President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday conveyed his greetings on the occasion of International Women's Day saying generations of Indian women have made an invaluable contribution to the development and progress of the country.

"On the occasion of International Women's Day, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to women in India and in all parts of the world," he said in a message.

Mukherjee said that the government has introduced and implemented historic legislations and far sighted programmes for their empowerment and equal participation in nation building and referred to the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign.

All support should be given so that women realise their aspirations and "enjoy the safety, dignity and unfettered equality that is their sacred right," he said.

'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' is an important initiative to prevent female foeticide and provide educational opportunities for female children in India, he said.

The President said that with their incomparable compassion, tolerance and hardwork, generations of Indian women have made an invaluable contribution to the development and progress of the country.

"On this day, I call upon the people of India to reaffirm their commitment to gender equality and the true empowerment of women.

"Let us rededicate our efforts to give them all the support they need to develop to their full potential, realise their aspirations and enjoy the safety, dignity and unfettered equality that is their sacred right," he said.

India scripted an unlikely 75 run victory at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to level the ongoing India vs Australia series 1-1 on Tuesday, wrapping up the Australian second innings on the penultimate day itself.

The hosts had opted to bat after winning the toss but managed a paltry 189 in the first innings, with Nathan Lyon owning the mantle of wrecker-in-chief for the Australians, bagging an impressive 8-50 to give the visitors a series chance of winning the series. 

Opener Kl Rahul struck a priceless 90, but with the rest of the Indian top-order folding without much of a fight, the momentum swung the Aussies’ way, not for the last time as it would turn out.

Australia had at one point, looked certain to cross the 300-run mark in their first innings but a late collapse triggered by Ravindra Jadeja (6-63) limited their total to a decent 276. Young opener Matt Renshaw (60) and Shaun Marsh (66) had given the visitors a good platform to build on, but with Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh unable to to get going, they required a cameo from wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (40) to get a lead of 87 runs.

India’s second innings, which began on Monday, looked likely to set an improbable target of 300 runs for Australia after an excellent partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara (92) and Ajinkya Rahane (52) had put India in a position of control at stumps.

Tuesday, was the most exhilarating single day of the series so far, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood striking in quick succession with the new ball to rock India.

Starc was on a hat-trick after removing Rahane and Karun Nair (0) and while he was unable to get a treble, Hazlewood struck twice in the following over to stun the hosts, who never recovered and were bundled out for 274, setting the Australians a target of 188 to win the match.

While in theory the target was achievable, on a fast-deteriorating Bengaluru pitch it was easier said than done

For Australia’s slump began when the dangerous Mitchell Marsh (13) was caught by Nair off Ravichandran Ashwin after a decent start had sparked fears that the visitors could take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series by chasing the target down.

Matthew Wade (0) and Mitchell Starc (1) departed far too quickly for Australia’s liking and the Ashwin (6-41) finished off the remaining tail to get the 25th fiver of his stellar career and give India a morale-boating win at Bengaluru.

Those who complain about Test cricket being boring, were given the perfect riposte by two super-competitive teams who gave their everything to script a sporting spectacle like no other.

The next Test is scheduled for Ranchi which gets underway on March 16 and while Australia will look to avenge their loss, one feels Virat Kohli and co will be even more aggressive and look to counter their great rivals.

After vigorously campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set for a two-day visit in his home state Gujarat starting Tuesday.

During his visit, the prime minister will be attending programmes scheduled across Surat, Bharuch, Gandhinagar and Somnath.

Addressing a public meeting upon his arrival in Surat, PM Modi will also visit ONGC plant at Dahej and inagurate the cable bridge constructed on Narmada river to ease the traffic on Ahmedabad-Mumbai National Highway.

Modi will also address a public gathering in Bharuch and lay a foundation stone for a bus port in the town.

The prime minister is also likely to attend a dinner hosted by the state Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at the Chief Ministerial Bungalow in Gandhinagar.

This is Modi’s 10th Gujarat visit ever since he became the prime minister in May 2014.

