banks - Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank - took the cue from leader State Bank of India (SBI) to cut prime lending rates (PLR) Monday from the existing 13.25 percent to 12.5 percent from Jan 1.

Indian air operators are unwilling to cut fares until the government brings aviation turbine fuel (ATF) under the 'declared goods' category, a spokesperson of Kingfisher Airlines said Monday.

The Prime Minister's Office Monday deferred a meeting with apex chambers scheduled here Monday to discuss how the interests of workers from socially backward sections can be protected in the wake of lay-offs by the corporate sector due to economic slowdown.

India loses around 3 percent of its total gross domestic product (GDP) or Rs.1.5 trillion because of supply chain inefficiencies, according to a survey done by a business consulting firm.

The government Monday admitted that 4,620 children had fallen ill after eating mid-day-meals in the last few years, contrary to the claims that children were getting hot and hygienic food under the scheme.

Oil explorer Cairn India has made an oil and gas discovery in Rajasthan's Barmer district, over 480 km from here, it said Monday.

Indian equities markets Monday slumped amid profit booking, with a key index shedding 1.7 percent to close below the psychological 10,000-mark.

Non-banking financial services firm Peerless General Finance and Investment Co. Monday announced that it has got the preliminary in-principle approval from the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to start an asset management company.