Pingali Venkayya was born on 2 August 1876 in Bhatlapenumarru, a small village in Andhra Pradesh. He was a scholar, freedom fighter, and visionary. Educated in various places, including Madras, Bombay, and even abroad, he had a keen interest in geology, agriculture, and languages. Known as “Diamond Venkayya” for his work in diamond mining studies, he was also fluent in Japanese and deeply inspired by global movements for independence.

His Contribution to the Nation

Pingali Venkayya is best remembered as the designer of the Indian National Flag. In 1921, he presented his flag design to Mahatma Gandhi during a Congress session in Vijayawada. His original design went through modifications, eventually becoming the tricolour we know today—saffron, white, and green with the Ashoka Chakra. His contribution gave India a powerful symbol of unity and freedom, which became the official national flag on 22 July 1947.

Legacy and Recognition

Despite his historic contribution, Pingali Venkayya lived a simple life and passed away in poverty on 4 July 1963. It was only decades later that the nation began to truly recognize his role in shaping India’s identity. In 2009, the Government of India issued a postal stamp in his honour, and in 2022, his 146th birth anniversary was celebrated nationwide. Today, he is remembered as the man who gave India its proud national flag, a symbol of sacrifice, peace, and courage.