Indian flag maker Pingali Venkayya: Soldier, scientist, polyglot, and selfless patriot

On August 2, 1878, a boy was born into a humble farmer family at Bhatlapenumarru village near Machilipatnam in Krishna district. He was named Pingali Venkayya who later earned several titles, including Patthi (Cotton) Venkayya, Diamond Venkayya and Japan Venkayya. However, the name that stays forever is Jhanda (flag) Venkayya. Unhappy with the hoisting of the Union Jack at every political meeting, Pingali resolved to design a national flag for India — a single flag that would not just shed light on the culture and traditions of the country but also unite the people, which is what the Har Ghar Tiranga is all about.

An artistic depiction of Pingali Venkayya handing over the national flag to Gandhiji at the 1921 AICC meet at Victoria Jubilee Hall, in Vijayawada. The hall now houses the Bapu Museum | Prasant Madugu