Pingali Venkayya’s Death Anniversary is observed on July 4th, commemorating the passing of the visionary who designed the original version of the Indian National Flag. He died in 1963, largely unrecognized and in poverty, despite his monumental contribution to India’s identity.
His Legacy in Tricolor
- Venkayya presented his flag design to Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 at a Congress session in Vijayawada.
- His design laid the foundation for the current Tiranga, symbolizing unity in diversity.
- He studied flags of over 30 countries before crafting India’s own emblem of freedom.
A Man of Many Talents
- Known as “Jhanda Venkaiah”, he was also a geologist, polyglot, educationist, and agriculturist.
- He served in the British Indian Army during the Second Boer War and met Gandhi in South Africa.
- Despite his brilliance, he died in obscurity, though later honored with a postage stamp in 2009 and several statues across Andhra Pradesh.