Stage is set for the grand finale to the staggered UP Assembly polls as the seventh and the last phase covering 40 seats will be held on Wednesday, with all eyes on the Prime Minister's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.

Three Naxal-affected districts of Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli, along with the five Assembly segments under Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, will be in prime focus.

Ghazipur, Jaunpur and Bhadoi are the other districts going to polls in this phase. Tight security has been put in place in these seven districts.

Counting of votes polled in all the seven phases of the assembly polls will be taken up on March 11. Polling will be held between 7 am to 5 pm in all constituencies, except the Naxal-hit Duddhi, Robertsganj and Chakia seats, where polling will end at 4 pm.

A total of 1.41 crore voters, including 64.76 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in 14,458 polling booths.

The BJP is contesting 32 seats and its allies the Apana Dal and the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party are contesting on 4 seats each. The BSP has fielded its nominees for all seats.

While the SP is contesting 31 seats, its ally the Congress is in race for the remaining seats.

In the 2012 state Assembly polls, out of these 40 seats, 23 went to the SP, 5 to the BSP, 4 to the BJP, 3 to the Congress and 5 to others.

In all, 535 candidates, including 40 (BSP), 32 (BJP), 31 (SP), 9 (Cong), 21 (RLD) and 5 (NCP) are in the fray.

While the maximum number of candidates (24) are from the Varanasi Cantt seat, the minimum number of candidates (six) are contesting from Kerakat (SC).

For the last phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent three days in Varanasi, where he visited temples, held a roadshow and attended a number of public events. He also addressed several rallies in the region to give a final push to the BJP campaign.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also matched it with their own campaign blitz in the region.

Joined by Akhilesh's wife Dimple, the two leaders held a roadshow, hours after Modi arrived in the city and paid obeisance at the Kashi Vishwanath and Kal Bhairav temples with much fanfare.

BSP chief Mayawati, who is seeking a fifth term as chief minister, also addressed a rally in Rohaniya, around 20 km from Varanasi on the same day.

Prominent candidates who are in fray include former Cabinet minister Om Prakash, Parasnath Yadav, Ajay Rai, former MP Dhananjay Singh, Sigbatullah Ansari brother of Mukhtar Ansari and Seema Singh wife of jailed mafia Munna Bajrangi.

Polling in Alapur seat will be held on Thursday. Voting in this constituency was postponed following the demise of a candidate belonging to a recognised political party.

The Election Commission has also postponed telecast of exit polls till 5:30 PM on Thursday, keeping this polling in mind.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan took to social networking site, Twitter, on Tuesday to announce that mineral water bottles could be sold at uniform price India.

Seeking explanation from companies selling mineral water bottles with different MRPs, the minister said that the price of the water bottles should be same at hotels, airports as well as malls.

“We received several complaints that companies file separate print rates. The ministry has asked them for a response,” Paswan tweeted.

“Mineral water bottle will be available at the same rate at airports, hotels and malls,” he added.

More than 2,000 fighters sent from Iran have been killed in Iraq and Syria, the head of Iran's veterans' affairs office said today.

"Some 2,100 martyrs have been martyred so far in Iraq or other places defending the holy mausoleums," Mohammad Ali Shahidi told the state-run IRNA news agency.

Shahidi, who is head of Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, was speaking at a conference on martyrdom culture in Tehran.

The figure was more than double the number he gave in November, which referred only to Syria.

Iran is, with Russia, the main military backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and also organises militias fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq.

Shahidi did not provide details on the nationalities of those killed.

Iran oversees "volunteer" fighters recruited from among its own nationals as well as Shiite communities in neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The families of those killed in battle are given Iranian citizenship under a law passed last May.

Tehran refers to the fighters as "defenders of the shrines" — a reference to Shiite holy sites in Iraq and Syria that have been targeted by Sunni extremists.

President Donald Trump's revised executive order to ban citizens of six-Muslim majority nations from entering America does not make the US "safe", top Indian-American lawmakers have said.

