A congregant family participates in the ceremonial groundbreaking. Photo by John Worthington | The Reporter.
Dignitaries, legislators and community leaders joined the Hindu community from throughout the region Saturday for a ground breaking ceremony to build a learning center at the Bharatiya Temple and Cultural Center, 1612 County Line Road.
“This is an auspicious occasion, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bharatiya Learning Center,” said Nand Todil, founder and president of the Bharatiya Temple. “This is a very proud moment for the Indian community in the tristate area.”
Preceded by a ground purification ritual, the groundbreaking ceremony featured a rotating line of executive officers, congregant families and local officials.
The 500-square-foot facility will house 12 digitized classrooms, a technology center, a dining hall and a cafeteria. The center will also host a range of community activities, including senior networking, youth groups, blood drives and vaccination camps.
“This is the laying of the foundation of a center where cultural, educational and many community services will be provided to the community at-large,” said Todil.
Partially funded by $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) county funds, the learning center is still a few million dollars short in funding. Local officials touted their efforts to secure federal funding to complete the project.
“We’re working with our federal delegation. Senator Fetterman is potentially supportive of an earmark, which will really help get this thing to the finish line,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija.
“I’m proud to support the efforts towards that earmark,” added state Rep. Steve Malagari. “What a beautiful learning center that will be constructed once we get the final funding push through.”
Todil concluded by thanking the officials for their longstanding support and applauding the continuing growth of the Bharatiya Temple.
“We feel proud today to see the fruits of the seeds planted by the founding members 25 years ago and the progress we have made together with community support,” he said.
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