PEGOGNAGA, ITALY, April 4 ,2011 (Gazzetta di Mantova): Yesterday was a day of celebration for the Indian community living in Pegognaga and Suzzara. At a site on Martin Luther King street in Polesine, the first stone of a new Hindu temple was laid by the Shri Hari Om Mandir association. Thousands of people attended; including the mayors of Pegognaga and Special Guest, Consul General of India in Milan, Sanjay Kumar Verma.
The mayor of Pegognaga said he was proud of the entrenched Indian presence in the municipal area: 340 people. In nearby Suzzara the Indian community is also numerous. Its mayor, Wainer Melli, gave his blessing. Work will begin next Monday. Part of the building will be completed and ready by November, the entire structure in a year.
The consul general said that never before has a town hall been made available to the Indian community as a Passport Camp office. “With great pride and happiness I welcome the cooperation between India and Italy – he said – recommending to all my fellow citizens to behave in accordance with the laws and traditions. What will be built is a temple open all Indians of various faiths, and Italians are welcome. Indian culture is based on hospitality. “