Periscope: PM Modi likely to visit Varanasi this week

This will be PM Modi's first visit after the polls

Modi’s heartfelt thanks

Six months after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) sweeping victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Friday and Saturday — first after the polls — to express gratitude to the people and lay the foundation stone for several developmental schemes. The PM is likely to call on a group of Muslim women who supported the government’s stand against triple talaq. During his visit, Modi will distribute registration certificates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Besides, he will lay the foundation for seven projects at the Diesel Locomotive Works on Friday. He will also inaugurate 17 projects, including the Ramnagar-Samne Ghat Bridge and Balua Ghat Bridge on the Ganga, and the second phase of a trade facilitation centre. The PM had inaugurated the first phase in December last year.

This time, it’s Sushma at UN

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address a high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, while Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister of Pakistan, is scheduled to address the global leaders on  September 21. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the event. The general debate will open on Tuesday and run through September 25. All eyes will be on US President Donald Trump, who will deliver his first address to global leaders from the General Assembly hall’s iconic green podium on Tuesday.

Rahul in Uncle Sam’s land

During his US tour, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will speak at a gig organised by the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) at a 1900-seat capacity space in Mariott Marquis hotel at Times Square on Wednesday. The function has been put together by entrepreneur Sam Pitroda. “Overseas Indians have a lot to offer to local communities, India and the world. The opportunity to mobilise global Indian resource is interesting and exciting,” Pitroda tweeted. BS reporter

Indian democracy needs strong Opposition and checks and balances with values and vision of India we believe in. Indian Overseas can help in the process. On IOC, I have spoken to many and learned that we have 18 IOC global cells that need expansion, excellence and equity with diversity, resources and restructuring. Based on various inputs and advise, we have prepared a plan for the IOC,” Pitroda tweeted. The plan and how it is to be rolled out will be spelt on September 20.