PM Narendra Modi to offer prayers at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple today

The PM will also also inaugurate the 104th Indian Science Congress at Tarakarama Stadium of Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Six Nobel Prize winners from different countries such as the US, Japan, Israel, France and Bangladesh would also take part in the event besides about 14,000 scientists and scholars from across the country, Prof D Narayana Rao, general president of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), said.

After his inaugural address, PM Modi, at a tea ceremony at the varsity, would hold a brief conference with about 50 people, including the Nobel laureates, eminent Indian scientists, other dignitaries and top officials, he said.

With a huge participation of 12,000 scientists from across the country, 200 scientists from abroad and Nobel laureates from the US, Japan, France, Israel and Bangladesh, the mega event is expected to prepare a road map for the country.

Topics in the plenary include making Science and Technology relevant to the society by setting national priority areas, steps for ushering in economic development, with due focus on higher education and collaborative activities.

The 104th Indian Science Congress will also witness Children Science Congress to be held from January 4 to 6 at Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam aimed at highlighting the need to create awareness about science among children and elders.

A thick blanket of security has been thrown over the temple city in view of the Prime Minister`s visit and the Science Congress.