"Make no mistake: this ban does not keep us safe. It puts American lives at risk while isolating the Muslim community at a time when we need to address the threat of homegrown extremism. No matter the changes, this executive action remains immoral and fundamentally un-American," California Senator Kamala Harris said.

Harris, who is the first Indian-American US Senator was joined by four other Indian Americans in the House of Representatives – Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal, the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the House.

"While I welcome the decision to omit Iraq from the list of banned countries, the President still has an obligation to provide evidence of a national security threat posed by immigrants and refugees from the remaining six countries," Harris said.

Jayapal said, in his new executive order, Trump has been forced to recognise that his original travel ban was both "unconstitutional" and "ineptly" executed.

"The new order recognises that we must honour the visas of those who already have been given clearance to come to the United States, as well as excludes legal permanent residents and dual citizens affected by the ban," she said.

"It also excludes Iraq from the list of the banned countries, another clear sign that such a ban would hurt our coalition efforts for peace in the Middle East. It should not have taken the courts and nationwide protests to stop such an order from taking effect in the first place," she said.

The President was "irresponsible" in "throwing" the country into chaos and putting fear in the hearts of millions of families, she added.

"Unfortunately, however, the President's Muslim Ban 2.0 is driven by the same xenophobic priorities that wreaked havoc at airports around the nation and led to the shameful detentions of innocent men, women and children," Jayapal said.

"It continues to single out Muslim majority countries only, drastically limits and suspends refugee resettlement, and deeply affects our relationships with countries around the world. It continues to do nothing to make our country safer, alienates our allies and gives extremists propaganda for recruitment," she said. 

Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd shares turned highly volatile on Tuesday, after the non-banking finance company on Monday said that 4.5 per cent of its gross loan portfolio is under risk of slipping into bad loan in the fourth quarter.

The information was given in a quickly arranged conference call with analysts and investors after market hours on Monday.

The management said that portfolio with more than eight weeks overdue stood at 4.5 per cent of the total loan book which is higher than 0.2 per cent reported in the third quarter.

“We expect collections to improve in next 2-3 months,” a company statement said.

The company’s collections which took a hit after demonetisation deteriorated further in February ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

“Given the fact that elections were in its last leg, the intensity of the campaign for loan waivers had come down,” the company’s managing director MR Rao said.

Meanwhile, shares of the company recovered from day's low and were trading 1.6 per cent higher at Rs.815 in the late afternoon trade on Tuesday. The stock touched its lowest price band at 721.95 in the early morning trade at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Turkish, Russian and US military chiefs held talks on Tuesday in the southern Turkish city of Antalya to discuss regional issues including Iraq and Syria, the Turkish army said.

"Common issues relating to regional security, in particular Syria and Iraq, are being discussed at the meeting," the army said in a statement, without elaborating further.

The meeting attended by Turkish Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford and Russian Chief of General Staff General Valery Gerasimov appears to be the first of its kind.

In the past, Antalya hosted several NATO meetings, as well as the G20 summit in 2015.

Moscow also confirmed the meeting, with the defence ministry saying in a statement to Russian news agencies: "A joint discussion on security issues in Syria and Iraq is planned at the event." 

The talks come a day after Turkey stepped back from threats to strike Syrian Kurdish militia forces deployed in former Islamic State group (IS) bastion of Manbij in Syria, unless it was in cooperation with Russia and the United States.

"It makes no sense to launch an operation in Manbij without the cooperation of Russia and the United States," Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in a televised interview.

His announcement stood in stark contrast to previous threats from Ankara that it would hit Syrian Kurdish militia — considered "terrorists" by Turkey — unless they withdrew from Manbij.

Turkey had often said that the next target of its cross-border Syria campaign would be the flashpoint town of Manbij, which is now controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a group dominated by Kurdish fighters.

Ankara has launched an ambitious military campaign inside Syria since late August, backing Syrian opposition fighters and recaptured several towns near its border from IS including Jarabulus, Al-Rai, Dabiq and Al-Bab.

