Who was Pingali Venkayya mentioned by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat?
To mark Pingali Venkayya"s birth anniversary on August 2, the Central government will release a special commemorative postage stamp.
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On the 91st episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Pingali Venkaiah and paid homage to him while speaking about the national flag. Apart from this, to mark his birth anniversary on August 2, the Central government will release a special commemorative postage stamp. PM Modi will release the stamp at a program to be held in New Delhi, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday. He also revealed that the original flag designed by Pingali will be displayed at the eve. But, who was Pingali Venkayya? Let us get into details
Who was Pingali Venkayya?
Born near Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) on August 2, 1876, Pingali designed many models of the national flag. Pingali Venkayya was the designer of the Indian national flag who went on to become synonymous with the spirit of free and independent India.
Venkayya was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was also a linguist, geolist and writer. He also published a book in 1916 offering thirty designs of what could make the Indian flag. Throughout all Congress sessions between 1918 and 1921, he relentlessly put forward the idea of having a flag of our own.
"Pingali Venkaiah who is working in Andhra National College Machilipatnam, has published a book, describing the flags of the countries and has designed many models for our own National Flag. I appreciate his hard struggle during the sessions of Indian National Congress for the approval of Indian National Flag," Mahatama Gandhi had written in Young India.
The national flag that we see today was based upon his design. His life and contribution to the freedom struggle have been barely documented. In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi approved Venkayya’s design during the Indian National Congress meeting in Vijayawada. It was during his stint with the British Army that the 19-year-old met Mahatama Gandhi in Africa. Venkayya's association with Mahatama Gandhi lasted over 50 years.
Pingali Venkayya was also agriculturist as well as an educationist who set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam. He, however, died in poverty in 1963 and was largely forgotten by the society. In 1913, Pingali Venkayya gave a full-length speech in Japanese due to which he was given the title Japan Venkayya. He was also popularly called Jhanda Venkayya and Patti (cotton) Venkayya.
The Central government has invited family members of Pingali for the programme to be held in the national capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will honor them. The Prime Minister will also interact with the family members of Pingali.