NEW YORK: For the first time in history, the world-famous and most visited tourist spot Niagara Falls was illuminated with Indian tri-color, thanks to Indian-American physicians of Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association of North America (RAJMAAI).
The Silver Jubilee celebration of RAJMAAI was held between Aug 14 and 17 at Hotel Marriot Gateway on the Falls in Ontario, Canada in which over 300 physicians and their families attended all over from the US.
The Niagara Falls Parks Commission decided to illuminate the Falls with Indian Tri Color for 15 minutes on the night of India’s Independence Day – August 15 – perhaps for the first time in the history, according to RAJMAAI President Dr. Shashi Shah.
“The Indian Tricolor was illuminated vertically as the Parks Commission had no provision to illuminate horizontally. In 1997 and 1998, new fixtures replaced the outdated lamps and fixtures at the Illumination Tower, doubling the intensity of the lights on the Falls without doubling the hydro bills.
Currently a total of 21 xenon lights, each with a 76-cm (30 in) diameter, are used to illuminate the Falls in a rainbow of colors. Eighteen are located at the Illumination Tower, beside the Queen Victoria Place and three are located below street level in the gorge opposite the American Falls. Each of the xenon spotlights produces more than 390 million peak beams and have a brilliance of 250 million candlepower. The grand sponsor of the celebrations was Dr Samin Sharma, world-renowned cardiac surgeon of New York City.
The physicians discussed how to pitch in help the State of Rajasthan in providing best medical care, opening and training of trauma centers across the state, continuing medical education programs, opening of book banks, to name a few.
Noted Bollywood singer Kailash Kher entertained the guests and authentic Rajasthani cuisine was served. Dr Ravi Jahagirdhar, President of AAPI, Dr Ajeet Singhvi, Chair, Board of Trustees of AAPI, Dr Om Ganda and Prof. P.C.Dandiya attended the convention as honored guests.
PM Swamy
