US junket, pvt ltd

It is not just elements of the media that are dismayed that Narendra Modi has stopped the unwholesome practice of taking a large contingent of journalists on prime ministerial visits overseas at government expense. Some non-resident Indian associations in the US are just as perturbed since they have lined up big plans around Modi's US visit starting September 25 and, understandably, want maximum coverage in the Indian media. So the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) has come up with an ingenious solution. It is inviting journalists from select media groups in India for an expenses-paid trip to New York and Washington for the duration. The programme will cover all of Modi's official events as well as USINPAC-related events involving the Indian-American community and some Congressmen. USINPAC, which describes itself as "The Voice of Indian Americans", has retained the services of a Delhi-based public relations outfit to co-ordinate the junket.