New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will travel to the US next week for two fireside chats at Columbia University on November 17 and in Chicago on November 18. Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda said the visit is built around academic conversations and not diaspora rallies. "He is required here at Columbia University on the 17th and Chicago on 18th November," Pitroda said. "He is here for a fireside chat at Columbia University." He added that Gandhi will then travel to Chicago. Pitroda said the first chat at Columbia will focus on the global student movement and the implications of that on overall global politics. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha will be in conversation with Robert Pape, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, on international affairs and geopolitics. Pitroda said Gandhi's events at Columbia and Chicago are the only formal engagements on the schedule. He added that Gandhi agreed to take a small break and visit the US because of the subject matter. Pitroda said the sessions are meant to reach beyond the rooms. "People have huge interest in listening to Rahul Gandhi on these issues globally," he said. "It will be properly broadcast by the universities, and I hope people tune in."...