The Turkish campaign is also aimed at stopping the advance of Syrian Kurdish militia, which Ankara accuses of being the Syrian branch of an outlawed Kurdish militant group.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday disposed off a plea seeking action against cops for allegedly manhandling students and journalists in the Ramjas College incident.

Last week, students from Delhi University's law department approached the High Court for action against those cops responsible for assaulting students and scribes.

Two of Delhi University law students Tarun Narang and Deepak Joshi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the matter and sought formation of an independent committee of senior Delhi Police officials to investigate what led to massive protests in the college.

In the PIL, students also demanded that police lodge cases under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the police officers.

On February 22, the All India Students Association (AISA) and the ABVP engaged into a scuffle over cancellation of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid's talk at Delhi University's Ramjas College.

Following the emerging reports about the extreme violence, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Delhi Police commissioner.

However, the Delhi Police had called for strict action, while asserting that few policemen's unprofessional actions were also noticed in handling law and order situation during the scuffle.

Ahead of International Women’s day, actor Akshay Kumar and actress Taapsee Pannu have come up with the perfect Women’s day gift for all women out there.

The duo took to social media to demonstrate how women can use their elbow to deter attackers and molesters.
The video, which both Taapsee and Akshay shared on Twitter features the actress urging women to fight for their protection. She urged women not to freeze with shock and be in a helpless position when someone tries to misbehave with them.

"I fail to understand how weak are we that we can't protect ourselves. When someone touches us, our mind doesn't work. When a man comes and touches our breast or back, we freeze, and they take advantage of that moment and do whatever they want.
 
"To answer this, we should know what to do. Throw a stone and run, kick, use your hands… Your body parts are your weapons. Use your 'kohni' (elbow), trust me it hurts a lot," the Pink actress was quoted as saying in the video.
 
Actress Taapsee Pannu would be next seen in Naam Shabana alongside actor Akshay Kumar, which is slated to release in 2017. 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused meet an all party delegation from the state which was supposed to apprise him about various issues.

Making a statement in the state assembly, he said the state had sought a meeting with the prime minister either on March 20 or 21 to submit a memorandum on various issues including cut in rice quota under PDS and seek financial aid to face the drought situation in the state.

In response to the state's request, the Prime Minister's Office has informed about the "unavailability" of PM for a meeting due to his busy schedule and wanted the state delegation to meet the Union Home Minister and Finance Minister for the purpose.

"The PMO should have given the reply with the knowledge of prime minister and this attitude is highly condemnable," Vijayan said.

"It also goes against the principles of democracy and federalism," he said.

The PMO did not suggest another date and instead it wanted the state delegation to meet the home minister or the finance minister, the chief minister said.

"We do not understand the logic behind this," Vijayan said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said Modi's refusal meet an all-party delegation is an "insult" to the people of Kerala.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is behaving like a authoritarian," he said.

Congress leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also criticised Modi's "attitude" and said the PMO should have suggested a convenient date for a meeting instead of refusing.

However, the lone BJP member in the House O Rajagopal objected to the statements of both the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF.

"The statements made by both leaders amounted to politicising the issue. The interpretation given to the PMO's reply is not correct. Prime Minister is a busy personality.

The state, instead of suggesting date, should have sought a convenient date from the PMO," Rajagopal said.

"The statement of LDF and UDF leaders is part of their continuing process of insulting the PM," he added.

Later, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan said Modi's attitude is "shameful" and "against the spirit of federalism".

e wanted the state government to convey its protest to the Centre in this regard.

India's spirituality is its strength but unfortunately some people link it to religion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

Addressing a function here to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), he said Yoga is the first step towards the journey of spirituality.

Modi said the world compares India on the basis of its population, GDP or employment rate, but the world has neither known nor recognised India for its spirituality.

"India's spirituality is its strength. But, it is unfortunate that some people link spirituality to religion.

But both spirituality and religion are different," he said.

The prime minister also hailed Yogi Paramahansa who left the shores of India to spread his message but remained connected to India all the time.

The YSS was founded in 1917 by Paramahansa.

