PM Modi Pays Tribute to Pingali Venkayya

PM Modi Pays Tribute to Pingali Venkayya: The Man Behind India’s National Flag

Remembering Pingali Venkayya on his birth anniversary PM Narendra Modi expresses gratitude towards his work in designing the Indian National Flag. The portrayal of Venkayya’s attempts reflects the unity and desires of a new and newly independent India and the spirit of the country and the desire of generations.

Who Was Pingali Venkayya?

Remembering Pingali Venkayya on his birth anniversary PM Narendra Modi expresses gratitude towards his work in designing the Indian National Flag. The portrayal of Venkayya’s attempts reflects the unity and desires of a new and newly independent India and the spirit of the country and the desire of generations.

Pingali Venkayya and the Design of the National Flag

The Indian National Congress in 1921 held a session in Vijayawada (formerly known as Bezwada) where Pingali Venkayya hand over his designed flag to Mahatma Gandhi. Initially it had only two colors that is red and green showing Hindu and Muslims in India as two major communities. Later, Gandhi recommended joining a white band to the green, which will indicate peace and all the other communities; the spinning wheel (Charkha) in the middle representing India’s progress.

He standardised the design of Indian National Congress flag in 1931. By this time, the flag had evolved to feature three colors: For courage and sacrifice there are saffron color added to the white color of peace and truth and green color of faith and fertility. The spinning wheel as a symbol became a symbol of India’s self sufficiency and freeing from the British regime.

When Did Pingali Venkayya Design the National Flag?

Pingali Venkayya’s major achievement was designed the Indian National Flag in 1921, which is the first design of the Indian National Flag. Nonetheless, existing design changes required modifications and the tricolor flag design was finalized as it is today. The present design of Indian National Flag which was altered by replacing the spinning wheel with Ashoka Wheel was approved by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947.

Historical Evolution of the Indian National Flag

The Indian National Flag’s evolution is intertwined with India’s struggle for independence, with each phase of the movement contributing to its development:

• 1906: The first Indian flag was hoisted at Parsee Bagan Square in Kolkata during the Swadeshi and Boycott movements.
• 1907: Madam Bhikaji Cama raised a similar flag with slight modifications in Paris, earning it international recognition at a socialist conference in Berlin. It became known as the “Berlin Committee Flag.”
• 1917: During the Home Rule Movement, Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak introduced a new flag symbolizing autonomous rule within the British colonial empire.
• 1921: Pingali Venkayya’s flag design was presented to Mahatma Gandhi during the Congress session in Vijayawada. It featured three stripes, symbolizing harmony among India’s diverse communities, and the spinning wheel at the center for progress.
• 1931: A formal resolution was passed to adopt Venkayya’s flag with modifications. The red stripe was replaced by saffron, and the design took its final form.
• July 22, 1947: The Constituent Assembly officially adopted the national flag of independent India. The Ashoka Chakra, symbolizing truth and life, replaced the spinning wheel, making the Tiranga a symbol of India’s sovereignty and pride.

Pingali Venkayya: A Life of Patriotism

Apart from nationalism created through his invention of the Indian flag, Pingali Venkayya also led an extra-ordinary life of committed nationalism. Apart from being a freedom fighter he was also a scholar who possessed knowledge in different disciplines including agriculture and geology. The relationship the two had were not limited to the designing of the flag but Cohen helped Gandhi in furthering the cause of Indian independence.

Mother Tongue and Early Life

The first half of the Pingali Venkayya’s his life was spent in the southern region of India especially in the Andhra Pradesh where the first language that he learned was Telugu. Due to the education and experiences that he got in his initial years, he became one of the most versatile leaders of Indian freedom struggle.

Posthumous Recognition and Honors

Pingali Venkayya’s immense contribution to India’s independence was recognized posthumously:

• In 2009, the Indian government issued a commemorative stamp in his honor.
• In 2014, the Andhra Pradesh government recommended him for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
• In 2015, All India Radio (AIR) Vijayawada was renamed after Venkayya, and a statue was unveiled in his memory, solidifying his place in the annals of Indian history.