In other news of the more prosaic variety:

The Reserve Bank is not opposed to the State Bank of India extending support to the cash-strapped Kingfisher Airlines, its Deputy Governor K C
Chakrabarty said today. 

"Absolutely not," he told reporters when asked to comment on reports suggesting that SBI has agreed to pump more money into the airline. RBI does not oppose "professional decision" of the bank, Chakrbarty said. He further said if the bank felt that by giving a little more money, it could get back the entire money, "that's what they will do".

"Banks are commercial entities. If they feel by supporting a unit, if the unit can survive, they must explore that possibility," Chakrabarty said.

"Banks are risk-taking entities". Kingfisher, which has an outstanding debt of over Rs 7,057.08 crore (according to the latest figures), has requested a consortium of lenders, led by SBI, for a working capital support of Rs 200-300 crore.