A special postage stamp to commemorate the occasion was also released by Modi.

Recalling the words of former President APJ Abdul Kalam who felt that India's spiritualness is its strength and this process should continue, he said that the spirituality of the country has been strengthened by India's sages and saints.

Modi's remarks come in the backdrop of a debate over the attempts by political parties to polarise society on the lines of religion especially during elections.

Talking about Yoga, he said it is the simple entry point to a spiritual world.

"Yoga is the entry point to spirituality. Yoga is the entrance point to one's spiritual journey. One should not consider it as the last point, as it is simply the entry gate to the spiritual world," he said.

"Once an individual develops an interest in Yoga and starts diligently practicing it, it will always remain a part of his or her life," he added.

The prime minister also recalled that the path shown by "Yogi ji" was not about "Mukti" (salvation) but "Antaryatra" (quest within).

He said the 'Kriya Yoga' practised by Paramahansa revitalises the subtle currents of life energy in the body.

Remembering the last words of Paramahansa, the prime minister said his teachings are so humane and full of compassion towards all.

Modi was later given a memento with the Yogi's last words inscribed on it, which speak about the strength of spirituality of his motherland.

India's spirituality is its strength but unfortunately some people link it to religion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

Addressing a function here to commemorate the centenary celebrations of the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS), he said Yoga is the first step towards the journey of spirituality.

Modi said the world compares India on the basis of its population, GDP or employment rate, but the world has neither known nor recognised India for its spirituality.

"India's spirituality is its strength. But, it is unfortunate that some people link spirituality to religion.

But both spirituality and religion are different," he said.

The prime minister also hailed Yogi Paramahansa who left the shores of India to spread his message but remained connected to India all the time.

The YSS was founded in 1917 by Paramahansa.

A special postage stamp to commemorate the occasion was also released by Modi.

Recalling the words of former President APJ Abdul Kalam who felt that India's spiritualness is its strength and this process should continue, he said that the spirituality of the country has been strengthened by India's sages and saints.

Modi's remarks come in the backdrop of a debate over the attempts by political parties to polarise society on the lines of religion especially during elections.

Talking about Yoga, he said it is the simple entry point to a spiritual world.

"Yoga is the entry point to spirituality. Yoga is the entrance point to one's spiritual journey. One should not consider it as the last point, as it is simply the entry gate to the spiritual world," he said.

"Once an individual develops an interest in Yoga and starts diligently practicing it, it will always remain a part of his or her life," he added.

The prime minister also recalled that the path shown by "Yogi ji" was not about "Mukti" (salvation) but "Antaryatra" (quest within).

He said the 'Kriya Yoga' practised by Paramahansa revitalises the subtle currents of life energy in the body.

Remembering the last words of Paramahansa, the prime minister said his teachings are so humane and full of compassion towards all.

Modi was later given a memento with the Yogi's last words inscribed on it, which speak about the strength of spirituality of his motherland.

Australian wickets continued to tumble at a steady rate post lunch, with the visitors scoreboard reading 101/6 at tea as India stormed back with a concerted bowling effort that left Steve Smith and co reeling on in the second Test of the ongoing India vs Australia series.

Ishant Sharma, the final Indian wicket to fall in the morning session, took the first wicket post lunch, with Wriddhiman Saha taking the catch after the ball grazed the young opener’s gloves, taking a sharp bounce off a crack in the pitch.

While the first dismissal required a bit of luck, the second was a brilliant ball from Ravichandran Ashwin which deceived Warner, slipping on to his pads even as he attempted a sweep. The umpire’s finger went up immediately but Warner reluctantly went for a review after a brief discussion with captain Steve Smith. Replays proved that there was no bat involved and the original decision stood but it was mighty close as the ball just about clipped the stumps.

Smith (28) then struck a 23-run partnership with Shaun Marsh (9) but Umesh Yadav’s introduction into the attack brought immediate dividends for Virat Kohli. Yadav trapped Marsh LBW and after a short discussion, the Australians decided to conserve their final review.

