TRUE, Tricolour to be hoisted for first time at Niagara Falls to mark Indian Independence Day

Hyderabad: India's 74th Independence Day is a day away. Multi-layered security arrangements and mandatory adherence to social distancing norms are in place for the celebrations at the Red Fort this year. In the midst of this, a message is going viral on social media claiming that the Tricolour will be hoisted at the iconic Canadian landmark Niagara Falls to mark Indian Independence Day.

Fact Check:

The claim that the Tricolour will be hoisted for the first time ever at the Niagara Falls to mark the Indian Independence Day this year is TRUE.

According to an article published in the Hindustan Times, India's Consul General to Toronto Apoorva Srivastava said, "It is a matter of great pride that this Independence Day, iconic locations like Niagara Falls, CN Tower, and the Toronto sign will be illuminated in Indian Tricolour."

The ceremony at the famous scenic spot will be part of celebrations that will take place across the country. The Indian flag will also be featured at other significant Canadian locations, including the 553-metre high CN Tower, the most striking building in the skyline of Canada's largest city, Toronto. Another quintessential landmark in the city, the three-dimensional Toronto sign near City Hall in Toronto, will be illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag.

These displays will continue through the weekend as the flag-raising at Niagara will take place on the evening of 15 August, while the flag will flutter over CN Tower on Sunday and the Toronto sign will stay illuminated over both evenings.

The official Twitter handle of the consulate general of India in Toronto tweeted, "Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Independence Day celebrations will be virtual this year. We request you to join us at 10 am on our social media handles for live streaming of flag hoisting and to sing our national anthem together."

Several virtual events like the India Day Parade, a key event for the Indian community in Canada that attracts a crowd of thousands every year, will also be a virtual parade. This event will feature videos showcasing the culture and cuisines from various parts of India

Taste of India, a food festival in Canada, was also held virtually this year. It featured different cuisines of India and recipes from celebrity chefs. There will be a symbolic planting of 74 saplings in Brampton, which will be followed by a rally featuring cars displaying the Tricolour.

In the neighbouring USA, too, a leading diaspora group will hoist India's national flag at the Times Square on 15 August, the first time the Tricolour will be unfurled at the iconic New York City destination.

Hence, the claim that the Tricolour will be hoisted for the first time ever at the iconic Canadian landmark Niagara Falls to mark Independence Day this year is TRUE.