Rae Bareilly, Jan.28 The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi chose to visit a Dalit family's house in Rohania Village during the second day of her visit to her parliamentary constituency Rae Bareilly.

Sonia Gandhi made a surprise visit to one Rampal's thatched house. In her over half-an-hour stay, Gandhi ate "chuda" (flattened rice) and interacted with the family. She had some eatables at the Dalit family's house.

Later, the Congress President Ms.Gandhi visited the Mahepasi fort in Salon area and assured help to raise it as a tourist spot. "I will talk to Tourism Minister Ambika Soni for making it a tourist attraction."

Local Dalmau MLA, Ajay Pal, drew Sonia's attention to the backwardness of the district in health and education. She assured him of measures to overcome it.

Besides, a delegation of Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) employees from Manikapur, Allahabad and Rae Bareli met Gandhi and demanded steps for revival of the industry.

On Tuesday, they had staged a sit-in in front of ITI while Sonia Gandhi was passing through the area. They were, however, prevented by the police.

Employees claimed that Gandhi assured them of help to the ITI in the next Five Year Plan.

She also visited Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital in Mushiganj area of Amethi. Congress General Secretary and Sonia's son Rahul Gandhi and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband had visited this hospital on January 14.

Rahul Gandhi had visited a Dalit's colony earlier this month to feel the pulse of rural life. (ANI)