Rahul Gandhi interacts with students in Karnataka

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Friday began a two-day visit to Karnataka, interacting with college students at three places as part of his efforts to strengthen the party's students wing, the National Students Union of India (NSUI).

Media was kept away from his interaction with students in Mysore, Shimoga and Dharwad.
Gandhi, who landed at the Bangalore International Airport Friday morning, flew to Mysore from there. After meeting students of St. Philomena's college in Mysore, he hopped on to Shimoga and then to Dharwad.

He will be in Gulbarga Saturday to continue the interaction with students. He will then come to Bangalore for a meeting with state Congress leaders before returning to Delhi.

At Kuvempu Auditorium in Shimoga, about 790 students from various colleges interacted with Rahul on issues including Kashmir, Naxal menace, reservation system, corruption and mining mafia. The Congress leader, who fielded questions from students, also posed them with a few and sought replies.

During the interaction that lasted for more than an hour, Gandhi appealed to the youth not to develop a negative attitude towards the nation. A large number of students, who took part in the interaction, said they were "thrilled" to hear him speak. It was not only an experience but an excellent, learning opportunity, they added.