At the stock markets, after a firm opening, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange remained strong, and had climbed 178 points, or 0.6 percent, to 29,833 a short while ago. The Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had gained 49 points, to 9,267. And at the forex market, the rupee had strengthened a good 20 paise, to 64.24 against the dollar in afternoon deals.