Niagara Falls to go desi on August 15, to be lit up with tricolour, courtesy Indian working at University at Buffalo  

The iconic Niagara Falls, which straddles the border between the US and Canada, will sport the colours of the Indian National Flag on August 15. Acting on an idea initiated by Sibu Nair, a University at Buffalo employee and President of the Indian Association of Buffalo, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board has given the necessary approvals — leading to a lot of excitement among the Indian diaspora in the New York State area.

The falls will be lit up for 15 minutes at 10 pm on August 15. "This is historic for us because not only has the board agreed to light up the falls in Saffron, White and Green, but we have also gotten permission for the Peace Bridge that connects USA and Canada to be lit up in the tricolour on August 12," said Nair, who is understandably elated at the developments. The Indian Association of Buffalo has over 800 registered families and is constantly promoting Indian culture through events, gatherings, festival showcases and so on.

This is historic for us because not only has the board agreed to light up the falls in Saffron, White and Green, but we have also gotten permission for the Peace Bridge that connects USA and Canada to be lit up in the tricolour on August 12

Sibu Nair, President, Indian Association of Buffalo

The only other time that the waterfalls have been lit up with the tricolour was in 2014 when doctors from the Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association of North America (RAJMAAI) sponsored the lighting of the Niagara on Independence Day to coincide with their annual convention. "We had written to them quite some time ago but we got a confirmation only this week," added Nair. 

The Niagara light show is a spectacle that draws millions from across the world and since 1925, the Niagara Falls Illumination Board (NFIB) has provided nightly illumination of the Falls. According to their website, the NFIB has also helped to raise awareness for hundreds of charities and special causes through special Niagara Falls light show requests.