Yadav got the prized scalp of the Smith with a ball that deserved a wicket and got one, with Smith missing the ball which hit his pads. Controversy erupted as Smith wanted to consult the dressing room but was stopped by the umpires from doing so. A furious Kohli was told to calm down by umpire Nigel Llong, as the Indian captain had protested vociferously as soon as he understood what Smith was attempting.

Peter Handscomb and Mitchell Marsh (13) looked well set and after an expensive Ishant Sharma over which leaked 13 runs, it seemed the Australians would canter to victory.

Ashwin came to India’s rescue yet again to break the dangerous partnership, with Karun Nair making his sole contribution of note with a well-taken catch at short leg to remove the dangerous Marsh. Ashwin wasn’t done, with his next scalp being of wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade for a duck after the Australian getting an inside edge which had Wriddhiman Saha flying at full stretch to ensure the dismissal.

At lunch, Peter Handscomb (19*) was unbeaten at the crease and while theoretically Australia require ‘only’ 87 runs, they won’t find much joy in the Bengaluru pitch and are up against a fired-up Indian side who are desperate to level the Border-Gavaskar series. For the next couple of batsmen are primarily bowlers and it may just be a bridge too far for the Australians.

Earlier in the day, India suffered a dramatic collapse brought about by the Australian pace-duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Ajinkya Rahane (52) and Cheteshwar Pujara (92) initially gave the impression that India would be able to post a target of about 300 but after Starc dismissed Rahane with the new ball, the Indian wickets fell like chaff in the wind.

Smith’s decision to opt for the new ball was vindicated immediately by Starc, who got two wickets in two balls to stun the Indians. He got Rahane out via LBW on the third ball and on the very next removed Karun Nair (0) for a golden duck to change the complexion of the match in a span of two balls. 

The Rahane dismissal was the turning point of the morning  session, even more so with umpire Llong initially giving Rahane not out but after an Australian review, the decision was overturned much to delight of Steve Smith and co.

While Starc didn’t get his hat-trick, the psychological damage was done as Hazlewood picked up the wickets of Pujara, who was on the verge of a ton, and Ravichandran Ashwin (4) in the next over to deal a double whammy to the hosts.

Wriddhiman Saha (20*) proved to the be the sole source of resistance, keeping his head and playing some smart shots even as his teammates lost their heads and built a vital 16-run partnership with 11th man Ishant Sharma (6). 

Sharma eventually fell to Steve O’Keefe, attempting to drive a loose ball which went straight to Shaun Marsh at short over to end the Indian innings at 274.

Hazlewood (6/67) was the pick of the visiting bowlers but had able support from fellow-pacer Starc (2/74) and spinner O’Keefe (2/36) in an action-packed opening session.

Australian wickets continued to tumble at a steady rate post lunch, with the visitors scoreboard reading 101/6 at tea as India stormed back with a concerted bowling effort that left Steve Smith and co reeling on in the second Test of the ongoing India vs Australia series.

Ishant Sharma, the final Indian wicket to fall in the morning session, took the first wicket post lunch, with Wriddhiman Saha taking the catch after the ball grazed the young opener’s gloves, taking a sharp bounce off a crack in the pitch.

While the first dismissal required a bit of luck, the second was a brilliant ball from Ravichandran Ashwin which deceived Warner, slipping on to his pads even as he attempted a sweep. The umpire’s finger went up immediately but Warner reluctantly went for a review after a brief discussion with captain Steve Smith. Replays proved that there was no bat involved and the original decision stood but it was mighty close as the ball just about clipped the stumps.

Smith (28) then struck a 23-run partnership with Shaun Marsh (9) but Umesh Yadav’s introduction into the attack brought immediate dividends for Virat Kohli. Yadav trapped Marsh LBW and after a short discussion, the Australians decided to conserve their final review.

Yadav got the prized scalp of the Smith with a ball that deserved a wicket and got one, with Smith missing the ball which hit his pads. Controversy erupted as Smith wanted to consult the dressing room but was stopped by the umpires from doing so. A furious Kohli was told to calm down by umpire Nigel Llong, as the Indian captain had protested vociferously as soon as he understood what Smith was attempting.

