Pingali Venkayya

Pingali Venkayya (2 August 1876– 4 July 1963) was an Indian freedom fighter. 

 

He was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi and the designer of the flag on which the Indian national flag was based. 

 

He was born in Telugu brahmin family at Bhatlapenumarru, near Machilipatnam, in what is now the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

 

After completing his high school studies in Madras he went to Cambridge University to pursue graduation.

 

He was a  PhD in Geology and was a lecturer 

He was an expert in mining.

He was fluent in many languages,including  Japanese.

 

He led a humble life and died as a poor person as no one recognised his contribution.

 

Pingali Venkayya, who was from Krishna district, designed the National Flag and presented it to Mahatma Gandhi during the latter’s visit to Vijayawada city on 1 April 1921.

 

According to The Hindu, "Pingali Venkayya was agriculturist and also an educationist who set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam. 

 

He, however, died in poverty in 1963 and was largely forgotten by the society." 

 

A postage stamp was issued to commemorate him in 2009 and in 2011 it was proposed that he be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna. The decision by the Centre is yet to be taken on the proposal.