Any one know why USD is getting costlier these days? CAD still stays at around 40 INR.. but USD has crossed 51 INR now. With trillions of USD getting minted for the bailout, I thought USD will be loosing its value.. but seems to be going the other way around... Any thoughts?

USD is the reserve currency and is considered a safe haven. Although the US is printing money left right and centre, all other major economies are also prinitng money.

Another important fact is that there is no greater liquid market than US for short term treasuries. This is attracting a lot of dollar interest as investors buy dollars to invest in US treasuries.

Once the world economy stabilises, money will flow out of treasuries into equities, inflation will rise, commodities will rise and the US dollar will fall - again on one knows how fast or by how much.