Peter Handscomb and Mitchell Marsh (13) looked well set and after an expensive Ishant Sharma over which leaked 13 runs, it seemed the Australians would canter to victory.

Ashwin came to India’s rescue yet again to break the dangerous partnership, with Karun Nair making his sole contribution of note with a well-taken catch at short leg to remove the dangerous Marsh. Ashwin wasn’t done, with his next scalp being of wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade for a duck after the Australian getting an inside edge which had Wriddhiman Saha flying at full stretch to ensure the dismissal.

At lunch, Peter Handscomb (19*) was unbeaten at the crease and while theoretically Australia require ‘only’ 87 runs, they won’t find much joy in the Bengaluru pitch and are up against a fired-up Indian side who are desperate to level the Border-Gavaskar series. For the next couple of batsmen are primarily bowlers and it may just be a bridge too far for the Australians.

Earlier in the day, India suffered a dramatic collapse brought about by the Australian pace-duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Ajinkya Rahane (52) and Cheteshwar Pujara (92) initially gave the impression that India would be able to post a target of about 300 but after Starc dismissed Rahane with the new ball, the Indian wickets fell like chaff in the wind.

Smith’s decision to opt for the new ball was vindicated immediately by Starc, who got two wickets in two balls to stun the Indians. He got Rahane out via LBW on the third ball and on the very next removed Karun Nair (0) for a golden duck to change the complexion of the match in a span of two balls. 

The Rahane dismissal was the turning point of the morning  session, even more so with umpire Llong initially giving Rahane not out but after an Australian review, the decision was overturned much to delight of Steve Smith and co.

While Starc didn’t get his hat-trick, the psychological damage was done as Hazlewood picked up the wickets of Pujara, who was on the verge of a ton, and Ravichandran Ashwin (4) in the next over to deal a double whammy to the hosts.

Wriddhiman Saha (20*) proved to the be the sole source of resistance, keeping his head and playing some smart shots even as his teammates lost their heads and built a vital 16-run partnership with 11th man Ishant Sharma (6). 

Sharma eventually fell to Steve O’Keefe, attempting to drive a loose ball which went straight to Shaun Marsh at short over to end the Indian innings at 274.

Hazlewood (6/67) was the pick of the visiting bowlers but had able support from fellow-pacer Starc (2/74) and spinner O’Keefe (2/36) in an action-packed opening session.

India on Tuesday announced an open acreage licensing policy for oil and gas exploration, allowing bidders to carve out areas where they want to drill as the energy- hungry country looks at greater foreign investment to boost output.

The world's third-largest oil consumer will conduct auction of oil and gas blocks under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) twice a year, with the first round being held in July this year, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here at the influential CERAWeek conference.

OALP auction will be held under the overhauled exploration licensing policy allows pricing and marketing freedom to operators and shifts to a revenue sharing model.

The July auction will be India's first major exploration licensing round since 2010, although it had recently awarded 31 small discovered fields mainly to state-owned and local firms under the liberalised Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP).

Showcasing HELP, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 10 last year, to global investors, Pradhan said the new policy is part of the strategy to make India a business and investor friendly destination and cut import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022.

"In the new model, government will not micromanage, micro monitor with producers. Government will only share revenue. It will be an open and regular affair," Pradhan told reporters on sidelines of the CERA Week Conference here.

India's domestic crude oil production of 36.95 million tons in 2015-16 barely met 20 per cent of its oil needs.

Natural gas output at 32.249 billion cubic metres meets less than half of its needs.

OALP will be a departure from the current licensing policy of government identifying the oil and gas blocks and then putting them on auction.

It gives an option to a company looking for exploring hydrocarbons to select the exploration areas on its own. This selection can be done based on the seismic and well data that the Directorate-General of Hydrocarbons has put in a National Data Repository. NDR offers a total of 160 terabyte data of India's 26 sedimentary basins.